Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting What tent do I need?

Yeah, a two man is enough room for a husband and wife as long as they don't piss each other off. Hunting buddies on the other hand don't generally want to feel like they're about to be part of a scene Brokeback Mountain. I'd go with a three man so you have space to get your gear in. A two man is more suitable for summer when you aren't trying to get winter jackets, boots, and multiple layers of clothing inside and then two of you to sleep.

REI is a graet place to buy a tent. Can't beat their return policy.

For the money and quality I think it is hard to beat the REI Half-Dome! I just cleaned out my garage and allthough easy to set up, I will stay away from single wall tents going forward! BA and MSR would be high on the list if I were shopping for another back-packing tent.

Just a heads up for those following this thread with the same interest as Blue. Sierra Trading Post has a 20% off sale and Brad's ASP tent is now 210.00, great buy.

Kent

Black Diamond Vista, 3 person and relatively light. With gear it is about right for me and one other person. Also long enough for my 6'7" frame and a lot of these tents aren't.

Exactly, AND if you sign up as a new member (I signed up my son) you'll get another 10% off the $206.40 sale price for a total of $185.76... that's what I bought mine for last summer on a similar sale... a freaking awesome deal.

We love this tent.

Latley Ive gotten freakin awsome deals on Patagonia parkas', backpacks, boots, (no tents though), ammo, bullits, powder...............and my freakin credit card is toast

Good info though Brad..thanks,

LC

Well it just gets better, received an email from STP for a 20% eCoupon good for today or maybe till the 18th, I never can figure all their sales out. Put the ASP in the cart and it's 162.12, free shiping.

Kent

Anyone know much about Cabela's XPG tent? It sounds like it is supposed to be a four season tent and the three-man is $160, which qualifies for free shipping or $30 off until the 16th.

I'm shopping for something right now for my wife and I. I'm forgoing my space issues in favor of price (we have 5 kids, and the possibility of a trip in a cramped tent is better than no trip at all ).

Kelty Grand Mesa 2 person seems to have most features and space of anything in its cost-class.

Here is the best deal I found:

http://www.mountainsports.com/MSmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=081884

I like to hunt the Oklahoma panhandle so the weather is similar/same. The panhandle winds will ruin a lot of three season tents. The old eureka timberlines are sturdier than most three season tents and our group had three broken in one bad evening. For that reason my buddy and I pack four season tents. We've used an old walrus hurricane hole, a sierra designs stretch dome and my sierra designs tiros. When the weather is howling, you'll spend time in the tent so make sure it's spacious.
I can't emphasize enough that a cold front in December on the high plains can result in winds that will flatten a three season tent whether it breaks or not. Even when the winds are lighter, the flapping of a three season tents will drive you nuts. The winds are always there.

I'm currently using a Sierra Designs Baku 3 as a two person tent. Its a freaking mansion for two people. Dual vestibules, dual doors. Can get stuffy on hots nights, though in the fall that probably isn't too likely. I picked mine up for 135 bucks at REI outlet in the spring. It weighs less than five pounds, so I cannot complain a bit.

That Baku 3 does sound like a nice tent.
Scorpion, is the Baku 3 considered a 3 or 4 season tent?

how do ya feel about teepee style tents? a lot of room for the $$

I looked at some GoLite teepees. I really liked the idea of being able to add a small stove later if I wanted.

Does anyone have any experience with these?

high country, my golite hex 3 is what I use for solo trips or if my brother happens to go along, no one else I know wants to backpack into the places I like to go so it's usually solo. When the wife and kids (adults now) go we always take floored tents, we backpack quite often and they're as crazy as I am.

Here in Az the golite is perfect, a hair over 2lbs with stakes and the trekking pole extension, I don't take the full length pole and have always been able to tie it up from a tree branch and never used any pole. I just put a ground sheet under the bag to keep most the dirt off. I think the new model name is the shangrala 3. Has over 50 sq ft of space and decent height.

If I was camping in snow/cold conditions and wanted a stove, the Ti goat or Kifaru would be better, just much more money. Add the stove inside and still have room for two. I am considering modifying mine for winter trips, some people have done it, but I can't see getting two people and the stove in without the danger of burning something, solo should be great.

If you don't like dirt then there is an optional floor, floor/nest, but you're losing the weight savings.

Here's my setup.



Kent

Any bad condensation issues with it?

If so, would the optional bug liner help that, at least making it as condensation proof as any other four season tent?

I haven't had any moisture in it yet, I keep the bottom up a few inchs for ventilation. The lowest temps I've had it in is about freezing so haven't had to button it down. The foor/nest option would probably get you to under 5 lbs, not bad. I already had my seedhouse for a floored tent and wanted the golite for just myself, no floor needed. If I didn't have anything already the nest would make the hex 3 very modular, you could even just take the nest if the weather was warm and dry but the bugs were out.

Kent

I've got a BD Megamid and a SD Origami. They are both "teepee" style tents. I like alot of things about them. They are a lot of tent for the weight. Light and small to pack. Easy to set-up, and tons of room. I like not having a floor. It's really rocky where I live and the floor of a regular tent would get torn up pretty quickly. You can cook inside without worrying about burning the floor too. I've never had condensation issues, but I live in the desert. Bugs usually aren't a problem either. I was out a few weeks ago when it was 23 degrees. No condensation at all.

The only problem I have with them is wind. They are stable enough, but I have a hard time getting the bottom edge to seal against the ground. (See the picture above.) Right now, it's 34 degrees and blowing 35 mph (with gusts to 50mph!) I've got to get that figured out. They are much better than a tarp with only a little bit more weight.

I picked up the Megamid w/ floor on Ebay for $100. The Origami was 1/2 price. I recently saw one for sale for $75. Well worth a try.

I just picked up a Sierra Designs ASP 3 at campsaver for $187 shipped.

I can't wait to get it set up!