Post by: Rider on June 16, 2014, 06:10:30 PM
What is a reasonable weight for a back country tent?
Post by: BLUEBULLS on June 16, 2014, 06:59:12 PM
Post by: Rider on June 16, 2014, 07:15:08 PM
Cabelas has the Kelty (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camping/Tents-Shelters/Backpacking-Expedition-Tents%7C/pc/104795280/c/104779080/sc/104303880/Kelty-Trail-Ridge-Tents-150-2-person/1327604.uts?WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104795280%3Bcat104779080%3Bcat104303880) on sale but for $200 is it about a pound heavier than the Eureka Midori (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camping/Tents-Shelters/Backpacking-Expedition-Tents%7C/pc/104795280/c/104779080/sc/104303880/Eurekareg-Midori-Two-Person-Tent/1769133.uts?WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104795280%3Bcat104779080%3Bcat104303880) that is $50 less.
Kelty - 5.8 pounds
Eureka - 4.7 pounds
Post by: 7mag. on June 16, 2014, 08:39:55 PM
Post by: Bmcox86 on June 16, 2014, 08:43:01 PM
Post by: Rider on June 16, 2014, 09:00:28 PM
Perhaps I am looking at this from the wrong perspective. I have been limiting my search to a 2p tent which increases weight but does give me extra space to store my gear. Would a 1p tent suffice?
Post by: jackelope on June 16, 2014, 09:00:57 PM
Post by: Sliverslinger on June 16, 2014, 09:16:53 PM
Post by: Craig on June 16, 2014, 10:19:52 PM
Post by: Rider on June 16, 2014, 10:24:56 PM
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Post by: Craig on June 16, 2014, 10:34:48 PM
Post by: Stein on June 17, 2014, 03:40:24 PM
Point well taken on the box stores. Being 6'2" I like to crawl into the tent or sleeping bag I am buying before I buy it just to make sure it's going to work.
Perhaps I am looking at this from the wrong perspective. I have been limiting my search to a 2p tent which increases weight but does give me extra space to store my gear. Would a 1p tent suffice?
For one person, you just need something long enough. I went to brick & mortar stores and crawled into tents to figure out how long I need and then compared specs online. If you have a vestibule a single tent works great and will be lighter obviously.
I have a Golite that they don't make anymore and an REI Half-dome plus (2 man) that both fit me at 6'4".
Post by: Vortectoy on June 18, 2014, 01:33:37 PM
Post by: motg9_6 on June 18, 2014, 02:52:10 PM
Great for 2 can fit three
3lbs 1oz
I love it.
Post by: blackpowderhunter on June 19, 2014, 10:35:36 PM
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on June 19, 2014, 10:49:59 PM
I also run a Z packs hexamid solo plus which weighs in at 8 oz. It's a decent little shelter, new stakes are going to be happening though. I'm also 6'2".
Post by: Rider on June 20, 2014, 06:41:18 AM
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Post by: MLHSN on June 20, 2014, 02:08:28 PM
Ever considered making your own tent? I made my own tarptent with bug netting and I'm quite happy with it. Fits two people at 1.5 lbs including ground sheet.
Post by: Rider on June 20, 2014, 02:46:34 PM
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Post by: Camo on June 21, 2014, 03:36:38 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on June 24, 2014, 07:49:29 PM
Hurry it will run out soon!
Post by: kselkhunter on June 26, 2014, 01:18:11 PM
Post by: Andrew on July 09, 2014, 09:57:17 PM
Post by: The scout on July 09, 2014, 10:08:24 PM
Post by: aorams on July 09, 2014, 10:39:47 PM
Backcountry.com.
this... amazing return policy...
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on July 10, 2014, 05:37:31 AM
I have the big agnes copper spur ul2 2 doors 2 vestibules, I wanted room for myself and weapon in the tent and maybe clothes and food,can fit my pack and boots under the vestibules, still under 4 lbs, don't let someone talk you into no floor. these tents are crazy waterproof and high quality. found mine on sale for 350 and got free shipping.
What's wrong with no floor?
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Post by: jackelope on July 10, 2014, 09:31:19 AM
I have the big agnes copper spur ul2 2 doors 2 vestibules, I wanted room for myself and weapon in the tent and maybe clothes and food,can fit my pack and boots under the vestibules, still under 4 lbs, don't let someone talk you into no floor. these tents are crazy waterproof and high quality. found mine on sale for 350 and got free shipping.
What's wrong with no floor?
