It’s been many years since I bought a new tent, but the old one has run its race. Since I’m about as far from a gearhead as it’s possible to be, I have no idea what’s considered a good one these days. Anybody out there with recommendations?
I have checked Campmor, but there are a million choices, and I don’t want to have to track down reviews from a hundred sources about each one unless I have to.
So I’m lazy. Help me out here, huh?
Anyway, basic requirements. 3-person, 3-season tent. I don’t intend to be hanging a bivy from an Arctic glacier at 10,000 feet, so a 4-season tent is…optional. I’d like lots of ventilation (with maybe roof mesh), and I’d like fly-only or fly-and-floor pitch options, since I generally like sleeping under the stars, and I like to be able to travel light on really nice or marginal-weather trips. Weight is always a consideration, and I don’t want to pay $500 for it.
Fantastic. Thanks tons. Both these were on my short list, althought they’re both just a smidge on the pricey side. Ever heard anything about the Mountain Hardwear Light Wedge 3?
I have nad this tent for the last 2 years. Took it to the boundary waters where it rained like hell for a couple days and had no leaks. Then took it to the Tetons and was quite warm in the mountains. I would also suggest Marmot tents. Our other tent is a marmot which we’ve had for about 5 years. Solid and reliable still.
I’ve had my Eureka Tlmberline for over 20 years and it still is the best backpacking tent I’ve ever used. It refuses to leak, has survived my kids, packs small, and is very easy to set up.
Ditto that. My Timberline has survived Alaska, the Sierras, the Mojave, anything I could throw at it. It’s a bit on the heavy side, and there isn’t a view, but man can that tent take punishment.
Yeah, I am quite familiar with the Timberline. I slept in one for most of my childhood (well, while we were camping, anyhow.) It’s sure as hell bombproof, as it stood up to every form of abuse and neglect a troop of rowdy Boy Scouts could throw at it for years. But IMO, it’s s a stuffy tent. Not a ton of ventilation, no view, and it weighs like a cinder block. I’m looking for something a little more, um, refined, this time around, I guess.
I’m tempted, though. Just looking at the photos of the Timberline brings back floods of memories. Ah, the Kool-Aid incident! But no. They only make a 2 or 4 person model. Ah well.
Many, many thanks, folks. I appreciate the input. I went ahead and placed an order for a Big Agnes Seedhouse 3. It’s light, versatile, roomy, and ventilated. It appears to be the perfect choice for me. I ended up NOT splurging for the 1.5 lb savings. Hell, I’ve carried much heavier tents than the 6.5 lb. Seedhouse before. This should be a breath of fresh air just the way it is.
By the way, for some real amusement, check out Stephenson’s Warmlite. Believe it or not, the site is not safe for work, as apparently the Stephenson crew is into nudism, but the link leads to a splash page with no pics.
Warmlite has made a name by making top-quality custom tents and sleeping bags. They’re legendary. But the business practices appear to be somewhat…odd. And God forbid you ever actually have a problem with any of their stuff, because Jack Stephenson will call you an idiot and a moron, among other things. I had actually considered busting the budget for a custom sleeping bag that would adapt from -65 to +60 degrees, but after reading that testimony, I’m slowly backing away from the angry, crazy, naked guy.
I needed a trip down freakadelic lane this morning. Yowza. Get a load of the picture of the son, also known as freak-a-deak-abe-lincoln-of-the-monstr-zit.
I almost bought an REI GeoDome 4, but there was a North Face Hotel 46 onsale for the same price. I like the North Face, but I really should have gone for the REI product because it had more features (like a second door). My REI Nitelite is nice. I wouldn’t call it a two-person tent, but it packs small and is fairly light.
If you’re an REI member you get an annual dividend on your purchases. My lifetime membership was the best ten bucks (it’s $15 now) I ever spent. And I’ve always found REI’s customer service to be outstanding.
Another thing that gets me about tents these days is the selling of footprints. When I was a kid, we bought a big roll of 3 mil plastic. Cut it to size, use it for a trip, and throw it away. Light, easy, simple, and we never had a wet floor. It lasted the lifetime of the orange and blue Timberline that I grew up with and had enough left over to use as a drop cloth to paint the house. 10 bucks as opposed to 50.