- are you carrying the tent (ie. backpacking, etc) or are you car camping.
-where are you camping (different tents are better in different climates)
-how long are your trips going to be (an ultralight tent will not endure repeated extended trips)
-price range?
Thanks a-e but that may be a little out of my price range
Uni-
This will be my first tent (sad to say I know). The trips I'm planning on this summer won't be more than 2-3 days at a chunk. Probably hiking with the tent on some of those trips, but to be honest not totally sure.
Price range...depends I'm happy to pay for something if it's worth it. I'd guess $400 is about my max I'd be willing to spend, but if I cna get a nice tent around 300 well that'd be great as well.
Get the Marmot Limelight.. it should come with a free footprint and gear loft.. its great bang for your buck... the pale pumpkin colour is also the second most pleasing colour to the eye.. there was a study ; )
I would suggest neither. Get the Sierra Designs Omega tent.
Its a 2 person 3 season convertable tent. I've slept 3 in it and while definitely no room for gear it worked.
I suggest it because it REALLY adapts well to differing needs. You can strip it down for a really light 3 season by removing some pole sections and the mesh door.
It has a zip-away ceiling so for those warm days you have a mesh top instead of nylon.
It can stand up to some pretty darn nasty weather making it pretty close to a 4 season tent.
Lotsa room in the front vestibule.
You can set it up with just the fly, footprint and poles for a super-light shelter (I REALLY like this feature).
My only beef with it is that you can't access the mini-rear-vestibule from inside the tent. This is MINOR. I just like other tent designs that let you stash your boots in this area when rain is likely and therefore don't need to get out of the tent without shoes to put on the shoes in the rain, eh?
I was pretty sold after reading your review so I clicked the link. The reviews on STP indicate that the model for sale there doesn't have the modularity you're describing - seems to be an older model.
I was pretty sold after reading your review so I clicked the link. The reviews on STP indicate that the model for sale there doesn't have the modularity you're describing - seems to be an older model.
Still a good deal.
my bad- i was wondering why it was being called the "dome"
what you want is the "omega 2 convertible"
its normally 348, but there are some out there for 300.....
- great space to weight ratio. - tons of vestibule room for your stuff or dog - since it's for you and the partner, I understand the desire for room to play.
I have the North Face Roadrunner 33, which I got cheap from a buddy. Great tent, but heavier than the two you're looking at. It's my carcamping/backpacking/climbing with the girlfriend tent. My mountain tent is doable, but not as nice for the two of us.
So from your choices, I'd go with the mutha, I had a hubba and it was fantastic, but just a bit narrow for me (solo tent = shoulder width)
I have an REI taj 3 which isn't made any more but I love it for car camping with 2 or 3 in the backcountry if neccessary. The taj isn't made anymore, but the Black diamond oasis looks like a similar floor plan and even better door/vestibule setup.
So I just found that the tent I like is still being sold, the REI taj 3 and you can have it with a footprint for under 200 bucks
Some stats: Suggested use Backpacking/camping Sleeping capacity 3 Average minimum weight 7 lbs. Average packaged weight 7 lbs. 13 oz. Floor dimensions 99 x 95 inches Floor area 50 square feet Vestibule area 5 + 5 square feet Peak height 48 inches Doors 2 Canopy fabric Ripstop nylon Floor fabric Coated nylon taffeta Rainfly fabric Coated polyester taffeta Number of poles 3 Pole material Aluminum Pole diameter 8.84/9.8 millimeters Packed size 8 x 25 inches
It's not the lightest tent out there and it could have bigger vestibules, but with 3 years of ownership and about 240 nights of use those are my only complaints I've slept 3 in it but it's great for 2 plus gear or dog and it can be carried if you need to carry it.