Touring - New Tent for touring

I am in the market for a new tent for touring. What have you found to work for you?

I am 6'4" and need to get my girlfriend in as well.

Recommendations/suggestions/don't gets... start.... NOW!

Thanks
blm

Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD or whatever the full name is. Kinda small, but I'm like 6'5' and my girlfriend sleeps in there quite nicely even with the bags and such. Very durable, easy to setup, light. Needed to use a seamsealer though, but aside from that, no complaints. You might like to go with something bigger if you're not concerned with weight at all.

http://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=3570329

inexpensive/good value - eureka (walmart sells one under own label)

long time in business, broad appeal, many models - sierra designs

popular, seasonal deals - rei / mec

european - hilleberg

ultralight - tarptent, big agnes

and about 100 others....

big agnes is having a close out on their sarvis sl2-i've used a sl1 for over a year and its one of the best tents i've owned-the sl2 has a floor length of 7 ft.-go to big agnes and click "specials"-the price is $227-about a third of normal retail

REI had some great tents. My tent is a two person cycling tent. It weighs like three pounds.

I have a Sierra Designs Omega that my girlfriend and I use. I'm about 6'4 and we both fit in it very comfortably. It weighs about 6 pounds and is a very sturdy tent. The MSR Hubba Hubba is also a very nice tent and weighs less than my Omega. If you want to go "inexpensive," check out REI's tents.

I figured I would edit this to clarify. There is nothing wrong with REI's tents. They are perfectly fine but they're still more expensive than, say, Eureka. If I were you I would look into REI (they usually have deals) unless you can afford to spend a little more on a MSR Hubba Hubba. (I personally would avoid Eureka if you plan to use the tent often.)

I was looking at the Sierra Designs Asp last night. It seemed to be a decent fit. A little over 7 feet long, duel doors, etc. Being tall, I would sacrifice a pound or two during the day for some space at night.

Tarp Shelter. Cheap enough to be disposable and very low weight. This site shows how to easily make them.
http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/tarp/Image57.gif
http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/tarp/TarpShel.htm
After selecting a design for your or the groups needs purchase the required size tarp and practice putting it up. When your happy with the design make setup on the tour easier by using a marker to draw fold lines on the trap. If your tarp is damaged you can purchase new tarps just about anywhere unlike special tents that must be ordered or purchased in specialty stores. Storage of the tarp shelter is not required; just toss it in a garbage can on the last day of the tour. If you're flying to the starting point of a tour you can purchase materials for your tarp shelter after getting off the plane.

the thing that makes me think credit card tours might be a nice alternative: the weight and bulk of mattress pads, tarp floors , etc. If it were just the tent, it'd be no big deal. but, the weight when added all together. Maybe a tarp would be less bulk.

+1 for big agnes. I have a sl2 and it's by far the best bang for your buck. Their sleep systems are the sweetest out there for the money as well, imop.

BLM, I am a little taller than you and my wife and I have used an REI Half Dome in the past. It did fine. I haven't looked at their models recently but they probably have a new and improved model. You get a lot for your money.

After a fair amount of research, we just purchased a Marmot Bise 3P tent. I can't say that we have used it yet. We chose it becuase it has steeper walls than most tents we have seen. This will make it easier to move around in and sit up on those days you might be waiting out the weather. Two doors are also nice and don't think I could go back to having only one. Also, if you look at the floor plan, the extra space is at the end meaning it's great for storing gear. It wouldn't be great for a 3rd body but that's OK since we aren't using this as a 3 person tent. It's only about a pound heavier than our Half Dome. Since we don't count ounces, the difference really doesn't matter to us.

http://www.rei.com/product/747658

We have the Hilleberg Nallo 3GT and love it. Considering we sleep in it nearly every night on our trip we have given it a good workout and have not had the slightest problem yet. It's a three person tent; but we think it's perfect for 2 to have some extra space.

Have they changed the design of the Sierra Designs Flashlight Clip since it first came out? I had one many years ago---maybe 1983? I woke up after a night of rain with an inch of rain in the bottom of the tent and everything totally soaked. The fly was not large enough to cover the sides of the tent and the water rolled off the fly directly into the tent. When I returned from that trip I got my money back from Seirra Designs.

