Tarptent or better option

Chaplain

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Looking for a light-weight 2 person backpacking tent option for the wife and I with occasional small/midsize dog.
Just heard of Tarptent, is this the goto?

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Voyageur

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I've had my Tarptent Stratospire II for close to 10 years now and have zero complaints. Have used it in AK, WY, ID, SD, and MN during spring, summer, and fall. Trips have been a mix of hunting, hiking/backpacking, canoeing, and vehicle camping.
Call and visit with Henry (owner) and get his opinion on which model would best meet your usage needs.
I think you would be very happy with a Tarptent.
Hope this helps.
Edit:
The two vestibules on the SSII are a great place for a dog to spend the night....out of the weather and relief from insects. I have a small mesh pyramid net I can hang inside a vestibule for the dog if the mosquitoes are really bad.
 
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BBob

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Just heard of Tarptent, is this the goto?
Don't know if it's the end all go to but they are very good and lots of satisfied users here. I have a Notch Li and totally happy with it for it's purpose. I use it as both a tarp and a tent depending on conditions.
 
OP
C

Chaplain

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I have a couple canvas tents for the family & I for when we are camping out of the car. Wanting to go the other extreme and get something super light/minimal for backpacking trips. However, still want a floor/bathtub like that of an enclosed tent. I don't like a drafty tent and want to be able to control airflow for hot days and button down for cold windy nights.
 

slowelk

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Tarptent is fantastic. We have three - a scarp 1, a stratospire 2 and a cloudburst 3. The Cloudburst 3 is my wife and I's backpacking solution.
 
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If it’s important to you, most Tarptents are made in China. Might look at Z-packs, Hyperlight Mountain Gear or Hill People Gear. I’m positive that Z-packs and Hill People are 100% US made. I believe Hyperlight is as well.

If it doesn’t matter to you I have heard good things about Tarptent quality when researching for my new tent. There are several fans on Rokslide.

 

CoStick

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Great service and quality. I have a double rainbow, takes like a minute to set up and doesn’t need much space.
 

slowelk

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If it’s important to you, most Tarptents are made in China. Might look at Z-packs, Hyperlight Mountain Gear or Hill People Gear. I’m positive that Z-packs and Hill People are 100% US made. I believe Hyperlight is as well.

If it doesn’t matter to you I have heard good things about Tarptent quality when researching for my new tent. There are several fans on Rokslide.


It’s a bummer for sure that they’ve moved a lot of their production to China AND raised their prices since 2019.
 
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I have had multiple Tarptent models and if I was looking for a floored light weight tent I would purchase another.
 

mtwarden

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I have two- Aeon Li that is utilized for summer backpacking and a Stratospire Li is use for shoulder season and winter (including hunting season)

Both are very nice shelters, both are crazy light, I've used both in some really rough weather. For hunting the Stratospire is the better choice- roomier, two large vestibules, double wall construction and more bomber.

The Aeon is ~ 1 lb with stakes, the Stratospire ~ 2 lbs with stakes- a feat not many can match
 

mtwarden

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I think he's saying IF he were looking he'd purchase another Tarptent, not another maker
 

mtwarden

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I believe he is looking to buy a tent and Tarptent is one he’s considering.


@CoStick deleted his post, he quoted @MuleyFever

MuleyFever said:
I have had multiple Tarptent models and if I was looking for a floored light weight tent I would purchase another.


and CoStick said "Why would you have multiple if there were better options? Seems silly."


always difficult getting context when someone deletes their post :D

as I said, definitely consider a Tarptent :)
 

ScottP

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Tarptent is fantastic. We have three - a scarp 1, a stratospire 2 and a cloudburst 3. The Cloudburst 3 is my wife and I's backpacking solution.
We also got a cloudburst 3 for small family and dog backpacking tent. It’s great. I also own a bowfin.
 
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@CoStick deleted his post, he quoted @MuleyFever

MuleyFever said:
I have had multiple Tarptent models and if I was looking for a floored light weight tent I would purchase another.


and CoStick said "Why would you have multiple if there were better options? Seems silly."


always difficult getting context when someone deletes their post

as I said, definitely consider a Tarptent
I thought you were talking about the OP.
Looking for a light-weight 2 person backpacking tent option for the wife and I with occasional small/midsize dog.
Just heard of Tarptent, is this the goto?

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Anyway, I only commented on this thread in hopes that the OP would consider a tent made in the USA. They don’t pay a living wage in China and China is not our friend. I wish Tarptent were made in fhe US, or a friendly country, they have some neat models. They used COVID as an excuse to bail to China and the owner has said he’s not bringing it back. Because of that I will do my best to make sure people know about them. They put out the facade of a little American cottage company. They are not.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming.
 
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mtwarden

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like I said, tough when someone deletes their post and you respond :D
 
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@CoStick deleted his post, he quoted @MuleyFever

MuleyFever said:
I have had multiple Tarptent models and if I was looking for a floored light weight tent I would purchase another.


and CoStick said "Why would you have multiple if there were better options? Seems silly."


always difficult getting context when someone deletes their post :D

as I said, definitely consider a Tarptent :)

I missed that original question. To answer though, no one tent does everything I want. I had 3 Tarptents for different scenarios. I still have 4 tents now for different outings. I have a very light 1 man for hunting in areas where a small footprint matters and its unlikely to rain. I have a Duomid for when I want more room for myself and gear and expect wet weather. I have a Redcliff for multiple people in a more mobile base camp type hunt or when I am hunting out of the SXS and I have a Kodiak Canvas for a when I am truck camping.
 

nosman4

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I actually have a TarpTent StratoSpire 2 that my wife and I purchased for the two of us and a dog, but then we got another dog before we could use it. I never used it and now it does us no good. It is seam sealed and all ready to go. It is the mesh interior and it comes with the netted side car if you have not seen that. I would be willing to sell if you are interested.
 

Aeromoto

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I have a 1P Tarptent, can't remember the specific model. I've used it in all 4 seasons, including a rainstorm in the Tahoe backcountry in January (we were prepared for snow, but not rain). Never had an issue with it, great tent.
 
OP
C

Chaplain

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I actually have a TarpTent StratoSpire 2 that my wife and I purchased for the two of us and a dog, but then we got another dog before we could use it. I never used it and now it does us no good. It is seam sealed and all ready to go. It is the mesh interior and it comes with the netted side car if you have not seen that. I would be willing to sell if you are interested.
DM me.

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