ignant666

When you say "tents" plural are $500, i can agree, as the three tents (REI Passage 1 (2 years old), Twelve Survivors Shire, ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 4-Person (both 7 years old, going strong)) i own do in fact add up to very nearly that much money, provided i also throw in the Hennessy hammock tarp, and the no-name 10' x 10' tarp, and the tarp poles, and all the aluminum stakes and cordage.

It took decades of camping/touring before i had spent $500 total on all gear (exclusive of bike obviously). Many of the very fancy tents mentioned here look very nice, and maybe someday i will buy one. The Durstons in particular look like they might even be worth $300, which is twice as much as i have ever spent on a tent.