View Full Version : Tent help
I am looking for a lightweight 1 person tent for me and a small pack (for now a weekend pack, but i dont want to have to buy another for a bigger bag). I would get the footprint too, and i like how some can be pitched with the fly, poles, and print, and without the actual tent. here are some ideas i saw, but please, feel free to add your own suggestions.
What do you think is i great tent for me and my gear.
Eureka Spitfire UL:
http://www.eurekatent.com/p-46-spitfire-ul.aspx
Kelty Crestone 1:
http://www.kelty.com/kelty/products.php?type=8&cat=60&id=124
Sierra Designs Light Year:
http://www.sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=45
MSR Zoid 1:
http://www.msrcorp.com/tents/zoid1.asp
MSR MicroZoid:
http://www.msrcorp.com/tents/microzoid.asp
Mountain Hardware Skypoint 1:
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=3&prod=193&cat=22&viewAll=False
I know you said tent, but have you considered a hammock system?
Baum Trigger
08-25-2007, 22:52
Big Agnes SL Seedhouse 1
i think the seedhouse breaks the bank, but it looks nice.
i alrady got a PM about hammocks, i just think it is hard to stow your gear with one
Question, Do you use hiking poles? If yes, how about a tarp with bug netting or tarptent.
as of now, o i dont use poles. i might get some later on though.
this tent will be for more then just ultralight backpacking, as I will still be using it for camping trips and cycling overnighters, (nothing hardcore though)
Frolicking Dinosaurs
08-26-2007, 05:40
You might want to consider the 9' basic Brawny tarp (http://www.antigravitygear.com/proddetail.php?prod=AGG9TP&cat=64)($110 - 10.6 ozs - packs to size of a softball) with a Brawny BugNet (http://www.antigravitygear.com/proddetail.php?prod=BGSLNT&cat=72)($29 - 3.25 oz) or the 9' Brawny tarptent (http://www.antigravitygear.com/proddetail.php?prod=AGG9TT&cat=64) (on sale for $169 right now - about 20 ozs - packs small) from AntiGravityGear.
hopefulhiker
08-26-2007, 07:55
You can make your own foot print.. If you want go really light weight look at the Tarptents by Henry Shires.. The squall is very roomy and less than two pounds.. It lasted the whole AT for me without a foot print...
sparky2000
08-26-2007, 08:16
Take a long look at Grandma Gatewood. A cut piece of painters sheet, a bag to hold things that one can throw over one's shoulder, ked's sneakers, and your ready to learn on the trail!
Lone Wolf
08-26-2007, 08:19
Take a long look at Grandma Gatewood. A cut piece of painters sheet, a bag to hold things that one can throw over one's shoulder, ked's sneakers, and your ready to learn on the trail!
she was incredible yellow-blazer too according to earl.:)
Take a long look at Grandma Gatewood. A cut piece of painters sheet, a bag to hold things that one can throw over one's shoulder, ked's sneakers, and your ready to learn on the trail!
I thought it was a shower curtain. :confused:
It's easy to stow gear with a hammock, just hang it from the ridgeline.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
08-26-2007, 10:51
I thought it was a shower curtain. :confused:
Granny Gatewood used a shower curtin -- and she was pretty short so it worked for her - but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone over 5' tall :p
she was incredible yellow-blazer too according to earl.:)
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b47/lowcarbscoop/Gatewoodfraud.jpg
Doughnut
08-26-2007, 11:16
she was incredible yellow-blazer too according to earl.:)
Not trying to hijack the thread. but what's a yellow blazer?
BTW, U recently went to the Kelty Crestone, seems like the right shoice for me,
Dough_nut
Lone Wolf
08-26-2007, 11:19
Not trying to hijack the thread. but what's a yellow blazer?
BTW, U recently went to the Kelty Crestone, seems like the right shoice for me,
Dough_nut
yellow blazer is a person who hitch hikes around sections of trail
Appalachian Tater
08-26-2007, 11:44
Henry Shires TarpTent Rainbow. You're not going to find any better shelter for the weight or price.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
08-26-2007, 11:49
Guys, the poster said the BA Seedhouse was out of his price range so the Shires Tarptents are as well - they are great tents, but they are expensive.
