2 Man Tent Recommendations Requested

[sodak]

I'm taking my 10 year old on a Cub Scout camp in July, and part of it will be backpacking in. I have a nice REI 6 man tent, but am looking for something much lighter. I would like to have something with a vestibule, or slightly oversized so that we can store our gear out of the weather. I would like to keep it under $200 or so, if possible, but am willing to pay for quality if it's worth it.

Thanks in advance for all your recommendations!

 

[wintermute]

I picked up a Kelty Grand Mesa 2 a while back and love it. It buttons up nice and tight in bad weather, has a good size vestibule, light. It's a bit tight for two grown men, unless you REALLY like the other person but for you and your son there should be a decent amount of room.

 

[JRB]

Check out Eureka! tents. They are great quality for their price.

I've got an Apex 2XT and I love it.

 

[cheekser]

+1 on the Eureka Apex 2XT posted above. A bit tight for two grown-ups, like most 2-man backpacking tents, but it has a door and vestibule on both sides for entry/exit.

 

[Infi-del]

Eureka is the way to go. I use this one http://www.eurekatent.com/p-67-assault-outfitter-4-tent.aspx

But they make a military grade two person as well. Good tents.

 

[BlackHills]

If you're willing to spend a little more money you might take a look at a Tarptent. Any of their models will be a lot lighter than the typical tent.

Don't let the name fool you, they are a real tent.

 

[Loneriderz]

# Unique one piece frame design with 3 way hubs and rotating ridge pole
# Intenal access to vents and lots of storage pockets
# Aluminium poles and pegs
# Lightweight stuff sack
# 50D Rip Stop Polyester fly Silicon Treatment with 2000mm waterhead and factory Seam sealed
# Nylon taffeta floor with 4000mm waterhead and factory seam sealed
# Heat tape sealed seams – complete seam sealing - ready to use
# Yunan anodised 8.5 mm alloy poles
# Reflective guy ropes and attachments
# Internal mesh storage pockets
# Ladderloc adjustments on fly for easy pitching
# Vestibule for storage

I just got this few weeks ago... At just under 2kg it's really light. It's a knock-off of a popular tent but for about $120 you do get a free ground cloth, decent aluminium Y-stakes, reflective points and fully taped seams. The waterhead rating is decent and it's had a weekend outing under tropical conditions with a 3hour downpour. Zippers are nice and smooth with no snagging. Luxe is very popular in Australia, HK, China and Japan. The colour is more reddish-orange than yellow. Packs pretty small if you separate the fly, body and groundcloth from the tent poles. I like having 2 doors and vestibules and the floor space is enough for me and the missus but we're pretty small being Asians; me 167cm and her 154cm. Fits 2 Thermarests with some space at the sides. Vestibules fits a 3 day pack and a pair of boots comfortably. There's a couple of sellers on eBay who sells these. If you don't mind an imported brand and product it's worth a look. I believe most tents these days are imported anyway.

Here's a link to a review I've found online... http://www.trailspace.com/gear/luxe-outdoor/habitat/review/17663/

Here's a link to a video showing how it sets up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_GyFJwesgs

Compared to my previous tents from discount stores to my Marmot Limelight I do find these to be a better bang for the buck.

 

[din]

REI half dome 2+. you should still be able to use the member20 coupon if you buy it online, or else wait for the 20% off coupon they do around memorial day.

 

[AZWaterRat]

My all time favorite 2 man tent - REI half dome! I have the older model but have heard a lot of good things about the newer 2+.

 

[TLR]

Yeah I have to go with the REI Halfdome as well. I've had mine for years and it is a great tent. The new ones are a little bigger and there are days when I have some credit sitting there that I'm really tempted to get a newer one. I've found it's really hard to beat REI's tents dollar for dollar.

 

[cgd160]

I'll second tarptent. I have an original Rainbow that is great. I personally would spend the extra $ and get the Scarp 2. It is a very versatile tent and is American made (if that makes a difference). http://www.tarptent.com/scarp2.html

 

[Domanfp]

Another vote for the half-dome 2. I also like sierra designs tents but they are a little bit more $$ than the REI models.

 

[sodak]

Thanks for all the great recommendations to everyone! I'm researching them all, and they all look like great quality, which is exactly what I'm looking for!