Tent Recommendations

[ttora4runner]

Keep the suggestions coming.

 

[ttora4runner]

Anyone have a REI Taj 3 or a Mountain Hardware tent?

 

[Ruined Adventures]

Have you looked into Big Agnes tents?

I have the Copper Spur UL2 and we don't regret the investment. It's under 4lbs and packs down so small that it's not a pain to carry-on thru the airport. We feel it has the best compromise between ventilation and privacy when you're not using the rainfly. Fantastic for stargazing too! For an ultralight tent, it's got plenty of room for two people (a little crammed with two dogs added) and there's a door and vestibule on each side for those late night calls of the wild.

Big Agnes has some really quality tents and sleeping pads, you should check them out...

 

[NOCIBUR]

I have the Copper Spur UL2 and we don't regret the investment. It's under 4lbs and packs down so small that it's not a pain to carry-on thru the airport. We feel it has the best compromise between ventilation and privacy when you're not using the rainfly. Fantastic for stargazing too! For an ultralight tent, it's got plenty of room for two people (a little crammed with two dogs added) and there's a door and vestibule on each side for those late night calls of the wild.

Big Agnes has some really quality tents and sleeping pads, you should check them out...

X2 On the Copper Spur. I have the 1 and 2 person Copper Spur. Great for backpacking and car (Jeep) camping.

 

[ttora4runner]

Well, I just picked up a Kelty Grand Mesa 4, 3 season tent off of ebay. Couldn't find a 3.5-4 season tent in my budget range.

There are some really nice tents out there :drool: but I'm on a budget and this one should fit my needs and maybe a future one :sombrero:.


Looked at Nemo, MSR, Big Agnes, REI, Kelty, Black Diamond, North Face and Eureka.

 

[Ozarker]

Not many NorthFace fans here....hmmmm? I agree that REI has a good one and Kelty Grand Mesa probably the best sq ft for the money. I have the Eureka and it's a good one, but still too small for me.

 

[Squatchout]

Couple of mentions of a CHEAP tent here. For those folks I've been pretty happy with my Eureka Tetragon. It's a 3 season dome you can stand up in or in my case use a couple of cots in. Too much screen on the sides for extended stays in cold weather. Fine for casual weekends and easy to set up. The fly can be used with the poles alone for a beach cabana but I've never tried it. They come in several sizes and Campmor has a nice selection.
It packs up pretty small. A couple of weeks ago.

 

[Bighead]

I would like to add another tent to your list of what to look at! We at Equipt Expedition Outfitters just added a ground tent line from South Africa called Campmor tents. It is sold under various names throughout South Africa and Australia and billed as one of the toughest tents in the world. Here is a youtube link to a high wind test of 75 Hennie Bows setup in Australia:

I would like more info on this one.

 

[K2ZJ]

I have 3 Eureka tents and love them all, they dont make my model anymore. I also have a newer Browning Obsidian GEO Dome and I don't like it nearly as much, It has a weird door/fly design. If possible, get in and out of the tent several times and stand up in it. Think about ease of setup and take down.

 

[mikelite80]

We went thru 3 tents last year. Luckily REI's return policy is AMAZING when we returned an REI brand and a Kelty. They were both dome style with different problems. I had high hopes for the Kelty between the brand and the $300 price, but it was worse then any other tent I ever owned.

We ended the season with a Coleman Instant Tent. Only got to use it once but LOVED it! Cabin style so lots of room to stand and move around. The easy up features are amazing as well. Might not pack down to the smallest thing ever but the pluses far out weigh that.

 

[tyler93]

My Vote: Kirkhams Springbar. Fantastic showroom in SLC where you can walk through every model. I am saving coins for the Vagabond 7. Made in USA and it will be around for decades unlike the disposable tents bought at the local mart. My .02. Rant over.

 

[dirty Bakers]

We are using theturbo tent.http://www.campingcomfortably.com/black-pine-sports-pine-deluxe-4-4-person-tent.html

 

[net4n6]

I bought Turbo Tent, Sports Pine View model. I did a trial set it up in my living room. It is not a free standing tent. You have to stake it down. I have wood floor in my living room so the tent never stood up correctly. For tent material and pole joints, I am not too font on it.

I returned the turbo tent and got REI Kingdom 6 (2nd Kingdom 6). REI just came out the Kingdom 6 garage. You can add it to your tent and you have a GIGANTIC palace.

PS: dirty Bakers' tent (above) has better material than the one I tested (green color).

 

[expdtnoffroad]

I have personally used a selection of Bibler (Black Diamond) tents for years.
For light, rugged, serious 4 season you won't ever go wrong with a BD Ahwahnee. It's a very versatile and reliable single wall tent.

Hillenberg is another fine option. There is probably no other tent on earth that is more known for serious mountaineering.

I currently have my eye set on an Exped Venus III DLX Plus for family camping. Exped is seriously great stuff. We picked the line up in the fall and love it!



I have also had great experience with Nemo, Mountain Hardware, MSR, and Big Agnes. I'm not too fond of REI though.

-Jim

 

[barlowrs]

I now have a Kodiak canvas (like springbar) and love it! It is very good quality (not made in USA, so some ppl may frown on it), with more room than I know what to do with! (Especially, if my gf doesn’t go on a trip and I am alone in a 10x10 mansion!

I also have my old REI Base Camp 6 (used 3 times) for sale if anyone around the area is looking for one, PM me.