View Full Version : Tent advice?
Hey guys im looking for a little advice on a tent I just received as a gift for helping out an old highschool teacher on a summer canoeing trip he runs every year. To my suprise at the end of the trip he presented me with a northface peragrine tent which he had used on some of his other trips as a gift. to be honest i have yet to go on a real backpacking trip and am still trying to collect gear i am going to need for this summer when i plan to hike my first portion of the AT. I was wondering, since it is a 2 person tent, if it might be too heavy bring along with me and if it is too heavy any suggestions for what kind of tent i should bring?? By the way this site is great. I just came across it today and have already learned so much from reading the stuff everyone has posted :D
I can't read what you wrote and I have good eyes. CRTL + it'd.
If you don't have any other gear and are getting your backpacking stuff together, the tent will be fine.
Lone Wolf
11-28-2007, 07:24
that tent will be fine. baltimore jack carries a 2 person tent. he's thru-hiked 7 times
Dan1087,
I researched the North Face Perigrine tent. It has a manufacturer's stated weight of 7 lbs - 4 oz which is a very heavy for a 2 man backpacking tent. It would make a great car camping tent in my opinion.
You should be looking for a sub 3 lb tent for backpacking.
Egads
yeah i figured it would be to heavy baltimore jack must be a pretty big badass haha thanks alot Egads
The only advice I can give is do a lot of research on tents before you buy. As a sectioner, I've found that I have accumulated a vast array of tents. It goes like this. After your first section you realize the two man Kelty Zen is just too heavy at 5 and a half to six pounds so you buy an MSR 1.5 at around 4 lbs for your second section. ( I like big tents). That's a good tent but still too heavy so you find a tarptent that weighs around 2 pounds for your third section. It's a great tent, but if I do any cold weather backpacking, I'll need that vintage Walrus, and it's only 3lbs, so I buy that one too. I now have four tents. Now, I've bought all my tents used and for very good deals, but I didn't do very much research until I bought the tarptent. You've found the best site on the Internet for information on gear. My first bit of advice is to research tarptents versus double walled tents and go from there. Some of the cottage industries, like Six Moon Design or Henry Shire's Tarptents have been known to send out loaners to try out. Major outfitters will let you rent some tents. Try out as many as you can and I bet it'll save you some money in the long run. It's very easy, as a sectioner, to spend a lot of money on gear over the years. I was a little smarter with backpacks, got it right the second time.
Chaco Taco
11-30-2007, 17:35
I have the Rock 22 and it has been great. You can throw out the inside mesh in winter and just use the rain cover and a footprint.
Welcome to WB!
Hey guys im looking for a little advice on a tent I just received as a gift for helping out an old highschool teacher on a summer canoeing trip he runs every year. To my suprise at the end of the trip he presented me with a northface peragrine tent which he had used on some of his other trips as a gift. to be honest i have yet to go on a real backpacking trip and am still trying to collect gear i am going to need for this summer when i plan to hike my first portion of the AT. I was wondering, since it is a 2 person tent, if it might be too heavy bring along with me and if it is too heavy any suggestions for what kind of tent i should bring?? By the way this site is great. I just came across it today and have already learned so much from reading the stuff everyone has posted :D
Chaco Taco
11-30-2007, 17:36
Look at Golite. I have some of their stuff and it has been great. They have great tents and shelters for around $200 and less than 3 lbs.
Dan1087,
I researched the North Face Perigrine tent. It has a manufacturer's stated weight of 7 lbs - 4 oz which is a very heavy for a 2 man backpacking tent. It would make a great car camping tent in my opinion.
You should be looking for a sub 3 lb tent for backpacking.
Egads
icemanat95
11-30-2007, 18:02
A 7 pound tent is a fair ponderous load. I carried a tent of similar weight until Pearisburg before trading it in for a sub 4 pound tent, which is quite light for a tent.
I wouldn't call the peregrine a car camping tent, but it's a solid 2 man backpacking weight.
maxNcathy
11-30-2007, 18:21
If you like a roomy light tent try Big Agnes SL2 ...
or buy my Big Agnes SL1 @ 2 pounds 6 oz used but not abused for $110.
Darwin again
12-03-2007, 21:21
Black Diamond Firstlight (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://canyoneeringusa.com/shop/images/T/bd810150_firstlight.jpeg&imgrefurl=http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/shop/home.php%3Fcat%3D265&h=377&w=377&sz=14&hl=en&start=10&um=1&tbnid=WdP-NbQoKjE4_M:&tbnh=122&tbnw=122&prev=)
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://canyoneeringusa.com/shop/images/T/bd810150_firstlight.jpeg&imgrefurl=http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/shop/home.php%3Fcat%3D265&h=377&w=377&sz=14&hl=en&start=10&um=1&tbnid=WdP-NbQoKjE4_M:&tbnh=122&tbnw=122&prev=
Pricey but worth it at 2 pounds 11 ounces.
Seam seal it twice!
Tipi Walter
12-03-2007, 21:34
If the tent's a gift, I'd get it out in the yard and set it up and spend a few nights in it. The continuous screen netting could be a problem in the winter, but otherwise it looks to be a good 3 season tent. The long pole sleeves will be more of a hassle than clips, but after some routine you'll be able to quickly get them in and out with ease, just not as easily as clips.
The Peregrine has an odd shaped floor and with some experimentation you might find the little alcove area to be perfect for storage. I like the full length fly on the thing, too.
My last 70 plus backpacking trips have been with two tents, a 7 pounder and my current 8 pound dome, so I wouldn't worry too much about the weight. Who knows? You might get caught in a 5 day blizzard where a larger tent with ample room will help.
trlhiker
12-03-2007, 21:37
Check out REI, they have the SD Chrysalis UL, a 1 person tent at just 3lbs, on sale for $114 and you get a 20% discount off of that if you are a member.
My last 70 plus backpacking trips have been with two tents, a 7 pounder and my current 8 pound dome, so I wouldn't worry too much about the weight. Who knows? You might get caught in a 5 day blizzard where a larger tent with ample room will help.Good advice! Since you haven't been on a backpacking trip yet, and have other gear you need to buy, unless you're dripping with money, take that tent and discover if backpacking is really for you before you spend too much money on gear.
Personally I like the extra room thing. As TW said, it is nice to have some elbow room during inclimate weather. If you are conservative on the weight of all your other gear, the difference (3 lbs) is not going to break you. Do familiarize yourself with the tent prior to your first night's camp on the trail. And good luck with your preparation and first hike! ;)