Multi-Purpose Tent

abiggs

abiggs

Joined
Jan 6, 2007
Messages
955
I have a very cheap Wentzel tent right now that I cannot stand. Can someone please recommend a tent that meets as many of the following wants the best?

-Around $80-$150
-fairly lightweight for backpacking (does not have to be extremely UL)
-large enough for two people and packs
-DRY!
-easy to set up and tear down


All opinions/recommendations welcome. Thanks!
 
I can only recommend what I have - a Kelty Gunnison 4.1. At $200+, it's more than you're after and sleeps 3 (comfortably...well, relatively).

I'm sure you've already been shopping there, but if not, try www.campmor.com

"Dry" is relative.... look for one that is a tent with a fly as a shell covering. The fly keeps the water off the tent. ALso, you can set a fly up without the tent. The fly usually extends out further from the tent, giving you a vestibule to store your gear. Most tents come with a separate fly.

"Easy to setup" is also relative.... I can set my Gunnison up, complete with the footprint and fly, in a little over 5 minutes. Tents aren;t what they used to be! :thumbup:
 
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Take a look at eurekas stuff. They have a huge selection of tents from extreme to backyard, their prices are decent too.
-Barry-
 
A Hammock and a 8by10 tarp is what you need. Now thats lightweight camping and its comfortable.
 
Look into the tents that REI sells. They are reasonably priced and have most of the features that the big names have. The only drawback is they weigh about .5 to 1 pound heavier then the big guys.

I have an REI Quarter Dome tent that can easily sleep two people but room for a bit of gear inside ad a bunch under the closed vestibules. Last trip I took my girlfriend and I were inside with our packs in her vestible and my 110lb dog in mine. I have never used it but it also can be used with just the rainfy for a ligter option.
 
Personally I love EMS' tents. Not sure if you'll find one you like in your price range, but both of mine are going on 19+ years old now, and they still are in great shape. Easy to setup and take down, and I have never had a leaking issue (all seams are properly seamsealed). Check them out.
 
2sparky said:
Take a look at eurekas stuff. They have a huge selection of tents from extreme to backyard, their prices are decent too.
-Barry-
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+1 on eureka...have a tetragon 5 and solitare. both are awesome ass tents that get used alot
 
I have a north face tadpole 23 which meets your requirements except price. I don't have any experience with much other than that & the basic A frame. Sorry!
 
Outdoors Fanatic said:
Big Agnes tents are better than Eurekas, but they are also more expensive.
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+1 on that.
I love our Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2. I laughed outloud when i first picked one up at REI, it was so mad light. But its a big chunk of money. Though with tents, the "you-get-what-you-paid-for" rule applies like no where else.
 
Sierra Trading Post has some good tents by Marmot and Sierra Designs that would fit the bill ($150). I have personal experience with a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight - excellent light weight tent, that has kept me dry, though a bit snug for two. If you can't actually see and set up the tent, I would actually measure out the floor and see if you can fit 2 people plus gear comfortably (keep in mind that the walls and low ceiling will make things tighter). If you're larger, want room to spread out gear, or live in a stormy part of the country where you may have to spend lots of time in the tent, you might want to go up to a 3 person tent.

At Sierra Trading Post, the Marmot Titan (2 or 3 person) and Sierra Designs Gamma (2 person) fit your specs. If you order from them, email or PM - I might have a coupon for free shipping or extra off. +1 for Campmor, too. A third place to look is REI outlet - they have a Big Agnes tent (2 or 3 person models) for under $150, which I didn't see anywhere else.
 
2sparky said:
Take a look at eurekas stuff. They have a huge selection of tents from extreme to backyard, their prices are decent too.
-Barry-
Click to expand...

eureka will be your best bet. they are inexpensive and big for the price.

I personally would pay a little more and get something that will last.
I bought the northface tadpole 23 and haven't had any problems with it soaking through or ripping. it is a three season tent, about 4 pounds with stakes, poles, rain fly, footprint.
I found one for 169.00
http://www.o2gearshop.com/catalog/p...ucts_id=1115&gclid=CJiD4ZbCqZYCFSD8iAodojfMyg
 
comoha said:
+1 on that.
I love our Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2. I laughed outloud when i first picked one up at REI, it was so mad light. But its a big chunk of money. Though with tents, the "you-get-what-you-paid-for" rule applies like no where else.
Click to expand...
I have the non-SL Seedhouse 2 and it is EXCELLENT and plenty light enough for me.
 
abiggs said:
I have a very cheap Wentzel tent right now that I cannot stand. Can someone please recommend a tent that meets as many of the following wants the best?

-Around $80-$150
-fairly lightweight for backpacking (does not have to be extremely UL)
-large enough for two people and packs
-DRY!
-easy to set up and tear down


All opinions/recommendations welcome. Thanks!
Click to expand...

That Wenzel line cracked me up. Years ago, I got into motorcycle roadracing and knew I'd be camping out at the tracks on weekends. I wanted to buy a good tent, but could only afford a cheap Wenzel at the local KMART. I told myself I'd buy a nice tent as soon as that Wenzel died. It won't die. I STILL have it, 20 years later.

The good tent I finally bought anyway was a Eureka Timberline... fairly light, easy to pitch, tough as hell, and a "best buy" in tents, I think. They didn't get to be so popular for no reason! The four-man version is plenty big enough for two big guys and their packs and gear inside.

I used mine on a supported bicycle trip across Kansas and brought the bike inside with me each night! :)

Check out Campmor for good deals on Eureka Timberlines. I also use a Big Agnes Seedhouse, but the price is out of your range. (I think it's worth the dough, though.)

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
abiggs said:
Can someone with more tent experience than myself take a look at these two and let me know if one looks far better than the other. The weights are close enough not to make a difference to me, anything else I'm missing?

THanks
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Honestly I'd pass on both of them. Neither has a full fly or a vestibule. If you have two people inside you're probably going to have to put gear outside and if the weather is bad you want it protected from the elements. The Tetragon doesn't look real bad but it has fiberglass poles which aren't as strong as Al poles. The shape of the Timberline means you're not going to have as much sitting room as you would have in a more domed tent.

Sierra Trading Post has a Marmot Titan, REI Outlet has a Big Agnes Elk Horn 2 and both are not much more money than the Eurekas. I think both of those are much better tents and definitely a better buy. There's also a Marmot Nyx 2P at REI which might work for you, I'm not real fond of the way the vestibule looks but that's me.
 
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