1-2 person lightweight tent suggestions ..

[KDOG]

..... that don't require me to sell a kidney to afford it. I'd say up to $100. I am leaning toward a 2-person as to have room for gear but will consider a one person. I'm 5'6" with athletic build. I have a Koppen Hamr 3 person that weighs just over 5lbs but want smaller and lighter. Not interested in the open tarp setups as I'm not a big fan of being exposed and waking up wet and with bugs/critters all over me.

 

[BJett]

$100 is gonna be tough especially for a lightweight, quality tent. REI and Kelty make good, affordable tents. Might be able to find one in the $150-$200 range if you shop around.
http://www.rei.com/outlet/search/?c...,22000001:Camping+&+Hiking^cat,22000022:Tents
this is the cheapest MSR tent I've seen but looks a little heavy...I'm a big fan of MSR, their tents have lasted me many years...
http://www.backcountry.com/paha-que...eason?ti=UExQIENhdDo6MToxOmJjc0NhdDcxMDAwMDQw

I'm about your size, I use a 1-person tent and keep my gear under the vestibule. Plenty of room.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Light weight or low price....going to have to choose one over the other...those extra ounces usually come with a premium price tag!

 

[steve]

x2, though "lightweight" means different things to different people. Do you consider lightweight under 8 lbs, or under 2 lbs?

How much do you plan to use it?

Probably not what you wanted to hear, but tents are one of those items that you really get what you pay for. $150-250 will get you a great tent. I have over 200 nights in my $300 tent, and it's easily got another 200 nights left before it needs to be replaced.

 

[Bob]

Like said above..... light weight or low price, doesn't usually go together. Lightweight for me is in the 2lb range. Can't beat a Tarptent Rainbow, what I use. The Tarptent Double rainbow is ample for two people.... but you are in the mid $200's. Will last a lot of years though!

 

[gnwatts]

I am a certified gear snob. Having said that I am usually too broke to buy what I want when it first comes out. My all around tent is a 10 year old 4 season single wall Bibler I-tent (4.5 lbs). Although owned by Black Diamond now, they still make the same tent virtually unchanged. I bought mine used about 8 years ago for $350. I have never had a better all around single wall tent. Because they are so well made, you could nab a used one for a great price I think and get many years out of it. Downside is there is no mesh, no gazing at moonlit nights etc. I am not usually in my tent if it is a moonlit night though. I go cheap on some items, but a tent is not one of them (It is protecting a few thousand dollars worth of camera equipment usually). As an aside, the yellow color is pretty bright, but it's brightness has saved me a few times on Cedar Mesa, trying to find my tent. I am usually lost to some degree, and climbing a hill and seeing the neon yellow was comforting.

 

[Nick]

Keep an eye on the tents section at Sierra Trading Post and get on their email list. Wait until a 35% off coupon comes along and you can usually score a pretty nice tent for 60-70% off retail. I've gotten a ton of good gear through STP like that.

 

[HomerJ]

Check out Alps Mountaineering tents. You can usually find them for just over $100-$130. I have the Mystic 1.5. It's a great tent for one and can fit a second person if needed.

 

[KDOG]

Thanks all!

 

[steve]

My buddy just picked up a Golite Imogene for $250 at the Golite outlet. Fantastic tent for the price, and it's just barely over 2 lbs.

http://www.golite.com/Imogene-UL2-Tent-P47000.aspx

 

[Bob]

Golite is a good tent, but is overall a smaller than the Dbl Rainbow for the same weight. Both weigh about 2 lb 10 oz. Probably because the Tarptents are single walled, something not everyone likes. A heavier tent Blk Diamond, MSR, etc usually will take more adverse weather as well, tho not always the case. You will probably be happy with any major brand.

 

[baltocharlie]

There's a Tarptent Moment for sale on BPL for $150. Decent price for an UL tent. They also had a few MLD Solomids(tarp) for sale. Superlightweight! I often scrounge off the cast-offs from BPL. They get rid of some nice stuff in great shape.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi...ums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=86466

 

[Kelbo]

Watch for the REI used gear sale, you can pick up a returned or slightly damaged tent for killer cheap. You can also find good deals at the REI outlet online and don't forget Ebay!

 

[leatherman]

The Deal of the Day at REI Outlet is a Sierra Designs Vapor Light 2 for about $150.

 

[Tater Head]

I ended up buying a Sierra Desings ZIA 2 at Dick's sporting goods. It was on clearance for around $80.00. It's a bit heavy at 5 pounds, but the price was right for me. I'm like you not a huge fan of open tarp tents. At the time didn't have the extra scratch for a $250.00 and up tent. One of these day I will upgrade. I would eventually love to have a 25 pound pack. Here's to dreaming and hundreds of dollars spent...

 

[Nick]

Better to have a slightly heavier tent than something that is not intended for it at all. Plus when you end up upgrading, you'll have a 'loaner' for a buddy.