Tent Reviews Wanted

[Work2hunt]

I've read some of the historical posts, but I thought I would see what is new.

I'm in the market to get a new backpacking tent. I'm thinking at least a 2 person design as my wife may be with me at times (or should I go 3 person?). I want something that is good or great in both rain and wind, durable, lightweight and packable. Probably ranked in that order of importance.

Let me know reviews on the tents you've tried....good and bad.

 

[Grantbvfd]

Have you considered floorless? Where will you be backpacking?

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[AKaviator]

Hilleberg tents are great. I have used their Kaitum 3 on several hunts and love it. It weighs 6 or 7 pounds and is roomy enough for 3 people IF you are good friends. 2 is better if not! The quality is excellent but the prices are high. They probably make better models for strong wind but I've had it out in 25-30 knots on a sheep hunt and it did fine. Just utilize all the stake-out points.

 

[Work2hunt]

Have you considered floorless? Where will you be backpacking?

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I'm not sure in interested in floorless, but I am willing to listen to the pros and cons.

I'll be using this tent on backpacking trips over the summer and into October. Both locally to me on some hiking trips planned and also out west with some trips including high country deer hunting.

 

[tttoadman]

I have a BA Copper Spur 2. I only use it for myself and my gear. It is big enough for 2 to sleep side by side, and has double vestibules for gear. I have had it in pretty harsh wind and rain for a few days straight, and it held up just fine.

My brother has a Marmot limelight 2. It is pretty low tech in regard to weight and pack size, but is spacious and tough. A 3 person tent would be a palace for 2 plus gear, and may not be too bad when you split the weight. Not really necessary IMO.

I am looking into a Tarptent Rainbow. The Rainbow 2 would be great for 2 people, and is super light. I cant remember if it has double vestibules??

my 2 cents.

 

[Work2hunt]

Let me know what you think of the tarptent. I haven't seen it in person, but from pictures on the internet it doesn't appear to have a very tall sidewall from the bathtub floor design and I would be afraid of splash getting into the tent. Again, I haven't seen it in person just what I can see from pictures so i'm not sure.

 

[Work2hunt]

BTW, is it just me or who picks the colors of these tents.....what's wrong with some muted colors or earth tones instead of highlighter yellow or blaze orange or neon green.

 

[tttoadman]

I have to remind myself that a lot of this kind of gear is for mountaineering people and world trekkers. They would rather have a shelter they can find from 2 miles away, where we would rather be discreet. I notice guys are having to buy some footwear like that also, and spray paint the neon colors. If we all stuck with what you could buy at cabelas, we would be packing an extra 20lbs on every hunt. price we pay. I really like the glow in the reflective guy lines now. Nothing better after a couple hours in the dark than to see that little glow in the dark tent up ahead. Only thing better than that is when your hunting partner already has a fire going.

 

[tttoadman]

Let me know what you think of the tarptent. I haven't seen it in person, but from pictures on the internet it doesn't appear to have a very tall sidewall from the bathtub floor design and I would be afraid of splash getting into the tent.

I hope to get my hands on it this year, but it might not happen.

I was looking at the rainbow as my bivy out setup that I would take with me everyday. I am looking at setting up the copper spur as a base camp for 10 days or more. I would take the rainbow, my sleep system, and 3 days food and spike out a little further. I carry a 6'x8' tarp right now with a pile of stakes and 550 cord. I just think I would be happier with something freestanding. On hunts where I may only have the one setup, I would likely just take the rainbow to save weight over the copper spur. This is my current OCD research project. I am not 100% ready to buy yet. I will definitely put some comments up If I get this together.

 

[clacklin009]

I second the Copper spur. I have a 1 person and my buddy has the 2. Great tents.

 

[Work2hunt]

Still trying to gather info. Anyone have any experience with Mountain Hardwear or Kelty tents? Not familiar with either, but I have come across there tents while doing my research.

 

[Retterath]

take a look at the big agnes fly creek ul2. This is the one I'm going to try for next year. super light and have read a lot of good reviews on it

 

[steveo]

I had a mountain hardware lighthouse 2 man. Ok tent for room but bad condensation and little venting. Replaced with a REI half moon.
Very good tent size wise and good venting but may have too much mesh for really cold weather. You might need a 4 season if it gets really cold in your hunting area. Cost wise the REI was a good deal in a quality tent. Price verses weight has to be considered.

 

[Rob P]

I've been using the BA fly creek ul2 for a couple years now so here is my opinion. First, it's one of the lightest fully enclosed tents out there. For one person it works fine, I do have some issues with it. The vestibule is not that big, but has just enough room to throw one persons gear under in a rain storm. it is too tight to get under, zip up and shed your rain gear before crawling into the living space in a comfortable manner, but it works in a pinch. I would not use it for two people, even with a wife. Because the tent is so light and I bought it so cheap ($160 REI used gear sale) I haven't felt the need to get another tent. But I would prefer a side entry tent.

If I was going to make a two person tent work for only two people I'd get a tent that had dual entries and dual vestibules. that way each person is not crawling over the other person to get in and out, and they both have some place to put their boots. I have an REI two man tent that is like this and have used it comfortably with one other person because of the dual entries. Otherwise I'd get a three man tent for two people.

 

[6stringpickin]

Used hilleberg akto this year on high country hunt. Light weight and great tent, no problems with moisture. Had some good rain and wind storms and the tent never missed a beat. Easy to set up, lightweight, great one man tent. Not the cheapest on the market, but after using it, worth the money.

 

[jenbickel]

Hilleberg tents are great. I have used their Kaitum 3 on several hunts and love it. It weighs 6 or 7 pounds and is roomy enough for 3 people IF you are good friends. 2 is better if not! The quality is excellent but the prices are high. They probably make better models for strong wind but I've had it out in 25-30 knots on a sheep hunt and it did fine. Just utilize all the stake-out points.

Lol!! Your response made me laugh!! I went backpacking this summer with a guy and his dog. He had a 2 person tent which was very tight quarters with all our gear. The dog ended up sleeping on top of me all night. At least I stayed warm....

Glad this thread was started. I have been looking into getting a backpacking tent but am not sure what to get. It will just be for me and my gear so I don't need anything real big. In fact, cuddling with my gear may be comforting.

 

[WapitiBob]

BA Copper Spur UL3

 

[Work2hunt]

Thanks for all the feedback. Keep it coming. It seems like there is a lot of votes for the BA fly creek and a few for the BA copper spur. I'll have to look at both a little closer. I do like the side entry if the copper spur.

 

[Grantbvfd]

Floorless-
Ability to run a packable wood stove
You dont have to worry about tracking mud or dirt inside
You dont have to worry about cleaning the floor
And last but not least the weight savings is huge

Floored
You can setup on soaking wet ground and not get wet anywhere inside the tent
Completely sealed off from any crawlers

With all that said and there are more pros to each but that's the basics I run a big Agnes copper spur. Lightweight 3 season shelter with side vestibules. Separate entrances are very handy too. I am planning on getting a mega tarp from kifaru for higher elevation hunts where bugs aren't as big of an issue. And possibly a 6 or 8 man tipi and large stove for later season adventures.

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[AnthonyVR]

I have used the MSR Hubba Hubba 1P and 2P tents for the last couple years. The Hubba 2P weighs about a pound more than the BA Copper Spur. They are reasonably priced, bombproof, and set up in about a minute. Definitely worth a look, plus the green color isn't too obnoxious!