Planning to Upgrade to a 2-Person Tent with Gear Vestibules for Rocky Mountain Hunts

[greyghostnw]

If willing to use trekking poles check out tarp tent. DCF versions. I have a few one man 16 oz for tough high country pursuits where im going light n moving. The two persons i think would be equal quality. Never know maybe something of interest. Definitely pros and cons to using trekking poles. My experience has been very storm worthy if pinned down stakes with rocks per usual…

 

[Hunt_Jefferson]

Thanks for sharing, I will give Durston a look, as it looks like they both the trekking pole and freestanding tents.
Heck even the Durston X-Mid 1 has two (2) vestibules!

This is in the morning after that spring snowstorm. Not the most impressive example since it looks a little saggy but for context this was pitched on top of 3’ of existing snow, at midnight, in the middle of a snowstorm. AND was my first time setting it up in the snow attempting to using small branches as deadman’s.

Lots of lessons learned but the biggest was that it didn’t collapse plus kept me warm and dry all night.

 

[jmez]

I know you didn't list it, but I'd look at Tarptent.

Sent from my moto g power - 2025 using Tapatalk

 

[chancey]

I have the Skyscraper 2p. Don’t have a ton of time with the tent, spent about 10 nights in it. When it’s all staked out it feels like it could take some pretty serious weather. So far only been in fairly mild weather 15mph or so of wind and light rain. Condensation was average when the fly was fully zipped, when I use the little chingaderas that prop the fly open I had zero condensation. It’s a palace for one person with plenty of space for gear in the vestibules or inside the tent. Any questions let me know.

 

[EcoastDG]

I also have the SG skyscraper 2p. I have used it for a few years in various conditions. It's been through 2 snowstorms with up to 20 inches of snow but minimal wind. It has been through a bunch of hellacious thunderstorms with winds that made me wonder if it would collapse. It did fine, however during a heavy rainstorm I did have water come through the roof vent. I have since flipped the fly so the vents are on opposite sides and it hasn't been an issue since.

One other negative on the tent is the floor is kind of thin and easily punctured so definitely set it up with the provided footprint.

For the weight and inner capacity, it's a great tent. I wouldn't hesitate on buying another one.

Side note- A couple of buddies use the KUIU tents and they love them. That would be another great option.

 

[chancey]

I also have the SG skyscraper 2p. I have used it for a few years in various conditions. It's been through 2 snowstorms with up to 20 inches of snow but minimal wind. It has been through a bunch of hellacious thunderstorms with winds that made me wonder if it would collapse. It did fine, however during a heavy rainstorm I did have water come through the roof vent. I have since flipped the fly so the vents are on opposite sides and it hasn't been an issue since.

One other negative on the tent is the floor is kind of thin and easily punctured so definitely set it up with the provided footprint.

For the weight and inner capacity, it's a great tent. I wouldn't hesitate on buying another one.

Side note- A couple of buddies use the KUIU tents and they love them. That would be another great option.

I have thought about flipping the fly around also. Did you have condensation issues when you did that?

 

[EcoastDG]

A little bit of condensation. I usually open one of the side windows for some ventilation.

 

[BSLugnut]

This is in the morning after that spring snowstorm. Not the most impressive example since it looks a little saggy but for context this was pitched on top of 3’ of existing snow, at midnight, in the middle of a snowstorm. AND was my first time setting it up in the snow attempting to using small branches as deadman’s.

Lots of lessons learned but the biggest was that it didn’t collapse plus kept me warm and dry all night.

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Thanks for sharing.
The tent looks like it still provided cover, which is what we want from a shelter.

 

[DrBeetleKill]

I have both the Kuiu mountain star and durston x dome +1. Both great tents and couldn't go wrong with either.

Randy

View attachment 945445View attachment 945446View attachment 945447

Are these the two you run for your solo shelters all season?

 

[mtnwrunner]

Are these the two you run for your solo shelters all season?

Yes, although in the summer I often use my Durston xmid 2 as it provides a bit more room for my dog. But it also takes up a larger footprint.

