Pitching a tent under tree cover or at the end of the day and packing it in the morning greatly prolongs the life of your tent versus keeping it pitched throughout the day or sleeping in in the morning and packing it by 10 or 11 am. :-)
Originally Posted by
Trevtassie
This.
Anything under 100 ain't worth touching.
Always buy at the end of summer when you can get a $200+ tent for 50% off if you hunt well.
My personal opinion is for longevity the $200-300 tents are the go, usually strong but maybe a bit heavier and bulkier.
For lightness and smaller packed size more expensive tents are the go.
You can trade off, expensive larger tent that weighs the same as a cheaper one.
Things I think are essential and have used in anger:
External pitch, using either straps or a footprint. i.e. being able to put up the outer without the inner. So you can set up and pack down in the rain or set up a shelter for lunch.
Decent vestibules, one per person, symmetrical so there's no arguments.
Side vestibules, no crawling out the end over your gear.
Lots of mesh. Ventilation. You generally don't ride when the weather is freezing. Decent roof vents to reduce condensation if it is cold.
Bug proof.
Double ended zippers on the vestibule/s so the top can be opened for extra ventilation.
Other advice. Worthwhile maintaining a good tent if it's heavily used., UV kills tents. Using something like Nikwax Tent and Gear Solar Proof as a sacrificial coating. 3 months use will see a tent fading. Do this and it'll be the floor failing that will see you replacing the tent. Eventually the PU coating will wear out and it'll start leaking.
One of my best touring tents for two was the Alps Mountaineering Chaos 2. $125 including the footprint. Floor started weeping after about 6 months daily use. Still might use it for the next tour, hopefully not much rain, dunno, risky.