small
Clip Flashlight… great little tent
Hey…
am I the only one who will admit to using a Coleman tent? I bought a 5x7 and a 10x12 and spent $110 for the two of them at the local sporting goods store.
Last summer we camped at the Indiana Dunes Seashore park and I could have sworn we were going to get gobbled up and thrown into Lake Michgan one night. Winds over 50mph, driving rain, thunder and lightening that was almost scary, hell it was scary, and thankfully the tents came thru. Many in the park the next morning were drenched and placing there belongings on their picnic tables and cars to dry out.
Anyway, I have used my small Coleman for a few campouts and have found it to be a great value for the money. I still miss my old 8x8 dome tent that I had for 15+ years. I didn’t want to spend too much and trusted the Coleman name.
Good luck.
Hennessy Hammock
and a 10 X 12 Sil Nylon Tarp for cooking and hanging out if it rains…
Coleman Avior X2
It just came in the mail and packs fairly small. It looks well made and I will use it for one, or two in an emergency. If you don’t need extra room inside, the Avior X1 might be a good one-man tent. Outdoor outlet.com has the AviorX1 and Avior X2 on sale for almost half price. My favorite “tent” is my Hennessy Hammock which packs up small and is ultra-comfy. I also have a Sierra Designs Tengu which has a huge vestibule and I love it. It does not pack up as small as the Avior and may be too big for your boat. If I need a bigger tent, I will carry the Tengu on my deck. Both the Avior and Tengu can be set up with the fly and tent attached, keeping the inner tent dry while setting up in rain, or can be set up as fly and ground cloth only, when you don’t need the mesh bug protection of the inner tent.
For 2 people…
30 yr. old Timberline
For solo, 2 lb. Big Agnes Seedhouse 1 ultralight
JH Bahn
timberlite
Been doing this for a long time and use a Timberlite 4 person (since 1976, got my first). On my third. Works for me. Oh, they an A frame, but I just feel comfortable with an old friend. Benn through a ot with them. Even canoe triped in the Bw with two kids a few time with one. Even have a two person for backpacking.
Depends
– Last Updated: Feb-10-08 1:19 PM EST –
For two people, I use my "three man" Eureka Apex 3XTA (older version of Pinnacle Pass 3XTA, in loud yellow colors instead of muted greens like the P.P.). Aluminum poles, full length rain fly, dual exits. I have ridden out howling winds and thunderstorms in this tent bone dry. The Apex can still be found for about $120, the P.P. around $150. Make sure you get the "XTA", which has aluminum poles and full length fly. There's usually an Ebay seller with a good deal on these floating around, just plug in "3xta". There's also a 2XTA version, which is of course "two man" (barely).
For myself only, I take a Eureka Spitfire 1 Solo. Has plenty of room to sit up in for a solo. Aluminum poles, full fly, less than 3 pounds. Has worked well so far, but does collect condensation inside the fly sometimes. Interior of tent stays dry though. Setting it up oriented into the wind helps the vents do their job to prevent moisture build-up. Got mine on sale from Amazon for $80
Phreon
I have a Big Agnes, Mad House ii
and love it. I needed a bigger two person since my wife and I get crowded with three dogs in the tent. We take our dogs tripping if allowed so the extra room is needed. I have 18 ft canoe so a bigger tent makes sense.
REI
Half Dome. Good tent, couldn’t beat the sale price, too. I still have my old tent, a North Face Coriolis, in case of company. Also have a Hennesey Hammock I bought years ago. He added an extra 3ft to each line, at no charge, either.
Hey Prairie Dog,
I have the 5x7 Coleman, too, and it has withstood gale force winds and heavy rain without a problem. I paid $39.95 for it. Also have a one person Marmot back packing tent that would pack smaller for river trips.
LL Bean two person dome
When fully set up with all the stakes and guy ropes in it will stay secure and dry through a hurricane
Coleman Expedition Series
Can’t remember the exact model number…
It’s the 2 man tent…total weight is less than 5 pounds for the tent, pack, stakes and poles.
Have choices
Car camping I use a 45 year old Sears Ted Williams tent (canvas). Got a Noahs Tarp, Kelty tent (don’t know what model) for boat camping, and a Hennessey Hammock.
Andy
MSR Hubba
MSR Hubba. One person. Honest 3.5lb (excluding ground sheet). Good reputation for construction and heavy weather. This tent is narrow (I would prefer if it was a bit wider).
Mostly free standing (needs two stakes for complete install but can make due with less). The tent is small enough to squeeze on platforms with other tents. The free-standing gives you more flexibility for set-up.
Would work for backpacking/bicycling. (I think I might go lighter for backpacking.)
Fits in my small kayak.
Hammocks
– Last Updated: Feb-10-08 6:51 PM EST –
Hammocks are drier, more comfortable, [no roots and rocks], lighter and more compact than tents, and cheaper too.
I use Clark, Hennessey and Crazy Creek products as the mood and weather moves me.
Light Weight Pyramid Tarp
Here is rainy Southeast Alaska we use a 26 ounce 80 sq feet pyramid tarp from Oware USA when the weather is marginal or the wind is blowing. Otherwise its our 10x12 tarp and bivy sacks. Combined, the tarp and pyramid weight under 3lbs and give us 200 sq ft of cover.
See http://www.flickr.com/photos/umnak/page3/
for a picture of both set-ups.
Tents!
You have to qualify your question.
l. One, two, or three people going.
2. Summer,Spring or Fall, or Winter
3. Hot Climate, Humid Climate, Wet Climate,
Snow, Heavy Winds.
In summer in mild environments I can get by with my REI Bivy Sack and a 8’by10’ tarp.
On solo Spring and Fall trips I use a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight Tent.
On Spring, Summer, and Fall trips for two people I use my Kelty Gunnison Dome with dual entry and vestibles.
Currently I don’t own a three man tent.
For winter use, and expedition use in high wind and rain or snow areas I use a Kelty Teton 2.5 man tent which is out of production. It has a single entry, three pole dome design with no vestible, but a rock solid rain fly with multiple tie down points, and 9mm alloy poles. The extra room inside makes up for the lack of a vestible.
In the past I have used REI Half Domes, Eureka Solitares, Eureka Timberlines, Plastic Tube Tents,and North Face VE-25’s Expedition Tents.
The best all around tent for two people I have found for space, ease of setting up, durability, waterproofness and cost is the Kelty Gunnison Dome Tent.
The best all weather tent I have been in is a tie between the North Face VE-25 and the Mountain Hardware Tango 2. Only reason Bibler isn’t here is, “Who can afford to buy one at over $550.” Single wall tents are great for weight and ease of put up but too pricy for my blood.
If you want durability for tons of use Eureka’s Outfitter Timberline Tent is worth trying.
MSR
MSR Mutha Hubba three person.
Kuddo’s on the MSR
Hubba-hubba (two person). Light, simple to pitch, packs and works well. Seems perfect for all occasions that I’d consider sleeping outdoors.
Todd
MSR Storm King
I have a MSR Storm King. Great for all my canoe-camping needs. Tons of room for the whole family, gear and a dog. I have taken this tent out in all four seasons, and it has never let me down. It has seen the Boundary waters, lots of extented river trips, or weekends at the lake.
66RollingStone