mymorningjacket

Need help deciding which tent I will need for a 3-4 month tour across Canada this May. I have about a $200-$400 budget. Preferably light as possible for obvious reasons. Single or double doesn't matter. I've had people tell me to get a double so I can fit all my panniers and gear inside with me. Still think a single will be the way to go. I was looking at Big Agnes tents, but like I said, im still not sure.

psy

My Big Agnes tents have served me well. I like my seedhousesl2. Relatively light for the price, and its green! Heh. Some people don't like climbing in from the end, but I don't have a problem with it. I'd get the 2 man for sure. Being out for 3-4 months justifies the slightly roomier home.

J.Higgins 

+1 on the two-man. You'll appreciate the extra room when its bad outside and you have to stay in for a while.

prathmann

Big Agnes tents are certainly good quality although a friend had problems with the zippers on his after a number of trips. I have really liked the features of my Eureka Spitfire-1 for both cycling and backpacking trips. I have plenty of room for my panniers inside and it has more headroom than most small tents for ease in sitting up when reading or getting dressed. Comes in right at 3 lbs. and is way under your budget so you could spend more on other items to lower their weight.

bikemig 

I posted a thread on this in Touring a week or two ago. Plus I did a fair amount of research on this as well. I ended up buying a Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 2. It weighs 3 pounds 6 ounces (the footprint adds 6 additional ounces). I obviously haven't tried the tent yet but I was impressed with the quality of the stakes, tie down, and material. It's a nice tent. Big Agnes makes lighter tents but the material gets lighter as well and I wanted something that struck a compromise between lightweight and durability.

I was looking for advice on a 1 person tent but decided to go with a 2 person one,

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/10...nt-advice.html

The one downside to the seedhouse as someone mentioned is that it only has one opening. Another tent I seriously considered (one of the posters on my thread really liked) was the sierra design flashlight 2 which weighs 4 pounds (not bad for a two person tent) and made of a little heavier nylon (which is not a bad thing in my book). I like the openings on either side for viewing.

BikeLite

side entry big agnes, copper spur ul 2 or 3.

reppans

I own a highly rate BA Fly Creek UL2, but for me, the Gatewood Cape beats it on every measure. ~60% the pack size/weight of the BA, and far more versatile/practical (for me). I'll 2nd side entry - stored gear blocks doorways on end entries.

indyfabz

1. Go to the Advanced Search function.


2. Search the Touring forum for "Tent" in thread titles only.


Doing this will return 8 other threads about tents that were started since 10/10/16.


IMO, it's time for this to become the subject of a sticky.

Squeezebox

another Copper spur 2. Rei's 20% off should be coming up. Another 5% for using their credit card.

dh024

I am from Canada and have done a lot of shopping recently looking for a tent. I hate to say it, but you aren't going to be able to buy a Big Agnes ultralight tent on your budget up here in Canada, unless you stumble upon a really great sale someplace or you buy used.

Here is what I recommend for your price range, and from a Canadian seller:
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5036-9...k-UL-2%2B-Tent

Advantages:
- lots of room for one person (like others, I strongly encourage you to NOT go with a one-person tent), including gear, which is always nice to have in the tent with you
- side entry, and dual doors, which means you can get excellent ventilation in this tent (very important, especially in cooler climates like much of Canada where condensation will become an issue at night)
- you aren't likely to find a tent that packs smaller or is significantly lighter weight in your price range
- I have seen this tent in the store, and the quality is excellent, for an ultralight tent
- tent is free-standing (very handy often, and very stable), and you can pitch it without the fly for those clear, hot summer nights when you want to watch the stars while you fall asleep! (priceless, IMO)

Disadvantages:
- little vestibule space, but that shouldn't be an issue for just one person (bring all your gear inside)
- one reviewer claimed that the fly didn't offer enough coverage to protect from high wind and rain, but I doubt this would be an issue with just one person in the tent

FWIW, I bought a Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2 a few years ago, and absolutely love that tent. But if I had to replace it, I think the MEC tent above is actually better suited to bike touring/bikepacking, and it is less expensive.

