How Big is Your Tent?
#26
Senior Member
I opt for the two man with a vestibule. I am using a Coleman Heka2.
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...cking-101.html
I'm not really partial to Coleman, but they give huge discounts to BSA leaders, too huge to ignore.
Marc
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...cking-101.html
I'm not really partial to Coleman, but they give huge discounts to BSA leaders, too huge to ignore.
Marc
#27
It's true, man.
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I use an REI Quarterdome 2UL. It doesn't pack away as small as I'd like, but it's freestanding, easily pitched, pretty light, roomy for me and my stuff to lay up on a rainy day, or change clothes easily in a public campground. In a pinch it could sleep 2 people, but I wouldn't want to do that for long.
#29
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I use a coleman two person single pole tent that I got for free from my sister. I think it would be a little uncomfortable to share with anyone that you don't mind snuggling up with. Nice tent with two vestibules for gear and pretty light.
#30
afoot and lighthearted
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9 straight months of living in a Eureka Backcountry Solo. I have another 4 months to look forward to. No complaints.
#31
Cycle Dallas
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Eureka Solitaire. At two and a half pounds and $65.00, it's about as economical as they come.
#32
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The lighter, the better, up to a point. You still need enough space to be comfortable at night. I'm 6'4". I had a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight 2 that was very light, and packed small, but I couldn't quite stretch out in comfort. Then I found the Microlight 2 from L. L. Bean. It's just a little roomier than the Clip Flashlight, and not much heavier. It has proven to be perfect for me. It's big enough to be comfortable, there's enough room for me to have some clothes and stuff next to me when I sleep (I have Ortliebs so I leave them outside.) It's lightweight, and it doesn't leak.
For someone who's not so tall you could get by with something a little smaller. I love the Seedhouse 2, but it's just a few inches shorter than I'd like.
For someone who's not so tall you could get by with something a little smaller. I love the Seedhouse 2, but it's just a few inches shorter than I'd like.
#33
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I use a MHW lightpath 3p tent. it is about the same weight as lots of 2p tents.room for me and all my stuff except the bike.
#35
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For the last few seasons, the Kelty Teton 2 on the left, very similar to Gus Riley's Grand Mesa noted above but the door is on the side vs. the end. Can be had for about $100, weighs in at 4 lbs total, free standing and easy to set up, 33 sq. feet, just right for one and some stuff, too tight for two unless both are occupants are small. It has kept me bone dry in a few really nasty storms and held up well so far. No complaints to this point.
#36
afoot and lighthearted
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Having spent 12 years in Western Washington, I got used to carrying a 8X10 ripstop nylon tarp, and yes I carry it on this trip (an extra 1.5 pounds) I pitch the tarp over the tent. My tent stays almost completely dry even in the heaviest deluge. I've gone thru so much rain in the last month... I would carry the tarp with any tent. I've spent a total of about 7 days in the tent in the last 30 days (including 3 straight days) But I've also endured rain in the tent without the tarp on this trip and I had no issues
#37
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I really like this idea and I saw it in your videos on the C and O ... going to keep that in mind for my large family tent that has a crappy fly. <-not for biking
Mike
#38
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Having spent 12 years in Western Washington, I got used to carrying a 8X10 ripstop nylon tarp, and yes I carry it on this trip (an extra 1.5 pounds) I pitch the tarp over the tent. My tent stays almost completely dry even in the heaviest deluge. I've gone thru so much rain in the last month... I would carry the tarp with any tent. I've spent a total of about 7 days in the tent in the last 30 days (including 3 straight days) But I've also endured rain in the tent without the tarp on this trip and I had no issues
#39
Senior Member
REI Quarter Dome T2 plus. Two man. On short trips I take a Henessey Hammock, but on long tours I prefer the comfort and convenience of a roomy tent.
#40
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Pretty darn small. Coleman Exponent Dakota 1. It's now sold as 'Kraz 1', but as far as I can see it's the same tent. It weighs 3lb 7oz, and costs around $60. My first touring tent was an Eureka Solitaire, and then a hammock. The Eureka tent took too long to set up, for its size, because of the narrow, sticky-textures pole sleeves. The attached rainfly could not be packed separately if wet. The Coleman tent has much more headroom, clips instead of sleeves, a regular detachable rainfly, aluminum poles, and it opens at the side instead of the front, so it's a lot easier to get yourself/your gear in and out of. It's also green rather than bright orange, but it's a pretty bright, visible green. The Eureka tent seems more sturdy and waterproof, but I've been through some wicked thunder the wind storms with the Coleman, and it's never leaked.
For my upcoming tour, which is fairly open-ended and has no planned end date, I bought and Alps Mountaineering Zephyr 2 - the sage/coal colored one. As much as I like my little Coleman tent, it's too small for that kind of prolonged use. I Haven't used it enough to pass judgment, but I mostly like the look and feel of it. They most often complained about problem, a lack of a tie out on the foot of the tent, seems to have been corrected in the 2011 tents. My only real complaint now is that it seems too big with the rainfly on. How am I ever going to stealth camp in this house of a tent?
For my upcoming tour, which is fairly open-ended and has no planned end date, I bought and Alps Mountaineering Zephyr 2 - the sage/coal colored one. As much as I like my little Coleman tent, it's too small for that kind of prolonged use. I Haven't used it enough to pass judgment, but I mostly like the look and feel of it. They most often complained about problem, a lack of a tie out on the foot of the tent, seems to have been corrected in the 2011 tents. My only real complaint now is that it seems too big with the rainfly on. How am I ever going to stealth camp in this house of a tent?