LL Bean 4-man dome. Goes up in less than 5 minutes and is big enough to allow the full sized air mattress, and my gear and me inside. Used it regularly for three years, no leaks or problems. Has that famous LLBean 100% lifetime guarantee too.
1) Me, Wife and 2 dogs, 4 seasons:
Sierra Designs
http://www.sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=1442
2) Me and 2 dogs, 3 seasons
Sierra Designs
http://www.sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=1431
3) Me, 3 seasons
http://www.integraldesigns.com/product_detail.cfm?id=729
4) Anytime any place with all the friends
http://davistent.com/davisTent/index.cfm?ID=3948CEF8-BB9E-4463-938FD2304D2CAFD9
Sierra Designs
http://www.sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=1442
2) Me and 2 dogs, 3 seasons
Sierra Designs
http://www.sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=1431
3) Me, 3 seasons
http://www.integraldesigns.com/product_detail.cfm?id=729
4) Anytime any place with all the friends
http://davistent.com/davisTent/index.cfm?ID=3948CEF8-BB9E-4463-938FD2304D2CAFD9
I love my extended three season tent from Marmot for car camping and winter back packing.
http://www.marmot.com/products/product.php?cat=tents&subcat=17&style_id=E2772
I have plans of getting a devoted back packing tent such as this Bibler Eldorado
http://www.biblertents.com/2002/itent_eldo.html
it will fit nicely on a roof rack and the door will allow you to walk up the back and in.
Rob
http://www.marmot.com/products/product.php?cat=tents&subcat=17&style_id=E2772
I have plans of getting a devoted back packing tent such as this Bibler Eldorado
http://www.biblertents.com/2002/itent_eldo.html
it will fit nicely on a roof rack and the door will allow you to walk up the back and in.
Rob
T
Tango6
Guest
I do a lot of camping on motorcycle trips. If the wife goes I have a REI Camp Dome 4. Nice tent but with 3 years under it's belt, it is getting a little worn. If it is just me or me and one son, we use a North Face Talus. Kinda cramped for two though. Just bought a North Face Rock 22. Doesn't seem to be as rugged as the Talus, but I got it on sale at the PX. Half off their normally price so it was only $57. They had two but only one was marked down. I tried to get both for 1/2 price but in their usual customer friendly manner-no dice. Anyone here with experience shopping in an AAFES facility will know what I mean.
When it comes to tents, you should get the best you can afford. In my experience there is a big difference in department store tents vs. high end tents.
When it comes to tents, you should get the best you can afford. In my experience there is a big difference in department store tents vs. high end tents.
Yup. I betcha that Marmot and my Sierra will last the rest of my life if well cared for.
There is also a great tent manufacture in SLC, UT.
http://www.kirkhams.com/index.html
They have done a lot of lightweight customization of my tents. For example zip-in liners over mesh portions and such. They do excellent work and have some really good tents too, they just do not make lightweight versions.
There is also a great tent manufacture in SLC, UT.
http://www.kirkhams.com/index.html
They have done a lot of lightweight customization of my tents. For example zip-in liners over mesh portions and such. They do excellent work and have some really good tents too, they just do not make lightweight versions.
These two do it for everything and everywhere I go.
http://cdn.llbean.com/products/sporting_gear_apparel/36548/images/M36548_Sea_Grass.jpg
http://www.eurekatent.com/images/tent/cen/k2.jpg
best of both worlds,l in my view.
the microlight really is rugged, have had it six years, its only stretched a bit, but its been in a monsoon in Haleakala National Park on Maui, for 40 hours.
no comment needed for the eureka, it tough, and hold up in Maine winters.
Mark
http://cdn.llbean.com/products/sporting_gear_apparel/36548/images/M36548_Sea_Grass.jpg
http://www.eurekatent.com/images/tent/cen/k2.jpg
best of both worlds,l in my view.
the microlight really is rugged, have had it six years, its only stretched a bit, but its been in a monsoon in Haleakala National Park on Maui, for 40 hours.
no comment needed for the eureka, it tough, and hold up in Maine winters.
Mark
Well, I have one,
It's a Mountain Hardware PCT I. Damn good build quality, but I've only really used it once, and that time it was simply because since I spent all that money, it'd be a shame to never use it.
I sleep in the truck with the driver door open and my feet on the window sill when I'm wheeling. Otherwise, I just find a clear spot and crash with my head on my jacket. I bring only smokes and a camel back when I venture on foot, it'd be kind of stupid to lug a tent around.
Cheers,
Kennith
It's a Mountain Hardware PCT I. Damn good build quality, but I've only really used it once, and that time it was simply because since I spent all that money, it'd be a shame to never use it.
