Looking For A Good 3 Season Tent, Suggestions?

[smallmouthjoe]

Hello everyone,

I've been looking for a good 3 season tent and just wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions. I'm looking to spend around 200$, at the most, and if I'm going to spend that kind of money on a tent I want to get a good one. I'm looking for a 2 person tent that I can backpack and float with. I've been looking at eureka tents and they seem to be within my price range and looking at them on the internet they seem like good tents but I am reluctant to buy without more information. Any information on the matter would be welcome.

Thanks

[Gavin]

I'd look around at Sierra Trading Post or Campmor and see what is on sale....3 Season, probably a 3 person if you want a tight fit for two with a bit of space for gear storage. Other than that, sealed seams, and good quality aluminum poles is what you are looking for. Cheers.

[eric1978]

Stay away from Eureka and Coleman if you want a tent that will last. Look for a sale on Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardwear, or Black Diamond. North Face, Kelty, and even REI make some decent tents, too, for bargain prices.

If you'll be backpacking with your tent, quality is more critical, because better tents are lighter and designed to give you more efficient use of cubic footage from every ounce you carry.

[Gavin]

Stay away from Eureka and Coleman if you want a tent that will last. Look for a sale on Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardwear, or Black Diamond. North Face, Kelty, and even REI make some decent tents, too, for bargain prices.

If you'll be backpacking with your tent, quality is more critical, because better tents are lighter and designed to give you more efficient use of cubic footage from every ounce you carry.

Yep....my river tent is a 10-12 year old Mountain Hardware....still in pretty good shape after a couple hundred trips...might be less than a $1 each at this point. Cheers.

[jdmidwest]

Here is a similar model to the one I have used for about 10 years now and it works good for me, alone. It would not be bad if you don't have much gear and a snuggle partner. It works well in rain and wind, survived several MO thunderstorms, and does well down to 20 degrees. I have not tested it with a snow or ice load. Only downside, no venting in the summer with the rainfly on waiting out a rain. It is light and easy to set up, alum poles, and has a nice vestibule. I have a new one for the summer from Columbia now with better ventilation, but it is too heavy to pack.

LL Bean Microlight

[smallmouthjoe]

Thanks for the info guys, I'm very grateful for the advise. All the Mountain Hardware I've seen so far has been a little expense for me and my meager wage. I do want a durable and lightweight tent though so I will probably bit the bullet and pay the extra money. This last summer I camped a lot and wore out two cheap tents in about three months. I was trying to remember the name of that outdoor catalog campmor. I was searching for all kinds of names: campout, campspot, campin,,,,

I do like that LL Bean. It may be a snug fit but most of the time Ill be by myself or with a good looking blond so it's not really that big of a deal. I do what something that offers space but above all I want something I can beat the hell out of and not worry about babying.

[jdmidwest]

Thanks for the info guys, I'm very grateful for the advise. All the Mountain Hardware I've seen so far has been a little expense for me and my meager wage. I do want a durable and lightweight tent though so I will probably bit the bullet and pay the extra money. This last summer I camped a lot and wore out two cheap tents in about three months. I was trying to remember the name of that outdoor catalog campmor. I was searching for all kinds of names: campout, campspot, campin,,,,

I do like that LL Bean. It may be a snug fit but most of the time Ill be by myself or with a good looking blond so it's not really that big of a deal. I do what something that offers space but above all I want something I can beat the hell out of and not worry about babying.

The snug fit is great on winter nights, it keeps the air volume low and expired heat warms up the tent. Enough head room to set up inside and read or change.

[eric1978]

Just taking a quick look at what's available right now, this would be my recommendation...

Well within your budget, decent weight for backpacking, freestanding, fine size for just you or you and your girl, quality tent. Can't go wrong with this one at that price. It's a lot like my Sierra Designs that I paid more than $300 for many moons ago.

$150 at Campmor, $165 at REI

http://www.campmor.c...226&pageSize=24

[jah]

My wife and I bought a Big Agnes 3 person backpacking tent. It has 2 vestibules, which is amazing in terms of getting in and out without disturbing each other and storing gear. With the number of beers I consume on camping trips, it is important to have immediate access to the outdoors in the middle of the night. My wife doesn't have to deal with me stumbling all over her 5 times a night now. It is expensive, but worth every penny. She can set it up by herself in 5 minutes while I start the fire and crack open my first cold one....only has 2 poles. Good luck in your search.

Jim

[ness]

Here's the one I got a couple years ago. No complaints. It's well-made, compact, lightweight and in your price range. I've never tried it out with a good looking blond though, but I'd bet it would hold up.