Need a cheap tent

[corlukan]

I am new to backpacking and would like some tent advice. I would like to find a lightweight 2-person tent, but only want to spend upwards of $125. I have scoured ebay, my local REI, online stores, etc. and have really come to no decision about what is best. A customer service rep. from Campmor recommended the Kelty Teton II.

Just how good/bad are the $35 Sam's Club tents for sale and what differentiates them from the $300 Big Agnes, MSR and other tents I see at REI?

Cory

[azbackpackr]

I haven't researched Eureka tents lately but they used to cost a lot less, but were of a reasonably good quality for the price. Not sure they have started making sub-5 lb. ones yet, but worth checking out.

[kevinweitzel75]

I have been looking at a Eureka Zeus Classic 2. 2 person, single walled at 4.4lbs. I heard by using aluminum stakes and leaving one pole at home ,you can get the pack wieght below 4 lbs. I have been looking for a tent for awhile and I keep coming back to this one. Price is decent at $150.

[azbackpackr]

I had a Eureka tent for years that just wouldn't die. It survived two sons in a backpacking Boy Scout troop, among other things. It finally blew apart in 50 mph spring windstorm in Moab...It was the timberline or timberlite that used to be so popular, that bright green one...they still make it, but it is over 5 pounds. It is a very good choice for long distance canoe trips, etc.

[kevinweitzel75]

I just saw a Eureka Spit Fire 2 for $120. Only weighs a little over 4lbs. Looks like a good tent. Can probably get the weight down alittle. Saw it on Campmor website.

[nonot]

The wally world tent is cheap, but if you like backpacking, you'll quickly be throwing it away and looking for a better tent and one that's lighter as well.

[azbackpackr]

Yeah, I had a newbie on one of my hikes a couple years ago. She had a Wally World backpack and tent. The backpack was ok, but kind of small. She found it to be quite comfortable. The tent was single wall, but kept her almost but not quite dry for the two nights of monsoon rain we had on that trip. Good thing it was summer...

If you want cheap, you are better off looking on Craig's list, or at the Goodwill, etc.

I am a big proponent of newbies using used gear from Goodwill, to include old Camptrail and Kelty and Jansport EXternal frame packs, just as long as they fit and have a HIPBELT. (You can buy a hip belt but it is too much trouble. You are better off not buying the pack at all if it doesn't have one.) Incidentally, old pack's hipbelts often are not padded. And many people prefer the unpadded ones.

The reason I say all that is because I used to be an Assistant Scoutmaster for a troop in Tucson where most of the boys were very poor. We had to outfit our boys for backpacking AND buy their uniforms for them at the Goodwill and Starvation Army. Those packs worked fine for us back in the 70's when I very first got started backpacking, they worked fine for our Scouts, and they still work fine. In fact, I still have one that I use, although recently I bought a Go-lite Quest ultralight.

And if you are concerned about how you look out there, with that old unfashionable backpack on, then I am going to laugh at you right now...

[berkforbes]

One bit of advice here, (and i can be pretty frugal mind you) is that buying cheap or inexpensive gear is never worthwhile. Im not going to go on a huge rant about it, but look at the reviews on rei and other places, and make an informed purchase. Anything i ever bought that was cheap or inexpensive was not worth it out on the trail or while backpacking. Also mind you, you are buying a tent to get you thru possibly rough conditions out in the middle of nowhere, if that rainfly fails, the footprint doesnt work well, etc etc then you are in big trouble. I hate spending my money as much as the next person, but if im expecting it to withstand certain conditions that i cant withstand (30 mile per hour winds, driving rains etc) than i will happily fork out some extra dough knowing that what i bought will not only get me through those conditions but last for a good while as well. My .02 cents.

[Jeffshadows]

I'll second what Berk said. I didn't read through this entire thread, either, so just in case no one else said it: consider a bivy bag if you're solo backpacking...

