First backpacking tent

[aboltlrhunter]

So im in the hunt for my first tent for backpack hunting. There are so many options and I dont know really of anybody locally that can give me any advice. So im looking for atleast a 2 person maybe 3 person since my girlfriend will be going with me from time to time and I want to have room for both of us plus our gear. Also am not quite sure if I want to go with and enclosed tent or a floorless tarp setup either. I know I will eventually want to have room in there for a stove as well. So like I said Im kinda lost because all of the options. Anyone have any sort of advice for me? Im hoping buy a setup and have it last me while hopefully.

thanks,
Trent

 

[tttoadman]

Do a search for "floorless", "tipi", tarp", etc You will find hrs of reading that may fill your mind with more questions than answers. I Am a huge fan of my copper spur 2, but I have it for me and my gear. It is made for 2 with dual vestibules, so it may be a good option for you at about 3 lb. I made a home made canopy and bathtub floor from a scabricated tent to see if it was something I could like. I will be trying a tarp and bivy for the first time this spring to see if it is something I could move toward as a lighter weight option. Everybody is different. You will just need to try the floorless and see if it is for you.

 

[aboltlrhunter]

Thanks for your input I appreciate it!

Trent

 

[Solitude]

Thumbs up in the Copper Spur tents. Unless your GF if pretty adapt to the outdoors I highly recommend getting a tent with a floor. After you spend some time with a CS you will know exactly what you really like, or possibly want different before you go floor less. Just my 2cents...

If you find yourself getting the itch to head out in snow/winter with a stove and floorless then honestly I think you need to chat with who you are heading out with as it's a different style hunt. GF, well, maybe a good test?

You could go with a Go Light SL5 used.... and have Bear Paw Wilderness Designs add a stove jack sleeve to the nest/floor insert and take the floor when you want.....just a thought.

Start simple and build IMO, CS is a good solid tent line. The line also allows you to use it fast fly and abandoned the floor/nest to save weight and see if floor-less is really what you may want to switch too.

 

[n2horns]

I just picked up a lightheargear solong 6 tent, they have 15% off. The tent is nice and light. A palace for 1 with gear. Single wall design with 2 nice vestibules. 2 people never tried, but probably room, but for 2 big guys tight. My buddy has one and I liked his so i bought one during the sale. It comes with a floor and uses trekking poles or separate Easton style poles to keep it up.

I also have and use a Tarptent notch for nicer weather, not much storage room for rain and this one is truly a one person.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

My choice...love it: http://www.tarptent.com/stratospire2.html

 

[PMcGee]

My choice...love it: http://www.tarptent.com/stratospire2.html

I'm liking mine as well. I use the fly only. Lots of room for one or two people and gear.

 

[kyle1112]

You guys got any pictures out in the field of the stratospire2

 

[PMcGee]

 

[PMcGee]

 

[PMcGee]

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Open



Buttoned up

 

[aboltlrhunter]

I'm liking mine as well. I use the fly only. Lots of room for one or two people and gear.

Do you think there is enough room for 2 plus a small stove?

 

[KMT]

I have a copper spur 2, and it would be really tight (impossible unless you are both really tiny) for two plus gear inside the tent. However, there are two doors, and each has a vestibule where you can keep boots, pack, etc. I like having a tent with a floor.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

No stoves in tarptents. Might wanna check the Kifaru floorless tarps, tipis and tents but you will be adding weight and work. I prefer a nest. being able to keep rodents, reptiles and bugs out is nice.

[video=youtube;pnE40fJwLts]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnE40fJwLts[/video]

 

[desertcj]

No stoves in tarptents. Might wanna check the Kifaru floorless tarps, tipis and tents but you will be adding weight and work. I prefer a nest. being able to keep rodents, reptiles and bugs out is nice.

[video=youtube;pnE40fJwLts]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnE40fJwLts[/video]

Why not? I've seen a lot of stoves in tarps and tarp tents. I agree about keeping out creepy crawlies if they are in your area. Ants and the occasional mouse or chipmunk doesn't really bother me, but if I was out in the dez...I definitely don't want a rattler curling up next to me at night!

 

[luke moffat]

The more I see it in action the more I like it for a first backpacking tent.

The REI Quarter Dome. They are inexpensive (can get them for $175 for the 3 man or $150 for the 2 man shipped) and realtively lightweight, 2 doors, 2 vestibules, and free standing. Plus as traditional backpacking tents go their are pretty lightweight under 5 pounds for a 3 man and under 4 pounds for the 2 man.

That and it has the option for the fly only with the poles for kinda a free standing tarp in a sense to get have the option to get that weight down even more (3 pounds even for the 2 man and under 4 pounds for the 3 man tent).

The 3 man without the inner tent with the foot print is gonna be close to the same sq footage covered as say a GoLite SL-3 but that is going to have A LOT more useable space due to the more vertical sidewalls. Yes it'll be a pound more, but its a very versatile setup for a guy not quite ready to make the jump to non-freestanding floorless. More or less a versatile "gateway" tent to try the floorless thing if one would want to go that route and if they don't just continue to use the tent as is.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Why not? I've seen a lot of stoves in tarps and tarp tents. I agree about keeping out creepy crawlies if they are in your area. Ants and the occasional mouse or chipmunk doesn't really bother me, but if I was out in the dez...I definitely don't want a rattler curling up next to me at night!

Tarptents are not designed for stoves, only floorless shelters are designed for stoves/stovepipes. You'd melt the sucker on two minutes! LOL

 

[MandRroofing]

I have a sixmoon design s solo tent.they make a couple 2 person tents.these are nice lightweight tents.

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents.html

 

[desertcj]

Tarptents are not designed for stoves, only floorless shelters are designed for stoves/stovepipes. You'd melt the sucker on two minutes! LOL

OK, my definition of a tarp tent is just a little different. I don't think that all tarptents have floors or nests. In fact, in my mind a tarptent is literally a floorless tent, but is not a tarp because the shape is more complex than a simple square or rectangle. Carry on...