I sleep in the truck with the driver door open and my feet on the window sill when I'm wheeling. Otherwise, I just find a clear spot and crash with my head on my jacket. I bring only smokes and a camel back when I venture on foot, it'd be kind of stupid to lug a tent around.
Cheers,
Kennith
I'm leaning into the tents used in the previous G4 Challenge. I believe it doesn't utilize shock corded poles, rather the poles lock at certain points and in my opinion was based on the principle as that of the umbrella or those folding food net (domes). The manufacturer is Khyam in UK. http://www.khyam.co.uk
bruinlad said:
Yep - the autofolding Khyams aren't bad at all and were (last time I looked was 95) pretty good value for money. It really depends what you are looking for in a tent 2/3 season or 4+ season.
Not sure I would go with them for anything 4+ season (do they even make a 4 season tent).
But for anything 2/3 season they are reliable and easy to setup. As far as I remember we don't get them in the US. Same thing goes for Vango?Force Ten tents - these aren't availabe. Used to have an old Vango force 10 - Great tent - bomb proof plus is probably the best way to describe it.
On the Eurekas - I have a K2XT that withstood a decent winter storm in thunderstorm junction NH - great tents - and really good value for money.
Hope that helps
Jeff
Mountain Hardware Trango 3.1 - Winter camping/snowshoeing; spring/fall camping w/o rainfly
This tent is amazing. Breathes incredibly well for a 4 season tent. Basically it is a modern replacement for the North Face VE25 (Better use of space).
Marmot Bivy sack - solo hiking trips (1.5 lbs)
High Sierra 2 person 3 season tent - summer only - (1.8 lbs) - mosquito netting roof - rainfly that breathes horribly
This tent is amazing. Breathes incredibly well for a 4 season tent. Basically it is a modern replacement for the North Face VE25 (Better use of space).
Marmot Bivy sack - solo hiking trips (1.5 lbs)
High Sierra 2 person 3 season tent - summer only - (1.8 lbs) - mosquito netting roof - rainfly that breathes horribly
D
DiscoII
Guest
North Face Rock 22 for solo trips or with my son.
REI base camp 6 for the family.
Both tents are easy to pitch and are rated for 3 season use.
REI base camp 6 for the family.
Both tents are easy to pitch and are rated for 3 season use.
I have used a North Face, not even sure the model, for the last 10 years. It is one of the 4 season tents so not very good airflow in the summer, but it's been around the world and back and still no tears, packs up small and sleeps me and my lady comfortably.
North Face
I just bought another tent last week from North Face. Being I have a 10 month old and two labs to stuff in a tent I needed something bigger. We used the tent over the 4th weekend. I really like it. The material is really thick and durable. Being it's a 3.5 season tent it got pretty hot inside.
North Face Trail Head 8
I just bought another tent last week from North Face. Being I have a 10 month old and two labs to stuff in a tent I needed something bigger. We used the tent over the 4th weekend. I really like it. The material is really thick and durable. Being it's a 3.5 season tent it got pretty hot inside.
North Face Trail Head 8
montanablur said:
Sounds like the VE25. It is *the* tent that set a new standard in mountaineering and years after its introduction is still a very popular tent. Their are a few newer tents that improve on the use of space and offer a little bit better airflow, but having an old well used VE25 is almost a badge of honor among many mountaineers.
Nice tent.--Craig
I have been useing a Mountain Hardware skyview 2 for about 10 years now, its was way to heavy to backpack with but the extra room came in nice having the two labs sleeping inside. I will hate to see it go, it has been on hell of a tent
craig said:Sounds like the VE25. It is *the* tent that set a new standard in mountaineering and years after its introduction is still a very popular tent. Their are a few newer tents that improve on the use of space and offer a little bit better airflow, but having an old well used VE25 is almost a badge of honor among many mountaineers.
--Craig
Exactly what it is... Spent many a night on Rainier, Hood, Montana Mountains...
B
Black Dog
Guest
Right Bri and Rob Davison, can't go wrong with Marmot. I have the Marmot Loft which is a 3 season similar (I think) to Rob's there. Don't buy without looking at Marmot. A nice feature is that they come in this amber color that stands out very well in the snow and casts a warm glow inside. Like Bri said, they make quality gear all the way around. I have lots of Marmot (& TNF) gear. Moosejaw.com is a good place for gear like this.
In gerneral though, taped seams, light weight, ease of setup, adequate ventilation, and multiple doors are some features to look for.
In gerneral though, taped seams, light weight, ease of setup, adequate ventilation, and multiple doors are some features to look for.
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