suggestions for lightweight 2 person tent.

[MOcommander]

All I ever see on here is guys buying the most expensive items available. Is there just a monopoly on quality backpacking tents or is there cheaper options without getting complete trash. I understand you get what you pay for.......What are the tenacious hunters using? Anyone have experience with ALPS tents?

 

[dotman]

All I ever see on here is guys buying the most expensive items available. Is there just a monopoly on quality backpacking tents or is there cheaper options without getting complete trash. I understand you get what you pay for.......What are the tenacious hunters using? Anyone have experience with ALPS tents?

Usually you sacrifice something, weight and durability are an expensive combo. No idea on the ALPS gear but if it is light weight and cheap don't expect it to last or protect you when needed.

 

[mrbillbrown]

All I ever see on here is guys buying the most expensive items available. Is there just a monopoly on quality backpacking tents or is there cheaper options without getting complete trash. I understand you get what you pay for.......What are the tenacious hunters using? Anyone have experience with ALPS tents?

When I started planning my first trip out west I bought an Alps Mtneering 2man tent for my trip. Figured it was big enough for me plus gear, had 2 doors and vestibules, and cost me $150. The "downside" to it was the weight. It weighs almost 5# as stripped down as I can get it. Construction seems ok and it's inexpensive enough that if it were destroyed by a bear, stolen, or left on the mtn it wouldn't be the end of the world. Came home from my first trip and had zero complaints with it other the the extra pound or so of weight. Had I not bought a mega tarp and stove for this year's trip I would be taking it back to CO with me.

 

[COlineman78]

When I started planning my first trip out west I bought an Alps Mtneering 2man tent for my trip. Figured it was big enough for me plus gear, had 2 doors and vestibules, and cost me $150. The "downside" to it was the weight. It weighs almost 5# as stripped down as I can get it. Construction seems ok and it's inexpensive enough that if it were destroyed by a bear, stolen, or left on the mtn it wouldn't be the end of the world. Came home from my first trip and had zero complaints with it other the the extra pound or so of weight. Had I not bought a mega tarp and stove for this year's trip I would be taking it back to CO with me.

I have an Alps Mystique 1.5 for a cheap, light 1p and a REI Half Dome 2+ as a cheap light 2p. Both have treated me quite well. You sacrifice weight for cost, which is something I'm okay with since 65lbs and 40lbs feel the same to me in my pack. A good pack will allow you to cut corners elsewhere. Both these tents weigh about 1lb more than their Big Agnes counterparts, so I'll carry an extra pound to save $200+ and put it towards a pack.

Sierra Trading usually has some good deals on some Alps for anyone interested.

 

[dreamingbig]

I still roll with either a mountain hardware drifter 3, an rei half dome 3+ or a big Agnes 1 man. I do have a bcs grande from seek outside for trips when a wood stove is handy.

 

[three5x5s]

All I ever see on here is guys buying the most expensive items available. Is there just a monopoly on quality backpacking tents or is there cheaper options without getting complete trash. I understand you get what you pay for.......What are the tenacious hunters using? Anyone have experience with ALPS tents?

Just my 2 cents & I have not sheep hunted (Yet). For some or most,these tents are in the field when failure can be catastrophic. You are limited on weight on the flight in & out. so weight is not just important in your pack, its how much do you, pack & all gear weight. Wind, rain & snow can cause a tent failure, how well will your hunt be with a unusable tent and how much gear will be ruined. Its not replaceable till the hunt is over. You dont want to leave the hunt early over a tent failure, so maybe the (proven) lightweight tents are expensive because they use better material and have better design and can take the worst weather and keep you in the field.Or as my Grandmother wold say-an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

 

[three5x5s]

After re-reading that I kida sound SNARKY, or like a Jerk. Was not my intention, Just there is a place for about every kind of tent.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Nuther Tarptent fan, I have the SS2. 3.5lbs. Tallest of all the tarptents. https://www.tarptent.com/stratospire2.html

 

[MOcommander]

Nuther Tarptent fan, I have the SS2. 3.5lbs. Tallest of all the tarptents. https://www.tarptent.com/stratospire2.html

Would the tarptent or similar design be plenty of tent no doubt for a September elk archery hunt? This is great guys thanks for all the pointers and wisdom. I'm just trying to gear up for my first western hunt ever so I am ignorant when it comes to this stuff. Plus I'm just a ridge runner from Missouri. I would love to have a Hilleberg or Big Agnes don't get me wrong but damn $....hopefully I can find a nice used tent. And also do you guys prefer a 2-man over a 1-man tent. My plan is to hunt next year so I have time.

 

[Northernpiker]

Moosejaw has the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 for $375 now, very good price!

 

[durangobrad]

All I ever see on here is guys buying the most expensive items available. Is there just a monopoly on quality backpacking tents or is there cheaper options without getting complete trash. I understand you get what you pay for.......What are the tenacious hunters using? Anyone have experience with ALPS tents?

I bought an Alps Lynx2 when I first moved to Colorado and started backpacking. It has worked well and held its own in some bad weather. Like others have said the downside is the weight. The quality is there and for about $110 it has definitely served me well and still makes it out on some car camping trips.

 

[ben h]

I have the Black Diamond Highlight. It's right around 3 lbs and I'd say it's a cozy 2 man. I don't have the vestuble (sp) so I usually just use it by myself or bring a tarp to cover gear at night with 2 people. I bought mine used for around $200 and so far it's been a good value. Check out geartrade.com periodically and you can find some really good deals.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I solo in thr SS2 cuz I like my space however, it is a 2-3 man tent w/ larges vestibules.

I'm 6' and 230lbs here (for scale):