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I'm hoping I don't find out. I just went floorless.
:chuckle:
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on July 10, 2014, 09:35:56 AM
I have the big agnes copper spur ul2 2 doors 2 vestibules, I wanted room for myself and weapon in the tent and maybe clothes and food,can fit my pack and boots under the vestibules, still under 4 lbs, don't let someone talk you into no floor. these tents are crazy waterproof and high quality. found mine on sale for 350 and got free shipping.
What's wrong with no floor?
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I'm hoping I don't find out. I just went floorless.
:chuckle:
I've run 3 separate tents now between Scott and I, all floor less. Love them, would never consider a tent with a floor for normal hunting season in this state.
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Post by: jackelope on July 10, 2014, 09:39:28 AM
My last tent has a floor and I've got no complaints with that either. At just over 3 pounds, it was plenty light enough and comfortable. I guess the only PITA would be trying to keep the floor clean. I still have it and will probably use it from time to time based on where I'm camping.
Post by: Jingles on July 10, 2014, 09:47:21 AM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on July 10, 2014, 10:25:57 AM
I have a buddy with the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2. It is a very nice lightweight tent, but if you're on a windy ridge, try to set the tent to be the direction most aerodynamic. It doesn't handle sidewinds well. I scored a Marmot Limelite 2P from a recent REI garage sale that I'm looking forward to using. The floor is more than twice as thick as the UL2 so I won't use a footprint barrier. On a UL2 I'd probably bring one along. The Limelight fly is 1/3 thicker than the UL2. That thickness adds some weight. With the extra tie points and a double crossover pole system instead of that funky 'Y' of the UL2, it should handle weather a lot better. I guess that is a trade off in weight.. for durability.
To cut some ounces... Most of the tents come with steel (bendable) pegs. They weigh several times as much as the aluminum ones. I went with plastic pegs for two seasons. I've ditched them since mice like to chew on the darn things. My Limelite can use up to 12 pegs. I have the MSR's below. There is what I consider a significant weight savings by replacing them with aluminum or titanium pegs. 12 @ ~32oz total, (yes, that's two pounds), or 12 at ~4oz. Though they are aluminum and do break, I could afford the weight of a couple spares too.
-Steve
Post by: b0bbyg on July 10, 2014, 10:41:48 AM
REI is averaging about $400 for a tent. But they run under 4 pounds.
3Bcat104779080%3Bcat104303880]Eureka Midori[/url] that is $50 less.
Kelty - 5.8 pounds
Eureka - 4.7 pounds
Borrowed my sons Eureka for a 3 night backpack trip with the wife, I got it down to around 4 lbs after I got rid of extra stakes and ropes. Seemed like when trying to go light it had extra stuff I did not need and it worked fine.
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on July 10, 2014, 11:06:38 AM
I run a bivy with my tarp (packs hexamid solo plus) and come I at 1 lb total.
I've never had an issue with mice in three seasons....camped at all elevations.
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Post by: Rob on July 10, 2014, 01:10:41 PM
I'm 6'4" and fit in it with room to spare.
Post by: Rob on July 10, 2014, 01:16:44 PM
Alpine: Full tent, fly, dirt stakes and footpring.
Glacier: full tent and fly, snow stakes and no footprint
Ultralite: footprint, rain fly, poles and dirt stakes (no tent body).
here are the weights for those three configs for the Big Angus Fly Creek from my tent (weights on the far right):
Post by: jackelope on July 10, 2014, 01:20:56 PM
As long as you want to stay light weight and don't mind no floor why not just take a tarp say 9 x 12 if you want a floor then stake it different /_\ wala you have a floor
It's heavier, noisier and waaayyyy more flimsy than my tent.
Also a PITA comparatively speaking to set up and keep it set up, especially if the wind blows.
Post by: MLHSN on July 10, 2014, 01:56:30 PM
I sewed bug netting on to my tarp and put rocks around the edge to keep the critters out.
The only problem I've had is that the wind does blow straight through a tarptent. It has really only been a problem in late fall in which case I just pitch the bottom of the tarp all the way to the ground with that end to the wind.
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on July 10, 2014, 02:44:20 PM
I've only had a problem with mice when I'm near large horse camps, which I try to stay far far away from.
Seems like everywhere I go, the bottom of the valley to the alpine of the Pasayten, I get mice chewing on my plastic tent pegs. I've been in a hammock/bivey between trees and had critters run across my face during the night. Talk about an alarm clock! And I don't keep food in my tent while in the back country. I hang my boots from a tree branch since I caught mice in them one morning.
