Any campers here? need tent recommendations

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N

NTB

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2001
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UPDATE: After going back and forth for a while, I think I've narrowed it down to these two: Mountain Hardwear Lightwedge 3 or The North Face Altus 33.

The MH tent is only a two-pole tent, but it's bigger (almost a foot wider at the end), and looks like it would be better ventilated (more screening and clips rather than sleeves for the poles.).

The TNF tent, on the other hand would probably stand up a little better in bad weather, thanks to the extra full-length pole. Not something I *intend* on camping in, but it happens anyway :p

In both cases, I could go with a 2-man version to save a little money - but are these actually *big enough* for two people? Sometimes I swear they measure these things using little kids...

and on a side note: am I the only one who thinks this, this, and this are all the same tent? (cosmetic differences aside, of course)

Nate
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,395
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eureka timberline > all

i could assemble one blindfolded
 
quakefiend420

quakefiend420

Lifer
Aug 26, 2004
14,685
1
76
get a fridge box and a tarp...you'll be the envy of any homeless people that happen to wander near your campsite
 
N

Nomada

Banned
Apr 27, 2005
967
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MSR makes good tents. If you go real cheap then Scotchguard the bejesus out of it.
 
ktehmok

ktehmok

Diamond Member
Aug 4, 2001
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Sportsmans Guide has a huge collection. I bought one there a few years ago. It's now my back-up to my back-up tent.
If you buy anything over $99 with a credit card you can split it up into 4 payments. Walmart is a good place also.

For the budget you have you can get a huge ass tent. As long as you take care of it and used a seam sealant, it will last you for years.

If you're getting a tent for 2 people, get a 9'W x 9'L x 6'H, for about $60-70 and spend the rest on other camping goodies....You can never have too much camping stuff :)

edit: I wouldn't get an aluminum pole tent. The fiberglass poles are just as light & will withstand much more punishment. The dome tent I mentioned withstood a foot of heavy snow without breaking. An aluminum pole tent would have collapsed and have been rendered worthless. Plus, when & if a fiber pole breaks, just tape it up & keep on campin.
 
IronWing

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,382
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
eureka timberline > all

i could assemble one blindfolded
Click to expand...

Agree, for anything but backpacking the Timberline is great. Get the guide version as it is more durable.

For backpacking blow the big bucks and get a North Face.
 
J

JACKHAMMER

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,870
0
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Originally posted by: ktehmok
Sportsmans Guide has a huge collection. I bought one there a few years ago. It's now my back-up to my back-up tent.
If you buy anything over $99 with a credit card you can split it up into 4 payments. Walmart is a good place also.

For the budget you have you can get a huge ass tent. As long as you take care of it and used a seam sealant, it will last you for years.

If you're getting a tent for 2 people, get a 9'W x 9'L x 6'H, for about $60-70 and spend the rest on other camping goodies....You can never have too much camping stuff :)

edit: I wouldn't get an aluminum pole tent. The fiberglass poles are just as light & will withstand much more punishment. The dome tent I mentioned withstood a foot of heavy snow without breaking. An aluminum pole tent would have collapsed and have been rendered worthless. Plus, when & if a fiber pole breaks, just tape it up & keep on campin.
Click to expand...



Not to be an a$$, but disregard eveything this man just said. Thank you come again.
 
N

NTB

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2001
5,179
0
0
Originally posted by: JACKHAMMER
Originally posted by: ktehmok
Sportsmans Guide has a huge collection. I bought one there a few years ago. It's now my back-up to my back-up tent.
If you buy anything over $99 with a credit card you can split it up into 4 payments. Walmart is a good place also.

For the budget you have you can get a huge ass tent. As long as you take care of it and used a seam sealant, it will last you for years.

If you're getting a tent for 2 people, get a 9'W x 9'L x 6'H, for about $60-70 and spend the rest on other camping goodies....You can never have too much camping stuff :)

edit: I wouldn't get an aluminum pole tent. The fiberglass poles are just as light & will withstand much more punishment. The dome tent I mentioned withstood a foot of heavy snow without breaking. An aluminum pole tent would have collapsed and have been rendered worthless. Plus, when & if a fiber pole breaks, just tape it up & keep on campin.
Click to expand...


Not to be an a$$, but disregard eveything this man just said. Thank you come again.
Click to expand...

already did :p

Nate
 
Slacker

Slacker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,623
33
91
F@cking Campers! :| I hate 'em, I usually take 'em out with the rail gun and torment them 'til they leave the server :D
 
Amdiggidy

Amdiggidy

Senior member
Jan 26, 2005
911
0
76
Real equipment can be had from a variety of places. You can always read the reviews on last year's best stuff and look for it at closeout or discount stores.

From your description I would recommend exactly what I have: North Face Cumulus.

It's a 3 person, has 3 equal-length aluminum poles, free-standing, 2 doors, 2 vestibules, full fly, lightweight. Best space to weight ratio (including vestibules) I could find. Can be had for $200-ish since they stopped making it 3 years ago. 50 nights and counting in all conditions known to man. GREAT tent.

For other opinions check out outdoorreview.com

hope this helps
 
N

NTB

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2001
5,179
0
0
Originally posted by: Slacker
F@cking Campers! :| I hate 'em, I usually take 'em out with the rail gun and torment them 'til they leave the server :D
Click to expand...

wrong kinda camping :p

Nate
 
N

NTB

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2001
5,179
0
0
Originally posted by: Amdiggidy
Real equipment can be had from a variety of places. You can always read the reviews on last year's best stuff and look for it at closeout or discount stores.

From your description I would recommend exactly what I have: North Face Cumulus.

It's a 3 person, has 3 equal-length aluminum poles, free-standing, 2 doors, 2 vestibules, full fly, lightweight. Best space to weight ratio (including vestibules) I could find. Can be had for $200-ish since they stopped making it 3 years ago. 50 nights and counting in all conditions known to man. GREAT tent.

For other opinions check out outdoorreview.com

hope this helps
Click to expand...

Sounds great. Haven't seen the cumulus anywhere, but I was looking at the '04 and '05 Talus. Other options would be the Mountain Hardware Lightwedge 3 or the Eureka Apex 3 XT.

Nate
 
G

GoSharks

Diamond Member
Nov 29, 1999
3,053
0
76
who knocked off who can be debated :p

Keep in mind REI's excellent return/satisfaction policy.
 
J

JACKHAMMER

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,870
0
76
I will second buying from REI, their policies are great. I have heard very good things about the half dome 2. I personally have a mountain hardwear Hammerhead - and love it. It is decent size for a 2 man, and sets up in five minutes.
 
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