Backpacking tent recomendation for tall people?

DAVE_M

DAVE_M

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Jun 16, 2010
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I plan to start backpacking with my buddies. I figured that summer would be a good time span to start collecting my gear. I already have a pack picked out, but the "biggest" piece of gear that I need to decide on, is a tent. I'm 6'-4" tall, 230 lbs, and have two herniated discs in my back. While the back pain is not bad, I do everything I can to keep it from being hurt again. I'd prefer a light tent that can be used during the winters in Louisiana. We don't bother going on long trips in the Summer :eek:

Both of my buddies carry a North Face Stormbreak 2 Tent, which I can buy around $140-160. Personally, I don't want a two person tent and don't see the reason for it. The Stormbreak 2 comes in a little over 5lbs trail weight. That is an awful lot of weight for unused tent space. The North Face Stormbreak 1 comes in right at 87" long and 3lbs trail weight, according to their website. That seems like plenty room for me and my pack (50L) and it's a whole 2lbs lighter. At $110-130, it seems like the perfect tent to get. However, all of my tent research comes up with personal preferences and doesn't exactly help me with my decision.

Given my back problems, I sometimes have to lay perfectly straight, so enough length is a must. I would also prefer to stay at or under 3.5 lbs.

Can you guys recommend a tent or point me in the right direction? :o
 
You're right Dave - a tent is definitely one of the larger/primary purchases in backpacking and is also very personal in selecting. In my professional opinion boots, sleeping bags, backpacks and tents are the "Big 4" in backpacking purchases and are completely subjective in fit and preference (aside from top-level materials/construction).

You're definitely on the right track in your searching by allowing your preferences to guide you. Your personal size, preferred trail weight and price/cost preferences of the tent are considerations only you can determine.

So, aside from personal preferences/needs, the remaining things to sort out are intended seasons/environments of use (Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer), materials (both in terms of structure and canopy), weight and finally price/cost.

Details such as single or double wall construction, ceiling vents, wall windows, internal or external pole attachment, internal/external guy-line attachment points, pole clips vs pole sleeves, vestibule (or not), quantity of doors, etc. are second-tier considerations. For now, it's better to focus on the first-tier considerations (personal preferences, intended use and materials).

Since you've mentioned Louisiana winter (and with Louisiana there will be no deep/heavy snows to content with), I would recommend a 3-season tent or a 3-4 season "convertible" tent (actually a 3/4 season convertible tent could serve you well, but their added weight must be considered). A 3-season tent will provide significant coverage though some of the tent body will be "open" (using mesh in the apex of the canopy), but should provide a full-coverage tent "fly" (the outer "rain shell" of the tent).

As to materials, I personally will only use aluminum tent poles - that is a #1 priority. Also, a preferred tent fly material is polyester (70D provides a nice, stout shell fabric, but 40D works well too). The tent seams should come factory taped and usually so do the fly seams, but I also seal all fly seams myself with McNetts "SeamGrip". On my single-wall mountain tent I seal every seam with SeamGrip.

OK, that's all I can think of for now. Sorry I didn't recommend specific a brand/model - those will be finally determined in your search criteria.

For reasonable, high-quality "budget-minded" tents I do strongly recommend Eureka! (I do not work for nor am affiliated with Eureka! or any dealer/retailer in any way, shape or form). Eureka!'s warranty and integrity is absolutely superb. As an example, a number of years ago I inquired about repairs on a tent for a failure (excessive UV exposure) that I told Eureka! was completely my fault and something which was clearly outside of their *stated* warranty parameters (no manufacture warranty's against UV damage - none).

Instead of quoting me a repair cost, they GAVE me a Eureka! company credit in the amount of the original purchase price of my tent for any current tent they sold at the time.

Of the 7 (seven) tents I own including 3 mountaineering tents (one of which is a semi-custom made single-wall - aka very spendy), I have 2 Eureka! tents. These are used/were used for clients in a hiking/backpacking service I had and they have served me and my clients/friends/family very well.

If I can help in any other way, please let me know.
 
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Holy Moley! That's a lot of information and very useful for my intentions. Luckily, out of the big 4 you mentioned, I have 2 knocked out already! lol

Given Louisiana winters are not as harsh as some up North, the sleeping bag is probably my lowest concern right now. Getting a solid pack and tent at a weight I can handle is my top priorities!

Thanks for the insight and help! :)
 
with the mild weather that you have mentioned, have you considered a 'tarp tent' ?
There are many lightweight tarp tents that you can pitch using trekking poles. these are roomy for what they are and there are plenty that would be long enough for you.

You you are wanting something a bit more enclosed and protected from the weather, I would suggest big agnes tents. They make some of the lightest tents I have used. I have used various Big Agnes tents for the last 8 years, and their warranty is top notch as well, I have had to use it a couple times for faults of my own, and they have repaired and replaced.
With some of they ultra weight tents, you can get a two person tent and have more room to sprawl out and still be lighter than many of the one person tents you have been looking at.

I prefer the models with the door on the side, much easier for entry and exit, and in my opinion, a more usable vestibule and a vestibule that is easier accessed while in the tent.

I would suggest the Big Agnes Fishhook UL2 or the Copper Spur UL2. Both are lightweight and will get you a bit more room than the one person models. Both do come in a UL1 person, but we are big guys, Im 6'4 as well, and I really like the extra space. I do all my backpacking in the mountain west, so the weather is ever changing. Sometimes I have been stuck in the tent all day and having the little extra room then is nice.

