Standalone 

I like roomy pyramid style tents. I have not yet toured with one, but they can cover both you *and* your bike in foul weather.

They are also adaptable to four season use.



Mine is a Golite Shangri-La similar to the one in the rear of this photo.

the sci guy 

So to go along with this - what kind of sleeping pads do you all use? Obviously something comfy but also small enough to roll up.

Tourist in MSN

There are a multitude of high quality one person tents out there, some of the lighter weight two person tents would also work well.

My REI Chrysalis (now discontinued) that I bought used for $15 worked great for two weeks around Glacier in July 2012, I also used it in May 2013 for my GAP and C&O trip. I am planning on using it for a trip next spring of about a month and a half which would probably be half hostels, half camping. I am 6' 1" for reference, it was just barely long enough.



It clearly is a one person tent, but at 3 pounds it packed down small and just barely covered my stuff either inside or under the tiny vestibule.

Realistically, just go to any store that caters to backpackers and look at what they have got. REI sells a number of tents under their own name so if there is a close REI store, check that too. My local REI store does not carry much tentage setup, which is unfortunate (clothing is more profitable per square foot of floor space), but I think if I wanted to see one setup that was not setup, they would not mind if I set it up within the store. One tent that I bought, they helped me set it up in the store to check it out.

I went on an Adventure Cycling tour, several had the MSR Hubba Hubba tent and were happy with it, both as a single and as a double.

fietsbob

Both the Golite and BD Megamid have a Mozzy net/floor inner tent, Optional ,
so there is a place to escape the Summer bugs, in your tent.

SmallFront

Hmm, maybe I should unpack my Golite Hex (the Shangri La) from the cupboards. I even bought an aftermarket inner tent for it, which is like having the Akto-innertent taking up half the Shangri La.

I only stopped using it because it's a ***** to put up on a beach, but since I will be bike touring, that isn't a problem anymore.

Thanks for reminding me of what is in my cupboards!

Standalone 

I use mine with a marmot mesh bivy when solo-- keeps the bugs out, and it's like sleeping in a giant vestibule. I have the Shangri-La 4+, the floor, and the nest-- lots of modular possibilities. Not as light as some of what is posted here, but very light for what you get. I would definitely take it if the tour were going to hit a lot of wet weather.

10 Wheels

Start another thread....

RollCNY

As a for what it is worth:

I have done a large amount of 3 season hiking with a Eureka Zeus 1 and 2, and have found them to be phenomenal dirt cheap single wall tents. The 2 still seems to be available, but the 1 may be discontinued. I have used it from March to November in the northeast, and never had an issue with pouring rain or freezing temperatures. Also, with me being 6'3.5", it is one of the few families of tents that are long enough for me and my 30 lb dog to spend a night in comfortably.

I have never bike camped, and am just looking at starting it. I looked at tarps, but am really having trouble seeing the advantage over the stuff I already have.

indyfabz

I would be surprised if something like that exists, at least in light weight format, especially if you are looking to get all 4 panniers inside.

You should be able to ask the REI salespeople to set up any tent they have in stock.

Latif

I've had my eye on LLBean's Microlight 2, about $220 and Beans often has 10-15% off sales. They back up everything they sell as well. That tent was highly thought of in backpacker reviews. The MSR Hubba Hubba looks good as well as many others.

jgscisum 

I swear by the line of NEMO Tents. I use a Nano model. Now change somewhat and called the Obi 2P. I use their other tents for backpacking. Always bomb proof and NEVER leak a drop. Their designs are amazing. Below is a website link to view the Obi 2P. The Nemo site has a model to fit any need. Some are ultra lightweight.
https://www.expeditionportal.com/acce...nt-obi-2p.html

GeoKrpan

Get a 2 person rectangular dome with doors on each side. You will have a good view out of the tent no matter what side you're laying on, it has good ventilation, and it is easier to get in and out of than an end entry tent. When you lay in an end entry tent all you see is tent, blah.

eofelis 

I live walking distance to an REI and I've got a ton of stuff from there but it's mostly from REI garage sales (and residential yard sales). With their merely 1 year warranty they are just "meh" now. I hardly ever shop retail prices anyways.