More to the topic, having a tent can make or break a trip. You can often weather out a storm in a heavier tent. It's no fun under a tarp.
-Steve
Post by: MLHSN on July 10, 2014, 03:38:15 PM
Seems like everywhere I go, the bottom of the valley to the alpine of the Pasayten, I get mice chewing on my plastic tent pegs. I've been in a hammock/bivey between trees and had critters run across my face during the night. Talk about an alarm clock!
They make a mouse deterrent, it's called Crown Royal. Make sure you have some sitting in your pack and you won't see/feel them running around at night.
Post by: fillthefreezer on July 10, 2014, 07:11:20 PM
i like my whisky from 'merica :chuckle:
They make a mouse deterrent, it's called Crown Royal. Make sure you have some sitting in your pack and you won't see/feel them running around at night.
Post by: The scout on July 10, 2014, 07:27:02 PM
Post by: 7mag. on July 10, 2014, 07:43:36 PM
when your in super down poor rain for a couple days, or mice are getting into your stuff you will wish you had a floor.plus you can just set it up without digging little ditches or building a lean to. weighs the same as your tarp and bivy but your sleeping in a tent not a bivy.
My tarp shelter weighs 1 pound including the stuff sack. I've never had to dig a trench around my shelter, and I've weathered some nasty storms. It's all about what comfortable with.
Post by: fillthefreezer on July 10, 2014, 08:35:35 PM
when your in super down poor rain for a couple days, or mice are getting into your stuff you will wish you had a floor.plus you can just set it up without digging little ditches or building a lean to. weighs the same as your tarp and bivy but your sleeping in a tent not a bivy.id be curious what tent youre running that weighs the same or even close to my 'mid and bivy. discount the fact that ive got 86sqft and a stove jack. or 76 sqft and no stove jack.
im not trying to sell anyone on, or talk anyone into floorless. but i dont think its fair to talk it down, just cus its not your preference.
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on July 10, 2014, 08:56:31 PM
when your in super down poor rain for a couple days, or mice are getting into your stuff you will wish you had a floor.plus you can just set it up without digging little ditches or building a lean to. weighs the same as your tarp and bivy but your sleeping in a tent not a bivy.id be curious what tent youre running that weighs the same or even close to my 'mid and bivy. discount the fact that ive got 86sqft and a stove jack. or 76 sqft and no stove jack.
im not trying to sell anyone on, or talk anyone into floorless. but i dont think its fair to talk it down, just cus its not your preference.
Exactly.
Run whatever you want, but it seems to me you are significantly misinformed about floor less shelters, and disseminating that misinformation to other trying to make a decision.
The only water I've brought into a floor less shelter was from myself after I hunted all morning in the rain.
Also I didn't know that they made fully enclosed tents that weighed in at 1 lb?
Scott what's the weight of the sl5 and the LBO?
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Post by: fillthefreezer on July 10, 2014, 09:02:41 PM
sl5 was 32 plus 7 oz of stakes if memory sevres me correctly for 92sqft
Post by: The scout on July 10, 2014, 09:04:13 PM
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on July 10, 2014, 10:02:04 PM
I have used them both had floorless first now have the big agnes copper spur. I am supprised there is even a debate of floor or no floor. couple more ounces and you have a sealed waterproof setup. I wasn't speaking of his magical 1lb tarp and sack, it was the other with the 2lb tarp and bivy on top of that.comparing a tarp to a tent was you not me. I said tarp and bivy
What's "magical" about the 1 lb tarp and sack?
Post by: AKBowman on July 10, 2014, 11:56:26 PM
Great weather aside you will want a tent with a floor that you can zip up and escape in. Without a floor you will be much more limited on where you can set up your tent (tarp?). If the wind/rain really kicks up like it can in the mountains you will damn wish you had a floor and enclosed area to escape to. Don't always need it but it sure allows you to set up camp without having to think too much about it.
Never wasted an ounce carrying stakes. I have always tied my tent down to rocks with parachute chord. Don't waste your time with stakes just figure you need 20' of parachute chord to loop around rocks. You can always loop it around a small rock then stack bigger rocks on top to add weight. Chances are the ground will be rocky and not suitable for steaks any how.
For my mountain hunting I use the Northface TadPole now called the Big Fat Bullfrog. You can find it for under $200, it's a 2 man that I use as a 1 man and is under 3 lbs dressed down.
