Quality/Affordable Tents?

[Vitals]

It looks like they don't make a footprint for the SL3/5 ?

 

[muleman]

It looks like they don't make a footprint for the SL3/5 ?

They used to. I have the fly and just the footprint for the SL3. Last year they stopped offering the footprint. My kids use the SL3 with the footprint. Otherwise, just use tyvek for the ground cloth. A 82"x36" piece of tyvek is like 4.2oz. 82" is cut long for a long pad. I have some tyvek in the classifieds if interested.

 

[muleman]

Here is a video that shows how easy it is to pitch.

http://youtu.be/QsIL70nYYA4

 

[Vitals]

What have you guys found you like more about a non-freestanding tent?

 

[muleman]

The ability to pitch around or over things you couldn't with a normal tent.

For instance in early May I took my boys on an organized Fathers and Sons camp out. We were sporting the SL5 for me and my three boys. When we arrived the spots I had planned on pitching in were already occupied by some new comers to the group. So I went hunting for a 10x10 flat spot. What I found was roughly a 10x8.5 sloping spot. So I layed the SL5 including nest out and pitched one side short. Which I never could have done with a free standing tent. If I had been floorless on this trip I would have had a couple more level site options. Because I would have been able to pitch over some small brush.

 

[fillthefreezer]

you can pitch the SL5 over small trees and on ground thats not even close to flat. only snow free spot with a flat spot large enough to sleep in required pitching over a small tree

 

[muleman]

I also really like "walking" into a floorless shelter with boots on. Also, In my experience, with proper sight selection, floorless is cleaner.

 

[pawneepredator]

As was mentioned before Big 5 has really cheap decent tents. http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/product/tents/478242-149276/hi-tec-tioga-v-lite-2-person-tent.html My dad and i both bought one of these last year for like 10 bucks a piece on sale. Really light if you lose the pole and use a trekking pole. Seems like its not real great quality but for 10 bucks its good enough. Tight with 2 people in one, it would be better for 1 person.

 

[Bloodworks]

you can pitch the SL5 over small trees and on ground thats not even close to flat. only snow free spot with a flat spot large enough to sleep in required pitching over a small tree
View attachment 9241

Sure is better out west. Trying that here in the east would turn into an advanced entomology course.

 

[JNDEER]

I am a BA fan. lightweight and great all around tents.

 

[Vitals]

I also really like "walking" into a floorless shelter with boots on. Also, In my experience, with proper sight selection, floorless is cleaner.

Thats a nice part about some of the stand alone tents I am finding is it has the option of being pitches as just a fly and footprint if wanted. This is a tougher decision that I had anticipated....

 

[dirtytough]

Its hard to beat a tarptent for weight and price. I have used one for years and it has held up in all sorts of conditions.

Henry Shires makes them

 

[dirtytough]

Look at the tarptents by Henry Shires. They are pretty hard to beat.

 

[steveo]

try a REI half moon. Lots of room and two big vestibules. Its a little heavy but your girlfriend will like it.

 

[Vitals]

I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on the SL5. I want my girl to check it out first since it is our tent so she will after shes done making dinner.....now to find a tyvek for a footprint

 

[muleman]

I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on the SL5. I want my girl to check it out first since it is our tent so she will after shes done making dinner.....now to find a tyvek for a footprint

I have tyvek 36" wide by what ever length you want.

 

[Vitals]

Done deal. Thanks guys for all your input and help.

 

[mfolch]

I've priced a dozen different sites, and I have not found anyone who competes with bearpaw wilderness designs. My needs were specific: pyramid or tipi style, light, affordable, room for me (and my girlfriend who hates hiking, spending nights outdoors, and bugs, should she ever decide to join me or lose a bet or something), and gear, and able to be equipped with a stove for 4-season hunting. With all that, bearpaw simply beats everyone out. I really like the owner, who has been extraordinarily helpful; and I've directed friends, family, and hunting partners to his business. Here's a review: http://www.rokslide.com/forums/show...derness-Designs-Luna-4-Pyramid-Shelter-Review.

I don't know how his work will compare for what you want, but the Luna 4 cost less than half of what a kifaru 4 person tipi would (which I've used and it's ok, but painfully overpriced). Now I'm thinking of adding a tarp tent to the mix, and I still have not found anyone who sells comparable work as inexpensively. Just my 2 cents.

Here's the link: http://www.bearpawwd.com/index.html