Originally Posted by
chefisaac
Will be pulling the trigger on a tent soon and my wife and I started doing more search. Some questions popped up that we need some help with:
1- What as an acceptable weight of a tent in regards to carrying it on a bike for a tour? This assumes one person will take the whole tent.
2- What is preferable... a tent with stakes or a free standing tent?
We are looking at two companies so far.... one is REI and the other is Helleberg.
http://www.hilleberg.com/usa.htm
With Helleberg, they are a local company (to where we used to live) and are very nice. A lot of people have spoken highly of them and the quality.
The concern I have with REI is reliability of the tent over a period of time. The Helleberg tents, as you can see, cost more then any of the REI tents. But I wonder why. Is it the material and fabric? OR???? Basically, my wife wants to be something of great quality, wont leak, and something that will really last us a long time.
Would love thoughts, suggestions, advice, etc.
First, go with freestanding. They are easier to set up and to move if you haven't found just the right spot when you pitch the tent. You don't have to stake them out...it's good idea to do so but unnecessary.
You really don't have to worry about the reliability of the REI tents. They make a good product that will last you for many years. I don't own one personally but my daughter does. My personal preference is Big Agnes, especially the Seedhouse SL line. Good tents, well made and very light. It's not a 4 season tent but I don't really do too much touring in winter. I doubt most people do.