Tent recommendations

[Shaggy]

Since my ex took the tent with her when we split, I'm now looking for a new one. I'm looking for something anywhere from 1-3 person, lightweight (backpacking), reliable, and able to accomodate my height (6'4"). Money is also a factor. Does anyone have any recommendations? Any brands/models to avoid?

[Mulletizer]

Not sure if their USA stores (which apparently exist - although their site is crap) will stock it but I was well impressed by the Quechua (house brand of Decathlon) Forclaz Ultralight. Light, sturdy, well-designed, well-made, and cheap. Ours was 100 Eurons and awesome.

[MakersTeleMark]

While not really a tent, I rave about the
Mt.Hdw Kiva

[El Chupacabra]

Check out the current offerings at Sierra Trading Post; 20% off sale now that I posted here:
http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56533

[marshalolson]

i'm fairly tall (6'2'') and have really good luck with most of sierra designs stuff. not as much $$$ as some, but just as well made and alot of nice ffeatures.

i have the nightwatch (2 person 3/4 convertable) and have used it in 95deg heat and 0deg snow. pretty much rad.

[Chainsaw_Willie]

Gotta backup the Sierra Designs recommendation. I have an old model called "Clip Flashlight" which is a two person design. Very lightweight, very well made. 8 years of hard use and I finally had to have the zipper replaced last year, nothing else wrong with it. It has withstood 50+ MPH winds and blizzards (though it isn't really designed for winter use and those gusts pretty much laid it flat but didn't damage the aluminum poles.) It's kept me & my hiking partners dry in windy, drenching downpours, and even being stranded at a lake during a 3-day snow/ rainstorm. Very easy to setup too.

[Larryl]

The Hubba line of tents by MSR, light, easy to set up and compact.

[summit]

My clip flashlight CD (2 person) is pretty nice. It is heavy once you add up all the real weight: tent+fly+footprint+poles+6 Al stakes+compression sack=just shy of 5lbs. It is not self supporting which sucks for rocky soil of the rocky mountains.

Sierra Designs makes some lighter weight dual wall shelters: Lightning and Baku

Here are some good single wall choices:

CHEAP (both under $130 if you look) if you don't mind cramped quarters and possibly bad condensation: Eureka Spitfire UL, Eureka Zeus 1LE (the 1LE is self supporting and probably 3.5 season)

Single Wall:

EXPENSIVE: Black Diamond Firstlight
Get it with the carbon fiber aftermarket polls and you have a 2.25lbs self supporting single wall breathable fabric tent. No vestibule (more $$$ weight as an extra option) tent is already expensive. 3.5 season tent without question.

VERY VERY LIGHT (while called tarp tents, these are full bug proof and weather sealable as any of the above (only outclassed by the firstlight, but more airy for sure):

Tarp Tent Rainbow: 2lbs $215 self supporting with trekking poles
Tarp Tent Double Rainbow: bigger of the above
Tarp Tent Squall 2: 2lbs $215
http://www.tarptent.com/

Six Moons Designs Lunar Solo E: <2lbs (optionally even lighter)
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/

My next purchase will be a Rainbow. Here is my comparison pasted from another site:

<b>Tarptent Rainbow</b> /w built in floor:

$215
32oz
23sqft + 43"H + fully shielded tiny beak vestibule freestander



<b>Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Enhanced</b> (what a mouthfull!) light floor version:

$275
29oz
27sqft + 45"H + 10sqft fully shielded vestibule



<b>My Comparison Notes:</b>
Nonfreestanding Rainbow require 4 stakes min instead of 6
Rainbow far cheaper
Lunar has larger vestibules
Lunar has higher ceilings
Lunar has more protected vestibule
Rainbow is more roomy and more ergonomic (highpoint in the middle)
Rainbow can be free standing
Rainbow is structurally the most wind/snow resistant

----------------------------------
Other tents I considered: Mountain Hardwear Skypoint 1CF, MSR MicroZoid, Eureka EXO 1LE & Spitfire UL, Tarptent Squall 2, Dancing Light Arapaho & Tacoma & Brawny, GoLite Lair 1 /w bug/floor.
Current tent: Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD 2 person older model used REI rental. (With footprint, poles, 6 al stakes, compression sack, it is a ghastly ~90oz). It is an awesome and bomber tent but I hate all the stakes, weight, and size in the pack. It is spacious but more than I need.
--------------------------------------
Math notes:

Rainbow is 25oz $215 + 5oz sewn in floor + 2oz small silnylon groundcloth

Lunar Solo E /w UL floor is 23oz $235 + 1.8oz $25 carbon pole + 6x .3oz $4 Ti stakes + 2oz small silnylon groundcloth

[Spats]

The best lightweight tents are made by Tarptent. 2.5 pounds for a two-man tent, with poles and floor (i.e. a real tent). They're cheap, too ($250 or less).

http://www.tarptent.com/products.html

If you want a free-standing tent, no need to look any further than REI. Here's the classic 2-pole dome, with two doors so you don't have to climb over your buddy to pee, and it's under 6 pounds complete. All other 2-man designs are heavier and more complicated.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...ory_rn=4500457

If you don't mind a slightly shorter tent, this saves about a pound and a half, putting you well under 5 pounds. Still under $200:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...ory_rn=4500457

I may have a Tarptent Cloudburst for sale if you're interested.

