indyfabz

Sorry, but it's "hearty." Just had to get that off my chest.

This is Hardy:

ignant666

No, it isn't either. See definitions of hardy here, and hearty here.

Clearly "hearty" is not a thing a tent can be in any of those meanings, whereas i bet anything OP wants a tent that is "capable of withstanding adverse conditions".

indyfabz

Anyone got any ketchup to go with my crow?

abdon 

I know how to spell it but phone swipe typing does that from time to time.

Heck I can even type "they are there on them bikes of theirs".

Trueblood

Here's one I am considering myself - Naturehike Opalus 2 person. 4.4 lbs, massive vestibule - https://www.naturehike.com/products/...ping-nh20zp006

indyfabz

I cannot decipher this re: weight:

Weight(without floor mat) and Storage
2P:About 5.5lb （Orange）/ 4.4lb(Green);Φ18.9*7.5 in"

Is it saying the green model is lighter by “about” a full pound? (Don’t they know the actual weight?) If so, why? And note that the max height inside is only 35.4”. My Quarter Dome is 42”. Handier for someone 6’2”, like I am.

dvdwmth

My tungsten fell apart after a couple uses and customer service took so long to answer I gave up. I’ve heard others report negative customer service issues.

Trueblood

I don't understand the weight difference either. Strangely, some sellers charge less for the orange 2 person version. in terms of height, yeah, all depends on what you need. I would like to be able to open the door on the vestibule and cook in bad weather - saves bringing a tarp. At $230 it doesn't break the bank either. For $10 more, you can get the 3 person, which is 43" high, but weighs 6.61 lbs - more of a car camping tent at that point. It would allow you to use a low camp chair in the vestibule. You can see a review of the larger one on the Youtube channel Outdoor Gear Review. It is a 'palace' in terms of space.

Tourist in MSN

If you are not in a hurry, pick a tent you want and wait for a good sale price. I waited about a year to get the one I wanted, got it at about half price.

In my case, it sat at REI Outlet, I checked once a week, it was consistently 20 percent off. Suddenly it was about 50 percent off, ordered it. They had made a model update that mostly consisted of a different color, not sure what the other "upgrades" were, I was happy to get the old version.

I have now slept in it for about 10 weeks. Thus, now my investment is a hair over $2 per night.

Now, the upgraded version has been taken out of production long ago too, but I am still happy with mine.

TiHabanero

I use a Eureka Suma 2. It is a 3 season tent and seems to be well made. Single entry with vestibule. Right now they are readily available at 160 bucks, and if you go to Back Country for the first time ordering it will be 15% off. Not sure how long that offer will last.

PedalingWalrus

there is no ONE tent. An ideal tent will vary depending on where you are. Hilleberg will keep you dry in rainy locales and windy places but bake you alive in desert environments

( Big Agnes.) tents with ultralight mindset do better in tree (wind protected) environment but break in icelandic winds

some places are better with a hammock

so if you will do only tours into a specific type of environment then buy the best tent for that

if you plan to go tours to different locales and enjoy being fully funded (as you said) then you either should enjoy purchasing multiple shelters or feel comfortable to break a tent sooner and just buy another one

Tourist in MSN

I did not open the links, just commenting that the photo looks very similar to tents by Hilleberg that have a very good reputation, and a reputation for high cost.

Tourist in MSN

You made a very good point.

I have a couple tents I use for backpacking, very light, very compact. A tent that I use for canoe and kayak trips that is very nice but on the heavy side, I used to use it for bike touring be decided it was too heavy for that. And a tent that I use for bike touring. And several others that have not been used for several years but might be used in the future again for the conditions that make one of those the better choice.

And have three touring bikes.

And ... ... ... etc.

GhostRider62

Tents are $500 give or take


You assume ultralight means a tent isn't durable, I suppose you think carbon wheels are more fragile than aluminum. (hint, they aren't)


If you want to spend 200-250, buy used


Otherwise, you will regret cheaping out


I use a Tarptent in dyneema. I've met thruhikers who have done 2 thrus on a tarptent, the mfg claims more. So, hundreds of nights. Instead of focusing on money, try to figure out your primary needs and buy the tent that matches them. No single tent will do it all. I have an old Moss that is bulletproof in wind, rain, snow but it would be awful in hot conditions.


https://www.tarptent.com/thruhiking/

andrewclaus

Tarptent was mentioned once above, and I'll second that. I'm not sure about current industry prices, but in past two decades they've been competitive. In my experience, silnylon has been very durable, in addition to being light and compact. And I'll also second the view that with lighter weight comes a learning curve dealing with condensation, but I found that surmountable and worthwhile. One advantage is ease of drying--a few minutes in sun and wind and the whole tent is dry.

