Buying a new backpacking tent. Any recommendations?

[zcalla20]

Hi all,

I am looking into buying a good backpacking tent.

I am a rookie hiker, so I was hoping you all would help direct me to a good tent, or website where I can find a good tent.

I am planning on starting out small with a few weekend hikes here and there, but eventually hope to work my way up to section hiking.

Also, I am hoping the tent would be able to sleep anywhere from 1-5 people within a reasonable price range.


Thanks!

[Tipi Walter]

Hi all,

Also, I am hoping the tent would be able to sleep anywhere from 1-5 people within a reasonable price range.


Thanks!

This last comment will throw you into a flux. Most people here on Whiteblaze will recommend some form of the TarpTent or the Big Agnes Seedhouse or the MSR Hubbas or the new fangled cottage industry poncho-tarp tents or Wild Oasis stuff or maybe even cuben tarps, etc etc. But you'll have to decide real quick which is it gonna be: A single person tent, a two person tent or a tent for 5(!).

On the other hand, Eureka makes great entry level tents in all sizes which you should consider. A 5 man tent won't be carried on a solo trip, period. A large tarp can house five people, or consider a tipi style tent of the old Mt Hardwear Kiva type or the Golite Shangri La thingies. Don't bother with Kifaru due to the expense. Just some thoughts off the top of my peanut sized brain.

[Gnatx]

Mountian hardware drifter 3 is a great 2 1/2 person tent with big vestibules solid built and won't break the bank. There are many lighter tents but I really like this one.

[Tipi Walter]

Mountian hardware drifter 3 is a great 2 1/2 person tent with big vestibules solid built and won't break the bank. There are many lighter tents but I really like this one.

Yeah, I forgot about Mt Hardwear and North Face. My early always-used go-to tents were either Mt Hardwear or North Face. Then Mt Hardwear went to their crappy in my opinion Atlas pole system with the stupid inserts and I had a pole break on a Light Wedge 2 tent on a trip into the NC mountains and vowed Never Again. Hence the switch over to Hilleberg.

[zcalla20]

These are all great starting points, thank you!

[trapper]

just my opinion but someone just starting out should not start out with single wall/tarp style...i think you need a little experience before you go with one...not nearly as forgiving on set up.

[Tipi Walter]

just my opinion but someone just starting out should not start out with single wall/tarp style...i think you need a little experience before you go with one...not nearly as forgiving on set up.

Personally I agree but would take it a step further---even experts should avoid single wall tents. I know, sacrilege!! I've just seen too many complaints with single walls---and all having to do with dripping condensation and inside misting due to heavy rains.

[garlic08]

Sierra Designs might work out OK for you. Lower price, serviceable stuff, or at least they were back when I was alive.

[RED-DOG]

I reccomend the (Marmot EOS 1 Person) i used it on my Thru-Hike this year its lite under 2lbs and easy to set up. To me this is the perfect thru-hiking tent, Believe me i used everything from a tarp to a Hammock. RED-DOG ( Flip-Flop 96 & GA-ME 06 & GA-ME 2012 )

[oldbear]

Zcalla
The best advice that I can give you is to not buy one online
Rather go to your local hiking gear store or mega sporting goods store
Select a tent that you think might work for you
Pitch it and then crawl inside and see if it works for you , see if it fits you, visualize spending 2 rainy days in it
Be true to yourself
If you're a rough on everything person like I am , then stay away from flimsy tents w/flimsy poles
Don't get enamored w/ high end brand names bc as somebody else mentioned mid range Eureka does make good tents
Honestly figure out if you do in fact need a free standing tent
Have fun

[colorado_rob]

I reccomend the (Marmot EOS 1 Person) i used it on my Thru-Hike this year its lite under 2lbs and easy to set up. To me this is the perfect thru-hiking tent, Believe me i used everything from a tarp to a Hammock. RED-DOG ( Flip-Flop 96 & GA-ME 06 & GA-ME 2012 )

Is this a typo and you mean under THREE pounds? The specs I see online are 2-12 minimum, 3-4 total weight. I'm looking a bit too and confused.