Have they changed the design of the Sierra Designs Flashlight Clip since it first came out? I had one many years ago---maybe 1983? I woke up after a night of rain with an inch of rain in the bottom of the tent and everything totally soaked. The fly was not large enough to cover the sides of the tent and the water rolled off the fly directly into the tent. When I returned from that trip I got my money back from Seirra Designs.
I don't believe the SD CF has changed much dimensionally over the years. More netting in roof for breathability and weight reduction. Door has changed some too.

The CF is the longest-running model in the SD tent line, due to being a good design for 1 person (or 2 occasionally), light weight, and fair price. Campmor has sold them for at least 10 years.

Most CFs are very storm-worthy and don't leak when pitched properly. Mine leaked only very slightly after it was 15 years old and the rainfly seam tape had begun to peel off.

Depends on how well you get along...

...I'd go with 2 Hennessey Hammocks :D

But I just like sleeping in mine that much!

Depends on how well you get along...
...I'd go with 2 Hennessey Hammocks :D
But I just like sleeping in mine that much!


+1!

I am in the market for a new tent for touring. What have you found to work for you?

I am 6'4" and need to get my girlfriend in as well.

Recommendations/suggestions/don't gets... start.... NOW!

Thanks
blm

Traptent Squall2, Double Rainbow or Cloudburst2

www.tarptent.com

Im going to be using a NorthFace Tadpole 23 for my tour, just because thats the tent i already use for camping, lightweight, storm reliable tent. Being 6,4 might be a small problem though, im 6 and im from end to end stretched out.

I used a Sierra Designs Light Year 1-person tent while on a 2-week tour in the Rockies in 2005 and it was too small (and I'm only 5'7"). I experienced fairly rainy weather with some snow, and there was nowhere to put any wet stuff, short of leaving it outside in garbage bags. A bigger tent is definitely worth while in poor weather even if it weights an extra pound or so.

I am in the market for a new tent for touring. What have you found to work for you?

I am 6'4" and need to get my girlfriend in as well.

###############/suggestions/don't gets... start.... NOW!

Thanks
blm

Kelty tents are great values. The quality is good. www.kelty.com

Does anyone use the BA Seedhouse SL1? How does it hold up? In general and in the rain? I guess these two questions apply to the SL2 as well. Specific to the SL1, does it feel too cramped? I need a new tent this year and am torn between several. I was looking at a rolled up SL1 in its stuff sack and was really turned on by its compactness. That is what I am looking for more than weight.

The mesh is a bit delicate and snags easily, like pantyhose. I have the Sarvis so can't comment on size -- mine's very roomy.

I like the Eureka backcountry 11 its only like $99 sets up fast, and is long enough for me to put all four panniers in the end. I think it would handle your 6'4" heights.

The mesh is a bit delicate and snags easily, like pantyhose. I have the Sarvis so can't comment on size -- mine's very roomy.

Oh ......... I get it.......you meant tights.

sorry

george

The difference between tall and average height, let's say 5'10" and 6'4" is 6 inches. So if a good tent weighed 4 pounds and was 7 feet long, adding six inches is a license to add less than 4.5 ounces, not 2 pounds. Sure you could add height and width also, but it really isn't necesarry. Nothing wrong with carrying a much heavier tent, but over time people seem to gravitate to light tents. It's mostly a design issue since there are large tents that don't weigh much and are perfectly protective for the average conditions found in cycling, vs. polar exploration.

If you buy good brands, like MSR, North Face, MEC, etc... you can be fairly confident of good design and quality execution. For cycling I appreciate a compact parcel that doesn't overhang the racks a mile. I normally don't get self supporting, but it's worth having if it fits your weight budget. Other than that you can pretty much suit your flights of fancy. There is a design architecture aspect to it that is going to make one design please a given person more than another.

Oh ......... I get it.......you meant tights.

sorry

george

LOL! yes george, I was translating for our amurrican friends ;)

Ok so after a good look at the BA SL1 I have decided it may be a bit too pantyhose-ish delicate. Now I am looking at a North Face Vector 22. Can anyone comment on it?

