Touring - Tent Recommendations?

Hello all,

I recently completed a supported trip on the ATA and C&O towpath from Pitt to DC. I'd like to do it again completely unsupported as a build up to a longer tour this fall. I thought I'd start the process by picking the major new items I'll need to pick up, starting with the tent. Any standouts to recommend? Any to avoid? I'm thinking 3 season/2 person but beyond that have no real idea. Any thanks would be appreciated!

www.hilleberg.com

I have the Hilleberg Una. Actually I haven't put mine into service yet, but I have erected it a few times and I'm impressed. These tents are quite expensive but wonderfully designed and made. They're worth your consideration.

Try this,a bit heavy but mine has withstood all the weather that long term living could throw at it

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=3&prod=146&cat=27&viewAll=False

I just bought a Kelty Crestone (one person) and when I set it up in the living room it seemed great. We'll see how it does on my April tour in Tx.

MSR Hubba (One Person), MSR Hubba Hubba (Two Person), Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 (One Person)

http://www.bdel.com/gear/firstlight.php

Black Diamond (climbing gear) makes some tents out of silnylon, and epic fabric. They are really light for their size. I have the lighthouse, which was one of few models they offered a few years ago. Now they have maybe eight or so models, including a few one man (oops, I mean one mmm "person") models. My lighthouse made it through six weeks of really strong winds, and heavy rains in flying colors. Like all single wall tents, condensation can be a problem, especially in heavy rain or snow-"sheeting" occurs. Still, it wasn't much worse than a double wall tent under similar conditions. Check em out!

Here's all their tents.

http://www.bdel.com/gear/tents_overview.php

I am in the process of assembling touring gear. I have read good things about the REI two man half dome tent on this forum. I thought I would probabley go with that.

Don't buy the REI Half Dome
I had one, the MSR Hubba Hubba is much better if your looking for a two person tent
It's larger, better ventilation, and weighs less

I looked over many tents before I bought (as I am sure others have done as well). I was looking for a 2 person tent to give me more room for stowing gear, a fly that offered outside storage area, good air flow, two doors for easy entry and exit, weighs less than 6 pounds, has aluminum poles (fiberglass breaks too easily from normal use), is tall enough for sitting upright for changing cloths, good solid tenting fabric for waterproofness, and all under $150.

I found the Kelty Gunnison 2 to be the one that best fit the criteria I sought. Here's a link from Campmor to this tent, and they now have it on sale for $120 (the 2007 version is $150). I would buy this tent again.


http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=38470413&memberId=12500226

I have a 3 person Nallo which is one fine tent, seems to be well rated. It has stood up to snow, loads of rain and general abuse with-out a glitch. These guys know how to make a good tough light tent, the nallo is available in a 2 man version. Post number 2 gave you the web site. The hilleberg tents seem to hold their value like none other.

I second a vote for the BD lighthouse. got one, use it for a lot of sumer and 3 season touring, and it packs up almost as small as a one liter water bottle. its great lightweight tent. I also use tarps a lot.

a nice hoop tent with a little vestibule would serve you just fine.

any big agnes-i,ve got a sarvis sl-1,it's actually almost a 2 man tent-superior quality and almost reasonable

I forgot to mention that the Adventure Cycling Association sells some bike touring supplies (including tents) that are reported to be tested by seasoned tourists and among the best equipment out there for the price. (Not a commercial for them but, so far, I've been impressed with their stuff.)
http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm

Stephenson Warmlite two person tent is worth a look. Weighs less than most one person tents, too.

I have used Henry Shire's Tarptents with great success touring on and offroad including the Divide Ride. Very light weight with excellent ventilation, bug and rain protection and easy setup. Also reasonably priced.
http://www.tarptent.com (http://www.tarptent.com/)

Hennessy Hammock

www.hennessyhammock.com

I just bought a Sierra Designs Baku 2. Its a 2 person, 2 door, 2 vestibule tent that is single/double wall hybrid. What i like about it most is the fly is attached to the tent so you can set it up in the rain and the inside won't get wet.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47981516&parent_category_rn=4500457&vcat=searchrefinebrand

atrail,

Go to a outdoor store and check them out in person. Outside of perhaps the very cheapest tents, quality isn't going to be an issue. Along the C&O (and probably almost anywhere else) you'll want a tent that can quickly be put up to get out of the mosquitoes and no see ums. Most of them will have this but make sure it has good air flow. I prefer a fly that is not attached because it will give you more uses for the fly, like rain protection for your gear when riding.

