Touring - need new tent

well looks like i need to buy a new tent if i plan on any long excursions. have a tent i thought would work for a while, really it probabaly would. but at 7.5 lbs for a 2 man tent i think i can do better for a little money. i will prolly try it any way on my first outing and see what its like. i am only going to travel about 40 miles round trip. plus i am going to need a sleeping bag as all of mine pack down to about the size of a 55 gallon drum:p:eek:

Does your tent use heavy stakes? Maybe you can switch them out for lighter stakes and save some weight there.

If you want recommendations on a bag or tent, you should let us know your budget and requirements such as what temp. rating for the bag, if you prefer a mummy or a rectangular bag, how many people should fit in the tent you want, etc.

You can probably find some deals through here.

http://sac.gearattack.com/search?q=tent&commit=Search

http://sac.gearattack.com/search?q=sleeping+&commit=Search

Any of the items that were on Steep and Cheap can be bought for 40 percent off the regular price if the item is in stock at the backcountryoutlet.com

Does your tent use heavy stakes? Maybe you can switch them out for lighter stakes and save some weight there.

If you want recommendations on a bag or tent, you should let us know your budget and requirements such as what temp. rating for the bag, if you prefer a mummy or a rectangular bag, how many people should fit in the tent you want, etc.had not thought of that. if i remember correctly it comes with 8 tent stakes and i could prolly get by with four. one on each corner. rid myself of the little baggy it comes in plus the sand that is inevitable packed away in the tent. i think i will go look. let ya know later.

Kelty Grand Mesa 2, $100, 4 lb 10 oz:
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39278285&memberId=12500226&catalogId=40000000226

Sleeping bags, that's a bit more variable -- what temps, down vs synthetic etc. I happen to like my down Lafuma.

had not thought of that. if i remember correctly it comes with 8 tent stakes and i could prolly get by with four. one on each corner. rid myself of the little baggy it comes in plus the sand that is inevitable packed away in the tent. i think i will go look. let ya know later.well thats a bust. 4 tent stakes the little steel kind. however the pole themselves weigh in a 2.5 lbs. oh well prolly use it this year then look for better for next year.
as far as the sleeping bag and what type of weather and such. most of the touring or bike camping i have planned for this year is going to be in the summer and early fall. i dont plan on long trips. 2-4 days mostly, maybe a little longer. be camping around the coast and western washinton so the temps wont be too big of a problem lows in the forties and highs in the 80's. im sure i can get by this year with a cheapy bag but if im gunna buy a new bag might as well buy quality. i rather have more than i need if im going to buy something new. if i already had it i would make it work or put up with the probs till i can get a better quality. like my tent.

REI Half Dome is five pounds, maybe a bit more. Perfect for two sleeping pads. Has stash pockets and two vestibules. Can handle snow and wind.

oh, and its gunna be just me. i am thinkin a little bivy tent

I just bought a Mountain Hardware Sojurn2 that seem I'm really excited about, haven't had a chance to use it, but for the price I'm pretty excited about it. Was $235

REI Half Dome is five pounds, maybe a bit more. Perfect for two sleeping pads. Has stash pockets and two vestibules. Can handle snow and wind.

+1 on the Half Dome. If you want to spend about another hundred, the new 2 man Quarter Dome is just barely over 4 lbs and pretty sweet. Although I like the doors on my Half Dome better. Hard to go wrong with REI and their return policy.

Anyone know of a sub 3lb 2 person tent? Preferably free standing.

Check out www.tarptent.com for nice light tents. My wife and I use the Rainshadow2, a three-man tent that weighs less than 3 pounds.

Anyone know of a sub 3lb 2 person tent? Preferably free standing.

THis is what I have (Msr Hubba Hubba) but I think the actual weight is a little more than what they state.
I love love the hubba hubba
http://www.msrgear.com/tents/hubbahubbahp.asp

I used a bivvy sack for years while mountain guiding, and all I have to say is that they're no fun. Good minimal sleeping quarters for emergencies or excursions where the goal isn't camping and you're only stopping for sleep.

After a while I made sure I always had my 2-man tent for base camp, because there's just nothing like a private compartment if you have to spend any time awake in it.

My recommendation is a tarp. I've done countless amounts of camping with just a tarp and some straps for trees. Get a big one, like a 25'x25' square and make sure it has riveted holes. Buy some 6mm perlon from your local gear shop, some carabiners and learn to tie some knots.

I've done extended winter WW kayaking trips with this system, alpine base camps for long rock climbing vacations and more.

it's light, packs to nothing and works. The only thing it won't do is keep the wind away well. Actually, one night in Wyoming it was all we had and we set it up lean-to style against the wind and slept VERY comfortably!

I usually set it up A-frame style, and if you are really picky about privacy you can make some doors out of small additional tarps or, if you're creative, fold your main one in such a way that you use the corners.

Don't forget the Crazy Creek: http://www.crazycreek.com/

oh yeah, Black Diamond makes the mid-series which is also good and light. Check the bottom of this page: http://www.bdel.com/gear/tents_overview.php

You can forgo the pole that comes with them if you think you can find a sufficient stick at your campsite. Pretty cool.

Anyone know of a sub 3lb 2 person tent? Preferably free standing.

Yes, you will pay dearly for it but the best tent I've ever owned. Purchased in 76 for Bikecentennial and still in use. If by freestanding you mean no stakeout lines required these fill the bill. Weight is 2.33 for single wall, 2.75lb for double. Variety of colors available. Cost: $460-500. http://www.warmlite.com

http://www.warmlite.com/images/tents/tent-5.jpg

wow! thanks people, you give me lots to choose from. is there a supplier for just tent poles. the tent i have uses fiberglasss poles and weighs in at 2.5 lbs. i think if i bouhgt lighter wieght poles i be ok. but i do like the tarp idea from "climbhoser" i might try that too. thanks again. i am getting more excited about this each day.

http://www.tarptent.com/rainbow.html

I carry a 8x 10 nysil tarp as well. I really windy, rough weather the tarp can be set over the tent to really stabilize it. 32oz tent 13oztarp both pack to about the size of a large loaf of bread.

I have the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1. Its lightweight and packs small yet quite roomy for a 1person tent. Ive taken it on several tours in Japan and Taiwan. Check it out.

This was posted by some other person on these forums, but seems like a decent tent, and you can't beat the weight vs. price ratio.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=328395

Check out the Sierra Designs Light Year series. I got the one person version, and it's surprisingly roomy. Not free standing, but packs small and is quite light. You can also pitch it fly-only if you don't need the warmth.

Introducing the Bikamper--a tent that quickly integrates with your bike to create a lightweight and compact, backcountry cycle camping shelter!


Small, light and versatile, it utilizes the bicycle itself which eliminates the need for heavy, cumbersome tent poles
This personal shelter utilizes the bicycle frame and front wheel in place of conventional tent poles
http://media.rei.com/media/529847.jpg
http://www.rei.com/product/732405

thats interesting

That bikeamper tent makes me laugh! Great if folks are happy with it-I just find it funny!

Yeah, what if you want to leave your tent up while you go for a day ride, or just get go into town for some groceries!