View Full Version : Need tent suggestion
One Half
03-01-2011, 21:29
Need 1 tent for 3 people of various sizes. My husband is 6'3", maybe 200 lbs, my 13 year old son is a bit over 5'3" and 100lbs soaking wet, and I am just a little shorter than my son. We need a 3 person tent that will allow the 3 of us to sleep together. Weight is a consideration but not the end all, be all. Previously we have gone with others so we shared 2 person tents. Don't want to have son in a seperate tent as he doesn't carry a full pack yet and we have to carry his tent weight. And we need something that won't set us back a ton. We hike in Mass, NH, VT, ME - 3 seasons at the most. They produce some heat so we don't need a lot of insulation from a heavy tent.
This (http://shine.yahoo.com/event/green/see-through-bubble-tents-provide-incredible-views-2458337) is pretty cool. :D
fiddlehead
03-01-2011, 21:48
I would recommend the "Mega-mid" although perhaps you want a floor.
I do hear that they have a new, sil-nylon model that's is the same design and it even has a floor. (mega-light or something like that)
It works for my family.
lot of room, easy setup, excellent tent for windy conditions, lightweight, and not expensive.
how about a Hubba Hubba for you and your husband and one hubba for the kid? or the 3 person mutha hubba?
Jim Adams
03-01-2011, 21:58
check out a Kelty Gunnison...they make a 3 person and a 4 person...very weather proof, nice design and around $200. I have both plus a 2 person...very satisfied.
geek
Kia Kaha
03-01-2011, 22:12
The Eureka Pinnacle Pass 3xta has room for 3, two doors and vestibules, and is conservatively priced. You can split up the tent body, poles, and fly to distribute the weight.
You might want to check out http://tarptent.com they have a three and four man all pretty light.
johnnybgood
03-01-2011, 22:28
www.steapandcheap.com (http://www.steapandcheap.com) has ALPS mountaineering 4 person tent for 52% off @ $112.99.
Snowleopard
03-01-2011, 22:31
Pyramids such as the mega-mid fiddlehead mentions are available from:
http://www.owareusa.com/
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=47
Somebody who posts on WB sells a teepee that is pretty large; do a search for tipi, teepee etc.
An advantage of the pyramid tents is that they can be pretty tall and you can stand up in the middle but they're still not really heavy. You could also make your own or perhaps get one of the smaller companies like oware or MLD to customize one.
In buggy conditions you would want mosquito netting or bug tent inside.
skinewmexico
03-01-2011, 23:35
www.steapandcheap.com (http://www.steapandcheap.com) has ALPS mountaineering 4 person tent for 52% off @ $112.99.
+1. We just bought 4 for our scout troop to use as 3 man tents. Decent weight. And 13 is old enough to carry his share of the gear, as long as you don't go over 20% of his body weight. Something really cool is the Tarptent Hogback.
BitBucket
03-01-2011, 23:50
I've got a like new Sierra Designs Hyperlight 3 AST for $130 plus shipping. Used it on one four day drip thru GA with 2 friends.
It's a great 3 person tent and you can split up the components so no one carries more than a couple of pounds. Complete weight is around 6 pounds I think.
If interested PM me back and I can provide the particulars
Take a look at the TT Hogback. It will sleep 4 adults, has plenty of headroom and two smallish vestibules but big enough to store a pack or two in each and out of the way.
note that it will take up not that much more room (footprint) than many 2 person shelters.
here is a video tour of it :
http://www.youtube.com/user/francodarioli?feature=mhum#p/u/3/0P8zqZnP-bE (http://www.youtube.com/user/francodarioli?feature=mhum#p/u/3/0P8zqZnP-bE)
Franco
[email protected] (
[email protected])
(BTW, the video is just me playing with it not an official TT video..)
you could live large at 1.6 lbs apiece with the MSR twin brothers...
you could live large at 1.6 lbs apiece with the MSR twin brothers...
bigcranky
03-02-2011, 09:05
When our daughter was younger we used a Tarptent Rainshadow. It's large enough to fit three real people and some gear. The new model has an improved door and more headroom.
Now my wife and I use a two-person tent and my daughter uses a hammock.
ChrisFol
03-02-2011, 14:05
Need 1 tent for 3 people of various sizes. My husband is 6'3", maybe 200 lbs, my 13 year old son is a bit over 5'3" and 100lbs soaking wet, and I am just a little shorter than my son. We need a 3 person tent that will allow the 3 of us to sleep together. Weight is a consideration but not the end all, be all. Previously we have gone with others so we shared 2 person tents. Don't want to have son in a seperate tent as he doesn't carry a full pack yet and we have to carry his tent weight. And we need something that won't set us back a ton. We hike in Mass, NH, VT, ME - 3 seasons at the most. They produce some heat so we don't need a lot of insulation from a heavy tent.
My wife, our 50lb lab and myself use a Tarptent Rainshadow 2 and couldn't be happier. I also used to use a Contrail when it was just the dog and I-- they really are quality products. There is one video of the Rainshadow being set up on Youtube.
I think it is a great deal: a 2.5lb, 3 person tent for under $300 shipped to your door. Just looking at REI and the cheapest 3 person tent is $200, however its specs look like fitting that 3rd-person could be tight and it weighs close to 6lbs!
flemdawg1
03-02-2011, 14:51
Another vote for the TT RainShadow 2
Oh well, this is my video of the Rainshadow II
http://www.youtube.com/user/francodarioli?feature=mhum#p/u/5/GNf837Dl1B0
Franco
ChrisFol
03-02-2011, 17:35
Oh well, this is my video of the Rainshadow II
http://www.youtube.com/user/francodarioli?feature=mhum#p/u/5/GNf837Dl1B0
Franco
That is the one that I was referring to-- great presentations BTW Franco.
Thanks Chris.
I do those videos when I am in the mood for it...
I still think that the Hogback at just over 4 lbs is more versatile.
As you can see in the video all of the floor is usable, you have a protected entry point and can be used partially open as a sort of bug shelter.
The MSR Twin Brothers would be a better choice for winter or really windy places, however it has a huge footprint (good if you like the extra room, not so good in some camp sites or platforms) and of course at about the same weight as the Hogback has no bug protection.
Also keep in mind when looking at pyramid type shelters that you lose a lot of space around the perimeter and you have a one or two poles in the middle.
But again, my suggestion is always to get the tent that appeals to "you". Usually people make the one they like work for them.
Franco
One Half
03-02-2011, 20:11
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. We will be checking some of these out for sure. Will let you know what works for us.
I'm not an exert, but if you haven't decided yet look into the ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 3.0
It is nominally a 3 person tent that I use for a two person (two 6'+ men) that might work for a man and two smaller people. It is free standing and weighs about 5.5 lbs with footprint and sells for under $150.
http://www.alpsmountaineering.com/tents/lightweight-tents/zephyr-3
I've used it in temperatures into the upper 20's F and it has been great with no condensation. The door through the rainfly is a little awkward in that water can drip down when it is open but not into the actual tent.
LIhikers
03-18-2011, 21:29
My wife and I, along with our large dog, sleep in a Rainshadow II by tarptent. It's light, it's roomy, and it keeps out the weather and the bugs.
http://www.wyominglostandfound.com/
this guy is a member here. i'd suggest you PM him and see what he recommends...