2 Person Backpacking Tent Recommendation

[The Warrior]

Title pretty much says it all. Wife and I are starting to get into backpacking/hiking. I was looking to purchase a 2 person tent in the $200 area. I know many are way more expensive than that. I was looking at the Big Agnes Lynx Pass, and the North Face Rock 22 Bx. I also like the looks of the MSR Hubba Hubba, although it's a bit more expensive. I was looking at a 3 season. Anyone with experience have any recommendations? Thanks.

BTW, I don't care for bright colors too much.

Big Agnes Lynx Pass:

North Face Rock 22 BX:

 

[fmajor007]

Another component to consider is how much weight do you want to carry...... aka how much distance you want to cover? The MSR Hubba Bubba has been around for a long time and is a proven design. With backpacking gear "Big Three" items (tent, sleeping bags, backpack) ya get what ya pay for....

 

[The Warrior]

Another component to consider is how much weight do you want to carry...... aka how much distance you want to cover? The MSR Hubba Bubba has been around for a long time and is a proven design. With backpacking gear "Big Three" items (tent, sleeping bags, backpack) ya get what ya pay for....

3-5lb range would be nice. We were going to go more than likely in the spring. I know it may be rainy, but we wanted to go in warmer weather, as inexperienced hikers. Wouldn't need heavy sleeping bags. We were thinking about doing part of the River to River Trail, in the Shawnee National Forest.

 

[Nickelsig229]

I use the REI half dome 2 Plus. It's probably a pound or two heavier then what your planning on, but it really is a great tent for 2 people.

 

[Mossyhorn]

The Snugpak Scorpion 2 is a great 2 person tent. The pack weight including,stakes, guys,poles, inner tent and stuff sack is just under 6lbs.

 

[idaho]

3-5lb range would be nice. We were going to go more than likely in the spring. I know it may be rainy, but we wanted to go in warmer weather, as inexperienced hikers. Wouldn't need heavy sleeping bags. We were thinking about doing part of the River to River Trail, in the Shawnee National Forest.

It will be hard to fit under 5lb.
6 lb is a standard weight for 2 person tent. Anything over - is to much.
Look for alu poles, and if possible - for poles going in OUTER shell.
It works much better in rain - the inner shell wont get wet when setting the tent.

 

[Mikel_24]

For good weather a 2 person tent is enough for 2 person. In foul weather (rain, snow, etc) a 2 person tent gets pretty crowded. I would sugest you look into the ligthest 3 person tents also. I do have an old model Ferrino StarDust and I couldn't be happier. For 2 is a palace, for three is tight but enough.

Mikel

 

[timos-]

Mountain Hardware has some great designs...Kelty has all the good features at less expensive prices.

http://www.kelty.com/p-495-grand-mesa-2.aspx?category=tents-shelters

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/LightPath%E2%84%A2-3/OU9607,default,pd.html

edit: MH will be my next tent. Ive had my Kelty Grand Mesa for a few years now. Easy to setup and solid in the rain. Any of these light aluminum pole designs you should carry some sort of repair kit. Ive snapped the poles (fell on tent) so I carry a 4 inch piece of pipe to make em still work.

 

[The Warrior]

Thanks for the heads up guys, appreciated.

The Snugpak Scorpion 2 is a great 2 person tent. The pack weight including,stakes, guys,poles, inner tent and stuff sack is just under 6lbs.

I was just checking that one out last night. Nice looking tent.

For good weather a 2 person tent is enough for 2 person. In foul weather (rain, snow, etc) a 2 person tent gets pretty crowded. I would sugest you look into the ligthest 3 person tents also. I do have an old model Ferrino StarDust and I couldn't be happier. For 2 is a palace, for three is tight but enough.

Mikel

Good point. I'm 6'2", 265 lbs. Probably a good idea to get a bit bigger tent. I also like the idea of a dual door tent. Seems like it would make it a bit easier to access.

