View Full Version : Need a Cheap & Light Tent
Do Yall have any suggestions for a CHEAP and LIGHT 3 person Tent ot Tarp
Mountain Wildman
01-30-2010, 16:55
http://tarptent.com/rainshadow2.html $265
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/SubCategory___40000000230_9035039?ip_navtype=Advan cedSearch&catFilter=&searchKeywords=9035039&ip_sortBy=priceAsc&filters=Capacity~3%20Person~3%20Person%20(15)&ip_constrain=&pageSize=24&catType=&searchCategory=browsefilter&manNameFilter=&sizeFilter=&ip_state=&priceFilter=¤tPage=0&colorFilter=
DIY ray-way tarp and net tent, just over $100.
http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Tarp-Kit/index.htm
bigcranky
01-30-2010, 17:34
Equinox 10x12 foot silnylon tarp (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___20070). $90. Sleeps three.
When and where will you be using said tent, ie: how far will you be hiking with it each day, how many days, what seasons, etc.
An excellent source for low cost tents is www.sierratradingpost.com (http://www.sierratradingpost.com) and www.campmor.com (http://www.campmor.com) . I believe these links are correct. I'll check on them and correct them if not. Tents from Sierra Designs, Eureka, and The North Face, as well as Mountain Hardwear are generally well thought of, quality design-wise. They ALL have come up with some real bloopers, so look around, check back, and we'll tell you what we think.
What is your intended usage? Is this car camping or backpacking? snow, if so how much? Also is this for 3 adults or 2 adults one child etc.?
Perhaps the Tarptent Rainshadow? $260 may not be cheap, but it isn't bad for a 3 person tent and it only weighs 40oz.
bigcranky
01-30-2010, 23:28
If you want a tent and not a tarp, then I would second the suggestion of the Rainshadow. We used one for 4 or 5 years with our daughter, and it has plenty of room for 3 people.
brooklynkayak
01-31-2010, 07:38
If you want a tent and not a tarp, then I would second the suggestion of the Rainshadow. We used one for 4 or 5 years with our daughter, and it has plenty of room for 3 people.
If you can spend the money you'll probably be happy with a Rainshadow 2. The 10x12 tarp suggestion could be a good choice if you are good with tarp shelters and/or want to learn. Tarps can be more flexible and bombproof in the right hands. They can be supplemented with bug nets and ultralight bivys(sleeping bag cover/ground cloth combination) when conditions require.
I disagree with the "Sierra Trading Post" suggestion. I don't think I've ever seen what I would call a backpacker tent there, nothing but backyard and car camping tents.
The Rainshow 2 weighs approx. 2.5 lbs. A 10x12 tarp less than 1.5 lbs for a silnylon version. The 3 person tents at Sierra Online will probably be 5 lbs and heavier.
dzierzak
02-01-2010, 13:34
Sierra Trading Post, by its nature has changing inventory. I have, in the past, seen tents that would be appropriate for backpacking. Kind of like Steep & Cheap on a much slower time scale...
Persistent
02-01-2010, 13:51
Consider an Appy Trails (http://www.appytrails.com/) - either the Mark III or Mark IV. They are very economical, pretty spacious, and light. Of course there is no floor or other frills (will need to add a ground cover) but it could meet your needs.
What the "Gear Deals", "Gear Swap" and "Make Your Own Gear" threads on backpackinglight.com (http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/index.html). Other sites also have some similar threads, but I find BPLs the most active.
Henry Shires gives away one of his older model tarptent designs (http://tarptent.com/projects/tarpdesign.html) online; it's for either one- or two-person models, but perhaps you could use those to extend to a three-person size (?).
First word in the previous post: "What" ==> "Watch"
(sorry)