I'm looking for a light weight two person tent. There are so many alternatives now. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
Tent ideas
(14 posts) (12 voices)-
BustedRudder
MemberAll screen body starting 3-4 inches off waterproof base for optimal ventilation, rainfly with aft vent for comdensation, I do prefer 2 side entrances so you aren't climbing over your partner. Side entrance tends to collect less mosquitos on entrance assuming the tent is positioned into prevailing wind.
Has to be tall enough to sit up in comfortably to change or cook (most 2 person tents are), and long enough to have a small amount of gear inside ahead or behind you.
Check out Sierra designs, mountain hardwear, big agnes, REI.
I do have to say Big Agnes has the most awseome cust service on the planet. Replaced an entire tent 4 years after the fact when the waterproofing started to become sticky. Happens to a lot of tents. remember to store loose like a down bag, pack down for trips.
Posted 4 years ago # -
ClamCounter
MemberWe've put the good ole' Walmart brand $30 Ozark Trail tent to the test for the past 5 EC's. We have the 9x7 "4 man tent" that fits perfectly on our Main Trampoline. So far it's even held up to a few nights on the exposed beach with about 30mph winds. This may not be the lightest or highest quality tent, but there's no qualms about trashing it either once's it gets all mucked up on the beach.
I just noticed walmart has this $25 coleman tent too, if you're looking to go the disposable route. :)
I'm sure some others have a few other lighter weight options, so I thought I throw this in to the opposite end of the spectrum.
Posted 4 years ago # -
MicroTom
Key MasterMSR HubbaHubba. They are out of production but available on eBay new w/ tags.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Santiago
Membertchefuncte,
Whichever tent you choose, I recommend it be a freestanding model with a small footprint. If you're planning to do the Everglades Challenge, assume that you will be camping on a chickee. A freestanding tent is a heck of a lot easier on a chickee. And even if you plan on having the chickee to yourself, there's always a chance by the time you get to the Everglades, you will be travelling with other WaterTribers. There's not much room on the chickees, and a large tent doesn't leave much room for others.
I have an MSR HubbaHubba NX and I really like it.
Posted 4 years ago # -
rustybutt
MemberI bought a Marmot Ajax 2 from Sierra Trading Post last year. I have used it a number of times and am very pleased with it. Only 2 aluminum poles, 2 x side entrances and 2 small-ish vestibules, freestanding, nice and light and a very easy set up/take down The inner tent is all mesh which was one of my reasons for buying it as I have recently moved to Florida so wanted a more breathable tent. It is supposed to be a 2-person tent but really only good as a 1 person with gear inside tent. They have an Ajax 3 on their website too, it has one extra pole, a short one across the roof. Wait for sales and you can get it for about $112 for Ajax 2 and $135 for Ajax 3. The reviews are mainly 5 star.
Steep and Cheap has MSR tents for sale right now.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bermudaboy
MemberI'm tryin to find one that includes connectivity on the rain fly that displays daily, important, live changin updates on Kim Kardashian so I don't miss any of her amazing developments during this nugatory challenge.
BTW started to worry about Beast O, I havent seen any posts in a whiel..
Posted 4 years ago # -
I have been re-evaluating my tent solution. From my backpacking days I cared about weight and made purchases based on total weight. My current tent is light but pack down as small as many others.
For a kayak, I care more about compact size than total weight. Small size means it takes up less room in the boat. It also means the tent can be placed where I can access it from the hatch easily rather than shoved up in the bow of the boat where I have to pull other stuff out to get to it. It is a daily item and should be accessed easily to reduce transition times for getting back on the water after a night of camping. Unpacking a bunch of stuff to get to the tent and put it back in the boat is not efficient.
I completely agree with small footprint, free standing and mostly mesh. Mostly mesh because good air flow while keeping the bugs away makes a good south florida tent. It is harder to sleep in a tent that retains heat and moisture in what is already 100% humidity. So all these things and the smallest packable size is the best tent for the EC in a kayak.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Scareman
MemberIt depends what you want, and what your budget is.
Outdoorgearlab.com can help with reviews. Moosejaw.com is also a great place to see what many hikers review and rate. Backcountry.com is a another resource that I review. Of course...REI.com is a staple!
If you have $1,000 for a tent, then conside a Hilleberg.
Maybe you want the ultimate Chickee-friendly front entry free standing tent. So consider a North Face Tadpole 2. Video here. Buy on sale here for about $230 at Backcountry.com. It has fly vents.
Maybe a side entry tent is an option. Consider any of the REI Dome series that fit your needs.
For hours of useless dreaming, visit Moosejaw.com and peruse the 1-2 man tents. You will become lost in reality.
I use a discontinued Mountain Hardwear Twin Arches 2. I have several MSR Hubba series, and many more tents, but my GoTo expedition tent is my Twin Arches. I just wish I had bought several at the closeout years ago to stock-up for the rest of my life. The raccoons ripped a 12" gash in my tent and entered it to remove bug spray and baby wipes at Ft DeSoto in 2013, and my duct tape repair is holding-up very well.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Scareman
MemberAlso consider the manufacturer's customer service as BustedRudder noted above.
I have had both of my MSR tents replaced in parts or whole under warranty claims.
My Hubba fly was replaced. I bought my Hubba for $40 at a gear swap and knew that a delaminated and sticky fly might be replaced by MSR. I was hoping for the entire tent replacement, but they replaced the fly and the other items in the tent assembly were still a bit sticky.
MSR did replace my entire Muth Hubba assembly with a new one. I bought this tent on a closeout price from somewhere like rei.com.
Just for fun, here is my current tent/sheltering invetory noting I have lost a few along the way:
- Mountain Hardwear - Twin Arches 2 (TOP CHOICE FOR ME ANYTIME!!!)
- MSR - Hubba
- MSR - Mutha Hubba
- Quest - Northern Designs
- REI - Quarter Dome 4
- Kelty - Large sunshade
- Northwest Territory - Front Porch (large family tent we camp in for a week at the beach every year)
- Northwesr Territory - Big Sky Lodge (spare tent for families joining us at the beach for a week)
Posted 4 years ago # -
Scareman
MemberI just acquired a Nook 2 by MSR. Lightweight at 3#, and almost free standing. This tent has an option to use a trekking pole at the footbox with an adapter grommet strap, which spreads the footbox. I want to accomplish that with a similar pole used in the tent - DAC NFL 8.7/9.3 mm. Maybe tentlab can help me make a custom DAC footbox pole - since this tent only has one ridgepole at the footbox and requires staking out the corners. It is a bit snug for me, but nice and light. I would want to add another tube connector to keep the cross and short ridgepole (gray pole) in place (similar to the arch pole where it connects to the ridge pole). I am adding MSR CamRings to help with guylines, which I will also have to buy. Now the weight is climbing near my other tents.
Posted 4 years ago #
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