I need help purchasing a tent

[Jadino]

Hello all,
I will be purchasing my first tent in the next few weeks and I need some guidance. My choices are sort of limited as I have gift certificates to REI and wish to do my shopping there. That being said, I have researched 2 tents; the North Face Aguila 23 - http://www.rei.com/product/763417 - which is a two person tent, and the Kelty Gunnison 3.1 - http://www.rei.com/product/763417 - which is a 3 person.

Weight is not a huge issue for me, and as far as size, I will most typically be backpacking with only one other, although there could be times that there are three of us. I would prefer two doors for the convenience they bring but other than that, do not have many preferences.

The other concerning part is that both of these tents are only online and therefore I cannot go see them in person and get inside them, set them up, etc. Any suggestions or comments? Thanks in advance!

[karoberts]

I like the Hubba Hubba (2 person tent). You can go into REI and practice setting it up, climb in, and see how it feels.

[Tuombe247]

not much of an informant but heres the link to ur kelty tent, the other one led you to the same tent... http://www.rei.com/product/763438

[Blissful]

You need to consider - is the person(s) you are hiking with always going to go hiking with you? Say if you were married and it was your spouse or you hiked with a dog, I could see getting a two person. But if you may on occasion have to go it alone, you might consider a single person shelter and have the other carry their own shelter. No way will you ever want to carry that 5 lb shelter on your own - then it will sit in a closet.
And 5 lbs is heavy anyway for a tent unless you do weekends, only etc - you might think differently on that tent's weight if you are out for a lengthy hike, even if you think the weight won't bother you. Eventually it will.
MSR hubba hubba, BTW, is a great tent. I have heard good things about BA seedhouse also.

[weasel and bunny]

REI's Quarter Dome is good

[KG4FAM]

I don't like putting three people in a tent. Its just too crowded. Even with two people tents, they are pretty much designed for two people spooning. If you do spoon with whoever this other person is then a two person would work well and tell the third to drop their own cash on a tent. If not then get the three person tent and maybe you might could squeeze in a third if you want to or once again tell them to buy their own gear. There are some two person tents that are not constricting; my brother has a old BA Sarvis SL2 that is big enough for two non spooning adults, but most tents are tight. I would look at the Big Agnes, MSR and REI Quarter Dome lines, they are all good stuff.

[Panzer1]

First off we need a little more info, when you say you are going to be hiking with 2 or 3 others what do you mean by that. Are you carrying the tent for all 3 of you? What time of year are you going to be using this tent and for how many days/weeks?


Panzer

[Kerosene]

Assuming that you won't be using this tent for winter camping, I'd look for a lightweight 1-person tent for the reasons noted above by others.

REI has several in the 2-3 pound range to consider. Why you might not believe that carry-weight is all that important at your age, let me assure you that saving a few pounds can make all the difference in your hiking speed as well as how you feel at the end of the day.

I'd consider the following tents if I had to purchase from REI:

Mountain Hardwear Stiletto 1 - $325, 2 lbs, 5 oz

Big Agnes Seedhouse 1 - $250, 2 lbs, 6 oz

REI Quarter Dome T1 - $179, 2 lbs, 12 oz

REI Quarter Dome T2 - $259, 3 lbs, 12 oz

[slow]

Quarter dome is a good solid tent.

[skinewmexico]

I'm really happy with my REI quarter dome T3. It's a real 2 person tent, and not that heavy if you replace the stakes and leave the bags. They have it on sale pretty often.

[irrationalsolutions]

since you brought up the two tents you are looking at. i would go with the kelty. i like their products and it is easier to set up that the other.

[TomWc]

Hello all,
I will be purchasing my first tent in the next few weeks and I need some guidance. My choices are sort of limited as I have gift certificates to REI and wish to do my shopping there. That being said, I have researched 2 tents; the North Face Aguila 23 - http://www.rei.com/product/763417 - which is a two person tent, and the Kelty Gunnison 3.1 - http://www.rei.com/product/763417 - which is a 3 person.

get a light and small two man that you won't mind taking solo, then buy a cheap tent like this to make your buddy lug when they want to come along.

