best light 2-person 3-season tent?...

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drunkpoet...

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:33 am

Guest

I'm new to this but nothing relevant came up when i searched the forum
so here goes:

I'm looking at 2-person 3-season lightweight tents under $200. The
following are my options so far; your advice/experience regarding any
of them would be most appreciated.

-Sierra Designs (SD) clip flashlight. Looks cool, no complaints,
except small for 2 people. I'd be going with my girlfriend so I have
no problem getting cozy. $159 with free ship at altrec.com
-SD Lightning. great reviews, light, $195 at campsaver.com
-SD Baku 2 - 4lbs, packs small, roomy, good reviews, $200 at moosejaw
-Northface vario 23 fall '07, just under 4lbs packed, extra vestibule,
good reviews, a little pricier but on sale at $240 at moosejaw.
-Kelty grand mesa 2, light, crowded for 2, $120 at altrec.com
-and here's a sweet deal... Alps mountaineering Comet 2.0, just under
5lbs, for only $99 at rei-outlet! is this tent any good?

We will be two people (me and girlfriend) or just myself most of the
time. Hence the light weight is crucial. Also the budget is a little
flexible but can't exceed $250.

Right now I am partial to the clip flashlight for price + universally
positive reviews. Any thoughts or recommendations would be most
welcome. I thank you all

-S

ShadowTek...

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:23 pm

Guest

drunkpoet <slutchin at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote in news:69d991a6-d747-47f4-bc48-
f56793020b06 at (no spam) p25g2000hsf.googlegroups.com:

Quote:

My dad owns a Clip Flashlight. I can't comment on it personally, but I
can say that he does like it.

Personally, I like dome tents. I like to be able to get all my gear
inside my tent with me.

Ilja Friedel...

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:44 pm

Guest

In rec.backcountry drunkpoet <slutchin at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:

Quote:

We will be two people (me and girlfriend) or just myself most of the
time. Hence the light weight is crucial. Also the budget is a little
flexible but can't exceed $250.

It is unfortunately slightly above your range, but may I suggest the Tarptent
Double Rainbow. I have had the original Squall for years (and still have it), but I
purchased the Double Rainbow as my girlfriend is claustrophobic in the Squall. I
think the DR is an improvement. A bit heavier though. You will find plenty of
reviews googling for it.

Ilja.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

drunkpoet...

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:44 am

Guest

On Aug 7, 9:25 am, "Jim Dorsett" <jimdors... at (no spam) comcast.net> wrote:

Quote:

My vote is for the SD Cliplight - I've had one since 2001 and have enjoyed
it immensely. It's compact, lightweight for backpacking - but durable and
pretty much bomb proof resisting some pretty rough storms (just remember to
pitch the tent with the opening to the east to reduce the wind profile). It
is a little 'comfy' for two to change inside but it's not bad at all.

"drunkpoet" <slutc... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote in message

news:69d991a6-d747-47f4-bc48-f56793020b06 at (no spam) p25g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...

I'm new to this but nothing relevant came up when i searched the forum
so here goes:

I'm looking at 2-person 3-season lightweight tents under $200. The
following are my options so far; your advice/experience regarding any
of them would be most appreciated.

-Sierra Designs (SD) clip flashlight. Looks cool, no complaints,
except small for 2 people. I'd be going with my girlfriend so I have
no problem getting cozy. $159 with free ship at altrec.com
-SD Lightning. great reviews, light, $195 at campsaver.com
-SD Baku 2 - 4lbs, packs small, roomy, good reviews, $200 at moosejaw
-Northface vario 23 fall '07, just under 4lbs packed, extra vestibule,
good reviews, a little pricier but on sale at $240 at moosejaw.
-Kelty grand mesa 2, light, crowded for 2, $120 at altrec.com
-and here's a sweet deal... Alps mountaineering Comet 2.0, just under
5lbs, for only $99 at rei-outlet! is this tent any good?

We will be two people (me and girlfriend) or just myself most of the
time. Hence the light weight is crucial. Also the budget is a little
flexible but can't exceed $250.

Right now I am partial to the clip flashlight for price + universally
positive reviews. Any thoughts or recommendations would be most
welcome. I thank you all

-S

You do mean the clip flashlight, correct?

and Ilja, thanks for the recommendation. I am strongly considering
getting the DR. Although backordered, tarptent says I can get it by
labor day weekend. Seems to be worth it for the design alone (and
superlow weight).

Any feedback on the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2? 3lbs, roomy,
freestanding, $120 at manventure outpost...thoughts?

thanks again,
-s

y_p_w...

