2 person tent

Nighthiker · Post by **Nighthiker** » May 27 2002 7:56 pm

I would like to add another tent to my gear. It would need to be rated three season and have a good rain fly, aluminium frame, two person and suitable for backpacking. Primary purpose is for camping during the monsoon season (I'm optimistic). If you have ever camped on Mt. Peeley, Ord, Pinal Peak; the wind can be quite strong and it can rains sideways. A friend suggested the Eureka Rainier II.

jeremy77777 · Post by **jeremy77777** » May 28 2002 2:08 am

Whats really fun is when you're up on Pinal and lightning strikes not one, but two diffrent trees right next to you! 8O

jeremy77777 · Post by **jeremy77777** » May 28 2002 2:09 am

Eureka always makes good tents. I have one myself. But I rarely use tents

Randy · Post by **Randy** » May 28 2002 10:52 am

Models change from year to year; I'm always a year behind. I have not been disappointed with Mountain Hardwear. I have a 1 1/2 person lightweight model of theirs and a 4 season as well. The company was started by the former CEO of North Face, who stole a number of people from both North Face and Sierra Designs; which is why MHW tents look like a hybrid of the two other firms. They originated several new improvements of their own as well. I would also look at North Face, Sierra Designs, and Moss. MSR, the stove and water filter people have just beguun making tents, dunno how good they are, but its a good company generally, with a high quality tradition. Bibler makes very very nice single wall tents which have a semi-permeable ptfe membrane (e.g. "goretex"). This really lowers the weight, but bring your wallet!

In my opinion Eureka lost ground back in the early 80's after they and Camp Trails were bought out by a larger company. It was noticeable because this was just the time when other companies were turning up the R&D--and the prices-- several notches. Maybe Eureka was trying to hang on to the "value priced' market niche that everybody else was leaving. It seems that the last several years they are pushing it up a bit; but I'm not familiar with their current offerings.

Since the competition is fierce, each maker is constantly revising their line with new features. This means that "last year's models" can often be found at the discounters like REIoutlet.com, Northern Mountain Supply, Bent Gate Mountaineering, and Sierra Trading Post. These folks are usually very good about returns.

There are a number of personal choice issues like the eternal conflict between weight and strength, extra peak height for those of us who have trouble getting our pants on while laying flat, number of doors, vestibules, and whether of not it matches the color scheme of the rest of your gear.

The above companies all have websites (I think Black Diamond owns Bibler now) with full spec sheets. -Randy

Larry Bolton · Post by **Larry Bolton** » May 28 2002 12:54 pm

I have the Coleman Inyo 2 man 3 season tent. It is very small but:
it weighs 4lb
the fly goes all the way to the ground (unlike dome tents)
has 2 doors
has 2 small vestibules, 4.5 sq ft
I'm 6' 3" and I fit! along with my son whose 5' 10"
cost is under $100

I do find that the ventilation isn't the best - some condensation

check out Backpacker mag Gear Guide for more ideas

jeremy77777 · Post by **jeremy77777** » May 28 2002 5:19 pm

Colman always makes good stuff! I should have invested in their stock. I keep them in business enough as I'm sure many of you do

olesma · Post by **olesma** » May 31 2002 11:03 am

One of my favorite tents of all time is the Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight. That little bad boy wieghs in at just over 2 lbs. I have had 2 - and the only reason I got rid of the first one was because someone offered to buy it for $100 (I paid $110 for it). So that basically meant a new tent for me.

I have had North Face, Walrus, Coleman, Sierra Designs, Kealty and REI brand tents (and worked with a few others that escape my memory) so far the best overall perfornace (weight, size, sturdiness, ease of setup, comfort, rainproofness, quality of construction) has usually come form Sierra Designs tents.

My Clip Flashlight has withstood 70MPH winds and a 3 day downpour - not a glitch to speak of. Good tent.

Nighthiker · Post by **Nighthiker** » May 31 2002 2:29 pm

Coleman tents have served me well, I carry the Sundome in my vehicles. In high winds (during a thunderstorm) they bend and make a loud slap which wakes me and then I will close the windows. Overnighters with a pack I have just been using a tarp. One think I noted while looking I noted most tents had gaudy colors and I prefer earthtones.

BoyNhisDog · Post by **BoyNhisDog** » May 31 2002 3:25 pm

olesma wrote:One of my favorite tents of all time is the Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight. That little bad boy wieghs in at just over 2 lbs
My Clip Flashlight has withstood 70MPH winds and a 3 day downpour - not a glitch to speak of. Good tent.

