kstephens

I am retiring my early/mid 90's North Face arches tent. It has been used and abused since I bought it new in 94 - it even made it through a pretty nasty tornado about 10 years ago.

Here is what I am wanting in a new tent.

1. Two person/ultralight tent (hopefully around or under 4 lbs.) - I am 6'4, and prefer to keep some of my gear in the tent.
2. Free Standing (current tent is not).

I am leaning toward the Big Agnes FLy creek - but I am a little concerned about length, and how "free standing" it really is (it appears it still requires some staking.

Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks

Ciufalon

I think the Big Agnes Copper Spur is more of what you are looking for with regard to freestanding. Weighs a bit more though, at about 3.5 lbs. packed weight.

BigAura

I just purchased the Fly Creek UL2 with my REI 20% off coupon. I haven't used it yet.

I've owned and enjoyed two other BA tents, so I can attest to their (pricey) quality.

I setup the UL2 and it does barely "free stand" but like my other BA tents I'll probably always stake and guy it out for sturdiness and breath-ability. I weighed it out to 41.1 ounces with poles, stakes, and stuff sacks.

cwar

I have the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL3. I use it as a roomy two person tent and I am very happy with the tent. It comes in at 4 lbs. and 1 oz. with the footprint (7oz). It is truly freestanding, though I wouldn't want to use it in really high winds without staking it out pretty well.

Ciufalon

The Marmot Pulsar 2 and the Sierra Designs Mojo 2 might meet your needs as well. I would suggest the REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus, but it is heavier than what you are looking for.

andrewclaus

Look at the Tarptent Scarp2. The freestanding version is nearly five pounds, though. I've not tried one, but have heard great things about it.

tarwheel 

Go for the BA Copper Spur over the Fly Creek. It has much more space, head room and is more free standing.

alan s 

https://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/prod...e-t2-plus-tent

REI-brand tents are excellent quality and the price is decent.

kstephens

Thanks everyone! The copper spur looks a little more like what I need. Hopefully I can find one on sale.

Western Flyer 

At 6'4" you need to remember you are not as thin as the floor when you lay down. The floor length needs to be much, much longer than you height. Many (most) free standing tents are going to be in your face when sleeping. It's nice if the tent door is on the same side as your sleeping bag zipper.

juggleaddict

Oh freestanding or not : ) a back and forth topic for sure. Sounds like you've made up your mind. When I was picking out a tent, I came to the realization that any tent that has a vestibule will need to be staked out anyway (if you want privacy and rain protection).

I picked out the tarptent double rainbow because of how much room is inside... you would/should be able to lay down flat at 6'4" in the tent (88 inches) and sit up without leaning over. Not so in the big agnes fly creek, which as mentioned, still needs to be staked out. That much room at 2.5 lbs is awesome. The dry pitch was another consideration for me.

I would look at sierra designs if you insist on a freestanding tent. Their flash tents are more than 4 lbs, but go up as fast as my rainbow and are free-standing with a dry pitch. They have a few others similar to the fly creek, but with a cross pole (yes 5 poles from one hub) design that gives you more room to sit up: https://www.sierradesigns.com/p-287-vapor-light-2.aspx this one is 3 lbs 5 oz and less than a copper spur.

surfjimc

I'm 6'5" and tried out the BA tents before going with the REI Quarter Dome T2 linked above. For my height it has been the best fit I have found. I got it on sale for under $200 and it weighs in just under 4lbs. It is also free standing and has great head room.

RyeRey521

I will second the Marmot Pulsar 2..... I have the 1 person and love it. Tons of headroom, 3lbs 14 oz packed weight for the 2 person and plenty long enough for a 6'4" frame.... their quality is great and with the poles packed seperate, the tents packs down super small. I attach the poles seperatly to my rack..

I am sure there are tons of great options, but this is the route I went and have no regrets.. Plus the tent has side entrance, goody pockets, and easy to pitch... JM2C

kstephens

Thanks for all of the advice. I ended up calling Big Agnes to ask some questions about their newer models - mainly the fish hook (zipper less). They have excellent customer service. The guy answered all my questions, and seemed glad to be able to help me. I ended up going with the Slater UL2 - It is an oversized version of the fly creek - the only downside was the lack of mesh, but he assured me I would not notice since it is vented at the bottom front and back (plus I rarely set up a tent without the fly - it seems I attract rain).

That is nearly a 3 pound improvement from my old tent (which was considered an ultralight option when it was new).

antokelly

https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co....iup_4_sul.html
what do you reckon on this tent.
i'm no tent expert far from it but this to me has a lot going for it,
love to know what the experts think.

fietsbob

reading Site mentioned.. Square floor, just short of 3M on a side.. 2,8 KG..

packed size may be a bit bulky , though bike Trailer may make that managable .

the 3 is a hex floor, and says its just over 2Kg.

probably able to stake it down then put up the center pole in a pretty stiff Wind..


Looking at US Eureka sellers seems its just a Eureka Europe offering..

GoLite and Blackdiamond , megalight, an equivilent, I suppose..

fuzz2050

I feel the need to post this photo of a BA Fly creek without stakes, as an answer to how free-standing it is.

surfjimc

Looks like you made a great choice. If I didn't have a fairly new tent, I might go for this one. It's plenty big for big tall people and very light.

BigAura

It's good for people to see that because people may imagine something else. It is more a bivy than a tent. It looks better without the fly. I've used my SL1, sans fly, on a slab under an overhang, for bug protection. It works, although minimally. Ultralight and "free standing" are definitely at odds.

seeker333

REI-branded tents are a good value.

Ciufalon

antokelly, that tent you posted a lint to looks a bit heavy (and possibly bulky) to me, and it is also not freestanding, requiring many stake points to set it up. It is not a bad design but does have some limitations other tents may not have. There are many good and popular tents that are not freestanding and that looks like a fine tent for some occasions/conditions, but for general use I prefer something more in line with the popular freestanding backpacking type tents. Currently I have an REI Quarter Dome I bought for under $200 on sale. I've owned many good tents and went for value this time.

antokelly

to be honest i really don't think there's such a thing as the perfect tent.(no matter the price )
i have two myself the hilleberg Akto and mountain hardware spear gt2.
the akto is my least favourate tent even though its much lighter and a snip to pitch but for me its like sleeping in a coffin horible design .the MH tent is much heavier but loads of room which i like but hard to pitch, i'm always weary about braking a pole and i can never get it pitched just right.
free standing tents would not intrest me simpley because you can't pitch all in one and not really that much room in them sleeping room maybe but thats about it.
the MH tent is a good desigh bit like the nallo gt2 which i would buy except for the head room there aint any.
so what do i want in a tent you might ask, well lets see.
like to walk into it without stooping.
maybe take my bike and gear in there.
super light.
easy to pitch.
pitch all in one inner and outer.
completly storm proof.
not cost the bloody earth to buy.
green.as in colour.
ah that would do me fine not a lot to ask i reckon after all its what tent makers do make tents.

Bekologist

I want that tent too! something combining this - some netting and silnylon walls and a detachable floor

with this color silnylon.

the golite shangrila 5 is pretty close with its enclosed net tent, but i want a superlight single wall shelter.

Konasutra

I use 2 different tents. I have a MSR Hubba Hubba, it is a nice tent with the tent body being all mess, very breathable. i als have a Kelty Gunnison 2, It has a little more floor space than the MSR. Both tents are free standing and you can also pitch the MSR with just the footprint and fly. Both tents are close to the same weight.

BigAura

Hey Bekologist: Do you have an airplane hanger to store all your bikes and camping equipment?