ultralight, compact 3 season tent recommendation. thanks

My friend has a Seirra Designs Lightning ?? that I'm really impressed with. I think it's the 2 person model.

The tent itself is all screen and the weather proofing comes from a full fly or cover that has an awning. During hot weather the fly wouldn't be needed unless it rains. The tent clips to the aluminum poles so it goes up very quickly. I like everything about it.

The 2 person is fairly small imo. It would be too close for comfort if sharing with another dude so I think of it as a couples or solo tent.

I payed close attention to all the details on that tent. I don't have a need for ultralight but if I ever do that's what I'd buy.
 
I have had a MSR zoid 1.5 for about 3 years now. Its a good tent, Nice and light, packs down real small. Not quite as light as my old modified kelty dart 1, but its nice to be able to almost sit up. I would recommend it.

If I was in the market for a new tent and money was plenty full, I would get a Black Diamond FIRSTIGHT. Seems to be Ideal freestanding, single walled, lightweight.
 
Last edited:
I just purchased the MSR "Hubba Hubba" 2 man tent. It's 4 pounds and very compact. I can easily carry it in my ESEE Laserna and Frost River back pack. The frame of the tent is all one piece which makes it super fast to set up.
 
Big Agnes Fly Creek UL. I have the 1 person version - very happy with it. It is very light, and I like the option of being able to pitch it with only the floor and fly, for an even lighter setup.
 
I just purchased the one that Dirtskirt linked to, its a Tarptent Stratospire 1. Weighs 2 lbs and is a double lined tent with side entryways. I love it, but I think you'd have to ask yourself a few questions like: Are hiking pole tents an option for me? Double or single walled? How much am I willing to spend? Side entryways or front? Will all of my gear and I fit? Will it need to shed snow? How much wind will I expect to pitch it in?
Once these questions are answered, I'd take a look at offerings like the ones mentioned above and Six Moon Designs, Mountain Laurel Designs, Zpacks, Tarptent and others.
 
If you need a 2 person tent and you actually will have 2 people plus gear get something bigger!!! I like a the MSR Hubba Hubba 2 4lbs 8oz (329MSRP), Kelty Grand Mesa 2 4lbs 10oz (139MSRP), Gunnison 2.1 5lbs 9oz (149MSRP). Gunnison is the biggest of the 3: 92" long and 58" wide. It is a very spacious 2 person!!! The Grand Mesa is small but the vest can be used for your gear...but only with the rain fly on so...if you dont use the fly your stuff will be outside. The MSR is the least private but has the best ventilation. Gunnison is the most private without the fly on...not that it matters but just wanted you to know. There is also a Kelty SALIDA 2 which is 4lbs 8oz, and has dimensions of 55 that tapers down to 45 and is 88ins long...not my favorite but won 2011 backpackers pick. Big Agnes Lynx Pass 2 is really cool but not very high and 5lbs 9oz, it has good room to it and a really cool awning! its 200MSRP and is 58x90!!! Not bad at all! This one I like too! However pack size is a little bigger than others. REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus isnt bad either! 5lbs 1oz, pack size is a little big its 319MSRP and a dimension of 54x94...it is big! And finally the Marmot LimeLight 2P is nice! 219MSRP, 5lbs, 54x88! Not bad!

There are lighter tents like the Sierra Design Mojo 2 but is is narrow and 400 bucks!! it is around 3lbs 8oz (all weights are pack weights...includes the fly!). The sierra design has the clip flashlight 2 it is 3lbs 12oz!! and is 55" wide by 88" long all at 199MSRP. MEC Volt 2 is 51x82...its tight IMO! The Marmot Aura 2P is heavy and not that big compared to others and is also more expensive!

I hate narrow tents they, I always fin myself wishing I had more room! I like keeping my gear in the tent so nothing that crawls, slithers or bites stays outside my stuff! I would personally do the Gunnison or the Salida 2. I have a gunnison 4.1 and love it!!
 
There is one really interesting tent I saw that was released in March of this year. There are 2 version of it. A Solo and a Duo. packed up they are a little bigger than a naglene bottle! Thats right...a little bigger than a naglene!! Now it gets better...weight! 625grams for the solo and 846 for the duo!!!!!!! These are light. They are made of a waterproof/breathable Pertex fabric, single walled so it might work in all seasons...I am not sure. The tent is a sea to summit Specialist Duo and the Solo (2 person or 1 Person).

tent.jpg


502-specialistduo_plans.jpg


6377.jpg
 
Soap...interesting will check that out as well. The Kelty Gunnison and Salida are looking good and with a descent pricepoint
 
Not at all...northface still has some excellent gear...even though they are now owned by vanity fair aka a fashion company! But they still have some great stuff. for example Cats Meow is a sleep bag that has performed well for years and has been around for nearly 25 years! It is affordable and well designed! I wish it was slightly wider for it was a bag I loved!! Just too narrow for me! Now as for tents they make some of the best expedition tents around! Can handle severe weather unbelievably well. This is their summit series. But make sure you read up before you buy a TNF tent. Some are better than others.
 
I guess it depends on what I will be doing. A Eureka Alpenlite 2XT for high country, a Eureka Apex 3XT for canoe/kayak camping, and a Eureka Solitaire when I'm hiking in low country. The Solitaire is cheap, small, light, and extremely durable. I am 6' even and fit without any problems. Remember that the rule is to subtract one from the suggested occupancy to allow for gear, etc. Therefore, a three-man sleeps two, a two-man sleeps one and a one-man tent means you will have to sleep outside next to it :) Good luck on your quest, there have been some good suggestions.
 
Dryhand, I have considered a hammock. Mostly a hennesy hammock. Want to keep the bugs out, just not sure a hammock will hold up to the elements as well. Have you used yours for winter camping?
 
I have 2 favorite tents.

One is a North Face Tadpole. It's a pretty small tent. I find it sort of hard to get in and out of because of the small size but it's really the gold standard in heavy rain. It has a vestibule you can get some stuff under also. The vestibule also sort of protects the entrance when you are getting in and out of it. The specs on REI says it's like 4lbs 10oz but I weighed mine and maybe my scale is off but I get 4 lbs 8 oz.

The other is a Golite Hex 3. The tent is now called the Shangri La 3. It is much larger than the Tadpole. You can also use it several ways. First you can just use the outside, which is like a big teepee and sleep on a peice of Tyvek. Just the outside, single pole, and stakes are 2 lbs 7oz.

Then there is a "nest" you can buy which has a floor and screen and if you have all that it's 4.lbs 4 oz. This tent has scads more room than my other. Also you can get 2 people, their packs and all inside the tent. You can set up in it. The only downside is due to the teepee shape when rain is coming down if you go out the entrance inside will get wet.

Also I don't know if they still have the option but when I got mine they sold you a little aluminum pole about 12" you could stick a trail pole down in and you didn't have to bring the `12oz center pole. This is not a free standing tent.

Here's a review:

http://oregontrekker.com/2011/06/13/golite-shangri-la-3/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top