That is good to hear. I have been researching these things for quite some time and settled on this tent. I have had it for a month but have not tried it yet. Generally I take my lady and dogs, so the one person will not see as much use. I do have a trip planned soon where it will. You are speaking of the one person tent here Olesma?

I am going to get the 2 or 3 person version too. I liked the situp room and the very protective fly. I got in a Tripod bivy but that was very hard to get in and out of and it immediately felt stuffy. Not the Clip Flashlight though. It felt roomy and had good ventilation. The big side door make entry easy too.

olesma · Post by **olesma** » May 31 2002 4:01 pm

Let's just make sure we're talking about the same thing. This is the tent that I used and abused for years:

http://www.sierradesigns.com/cgi-bin/dr ... t_showflat

One that I want to get before too long is this one:

http://www.sierradesigns.com/cgi-bin/dr ... t_showflat

Although that one isn't quite long enough for my 6' 4" frame - so I'll probably go with the 3 man version.

In all actuality, they have a number of tents I would like to get, but I liked those two - the Flashlight for lightweight 3 season, and the Nightwatch for those rare times when I knew I was going to catch some NASTY weather - or just wanted a little more room and didn't mind the extra weight.

Yes, I am a big Sierra Designs fan. They are easy to set up, and take down (record time for the Clip Flashlight was in 40 seconds), they're about the lightest thing out there , they're well ventilated (excellent for Arizona weather), and as I said before, they can take a good beating no problem. You do, however have to take the time to seal the rain-fly. They don't do it at the factory, so take some time (if you haven't already) and get it good and sealed (forget the brush they include and just use the old digits).

I personally found it a little tight for 2 people, but then I'm just about 1 and a half people myself (not in width, but certainly in height). I'd say it was just perfect for a dude and his dog.

Man, I miss backpacking treks - haven't done one of more than a night or two for years. Can't wait for my son to get old enough to go with me.

BoyNhisDog · Post by **BoyNhisDog** » May 31 2002 5:17 pm

The Clip Flashlight is what I have for a one person tent (which I will use on an upcoming trip with a rowdy group expedition) and I will get it in a three person size too.

This is it without the fly as you indicated. One of the things that sold me was the good fly not to mention the low weight overall and the other features I mentioned.

Thank you very much for the tip on sealing the fly. I will do that this weekend. I like your choice on a nasty weather tent but I think I'll stick with the Clip Flashlight 3-person for now.

That's a good looking lad you have there. My daughter spent her first night out when she was 5 months old. My son was about that age when we started him too. My long range backpacking had to go on hold for a few years as I didn't want to burn them out at an early age with too much mileage. Watching them explore the world was enough. Now they are gone and on thier own and I am back to doing my crazy trips. My lady is a strong hiker and loves adventure so I'm all set.

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » May 31 2002 9:11 pm

I would also recommend the Sierra Designs...not from personal use but rather from checking out what others use...I noticed a lot of "outdoor" people with a Sierra clip....

I have been using an REI product for a couple of years now and am very happy...it's the Convert Mountain...3 season..converts to 4 season, AWESOME fly...two entries...I can share more if interested, otherwise, check it out... http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/P ... br=9320651

BoyNhisDog · Post by **BoyNhisDog** » Jun 01 2002 12:57 pm

The one person version (Sierra Designs) is called the Light Year CD and looks like this. I looked at so many tents that I forgot it's name was different from the 2 person model.

The trail weight (without stuff sacks and stakes) is 2lb 15oz, the trail weight of the 2 person Clip Flashlight is 3lb 13oz and the 3 person model is 4lb 13oz.

I really like this series.

MtnGeek · Post by **MtnGeek** » Jun 01 2002 1:07 pm

I really like the North Face. One of my freinds in Flagstaff owns one. I took it to both the Grand Canyon and Colorado. The design he has, has two doors. It makes it easy to get up in the middle of the night without bothering your partner much. The fly is large. We kept our clothes and shoes outside in the under the fly in the rain in Colorado. Everything was dry in the morning. Since you can store everything under the fly it makes the tent more roomier. The fly sticks out a good 2 feet or more from the tent.

Post by **Peter Kosednar** » Jun 01 2002 3:40 pm

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Post by **Peter Kosednar** » Jun 09 2002 6:18 am

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MaryPhyl · Post by **MaryPhyl** » Jun 09 2002 6:27 am

How much does it weigh?

2 person tent

2 person tent

two person tent

lightness counts

Re: lightness counts

2 Person Tent