 

[soapboxpreacher]

For good weather a 2 person tent is enough for 2 person. In foul weather (rain, snow, etc) a 2 person tent gets pretty crowded. I would sugest you look into the ligthest 3 person tents also. I do have an old model Ferrino StarDust and I couldn't be happier. For 2 is a palace, for three is tight but enough.

Mikel

He is right on the money with this. Whatever the tent is rated for people wise subtract one. For most you cannot keep your gear inside. Not to mention it is tight and if someone needs to get out at night, they will more or less wake the other up in the process trying to get out. I like having the extra room inside for my/our gear in the event it rains. Some flys have vests but they don't keep bugs and crawlers out. 3-5 lb 2-3 person tent will be costly and hard to find. If you can swing it there are some decent ones out there but you will pay for it. Check this site out. Has the grand list of capacity, size, season and even price.

http://www.tenpoundbackpack.com/gear-lists/tents

 

[Nickelsig229]

I use the REI HD 2+ for all the reasons mentioned. It's longer which allows my 6'5 xxxl frame to fit my 90L pack at my feet without my head or feet touching anything. It's wide enough that I can lay beside my cousin, 6'3 xxxl body size and not touch each other. It says its 6.5 lbs, it was probably closer to 7.25 but I've swapped out some of the packaging, stakes and extra's that weren't needed, added a footprint, and come in at 6.2 lbs. I could shave more weight off if I upgraded to lighter weight poles but then I'd spend the 400 bucks on a new tent.

Double doors, vestibule under rainfly if you need more room then what is in the tent, which I don't but I like to leave my shoes out of the tent, especially when muddy. There is enough room that I can sit up in the tent, and the doors are large so getting in an out doesn't feel like I'm crawling in a cocoon.

[video=youtube;akD0Z5D4XRM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akD0Z5D4XRM[/video]

 

[diced]

Hard to beat a Eureka Timberline for the price and features but a bit cozy with 2 plus gear. They have been around a long time I have had good luck with mine. Always dry and sturdy in a stiff wind storms etc.

I am in the market for a good light and compact hiking sleeping bag what do you have or are planning on there? I am looking at a 20 degree rating

 

[direstrats220]

all these tents coming in at 5+ lbs...

I use an MSR hubba hubba that I got at a scratch n dent sale at REI for $100. about 4.5 lbs, packs down small, great design with 2 vestibules and 2 entrances, sets up in a flash, and easy to stake down. Second only to preparedness, reducing weight is the single largest variable in making your backpacking trip enjoyable.

 

[direstrats220]

Hard to beat a Eureka Timberline for the price and features but a bit cozy with 2 plus gear. They have been around a long time I have had good luck with mine. Always dry and sturdy in a stiff wind storms etc.

I am in the market for a good light and compact hiking sleeping bag what do you have or are planning on there? I am looking at a 20 degree rating

for a 20 degree rating, you cant go wrong with a mountain hardwear lamina 20. packs into its compression sack down to the size of a nalgene. I've slept in it in nothing but a pair of wool socks and some underwear in 15 degree weather and I was quite comfortable.

 

[diced]

for a 20 degree rating, you cant go wrong with a mountain hardwear lamina 20. packs into its compression sack down to the size of a nalgene. I've slept in it in nothing but a pair of wool socks and some underwear in 15 degree weather and I was quite comfortable.

Thanks was hoping to keep it around 120 but for an extra few bucks it looks good I was mainly focusing on Kelty, Eureka etc and they looked good but were a bit smaller (my shoulders are broad so I dont want to be too tight.

On the tents Warrior have you considered 2 hammocks. I almost quit using a tent on hikes just due to the weight and I sleep sooo much better in the hammock.

 

[nicholases]

My girlfriend and I used an REI passage 2 tent for a 7 day trip in the Rockies this summer. Got rained on every day and all our stuff stayed perfectly dry. My 2 brothers came as well and they used a Eureka 2 person tent. It was a very similar design to the passage 2 but they had some problems with leaking. I think the passage 2 is a good entry level tent but I'm looking to get something a little bigger so I can bring my dog next time.