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:36 am

Guest

On Aug 6, 2:33 pm, drunkpoet <slutc... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:

Quote:

Right now I am partial to the clip flashlight for price + universally
positive reviews. Any thoughts or recommendations would be most
welcome. I thank you all

Right now I'm using a Sierra Designs Sirius 3 for car camping; it's
rather interesting seeing the mix of discount store and backpacking
tents used in campgrounds. It's really more like a roomy 2-person
tent than a real 3-person tent. I got mine for $99 as an older 2007
model, since SD went to I slightly different color scheme. The main
criticisms seem to be the small vestibule areas, but setup is
ridiculously easy. It may be a personal preference, but I like the
two-door design. Of course there's the true 2-person Sirius 2 (used
to be just "Sirius"). There are still some places selling the older
models of both of these for $90-120 on closeout. I got my Sirius 3 at
Altrec. Even for the current model, there are places that have them
on sale under your price range.

The Baku seems to be discontinued.

Jim Dorsett...

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:25 am

Guest

Quote:

Ilja Friedel...

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:53 pm

Guest

In rec.backcountry drunkpoet <slutchin at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:

Quote:

Any feedback on the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2? 3lbs, roomy,
freestanding, $120 at manventure outpost...thoughts?

A friend of mine has the Seedhouse SL2 (which btw is different from the Seedhouse 2
that is sold for $116 at manventure in that is one pound heavier). The SL2 is made
of very high quality material IMHO. Killer tent stakes, good pole material etc. I
saw him use it twice and took a brief look, but have no first hand experience. It
seems small though (1.5 person tent maybe). It also is quite high without giving
too much interior room back. Something to consider if wind is an issue.

Ilja.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

drunkpoet...

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:16 pm

Guest

On Aug 7, 4:53 pm, Ilja Friedel <u... at (no spam) friedel.ws> wrote:

Quote:

In rec.backcountry drunkpoet <slutc... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:

Any feedback on the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2? 3lbs, roomy,
freestanding, $120 at manventure outpost...thoughts?

A friend of mine has the Seedhouse SL2 (which btw is different from the Seedhouse 2
that is sold for $116 at manventure in that is one pound heavier). The SL2 is made
of very high quality material IMHO. Killer tent stakes, good pole material etc. I
saw him use it twice and took a brief look, but have no first hand experience. It
seems small though (1.5 person tent maybe). It also is quite high without giving
too much interior room back. Something to consider if wind is an issue.

Ilja.
** Posted fromhttp://www.teranews.com**

I was wondering where that "SL" went Wink

thanks for the tip.

I just placed an order for the double rainbow. The model is
backordered, but Henry says he can send it over before my Labor Day
trip. I am psyched.

d.s....

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:29 pm

Guest

On Aug 6, 2:33 pm, drunkpoet <slutc... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:

Quote:

I have the SD Lightning. I've only used it by myself, but I think
it's more of a 1.5 person tent, as I read in one review. The rainfly
does not give that much protection for your gear on the outside, so I
keep mine inside. You'd pretty likely be rubbing shoulders with a
partner in there. Well, maybe not, but your sleeping pads would
overlap, I'm pretty sure.

It is fairly light (3# I think), goes up easy. I haven't used it in a
while. I think I did get a little condensation inside. I've heard
the floor will wick water, under body pressure on a wet surface, but I
haven't used it in the rain, so I don't know. I think I probably did
as suggested, and gave the floor a coating of waterproofing after I
got it.

I like the tent, but I haven't tried the others.

J. Curl...

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:23 pm

Guest

On Aug 6, 2:33 pm, drunkpoet <slutc... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:

Quote:

-and here's a sweet deal... Alps mountaineering Comet 2.0, just under
5lbs, for only $99 at rei-outlet! is this tent any good?

I bought an Alps tent on sale at REI. A reasonably well constructed
tent. However the seam tape has delaminated on both the floor and the
fly. I could have returned it to REI for a refund but I've instead
spent the time to seal it myself the old fashioned way.

Ilja Friedel...

Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:26 am

Guest

In rec.backcountry drunkpoet <slutchin at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:

Quote:

I just placed an order for the double rainbow. The model is
backordered, but Henry says he can send it over before my Labor Day
trip. I am psyched.

Make sure to get the same brand of silicone sealer that is on the tarptent
website. I bought a different brand for the old tent and the sealer was
white giving me white stripes over all the seams. The one offered on the
site is transparent. It also did not dissolve well in acetone (chunky),
but commercial paint thinner did the trick. (Creates a very smooth gel.)

Drying probably takes 2 or 3 days. It also smells badly, so do it outside.

Ilja.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

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