Randy

 

[Dave0317]

How do you tend to use your shelter? You imply backcountry hunts on foot, but do you stay mobile, packing up the tent and moving every day, or do you work out if it like a backcountry basecamp?

And do you already carry trekking poles?

 

[CMF]

I’ve had my Durston X-Mid 2P Solid in spring snowstorms (~3” overnight) and summer winds, the ability to cinch the fly down to ground level or bring it up for extra ventilation gives it a lot more flexibility (IMO).

Trekking poles or dedicated tent poles needed.

+1 for the Xmid 2

 

[DrBeetleKill]

Yes, although in the summer I often use my Durston xmid 2 as it provides a bit more room for my dog. But it also takes up a larger footprint.

Randy

Thanks! I grabbed a Kuiu on sale last week to try out.

 

[BSLugnut]

How do you tend to use your shelter? You imply backcountry hunts on foot, but do you stay mobile, packing up the tent and moving every day, or do you work out if it like a backcountry basecamp?

And do you already carry trekking poles?

Yes, to stay mobile. Historically, I haven't moved daily.
No basecamp, just the hike in up to 5 miles from the truck.
Yes, I have and use trekking poles, primarily to hike back to truck, hopefully heavier than I went in.

 

[Dave0317]

Yes, to stay mobile. Historically, I haven't moved daily.
No basecamp, just the hike in up to 5 miles from the truck.
Yes, I have and use trekking poles, primarily to hike back to truck, hopefully heavier than I went in.

Gotcha.
Having trekking poles with you opens up a million lightweight options.
You can easily get a shelter that weighs half of what you have been bringing, but has double the space or more.

But the tents you listed are both pretty tough and heavy free standing 4 season tents. So I guess if you are really prioritizing bombproof weather protection, you are going to be sacrificing some floor space. I may not be any help.

But if I have trekking poles already, I’d be definitely dropping weight, and simultaneously adding square footage and pick a 2 or 4 person Argali. Or the 3p Lemhi when it comes out. Just can’t beat their price/square footage/packed weight ratios.

Do you tend to camp above tree line? Or face some pretty extreme weather? What states/places do you plan to use the shelter?

 

[nphunter]

Personally, I would skip a trekking pole tent I've used them for years and still have a couple but depending on the area you might not be able to get a stake in the ground. I've had this happen multiple times, most of the time it's not a big deal because the weather is decent and you can just use the tent as a zip up bug net. You can try to carry logs and rocks to pile on the tent but that can be a PITA as well.

I finally just bought a Mtn Star 2P and wish I would have switched years earlier. I still love my floorless in the right spots or even my uber light trekking pole tents but unless I know the area and the soil type I'm going free standing. This spring after buying the free standing we went on a shed hunting trip and a buddy used my trekking pole tent, we were in winter range in a steep canyon and ended up sleeping on a small rocky ridge. He struggled with getting the poles in well, it was also muddy on top of the rock and he ended up having the tent fall in on him during the night, it was in the low 30's and raining, he was also in a down bag and ended up getting cold and wet. Luckily it was just an overnight trip and he didn't need to depend on it over the weekend.

Yes with enough messing around you can usually get a trekking pole tent to work but IMO it's just not worth the hassle and sometimes there is a certain spot you want to set up and when you get there, the ground will not work well for staking out.

 

[BSLugnut]

Gotcha.
Having trekking poles with you opens up a million lightweight options.
You can easily get a shelter that weighs half of what you have been bringing, but has double the space or more.

But the tents you listed are both pretty tough and heavy free standing 4 season tents. So I guess if you are really prioritizing bombproof weather protection, you are going to be sacrificing some floor space. I may not be any help.

But if I have trekking poles already, I’d be definitely dropping weight, and simultaneously adding square footage and pick a 2 or 4 person Argali. Or the 3p Lemhi when it comes out. Just can’t beat their price/square footage/packed weight ratios.

Do you tend to camp above tree line? Or face some pretty extreme weather? What states/places do you plan to use the shelter?

Thanks for the additional context.
I am usually not above treeline, unless I draw a tag that dictates as such. Being below treeline in Sept and Oct, reduces the chances of severe weather in CO, ID, MT, and WY.