Question about sleeping pads and tents

[Melrenee]

Could I get some opinions on the best lightweight pads and tents that aren't too expensive?

[Tipi Walter]

Do you want the best or the lightest or the least expensive??

[Melrenee]

In a perfect hiking world all three lol. I guess the most comfortable being affordable. I don't want to have it cost more than my tent and weigh me down.

[yaduck9]

Could I get some opinions on the best lightweight pads and tents that aren't too expensive?


You should really wait and ask this question on Monday morning, when most are back at work ( and hence on the internet :p ). At that juncture you will most likely get a gaggle of opinions.

To tide you over till then; http://www.tarptent.com/ ( most will say a good compromise, each will have his favorite, not perfect ( but what is ) )

[Melrenee]

In a perfect hiking world all three lol. I guess the most comfortable being affordable. I don't want to have it cost more than my tent and weigh me down.

That's for the pads.

Tent just at least easy and light to carry either 1 or 2 person and still being affordable

[BuckeyeBill]

I felt the same way you do now. After much research I went with a Thermarest NeoAir XLite mattress ($159.00 12 ozs) and a Tarptent Contrail tent ($199.00 21 ozs) Maybe a little pricey, but for the weight I couldn't resist.

[Melrenee]

I appreciate the timely responses. Any opinions on z-lite? And on nemo tents?

[Rocket Jones]

For the most part, younger hikers can use cheaper, thinner pads like the z-lite or a CCF from Wally World (<$20). As I've gotten older - and as a side-sleeper - I need a thicker pad for a comfortable night's sleep. Right now, I'm very happy with a NeoAir Trekker. In fact, I plan to get the new 25" wide Torso version in the near future. For a tent, I love my Tarptent Double Rainbow, but I'm seriously considering the Notch or the Moment DW.

[rocketsocks]

some good info here too.

http://sectionhiker.com/sleeping-pad-r-values/

[Melrenee]

Thank you for being so informative:)

[w00dchuck]

What worked for me (59yo 5'8" 150lbs) was a thermarest scout. If you compare it side by side with more expensive pads it holds up quite well in terms of weight vs insulation etc. As for tents I tried an inexpensive bivy style tent but it was just to small for my old bones. I spent the big bucks for a big Agnes copper spur ul1. Never looked back.

[LIhikers]

The Tarptent Rainbow (http://tarptent.com/rainbow.html) is a spacious, and fairley light tent.

[Maui Rhino]

REI Stratus Pad is a nice sub-$100 inflatable sleeping pad. I've been very happy with mine so far, after upgrading from a ccf pad. For a tent, I found a TT Contrail for sale used here. Great tent and saved money.

[daddytwosticks]

Eureka Spitfire Solo tent and a Thermarest Prolite 3/4 pad. Total maybe $225? Good relatively lightweight conventional double-wall tent and pretty comfortable and inexpensive inflatable pad. :)

[staehpj1]

Eureka Spitfire Solo tent and a Thermarest Prolite 3/4 pad. Total maybe $225? Good relatively lightweight conventional double-wall tent and pretty comfortable and inexpensive inflatable pad. :)

I can vouch for the Spitfire 1 as a very nice budget option. You can find one for about $100 and I like it better than most of the options that cost much more.

The Prolite is nice enough, but I use a NeoAir for the lighter weight, smaller packed size, and extra comfort. It depends on how tight the budget is, but pad and bag are where I am likely to spend more.

[Melrenee]

What about the closed cell foam types? Z-lite etc

[Melrenee]

Also what about the north face arches tent and msr Hubba?

[tridavis]

I too typically choose my Spitfire over my BA most of the time. Really a very solid lightweight tent for the money....~$69.

[Magic_Rat]

I am thru hiking right now with a Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo and a z-lite 3/4 length pad. Combined weight is a little over 2lbs I believe. The Lunar Solo is a great, very light tent and runs at about 200 bucks now I think. Lots of hikers out here with more expensive tents that are also over a pound heavier. I like my z-lite too. It's not wonderfully comfortable by any means but I get enough sleep on it without a problem. The short size is lighter weight, and I just use my pack under my feet.

[daddytwosticks]

A super cheap and durable combo: Spitfire Solo plus a 3/4 lenght Ridgerest. A little over 3.5 lbs. May be able to get these under $100 on sale or clearance. :)

[Dharma Dog]

I appreciate the timely responses. Any opinions on z-lite? And on nemo tents?

I own the Losi 2P, the Asashi 4P and I recently purchased the Obi Elite 2P so my opinion of Nemo tents is pretty high.
After changing out the stuff sack, stake & poll sacks to zpacks the weight of the Obi Elite is around 2 ibs 4 oz and the tent is bomb proof.

[Drybones]

IMO...the Exped Synmat 7 (16 oz, $160) is the best but the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core (24 oz, on sale at Campmor for $70) is the best buy and a good pad. I have both, use the Exped for long hikes and the BA for short hikes and float trips.

[Drybones]

The Tarptent Notch (26 oz, $259) is the best tent I've used. If you're on a budget look at the Eureka Spitfire 1, I got mine on sale for about $90, weighs 3lb-2oz...I carry only two stakes, cut the others from a bush.

[Melrenee]

I found a nemo esprit on eBay that looks good for $139. It's a 2p tent. Any good?

[Dharma Dog]

I found a nemo esprit on eBay that looks good for $139. It's a 2p tent. Any good?

Yes, the Esprit LE 2P is a great tent but make sure you're buying at least the 2012 model as Nemo made some important improvements that year. For 139.00 it's either used or older. The current model sells for around 300.00 but I see it for sale online for 230.00 at a few sites.

[Tipi Walter]

To tide you over till then; http://www.tarptent.com/ ( most will say a good compromise, each will have his favorite, not perfect ( but what is ) )

I would do some in-depth research on TarpTents before you make the plunge. Remember, the floor denier of a tarptent is the same as their fly denier---and all this adds up to hydrostatic head and whether a tent floor absorbs water---with or without a ground cloth. I believe the floor denier is 30? Which is pretty low when compared with 70 or 100 denier and a 7,000 or 10,000 mm hydrostatic head. (versus a TT's hydrostatic at 1500mm?) And a low floor denier also contributes to pinholes and quicker wear.

Why is this important? Because in the Southeast you will on occasion get swamped with ground water, ground sheeting and "lake effect". It won't happen in every rainstorm but it will happen often enough and site selection is not enough. In fact, most available and easily accessed tent sites on the AT are established and therefore liable to get pools of ground water. I could post some pics of this if you want. To me floor quality is the number 1 criteria for picking a tent; along with sq footage.

[neonshaw]

I like the REI quarterdome. I like a fly and this is a great tent, a little heavier than I would like, but it very good in the rain

[q-tip]

+1 NeoAir and TT Contrail. Tent for life.....

[Melrenee]

I'd love the neo,too high for me. I'm afraid of tarp tents, I'm leaning to the spitfire or a nemo..

[Melrenee]

I'd love the neo,too high for me. I'm a bit trepidatious of tarp tents. I'm leaning toward a spitfire or nemo...

[Cadenza]

Do you want the best or the lightest or the least expensive??


Good, Light, Cheap. Pick any two. ;)