View Full Version : Tent and stove for Christmas recommendations
Im gonna get a tent and a stove for Christmas. Just wondering which ones you all would recommend. The tent would be in the 150 price range. The stove would be under-around 100 I guess. Just which ones to start hinting at.
If it were me, I'd go with an MSR Pocket Rocket/Titan Kettle Combo (http://www.msrcorp.com/stoves/pocket_rocket_kettle.asp). This what I use. It weighs in at 7.3 oz, sans fuel and brings water to a boil pronto. I boil water for my oatmeal or dinner with it, then use the remainder of the water for coffee, drinking it right out of the kettle. As for a "tent", I know I'll catch some flak on this, but I'd recommend a hammock instead. Maybe give some consideration to a Hennessy Expedition Asym (http://www.hennessyhammock.com/specs-expeditionasym.html) or Henessy Ultralite Backpacker Asym (http://www.hennessyhammock.com/specs-ul-asym.html). There is plenty about hammocks at HammockForums (http://www.hammockforums.net), if you want to know more. If you have to go with a tent, maybe try the Mountain Hardwear Sprite 1 (http://http://www.rei.com/product/747612) or Big Agnes Seedhouse 1 (http://http://www.rei.com/product/737059). Anyway, that's my two cent's worth. :D
Just be forwarned that if you choose to go the hammock route, the purchase of the hammock is the tip of an iceberg. Once you try a hammock you will then start on a search for things that will keep you warm, hold your gear, etc. Either it will be a long drawn-out series of DIY projects for you, or you will spend loads of $$$ on after-market add-ons.
Whereas a tent is just a tent.
Hammocks can be marvellously comfortable but are not usually the cheapest option. (Sorry to be sound negative, Hooch, but I think I'm being realistic here.)
There are some really good deals right now at:
http://www.rei.com/REI-Outlet/search?vcat=OUTLET_SEARCH&query=tents
I've seen a lot of people using the Big Agnes Seedhouse and the MSR Hubba. There was a thread here recently on pole failures on the Hubba, but the conclusion was that MSR quickly replaced the poles, so it wasn't a long-term problem.
Sounds like a happy holiday season for you!
FanaticFringer
12-16-2007, 09:50
Just be forwarned that if you choose to go the hammock route, the purchase of the hammock is the tip of an iceberg. Once you try a hammock you will then start on a search for things that will keep you warm, hold your gear, etc. Either it will be a long drawn-out series of DIY projects for you, or you will spend loads of $$$ on after-market add-ons.
Whereas a tent is just a tent.
Hammocks can be marvellously comfortable but are not usually the cheapest option. (Sorry to be sound negative, Hooch, but I think I'm being realistic here.)
There are some really good deals right now at:
http://www.rei.com/REI-Outlet/search?vcat=OUTLET_SEARCH&query=tents
I've seen a lot of people using the Big Agnes Seedhouse and the MSR Hubba. There was a thread here recently on pole failures on the Hubba, but the conclusion was that MSR quickly replaced the poles, so it wasn't a long-term problem.
Sounds like a happy holiday season for you!
Bull. You dont have to spend loads of $$$$$$$ on aftermarket add-ons.
And you sure dont have to go the DIY route. A hammock set-up can be cheaper than a tent at times. How expensive is a pad(s) under your hammock for insulation and a tarp over you compared to a tent?
That set-up could be had for around $100 or less.
Bull. You dont have to spend loads of $$$$$$$ on aftermarket add-ons.
And you sure dont have to go the DIY route. A hammock set-up can be cheaper than a tent at times. How expensive is a pad(s) under your hammock for insulation and a tarp over you compared to a tent?
That set-up could be had for around $100 or less.
I'd rather sleep on the ground on a pad than in a hammock on a pad. In a hammock the pad gets all scrunched up and is, to me, very uncomfortable and negates any comfort factor the hammock provided to start with.
Obviously you feel differently about it.
Lone Wolf
12-16-2007, 09:58
Im gonna get a tent and a stove for Christmas. Just wondering which ones you all would recommend. The tent would be in the 150 price range. The stove would be under-around 100 I guess. Just which ones to start hinting at.
MSR Hubba tent
MSR Pocket Rocket stove
Survivor Dave
12-16-2007, 10:27
MSR Hubba tent
MSR Pocket Rocket stove
$40 on the pocket rocket L.Wolf.
