I Need A Tent!!!

Blood_Grooves

Blood_Grooves

Joined
Oct 28, 2007
Messages
931
My brother and I are going camping this summer, and we don't have crap for tents, so its time to go tent shopping. The thing is i dont know where to start.... :o

so ill leave it up to you guys... :D

It needs to be no more than $250.
4 person
8 1/2 pounds MAX
and will not crap out on us...

I hope you guys can help me out :)
 
Check out the sales at REI in Seattle. Here's a good deal on their Outlet website:

http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/767821

Pack weight is 8lbs 11oz.

Not on sale, but another one that is right at your budget limit is REI's Half-Dome...I've had a one of their dome tents for over 10 years and it's still holding strong (had to replace a couple pole sections from a bad storm):

http://www.rei.com/product/731433

Pack weight is 8lbs 3oz.

It's nice weather up there now, but I would have somebody pack in a tarp to put up to keep your gear dry for the occasional showers. Let us know what you end up with.

ROCK6
 
I just bought one from escort, its a chepie, but its the mora of tents if ya get that.
 
If it is for the summer, dude... Don't even worry about a tent. Just have a sleeping bag (maybe with a bivy), ridgerest/thermarest, bug net and tarp. That is it. Some people go for the hammocks, but you still need warm clothing otherwise the wind going over, below and all around will turn you into a cocooned popcicle. I stay on the ground and am warm too. If the ground is too wet, lay on sticks with boughs/leaves/stalks etc. on top.
 
Would you consider a tarp shelter? Very flexible...many design options, considerably less expensive, lightweight ( a lot less than 8 pounds), easy up/down, low physical presence, and you can see people coming into your area whereas a tent you cannot. Also you can have a reflective warming fire that really warms up that damp Pac Northwet air inside your tarp shelter which you cannot do in a tent! Just a thought.
 
he's in WA so it gets pretty cool at night and a lotta rain. I take it your gonna carry it, not for car camping! remember they lie/exaggerate about actual size for reasonable comfort, 4 is more like 2, 6 is more like 4! I understand many places will set them up for you in-store or already have them set up, try that if you can (cabela's is one).

also remember to watch the guy-lines (the lines used to hold the rainfly/cover down) get bright ones or get bright tape or something visible to attach or else your gonna trip and or clothes-line yourself! (ask me how I know this)

Eureka's are popular, many like them but when I find something I like I go to this site; http://www.trailspace.com/ and see what people who have used it say, good luck and let us know what you get.
 
I've had VERY good luck with Alps Mountaineering tents. They are used by a lot of Scout troops.

Their Alps Mountaineering Vertex 4 is a 4-person tent with aluminum poles, costs $189.97 w/ free shipping, but weighs 9 lbs 1 oz. Part of the reason it weighs more is that it a less mosquito netting in the main tent, which is a major plus in cool weather. In warm weather it has full blow through the large doors and vents up top. Great tent!!

http://www.amazon.com/ALPS-Mountaineering-Vertex-Backpacking-Tent/dp/B000MARESE
 
REI rents gear so you can try their tent before you buy. IIRC, they will apply your rental fee towards the purchase of a new tent of the same model.

REI Rentals

-- FLIX
 
I have a couple of REI tents and they are both very good tents. I think they have a lot of good features that make the a very solid feeling tent. Neither of them have let me down in bad weather. I would agree with the size assesment of a previous poster, a 4 person tent is just right for two.
They also have nice vestibules. It is much nicer to leave your wet gear in the vestibule rather than inside the tent.

One thing I look for, in any tent,is how close to the ground does the rainfly get? The closer the better IMO. If it is hot and dry you can always adjust the fly up/off, but you can't make a short fly longer in the rain. Any wind with the rain and the sides of the tent that the fly doesn't cover can get soaked.

+1 on geting closelined on dark guy lines. I replaced mine with some yellow line with a reflective trace woven into the line. The stuff I bought may have been Kelty Laser Line, or sometihing like that. It lights up quite brightly when a flashlight is shined on it. From a distance with something like a SF E2, my tent looks like a big spider with glowing legs.:D

Bruceter
 
whatever you get, don't forget to set it up/test it in your backyard a few times!
it sucks doing it for the first time "out there" when it's dark or raining or it's not what you hoped for!
 
Hey Dantor,

Concerning remembering to watch the guy-lines to prevent tripping or clothes lining oneself by replacing them with brightly colored ones or something visible to attach like tape...




How do you know this? :D
 
Some people actually buy parachute's, and drape it over a cut pole stick almost like a tee pee and it is waterproof.
 
lol ohh gawd, especially at night when you have to go do your business! their like traps, and I set them out!
I really like the glow/reflective stuff out now.

last year we camped in the red hills by the grand tetons, it was so beautiful!
3359uzb.jpg

I tripped a few times! can you hear the water flowing!
 
I went through this a while back. I do the ultralight thing for backpacking (siltarp, trekking poles) but for car camping for three, I wanted a bit more luxury. After looking at everything--I mean everything--on the market, I came around to REI for the best features/cost/quality. I bought a TAJ which is luxurious for two, OK for three. Goes up FAST, which is a major consideration.
 
I have a REI Half-Dome I bought about 15 years ago. It's great for 'easy' use (mild 3-season weather, low-elevations). If you use it gently it'll last you, well, 15+ years.
 
Kelty makes a decent product as well. Another vote for REI tents here as well. Either brand you will be happy with...
 
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