Frolicking dino, the AGG tarp tents are too expensive, espicially if i will need a hiking pole
but they look so nice.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
08-26-2007, 17:19
What is your range?
i do not have anexact number, but i am thinking about 150 now. i might end up making a hammock just to try, and if i dont like it sell it for more gear money.
eventually i need to get a pack too, as my old one is an ancient external frame, and i ended up renting a better one from EMS.
wrongway_08
08-26-2007, 21:30
The MSR Microzoid:
- I really wanted a Bivy sack, but when I tried one out, condensation and cooling became a problem with it.
- The Microzoid seemed to fit the bill better, still small, but it lets air circulate around in the tent.
- I had the chance to try it out the other week during a 2 night trip. It fit me perfect, with my Big Agnes pad there was a little extra room around the edges (maybe 2 or 3" all the way around).
- It was easy to set up, this was my first stake tent. After putting it up 3 or 4 times before the trip, I like it better then my old free standing tent. Reason being is that I am able to make the tent and fly really tight, this helps with condensation and air circulation.
I know with my free standing tent I could have also used stakes to tighten it up - but if I have to use stakes any ways, I would rather save weight with the MSR.
- I bought a compression sack (small) from REI and this cut the space down by almost 1/2 of what the stock MSR stuff sack took up. This included stuffing the foot print in with the tent/fly! I was 2nd guessing spending 20 bucks for that compression sack, now I wish I had bought one for my other tent 15 years ago.
- One thing I did notice is that in the morning (2nd day) the bottom of my bag felt damp, but I think it might have been due to me wearing sweaty socks in it (yea I know :) ). I will be doing another trip next month (see the Hook up area on the forum) so hopefully I find out it was my fault for wearing the wet socks to bed and not the tents design.
- there is enough room to toss your pack by your feet and lay your feet on top of it while sleeping. This in turn would allow you to take along a shorter, lighter sleeping pad.
This is a small tent, if you want room - skip this tent. If your looking for a small upgrade from a bivy - go for it.
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thanks for yor input, I think any of the tents on the first page will do, so I guess I will look for grat deals.
But as of now, I still plan on trying a hammock.
Check the buy sell forums, I think that RockStar had a Crestone for sale. Might be a way to save some bucks.
I use an REI chrysalis I bought off these forums... it's nice, not too heavy and gets pretty decent ventilation when you need it to. I'm a big guy and I have enough room in it to be comfortable and still have gear inside (book, light, contact stuff, etc). Plus if you want to you should be able to pitch the foot print and fly by themselves. (I've never done it, but I see no reason why it couldn't be done). Plus it's a freestanding tent which can be nice.
Again though I'm not an expert, I've only spent maybe 6 nights out in the woods with it and about 100 miles on the trail, but that's my newbie experience.
http://www.rei.com/product/731428
olyroller
09-15-2007, 06:06
Just finished my thru-hike with the Big Agnes SL1. Roomy enough for myself & gear. It also stood up against some incredible weather (it is also very well suited for taller individuals), but I didn't like the front entry, not to mention the vestibule is completely non-functional. If I could do it again I would probably take the Rainbow. Concider Tyvek for a ground cloth.
I had an MSR Zoid 1.5 and loved it. the vestibules are plenty big for gear. They don't make the 1.5 anymore, but the Zoid 1 is a good tent. My 1.5 is still being used by a member here on WB and is going strong. Check out Ebay for old Zoids.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MSR-Zoid-1-5-Lightweight-Tent-Sleeps-1_W0QQitemZ200151758259QQihZ010QQcategoryZ36118QQs sPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
There's a Zoid 1.5 on ebay right now, along with a Z1 and a Z2. It's at $86 right now with three days to go.
Wise Old Owl
09-15-2007, 11:08
Did you check out the stuff for sale in this blog?