Buying a 1 man tent with REI dividend? [Archive]

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Sarcasm the elf

03-14-2012, 23:39

Hey kids! It's another "which tent should I buy" thread!:banana

I've been section hiking for several years and have been happily using a two man Eureka tent since I almost always go with a friend. I've wanted to buy a solo tent for a while, since the 5lb 9oz tent is no fun to carry when I'm by myself. I had had originally wanted to buy from a cottage gear manufacturer but I don't have the money.

Realizing what today is, I just checked REI's website and thanks to my REI credit card and the 20% discount coupon that should be coming out in the next couple of days I've suddenly got a decent chunk of money to invest in a shelter as long as I'm willing to buy one of the models that they sell.

My basic preferences (I'm flexible):
I section hike, mostly on the A.T. and am lucky if I see 25-30 bag nights a year including lots of weekends and a two or three week trip once a year.
My setup is lightweight, but not UL.
I really prefer double wall and free standing shelters, but since this seems to be all REI sells, this isn't much of a consideration.
Tent will be used 4 season, regardless of manufacturer's recommendation.
I usually hike with my 55lb dog who also curls up inside the tent. Would be cool if I can find a lightweight one man tent that can accommodate, otherwise I'll put her pad in the vestibule
Preferably durable enough for use without a ground cloth (with careful site selection)
I didn't post my dividend amount because I don't want advice based strictly on my budget, but cheaper is better if all other things are equal.

Based on internet only "research" the tents below look like they might work for my preferences, but I haven't gotten to play around with any of them yet. I guess my actual question is: For those of you who have experience with the tents below, or other solo tents they sell, which ones would you recommend I look over when I get to the store?

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 (http://www.rei.com/product/830977/big-agnes-seedhouse-sl1-tent) - This one looks great, does anyone have a review on how durable it is?
REI Quarter Dome T1 Tent (http://www.rei.com/product/827783/rei-quarter-dome-t1-tent)
Marmot EOS 1P (http://www.rei.com/product/762560/marmot-eos-1p-tent)
MSR Hubba (http://www.rei.com/product/810036/msr-hubba-1p-tent) - Though the floor dimensions might be small for my purposes.

Thanks for reading my rambling post.

I'm not looking to switch over to a hammock setup at this point, but I've been around WB long enough to know that someone will suggest it within the first 5 responses ;)

dillard

03-15-2012, 01:26

All those are good tents, though maybe not suited to your purpose...

The Seedhouse is well built, and lightweight but the floor is thin and may not handle dog nails well if he decides to step in. It also has a front entry with a very small vestibule so there's not much room for fido.

The quarter dome is well built with a bit beefier construction, a side entry and decent sized vestibule, so this is probably your best bet of those you chose for hiking with a dog if you can stand the extra pound.

The marmot I don't have any experience with but it seems to be just as heavy as the quarter dome with a smaller vestibule like the seedhouse, so I'm guessing its not going to be ideal either.

The hubba is just tiny inside of all the 1 man tents I looked at. Basically the size of a standard 72x20 sleeping pad, but it does have a good sized vestibule. It is middle of the road weight wise.

I know your looking to go as cheap as possible but in your case I will suggest one more tent, the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1. Its just 4oz heavier than the seedhouse, has a side entry with nice big vestibule, and a small vestibule on the back side accessible by a small zip in the tent. It has a ton of room inside for a 1 man so you could bring your bag inside with you since the floor is thin like the seedhouse and I dont know how it will handle your dogs nails.

I dont mean to make the big agnes floors sound frail by the way. I traveled the VA section with someone last year who had the fly creek UL1 and she never used a footprint with it and had no wear issues. Just not sure how the pressure of a dogs nails would affect it.

rocketsocks

03-15-2012, 01:42

jeffmeh

03-15-2012, 02:35

Tom Murphy

03-15-2012, 12:09

RedBeerd

03-15-2012, 12:24

I did not like the quarter dome T1. Returned it for a big ag fly creek UL1. Very happy with it!!

Tom Murphy

03-15-2012, 16:37

I did not like the quarter dome T1. Returned it for a big ag fly creek UL1. Very happy with it!!

was it the 2011 model?

the new 2012 model is significantly different with a much bigger floor plan

mikec

03-15-2012, 17:46

I have a BA Seedhouse SL1. Very good tent. Lightweight, easy to put up. I've put 250-300 miles on it and it always kept me dry and comfortable. My only complaint about it is that the door is on the narrow end. Makes it tough for a big guy to get in and out of. If I had to do it over, I would have gotten the Copper Spur SL1 as it has the door on the long side.

bigcranky

03-15-2012, 18:07

If you can wait until June, REI will send you a check.

I, too, preferred double wall/free standing until I realized that those were not features that I really needed, and they just added weight and complexity. Now I have a Moment for solo use and a Lunar Duo for hiking with my spouse.

Spools

03-15-2012, 19:24

Ok Elf,as long as were spending your money,I liking the hubba or marmot.Don,t care for entrance of the quarter dome or the seed house.And since that is a god awful orange color and much to bright to be the first thing seen in the morning.....I pick the MSR Hubba,have fun hiking.

Uh oh, don't camp near me.. I had Judy from lightheart gear sew on a bright neon yellow wedge on my solo..and i mean NEON

BradMT

03-17-2012, 11:06

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 (http://www.rei.com/product/830977/big-agnes-seedhouse-sl1-tent) - This one looks great, does anyone have a review on how durable it is?
REI Quarter Dome T1 Tent (http://www.rei.com/product/827783/rei-quarter-dome-t1-tent)
Marmot EOS 1P (http://www.rei.com/product/762560/marmot-eos-1p-tent)
MSR Hubba (http://www.rei.com/product/810036/msr-hubba-1p-tent) - Though the floor dimensions might be small for my purposes.

Have you considered the Nemo Obi 1P?

For me it comes down to either the Obi 1P or BA Copper Spur UL1.

http://www.rei.com/product/811991/nemo-obi-1p-tent

http://www.rei.com/product/827912/big-agnes-copper-spur-ul1-tent

I've thought long and hard about this for a year... even bought a TT Rainbow (too much condensation) so am sticking with my Black Diamond Firstlight for now... but I'll be getting one of the two I posted at REI with a 20% off coupon and my dividend.

Sarcasm the elf

03-18-2012, 20:07

I say find a buddy who wants something at REI and use the dividend, have him pay you back, and revert to your original desire of getting a tent from a cottage gear manufacturer, perhaps a Tarptent Rainbow or StratoSpire 1.

+1

but go with the Six Moon Design Lunar Duo

If you can wait until June, REI will send you a check.

I, too, preferred double wall/free standing until I realized that those were not features that I really needed, and they just added weight and complexity. Now I have a Moment for solo use and a Lunar Duo for hiking with my spouse.

I hadn't realized that I could cash out my dividend in June, the TT Rainbow and Lightheart Solo had been on my mind for a while, I had only dropped them from my list since I can essentially get a tent at rei for free. I'm probably going to go to the store and check out the tents I originally listed, but if nothing wows me, I'm going to hold off until June and consider one from a smaller manufacturer.

handlebar

03-20-2012, 21:52

You can opt to convert your dividend to cash if you want to buy a tent from SMD, Tarptent, etc.