Post by: Rock7 on July 22, 2014, 04:54:27 PM
Post by: RadSav on July 22, 2014, 05:37:15 PM
First time you setup in the rain you'll be happy you have a floor. First time you get back to camp after a long day hunting to find all your mountain house has holes and mouse poop in it you will wish you had a floor. First time you find your $400 sleeping bag is now vented and full of vermin poo you will wish you had a floor. First time you wake up and realize you are sharing your tent with 2 million blood sucking mosquitos you will wish you had a floor.
On the flip side, the first time you get a midnight wakeup from a bear breaking your tent poles...you will wish you had NO floor! :chuckle:
Post by: wooltie on July 23, 2014, 10:48:04 AM
Contemplating leaving the tent itself at home and taking only the fly, frame, footprint, and stakes.
The entire packages weighs over 5 lbs, 2 lbs of that is the tent body.
Footprint + fly might be enough cover, so long as you don't setup in a hole and awake in a lake of rainwater.
With two guys I'd take the whole thing and split the weight.
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on July 23, 2014, 11:19:04 AM
Never catch me without a floor. Worth the extra weight IMO.
First time you setup in the rain you'll be happy you have a floor. First time you get back to camp after a long day hunting to find all your mountain house has holes and mouse poop in it you will wish you had a floor. First time you find your $400 sleeping bag is now vented and full of vermin poo you will wish you had a floor. First time you wake up and realize you are sharing your tent with 2 million blood sucking mosquitos you will wish you had a floor.
On the flip side, the first time you get a midnight wakeup from a bear breaking your tent poles...you will wish you had NO floor! :chuckle:
I almost 'ventilated' a bivy one night. My mistake was that I layed down right in the middle of the trail! With all the stomping and coughing going on, I thought sure that they were going to trample me.
-Steve
Post by: RadSav on July 23, 2014, 12:30:34 PM
I almost 'ventilated' a bivy one night. My mistake was that I layed down right in the middle of the trail! With all the stomping and coughing going on, I thought sure that they were going to trample me.
:chuckle: When I first started back country hunting I had some 9# camo tent from Big 5 and an army surplus wool blanket instead of a sleeping bag. I'd found a deer trail in the Strawberry Wilderness the muledeer were using the size of a two lane highway. Each time I scouted it I would take a pine bow and broom the trail so on return to the spot I could determine what was fresh and what wasn't. My plan was to set up the "Camo" tent 20 yards from the trail and use it as a blind as well as a sleeping spot. Figured if I didn't cook and kept camp clean I'd be fine. Sounded reasonable for a 17 year old punk.
I drive all night long from the coast to John Day, pack up my gear and make the long hike from the trailhead to my spot. I arrive well after light and got things set up, swept the trail, and lay down in the mid day heat to take a nap before prime time rolls around. At about 3PM I'm awaken by the tent collapsing and the sound of complete chaos outside. I get just enough of a glimpse outside to see a bear run by then panic sets in and I can't get anything to move right and escape is near impossible.
Once I finally collect myself and get out of the tent I survey the area and look at the swept trail. Looks like about a dozen deer and the one bear have run through since I fell asleep. Not sure if the bear hit the tent or if it was a deer trying to escape the bear. Regardless it was quite exciting! And made sleeping by myself the next few days a little difficult :chuckle: To this day those first few nights when solo hunting the back country I hear every bump in the night and fear the worst. I love it!
Post by: wooltie on July 23, 2014, 02:18:22 PM
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on July 23, 2014, 02:21:41 PM
LOL think I'll setup the trip wires, flares, and claymores around my tent on a first few nights....unless these predators start "using the trees.." :chuckle:
I wouldn't worry too much about predators...
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Post by: Crook on July 25, 2014, 01:54:43 PM
Post by: Rob on July 27, 2014, 07:49:24 PM
I found if I use the dirt stakes and put them in deadman style, they work as well as snow stakes. less than 1/2 the weight too.
Post by: Nature Boy on August 05, 2014, 11:57:48 AM
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on August 05, 2014, 12:11:02 PM
Has anyone gotten their hands on one of the new Kuiu tents? The specs look like a good compromise between weight and durability. I especially like the exterior pole design that allows you to pitch the tent with fly attached. This is Kuiu's first foray into the tent market so I'm a little reluctant to drop money on it right out of the gate.
Little spendy for what the specs are.
I've become more and more impressed with seek outsides LBO...
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