[BobP]

@berkforbes
Sound advice. Now, enough with givin advice...how about postin pictures from your Royal Arch trip .

[berkforbes]

@rlrjamy
Ahhhh, i did take today off, so i might as well put together a lil triplog and post the pictures..

Except all the pictures are on my computer at work. I only have the couple that Denny sent me. And i still need to upload the videos i took, man i have been slacking..

[hikeaz]

The Sierra Designs 'Clip Flashlight" has been around a long time. @ 23 sq. ft. it's kinda tight for 2, but it's light and pretty bomber. I'd peruse craigslist.org (nationally) most folks are happy to ship something so simple.

[azbackpackr]

BORROW a bivy bag first to see if you like it!

My idea of a bivy bag is you use it in cool rainy fall weather with a tarp set up over you so you can move around and sit up. But if you are going to carry that bivy AND a tarp, then why not a tent instead? Why bother with two things when one thing will do fine?

On the other hand, a tarp that sets up with your hiking poles is very good for summer monsoon, except it doesn't keep the mosquitoes out.

And if you want to try sleeping in a bivy bag with no tarp in monsoon in Arizona, you are going to be very hot, and very bored. I hate bivy bags. I have one, wanna buy it?

Truthfully, if the weather is good, I sleep under the stars. I am surprised no one has said this yet.

[PaleoRob]

I have been looking at a Eureka Zeus Classic 2. 2 person, single walled at 4.4lbs. I heard by using aluminum stakes and leaving one pole at home ,you can get the pack wieght below 4 lbs. I have been looking for a tent for awhile and I keep coming back to this one. Price is decent at $150.

I have the Zeus Exo. Durable. Love it. I don't see how it would work with only one pole but the pack weight is well below 4 pounds - closer to 3 when I weighed it, minus my aluminum stakes.

[kevinweitzel75]

I just can't deciede if I want a single wall or one with a fly. I like the "sleeping under the stars" thing, but i was taufght to always be prepaired. Yes, a boyscout. If its raining, I want to be dry and make coffee and enjoy the rain. So, I think a bivy sack is out of the question. But I don't want to lug too much weight. I really like the Eureka Spit Fire. I'll sleep on it for a couple more weeks before my Horton trip in mid May.

[azbackpackr]

Single wall tents rain on you inside with the condensation. I have this Big Agnes eVent tent that is partially single wall, but the part that is single wall is some kind of breathable fabric. I have been pretty happy with it so far. It is a free standing solo tent. Big Agnes tents are not cheap, but I got it half price. I wanted a free standing solo tent. I had one of those hoop type solo tents but it sagged in the rain.

I do not like to share a tent unless it is with one of my kids, and since I have gone on a lot of group hikes that is the way I avoid having to share a tent with someone. If you go on a lot of group hikes, inevitably someone is going to say, "Looking for someone to share my tent with me" or "can I share with you?" This may not happen as much with men as it does with women, and I can tell you, it gets old. Nothing will ruin a trip for me as much as having to share a tent with some woman I barely know.

[joebartels]

Single wall tents rain on you inside with the condensation.

I've been through several storms in my single wall tent. Only once when it rained three inches in a couple hours with gale force winds did I have trouble. This was at the seams which I could have treated ahead of time but too lazy. No issues in the other storms. Condensation a couple times after 20 degree nights, did not affect me but I could see it.

[azbackpackr]

So is it one of the new-fangled breatheable ones? Because I have found that even normal tents with a fly plus ventilation rain on me inside from condensation when it is humid and raining during monsoon.

[big_load]

Most of the newer Tarptent designs have peak vents as well as good perimeter ventilation. I've never had a problem, and have used single walls exclusively for the last 6 years and been through some nasty storms.

[azbackpackr]

Good to know. I did like the looks of my friend's Tarptent. I like my BA tent, but it is 3 pounds, and I could definitely be going lighter than that. A little at a time, I am lightening the load...