2 person tent for 1 hiker?

[BlueFeather]

I am in the very early planning stages for my 2017 NOBO hike and could use some advice from seasoned thru hikers.

I just purchased a 2 person tent (MSR Hubba Hubba NX). About 60-70% of the time I will be hiking solo, and my hubby will be joining me on his days off from work (he works 7 days on, 7 days off).

I'm mainly concerned carrying the extra weight of a 2 person tent if I'm going to be hiking solo most of the time. It's 1 lbs of difference between the one person and the two person tents:

1 person: 2 lbs, 7 oz
2 person: 3 lbs, 7 oz

Since my weights are starting to add up, I'm a bit worried. The alternatives would be both cramming into a single tent when the hubs hikes with me, having him carry a separate tent when he joins me, or somehow dropping off the 2 person tent and switching it out for a single every other week (doesn't seem within the realm of practicality).

Thanks in advance!

[TNhiker]

i love my hubba hubba, as it has a ton of room inside......

i dont have the NX so mine is a little heavier....

it is a great tent though.....side doors are nice and lots of headroom and whatnot....

[AfterParty]

2p could be all the difference when your tent bound for a day.

[TNhiker]

yeah...

if you need to take a zero rain day-----the hubba hubba is like being in a house versus being in a coffin.....

[johnnybgood]

Copper Spur UL 2
Sub 3 lbs .
A bit pricey but a solid tent.

[BlueFeather]

That's a good point, I didn't think about taking a zero day in it. It definitely has some head room.

Thanks guys

[TNhiker]

i dont think you'll be disappointed with the hubba hubba....

ive had mine (the non NX) in some serious rain storms and have stayed dry....

the side doors with their vestibules helps out with this as well.........

[BlueFeather]

johnnybgood- That looks pretty magnificent, but a tad out of my price range. Maybe when I win the lotto one day

TNhiker- do you use the stakes with yours? The rainfly could use one on each side, but besides that it seems to set up well enough on its own. I'm thinking of leaving most of the stakes behind and shaving off a few oz.

[TNhiker]

yeah.....

i use stakes (and eat steaks over the fire)....

the vestibule door needs stakes to pull out and make taut.....

and yeah---the fly needs the two to pull the sides out......

having the other stakes (the corner ones) helps to pull everything out and make the floor nice and taut...

you may be able to find lighter stakes than the supplied ones.....

[BlueFeather]

OK cool. Thanks for all your help

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Copper Spur UL 2
Sub 3 lbs .
A bit pricey but a solid tent.

I'm with you, JBG....this is my next tent (when the REI dividend becomes available)....although I might spring for the CS UL3 since I'm never without at least one kid in tow, and they keep getting bigger (the kids, not the tents ) !

[HeartFire]

LightHeart Gear SoLong 6 - 2 lbs. Giant for one person, a little cramped for 2 but very do-able.

[egilbe]

LightHeart Gear SoLong 6 - 2 lbs. Giant for one person, a little cramped for 2 but very do-able.

Why not the duo? 36oz for a two person tent isnt too shabby. My GF keeps looking at those. Needs to be a bit longer for my 6'3" frame. Shes 5'3". She can fit anywhere.

[DuneElliot]

I have a Duplex...designed for two, but would be really cramped. I'm a big believer in having just a touch more space than is required for just sleeping. Vertical walls and a little more floor space can save some sanity. I think I would probably be looking at the Copper Spur UL2 for me +1 P/T if I was to go that route but I think that falls in a very similar weight category to the tent you mentioned.

I think you'll appreciate the space when you are alone!

[Sarcasm the elf]

johnnybgood- That looks pretty magnificent, but a tad out of my price range. Maybe when I win the lotto one day

TNhiker- do you use the stakes with yours? The rainfly could use one on each side, but besides that it seems to set up well enough on its own. I'm thinking of leaving most of the stakes behind and shaving off a few oz.

Do not leave your stakes behind. That only seems like a good idea until you get caught in a strong storm, then the stakes become essential.

[Malto]

Another option would be for you to carry a light weight single shelter and hubby carry the two person when he joins you. That way you aren't lugging the extra weight the entire way.

[JumpMaster Blaster]

IMHO I would go ahead with the 2P tent. You never know when you're ging to have to hole up in it for a while, just like the others said. It's nice to be able to spread your things out and get organized/dry without being subject to wnd/rain, etc.

Malto's advice is spot on as well. If hubs isn't hiking the whole way with you, have him carry the larger tent. I saw a couple attempting a thru and they had a Big Agnes CS UL3. They split the tent, fly, and poles up and it was really spacious inside.

[JumpMaster Blaster]

johnnybgood- That looks pretty magnificent, but a tad out of my price range. Maybe when I win the lotto one day

TNhiker- do you use the stakes with yours? The rainfly could use one on each side, but besides that it seems to set up well enough on its own. I'm thinking of leaving most of the stakes behind and shaving off a few oz.

The MSR Carbon Core stakes are 0.2 ounces each. Not the cheapest, but if you strive to be a lightfighter that's what you have. I don't use them on my fly or guy tieouts though. Since they're so light and susceptible to being pulled out, I use 4 for my main tent ties outs, then use regular stakes for the fly and additional guys since I figure they'll be taking the brunt of the forces from wind.

[DuneElliot]

I wouldn't even consider leaving stakes behind...I always carry one extra too

[HeartFire]

Why not the duo? 36oz for a two person tent isnt too shabby. My GF keeps looking at those. Needs to be a bit longer for my 6'3" frame. Shes 5'3". She can fit anywhere.

Egilbe : The SoLong 6 and the Duo were designed to fit a 6'8" guy - at 6'3" - you would certainly fit with room to spare.
Judy - LightHeart Gear