backpacking tent?

[mellowtigger]

Does anyone have experience with a small tent that they recommend?  I'm looking for a 1-person tent that is lightweight (for backpacking), repels rainwater, and resists wind and snow damage.

After doing some looking around online, my current choice is Sierra's "Light Year".
http://www.rei.com/product/779205

While I'm at it, would you like to recommend a backpack for hiking too?  That product is completely out of my experience.  Suggestions on winter camping are also appreciated.  I'm hoping to be prepared with the proper equipment for that adventure by this coming winter.

Comments

[foeclan.livejournal.com]

REI has a sale going on, so you might be able to find something there. If you're a member there's an extra 20% discount (I am a member, so if you're not let me know and you can use mine).

[dangerdhotrod.livejournal.com]

The keywords you're looking for are four season mountaineering. Though I would just go to REI and ask some salesperson for help. It's going to be expensive probably to get a true four season tent.

I got this tent-> REI Arete ASL 2 Tent, which supposedly can be used for winter camping if it's not too extreme. I got this one because it was in my price range and seemed like a nice middle ground. From what I've seen to get something that is truly going to stand up for extreme winter conditions you've got to go up in price by alot. As instead of spending $100-300 you're going to spend $400-700.

I would check out reviews specifically mentioning winter camping if that's something you for sure want to do with it.

But regardless we should go winter camping together it is something I've wanted to try for awhile now.

Also REI is pretty good about returns so if you get something and it turns out to be not what you wanted you can get something different, even if it has been used.

[mellowtigger]

Now that you mention it, I see that my original choice is specifically listed only as a 3-season tent. :(((

At first glance, all the "mountaineering" tents are 2-person capacity with more support poles (to withstand weight from snow or wind). They also weigh 2-3 times what a 1-person tent weighs.

I'm definitely not spending money at the high end, but I see one of them on sale at the moment. It has lots of tie downs which would help in high winds. Very tempting.
http://www.rei.com/product/795544

[mellowtigger]

DONE: I bought the original "Light Year" tent. :)

I didn't get to see one of the tents set up, but I confirmed that there was almost no mesh ventilation on that "Mountain 25" tent. Actually, there's little ventilation on any of the mountaineering tents. That's a good feature where the air is cold and the wind high, but it's a lousy feature for common camping.

If I decide later to go all-out for winter camping, I'll reconsider getting a tent just for that environment. I do wonder, though, how they deal with freezing condensation on these sealed up tents. I should take one of the winter camping classes at REI when they offer another one.

[dangerdhotrod.livejournal.com]

On my tent there are two ventilation windows at the top, I think that's enough to not have the condensation.

I just used my tent for the first time this past weekend and the two small ventilation windows helped but it was a bit stuffy, I opened the front door screen too and it was still a bit hot once the sun was out.

I think it's for the best though, one of the main reasons I need a tent is for camping at Burning Man in the desert, and the all mesh tents end up full of dust.

I think the kind you got though is fine for winter camping as long as it's mild weather, and if it's not mild do you really want to be winter camping anyway? I doubt I'll be going on any expeditions anytime soon, more likely weekend getaways...

Winter is far off, but I'm serious about wanting to go let me know if you want to go sometime!

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

I only go motorcycle camping, so weight and size aren't as big an issue for me as they are for someone who has to haul everything on his back.

One point I would make is that if you're going to be camping in inclement weather... you might want a tent large enough to stow ALL your weather-sensitive gear inside and still allow you to sleep comfortably. Sure, you could do something with tarps or drybags... but if that gear is outside when you need it, you then have to expose yourself to the weather to GET it.

[mellowtigger]

I never take food that has to be cooked. It's amazing how effectively that one decision can simplify the gear that needs to be kept around.

Vestibule space is easier to come by with 2-person tents. It's a good reason to go with the larger tents. *pondering*

[dangerdhotrod.livejournal.com]

>One point I would make is that if you're going to be camping in inclement weather...

This is why I got a 3 person tent, so that I could bring my gear in with me figuring with winter camping you're going to have more gear too, and use the vestibule for cooking if the weather sucks.

+ having a three person tent works with the possibility of having another person stay in my tent, you know...just in case. ;)

[geometrician.livejournal.com]

Terry, I have a never used REI backback, about 6000+ cc, that I was planning to sell this year. It's roughly equivalent to this one: http://www.rei.com/product/795513 though a different name and earlier model. You can try it out, and if you want to keep it, I'll let you have it for $100. I'll throw in the rain cover for it, as well, also never used. I also have a Big Agnes (http://www.bigagnes.com/) +15 integrated sleeping bag and pad that has never been used, which I would part with for $150. I have both the small stuff sack, and the "loose pack" bag for long term storage. The Big Agnes bags are nice because the inflated pad slides into a giant pocket on the bottom of the bag, so you aren't sliding off your pad all night long.

I also have a basic Therm-A-Rest, which is always nice, which you can have for free. They are kind of expensive, but extremely durable. This one is as good as new, but I have had it since I was a teenager.

This stuff is down in Madison, and I'm in Minneapolis, so if you are interested in any of it, let me know and I will bring them up next Thursday, 6/3.

[mellowtigger]

The integrated sleeping bag sounds like a great idea, but I already have a new sleeping bag (from last year) so I don't want to spend money on another just yet. The therm-a-rest sounds like a good idea, though. I usually just put a blanket underneath.

Yes, I am interested in the backpack. I can come by on a sci-fi friday night perhaps to see if it'll fit me?

[geometrician.livejournal.com]

I won't be back in Madison until next week, so I will have it up here for SciFi Friday on 6/3. But come by this week anyway, for John's semi-surprise birthday celebration! We will have cake!

[mellowtigger]

I'm supposed to be driving west to join Outwoods at a campsite, so I doubt that I'll be there Friday evening. (Unless I decide to brave the awful traffic on Saturday morning instead.)

[geometrician.livejournal.com]

No worries. Hey, are you a member of Gay Outdoors? I've been a member for years, but have never done anything with them. Some guys have been chatting with me online, who found me through GO. They are moving from New Hampshire to Mankato this month, and are looking for outdoorsy stuff to do. I wasn't sure how active GO was in this area.

[mellowtigger]

No, I hadn't heard of them before. I suppose Outwoods is the local equivalent? Feel free to send the link along to them. It focuses on Twin Cities events but they do travel all over for camping and bicycling.

http://www.outwoods.org/

[geometrician.livejournal.com]

I'm bringing that backpack home tonight, if you want to come to SyFy Friday tomorrow to look at it. We should be around all weekend, I think.

[mellowtigger]

I think I may drive out there tonight. I still have my persistent 99.2F fever, so I'm not sure if I'll stay or not. Probably better if I don't take the opportunity to spread it around.