FanaticFringer
12-16-2007, 10:34
I'd rather sleep on the ground on a pad than in a hammock on a pad. In a hammock the pad gets all scrunched up and is, to me, very uncomfortable and negates any comfort factor the hammock provided to start with.
Obviously you feel differently about it.
Properly used, a pad in a hammock will not scrunch up.
take-a-knee
12-16-2007, 10:49
I'd rather sleep on the ground on a pad than in a hammock on a pad. In a hammock the pad gets all scrunched up and is, to me, very uncomfortable and negates any comfort factor the hammock provided to start with.
Obviously you feel differently about it.
I don't have any problem comfort or warmth-wise, sleeping on a pad inside my hennessy hammock. I use two 1/4" pads from Oware trimmed to 28", 30 in wide is probably better, Ed Speer of Speer Hammocks sells a 30 by 72in pad. Underquilts are nice but you don't have to go that way initially. A few people say that lying directly on a CCF pad causes profuse back sweats, I never had that problem and I use a wearable bag (Rock Wren or PL Wallcreeper) now so that seems to work even better. I've only slept to a little below freezing in my hammock yet but I plan to get a cold weather system worked out this winter, I believe it is worth it. There might be a slight (pound or so) weight penalty over an uber-light tarp setup but it is more than worth it IMO.
You can use several pads and sleep down to low temps, I haven't done it yet but many have. Hog-on-Ice uses multiple pads in the winter in a hammock, He also uses the pads as part of his pack system with a Moonbow Gearskin and that is probably the ideal setup. Lying on hard, rocky ground or in a rat infested shelter, all the while surrounded by trees, just ain't the way to go IMO.
If you bought a Gearskin from Moonbow, that pack would allow you to use a synthetic overquilt like one from a Jardine kit, the foam pads are cheap, I've seen hennessy hammocks on ebay for cheap. You don't have to break the bank.
Lone Wolf
12-16-2007, 10:51
satchmo is asking about TENTS, not hammocks in this thread.
Mountain Hardwear Bunker 1 man 4 season--
WIthout a doubt--the MSR Pocket Rocket
I've seen the Caldera Cone (http://www.traildesigns.com/products01.html#caldera) in action and it seems to do a very good job as well. I don't own one, so can't give it my personal recommendation, but I'm sure there is someone here who has one and can give an opinion on it one way or the other.
another vote for the pocket rocket and the Hubba.
I've seen the Caldera Cone (http://www.traildesigns.com/products01.html#caldera) in action and it seems to do a very good job as well. I don't own one, so can't give it my personal recommendation, but I'm sure there is someone here who has one and can give an opinion on it one way or the other.
The Cone system is terrific. If you're going to go with alcohol, it gets my vote.
It all depends on what sort of cooking, or water boiling, you're going to do. And how concerned you are about weight.
Real cooks (or people who are cooking for two or more people) might want a white gas stove, such as the Svea. (A Svea should last you the rest of your natural life.) Water boilers will probably either go with canister stoves (Pocket Rocket, Jet Boil) or alcohol (Anti-Gravity gear set, or Caldera Cone system).
If you don't know what sort of cook you are, then ask for the system that appeals to you, and adapt your cooking to suit it.
Appalachian Tater
12-16-2007, 11:40
I would stick to a SuperCat and spend all the money on a Henry Shires TarpTent. (I only use equipment that has a capital letter near the middle of the name.)
I would stick to a SuperCat and spend all the money on a Henry Shires TarpTent. (I only use equipment that has a capital letter near the middle of the name.)
I'm inclined to agree.:rolleyes: I really like the ease of use, light weight, and durability of the Tarptents.
That set-up could be had for around $100 or less.
I would appreciate it if you could post that set-up, in a straight forward thread. I would try it for a C, non-DIY.
maxNcathy
12-16-2007, 13:02
I chose MSR Pocket Rocket stove and Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 tent for last year.No complaints.
This year, just because I like buying gear, I will take a titanium Giga peak (?)stove and Gossamer Gear Spinnshelter floorless tent. Shelter will be about 2 pounds lighter and stove a tiny bit lighter.
Good hiking,
Sandalwood
Hey everybody thanks for the advice and info.