Buying a new tent

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TheUSMC2017

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Nov 24, 2010
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So I'm buying a new tent, and although I know nothing about tents, I'm going to be doing some camping this spring- not at camp grounds, just to clear that up. I want a four season tent that can withstand some abuse. Its gotta be for 2 people, so basically a 3-4 man tent, and I would really like it to fit a $200-$300 budget. I was looking at the Assault outfitter 4 and some of the Sierra Designs. Any thoughts on the two?
 
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First, the Assault outfitter... I woud suggest looking elsewhere, A) the tent is not that big, its practically the same as the USMC issue tent from Eureka, and you know that one leatherneck. ooh rahhh B) it DAM HEAVY, I point in on this in a bit C) yes its four season, but your four season and mine are completely different, I have been in a eureka tent below -10 before and its not a big bucket of fun. That being said, it is decently priced, but the cons far outweigh... WEIGHT being the key word, the pros.

First, the Eureke assault weighs in at over 13 lbs. 13lbs 5 oz to be exact. Now take into concideration that my Kifaru 8man tipi with large stove weights in at 13lbs 7 oz, yet is a 8.5 ft tall, 19x15 ft oval shelter with a wood burning stove that packs smaller than the eureka stove included. But yes it cost @1600... The sawtooth much smaller and with a small stove would weigh in at 8lbs, has enough room to stand and is heated as well, but cost 3x what the Eureka does. The Sierra Designs are lighter and cheaper and would work better as a budget series tent as would a few from MSR (hubba series)/ golite, etc. Speaking of golite, maybe look into them and then later when funds allows, mod to accept a small stove and be done? The golite choice would be mine recommendation, since I made that decision about 4-5 years ago with my first goilte purchase (a hex) instead of modding it, I just keep it in the car emergency kit, and purchased a few Kifaru shelters, I currently have a well used supertarp, a decently used paratipi, and a new sawtooth/ 8man which I have seam sealed in the last 3 weeks and will be taking out for the first time during memorial day weekend. So far Im a fan, sorry but I need to share, Ill just hot link to not hog the page

http://home.comcast.net/~utspoolup/8man17.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~utspoolup/8man19.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~utspoolup/8man20.JPG
Yes thats a 3foot step ladder in the tipi, again with a weight of 2 oz more than the Assault... http://home.comcast.net/~utspoolup/8man5.JPG

And the sawtooth
http://home.comcast.net/~utspoolup/sawtooth2.JPG

And my favorite supertarp
http://home.comcast.net/~utspoolup/memday10/2.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~utspoolup/memday10/1.JPG

With the golite...
http://home.comcast.net/~utspoolup/supertarp17.JPG
 
TheUSMC2017 said:
So I'm buying a new tent, and although I know nothing about tents, I'm going to be doing some camping this spring- not at camp grounds, just to clear that up. I want a four season tent that can withstand some abuse. Its gotta be for 2 people, so basically a 4 man tent. I was looking at the Assault outfitter 4 and some of the Sierra Designs. Any thoughts on the two?
Click to expand...

If you're hiking, a four person, four season tent is going to be pretty heavy. Most of the "cheaper" ones start at about 10 lbs and go north from there. Make sure you need a four season before you buy - a three season is fine in most cases except when heavy winds and snow loads come into play. Additionally, four seasons don't give much versatility in warmer temperatures. I remember using a North Face Himalayan 25 in the Florida Keys [that's all I had] and it was brutal. In my experience, 4 season tents are really only useful in 4 season conditions [i.e. winter or high winds] or in situations where the tent is expected to take a lot of abuse.

Also, I'd consider looking at 2-3 person tents. A four person tent is a lot of weight to be lugging around for 2 people ... if you're hiking any distance [or plan to in the future].

Brands: MSR, Sierra Designs, The North Face [VE-25 for instance], Black Diamond Bibler Series [I have a Bombshelter], Mountain Hardwear etc. all have very good 4 season options. Take a look at weights, materials, price, layout, and function. Also, get the shop to allow you to set it up before you buy - if they don't do that, pick another shop.
 
spoolup said:
The golite choice would be mine recommendation, since I made that decision about 4-5 years ago with my first goilte purchase (a hex) instead of modding it, I just keep it in the car emergency kit, and purchased a few Kifaru shelters, I currently have a well used supertarp, a decently used paratipi, and a new sawtooth/ 8man which I have seam sealed in the last 3 weeks and will be taking out for the first time during memorial day weekend.
Click to expand...

I read somewhere that the golite customer service is awful. Have you dealt with this?
 
TheUSMC2017 said:
I read somewhere that the golite customer service is awful. Have you dealt with this?
Click to expand...

Never had to contact them, but I will say Kifaru has awesome service. The Sawtooth arrived with a few track holes in it, called and asked what I could do, they said I could send it on, or credit 10% and seam seal them... I got the 10% back.

Hope I didn't recommend a poor product to you, but my golite is great.
 
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