 

[gmoneyluv]

Hey Warrior,

I've tested all the tents you've mentioned in your list. They are all a solid options. I think what you should consider is interior volume and stormworthyness. Truth is it's hard to get more of any of these qualities without an increase in weight.

 

[wildmanh]

I've been using an Alps Mountaineering Mystique 2 Light weight tent for the last 8+ years. Street price is less then $200 [MSRP $219.99], Weights a little over 5 pounds, sleeps 2, has 2 nice vestibules and the current color seems to be tan with Orange highlights. Mine is Blue. I'm 6'4" tall and I have plenty of head and foot room.

It has two potential draw backs, #1, it must be staked down [IE Not free standing] and #2 it's not rectangular. If you can live with those two items, It's a great tent!! Mine has held up great over the years. Stake it down properly and it handles strong wind and rain just fine! The Zephyr 2 by Alps is it's almost Rectangle counter part. The tent weights less then 5 pounds and costs less then $200 [MSRP: $199.99]

 

[The Warrior]

Thanks everyone, appreciated.

I use the REI HD 2+ for all the reasons mentioned. It's longer which allows my 6'5 xxxl frame to fit my 90L pack at my feet without my head or feet touching anything. It's wide enough that I can lay beside my cousin, 6'3 xxxl body size and not touch each other. It says its 6.5 lbs, it was probably closer to 7.25 but I've swapped out some of the packaging, stakes and extra's that weren't needed, added a footprint, and come in at 6.2 lbs. I could shave more weight off if I upgraded to lighter weight poles but then I'd spend the 400 bucks on a new tent.

Double doors, vestibule under rainfly if you need more room then what is in the tent, which I don't but I like to leave my shoes out of the tent, especially when muddy. There is enough room that I can sit up in the tent, and the doors are large so getting in an out doesn't feel like I'm crawling in a cocoon.

[video=youtube;akD0Z5D4XRM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akD0Z5D4XRM[/video]

Thanks for posting this. If you, and your cousin can fit in it, then my wife and I could with no problem.

Hard to beat a Eureka Timberline for the price and features but a bit cozy with 2 plus gear. They have been around a long time I have had good luck with mine. Always dry and sturdy in a stiff wind storms etc.

I am in the market for a good light and compact hiking sleeping bag what do you have or are planning on there? I am looking at a 20 degree rating

I was checking out the Timberline 2. I ended up getting a North Face Bighorn sleeping bag. It's rated to 20°. I had to find something I could fit in, without spending a bunch. I think I paid $70 for it. Looks like this:

Thanks was hoping to keep it around 120 but for an extra few bucks it looks good I was mainly focusing on Kelty, Eureka etc and they looked good but were a bit smaller (my shoulders are broad so I dont want to be too tight.

On the tents Warrior have you considered 2 hammocks. I almost quit using a tent on hikes just due to the weight and I sleep sooo much better in the hammock.

Yes, I have considered hammocks, but the wife wants to be with me in a tent.

Hey Warrior,

I've tested all the tents you've mentioned in your list. They are all a solid options. I think what you should consider is interior volume and stormworthyness. Truth is it's hard to get more of any of these qualities without an increase in weight.

I may up spending a bit more money. Perhaps in the $300 range. The MSR Hubba Hubba has really gotten my attention.

 

[The Warrior]

He is right on the money with this. Whatever the tent is rated for people wise subtract one. For most you cannot keep your gear inside. Not to mention it is tight and if someone needs to get out at night, they will more or less wake the other up in the process trying to get out. I like having the extra room inside for my/our gear in the event it rains. Some flys have vests but they don't keep bugs and crawlers out. 3-5 lb 2-3 person tent will be costly and hard to find. If you can swing it there are some decent ones out there but you will pay for it. Check this site out. Has the grand list of capacity, size, season and even price.

http://www.tenpoundbackpack.com/gear-lists/tents

Thanks for the link. I bookmarked it.