2 Person Tent For the CT

imported
#1

Hey all,

There are going to be 2 of us are hiking the CT beginning August 17th and the last major purchase that we have to buy is a UL tent (we will be sharing the tent). I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions? I’ve been seriously looking at either the Big Agnes Fly Creek 2 or the Zpack Hexamid Duplex tent. Obviously, the zpacks is going to be about double the price but about half the weight. I just want to make sure that for $600 I’m buying a product that will hold up to heavy wind and rain (since its not freestanding). If anybody has any input that would be great!

Thanks!

Andrew

#2

The Fly Creek is a great choice for lightweight, but it is pricey. Take a look at Big Agnes’ Seedhouse SL2 - a little more weight, but slightly more solid construction, and freestanding. I think a slightly better choice for withstanding daily use in the mountains. That is what we will be in, and I’ve got enough nights in dicy conditions to have complete confidence in it. YMMV

Jenny

#3

I have this tent and love it. I am a “big boy” (5’10" 240lbs) so I use it as a solo, with my pack inside. It is as stout as you can stake it down. I have had nothing but good experience with it. Be sure to try it out first with both of you inside, and remember that sharing a tent on a hike is a sure way to test out any relationship. (Think hiker funk and bad breath and bad moods.)

Stephen

#4

For a relatively dry climate like Colorado (yes there are afternoon t-storms, but nights are often dry), you could easily get by with a single wall tent, and save yourself some weight and significant cash in the process.

My money would be on the TarpTent Squall 2, which is a true 2-person full-enclosed shelter made of robust materials, and with no curved pole structures to worry about breaking in the middle of nowhere. Those ubiquitous non-cottage-industry 3-season “ultralight” tents with exposed, clip-in tent poles are an accident waiting to happen, in my experience. If you do end up taking one of those, be sure to pack a pole splint or two. And have the manufacturer’s customer service number on hand throughout your hike.

tron

#5

Well I take back the part about no curved poles on the Squall 2 (was thinking of the Contrail). But I would still point out that sleeved tent poles are much less accident-prone than the clip-ins. Also, the shorter the pole length (fewer segments), generally the sturdier it is during winds.

tron

#6

Remember that ‘free standing’ is a marketing term by the way. It implies convenience, and it can be that during benign conditions, since set-up can be quicker (but not necessarily, as much depends on the overall design). However you must properly stake down any tent if you expect significant winds. So don’t rule out a non-free-standing tent if that’s your concern.

That is all…

tron

#7

I just got rid of my single wall tent and bought a Big Agnes Seedhouse 2; I have hiked the past 2 summer in Colorado and have been in some significant and long lasting (12 hours) storms, and the condensation is awfu; I was using a Lunar Solo. By contrast, my partner had a Big Agnes SL1 and was never had wet interior walls.
I went to REI and set up both SL1 and SL2 and I bought a 2 to use as a solo, I would certainly try it out with 2 people,I think it would be a tight fit but I like a lot of room.

YO

#8

I’ve used a Squall 2 for miles and miles. It’s light, roomy, but i’d still call it a fair-weather tent. If you don’t have it set up with the wind coming from the foot end, a large gust will take it down. That’s happened to me twice. The zippers fail when dirty a little faster than some other tents i’ve used a lot. If you set it up just right the condensation factor is so-so.

I’m not saying it’s not good, and it might be actually just fine for Colorado in the summer. For the weight and price, it’s great. But if you’re expecting a lot of high-wind storms or steady rain and drippy conditions, i’d look for something else. What else, i’m not sure. Lots of people i know had the FlyCreek and liked it, but everyone says it’s just too small for 2 people. The Copper Spur is heavier but with the vestibules and side-entry people seem to like it a little better. The Hexamid people i knew had a lot of dripping issues inside of it, but maybe they just were bad at set-up. I don’t know about the Seedhouse or Hubba Hubba.

I’d welcome any other input from people who’ve had their 2-person tents in some seriously wet conditions. I’m kind of in the market for a better wet-weather tent, but i’m not convinced that anything out there right now is really that great and worth the big $$ and weight increase.

:cheers

markv

#9

I have used a Seedhouse SL1 for over 4 years (maybe 40 nights) and have never had an issue. It works well on the CT and has been very durable. It would be nice if the vestibule was larger, but the tent has worked for me in all sorts of weather. I also have a Seedhouse SL2 that I use with my wife and it could easily work as a larger one person tent if you would like more room and don’t mind a little more weight. The construction and setup on the tents is very similar.

Seedhouse Tent

#10

No one has mentioned the Rainbow Tarptent (a single wall). The double fits two quite nicely and has a good length. I purchased the hexamid solo cuben fiber and ended up drenched in a rainstorm as it does not come with a bathtub floor and the fiber splashed inside. The weight is great if you can be guaranteed minimal rain. The Rainbow stood up to horrendous winds in New Mexico. Unfortunately a bear loved it too.

Marti /Swannee

#11

Hi, I will add to the recommendation of the Big Agnes SL2. I hiked the entire CT with it and really liked the space and set-up and break-down. I have set it up in hail storms, windy saddles, etc. and never had a problem. During all night rain storms it never got wet inside. I now have a certain affection for it!

saphta