I’m now ready to get a tent, and I’d like to hear from everybody about their tents, good and bad. The most important aspect that I want in my tent is dryness, both in rainstorms and in ventilation ability. Lightweight is important too. Any suggestions?
Jonna
If you look around at Traildays, you will see the common tents.
Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight has been popular for several years. MSR (formerly Walrus) has some good models. And there are others.
Like all gear, best to try them on before buying. Go to your local outfitter and put everything inside the tent that you want inside with you for the night. Figure out where to put your boots, etc. Then crawl in, and roll around a little. Try to put on and take off clothes. If everything fits, then it should be a good choice for you.
Like all gear, there is no single brand and model tent that works for all.
Peaks
Tents offer an unrivaled sense of security. But, if you can forgo that, there are some intriguing alternatives. As mentioned above, hammocks are one possibility. I thru-hiked the AT with a GoLite Cave 1 tarp and an Outdoor Research Bug Bivy-- about 28 oz after throwing out some bits. On the 3 or 4 nights that I stayed in a shelter, I could still use the Bug Bivy against mosquitos.
I think the best tents available today are single-walled designs with lots of no-see-um netting for ventilation-- essentially tarps with bug protection. Henry Shires’ “tarptent” and the Wanderlust Nomad are in this class. (I think I read that the tarptent is the most popular shelter on the PCT this year.) You could also buy a tarp and sew on netting yourself. You can get materials from Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics.
In any case, as you plunge into the sea of chatter about rainflys, vestibules, two-wall designs, etc., keep in mind that there are plenty of excellent alternative shelters that are well under 2 pounds.
Eric
Check out Backcountrygear.com’s Tent Comparison Matrix at:
http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/tenttable.cfm?orderby=manufacturer
They don’t have ALL the options, but it’s a good list.
Remember to keep the weight of the “Big 3” as low as possible
for comfort. The “Big 3” are backpack, tent and sleeping bag.
I used a 4# Coleman Inyo on my 2002 thru-hike attempt. This
year
I got a Six Moon Designs ‘Europa’ for Xmas. Saved 1.5 lbs.
In my day, tarps were used only by the most experienced outdoorsmen.
You can use your poncho for a shelter, if you want, but it’s
an emergency only option for me.
Scamp
Scamp
Has anyone used this tent? Seem to be mixed reviews about it on the web. Free-standing, about 4 pounds, single-walled, with 3.5 feet headroom.
Thanks
Groucho
Many people prefer tents. However, I suggest that you also consider alternate shelters. These include: Hammocks and tarps. Like everything else, there are trade offs and the only right answer is what is right for you.
Peaks
For me a campmor 6x8 silnylon tarp and OR sleeping bag cover works. The total weight is approximately 25-30 oz. including Kelty TripTease Lightline guylines and 6 Ti stakes. I spent a very windy rainy day under a 9x9 tarp on the AT in '98 with very satisfactory results.
Farther
A very light tent designed specifically for the AT is the Wanderlust Nomad. It’s light (exactly two pounds ready to roll) yet it’s a fully featured three-season tent, with decent ventilation and floor space for one sleeping bag plus gear. It kept me reasonably dry in several heavy rainstorms on my New England AT section hike last fall. It uses trekking poles for primary support. It was high enough in the middle so I could sit up, and I’m 6’3". It also makes a good pillow for the nights you spend in shelters. Check out http://www.wanderlustgear.com for details. The tent is essentially custom-made by a guy in South Carolina. I ordered mine in Jan. 2002, and it was delivered in April.
Snowbird
Is the Wanderlust Nomad expensive? Also, does anyone else have an opinion on this particular tent?
C-Giddy