I hope I didn't put you off needlessly. Did you give it a feel? I snagged mine really easily. I guess being so light makes it a bit fragile.

The SH SL2 is on sale now at REI for only $219. It's a good price, so I bought one.

At that price I would get the SL2 and use it for the trip sth. If you don't like it, you can fleabay it and prolly get most of your money back.

Does anyone use the BA Seedhouse SL1? How does it hold up? In general and in the rain? I guess these two questions apply to the SL2 as well. Specific to the SL1, does it feel too cramped? I need a new tent this year and am torn between several. I was looking at a rolled up SL1 in its stuff sack and was really turned on by its compactness. That is what I am looking for more than weight.
I have the SL1 and have used it only a couple times so far. It is doesn't feel cramped to me (5'9"). The mesh does seem like it can snag easily, but it's worth it for the light weight, IMO. It holds up in the rain really well as long as you stake the fly properly.

However, I just bought the SL2 last night at REI since it was on sale for such a good price. I'm taking a 3.5 month tour this summer and I wanted just a little more room than the SL1 has. Anyone want to buy an SL1? :)

try a nallo 2 or a nallo 3, great tents. hilleberg is the maker

I'd not forget to consider the Eureka Pinnacle Pass. We've been using the Eureka Mountain Pass 4XT for several years, (and loved all the space) but decided to lighten up this year. I'm your height, so it does eliminate an awful lot of tents, and if it's two people, I always like two doors in case one needs to sleep in or one needs a late night bathroom run, and that eliminates several more. It came down to the REI Half Dome (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47943133&parent_category_rn=4500457) and the Eureka Pinnacle Pass 2man (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39196246&memberId=12500226) or 3man (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39196397&memberId=12500226).

It was a tough call, and had the pinnacle pass 3xt had a premade fitted nylon footprint like the REI, it would have made my decision that much more difficult, but alas, we went with the half dome since I couldn't find much written about the pinnacle pass.

The REI Half Dome 2 HC is an excellent tent. A little heavier than most, but roomy with separate vestibules on either side.

Michael

I picked up the REI half dome 2 HC on sale at REI $105 and it has worked very well. There are lighter tents but for the price I couldn't pass it up.

My boyfriend is 6'8" and I am 5'8". We have tons of room in the REI half dome plus 2 that I bought a couple years ago. It's great. The two vestibules are big, very handy for rainy/dewy conditions.

I laid in the Big Agnes SL2 last night at REI, and, it seems much narrower than my Half Dome. But, it's also 2 lbs lighter, so, it might be a good buy for a solo tent. Big enough to get in it all day if it's raining, also lighter than another solo tent I saw at REI (but forget the name).

+1 on the tarp. low weight, lots of room, more confortable than a tent. might want to get a bug bivy with it.

Well I bought the North Face Vector 22. $299CDN. Not cheap but oh well. It looks to be a good compromise between construction/materials and light weight. Barely enough for two but lots for one. Being a NF product, it should be well made and will likely stand up.

+1 for the tarptent.

In general check out ultralight backpacking (www.backpackinglight.com (http://www.backpackinglight.com)). There is so much in common with touring (as far as the gear goes) that it's a great way to tour. The basic premise is to reduce your carried weight as much as possible. Some of this is through purchasing the appropriate gear, some of it is ideology changes (not taking the kitchen sink), and some of it is having dual use gear. I personally think the lighter the better and more enjoyable your trip will be. You may have to take better care of your gear, but it's worth it. I have the one man tarptent Contrail and I love it (just 1.5 pounds). They have two man models for 2 pounds and slightly above.

Whatever tent you get make sure that you are able to put up the fly first, and are then able to put up the inner tent. This is really handy when it is raining, and you are on the road for a long time. It is great to be able to pack, or unpack, all your gear under shelter, as after a few days of rain, the water seems to get in everywhere.
Has anyone used the Birdland Tent - these are made in the Netherlands?

What they said about the REI Half Dome Plus. Relatively lightweight for it's size and room. And can't beat the two vestibules. If you have the footprint, you can set it up with just the fly also...