Tony Camon
Hello,
I'd like to get a light 1-2 person tent suitable for moderate
backpacking, but I don't want to spend much money. I'll probably be using it mainly for 1-2 night trips on moderate-difficulty trails, and in good weather to the extent one can predict that. I also may use it in car-accessible campgrounds for longer periods- due to high gas and
an increasingly decrepit car, I am considering visiting national parks via bus and/or hitchhiking, and a compact tent would be nice for that.
So basically I don't need anything fancy, so long as its not junk that will fall apart on me. How cheap can one go? For example I've seen one called a Texsport Knollwood Bivy Shelter for $35 that *seems* like what I'd need...what do you folks think?
Answer
I own two 2-person tents from Eureka!. While they are not as light as my Gore-Tex bivy sack, I usually end up taking one of those tents on most of my trips because I like the extra room a tent offers.
While slightly heavier than tents made by other companies, such as Mountain Hardwear, The North Face, and Sierra Designs, the Eureka! tents are much less expensive. I used one of them for an entire summer as a backpacking guide and acquired the other one the next season and used that one on a 21 day trip as well as several other 2-3 day trips.
For the price (both were about $90-$120 MSRP) they have served me well and I have few complaints.
I generally am not a fan of department store brand camping equipment. I've led trips where others on the trip were using a tent purchased from a Wal-Mart or K-Mart and they always had some problems with the tents. Usually rain and moisture build-up in the tent caused them to get wet or some part of the tent failed such as the zippers or the stitching came undone in places.
I purchased one of the Eureka! tents in 1999 and the other one came to me in 2000. Both get much use and are doing very well.
I own two 2-person tents from Eureka!. While they are not as light as my Gore-Tex bivy sack, I usually end up taking one of those tents on most of my trips because I like the extra room a tent offers.
While slightly heavier than tents made by other companies, such as Mountain Hardwear, The North Face, and Sierra Designs, the Eureka! tents are much less expensive. I used one of them for an entire summer as a backpacking guide and acquired the other one the next season and used that one on a 21 day trip as well as several other 2-3 day trips.
For the price (both were about $90-$120 MSRP) they have served me well and I have few complaints.
I generally am not a fan of department store brand camping equipment. I've led trips where others on the trip were using a tent purchased from a Wal-Mart or K-Mart and they always had some problems with the tents. Usually rain and moisture build-up in the tent caused them to get wet or some part of the tent failed such as the zippers or the stitching came undone in places.
I purchased one of the Eureka! tents in 1999 and the other one came to me in 2000. Both get much use and are doing very well.
which 2 person tent? please help?
Josh
need to buy a 2 person tent for some camping. Mainly car camping so not really backpacking. I am looking at one of these two:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043HM5M2/ref=s9_simh_gw_p200_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0W4AEST4BY4MPV5E260H&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016HMBN0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p200_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=09V0JNX5ZMT0F5ZZA7JT&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
which one would you prefer? Thanks in advance!
figured amazon link would be sufficient enough, but here they are:
Eureka Apex 2XT FG Backpacking Tent
Coleman Hooligan 2 Backpacking Tent
Thanks
Answer
There is a big weight difference between these two, almost 4lbs. Also a 2 pole dome design verses a single pole both are 3 season tents the Coleman is a full mesh so for hot starry nights the better tent both have equvilant guarantees and reputations for me as a backpacker weight is criticle I would choose the Apex.
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes, Tunnels and Sacks
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.
There is a big weight difference between these two, almost 4lbs. Also a 2 pole dome design verses a single pole both are 3 season tents the Coleman is a full mesh so for hot starry nights the better tent both have equvilant guarantees and reputations for me as a backpacker weight is criticle I would choose the Apex.
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes, Tunnels and Sacks
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.
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