Tent for supported touring
 

My wife and I do supported tours. Looking for tent suggestions. Currently considering several tents, leaning toward the Big Agnes King Creek 4.

Hi

I assume when you mean supported that someone carries the gear? If yes, then I would go nice and big and comfy, unless this is winter touring when a smaller space is more desirable (easier to warm). I am a Henry Shires Tarptent fan but then I carry my gear. Big Agnes gets a good wrap but.

Andrew

One thing to consider... Depending on where you will tour a large tent can be harder to find a suitable spot to pitch it.

The Big Agnes tents are pretty nice and if you don't mind the expense the Big Agnes King Creek 4 looks like a nice tent if you don't have to carry it. Some friends have one and like it for car camping.

That said,
Personally I would be inclined to go with something inexpensive, like maybe one of the Eureka models. I like my older Tetragon 8 for 2 or three people where weight is not an issue, but am not sure how the newer version of it works out since they changed the fly. The Tetragon 7 would be roomy enough for me and one other person and can be had for something like $60 if you shop around online.

I would vote for something along the lines of the Timberline Eureaka 4 or 6. I also agree about getting too big. Back in my car camping days I bought a HUGE tent, 10'x12' footprint, on more than one occasion we hit campgrounds where the tent pads were too small. FWIW I think for general camping it is hard to beat the Eureka Timberline series of tents. They are relatively inexpensive and a proven design. I still have the first one I bought in 1977, it was used monthly for many years, we have since purchased 2 more; a 2 man and a 4 man outfitter with all the extras.

Aaron :)

If Unsupported touring is not in your plans at all then your Big Agnes idea will work out fine.

I agree that the Timberlines are great tents when weight is not a major concern. The Timberline 4 is quite roomy for two people. Personally I'd choose it over the Timberline 6.

It is not in the same class as the Big Agnes wrt to the huge amount of vestibule space if you value that highly (I don't).

I have an REI Half-Dome and it's a very nice tent, easy to set up. My only complaint is the ceiling is rather low, so you can't stand up in it. Got it on sale for a great price.

Go-lite's Teepee type single pole tents offer headroom. and are offered in More 'person' sizes .
as well as a 3 person, which is more unsupported friendly for a couple
in that a separate Floor less tent, and pole, ... and Mozzy net tent and the floor sewn together
as a second part can be weight split between the 2 people.

The Golite Shangri-La 5 and Shangri-La 5 nest would be awesome, and light enough to take on an unsupported tour. My family of four fits nicely in our 4+, which is basically the same size as the 5.

I just bought a Timberline 4. I haven't used it yet but I did put it up in my back yard. I'm think I'm going to love it. It goes up easily and seems very well made for the price.

Any decent tent will do if someone else is going to carry it. I'd get a 4 person - plenty of room for 2 and gear. Look for lots of netting and windows for ventilation, and a lack of translucence for privacy. Extra tall for more headroom helps too.

http://www.rei.com/product/811008/bi...g-creek-4-tent

BA KC4 is huge and heavy - should work fine for supported touring.

Did you get the optional stuff for it? We found both the fly and the vestibule to be great add ons. We mainly used the vestibule in colder weather and the fly when it was warm but a fair chance of rain.

Aaron :)

I use a Kelty Pagoda 4 for supported touring, I like the kelty's since they weren't too expensive when I purchasied mine.

No, but I might end up buying a vestibule and/or annex at a later date. I'll keep your comments in mind.

Thanks to everyone for your advise.