Big Tents

[steve]

I'm not familiar with the big house 4, but I agree with Nick that REI's tents are much better built (and designed) than Big Agnus tents in general.

 

[Wyatt Carson]

The REI Basecamp series has four crossing poles (plus one for the big front vestibule) instead of the two and a quarter that the Big Agnes does. That will make a huge difference. We have ridden out some amazing wind storms in our Basecamp 6 and a full on snow storm with gale winds that were so bad a camping neighbor worried that we might blow away but that tent stood tall and barely shook at all. I had it nailed down good with full guylines.

Done rule out a 6 person tent like the REI Basecamp 6. We use our for two, put our bedrolls, Helinox chairs and a little table in there for a real homey place to go in the cold wind at night. The huge vestibule is a nice shade shelter during hot sunny times you want to relax and cook or read a book. You aren't going to backpack with either of them anyway so a little more space is not a bad thing.

and right now until July 22 REI has a 25% off coupon on all REI branded goods so that tent would come down in price a good bit. Later in the year they will come down a little more, usually on their big sales.

 

[Dustin Gent]

Yes, Wyatt brought up a good point about the REI 25% off coupon going on right now. We have sold "several" Basecamp tents since May, and people seem to love them. Obviously I have no need for one that big, so I have no first hand experience with them.

And yeah, REI doesn't replace tent poles. There is a place up here in Vancouver, WA called tentpole technologies (http://tentpoletechnologies.com) that does wonderful work. I am sure there is a place local that does this type of repairs? I guess I will find out next month

 

[Mike K]

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit to the 6 person tent I just bought a few weeks ago! =) I couldn't justify the $400ish that the nice tents are commanding. We ended up going pretty budget with the Alps Mountaineering Meremac 6. It's simple, cheap, and has its low points, but I'm hoping it will serve it's intended purpose for us. I like that it has two doors.

When we rolled it out in the backyard...my first thoughts were, "What have we done?" "This thing it TOO big!" The only other tents I've owned have been 2 person backpacking tents. So the 10x10 ft footprint of this tent wowed me. It's so cavernous compared to what I'm used it. Anyhow...here's a picture of our new piece of gear. Don't make too much fun! =)

 

[Dustin Gent]

looks like a decent tent Obviously if you don't set it up in 50 mph winds, it will last years

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

When we rolled it out in the backyard...
View attachment 32387

You guys have no idea how jeleaus I get when I see gigantic mountains like this literally right behind your backyard fence.

 

[Mike K]

looks like a decent tent Obviously if you don't set it up in 50 mph winds, it will last years

Haha...I think you just jinxed us! First trip out it's going to get rallied in strong winds..

 

[Mike K]

You guys have no idea how jeleaus I get when I see gigantic mountains like this literally right behind your backyard fence.

We are pretty spoiled out here. I think the greener mountain on the right is a ridge leading up to Spanish Fork Peak.