Best tent for under $200

[Todd Heyn]

I am putting together a trek on the AT for a group of very experienced
Boy Scouts and Venturers and we will need tents. We are not looking
for hammocks or tarps. What, in your opinion, is the best tent for
under $200. This trek will be in July or august in either PA, NJ, or
NY. The length will be about 9 days and cover 70 to 100 miles. I
currently own a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD.

The skill level of this groups is very high, not your average
tenderfoot Scout. Just let me know what you think. I appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.

Todd

[rafe]

Need more criteria.
How many per tent? (Kids? Adults?)
Do you want rugged or lightweight?
3 season or 4? (What season(s)?)
Single-walled or double?

[TJ aka Teej]

Welcome to WB, Todd!
How many campers? One man or two man tents? Remember tenting space could be limited around shelters.
Check out this WB thread: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20483 about Eureka tents. The Solitaire, and the larger Spitfire, are fine inexpensive one-man tents.
Campmor - Solitaire $69, Spitfire $89
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/campmor/manu_list.jsp?manufacturer=29

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

How old are the kids? Younger kids are tough on gear.....

[Pacific Tortuga]

Cabela's XPG Ultralight 2 person $159.00 gets my vote, 5.6 lbs .... they say :-?

[Todd Heyn]

We are looking for two person tents. I am aware that space around the shelters can be limited. The young adults that will be going on the trek will be between 15 and 20 years old. All will be quite experienced campers and backpackers.

[Todd Heyn]

More to add:

We are looking for both lightweight and durable. I know the best of both worlds does not exist but it never hurts to ask and to look around. In the end I would say that light weight is 75% of decision while durable factors in the other 25%.

[Blissful]

I'd check out Campmor for reasonable tent prices. Since you are in NJ, you might drive to Paramus and check out their showroom. Lots of great stuff.

We ended up with a steal for my hubby's BSA troop- an outfitter was getting rid of Mountain Hardwear Kiva tents - they sleep 3-4 boys each and weigh only 4lbs. Got them for $100 a tent.

[jasonklass]

How about the REI half Dome? It's very durable and easy to set up.

[Pacific Tortuga]

The Cabela would be 3lbs. per scout and they have a good return policy. Very sturdy, double wall and free standing.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Mountain Hardwear PCT 2 (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39204227&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1)
Mountain Harware Light Wedge 2 (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39168237)
Mountain Harware Lightpath 3 (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=48112329&parent_category_rn=4500457)
Mountain Hardwear Lightpath 2 (http://http//www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=48112323&parent_category_rn=4500457)
Kelty Sawtooth 2 (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39198912)
REI Half Dome 2 HC Tent (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47943133&parent_category_rn=4500457)
REI Camp Dome (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47975297&parent_category_rn=4500457)
Eureka Zeus LE 2 (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39195392)

(http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47975297&parent_category_rn=4500457)

[Lilred]

There's a thread on here right now of someone selling a Zen tent for $65. Good tent.

[rafe]

How about the good old Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39198381&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1)? 3 lbs. 11 oz trail weight. A perennial AT favorite for couples. Lotta history here. $170 at Campmor.

[Todd Heyn]

Great ideas so far. I will have the guys take a look at all of them so far. Ultimately, it is going to be their decision. I am leaning toward the tried and true Clip Flashlight. I have owned one for about 10 years now and love it. It will be interesting to see what they choose.

Any more ideas out there?

[Jim Adams]

Kelty Gunnison.
It won a Backpacker magazine award as the tent to be in for a hurricane.
very water proof, very sturdy and stable, two person, two doors, two vestibules, 5lbs. 2 oz. $139---$159 depending on where you buy. my first one was known as a vortex and lasted 15 years. still used it this fall on a canoe trip. the vortex became the Gunnison about 5 or 6 years ago and mine still looks new. bought the Gunnison to replace the Vortex when it wore out--it hasn't yet.

[iamscottym]

Kelty Teton 2. 4lb 10oz packed weight. Though I've never used it, it seems to be a fine tent. $100 at campmor.

[chazmo]

I know some people rag on Coleman gear, but take a look at the Inyo-2. They are about 4 1/2 pounds, and the same size as the Clip Flashlight, but you can get them for under $100. They are well made, with tape sealed seams. I have had good experiences with both the solo and double versions. If you're on a budget, they are a great value.

[rswanson]

I second (or is it third?) the REI Half Dome. You get the REI return policy to go with a quality, durable tent packed with features, at an affordable price. Split between two hikers, the weight would be very manageable. The tent has two features I think would be musts for your group: two big vestibules and two doors. It's free standing which would be somewhat easier to set up on tenting platforms.

I've used the REI Quarter Dome for some time. It's just out of your price range but is very similar to the Half Dome. Your troop won't be dissapointed.

[rswanson]

Another plus with the REI tents is the co-op bonus. You'll get 8%-10% back next year to put towards more gear. That might add up if you're buying a bunch of tents.

[Peaks]

If you want to go the cheap route, consider buying used 2 person tents from Philmont. However, from what I understand, by the time Philmont gets ready to sell tents, they have seen a lot of use, and may not be a watertight as one might like.

[Footslogger]

If you want to go the cheap route, consider buying used 2 person tents from Philmont. However, from what I understand, by the time Philmont gets ready to sell tents, they have seen a lot of use, and may not be a watertight as one might like.

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I remember those tents ...kinda close to the ground, but they get the job done.

'Slogger