[Jadino]

First off we need a little more info, when you say you are going to be hiking with 2 or 3 others what do you mean by that. Are you carrying the tent for all 3 of you? What time of year are you going to be using this tent and for how many days/weeks?


Panzer

The only people I hike with are my fiancee and a friend of mine. All three of us have yet to backpack together. Obviously if we all did, my friend is the odd man out. He's a mountain-man anyway, I'm not worried about him. A 3 season tent would be ideal as I doubt I will do much winter hiking. As far as carrying, I would most likely split the gear between people so that I wouldn't be carrying everything.

Thanks to all those who have submitted their ideas. I appreciate it!

[Cabin Fever]

I always like to find what I want at REI and then go searching online for a better deal. I swung a brand new Hubba Hubba on eBay a few weeks ago for $104 (eBay 10% discount that day). I would blow my REI gift certificates on good clothes or shoes and find the tent elsewhere.

[Pedaling Fool]

The simple advice is KISS. Keep It Simple Slick.

Don't go for the top-of-the-line when you buy your first tent, they're all about the same. So go for the cheap one until you figure out what you really want, besides you don't want to spend a bunch of money for something you'll get sick of, kind of like a car, most people buy new ones before the other one wears out. They make all kinds of excuses, but really it's because most wanted something else.

Tents are just for sleeping in so don't fall for all the bells and whistles. I bought a cheap $100 tent from Kelty 3 years ago and I've had no problems with it and I don't use footprints to "protect" the floor. I've done three long-distance hikes and two cycling trips with this tent and it still has a lot of life left in it. Here's my tent, listed for $130, but I got mine for $100, just takes some shopping around. http://www.kelty.com/kelty/products....&cat=60&id=133

I'm always looking for a new tent, the one I like the best is the MSR Hubba Hubba, because it has two doors and I like the full screen body, which seems good for hot days. However, they are so expensive, I don't understand why something made mostly of screen is so expensive. So now I'm considering my next tent be a USED Hubba Hubba. http://www.rei.com/product/762727

[Panzer1]

If your want to use your gift certificate from WWW.REI.COM, I would check out the tents listed under "2-Person Ultralight Tents". They are all in the 2+/3+ pound range. They should all work well for you.

Panzer

[Cabin Fever]

I'm considering my next tent be a USED Hubba Hubba. http://www.rei.com/product/762727

Ebay and Craig's List all the way!

[blackfoot "hb"]

I love how everyone has there opinion! Dude, the one thing you have to realize is that the best thing to know is that each tent is different for each person!

By yourself i would recommend the Hennessey Hammock! It is light, durable, Mr. Henn is amazing, and i cannot express how many nights i have slept in mine and been in heaven!

If a tent is not cool and you are with someone else weight willl be an issue. I would say look into the tarptents, which are oober light!

I might try and sell my gist certificate and get cash so that your options expand beyond REI (althougha good company). Only because your options are limited.!

blackfoot hb

[Franco]

My favourite shelter is.... but you are not after that type nor a hammock, nor a solo tent, nor a tent you can buy on E Bay or is custom made in Belize since you have a REI voucher and intend to use it (funny that...) , I will try to actually answer your question :
the Kelty appears now to be out of stock
the TNF is available, looks solid enough with plenty of floor space, great headroom and large vestibule. However even splitting the weight it is still 6 lbs.
I certainly would not (in your situation) even consider a three person tent ( unless you and your GF need that much room) because particularly if the weather turns nasty you don't want to be stuck inside with your GF and a friend....
I would also suggest the REI Quater Dome T2, $20 more than the TNF , a bit smaller but 2 lbs lighter , yes I have seen your "weight is not important" comment , but consider also the smaller packed size (7.5"x20" for the REI , 8"x25" for the TNF)

Franco

[skinewmexico]

Seems like REI runs a 20% off any item most of the year, so you should be able to do some good with that too.