Doug64

Any of the name brand, free standing, double wall tents will work. I prefer Sierra Designs, but that is only because they were the first to come out with clips instead of pole sleeves. A good tent is a good investment. Tents are one area that you generally get what you pay for.

The model we use for bike touring and true 3-season camping is the Sierra Design Lightning 2. It has seen hard use for 8 years, and is still in good shape. It weighs in right at 4 lbs, and is easy to set up.

Tent with rainfly. Yes she is enjoying the sun. We had 35 days of rain on this trip.


Lightning 2 without the rainfly. There is enough mesh for good ventilation, but not enough to be uncomfortable in warm weather. Note clips connecting tent to poles.


My tent and rainfly stuffed into the blue compression bag. It is about the size of a loaf of bread.


It also works well for late fall and early spring trips.

the sci guy 

just looked this up. this tent looks like a winner to me. price is right. layout is right. weight is excellent. and LL Bean stuff is usually excellent.

Gus Riley

The following statement is straight out of my trip journal while on the TransAm tour in 2012.
Kelty Grand Mesa 2. I found it at a good price. I've tested it in some very severe conditions already...very high winds, and horizontal rains! It stayed up (I didn't fly away), and it never leaked a drop. I previously used a Sierra Clip 2 which never failed me. The only problem with it was it was not freestanding. The Kelty is, and has a bit more room, and is less than a pound heavier than the Sierra. It isn't an awful bright orange color either, so if I have to stealth camp, I can do so a little less brightly!

Doug64

PS. The Sierra Designs also come with optional feet, just in case you want to move it. However, they (the feet) are expensive

rwpshaw

Thanks, everyone. Now I'm more confused than ever. Not really. Anyway, the tent I want is for me and my gear - so a roomy 1 person or a 2 person tent. Since I read a lot about the benefits of a Hubba Hubba on other sites, I'm down to that and a Big Agnus. Any comments on the MSR?

djb

it really is going to come down to a combo of all the various factors, how much you will use it, how much you want to spend, a slightly heavier tent will last more years because the material is heavier, zippers perhaps better etc, just as a more expensive tent vs a really cheap one. You could spend less and have a great time on a trip, single tents like the Eureka Spitfire at just over $100 could be fine, although its not a freestanding tent.
Some tent designs are just plain better in big winds, heavy rain. The Coleman stove shown earlier is cheap, but in a big wind storm it is more likely to break poles than other designs.

so many factors in tent chosing, visiting stores with actual put up tents is a big bonus, to see actual size and try laying down in them to see actual space.

I have a hubba hubba, but only used it last summer. It, like all the really light tents, are a compromise of weight/durability. Good luck evaluating all the various aspects.

the sci guy 

wife rejected this. sadface. she wants to pick it out herself. women. pssh.

Ridefreemc

MSR Hubba. Or the Hubba Hubba if you want more room. Best tent I have used BY FAR!

tarwheel 

The Big Agnes Copper Spur line tents are almost as light as their Fly Creek models but have much more usable space, higher ceilings, etc. Prices aren't bad if you catch them on sale.

djyak

https://www.amazon.com/Eureka-Spitfir...pitfire+2+tent

this is what I bought. I go for 3-4 nights at a time, a lot in Europe. Lightweight, packed very small, and held up to some pretty good rain.

bmike

tarptent.
my contrail on the left, moment on the right.
do over again, i'd get a moment.


my contrail and wil's moment by mbeganyi, on Flickr

contrail packs smaller and is lighter, but is a tiny bit harder to pitch (minute or two, max)
moment is a bit larger, packs larger, pitches in about 30 seconds.

BF_Bob44

I used the LL Bean Microlight FS 2-Person Tent this year and have been happy with it. I got it for around $200 on sale. It has 2 side doors and 2 vestibules on the side. I have lots of room to store my 4 panniers on one side and sleep on the other side. If it is warm I open both vestibules and usually get a good cross draft. It has a loop to hang my light and a small pocket to keep small items for easy access. It is just under 4 lbs without a ground cloth. I felt it was a good deal for the price.