Tent Decision/ Need Opinion

[tjodit]

Let me throw in my 2 cents...I am also a backpacker and my husband says I own more tents and sleeping bags than shoes. I would recommend the REI Quarter Dome tent, 2 person. It weighs 4 lbs 4 oz. - and that includes poles, stakes, and rainfly. I also recommend the ground cloth they make to go with it. I've had this tent in rain and hail and stayed bone dry. This tent has room to sit up in it and the 2 person will give you room to store some gear inside with you in case it rains. It is really more like a 1.5 person tent. Perfect for solo trips. It isn't the lightest tent I own but it always seems to be the one I take with me on backpacking trips. A VERY good tent at a good price. If anyone wants to buy a tent or two let me know...I have a few extra but not my REI! Feel free to ask me any questions about it. And no, I am not affiliated with REI in any way.

[Dianyla]

Seconding the discussion about the 2-door tent. Once you've shared a 2-person tent with a door on each side, you'll NEVER go back to having to crawl over eachother in and out of the same door.

I have an MSR Zoid 2 which is quite lightweight (total packed weight 4 pounds 10 oz) and has the double-door option. I've been on a number of backpacking trips with a variety of weather conditions and this tent has worked well. Split into two bundles and carried by two people the weight is very nice. For solo backpacking I would probably get a solo tent. Some people perceive a downside in that this tent must be staked down, it's not freestanding. However, you should always stake your tent down anyway, regardless of weather! So, I consider that a moot point.

Regarding bicycle storage - most tents taper down towards the foot and the head, so I can't imagine it being tall enough to fit a bicycle in. Also, I can't imagine wanting to bring a wet/muddy bike inside with me.

[Nanci]

I went with the 2 person tent. And then I signed up for an overnight 200 mile ride, up in Quincy, FL, the middle of April, see post in Southeast. Can't wait!

Nanci