I used a bivy on my tour but on my next one, I will be carrying both a 2lb bivy and a 7x5 tent.

Don't buy the REI Half Dome
I had one, the MSR Hubba Hubba is much better if your looking for a two person tent
It's larger, better ventilation, and weighs less


Are you sure about the larger part?

REI Half Dome floor 90"x54" min wt: 81oz $169
MSR 84"x50" min wt: 62oz $299

I'd have looked closer at the Hubba Hubba, but at my height, the extra 6" were key. That, and since my wife is usually withm the extra width was key, especially if we ever wanted to break out the 25" thermarests on a canoe or car camping trip. Are the REI dimensions overstated or is the MSR understated?

I've decided on the Big Agnes SL1. Very light, it's as light a tent as I have found and it has a fly (essential to my way of thinking after years of backpacking). That and it's a beige color—which should blend in fairly well with the surroundings (stealth an' all). BA makes an SL2 as well.

I've decided on the Big Agnes SL1. Very light, it's as light a tent as I have found and it has a fly (essential to my way of thinking after years of backpacking). That and it's a beige color—which should blend in fairly well with the surroundings (stealth an' all). BA makes an SL2 as well.
most excellent choice-i got mine at their "special" department,$137,great score-you'll be very happy with tnis product

big agnes is selling new sarvis sl2,s in their special section-$227-that's $150 off retail

That's what I got. Love it.

Are you sure about the larger part?

REI Half Dome floor 90"x54" min wt: 81oz $169
MSR 84"x50" min wt: 62oz $299

I'd have looked closer at the Hubba Hubba, but at my height, the extra 6" were key. That, and since my wife is usually withm the extra width was key, especially if we ever wanted to break out the 25" thermarests on a canoe or car camping trip. Are the REI dimensions overstated or is the MSR understated?

I'm not sure about the length/width, but it is definitely larger in height
It just 'feels' larger

Don't get me wrong, the Half Dome is also a good tent with an excellent rainfly, but it's heavier and in my opinion not 'as good'

+1 big agnes sl1. great tent!

Thanks for all the great recommendations, I would have never taken a look at the Big Agnes line. I must say I like the Black Diamond Lighthouse as I'm a big EPIC fiber fan since I bought a Showers Pass jacket. Still, I'm also looking to spend less than $300. I'll let you all know what I go with as soon as I get the wife to greenlight. Blast that joint account..

Spent last summer in our MSR Velo (http://www.vwvagabonds.com/Bike/BikeTent.html) and really enjoyed the extra space.

http://vwvagabonds.com/velo.gif

We saw a few Europeans using the Hilleberg tents and they seemed very nice as well. I particularly liked the single-wall construction and the ease of pitching.

http://www.hilleberg.se/images/stalon-combi2.gif

I was interested to note this on the Big Agnes site:

Sarvis Tent Clearance
We have discontinued the Sarvis Tent series and now we need to blow out the remaining inventory.
Sarvis SL 2 Person Tents now on sale at 40% off retail.
While supplies last.

I wonder what they are replacing them with? Can't beat the headroom on those Sarvis tents!

I see the answer to my question: a new line of superlight tents called "Emerald Mountain": http://www.bigagnes.com/str_tent_series.php?id=em

Very cool and with an optional Hillegerg Nallo-type vestibule. Good thinking!

Any Golite (http://www.golite.com/main/home.aspx) users out there?

I was thinking about getting a few of there things. I think I want to try some unsupported touring....

Thanks for all the great recommendations, I would have never taken a look at the Big Agnes line. I must say I like the Black Diamond Lighthouse as I'm a big EPIC fiber fan since I bought a Showers Pass jacket. Still, I'm also looking to spend less than $300. I'll let you all know what I go with as soon as I get the wife to greenlight. Blast that joint account..

Are you an REI member? 20% discount on one full price item until 4/1/2007 might put the Lighthouse in reach:

$379 -20% = $303.20, and free delivery to a store if you buy online.