I used their smallest model for over 10K miles of long distance hiking and bike touring. I replaced that when it wore out, and added a two-person model for bike touring with my wife.

robow

Years ago, Kelty was a good value for the dollar and good customer service, but that seems to have changed as some of their tent designs have taken steps backwards imo.

ignant666

When you say "tents" plural are $500, i can agree, as the three tents (REI Passage 1 (2 years old), Twelve Survivors Shire, ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 4-Person (both 7 years old, going strong)) i own do in fact add up to very nearly that much money, provided i also throw in the Hennessy hammock tarp, and the no-name 10' x 10' tarp, and the tarp poles, and all the aluminum stakes and cordage.

It took decades of camping/touring before i had spent $500 total on all gear (exclusive of bike obviously). Many of the very fancy tents mentioned here look very nice, and maybe someday i will buy one. The Durstons in particular look like they might even be worth $300, which is twice as much as i have ever spent on a tent.

gna

I've been thinking about a new tent, too. I used a Eureka Timberline copy, but switched to a Kelty Monarch 2 but that's a bit heavy.
I read this article but thought most tents seemed kind of heavy.

I was looking for an REI Quarter Dome, but as mentioned they don't seem to make them any more. I'm considering the Half Dome:
https://www.rei.com/product/185632/r...with-footprint

The Nemo tents have a good reputation, and they seem quite light to me:
https://www.rei.com/product/215776/n...y-osmo-2p-tent
https://www.rei.com/product/215777/n...alight-2p-tent

andrewclaus

My old Tarptent Contrail (cost under $200) lasted three thruhikes (CDT, AZT and AT), the Northern Tier bike route, and numerous shorter trips. I see from the link that you can still get the Protrail (the Contrail upgrade) for under $250. It's the best deal in shelters in my book, well under a dollar a night.

Yan 

I've been using the same MSR Hubba Hubba NX2 since 2014 with no issues. I've slept over 200 nights in it during this time. It is free standing and more than light enough for bike touring. Takes about about 1/3 of a rear pannier when packed.

indyfabz

There’s a review of the Dragonfly OSMO in the latest edition of Adventure Cyclist. The reviewer, who is the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, loves it.

The list price with the review is $580, so the REI price looks like a bargain, especially if you buy it with a sale coupon.

gna

I'm not sure if this is the tent in the OP (he mentions OSMO), but the Hornet is a bit cheaper.

I saw used one for sale on facebook marketplace, but it sold pretty quick.

Paul_P

I just set up my Marmot Tungsten 2P in the house to seal the seams. The seams are all taped on the inside but I like to do the outside of them with Gear Aid Tent Seam Sealant Seamgrip + FC. I use a ~15mm artist brush that is cut in a V at the tip. This sealant is quite thin, but it doesn't run so it's very easy to apply and dries almost invisible. It also doesn't smell much and washes up with water.

The Tungsten is no expedition tent but seems well enough put together. Quite a bit bigger than I was expecting, more than enough room for me and my gear without the vestibules. I imagine the vestibules (two doors) are good for aerodynamics making it almost a dome. I'm used to thicker tent poles but I guess if you want them light it's what you end up with. I got the stealth green version and the footprint is included. It's hardly mentioned anywhere, and I haven't seen a single picture showing it, but there is a vent at the top of the rain fly with a little sort of stick to keep it open, or velcro to close it.

robow

I have owned a Nemo Dagger 2 person tent for a few years now and have no real complaints. I'm glad I purchased it on sale back then and not now as the prices seem to have really increased for those tents.

Tourist in MSN

This was a great tent, and still is. Especially good in wind.





When it was made a couple decades ago, 6.1 pounds for a tent rated for two was pretty good. But no more, now 6.1 pounds is in boat anchor class. Last bike tour I carried it on was 2016. Still use it for canoe trips. Now I use a tent that is about 3.5 pounds for bike touring. That said, if I was to go to Iceland or some other windy place again, I might bring it along.