Will Wheeler

I think the wisest thing you can do is to go on ebay and get one of those Chinese "Trackman" 2-person tents. While the snobs may stare a bit at you for having "that tent", I think I can promise you that it will do the job just fine in the summer season, because I have one myself and...
The tent is pretty lightweight and actually quite good!
Yes, all seams are sealed.

BikeliciousBabe

+1! My bf and I love our Eureka Spitfire 1. Fits us both comfortably. Easy to set up/take down. Lightweight. No condensation issues.

trentb1

The Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 High Volume is what I sometimes use for bikepacking, weighs under 2lbs but it's only a 3-season tent. The UL3 is huge for 1 person and weighs just a tad more. Other options (and the one I prefer) would be a ultralight hammock, with a 10x10 or larger siltarp (can store your bike under it) and a down under quilt for really cold nights. If you're going single wall check out some of the cuben fiber tents (z-pack one company off the top of my head). If you need 4-season hilleberg makes some bombproof lightweight ones.

mymorningjacket

They do seem to have good quality tents, but I found that MEC extremely overprices their tents for some reason.

REI right now is having a sale. 20% off a bunch of different tents. I was looking at the Copper Spur ul1. https://www.rei.com/product/865388/b...spur-ul-1-tent
It may be only a 1 person tent but it seems like such a great deal.

dh024

It's only a great deal if you get the product that suits your needs - I would keep an open mind to the suggestions you are receiving here.

And MEC certainly does not "extremely overprice" their tents, particularly their house-branded ones. I find it very odd that you would even reply with that. Good luck on your purchase.

Flintshooter

I have nothing against REI or any of the other major outdoor gear retailers.
But.
There are some cottage or semi-cottage makers out there that have better gear. Often, at better prices.
I have an MSR Hubba Hubba that I like a lot. But for a trip last summer it was replaced by a Six Moons Designs Lunar Solo. The difference in weight can allow a lot of Snickers bars.
It appears that I'm not allowed to post a link so just Google Six Moons Designs.

indyfabz

This thread is appropriate for Groundhog Day.

SparkyGA

Big Agnes SL1. Done.

BikeliciousBabe

MSR is great but they're also a major company. Based in Seattle, they were purchased by REI (also in Seattle) in the 80's and then by Cascade Designs (also in Seattle) in 2001. Cascade Designs also owns Therm-a-Rest, Platypus, SealLine etc.

reppans

You missed his point... he prefers his cottage industry SMD tent MORE THAN his major manufacturer MSR tent - similar to what I mentioned above between my SMD and BA tent.

Doug64

There are a lot of good tents available. I believe that a good tent is a good investment. My experience riding in Canada, Vancouver to Winnipeg and several shorter trips, is that you will see a lot of rain. Riding across the plains we experience thunderstorms almost every day. A good tent will keep you dry.

While a 1-person tent may be a little cheaper and maybe a little lighter, a 2-person tent is a lot more comfortable and offers more room if you want or need to sit out a "weather day". However, I don't see any benefit in taking my panniers and gear inside the tent. If you have waterproof panniers, there is no need. Tents, like most things, are a compromise.

Good luck!

BikeliciousBabe

He mentioned the MSR tent after saying that so no, I didn't miss his point. But hey thanks for pretending to know what I'm thinking.

Flintshooter

I realize MSR is a major company. But the tent I now use is produced by Six Moons Designs and they are not. Nor are companies like Z-Packs, or Hyperlight Mountain Gear. Most ultralight backpacking gear can be used for cycling as well. And you will seldom if ever find it for sale at a major retailer.

prathmann

I just find it more convenient to take the panniers in rather than trying to figure out in advance exactly which items I might want to have inside the tent. Only takes a few seconds to remove the panniers and put them in the tent. Then I don't need to go out in the rain to get the book I decide to read or the clothes I want on the colder than expected morning, etc.

Snuts

Reading this, I am glad it was pointed out.
Although obvious and rather simple to us who have experience touring. Some that are dreaming up their first season of touring might over look the importance of hunkering down for a "spell". Having all your stuff inside your shelter can be rather convenient.
I support a 2 person tent, what ever brand you chose.

Good luck touring. Ottawa is going to be the place to be on July 1st this year.

Hope this helps,



-Snuts-