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Author Topic: Tents. What are my best options for backpacking?  (Read 6763 times)

THE NORSEMAN

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Tents. What are my best options for backpacking?
« on: October 23, 2008, 09:35:58 am »
I had a nice 4 person kelty, only weighed 4-5 pounds, IIRC.  Wife took it in the divorce.  I'll be looking to replace it in the spring.  Would those of you with experience give me some pointers?  Where I'm now solo, I don't need one that big anymore anyway, which is a plus on the weight/bulk side of things.

Thanks in advance.
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    ScottyT

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    Re: Tents. What are my best options for backpacking?
    « Reply #1 on: October 23, 2008, 11:03:32 am »
    When I see you next we can talk about this.  I can score you a great tent from almost any manufacturer for wholesale price (sometimes less) when February rolls around.
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    GeorgeHill

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    Re: Tents. What are my best options for backpacking?
    « Reply #2 on: October 23, 2008, 12:37:01 pm »
    I miss my old Army Pup Tent.
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    THE NORSEMAN

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    Re: Tents. What are my best options for backpacking?
    « Reply #3 on: October 23, 2008, 06:48:13 pm »
    Quote
    I can score you a great tent from almost any manufacturer for wholesale price (sometimes less)

    Now see Scotty, statements like that are what bring the 'ol good karma fairy around.
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    This may be considered as the true palladium of liberty. . . . The right of self defence is the first law of nature: in most governments it has been the study of rulers to confine this right within the narrowest limits possible. Wherever standing armies are kept up, and the right of the people to keep and bear arms is, under any colour or pretext whatsoever, prohibited, liberty, if not already annihilated, is on the brink of destruction- St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries

    Outbreak

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    Re: Tents. What are my best options for backpacking?
    « Reply #4 on: October 28, 2008, 03:03:49 am »
    I had a 4-man Kelty back in my camping days, but I never packed with it, and I haven't camped much in the last (damn, has it really been) 7 years. Less than once a year since high-school. Either way, it was a great tent, and I would recommend it to others. Like I said, I'm not much of a hiker. More like a pull the truck in because I don't feel like hauling the beer that far camper.
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    TexasOutbreak

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    Muggins

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    Re: Tents. What are my best options for backpacking?
    « Reply #5 on: October 30, 2008, 04:16:58 pm »
    Before you decide on a tent, have a look at the Hennessey Hammocks.

    If you're backpacking then weight is a real issue.  Here in New Zealand we have lots of areas of heavy bush and steep hills ... places that you're never going to get a vehicle.  A lot of our hunting is done on foot in wild country that is at least a day's walk from the nearest thing that could be called a road.  Everything you need you carry .... you better make sure that everything you carry, you need.  Even if you go in by helicopter, weight is still an issue.

    In the past I've used tents and if I'm going lightweight I've used bivvy bags (basically just a waterproof cover for your sleeping bag), but I've read a bit about these Hennessey Hammocks and they really sound interesting.  When it comes time to replace my current tent, I'm seriously considering getting one of these hammocks.

    http://hennessyhammock.com/

    No connection to the company, just really like the idea.

    Muggins
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    Medikman

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    Re: Tents. What are my best options for backpacking?
    « Reply #6 on: October 30, 2008, 04:46:36 pm »
    Colman makes some good lightweight backpacking tents that are for 1-2 people. They usually run around $150-$300
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    Eagle

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    Re: Tents. What are my best options for backpacking?
    « Reply #7 on: October 30, 2008, 05:21:49 pm »
    I have a REI Taj 3 which I use several times a year with the kids.  It's overkill from a size/weight perspective for solo backpacking, but it is solid reliable gear with a lifetime satisfaction warranty.  I don't know about others here, but I've always been well-pleased with REI gear and service, and once you factor in the membership dividend it is usually priced competitively.  I've taken old, worn gear in for repair/replacement and always been treated more than fairly.
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    Texas

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    Re: Tents. What are my best options for backpacking?
    « Reply #8 on: October 30, 2008, 08:20:50 pm »
    Quote from: Muggins on October 30, 2008, 04:16:58 pm
    Before you decide on a tent, have a look at the Hennessey Hammocks.

    If you're backpacking then weight is a real issue.  Here in New Zealand we have lots of areas of heavy bush and steep hills ... places that you're never going to get a vehicle.  A lot of our hunting is done on foot in wild country that is at least a day's walk from the nearest thing that could be called a road.  Everything you need you carry .... you better make sure that everything you carry, you need.  Even if you go in by helicopter, weight is still an issue.

    In the past I've used tents and if I'm going lightweight I've used bivvy bags (basically just a waterproof cover for your sleeping bag), but I've read a bit about these Hennessey Hammocks and they really sound interesting.  When it comes time to replace my current tent, I'm seriously considering getting one of these hammocks.

    http://hennessyhammock.com/

    No connection to the company, just really like the idea.

    Muggins

    That looks like cool stuff, but having camped in cold weather, I wouldn't recommend a hammock. I was into tarp-n-rope camping for a while, where we brought tents only to house our gear and give us a place to change clothes. Once, in a snow storm, I hung a hammock under a tarp, and while I was well protected from the snow, even my zero degree Slumberjack mummy bag wasn't enough to keep me warm. When you sleep on the ground, the ground helps insulate you and the cold air doesn't get under you, and let me tell ya, it makes a difference. OTOH, if you're doing it in warm weather, I can't think of a more comfortable way to sleep or just kick back.
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    TexasOutbreak

    I take my coffee black...like my rifles.

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    Irwin

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    Re: Tents. What are my best options for backpacking?
    « Reply #9 on: October 31, 2008, 01:10:34 pm »
    Snow usally forms at 2 c  thew temp is bound to fall below that at night so thats probably why you where cold in your bag, when I was in wales we slept under tarp for a night in -20c bags temp got down to 3c or so so it wasnt that cold. Irwin
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    Outbreak

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    Re: Tents. What are my best options for backpacking?
    « Reply #10 on: November 01, 2008, 05:56:29 pm »
    Quote from: Irwin on October 31, 2008, 01:10:34 pm
    Snow usally forms at 2 c  thew temp is bound to fall below that at night so thats probably why you where cold in your bag, when I was in wales we slept under tarp for a night in -20c bags temp got down to 3c or so so it wasnt that cold. Irwin

    its a zero degree Farenheit bag. I still had about 30 degrees to its limit.
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    TexasOutbreak

    I take my coffee black...like my rifles.

    I absolutely despise Glocks. That's why I only own two.

    I'm glad that your chains rest lightly upon you. --JesseL
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