Good Ol' Tents...

[CollinWoods]

Now that i ordered my new MH sleeping bag, its time for a new 4-season tent... Any ideas. Iv looked at some GoLight but i donk know if i would trust them. I sorta want to spend around $400 bucks and want a free standing. What do you think?

[DPS]

What do you want to use the tent for?

[CollinWoods]

Anything that would be good for the mountains and keep me dry.

[jared_j]

If this tent is for climbing, read on. If you want one tent to do it all (climb with, car camp with the homies, take your special someone out in), then do yourself a favor and plan on buying 2 or 3 tents now rather than buying one tent that kinda sucks for each purpose.

 

Anyways,

 

Do you have the flexibility to cancel overnight plans if the weather looks like it's gonna suck, or are you the type of person who will go out even with a marginal forecast?

 

If you are flexible, this suggests a low probability of being out in crappy conditions overnight. In this case, something light and compact is all you need, like a BD Firstlight, or even a tarp if you know how to use it. Yeah, occasionally you might wish for something beefier, but I would argue it's worth it to be have a rare uncomfortable one night in exchange for having a lighter load most other nights you end up being out.

 

If you make plans far in advance, and are loathe to cancel/modify them in the face of a shitty forecast, then you would likely be happier with something sturdier and more weatherproof.

[mccallboater]

I've very happy with 2 tents, as Jared suggests.

 

1 BD firstlight. The best protection for two for under 3 lbs for under $500.

 

2 Moss starlight 2 (not made anymore, but absolutely bomber, roomy, quick setup and relatively lightweight at 8.2 lbs)

 

I would be happy with a Warmlite 3R too, if I had an extra $850 laying around. I've used it and like it.

[Le Piston]

I agree with jared j. and Mccallboater. The Black Diamond Firstlight is a great tent...as long as you're not over 6 feet tall. If you don't mind cozy sleeping, you can't go wrong with this tent for alpine climbing. You have to do your own seam sealing (less than an hour). It seems to meet most of your criteria and is around 3 pounds with stakes.

Edited January 15, 2009 by Le Piston

[denalidave]

Here ya go... Tent Linky

 

Good deal for your winter outings but maybe a bit over kill for the rest of the year.

 

Also, rumor has it you can get a great tent at WalMart for only $20... Why buy a real tent when you can just to to WalMart Linky

[Vickster]

Hilleberg Atko or Soulo. I'm 6'6" and they are the only solo tents I fit in. For a 2 person tent, spend that cash and get a Hilleberg Allak!