Obruni,
If money is not an issue I would prefer to have several different tents to fill different needs, rather than looking for a "one tent does everything" solution. For the EC I don't want to be too comfortable and don't want to carry much weight (a light kayak is a fast kayak).
My Hilleberg Allak (2 person, freestanding) is virtually bombproof and has a lot of mesh so that not only does it handle a light snow load but it offers good ventilation, even for Florida. I use it for expeditions in remote places but not so much for the EC because although it is very durable, it is somewhat heavy (6 pounds). Two vestibules are great for gear. OK room for two, but very spatious for one person. Expensive.
I often use an MSR Hubba (1 person) or Hubba Hubba (2 person) for most normal camping trips, including my first EC. It's a good tent, lighter than the Hilleberg, but isn't designed to be as bomproof in big winds. The side-opening door and vestibule are nice. Weight is just over 3 pounds. That is either very light or pretty heavy depending on how weight-concious you are.
For the last EC I used a Big Sky Soul, which is a fragile, very small tent (like a big bivy). This shelter (with the lightest options) is only 25.4oz, but care is needed around sandspurs, etc, and the poles are very fragile and slender carbon. This is a good adventure racing shelter, where weight, not durability is what you want to optimize. Expensive.
I also have a Henessey Hammock for swampy areas or when I'm not sure I'll find solid ground, but otherwise I prefer sleeping on the ground in most cases.
You might also consider a tarp and bivy or a tarptent. Some skilled backpackers use these from the tropics to camping in snow.
To sum it up, I select a tent like a golfer does the proper club (a selection based on specific needs). If I had to have only one tent it would probably be the Hilleberg, otherwise the MSR Hubba series if I was on a budget. There's a lot of good solutions out there above and beyond what I have posted here.
Greg Stamer
