Need A Tent Or Shelter For A Thru Hike

[Googan]

I'm in the market for a tent or shelter for a thru walk. It needs to be efficient and allow me to sleep in bad weather relatively comfortably. I definitely do not think I would be comfortable in a hammock. Weight is important and definitely something quality. Not really looking to spend $600

[g00gle]

Eureka Apex 2XT
http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-Apex-2XT-Tent-sleeps/dp/B0043HM5M2/

[Wil]

...tent or shelter for a thru walk... Weight is importantThe first response to your inquiry is obviously intended to be humorous as I don't think anyone these days would take such a heavy tent.

There are probably 15-20 tents that would be reasonable choices, and every one has at least one fan who will tell you that is his first choice. So you have to be more specific in defining your requirements/preferences. Take the factors such as weight, durability, roominess, range of water resistance, size (both pack and footprint), cost, flexibility (e.g. ability to use a seperate bug net portion for dry but buggy nights) and so on and attach weights to reflect how important the various characteristics are to YOU.

[Googan]

I'd like to have some room in it because i toss and turn. It definitely needs to keep me dry under bad conditions. Weight is very important to me. Price range $200-$400 new or less for an excellent condition piece of used gear.

[HeartFire]

LightHeart Gear SoLong 6 (http://lightheartgear.com/index.php/tents/lightheart-solong6-tents/product/view/7/7)

[Damn Yankee]

I have a nice 1P tent for sale in the for sale section for a great price

YMG Cirriform net tent and tarp which can be configured three ways. Just tarp, just bug net and both together

[Odd Man Out]

I'd like to have some room in it because i toss and turn. It definitely needs to keep me dry under bad conditions. Weight is very important to me. Price range $200-$400 new or less for an excellent condition piece of used gear.

The Ultralight forum has this list of cottage companies, some of which make shelters that fit this description:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/81415-list-of-cottage-industry-manufacturers?p=1340660&viewfull=1#post1340660

Lightheart has already been mentioned. Tarptent and Six Moon Designs are a couple more that are mentioned a lot. I have used tents from both of these companies. Cuban Fiber tents will be the lightest but most expensive.

[Gambit McCrae]

I always love the phrase " I want something quality but not looking to spend a whole lot of money" never always gets old.

You get what you pay for folks!

[Old Hiker]

LightHeart Gear SoLong 6 (http://lightheartgear.com/index.php/tents/lightheart-solong6-tents/product/view/7/7)

THIS one, above, is what I have now. I'm 6'2" and there is PLENTY of room. I love the awning and double doors. I bought the 8 (?) ounce poles, since I'm not going to use trekking poles. Pack goes inside beside me, boots outside in the awning. My complaint here in Florida is the condensation with the intensely high humidity.

THIS one, below, is what I used on my first attempt. Pretty roomy, fairly inexpensive and if you seam-seal with the 50/50 silicone/mineral spirits, no problems. My pack went into the front vestibule with my boots with no problem. Not as light as some, but still good in my opinion. You can spot them on steep and cheap dot com for less, sometimes.

http://www.amazon.com/ALPS-Mountaineering-Zephyr-1-Person-Tent/dp/B00B9GCRL4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438357976&sr=8-1&keywords=alps+zephyr+1

[sfdoc]

Mountainsmith Morrison2 or Celestial2 (same tent). About $180 list (shop around, REI, Sierra Trading Post), less than 5lbs, 35sq ft. Very sturdy and easy to set up. 2 doors if needed.

[Another Kevin]

The Ultralight forum has this list of cottage companies, some of which make shelters that fit this description:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/81415-list-of-cottage-industry-manufacturers?p=1340660&viewfull=1#post1340660

Lightheart has already been mentioned. Tarptent and Six Moon Designs are a couple more that are mentioned a lot. I have used tents from both of these companies. Cuban Fiber tents will be the lightest but most expensive.

Yup. I happen to fall in the TarpTent camp. I have a Notch, which does admirably, and I have some of the same issues, being a 6'1" restless sleeper. I see a fair number of SMD and Lightheart tents Out There, and their users seem to love them, too.

ZPacks are the next tier up. They're lighter with comparable performance. A lot of people see them as being "entry level" Cuben Fiber tents. They're out of my price range.

[mainebob]

LL bean has their microlight fs 2 person tent on sale for $229. free shipping and lifetime guarantee.

Great tent for the price, freestanding, side entrance, comparable to the big agnes copper spur ul2 for almost 1/2 the price.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/80579?feat=506854-GN2&page=microlight-fs-2-person-tent&attrValue_0=Yellow%20Citron&productId=1337511

[swisscross]

I have a BA CS UL-1 but if I were to buy another tent today it would be a LHG SL-6.
Lately ultralight hammocking has peaked my interest.

[Latitude918]

Six moons designs Skyscape Scout. $125, 30oz -- http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/SkyscapeScout.html

Sets up with your trekking poles, and you can pull the sides back on hot nights for ventilation.

[Praha4]

I have a MLD Cuben Fiber "Patrol" tarp that I'm willing to sell. Look it up at their website and the price. PM me if you want to talk price if interested.

[Walkintom]

Tarptent double rainbow.

Room for you and your gear and to spare. Lightweight and within your price range. Fast setup and can be freestanding if you use your trekking poles for that purpose.

I've been very pleased with ours.

[Deadeye]

Any Tarptent (Henry Shires) product. I like the Rainbow and the Squall.

www.tarptent.com

[Rocket Jones]

+1 on Tarptent's Double Rainbow. Great tent.

[kevinNC]

Alps Mountaineering Zephy 1 Person with the footprint. Remove the tent body, grab 6 aluminum stakes. It's 3lbs total.

My hammock setup is 2.8lbs with bugnet and silnylon tarp.

Prefer to sleep on the ground.



- K

[slbirdnerd]

If you can swing it I highly recommend any cuben tent from Zpacks or MLD. I recently got a Zpacks Duplex and love it.

[Googan]

Should I go with the partial solid interior with the tarptent notch or should I go with the mesh?