+1 on the REI Half Dome. Plenty of room, and way less expensive than the Hubba Hubba. Saving a pound will cost you $130...

In case you're interested in a slightly larger tent, I'm about to use my REI dividend and 20% off coupon to get the REI Taj 3, $229 list price. This is a legitimate 3-person tent (50 sq ft floor) that looks to be extremely comfortable for 2 riders + gear. However, I'm expecting to have at least one riding companion along for most of my trips, possibly a third. It weighs around 7-8 pounds, but as the dad, I'm expecting to be the pack mule and pace myself as needed. I'm also going to use this tent for backyard camping with the kids and for local state parks.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47975650&parent_category_rn=4500457

Good luck with your research -- it's at least 50% of the fun, isn't it....

Ken

Hello all,

I recently completed a supported trip on the ATA and C&O towpath from Pitt to DC. I'd like to do it again completely unsupported as a build up to a longer tour this fall. I thought I'd start the process by picking the major new items I'll need to pick up, starting with the tent. Any standouts to recommend? Any to avoid? I'm thinking 3 season/2 person but beyond that have no real idea. Any thanks would be appreciated!

I just bought a Golite, Hex 3 and hex 3 nest, from campmor. You can use the shell by itself if bugs aren't a problem. Light, roomy, lots of good reviews.

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=30268445&memberId=12500226

Another place you might want to look is Henry Shires tarp tents. Most folks have really good things to say about these, and the company.

http://www.tarptent.com/

My main advice is to get something light, rather than roomy. I'm 6'4", so for my first long tour I thought I needed something I could stretch out in. The tent I bought had a 5'x8' floor. It was plenty roomy, but weighed over 8 lbs. and was a big, topheavy bundle on my rack.

I looked longingly at a friend's Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight. Sure it was cozy, but it was really light (like 3 lbs.) and fit into a very small bundle. I found one on Ebay for $70 (with a small, sewed-up rip on the fly, in a spot where it didn't even matter) and bought it. I'm very happy with it. It's very small, but the lightness is worth it. There's enough room for me to sleep comfortably, and I can sit up in it (although, only in one spot.)

If I had plenty of money, I'd like to try a Big Agnes Seedhouse 2, (the lightweight version.) It looks a bit more roomy than what I've got, and about as light. It's mostly mesh, which would be nice on those hot afternoons when there are mosquitos. There are plenty of other good tents out there. I know REI has some. I agree with a previous poster that the ones offered on Adventure Cycling's website look good, and aren't too expensive.

Just consider the weight! You'll be carrying it up hills, and if you put it on top of your rack it will be adding to the sway, and if it's a big package you'll have to find room for it. If it's small and light you'll be happy!

P. S. Make sure the rain fly goes all the way to the ground. You don't want to be stuck in a tent that leaks in a rain storm.

In case you're interested in a slightly larger tent, I'm about to use my REI dividend and 20% off coupon to get the REI Taj 3, $229 list price.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47975650&parent_category_rn=4500457


I also bought a Taj 3, for the days when I can go touring with my wife. I'll carry the tent, she'll carry the fly and poles (or some such arrangement.) Unfortunately, she can't go this year. But I think it's a great design.

[QUOTE=bwgride]I looked over many tents before I bought (as I am sure others have done as well). I was looking for a 2 person tent to give me more room for stowing gear, a fly that offered outside storage area, good air flow, two doors for easy entry and exit, weighs less than 6 pounds, has aluminum poles (fiberglass breaks too easily from normal use), is tall enough for sitting upright for changing cloths, good solid tenting fabric for waterproofness, and all under $150.
[QUOTE]

I was looking for similar, plus freestanding was important to me. I got the Marmot Earlylight (or firstlight--package says one thing, tent says another). Two normal sized grown ups can actually sleep in the thing, so it's bigger than I needed. Two good-sized vestibules, pretty good airflow, and little weather windows so you can see what it's doing outside w/out having to unzip anything. I used this all summer on my TransAm--now I'm looking at a tarptent Rainbow or a BD since I don't need a tent this big just for me.

Any Golite (http://www.golite.com/main/home.aspx) users out there?

I was thinking about getting a few of there things. I think I want to try some unsupported touring....

