Tent for western US

[taildragger]

I'm looking for a good all around tent, specifically to be used on the Colorado trail or the John Muir trail.

I am hiking the trail with a friend, so I'm most likely getting a 2 person tent. I have narrowed my choices down to the following tents.

Aeolos 2p, Marmot
Light Path 3, Mountain hardwear
Twilight, Marmot
Reverse Combi, Sierra designs

I really want to make sure that there is enough room for two of us to hang out in case of bad weather, and enough room not to kill each other.

I'm kinda leaning towards the mountain hardwear due to its weight, and spaciousness (its a light 3 person tent), but I do not know how well it will hold up.

The Aeolos 2p is on the list soley because I might be able to pick one up on the cheap, otherwise its out of my price range.

Any suggestions.

Lastly I AM NOT A BIG GRAM COUNTER, I am willing to sacrifice weight for comfort, durability, and maybe some money.

[taildragger]

One other tent that I forgot to include in the above was the marmot twilight

[Footslogger]

Take a look at the MSR "Missing Link"

http://www.msrgear.com/tents/missinglink.asp

If you used trekking poles you don't need to carry anything but the tent and some stakes.

Side entry ...really easy to get in and out of.

'Slogger

[taildragger]

That looks awesome, I'm just worried about getting it nice and sturdy if I'm in rockier soil, I have never used a tarp nor have I ever seen one set up

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Great list you've got. I'd look at the Tarptent Double Rainbow (http://www.tarptent.com/productsheets/DBLRAINBOW.pdf) as well - roomy, very storm-worthy and has a two-wall option that extends its temp range. The rainbow is free-standing when two trekking poles are added. More pics of this tent (http://www.tarptent.com/doublerainbow.html)

[Footslogger]

If you are willing to go to a single wall/silnylon style tent here is another one I'd definitely add to your list:

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=47

'Slogger

[Uncle Silly]

Great list you've got. I'd look at the Tarptent Double Rainbow (http://www.tarptent.com/productsheets/DBLRAINBOW.pdf) as well - roomy, very storm-worthy and has a two-wall option that extends its temp range. The rainbow is free-standing when two trekking poles are added. More pics of this tent (http://www.tarptent.com/doublerainbow.html)

Just a nitpick ... none of those pics show that tent in a free-standing configuration, tho one pic does show the tent setup with two trekking poles. If you've got to stake or tie anything to keep it standing, it ain't free-standing. I smell a marketroid.

[taildragger]

Alright, so here is my worry with tents that aren't standalone or are ultralight, how will they stand up if I get a late snow.

Also, how am I going to set them up in rocks? If I were doing the AT and were an UL kinda guy, I'd be all for a tarp, but I'm not, my last trek snowed 8" the first night at the base, freak storm. On that same trip we also had to camp where we couldn't stake out our tent one night.

While UL are great for some places and events, remember that I am looking for something that is truly durable, the last thing that I really want is to get stuck in a hail storm and have to deal with a 5 day hike to a road and a soon to be jimmy rigged peice of cloth.

Just my .02 that lighter is great but not always better.

BTW, I'm looking in the sub$250 range, so I know that a 6lbs tent is likely

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Just a nitpick ... none of those pics show that tent in a free-standing configuration, tho one pic does show the tent setup with two trekking poles. If you've got to stake or tie anything to keep it standing, it ain't free-standing. I smell a marketroid.The two stakes required hold out the vestibules - they are not necessary for the tent to stand alone and are not weight bearing. You could tie the line around a small rock to hold out the flaps.
Alright, so here is my worry with tents that aren't standalone or are ultralight, how will they stand up if I get a late snow.The shape of both the Six Moon Lunar Duo and the Rainbow shed snow easily.
Also, how am I going to set them up in rocks? If I were doing the AT and were an UL kinda guy, I'd be all for a tarp, but I'm not, my last trek snowed 8" the first night at the base, freak storm. On that same trip we also had to camp where we couldn't stake out our tent one night.The Rainbow can be set up on rocks, however, I would have concerns about the durably of the floor under those conditions.
I'm looking in the sub$250 range, so I know that a 6lbs tent is likelyThis leaves the Rainbow and Lunar Duo out of the running.

You might want to do some research on mountaineering tents. I'm not familiar with most of those, but it sounds like that may be what you need. You also may want to go over to TrailJournals and see what sort of shelters others who have used on these trails. I know Cliffdancer did the JMT in 2005.

[bigcranky]

The Double Rainbow is $250. You don't have to haul a 6 lb tent up and down the Colorado Trail, though you certainly can if you want to.

[Egads]

You want freestanding; look at Big Agnes SL2, & MSR's Hubba Hubba or Fling.

I second Footslogger; the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo is a great UL, 2 man, roomy tent. However, it is not freestanding.

Selecting gear tis the art of compromise.

Egads

[Time To Fly 97]

Staking out a tent may be a challenge, but there are plenty of rocks you could use to guy out a tent on the JMT, even up on the passes. I brought a tarp (no problems) on my hike and ended up not using it most of the time - stars are beautiful and it hardly rains.

Happy hiking!

TTF

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Would the Sierra Designs Iota (http://www.backcountryedge.com/products/sierra_designs/iota.aspx) work? 3# 12 ozs - freestanding with a design that would shed snow.