[Jim Adams]

If you need enough room for 2 you can find tents in the 4-5lb range, double wall and free standing for around $200 new....cheaper used. Try a Kelty Gunnison 2.1 or a Hubba Hubba.

geek

[Feral Bill]

For versatility, I'd suggest a "three" person and a "two" person tent for your projected group sizes. These would most often be used for one and/or two respectively, or two and three when needed. Siting and carrying two smaller tents works better, too. I'd agree that mid-range priced double wall tents would be the way to go.

[moytoy]

I use a Nemo OB1p and they are great tents for a beginner. Free standing and easy to set up. My grand kids can set it up. The OB2p and OB3p are 2 person and 3 person respectively. They are a little pricey but if you watch specials you get get them on sale. I bought my OB1p on climb for $200

[Not Sunshine]

Kelty isn't the lightest on the market - but they're usually the most affordable. I got my Crestone 1 person (4lbs) for <$100. My 2 person Kelty was also about $100 and weighed about 4lbs.
I currently carry a Tarptent NOTCH (1 person) that weights 26oz. SUPER. But I slide around in it constantly. The bathtub floor is very slippery...which means: if you're not on an absolutely flat area, you'll be up all night trying to put yourself back in the middle of the tent.

[Drybones]

Go to www.tarptent.com and watch the set up videos for the various tents and read the specs. Even if you dont buy one it's good to know what's out there. The only advice I will give is go lightweight and you'll enjoy hiking more.

[jakedatc]

Personally I agree but would take it a step further---even experts should avoid single wall tents. I know, sacrilege!! I've just seen too many complaints with single walls---and all having to do with dripping condensation and inside misting due to heavy rains.

whoa.. I agree with Tipi on something.. I had a Contrail for most of the summer and i set it up as a quick bivy in pouring rain and it misted through in under a half hour.

I will disagree about tarptent style tents..(many are double wall or hybrid now) Using trekking poles to set up saves weight when you are using them anyway. they are also not that hard to set up with a few practice runs. My Lightheart Solo goes up quite smoothly now. There is a good set up video on their site.

pick the "normal" amount of people that will be hiking... then decide on a 2 or 3 person tent. If the norm is 2 then get a 2 and any extra can bring a 1-3 person of their own. if it is 3 then get a 3 person etc. anything over a 3 person tent is a HUGE footprint and very heavy due to how much support it needs. trying to find a spot in normal backpacking areas to set up a tent that size would be difficult.

[Gambit]

Yeah, I forgot about Mt Hardwear and North Face. My early always-used go-to tents were either Mt Hardwear or North Face. Then Mt Hardwear went to their crappy in my opinion Atlas pole system with the stupid inserts and I had a pole break on a Light Wedge 2 tent on a trip into the NC mountains and vowed Never Again. Hence the switch over to Hilleberg.

Tipi I love my stratospire 2 but I would loove to try out a Hilleberg they look both water tight and roomy.
If money isnt a huge issue, in which in my opinion when it comes to tents you get what you pay for, then I would shoot for either a Hilleberg or a Henry Shire Tarp Tent. Henry makes a "hogback" which comes in at around 5 pouinds and sleeps 5-6 people.

Reason why I say Heck yes to Tarp Tents? Three main reasons
-weight
-engineering
-ruggedness
These tents are compairably light in my opinion, are engineered from trial and error all the way from the beginning when Henry made them in his back yard and as my last trip to Roan Mountain proved: These tents are hosses! I slept the first night on Round Bald directly on the summit, 40 mph wind gust' lasted a good 6 hours through the night till morning and...tent was solid as a rock. Night two? thunderstorm on Big Hump Bald...Completely dry and tent...still solid as a rock!

why buy 2 or 3 times when you can buy good the first time and be done with it, trust me I learned the hard way!

[Mags]

TW's experience is the southeast Appalachians where it is considerably wetter than say, well, Colorado.

Generally cool and dry conditions are great for single wall tents. Humid conditions? Could be a problem for some (most?) hikers.

No such thing as the perfect shelter I'm afraid (or stove, filter, pack, sleeping bag and so on. )

[10-K]

No such thing as the perfect shelter I'm afraid (or stove, filter, pack, sleeping bag and so on. )

You obviously don't HMHDI....