I second the REI Half Dome
REI and affordable: oil and water
I just throw away the catalog when it comes in the mail anymore. The modest income I have will not allow me to buy a piece of gear for $300 when I can find something almost as good in Campmor for $75. I second the reccomendation on the Apex 2. Mine is a year old and I really like it.
Hmm
USMC combat tent…
north face
tadpole…
great size to put in a boat!
Paddling
– Last Updated: May-09-06 11:06 AM EST –
provides options backpacking doesn't. I have a Mountain Hardwear three man tent for canoe trips. Very roomy for a companion and me. Nice, I'd call it luxury. For backpacking I carry a nice little tarp.
Now here's the rub: Great new outdoorsy girlfriend. Loves to 'camp'. To her this means vehicle nearby and toidy in walking distance. I am not fond of this kind of camping so compromise is I carry 8.5 pound 3 person tent hiking through the Ouachita's.
I'm a better man for it, I'm sure,
Point is, the boat is your back and can carry extra weighty things you normally wouldn't camp with, a three person tent is gloriously comfy for two. Dutch oven anyone?
Best,
B
Eureka Apex XT
Hey String. I bought an Apex XT a couple of months ago. I’m happy with it. It’s called a 2 man but it’s more of a 1 & 1/2. I’m 6’!’ & 210 and have lots of room. It has 2 doors and 2 good sizes vestubles. It also has a lot of tabs to tie it down with to make it practically bomb proof. The price is right too.
The tent itself is mostly mesh, which is nice for hot weather. The rain fly covers everything.
Jim
My favorite is a Quest
– Last Updated: May-09-06 12:11 PM EST –
tube type which I used for years while scouting, but finally gave in to the need to get a freestanding backpacking tent when we were stuck on a rock island with nowhere to put in a stake and without my ice axe & pitons. So I broke down and got a Northface Pebble. I like the head room, but miss the Quest's giant vestibule for keeping gear dry. I even had to cook in it on top of Mt Mitchell in a hailstorm. I'd taken the Pebble to Jocassee for the rendezvous. Don't know if you saw it. Either one is a good tent and stands up to wind well. Both are easy & quick to set up and tear down. Just checked and they're now calling it a Tephra.
http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=AZC9
My boat has a 750 lb. capacity , so
I can take just about any tent made, but I’m thinking set-up space may be small sometimes.
Gander mnt
Gander has a line of gear to.(guide series)at least thats the only place i have found them.
i baught a guid series jackrabit and love it. it is a four person but if only carrying frome car to camp site no bigg deal. the set up is so easy, even i had it up in 5 minutes.inside of it is big enough to stand up and lots of room for gear. and at only 100$ a very good price.
i have the timber line 4 and it is a good tent as well. easy roomy and can be packed easily for canoeing.
you get what you pay for
If you will be using your tent often, don’t focus on price. $200-300 dollars more for a tent that is rock solid in the wind, easy to set up and bug and waterproof is money well spent.
My personal favorite is a North Face Tadpole, which i have had for 17 years. I think it has been replaced by a new model, but I would certainly check out whatever their small 2 man tent is if ever in the market. However, I think this tent may outlast me.
tadpole is a heck of a tent
and is back in production. The newer model is a bit steeper at teh ridgeline so does not tend to pool on top. My wife was amazed when the tadpol stood up to some seriously sustained 40 mph winds in the 'dacks. In light conditions it can be set up with 4 stakes!
The REI half dome is not $300
…where did you come up with that fantasy…? I used a 20% off cupon…sale going on now…I have used the tent 3 years now and still like it very much…its a good deal…
Want very reasonable price? Try a
Coleman. Whatever tent you get, if your plan is to sleep two in the tent, then consider getting a three man tent instead of the two. If weight isn’t a consideration, the extra room will be appreciated.
Eureka domes from Campmor
I’m another big believer in Eureka quick set up dome tents. I’ve had 3 over the past 20 years, and my last 2 have come from Campmor.
Check out the Eureka Tetragon 7. It’s nominally a 3 person tent, that’s roomy enough for two not to feel claustraphobic, that packs into almost a 2 person-sized roll bag. We’ve had ours for years, and when space is at a premium, it’s what we use. (When packing space is not at a premium, but when interior tent space is the name of the game, as in camping at the beach, we much prefer the giant Equinox 6, as it fits 3 people and a table, and you can stand up in it.)
MSR Hubba
Got a very good review in Backpacker Mag. They really focus on weight though.
I understand about the 2-man tent
thing for one person…when my pard and I travel by aquatic vessels we each take a two man tent…My dog sleeps with me , he’s 45 lbs…I like my half dome cuz it weighs under 5lbs and it has 2 vestabules/2 doors is self standing with head room…I’m 6’ @ 200lbs…If weight wasn’t a concern for me I think I would go with a campfire tent http://www.frostriver.com/tents_tarps/campfire_tent.html
I have never tried one but they look like they would have plenty of room and be versatile…
Coleman 3 Man Tent for $60
As long as it is for fair weather, why not? I have 3-4 of them in the garage. Cheap and can be erected by one person
String, bigger folks like us…
I’m 6-3 and 210. The tents I have are listed as 4-person. To me this means 2 people and essential gear in the tent. I have a Eureka Timberline 4-person (if you are all cub scouts) that served me well. The only fault is no “bathtub or coated floor”. This tent kept me dry through torrential rains but the edges get wet due to the fly not covering completely. Ground cloth helped but I was not completely satisfied. I’ll sell it to you at a good price, if you’re interested email me.
I bought a Kelty Gunnison 4. Excellent tent at about $150 and through numerous trips and nasty weather has been stellar.
Hope this helps
Wes
soggy tent
I had an inexpensive tent years ago about $80 and good for 3 people not sure what kind, but I remember it sagged when it rained and everything inside had to be moved to the middle as the walls where soaked. How are the newer ones in the rain?
Give you this one for free
reimburse postage…
http://www.rabbitusa.com/images/Eureka/Military/LWExtremeWeatherShelter.jpg
