Backpacking tents

[sleazy rider]

I've been shopping a bit for a new tent to upsize a smidge.  My current tent is a "two man", but it's snug for one with gear.  So, after traveling around the area a bit and perusing the offerings locally, I present to you the new travel cave.  Hell, for $86, it's almost a throwaway if it doesn't work.  

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=440086&pdesc=Gander_Mountain_GSX_3_Man_Dome_Backpack_Tent&aID=505K1D&merchID=4006



The GSX Backpack Tent offers ample room to comfortably sleep you and one or more companion, yet is lightweight enough for comfortable carry during those long hikes to your overnight campsite. Once fully constructed, aluminum poles offer a sturdy structure in a dome shape for optimum head space. No-See-Um mesh keeps bugs out while maintaining ventilation for a comfortable atmosphere inside the tent. All-seam tape on rainfly and floor make sure your group stays dry by keeping moisture out. Gobe Dry tub floor and rain skirt offer extra protection against the elements. Integrated 25mm plastic o-ring is perfect for hanging a lantern. Reflective guy out lines for visibility and security. Polyester carry bag features an EF label on the front side, an embroidered Gander Mountain logo on the back, and a convenient handle for easy transport.

• Dimensions: 108"L x 96"W x 60"H (3-Man)
• Floor: N/T 1000mm (14-4201TPX)
• Tent Body: Polyester Taffeta 800mm
• Fly: Polyester Taffeta 800mm
• Carry Bag: Polyester 300D
• P/Mesh 68 x 68
• All #8 zippers
• Mesh pocket
• Sr-buckle system


I can't wait for summer and my vacation time to renew.  It's going to be a heavy travel year.

[Justin]

Looks like a great tent for the price  

Anymore though I don't even bother with a tent. Just a sleeping pad and bag. And if it's colder I'll bring a bivy sack. By the time I stop and get a tent set up, I'm awake again  

[sleazy rider]

Naw, I gotta get my 7 hours on my walkabouts.    It's a different mindset from the LD stuff, but I like to sniff the flowers too.  It's good to relax around a campfire in the evening, then read an ebook in the tent for a bit.  From what I read about this one, I'll have it up in about 10 minutes tops.  

Right now, I'm wrestling with a direction and distance for June's two weeks of travel.  The only think I know is I'm not going south.  Labrador, Hyder or James Bay.  Tuff decision.  

[stromgal]

Wow, big tent, 5 ft. tall! I actually want to go the opposite direction; have a Eureka Apex 3 and want to downsize to a 2-person.

Hope the tent works well for you.  

[sleazy rider]

Damn, we should have talked before I ordered this one.  Trade maybe?  If you want to try it, just say the word and I'll pop it in a box to bring over next pizza meet.

I spend a couple weeks at a time on the road every year and get claustrophobic after about two days of rain.    At least I can put my chair in this one and sit upright.  

[stromgal]

What is your 'smaller' tent?

[sleazy rider]

Very similar in style to this, but a "two person" version.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=440087&pdesc=Gander_Mountain_Blazer_Solo_Backpacking_Tent&aID=505K1D&merchID=4006

ON my way to California in 2009:

[jeepinbanditrider]

Looks like a great tent for the price  

Anymore though I don't even bother with a tent. Just a sleeping pad and bag. And if it's colder I'll bring a bivy sack. By the time I stop and get a tent set up, I'm awake again  

Yup bivy sack camping is a good time but I usually only do it during the late fall winter and early spring due to bugs and snakes.  It is nice to have at least some kind of barrier even a thin one between you and the things that crawl or slither.

I use an MSR Skinny 2 which is a tube style tent.  It packs small and works great only problem I have with it is it's not free standing so it HAS to be staked down.  I've thought about going the MSR Hubba route since it's freestanding or one of the various other good free standing tents.

[stromgal]

This is what I'm considering:  http://www.mountainsports.com/msmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=081841&Product=Kelty+Grand+Mesa+2+Tent+2011

[jeepinbanditrider]

Nice simple, free standing, relatively low cost for a Kelty, and from a well known manufacture who builds high quality camping gear

[Reddog*]

Nice simple, free standing, relatively low cost for a Kelty, and from a well known manufacture who builds high quality camping gear

+1
I have a Peak 2man that is very similar works well for all but stuck in the tent rain days.

[black hills]

I have a Eureka (can't remember the model) packs fairly small/light and I can get all my gear out of the weather if need be:

[bomber]

This is what I'm considering:  http://www.mountainsports.com/msmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=081841&Product=Kelty+Grand+Mesa+2+Tent+2011

THat's a GREAT deal --

keep an eye on REI . . . . quarter domes go for just about that amount of lucre on sale, and mine has been aces!

[knolltop314]

Good grief ... What a great location!

[ConPilot1]

THat's a GREAT deal --

keep an eye on REI . . . . quarter domes go for just about that amount of lucre on sale, and mine has been aces!

Yea REI tents are awesome. I have a Mountain 2, but the Quarter Dome is an EXCELLENT choice for travel and can be had pretty cheap.
REI is top-notch stuff.  

[Cablebandit]

And if/when it breaks, take it back for a new one.  

[black hills]

Good grief ... What a great location!

that is on top of little devils tower we hiked up the night before, watched the fireworks over Mt. Rushmore and spent the night, it was great

[stromgal]

And it was *before* mountain pine beetle.  I was just up there last spring and alas, the view is different.  

[black hills]

And it was *before* mountain pine beetle.  I was just up there last spring and alas, the view is different.  

yes, that was probably 4 or 5 years ago...thanks to the tree huggers all the hills will be brown before long.

[scottdc]

I'm a big fan of the REI branded tents but about two years ago replaced ours with a Nemo air-beam tent. Wife and I have the Nemo Morpho 2p and though a bit small for two it takes up very little pannier space and worked well over a two-week 5k mile trip to a HUBB meet and back. Perfect size for one according to my wife as she's used it on a solo trip, I've got the little Nemo bivy as well for when I'm going light. Best part about these tents is the speed and ease of assembly, literally just a few minutes and unlike my pole tents I don't forget how they go together during the off-season only to have to futz with it while tired after a long day on the bike. Worth the extra cost to me anyway.