You wouldn't be disappointed with either of these tents.

Out of curiosity, what backpack did you settle on?
 
fmajor007 said:
OK, I was looking around for a tent in response to another thread, I found a shelter that may be perfect for what you're looking for:

Manufacturers link/site:
http://www.alpsmountaineering.com/alps/products/tents/lightweight-tents/mystique-2

So, there ya have it! If I were looking for a shelter given your particular criteria, this one would be high on my list.
Click to expand...

I've owned this tent for 11 years now, it's served me well so far. The tent comes in smaller versions IE a 1 person and what they call a 1.5 person tent. The Mystic 1 is less then 4 pounds. If I'm not sleeping in my Mystic 2, I'm under/on a tarp.


By the way, I'm 6'4" tall, around 155#.

If you're looking for a pack, find out your torso length, that will help you find one that fits better. My torso is ~23" long, which makes finding packs hard.

Any sleeping bag rated long should fit you.
 
wildmanh said:
I've owned this tent for 11 years now, it's served me well so far. The tent comes in smaller versions IE a 1 person and what they call a 1.5 person tent. The Mystic 1 is less then 4 pounds. If I'm not sleeping in my Mystic 2, I'm under/on a tarp.


By the way, I'm 6'4" tall, around 155#.

If you're looking for a pack, find out your torso length, that will help you find one that fits better. My torso is ~23" long, which makes finding packs hard.

Any sleeping bag rated long should fit you.
Click to expand...

I couldn't imagine being 155 lbs. IMO, I felt like skin and bones at 180 lbs.
I'm glad you mentioned the Mystique 1.5, that looks like a perfect compromise! I'm shooting for a total pack weight around 30 lbs. I'm attempting to go the ultralight route on some things, but most of my gear has been a compromise between size and weight.
 
One of the best IMO was the first Sierra Designs Light Year CD. It is loooong, but no longer available.

The Integral Designs Mega Sola was similar but single wall with less height.

A currently available setup that I like is the Integral Designs Element 2 (tarp, 1.5#) with the Element 2 Bug Tent (2#). This setup is excellent for me with tons of room and adjustable ventilation.

Another great tarp with similar uses is the Warbonnet Superfly made for hammocks.
 
Have you considered a hammock? I have back problems myself and found the older I got the less I enjoyed sleeping on the ground. I got a Warbonnet Blackbird hammock and haven't looked back. I sleep like a log, back feels good in the morning and I occasionally sleep in on a camping trip because it's just too damn comfortable to get up!

If you are dead set on a tent, the Mountain Hardware Sprite served me well before the hammock.
 
DAVE_M said:
I couldn't imagine being 155 lbs. IMO, I felt like skin and bones at 180 lbs.
I'm glad you mentioned the Mystique 1.5, that looks like a perfect compromise! I'm shooting for a total pack weight around 30 lbs. I'm attempting to go the ultralight route on some things, but most of my gear has been a compromise between size and weight.
Click to expand...

Do to my build, I'm not quite skin and bones. But I totally understand. Would love to be 160# to 175# again.

If I was to get a lighter weight tent, the first on my list to consider is the Mystic 1.5. Even though I'm slim, I prefer having plenty of room to move around and the Mystic 1.5 and 2 have the room. A friend really likes his REI backpacking tents, you should check them out. That's the other brand that I'm considering along with Kelty.

Just checked, my current pack weight is about 36.3 pounds for a 2 day trip. I'm up around #40 pounds for 3 to 4 day trips. I don't mind the 5 pound, but my 5 pound sleeping bag has to go. LOL! Good luck with your search.
 
wildmanh said:
Do to my build, I'm not quite skin and bones. But I totally understand. Would love to be 160# to 175# again.

If I was to get a lighter weight tent, the first on my list to consider is the Mystic 1.5. Even though I'm slim, I prefer having plenty of room to move around and the Mystic 1.5 and 2 have the room. A friend really likes his REI backpacking tents, you should check them out. That's the other brand that I'm considering along with Kelty.

Just checked, my current pack weight is about 36.3 pounds for a 2 day trip. I'm up around #40 pounds for 3 to 4 day trips. I don't mind the 5 pound, but my 5 pound sleeping bag has to go. LOL! Good luck with your search.
Click to expand...

36lbs with a 5lb sleeping bag isn't too bad lol. My goal is 30lbs and the Mystic 1.5 looks like the tent for me.
 
I will throw in my 2 cents on this one. I changed over to a tarp a couple years ago and haven't looked back for my general uses. I use a 10x10 bushcraft outfitters tarp and it is phenomenal. Obviously tents have their place for when bugs are an issue, but for me they aren't most of the time. Packs: I got a kuiu 1850 on clearance a few months ago (about $110) and it is the most comfortable pack I've ever used. It adjusts for literally every height imaginable too. Would I buy it for full price? Yes I would. Sleeping bags, I learned that a traditional mummy wasn't for me. I got too cramped. For my local it is rarely cold (below freezing) so my preference is a kelty coromell. Unzipped it acts like a blanket and it is comfortable and warm. You could look at enlightened equipment for something similar and they have tall sizes. One last toss in, kuhl pants are awesome and they come in tall sizes. Their revolvr pants are my favorite.

If you have any questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer!

Eta: for reference I am 6'5" 225 ish
 
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