Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Tents - chime in with your opinions

I am looking to purchase a new, lightweight tent. There are a lot of them out there...some of the solo tents are v. pricy. So, if anyone has opinions one way or another, please chime in. I am not in a great hurry to buy one, it's just on my list. Tent will be used for up to 4-day backpacking trips. I am just shy of 6' tall.

Thank you in advance

It would help to know a little more: what are you using it for?
Just solo? Is a bivy-tent an option? How long are the trips you anticipate?

My next purchase is a Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape. 11 oz, $135. It serves both as a rain poncho and a shelter.

Came upon a PCT hiker using one, and I was impressed. It requires a single hiking pole to hole it up, with the four corners tied so it covers you sleeping area.

If you want lightweight Tarptent and Six Moon Designs both make some nice tents under 2 pounds for 2 people, and lighter for one. Gossamer Gear also has a new one-man tent that's 17 ounces IIRC. All are available online.

I like the REI Quarter Dome T1. Weighs 2lbs/12 oz. $179
Awesome lightweight solo freestanding tent!

http://www.rei.com/product/761891

The Blackdiamond tents have worked well. They are a good compromise between lightweight and a being a full tent. A lot of the tarp based tents require that you use trekking poles. If you don't use trekking poles (like me) a tent with it's own poles is nice to have.

After being caught in 2 - multi-hour downpours, I decided tarp tents and tarps were not for me.

I have the Lighthouse (3 lbs 3 oz)- very comfortable for one, big enough for two - it's longer than the others listed below and fits me better. The extra few oz are worth it to me.

A friend bought the HiLight (2 lbs 10 oz) and really likes it.

Another friend has the FirstLight (2 lbs 11 oz).

I like the extra room the 2-man tents provide. Blackdiamond now has the OneShot which is a 2 lb 5 oz one person tent.

I also had good luck with the MegaLight (2 lbs 5oz) but liked this one more for winter when I can sculpt the floor making a very luxurious camp. It's floorless and comes with it's own center pole so it doesn't require trekking poles.

My wife and I use the 3 person REI Quarter Dome. It's a piece of cake putting up and taking down. I went this way for a little more convenience for my wife. 5 lbs (with footprint)split between 2 packs isn't bad but if you are going ultra-light, this isn't the one.

For those at or about 6', most of the 2-man tents don't cut it, unless you're able to sleep "diagonally", which for me sounds great in theory but goes down in flames within the first hour of attempted rest. I tried several on for size, but unless you don't mind your head hitting the tent wall and being subject to direct contact with interior condensation, or being right up against the temps/conditions outside the tent, I'd pay close attention to the dimensions as well as the weight. The Black Diamond "Mesa 2" features a whopping length of 92" -- very much appreciated when 6' 2" -- and weighs 4 lbs 9 oz. Sure, there are lighter ones, but I'll gladly work a little harder and pack a little more to ensure a good night's sleep.

BruinDave

I have been looking for a new solo tent too. The Black Diamond tents look great, but they are pricey. Take a look at the Eureka Spitfire and let me know what you think. It weighs just over 3 pounds, and costs less than $100.

If you want to purchase a 1-man tent, go with the MSR Hubba. I love mine. The other option could be a bivy. REI-outlet has one on sale Ive been eying. The only considering with a bivy is that is really just for sleeping - you cant really hang out or read inside very comfortably
http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/752304

There's no question that MSR and Black Diamond make excellent quality gear. The downside of their tents, however, is their prices.

I bought a Mountain Hardwear PCT 1 last year (it has since been replaced by the Sprite 1, which is very similar) and used it for the first time on the MMWT. It's well built and light (3lbs 3 oz). It's not freestanding but easy to set up. The upside of Mountain Hardwear gear - it's a bit more affordable. I see that Campmor has it on sale for $129. (My PCT 1 was listed at $150, but my brother knew someone who worked for Mountain Hardwear, so I got a new one for $75!)

Mountain Hardwear Sprite 1

I have a Eureka Solitaire 2.56 lbs. It is a 3 season tent with room for med to large guy and some room for some gear.Sets up fast and easy and is available online at Dicks Sporting Goods for $69.I am leaning towards the Tarptent http://www.tarptent.com/contrail.html

6 Moon Gateway Cape at 11oz
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=45

or a bivy for a solo trip in August.

something else for consideration, the BD Lightsabre modified bivy. I agree that a regular bivy is an acquired taste, but I find the Lightsabre is roomy, and comfortable to read it, and with a zipper bug net window, one can look outside easily, and has room inside for the pack and gear.
1#10oz (my older version is about a lb.)



http://www.bdel.com/gear/lightsabre.php

You might want to look at the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 1 Tent - I've had good luck with it. I also like my Integral Designs Unishelter Exp Bivy. The tent wins out when I'm staying in one campsite for more than one night, the mosquitoes might be bad, or the forecast looks like there might be a good amount of rain while I'm out.

I'm a Big Agnes advocate as well - I have the Seedhouse SL 2. Best tent I've ever owned (and the lightest). It's around 3 lbs, or about 2 if you go with the fast fly setup (poles, fly, footprint). It's a bit pricey - I've seen it as low as $259 including the footprint.

I won't use a fancy bivy because a real tent doesn't weigh any more:

23 ounces: Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo

39 ounces with lots of room for two: Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo

18 - 43 ounces, sleeps 1 to 3 depending on model:
Tarptent

As they say on TV, not available in stores.

Does the quoted weights on the tarp tents include the hiking pole and the stakes you need to use to set them up?

So many choices... most of these are coming on sale, too, with the end of the summer season. I've not used a bivy, and being tall, not sure I'd like that.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! It's very helpful.

I don't think so, so add 2 or 3 ounces for stakes (I like Eastons, 1/2 ounce each). I use hiking poles anyway, so there's no extra weight.

I actually have one of Ron's (Six Moon Designs) older tents that works great, 32 ounces complete for two. I haven't used any of Henry's (Tarptent) tents (yet!) but have no hesitation recommending his products as well. And they are both great guys and long distance hikers.

I am a clydesdale at 6' 5" and 250lbs. I use a Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 as I like the extra room that it offers. At approx. 4.5 lbs it is heavy relative to the other options but I think it is worth it when the weather turns bad. I think it may have the most square feet per pound then any other tent.

To each his own and afterall I am one who has to carry the load.

Look for me and my large tent next Mon-Thurs. on the main trail.

PS. At least I am not bringing all the electronic gadgets and the solar panel.