Help me find a do everything 2p tent

[mrsa111]

So i'm looking for a tent, and having a really hard time getting anywhere. I would like something I can use for a bit of everything. I do a lot of summer desert and mountain camping, and would like to get into more winter/snow camping. will be using it both for backpacking and car camping.
that versatility between cold weather/snow and harsh conditions, and hot desert camping is my #1 priority. I'd like the ability to use it with a floor or not. pack size and weight are also important. weight isnt as important in winter mode if im using it with an inner compartment/floor. but if im just using the outer fly in summer, pack size and wight are much more important.

looking to fit two people. some of the tarp tent and mountain larurel designs stuff interests me. thats about as far as ive gotten.

any advice?

 

[WhileInTheWild]

So you basically want a 4 season 2 person backpacking tent, if you have an REI close by I would head there and check out their own brand and also Big Agnes. I only have experience with 3 season tents here in Houston plus usually hammock camp anyway so can't help much beyond that.

 

[blindluck]

There is no tent that would meet your criteria. There are summer tents for backpacking (lightweight) or for car camping (heavy but can stand up in them with lots of room) and winter tents for mountaineering (neither lightweight nor can stand up in them). They are all made with significantly different design criteria. I've settled on using a sil-poncho for solo summer backpacking from Integral Designs. It weighs less than a pound and I set it up with my trekking poles. For car camping, a Springbar Family Camper 7 that weighs about 80 pounds. I don't like to camp on the snow anymore so can't help you there. The only option I can consider that might work for you is actually a tipi-design made from synthetic materials. Companies like Kifaru or Seek Outside are the most well known but they are expensive and floor less. They are light, roomy, and storm-worthy (can even set them up with a stove), and can be set up to offer adequate ventilation for summer usage despite not having windows or a mesh body. If you don't want to spend that amount of money then look into the Black Diamond beta light or mega light. I don't know how they would handle a snowstorm… Most of all, I'd recommend changing your requirements and doing a lot more research.

 

[libarata]

I assume by tarp tent, you mean these folks. You can't go wrong with these folks, especially if you buy the double walled versions, http://www.tarptent.com/

 

[independent]

Expensive, but fits your criteria. Hilleberg Staika. It can be purchased a few different places that give "bonus" points to get other products free.

 

[digitaldelay]

I do a lot of summer desert and mountain camping, and would like to get into more winter/snow camping. will be using it both for backpacking and car camping.
that versatility between cold weather/snow and harsh conditions, and hot desert camping is my #1 priority.

looking to fit two people.

Sounds like a convertible tent to me...

http://www.rei.com/product/794283/rei-arete-asl-2-tent#tab-description

Jason

 

[sjz]

You're really not going to find that kind of versatility, since those are drastically different environments and thus call for drastically different designs. I guess you could go for a catch all, get a four season tent, and just make it work in the summer time, but I don't know much about 4 seasons. I am partial to Marmot tents, as they've always stood up when I needed them too.

A bit of advice I can stand behind is unless its just you camping, I would seriously consider getting a 3P or above.

 

[MotoDave]

If you're not in heavy winds or snow fall a 3 season tent works fine in winter. May have to wake up a few times and knock the snow off the fly, I've done it many times.

I'll second the recommendation for REI tents, I've had several and they are great value.

Don't understand the 'tent with no floor' concept - where I camp the bugs will eat you alive in the summer, so good luck with that.

 

[argonaut]

TarpTent Scarp 2

I have had good luck with the TarpTents, had a Double Rainbow but recently went up to a Scarp 2 for a little bit more room. If you purchase both interior options and the optional crossing poles you should be pretty close to a do it all tent.

 

[mrsa111]

I have had good luck with the TarpTents, had a Double Rainbow but recently went up to a Scarp 2 for a little bit more room. If you purchase both interior options and the optional crossing poles you should be pretty close to a do it all tent.

The scarp 2 is definitely up there on my list. I'm now leaning more towards a more 4 season friendly tent, and getting a super light tarp setup as well. from what ive read the scarp is a pretty good winter tent, and could handle the majority of my needs. and i could use whatever light tarp setup when im doing desert trips. Its also nice that the scarp is pretty damn big, which could make it nice for car camping as well when we've got a lot of stuff with us to store.

If i dont find something else soon, ill probably go with that.

 

[Christophe Noel]

Traditionally "four season" has meant, "the fourth season," or winter. Few tents work as well in July as they do in January.

 

[BillTex]

So you basically want a 4 season 2 person backpacking tent, if you have an REI close by I would head there and check out their own brand and also Big Agnes. I only have experience with 3 season tents here in Houston plus usually hammock camp anyway so can't help much beyond that.

x3
I like our BA, it is a 3 person and weighs < 5# pack weight...while it is 3 season rated...it works pretty well all year and you can use just the fly and floor for lighter packing.
The "ultra-lite" Folks will scoff at this weight...but "ultra-lite" usually mean the durability of tissue paper.
My specs were; sleep 3, vestibule, under 5# packed, and the durability to last a long time.

Some of the REI tents are classics and priced right, and their support/return policy is bonus. I would not hesitate to buy an REI tent.

 

[Ultraviolet]

Check out Black Diamond. Their single wall variety. Specifically their Ahwahnee tent. Pricy and perhaps a bit tight for two people, unless your close.. But I believe it will fit your criteria quite well.

 

[Terex]

Look at Sierra Trading Post online. If you watch the sales, you can get tremendous deals. I just bought a Marmot Midgard 2 person tent for winter camping for about $250. You could buy a proper winter tent, like the Midgard, along with a 3 season tent from Sierra for the price of one tent (that won't meet your requirements) from REI.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/al...ing~d~27-_-left-_-tents-_-121314-_-saveupto35

 

[BillTex]

Look at Sierra Trading Post online. If you watch the sales, you can get tremendous deals. I just bought a Marmot Midgard 2 person tent for winter camping for about $250. You could buy a proper winter tent, like the Midgard, along with a 3 season tent from Sierra for the price of one tent (that won't meet your requirements) from REI.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/al...ing~d~27-_-left-_-tents-_-121314-_-saveupto35

REI sale;
http://www.rei.com/product/845481/rei-half-dome-2-plus-tent