BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm in the process of buying a good 3/4 season tent, but can't decide which would be best for quality and weight [or lack thereof]

I keep leaning towards this one in particular:
FREE STANDING

Others I'm looking at:

PITCH
INFLATABLE
BIVY
2 SECOND TENTS

I'm only familiar with the bivy, and I'm a big fan. It's compact in your pack, light, easy to assemble (if you desire to even use the rods). They're great for mt climbing and hiking in places where the weather can change in minutes because the set-up is so easy. Now, with that said, for all I know these other models are too, but I go with the bivy and have no reason to try and find something better.

I prefer tarptents

I don't like sleeping in a bivy for the same reason that I don't like sleeping in a mummy bag -- too constricting. I like some room in my tent to move around/change clothes, etc.

Of the options listed, I like the two-second tents the most. I would pick a tent that has some room for gear. I used to have the perfect tent, it was shaped like a T and I could store gear on each side of my feet, it was great. This tent is pretty similar.

OK, so I'm a gear nut.

Both of the Go-lite models you are looking at are "single wall" tents. This will lead to condensation. This is OK, but it's worth noting.

I like bivys with hoops. Black Diamond makes OK bivys, but I prefer this bivy from Big Agnes. It weighs only slightly more, but has better waterproofing, better venting, and is big enough to fit TWO people inside in a pinch. Very roomy. The hoop design on the Big Agnes offers better venting options too.


Tarp tents are a great option. If you're looking at Go-lite, you already know about them. The downside to tarp tents is that you cannot escape the bugs. This is why I won't use them.

If you're under 5'10" tall, the North Face Solo 12 is a well-designed solo tent. It is, however, single wall, so you will get condensation again.

I detest single-wall tents. I am fond of my Mountain Hardwear Skyledge. Boring design, but lightweight and sturdy. (I don't work for them anymore, but I still like their gear) The old standby, The North Face Tadpole, is still a good tent.

quote:

Originally posted by AmazingJulesVerne:
I would pick a tent that has some room for gear. I used to have the perfect tent, it was shaped like a T and I could store gear on each side of my feet, it was great. This tent is pretty similar.

The Mountain Hardwear Sprite 1 is rather heavy for a one-man-tent.

The features are nice, however, and the PRICE is fantastic.