Golite makes nice stuff, but to me it seems over priced. if you are looking for an ultralight tent look at Tarptent

www.tarptent.com

I see the answer to my question: a new line of superlight tents called "Emerald Mountain": http://www.bigagnes.com/str_tent_series.php?id=em

Very cool and with an optional Hillegerg Nallo-type vestibule. Good thinking!

I like the look of these tents, but at 4lbs they are just too heavy. Tell me would you conside these over a Tarptent Contrail or Rainbow at half the weight?

4 pounds is NOT too heavy, unless you are a weight concious weenie! but I'd try for a little lighter system myself too.

4 pounds or so is actually pretty respectable for a traditional, 'double wall' tent with vestibule. there's a lot lighter systems out there.

I use an 8 ounce tarp sometimes, a 16 ounce tarp a LOT, a 3 1/4 pound tent many trips. I've got one of the Golite Hex's, and its great for packing you and the bike in the same shelter, but has some limitations as a shelter.

a tent with a bike garage like the MSR Velo or the Hillebergs with the big vestis' are very comforting and 'secure' for campground-weighted tourers.

they all have some limitation or other, there is NO ideal tent. and they all wear out eventually. I recommend use them hard, store them well, and don't lament the wear and tear. its a sign you're using the stuff. don't sweat the small stuff. The 'ideal' tent is the one you use. i rec a ground cloth made of Tyvek.

If a tent has any silnylon in the construction of the fly or floor, it will likely pack up quite compactly as well.

Are you an REI member?

If you're not a member, it costs $15 for a lifetime.

You can join now to get the 20% discount and break even on the entry fee if you buy anything valued at $75 or more.

Plus you get a dividend/rebate every year - I think it averages out to about 10% of what you've purchased.

IMO REI is kind of pricey but sometimes it makes financial sense to buy there and their customer service has always been good when I deal with them.

(I hope I did the math right.)

4 pounds is NOT too heavy, unless you are a weight concious weenie! but I'd try for a little lighter system myself too.

4 pounds or so is actually pretty respectable for a traditional, 'double wall' tent with vestibule. there's a lot lighter systems out there.

I use an 8 ounce tarp sometimes, a 16 ounce tarp a LOT, a 3 1/4 pound tent many trips. I've got one of the Golite Hex's, and its great for packing you and the bike in the same shelter, but has some limitations as a shelter.

a tent with a bike garage like the MSR Velo or the Hillebergs with the big vestis' are very comforting and 'secure' for campground-weighted tourers.

they all have some limitation or other, there is NO ideal tent. and they all wear out eventually. I recommend use them hard, store them well, and don't lament the wear and tear. its a sign you're using the stuff. don't sweat the small stuff. The 'ideal' tent is the one you use. i rec a ground cloth made of Tyvek.

If a tent has any silnylon in the construction of the fly or floor, it will likely pack up quite compactly as well.


maybe I should have used a qualifier and said "4lbs is just too heavy for me". However, its good to consider all the options out there as I think many people simply go for the double skinned tents becasue that's what they see in REI or being used on most campgrounds.

I use a North Face Tadpole 23.

It's tiny for a 2-person tent, but it weighs nothing, is simple as all get out to pitch and strike, and it withstood a couple of severe thunderstorms in the upper midwest last summer without letting in so much as a drop of water.

I use a North Face Tadpole 23.

It's tiny for a 2-person tent, but it weighs nothing, is simple as all get out to pitch and strike, and it withstood a couple of severe thunderstorms in the upper midwest last summer without letting in so much as a drop of water.

4lbs is 4lbs more than nothing.

+1 on Henry Shires Tarptent--I have the cloudburst. Probably the best piece of gear I own. Super lightweight and roomy....And its nice to support cottage industries.

You have received a lot of good advice concerning several popular tents. Also remember that the length of the tent poles is a factor for touring. They vary considerably and could become a problem for storage depending on your panniers, etc.

I'm thinking 3 season/2 person but beyond that have no real idea.

I was thinking hard about the REI Half Dome but the Quarter Dome is growing on me.

As is the discounted Sarvis SL2: could someone compare ease of set up between the REIs and the Sarvis? Any other pros and cons? TIA.

my savis sl1 might take 4 minutes,not including stake time

anyone try stormproofUSA (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tentastic) tents?