I need some help. I am 6’3" and 250 lbs. I need a one man tent that would be big enough for me. I have looked at all kinds but I cant make up my mind. I like the golite tents also eureka and big agnes. Any suggestions? I do not want a tarp. I am too scared of things crawling in my bag or up next to me to get warm.
Fatback
There’s a difference between a tarp and a tarptent…a big difference. Do a google on tarptent and check out Henry Shire’s website. I’ve had a tarptent for sometime and a bug is no more likely to crawl in one of those than in a tent. It’s very light, durable and has some recent innovations thata big guy like you will appreciate.
Nimblefoot
I thru-hiked the AT with a big guy last summer…6’4", 286lbs. He purchased a MSR Zoid 1.5—a one-and-a-half-man tent. It is less than 3 lbs.,has side entry/vestibules. He loved it!
Ladybug
If your not on a budget, here’s the best in my mind. Under 3#'s expediton rated, very roomy, will sleep 2 easily
moonman
I have the MSR missing link, and while it’s a 2 man tent, it only weighs three pounds and stores pretty small, and it is absolutely HUGE. It is also fully enclosed so no worries about crawly things.
Here’s a link at REI (not that I’m advocating you buy it from them, but they provide good info).
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47698367&parent_category_rn=40003488&vcat=REI_SEARCH
and here’s a review http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Shelters/Tents/MSR%20Missing%20Link/Cheri%20Tyre-Roberts/Field%20Report/
My personal notes on the tent, it is gigantic, and it does take quite a bit of space to pitch it. Given ample room you can pitch it in about 2 minutes or less. It’s not going to hold up in hurricane agnes, but mine did withstand 50 mph winds for about 3 hours once, when it finally did fail, it failed because the stakes pulled out of the now sopping wet ground. Make sure if you buy it that your trekking poles are long enough to reach the recommended height. One of the really nice things about this tent is that you can easily fit 2 people plus packs INSIDE, meaning not in the vestibule, I like this because I often travel with my camera and don’t want to leave my pack outside my tent where a townie might snag it. (I know this is probably paranoia).
If you’re a social fella like I am, this tent is stupendous, because of the design, you can open the door and talk with friends without fear of rain/snow coming in the tent (unless it’s raining at a fairly harsh angle. We also had a four person game of poker going on inside the tent at one point, while it took some creative arranging of people, it was still (moderately) comfortable.
Wyatt (as yet trailnameless)
This is a great tent for a big person. It is a 1.5 man tent so you will have plenty of room to spread out. It is also packed with features and light weight. I cant remember the exact weight, but check it out on rei.com
VeganBlake
Try the 3# First Light by Bibler/Black Diamond. Its s 2 person tent but would be great for you and your gear. I like to zip out the whatevers too.
Marcia
Have you given any thought to a hammock? Lots of thruhikers use and love them (search under hammock for multiple threads). If you are interested, I have a Hennessey Hammock for sale (see my post under Gear Deals 1/7/05). I’m a big guy too – 6’4" 225 lbs – so I got the 9 ft/300 lb model. Weighs just 2 1/2 lbs complete and packs in a stuff sack 12" x 6". Lots of links from www.hennessyhammock.com to users with suggestions on setup and comments on why they like hammocks vs. tents.
Don
If you’re a Spring-Summer-Fall hiker, the hammock is a wonderful choice . . . light, comfortable and pitches anywhere. This fall a had a fairly dry night in a hurricane in my Hennessey.
If you include winter, a tent/tarp is the only choice . . . I love my Hilleberg Nallo 2 but is is a tad heavy but totally bomb-proof . . . I like my choice.
Shuda
www.imrisk.com has been to 0* or so in his hammock. I just takes some ingenuity, but once you get the system set you can still sleep with the comfort of a hammock, even in winter.
I’ve only had mine to the low 30’s, but all I used was the JRB 3-Season Set, which weighs about the same a bag for the same temp. Plus you can wear it, use only one part for a summer quilt, etc…very versatile. Add in a blue Target pad and I could take it down another 10-15*, probably.
Once you find the sweet spot in a hammock, it’s tough to go back to sleeping on the ground.
Jeff
Also look at the DLG Arapaho. I’m 6’ but used 6’6" sleeping bags. I loved this tent. See my review.
Dharma