2 Person Backpacking Tent Recommendation

Mikel_24 said:
I guess I totally highjacked the thread... Sorry for that. Anyway, what I wanted to point out is that, as anyone can see, three guys (and we are not that big anyway, the tallest one is 1,73 and weights like 70kg) have a hard time doing anything but sleeping in a tent. Not that we wanted to do anything else!
If you plan to stay in the camp for any extended period of time, don't stick to a two person tent!

Mikel
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Didn't hijack it at all, enjoyed it. I'm not one to hang out in the tent. If we're hiking, we'll mostly be on the go.

Guyon said:
Can't complain about the REI Half Dome. I've had one for years, and it's still going strong.
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Seems to be a popular choice.
 
I would suggest going to an REI if you have one close. You can get a tent take it use it try it out and if you dont like it simply take it back and exchange it.
 
PatrickKnight said:
I would suggest going to an REI if you have one close. You can get a tent take it use it try it out and if you dont like it simply take it back and exchange it.
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I wish I did have that option. We don't have much like that around here in the land of corn and beans.
 
You can stay in your price range and get a lot more tent by looking on Ebay for bargains on some of the more expensive ones. Lots of people try backpacking and then give it up and sell there gear. Same goes for Craigslist in your area. I have three that were obtained that way. Also consider a 4 season tent. When you're out in the spring and fall the seasons can sneak up on you and change real quick.
 
I am a big supporter on getting a tent a bit larger that absolutely required. I.E. a two man tent for one, a three man tent for two, etc. I hate being crowded, not having room to move around or having to leave my gear out in the weather. I understand that for some weight is a major consideration. But with some research, many tents a size larger come close to the weights of popular smaller tents.

A footprint or groundcloth have become indispensible to me. Not only do they keep the tent floor cleaner and protect from punctures, they also give more resistance to water from the soil or rain wicking up through the floor fabric. Even a cheap poly tarp, plastic painter drop cloth or scrap of tyvek will do. It doesn't have to be the manufactirer's matching footprint.
 
I didn't want to start a new thread, but I am also looking for a tent. Anyone have experience with the Kelty Salida 2? 4 pounds, 8 ounces with fly. 88 inches long. 2011 backpackers magazine editors choice award winner. Thoughts?
 
I've got a 3-person Nemo Espri and it is an awesome tent. I took it camping over one weekend and it rained the entire time, but I still managed to stay totally dry inside the tent. As long as the rainfly is off it also works great circulating air. The best part: it weighs in at 4lbs 9oz. It may be a little more than what you want to spend, but it is a great tent.

http://m.backcountry.com/nemo-equipment-inc.-espri-3p-tent-3-person-3-season

http://www.backpacker.com/october-2010-gear-review-nemo-espri-3p-tent/gear/14688
 
I have used a Big Agnes Seedhouse 1 extensively for the past several years and really like it. I'd imagine the Seedhouse 2 is just as good?

I'm prettu sure the REI Halfdome tent has been picked a bunch of times as one of Backpacker Magazines gear choices, and it's a good bargain, too.

Good luck with your choice,
desmobob
 
Ended up ordering a 3 person Marmot Limelight. On the heavy side, at 6lbs, 11 ounces, but really like it. I also like that I found it on clearance for $172 shipped. They come seam sealed, with a gear loft, and a footprint, which is also nice. You can just carry the footprint, and rain fly also, without even using the tent, for a lighter setup. Love the color too:

mrmt-limelight-3-person-tent.jpg


Video:

[video=youtube;Lmwyre4vQks]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Lmwyre4vQks[/video]
 
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The Warrior said:
Ended up ordering a 3 person Marmot Limelight. On the heavy side, at 6lbs, 11 ounces, but really like it. I also like that I found it on clearance for $172 shipped. They come seam sealed, with a gear loft, and a footprint, which is also nice. You can just carry the footprint, and rain fly also, without even using the tent, for a lighter setup. Love the color too:
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I like it from what I can see. It looks a lot like my Mountainsmith Sanctuary. And the price you paid was good too!
 
Codger_64 said:
And the price you paid was good too!
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Real good price. I had one bookmarked for $250, plus shipping. Then I found one for $219 shipped. I thought that was probably the best deal I would find, but before purchasing I tried again, and much to my amazement, I found it for $172 shipped. So, with the extra money I had saved, I bought a Trangia cookset. By the way, I added a video above.
 
I note in the video that many of the features of that tent are the same as my Mountainsmith too like the pole clips and bottom grommets, gear attic and mesh inner. I like that it has a second door. Might come in handy if a bear visits the front.
 
My tent could have a back door, but it would be trashed afterwards. But it would come in handy when tentmates need to answer the call of nature without climbing over each other. Not to mention twin vestibules.
 
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