surplus pup tents

Canvas is friggin heavy, it makes good bags but I wouldn't want to carry enough of it to make a tent out of it. We had a big heavy canvas tent when I was in Boy Scouts, that thing weighed about a hundred pounds minus poles and ropes, ours was fairly waterproof which probably added to the weight but that thing turned me off on canvas tents for good. I generally like sleeping under the stars but that's not practical, or smart, in the rain and is uncomfortable in the cold in the wind so some type of wind/rain barrier is necessary, you can get really creative and eliminate weight and carry a bare minimum.
 
Spend 20 bucks on a cheapie tent at Wally world and you'll be happier.

Or save for a bit and get a closeout at rei or campmor and get something for 100 bucks or less.

I bought a Wenzel brand tent on sale at Big5 2 years ago as a play tent for my kids for 25 bucks.

It's been fine and we've slept in it numerous times. It's 7x7 .
 
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Buy a G.I. Rain Poncho & bungee cords instead. That combo sure worked better as a tent than the issue shelter halves.

Got to admit I have been tempted to pick one up for my boys to play with in the backyard.
 
Halfneck said:
Buy a G.I. Rain Poncho & bungee cords instead. That combo sure worked better as a tent than the issue shelter halves.

Got to admit I have been tempted to pick one up for my boys to play with in the backyard.
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Actually, they're good for that. Not much else, but good for that. Makes the kids feel like they're in a real camping situation, even in the back yard.
 
I'm going to advocate getting one. For $20 you can enjoy a tent in whatever fashion suits you. You'll not feel guilty about customizing or ruining it. You can take it car camping or use it on the back 40, but you won't backpack that into any wilderness. Get one, and report back. I'd like to see what you get and what you're able to do in terms of potential customizations.
 
A pup tent makes a great awning. As stated above, it is really two heavy canvas tarps snapped together in the middle. I bought one for my Sheridan teepee tent, which does not have an integral awning. Since the tent already weighs 25lbs, the extra five for the pup tent, cordage, and stakes, makes very little difference on my truck's suspension. ;)

For survival gear, you are better off spending the same 20 bucks on a good, thick poncho or lightweight basha. A pup tent is just too heavy for serious carry given the alternate options around today.

A nice poncho hooch is just as warm and comfy as a pup tent IMHO, especially if you have 2 ponchos.
 
meh, unfortunately I have extensive use with them. They make awesome scrap material more so than anything, for making field smokers, footprints, etc etc etc. They have more uses than a GI Poncho. I personally like them best for reinforcing ghillie suit bellies. Of the two I made I have used half shelter material for both of them and they do a bangup job.
 
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