Backpacking tents

[rosscrazyelk]

I am not made of money and I know a lot of the hard core guys use tarps. I need however a tent that I can use for hunting and also that when my wife goes with me in the summer we have enough room. Which in turn means I need a floor.
I have looked at backcounty.com and cabelas and all the other major sites.
I am really thinking about the new xpg ultra light, Coming in at 3 pounds. Anyone have one of these?
The xpg is just over $300. I have seen some specials on marmot and alps tents in the $170 range but weigh 2-3 pounds more than the xpg.
I am still trying to figure if 2 pounds lighter is  worth the $150 more price tag

[vandeman17]

Check out sierratradingpost.com. I know they carry some good stuff and they also have deals that give you like 30% off your order.

[jackelope]

I have an older Sierra Designs Omega CD and it weighs about 5.5 pounds. I also have a Sierra Designs Vapor Lite which is right around 3 pounds and change. While I'm sure that the ~2 pounds makes a difference, the best thing about Vapor Lite is the size difference. It packs up a lot smaller than the Omega. The Omega CD is a sweet tent though.

[Bmcox86]

Steep and cheap has an alps 3 person coming up today for $95, cheap and pretty light

[scottcrb]

i have been looking for one for a while too but i was looking a little bigger for two people and some gear . but i have found the big agnes copper spul ul 3 or 2  , the msr hubba hubba or mother hubba  or the rei quarter dome t3 to be the best i have been finding all of them on ebay and other sites for around your price range.

[whacker1]

I wasn't sure if you were looking at a 2 person or larger, but I almost bought a golite Imogene ultralight 2 last year.  The only reason I didn't, was because I was given the Mountain Hardwear friends and family discount by a friend.  So, I bought a slightly lighter weight tent for the same amount of money that retails for $450-500ish.

When I researched it, the golite Imogene was new last year and there weren't a lot of reviews.  But there were a lot of favorable reviews about golite products.  I would think you would be better served with golite product over Cabelas, but I have no specific experience with either.

[jackelope]

I wouldn't buy most 2 person tents and expect room for 2 and gear.
 
My Omega would probably work ok for that if it was my wife and I, but it's a castle. I wouldn't want to cuddle up in there next to any of my hunting buddies though.


 

[swanny]

2lbs is a lot, but if you don't have or want to spend the money for 2lbs in a lighter tent it's not necessary.

The best way to buy a tent is to actually crawl inside and see if you and your sleeping mat, along with your partners will actually fit. Go to a place like the Seattle REI where they have a large selection to choose from, grab two sleeping mats and see if they fit. There are lots of tents that wont fit two people and gear comfortable, but you'd be surprised how many roomier two person tents are out there. I'm pretty sure I've used a new 2 person tent every year for the last 10 years or so, all from a variety of sub 3lb versions to the average 5lb range that you find your $150-200 tents in most often. Also be aware of that lighter doesn't always mean better. In order to achieve lightweight, lighter materials are used which cost more, but also mean they may not last quite as long or may be more prone to damage from severe storms.

[fillthefreezer]

its not a tent, but i think a golite sl-5 would suit you well. lots of sqft for the weight, stout in a storm, pitches quick.
when the wife is along take the nest for a 5lb load. without her or hunting, use only the flysheet and a ground cloth and have 90+ sqft for about 2.5lbs

[jackelope]

its not a tent, but i think a golite sl-5 would suit you well. lots of sqft for the weight, stout in a storm, pitches quick.
when the wife is along take the nest for a 5lb load. without her or hunting, use only the flysheet and a ground cloth and have 90+ sqft for about 2.5lbs

That'll be my next setup.

[vandeman17]

its not a tent, but i think a golite sl-5 would suit you well. lots of sqft for the weight, stout in a storm, pitches quick.
when the wife is along take the nest for a 5lb load. without her or hunting, use only the flysheet and a ground cloth and have 90+ sqft for about 2.5lbs

That'll be my next setup.

That looks like a sweet setup and plenty big to sleep in as well as keep your gear dry in. I just think I would be the one that would knock over the center post in the middle of the night and in a fit of panic look like a raccoon trying to get out of a sack.

[7mag.]

its not a tent, but i think a golite sl-5 would suit you well. lots of sqft for the weight, stout in a storm, pitches quick.
when the wife is along take the nest for a 5lb load. without her or hunting, use only the flysheet and a ground cloth and have 90+ sqft for about 2.5lbs

The SL5 is great shelter. I have the SL3, and I love it. There is room for two guys and gear even with the nest. Without the nest, it's even better.

[rosscrazyelk]

its not a tent, but i think a golite sl-5 would suit you well. lots of sqft for the weight, stout in a storm, pitches quick.
when the wife is along take the nest for a 5lb load. without her or hunting, use only the flysheet and a ground cloth and have 90+ sqft for about 2.5lbs

The SL5 is great shelter. I have the SL3, and I love it. There is room for two guys and gear even with the nest. Without the nest, it's even better.

Is that the one you showed me last summer?

[7mag.]

its not a tent, but i think a golite sl-5 would suit you well. lots of sqft for the weight, stout in a storm, pitches quick.
when the wife is along take the nest for a 5lb load. without her or hunting, use only the flysheet and a ground cloth and have 90+ sqft for about 2.5lbs

The SL5 is great shelter. I have the SL3, and I love it. There is room for two guys and gear even with the nest. Without the nest, it's even better.

Is that the one you showed me last summer?

Yes it is.

[Fishhuntmike]

http://www.tarptent.com/squall2.html

sleeps 2, 2 lb 2 oz, floor and keeps the bugs out
not great in the head room department though