View Full Version : Tent weight vs budget hike
Larry Vaughn
02-24-2012, 10:28
This may be covered already , if so I apologize in advance.
So my question is how much does your tent weigh?
I'm a low budget hiker this year, and have a friend that is willing to let me use a small tent, I just worry about the weight, and wonder if I should just try to find a decent ultra light option.
NoBo March 7,2012
RodentWhisperer
02-24-2012, 10:34
So, how much does your friend's tent weigh? You can do a quick comparison by looking at the UL Hikers' forum-- there's an ongoing discussion of "the big four" (tent, pack, bag, pad).
Tarptent Double Rainbow is 40 ounces. Cost was $260. I hike half solo and half with my daughter. Otherwise I would have purchased a Tarptent Contrail at 24 ounces for $200.
skinewmexico
02-24-2012, 11:33
Tarptent Contrail on BPL for $140 right now.
Feral Bill
02-24-2012, 12:39
An 8x10 Silnylon tarp weighs well under a pound, costs $80 from Campmor. Add line, a cheap plastic groundcloth, bug net, and a few pegs and you're under 2 pounds and maybe $125. Works for me.
+1 on the tarp concept. Tents make me claustrophobic. Even a blue "wally world" tarp will be lighter than a cheap tent.
swjohnsey
02-24-2012, 15:18
What do think about mosquitoes? Eureka Spitfire about 2' 12" and a hundred dollars from Academy.
RWheeler
02-24-2012, 16:36
I have the Contrail, which has already been mentioned.
moongoddess
02-24-2012, 16:48
How much does your friend's tent weigh? How much does the rest of your gear weigh? How much weight are you willing and able to carry? What's your budget when it comes to buying a tent or tarp? What do you need protection from - just rain, or insects as well? Would you consider buying used gear? Answering those questions would help everyone here advise you much better!
turtle fast
02-24-2012, 17:01
Here again we need to read the post. They were looking for cheap here...something functional and not so cheap as to be junk. To get something ok, you are looking at around $100 to $150 range. The Sierra Designs Light Year is 2lbs 11oz at $139, The Eueka Backcountry is 3lbs 14 oz at $129 at Campmor. You can price shop for these and may get a better deal. The Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight is a trail 'staple' but is $189 and I have seen it much, much cheaper. You can also check Whiteblaze as sometimes good deals can be had on quality gear. As you can guess more expensive gear is less weight with fancier material and poles. You may want to buy a tent because if your friends tent breaks or gets trashed you don't look bad.
vamelungeon
02-24-2012, 18:03
What do think about mosquitoes? Eureka Spitfire about 2' 12" and a hundred dollars from Academy.
I have the same tent, it works fine for me. I found mine on sale for less than $100.
you can get a (not sil) nylon 6x10 tarp. 18 oz, $40.
You can pick up the eureka spitfire from dicks sporting goods for $85. weighs in just over 3lbs.
Consider making your own light tent:
http://tarptent.com/projects/tarpdesign.html
http://sixmoondesigns.com/support/make-your-own-gear.html
Or looking for sales, or gear swaps.
blackbird04217
02-26-2012, 14:33
I'll third or fourth the Eureka Spitfire, about $100, perhaps less if you do your shopping. Fairly lightweight and comes with netting to stop bugs. Win all around, I'd take it again.
Derek81pci
02-26-2012, 14:36
This is my tent http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___23889 Eureka Spitfire. $89 from Campmor. Buy 1 or 2 more things to get over $100 and it's free shipping anywhere in the USA. GREAT tent, I couldn't be happier.
MaybeTomorrow
02-28-2012, 11:38
The blue wally world coated tarp ripped after just a week for me. What I do love is a 4.5 x 6.75 foot tarp with a single 12' pole arched down the middle. Somethings you always come back to. You know?
turtle fast
02-28-2012, 11:45
*Slaps forehead* Duh...the Eureka Spitfire! At $89 what a deal and another trail 'staple'. If I were looking for a cheap easy fix and not an ultralighter who wanted a tent that was not junk and had mosquito/tick netting, this one is for you. You see a lot of them on the trail.
I use a Northface Mica. About 3.5 lbs., have both the backcountry and spitfire for the kids and friends if they tag along. The newer backcountry 1 is ok, the older ones kinda not good in wind or windy rain unless you really tie them out. The Spitfire poles are not durable at all and the tent does not look to be made to last. Not really a tarptent person anymore for the same reason. Windy rain, they seem like an expensive poncho and those hardcore days are over at my age.