So, I'm going on bike tour with the girlfriend for a few months this summer, and the thought of spending that much time in my little half-dome does not sound appealing. I figured I'd come here to get some input--that REI 20% coupon expires on Sunday, might as well strike while the iron's hot.
Things I'm considering:
--three person tent. I'm looking for more space than my current tent provides, and if I'm gonna buy a new tent, I'd like to at least be able to camp more people on shorter trips.
--large vestibule. For when the weather is insane or in areas we don't feel like leaving panniers out in the open.
--solid. Doesn't need to be climbing-Denali sturdy, but apparently Iceland is windy as fuck. I don't want to be blown into a volcano.
Anyone have any similar tents that they swear by? Anything I should avoid? Is there something I won't find at REI but is so awesome I should get it anyways?
Thanks folks.
henry
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 11:50 am
somewhat piggishJoined: 05 Aug 2005Posts: 5415Location: on porch with shotgun
It's cozy but we cooked under the vestibules w/ no problems. A lot of the campsites in towns have really nice shared cooking facilities, although they're not always covered.
It's not ultralight but it is spacious for 2 people. I used it on on car camping trip and one bike camping trip. The dual side doors was key! It makes it way easier to get in and out, especially without stepping on the head of anyone else in the tent. I'm less of a fan of the front loader tents now.
The main pole is one unit with a small spreader bar. Vestibules seemed large enough. Internal stash pockets are nice and it has a little hanging "attic"
The Alps tent is 90" long vs 84" for the REI. I'm 6' tall but I know I appreciate the extra length so I don't touch the head or toe wall.
For solo sleeping I use a hammock and for light backpacking I would use the Tarptent Cloudburst.
ksep
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:39 pm
Joined: 27 Jan 2007Posts: 1879Location: Westlake
joeball wrote:
For solo sleeping I use a hammock and for light backpacking I would use the Tarptent Cloudburst.
I've have the Cloudburst for a few years now and if I had to do it again, I wouldn't pick that model. Interestingly, it doesn't seem for sale on tarptent anymore, only the very similar Squall 2 (BYO poles). Anyway, the major flaw is that it doesn't ventilate worth a damn. Even with the sides/front rolled up that sucker is going to be *hot* inside on a warm day. You won't be able to take a mid-day nap in it. Maybe try the Double Rainbow model, it looks like it'll ventilate a lot better.
I dug up this article that hints at ventilation issues (a ceiling vent was never added).
Last edited by ksep on Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:45 pm; edited 1 time in total _________________ -Kevin
Sweeney
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:45 pm
Joined: 18 Feb 2009Posts: 851Location: English Hill, Redmond
I am a huge fan of Big Agnes for tents that use poles. Since I enjoy long backpacking trips, I seek ultra-lightweight equipment.
For 2 people, the Fly Creek UL2 is rated one of the best (and only 2 lbs. 2 oz!). It held up just fine in super-windy conditions in the Cascades... as well as on the Washington coast:
... For solo sleeping I use a hammock and for light backpacking I would use the Tarptent Cloudburst.
For Solo trips, I want to try a hammock someday... but for now I sleep under the stars or use the 23 oz Lunar Solo by Six Moon Designs if there is rain/bugs in the forecast.
These are awesome, no tent poles needed, just a trekking pole or sturdy stick in the middle and you stake it out from there. (Handcrafted in Beaverton, Oregon. So it's mailorder only, not available with any REI discount).
Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
Since Sweeney mentioned it, I also have used a Big Agnes (Parkview 2), and although I haven't been through a windstorm in it, it did make it through a pretty terrible Memorial Day weekend rainstorm in Seaquest State Park (near Mt. St. Helens) a few years ago. It's great having the two doors, and it's roomier than most 2 person tents, with 2 biggish vestibules.
Our other tent (Sierra Designs Lightning 2) also made it through the rainstorm pretty well, though I think it might have had some condensation or other problems due to the fact that we set it up wrong (we were able to solve our problem after the first night, and other people camping in our group had much worse problems with their tents). It's also smaller.
If there's just 2 of us camping, I tend to take the larger tent (Big Agnes). I'm not an ultralight backpacker by any means, but I have backpacked with it, so it's not unduly heavy. Last time we went bike camping, that was the tent we used.
Edit: I guess if I were going somewhere coldish, I'd pick the smaller tent since our body heat will heat up the interior air more quickly in the smaller tent. But we're mostly fair weather campers.
_________________ I have always thought in the back of my mind: Cheese and Onions
pete jr
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 2:27 pm
Joined: 13 Dec 2005Posts: 1930Location: balls deepx
coming out in huge support of the big agnes fly creek 2, but that's definitely gonna be too small for what you're looking for.
joeball
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 2:36 pm
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 6037Location: Ether
ksep wrote:
joeball wrote:
For solo sleeping I use a hammock and for light backpacking I would use the Tarptent Cloudburst.
I've have the Cloudburst for a few years now and if I had to do it again, I wouldn't pick that model. Interestingly, it doesn't seem for sale on tarptent anymore, only the very similar Squall 2 (BYO poles). Anyway, the major flaw is that it doesn't ventilate worth a damn. Even with the sides/front rolled up that sucker is going to be *hot* inside on a warm day. You won't be able to take a mid-day nap in it. Maybe try the Double Rainbow model, it looks like it'll ventilate a lot better.
I dug up this article that hints at ventilation issues (a ceiling vent was never added).
Note "would use" just refers to the fact that I own a Cloudburst and would just select that from the tents I own. I'd probably look at a different tarp tent model if I bought another. I have had success and failure at fighting condensation in my cloudburst but it really helps to have wind force some circulation and leave the front door open. I can't remember if I have weathered a very heavy rain in it yet but I think rain with no wind would be a no win situation since the rain either comes in if the front door is open or you sweat yourself out inside with no air flow.
Alex
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 2:49 pm
Joined: 18 May 2006Posts: 3128Location: Roosevelt
Weird, my TarpTent is really similar to the cloudburst (mostly the front door is a different design) and it breathes pretty well. It's our go-to tent.
I don't think that tey sell our model anymore either, it was called the Rainshadow II. It is a huge tent for weighing about 3lbs.
All times are GMT - 8 Hours
The time now is Fri Aug 11, 2023 6:48 pm
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Joined: 04 Apr 2011
Posts: 802
Joined: 24 Jul 2005
Posts: 6037
Location: Ether
Joined: 27 Jan 2007
Posts: 1879
Location: Westlake
Joined: 18 Feb 2009
Posts: 851
Location: English Hill, Redmond
Joined: 15 Aug 2006
Posts: 2666
Location: No Fun Town, USA
Joined: 13 Dec 2005
Posts: 1930
Location: balls deepx
Joined: 18 May 2006
Posts: 3128
Location: Roosevelt
