Need backpacking tent suggestions

[rallykid]

Ok crew, I am looking for a new tent and need suggestions. I have my big tent I throw in the car when we are hitting campsites and "luxury" tent camping with all our gear but I am looking for something a little smaller and a LOT lighter than the 11 pound monster I currently have.

I don't want to spend tons as it is only going to get used 2 to 3 times a year by me and the Mrs. I want something packable but am not willing to spend an extra $200 to save a pound. I have checked out 3 so far and kind of narrowed it down to those but will definitely take any suggestions offered.

My requirements: 2 person tent, full fly, freestanding, vestibules for gear, 3 season, around $130-$150.

I have narrowed my initial search down to the Eureka Apex 2XT,
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___28253

the Kelty Gunnison 2.1
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___26102

and the Marmot Traillight 2P
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___28617

Some of the prices are higher at the links. All are under $150 locally.

[CHIRO1989]

Calebib posted up this link a couple forums back, they have some tents on that look pretty good in your parameters, I have not seen one in awhile though, wrong season. I have bought several items from Camofire w/o any trouble.

www.camofire.com

[Wambli Ska]

Just a thought from personal experience. A two man tent us usually not big enough to accomodate two people AND gear, SPECIALLY if one is a woman...

[Varmintmist]

Kind of a fan of Eureka, I have one similar to to the one you posted, it was discontinued which is something Eureka does.

As long as you can keep your gear in the vestibule, you can do 2 people. I wouldn't want to do it with someone I didnt like though.

Mine packs pretty small and goes 5lb, so it isnt a ultra light, but if you were to split poles and tent up you are looking at 2.5 ish per person.

[Spk]

Just a thought from personal experience. A two man tent us usually not big enough to accomodate two people AND gear, SPECIALLY if one is a woman...

A two man tent is usually only big enough for 1 person and there gear -- sometimes.

[wildgene]

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/tents~d~228/

...I can vouch for the Marmot tents, you'll notice a 20% Discount coupon on the pg., if you like STP on FB there are lots of 30-40% discounts available...

[centermass556]

Just a thought from personal experience. A two man tent us usually not big enough to accomodate two people AND gear, SPECIALLY if one is a woman...

Not so much about the woman comment, but that is about dead on. I went with a one man eureka when I was on the appalachian. It was good for what I needed. It went up fast, and packed away just as fast. But it was not free standing. At night I took my food and hug it up away from camp. I would take my pack and lean it against a large rock or tree and cover it with a poncho. That did fine.

There are somethings to think about with tents Rei has this link that is pretty good

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advi...king-tent.html

So does Backpacker.com....might help you choose a little better

http://www.backpacker.com/backpackin...nts/gear/12153

[rallykid]

Thanks guys. So far I am leaning toward the Kelty because of the aluminum poles I read of fiberglass. I really like the look of the Eureka but the Kelty is within $20 of the price and a full pound lighter thanks to the aluminum poles with more space. Keep the suggestions coming, I am getting a major education in what works and what doesn't after researching all of this stuff.

[Ericb622]

I have a buddy that has a Marmot 2 man. He used it a lot in Montana in fly camps while sheep hunting or if he had to lay up overnight while butchering an elk.

[jbohio]

I've been doing quite a bit of research on this very subject. The Kelty Gunnison got very high marks for the price in all of the reviews I've read.
That being said, I have zero experience with any kind of light tent, so I'll be watching closely.

I gotta go with a three man, 'cause of the hounds.

[justin10mm]

I have this model Kelty. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___28005

I've only set it up a couple times but quality seems good. It is not really big enough for 2 people, more like one person and some gear. I'd be looking for at least a 3 person tent for 2 people and gear. The small vestibule is only big enough for maybe a pair of boots.

[hawk18]

Lots of good advice so far. One other point might be that, if you are talking low elevation, hot, humid summer camping, you need better ventilation than those shown. Find one with bigger, lower windows.

Also, if MI is anything like northern MS, make sure the window netting is made of spring steel. I've never seen mosquitos like those in the north country.

Hawk

[Varmintmist]

http://www.bing.com/shopping/eureka-...+2xt&FORM=HURE

This is the one I have. AL poles, lots of ventalation, front and rear vest, and a full rain fly. I like it because; It is free standing, and has lots of tie downs when it starts blowing, BTDT. The way the frame it makes it VERY roomy for a 2 person backpack tent. You can sit up and dont have to be in the exact center. I am not the smallest bear in the forest and I have more than enough room with me and my pack inside.

With the scout troop I am in, lets put it this way, I wanted to hire them out to camp in drought areas. In the 4 years that I have been involved, it has not rained or snowed on two (2) camping trips and we go every month. Only one time the tent looked like it was getting damp, and that was when I was in a open field that seemed to want to hold a inch of water. Even then, I think the damp was humidity inside, not soaking from out. I have used it down to where the rain (whoda thunk) froze on the fly in sheets. IMHO, unless you are talking artic conditions, a decent sleeping bag and a tent that keeps you dry is more important in the cold than worrying about ventalation that you will really want in the summer. A tent wall wont hold out cold, with a full fly, this one holds out most wind. I have about 2.5 years on this one and I am happy with it.

The Zeus is one that looks odd, but is actually pretty roomy.

No matter what you get, get or make a ground barrier that extends into your vestibules. If you dont, your stuff will get damp because of ground moisture. Boots STAY OUTSIDE always.

One other thing, I got mine for under 100 at campmor. If you are not in a hurry, keep checking them and they have good prices post season. One of the scouts just got a 80L Kelty internal frame pack for >90.00 and I got mine and the sons High Sierra for >90 each.

[rallykid]

Apparently now I am shopping for more than one. Thinking a 2 person for when I go by myself so I can keep my gear inside. Something that breaks down to 18 inches would be perfect as I have a slot in my pack they would fit in. Also looking for a 4 person so we have something for the entire family when all of us go. That one we will split the weight between the 2 packs.

[Varmintmist]

Go with 2 - 2 mans if you are going to pack them in. You will never share the load of a 4 man tent well, and a decent one will be spendy and from personal experiance, unless you are car camping for a long weekend, they are just a PITA to use.

If you are going with the family, then I assume that you are going to try to avoid adverse weather. Hang your pack on a tree and tarp it. 2 kids fit in a 2 man well, as long as you like your wife, you will be fine in one.

[rallykid]

The places we go as a family aren't too bad. Drive in then hike a couple of miles. The 2 man idea wouldn't be bad for the kids at some point but since they will be 3 and 1 when we make our next trip I think we better keep them close for now.

I have my heavy car camping tent that we can use for camp grounds and will be picking up the 2 man for the wife and I. She likes the Marmot because it is not brightly colored and I like it for the same reason. It is also a bonus that it breaks down to 18 inches and will fit on the inside of my pack. The downside is that it is twice the price of the Kelty and Eureka.

[Varmintmist]

Backpacking MILES with a 3 and a 1??

Good luck. Ther aint no freaking way I would do that.

[rallykid]

The soon to be 3 year old has hiked a lot with us when we go to the cabin and after 6 miles he wants to keep going. The little one loves riding in the chest carrier we have for him and have done 4 miles with him happy and laughing.