Price and fabric
If you want to reduce the price of a tent, going with a 1P is not the best way to do that because of what you give up. The Hubba is $280. There are many fine 2P’s for less than $200. The REI Half Dome 2 is one of the best tents you can buy. It’s made of rugged materials and can stand up to abusive conditions (like all REI tents). Same for the Alps Zephyr 2.
Be aware of the quality of the materials and the thickness of the waterproof coating. Example: the floor and fly of the Hubba are 40D, compared with 75D on the Zephyr.
If you really want a 1P, consider the Alps Zephyr 1. It has significantly more area than the Hubba (23 sq ft versus 15.5 sq ft) and costs less than half the price.
If price is a concern, MSR and Big Agnes aren’t the best brands for you. Solid, low-cost brands: REI,Alps, Sierra Designs, Kelty, Marmot. Some low-cost Marmots are available at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Not only that, …
... back when I paid attention to such things (and I haven't looked at a camping-gear catalog in ages), the diagrams showed the people alternating which direction the head and feet were pointed, JUST LIKE SARDINES IN A CAN. I remember that the diagram for sleeping in a 4-person Timberline showed the people oriented crosswise to the door and alternating like sardines. I have a 4-person Timberline and it's great for two people lying side-by-side with their heads toward the door, especially since the length of the tent is greater than its width. I think three could lie lengthwise if need be, but without alternating like sardines. I sure hope that with four people inside, no one except the one who's blocking the door has to get up in the middle of the night to pee!
I also remember that the diagrams for some large dome tents showed three people side-by-side and alternating like sardines (no other way to fit three in a row like that), and an additional person oriented at 90 degrees at each end of the first three.
Contact MSR
They may just replace your tent for you, GREAT customer service, which is another reason to go with MSR…
All solo tents are not the same size
For a long time, I used a Eureka Mtn Pass 1XT that was warm (full double-wall) and compact due to use of shorter poles than standard. GREAT for packing into kayak hatch compartments. I bought it from Campmor in either 2003 or early 2004. Last year I finally sold it via craigslist.
Later, I bought a Hilleberg Unna that is also warm and has a full double-wall structure. I like how it is set up with the fly poled up first, and then the body is hung underneath–good for when it’s already raining. It also is a few inches wider than the Mtn Pass 1XT, and boy that few inches is nice to have. Hilleberg refers to the Unna as being a 1-person tent that can host two in a pinch, and I agree with their description. It’s a wonderful size for one person and dry bags. But it cost much more than the Eureka tent did.
So check out the actual product size specs when comparing 1-person tents. They do vary.
Maybe bit off topic - but not really
If, like me, you always travel with a good tarp - one option is to carry just the body of a tent and sleep under the tarp sans tent in good bug free weather and use the tent body under the tarp if it gets buggy. It is not a great option for really bad weather - especially wind, but 99% of the time it works well. Having a nice light big tarp - such as the tarps made my Cooke Custom Sewing - adds a huge amount of comfort to the canoe/kayak tripping experience.
West Nile, Triple E, etc.
I don’t think tarp camping is a good idea these days. People aren’t even doing yard work outside after dinner, much less sleeping in the woods without full protection.
So, there’s no such thing as …
… “good bug-free weather” then?
We have all been affectied
by the marketing of fear. Now its just dangerous in some eyes to even go outside.
Look at any ad…look for the basis of the add. Chances are its based on fear.
E-mail rejected
Kanaka, I’d like to answer your e-mail but my IP can’t connect with your IP. Send an alternative address if you have one. Thanks.
Lots of choices
http://www.backpacking.net/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=170798#Post170798
Be sure to explore the links in the responses. There are a lot of tents that will work for you.
A small one person tent is a great option on islands with minimal space to camp.
Goodness I hope
it hasnt’ come to this. I recall two one week canoe trips in the deep woods of northern maine when we did not see one single bug. Surely a night under the tarp would be safe in those conditions - no? It was delightful by the way. Warblers had all returned and the days were gorgeous and sunny with temps in the 60s and low 70s. Of course, there have been other trips as well but I wont’ mention them.
tent
wow, so much tent info. , someone mentioned the Alps 2 person,(Zephire?) i recieved their catalog on Saturday and am serious about this tent. No prices in the catalog, but will give them a call. I tend to camp in warmer weather and it seems as there are always mosquitoes and lil’ black flies in these parts, if not then it is likely snowing. so i want more than a tarp. I do just fine in lil’ spaces, but have given the 2 person tent a lot of consideration after reading everyones post. Don’t like sharing a tent, good excuse to not have to if it’s to little. To many sleepless nights from snoring, nature calls etc… . but will just make it clear that it is for me and me only.The hound might share, but that is it.LOL
Thanks all. Still shopping and comparing all the details of each of interest.
Black Diamond Ahwahnee
One month on the SE coast of Newfoundland–wind to 60mph, torrential rain, cold, hot, black flies–and camping in NC coast and mountains. Totally fabulous–nothing like it. Only downside is cost, but it is worth every penny.
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Diamond-Ahwahnee-Tent-Person/dp/B00122LV1C
MSR, Asolo, EMS
I have an MSR solo freestanding tent which I’ve had about 10 years and is in flawless condition. Not sure of the model name, but they’ve probably updated their models anyways. I find it has plenty of room for me, my clothes, whatever gear I need in the tent with me, and the rest of my gear fits under the fly vestibule.
I have an Asolo (I think it’s called a Hawk) small 2 person tent. It’s has more mesh and is faster to put up so I prefer it in the summer. I bought it for $100 at an outdoor show.
I have a 20 year old EMS 2-3 person tent which has been well used in all conditions. The seam tape on the tent floor is starting to come loose, otherwise it’s in flawless condition. Once it needed a repair so I dropped it off at an EMS store and they did the repair free, no receipt needed.
Head to foot sleeping
Many tents now save weight and increase stability in wind by being wedge shaped: both narrower and lower at the foot. You can’t sleep head to foot in those tents.
Another very inefficient shape is the hexagon. It supposedly creates gear space in the pulled out corners, but it greatly reduces mattress space. A plain rectangle and equal height on all sides is the most efficient and comfortable in terms of space.
Suicide by bugs
The last time I was able to sleep outside and not get bitten by a mosquito was late August in the Adirondacks on a windy night . . . in the 1970s. I would not do that anywhere in the Northeast today. Ticks, mosquitoes, coywolves . . . they’re all out to get us!
Steep and Cheap
Watch for the Alps Zephyr on Steep and Cheap. http://www.sacalerts.com/history.php
It was on there 46 times last year, usually for less than $100. I know people are sceptical about a tent that costs so little but seriously, this is a well-made tent.
The best season to buy a tent is late fall. Incredible sales then. Inventory can by low now.
MSR fly replacement
Yes-they did replace my “gooey” fly @ no cost.
Dang
I should have bought that gooey fly MSR at the REI yard sale. Dough!