2 Person Tent?

T

TFin04

Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
1,494
I'm in the market for a cheap two person tent. It looks like any of them with decent quality are running for about $80-$100, I was wondering if you guys had any tips on some cheaper ones?

I dont need anything spectacular, just something to keep the rain off me. I would like something small that would be easy to hike with.

Thanks.
 
You could get a good tarp and some poles for 40-60. That is if you want to go real light and just want to keep the rain off, check out rei.com, or something of the like. Good luck!
 
Looking for something a bit more substantial then just a tarp, but thanks.

There's an REI store near me, maybe I'll just stop in there soon.
 
I think we might have had two two-person tents that have been lost to the sands of time (and cleaning). I don't remember if they were ours, or our father's friend.

We only used them a couple of times during a summer vacation in my high school years.

It didn't rain on us, so the only advice I have is if you plan on sleeping two people to it, keep in mind that it will be real cosy.
 
kozak6 said:
It didn't rain on us, so the only advice I have is if you plan on sleeping two people to it, keep in mind that it will be real cosy.
Click to expand...

The idea is to get my girlfriend more into real "camping."

She and her family have always traveled in a motor home, and sleeping in that is considered camping to them.

I want to pack my truck, drive into the woods and live there for a week with just what we brought. She seems to think it would be fun too. The coziness will be just fine.
 
If truck-camping for a week, I suggest a four-man tent. Most two-man tents are just large enough for two sleeping bags, nothing else. I actually use a two-man tent when solo backpacking so I can keep boots and a couple other things inside two.

My two-man tent is a Eureka Timberline. I've had it for years of backpacking and camping. In fact I've actually lived in it for a few weeks at a time here-and-there when I was "between apartments". Sure, for backpacking it's a bit heavier than I would like, but the durability and ease of set-up is the payoff.

Happy shopping!
-Bob
 
When I worked at Dick's we had colemen 2 persons that ran on special for 19.99 and were regular priced at 29.99. REI tends to carry more premium camping gear while wal-mart and stores like dick's carry more economical choices. If you camp every once in a while I bought a eureka apex 2 person for around 80 and it has held up real well with no leaks. They're probably the best tents that won't run you hundreds of dollars.
 
Thanks for the heads up Bob.

My "truck" is actually an SUV, and I'll be towing a small covered trailer as well usually. I just need something cheap for now for the two of us to sleep in. I'll have a tarp set up to put the boots and other stuff in.

I found a friend who hasn't used his 3 person tent in a couple years (only used it once) and is willing to sell it to me for 20 bucks. As long as it isn't torn I'll pick it up. He usually buys good stuff, I dont think it's just a Wal-Mart cheapie.
 
Just got a Bass Pro Shops flyer today that had the Kelty Teton tent (2 person, 3 season) for $89.99. Normally sells for $99.99. Full-length rain fly and a decent sized vestibule. Seemed like a good buy to me. I have a couple of Kelty tents and like them both.

If cheaper is what you need though, I'd be patient and keep trying sites like REI-Outlet, Campmor, or Sierra Trading Post. Keep an eye out for good name-brand tents that have been discounted. No need to sacrifice quality to get a good price.

Another option is yard sales or eBay for good used gear. A lot of folks buy camping gear then find out that camping ain't quite what they expected. Also, try www.craigslist.org if you're near a big city and look at the "for sale" pages.

Edited to add: One thing to look for is the quality of the rain fly. Some of the cheaper tents only have rain flys that come part-way down the side. As a result, you can wake up on a nice rainly night, and the sides of your tent are soaked. Make sure you go for a tent with a full rain fly that goes all the way to the ground. Makes a big difference.
 
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