2 person tent

mrolen

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 24, 2014
Messages
119
Location
Central WA
Hey guys like the title says im looking for a good two person tent for summer scouting and some trips in september. We will be back packing in and it would be nice to have a tent large enough to fit two guys and gear. I cant afford to spend a fortune on one right now but would like to get the best I can afford hoping to stay around 150$

I was also wondering if any of you guys have taken a cheaper tent then modified it with a different rain fly or bottom to make it work better as a back pack tent.

I appreciate any help thanks guys
 
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
1,704
Location
O.C NY
Most on here use FLOORLESS tents/tarps. A real hot one is the Mountainsmith Lt shelter. Can get one for $99 and it has proven itself in every weather condition possible.
 

JoshTX

WKR
Joined
Jun 2, 2013
Messages
389
Location
Texas
I have a Big Agnes Jack Rabbit SL2 and SL4. Love them both and would not hesitate to recommend either. They are fairly lightweight and they do a good job of keeping out the elements while allowing excellent ventilation. If not those, I also like Hilleberg but they are pricey and much heavier. Be advised a SL2 is actually a one man (for me) and the SL4 is a very spacious two man.

I have a Kifaru 12 man tipi and I love it for winter, when a stove is needed. The rest of the time, I like having a floor and no-see um netting.

I liked the mega and super tarps but condensation was always an issue and, for me, I found myself wanting to like the tarps rather than actually liking the tarps.

Bottom line..I'm a tent guy.
 

whitingja

WKR
Joined
Jun 24, 2012
Messages
737
Location
Cheyenne,wy
you could check to see if you could find a used Tarptent for sale, like the stratospire 2. Perfect for 2 guys, light and roomy. Would be the last tent you buy for a long while.
 

miller1

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
240
Location
Michigan
I would for a 3 person tent for two adult males Plus Gear. Seriously unless your pretty close with your hunting partner 2 person tent is going to be pretty tight.

I never owned one but the Kelty Salida 2 gets really good reviews.

http://www.kelty.com/p-497-salida-2.aspx?category=tents-shelters

I have this tent and for the money you cant beat it, I talked to rei about it and they said it is just as good as the more expensive tents just not as light.
you can get real good deals on these from rei, backcountry.com and backcountry edge.
here is an awesome deal on a grand mesa 3.
http://www.backcountryedge.com/kelty-grand-mesa-3.aspx
 
Last edited:
Joined
Apr 13, 2013
Messages
1,109
Location
Beaverton, Oregon
For a two person tent you NEED double doors and vestibules off each door for gear.
Might check out the REI Quarter Dome, Big Agnes Cooper Spur or Super Scout,
but not at that price point.
If your willing to go up in weight a little the Mountain Hardware Drifter is a decent choice.
And it's on sale at Rock Creek for $187 plus 15% off for email list coupon.
My buddy has one very similar to this one and he likes it.

Another option would be to get a cheap 2man "Bikers Tent" and switch out the poles from fiberglass to alum. But I don't think you'll get a vestibule that route. I have a couple that I use for cached scout camps. They are about 5lbs, but only cost $20-30 on sale. Camp-Dry the crap out of them.
Hunt'nFish
 

TJB

FNG
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Messages
13
I would second what HuntnFishin said above. Last year I used a Mountain Hardware Drifter 3 for a 10 day elk hunt with a buddy. The tent worked well and kept us dry. The double doors and vestibules were a must have. BUT, we were very tight on space. Most gear other than clothes and boots had to stay outside which was not ideal considering the monsoon last season in CO. Unless you and your buddy are close, I would suggest you each get your own small tent for you and your gear. I now have the mountain shelter lt for me and my gear and my hunting partner has his own sleeping space.
 

CM

WKR
Joined
Mar 9, 2012
Messages
557
Location
Franklin, Idaho
I recently picked up a Golite SL3 from the classifieds for $125. It is good for 2 guys and gear. There are deals to be had if you shop around and buy used.
 

Wapiti66

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 30, 2013
Messages
162
I use a Eureka Pinnacle Pass 2. It cost me about $110 from cabelas in 2006 or 07. The tent is on the heavy side by todays standards, 5lbs. including all the stuff sacks, rainfly, and more stakes than needed, so the weight could be cut. It has two doors and small vestibules on each side. It's real easy to assemble with only 2 poles. It has been through plenty of thunderstorms and has held up nicely. My wife, 5'5" and I, 6'3" make it work just fine for backpacking or going to the lake. It fits 2 sleeping bags just fine, but there isn't much room on either side. For a 2 man you could make it work if you aren't afraid to be close to your partner.

Ive used this tent for years and it hasn't ever let me down. Heavy, yes. But for the price Im very pleased and have decided to place numerous other items of gear before this tent, so I guess I'd say it gets the job done.
 

jimriver

FNG
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Messages
7
Golite SL3 if you can increase your budget by $100 or shop around like CM. Plenty of room for two guys and gear.
 

boom

WKR
Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Messages
3,185
My brother and I fit in a two man copper spur. The two doors = awesome. We each carry half the tent which makes it pretty cool. I'm sure my half is lighter. I get poles and stakes and footprint.
 
OP
M

mrolen

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 24, 2014
Messages
119
Location
Central WA
I was originally thinking about just bringing our own single person tents but I figured we could maybe save some weight and space in one of the packs if we just brought one tent. I do like the looks of the kelty grand mesa 3 person that was recommended above.

Thank you everyone for your quick responses
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
16,317
Location
Colorado Springs
It's not $150, but Backcountry.com has the 2013 model Big Agnes Copper Spur UL4 for $389 right now. The new version which is only a few ounces lighter is over $600. I just bought one and with my CC rebate it came to right at $350. It's a little heavy at 5lbs 12oz (weighed) but for two guys splitting gear it should make a great shelter. By myself I have my Tarptent.
 

muleman

WKR
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
1,521
Location
Utah
Mountain Hardwear Archer 2 Tent - 2-Person, 3-Season

Hide coupon details
ends today at 11:59PM (MT)
With your DealFlyer coupon, you save an extra 45%:
Your price: $144.37

At Sierra Trading Post 45% off and $0.99 shipping ends today.
 

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Joined
Mar 20, 2013
Messages
701
Location
Banks of the Red Deer River Alberta
If you think floorless might interest you give Appy Trails a look. Their 5 man tarp weighs less than 2 lbs and cost right around $125. If you are setting camp below tree line you can leave the centre post at home and just cut one. I added two side guy outs to mine which really expanded my space. It won't last you a life time but the price is right and you'll get more than a few years out of it. I've had mine set up in some pretty harsh sustained winds and it held up well.
Though they call it a five person tarp, the only way I would sleep with five in there would be if four of them were woman. That being said there is definitely room for two and gear.ImageUploadedByTapatalkHD1402670354.652862.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalkHD1402670412.716472.jpg
 

MLN02

FNG
Joined
Feb 27, 2014
Messages
16
Location
Idaho
I have the Alps Lynx 2 man tent. Plenty of room for me and my 75 pound dog. Two entrances and good rain fly with two vestibules. Plenty of room for two guys and gear. Have used it during a couple high mountain thunderstorms with pouring rain and big gusts of wind with no problems. They can be found on sale for under a $100
 
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