(I've used a Eureka dome tent for about ten years, and it's been bomber. Unfortunately they've changed the design to something heavier and suckier.)

[MarsB]

Third on Sierra Designs. I've been very happy with my Lightning; it was between that and the MSR HubbaHubba, like the features but couldn't stomach the blaze orange color of the MSR - wtf were they thinking?!
I am a big fan of standalone tents (for beach, or big rock setups) and the ability to pitch just the fly and the floor for UL trips. The Lightning fits the bill, with good headroom and a packed weight of about 4 lbs total. Also may want to check out Big Agnes Seedhouse (2 and 3 man versions), nice tents as well.

[cj001f]

Another vote for the Clip Flashlight - mines got 7+ years, roughly 300 nights. Hellacious Patagonian winds, snow, it's done it all. It's not truly self supporting but you can patch it about anywhere with care. All tents need to be anchored for bad weather, the more stakes the better. You can buy Ti stakes and Si ground sheet (or you could use Tyvek....) for it if the weight is so 'ghastly', but then it'd cost more than $160

Can either the rainbow or the Lunar vestibule ends be pitched flush with the ground keeping the tarp flush?

[summit]

cj001f:Lunar can be flush for sure... just lower the ceiling an inch or two and pull the vestibule in a few inches.

The Rainbow can be near flush I'm told.

You can call Tarp Tent they are very very good about answering questions.

Man I was a FirstLight, but no mesh door and no vestibule (unless you want $100 and 1 lbs more on your tent) make me sad in the pants.

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL series is also worth considering (the SL 1 is like 2lbs 4oz for a self supporting double wall tent for $220!!!)

I'm going to order a Rainbow tomorrow I think though.

[cj001f]

cj001f:Lunar can be flush for sure... just lower the ceiling an inch or two and pull the vestibule in a few inches.

The Rainbow can be near flush I'm told.

Thanks! I'll have to try and find a stockist....

[pechelman]

i just ordered an SD Lightning, looking forward to testing it out
you all are a horrible influence

[Larryl]

MSR HubbaHubba, like the features but couldn't stomach the blaze orange color of the MSR - wtf were they thinking?!

So they don't blend into the forest?

[Spats]

Thanks! I'll have to try and find a stockist....

Tarptent only sells direct from their website.

Remember that the Rainbow is only self supporting if you carry trekking poles. Otherwise you need to stake the corners.

[summit]

You have to stake any self supporting tent with at least two stakes so it doesnt blow away. Without the trekking poles, the Rainbow only needs 4 stakes.

I'm going to order my Rainbow today!

If I end up feeling that I can't lower the beak (and walls) enough for crazy blowing snow/rain protection, I'll sell it and order a Solo E.

If the condensation issues are too much then I'll bite the bullet and get a heavier, smaller, 42oz double wall Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 1. I don't think that will be a problem. Though it is often cold at night at night in my regular areas, it is not humid and I'll just learn to manage what little condensation there is.

[MarsB]

So they don't blend into the forest?

I can see that for alpine expedition tents as a safety measure, but just not for backpacking. Who wants to see look over the rise and see their neighbor's blaze-orange eyesore in their viewshed? Not a huge thing, but I just didn't want to be that guy.

[andrewjesaitis]

If you are looking for a 3 season- I would go with a Sierra Designs Orion. It is relativly light and in my experience pretty bombproof as long as you aren't up on Rainier or Baker with it.

For a 4 season- I love my Marmot Thor. It was the cheapest 4 season tent I could find. I think I paid like $300 for it. I have had in some wicked winds with no problems. I think it is like 7ish pounds.

Edit: I am 6'2" and fit both tents fine. The marmot has a lot of room in it even with 2 guys my size in it.

[hutash]

If you are still looking check out Hilleberg tents. I have one, very light 4 season, alittle pricey, but a pretty cool design. I also have The North Face VE-25 not cheap, not light, but big and roomy and bomb proof. It is probably over kill for most uses, but it sure is nice and comfy when pinned down b y a multi-day storm.

http://www.hilleberg.com/

[P_McPoser]

I'll second the PCT 1. I love mine. Fits me and the dog fine, she's a 40 lb pit bull and I'm 5'11"

[kellen]

Another vote for the BD lighthouse. 4 season capable, plenty of room for two and gear, and pretty much the lightest freestanding 2p tent out there. Worth the extra $$$ for sure.

[Tuckerman]

bump.

Whats new cheap and good? 2 or 3 person free standing I think. I stay in lean-tos sometimes.

[wicked_sick]

I highly recommend the Black Diamond VISTA 3. It's got lots of room for a tall person. Downside is that it's $$

[GeezerSteve]

If you can get by the free-standing requirement, Tarptents offer the best deals for lightweight tents. Stormworthiness varies from model to model. No TT will be as stormworthy as a tunnel tent, e.g. Stephenson, Hilleberg, but the more stormworthy Tarp Tents are just fine for 95% of 3-season use.

Why free-standing? To fit under the lean to? (AFAIK, we don't have them in the PNW.) Free-standing comes at a cost, e.g., weight and space. Tunnel tents are the most stormworthy for the weight.

FWIW #2, I spend most of my nights in the mountains in a 'mid, currently a cuben fiber MLD Duomid XL which is $$$, but MLD offers the same and other 'mids in silnylon at affordable prices. 'Mids aren't great for wet snow loads so we use a tunnel tent (Stephenson 2R or 3R) for winter trips.