Tents

[Tippo]

Don't use that blue tarp under your tent if it rains. I will allow water to pool between the tarp and the tent floor. Water will work in through the floor seam and you will have a wet bag. Been there, done that. Get a footprint from REI that matches the tent exactly.

Jeff

 

[Mellow]

Don't use that blue tarp under your tent if it rains. I will allow water to pool between the tarp and the tent floor. Water will work in through the floor seam and you will have a wet bag. Been there, done that. Get a footprint from REI that matches the tent exactly.

Jeff

Sorry but if you have water seeping into your tent floor it's a problem with your tent floor, a blue tarp is no different from the custom footprints made for tents, water will still collect between the tent floor and any barrier you put down. If your tent is over 2 years old you should seam seal it every year to prep it for the upcoming season or at least when you notice it leaks.

 

[Tippo]

From my extensive experience - A blue tarp that is larger than the footprint of the tent will capture water coming down the side of the tent and direct it under the tent between the tent floor and the tarp. The pressure of a body on the floor of the tent will eventually force moisture through even a well sealed tent. Much better to get a properly fitted footprint. They are not expensive and are generally lighter than a generic blue poly tarp.

Jeff

 

[Mellow]

I've used blue tarps and custom fitted ones and have camped in toad stranglers that made your tent feel like a waterbed, never had one leak at all. Guess I'm just lucky.. LOL

 

[Topgear]

The tarps have always worked fine for me. I just fold the edges under to match the footprint of the tent. No water collection...

Kent

 

[twinrider]

The nice thing about the Marmot Twilight 2p is it comes with the footprint and gear loft included. MSRP is $250, but they can be found considerably cheaper. I picked mine up for $155.

 

[johnpitts01]

I was lucky to score a twice used Hilleberg Jannu at a great price.
Awesome tent. But damned expensive new.

 

[razcob]

I recently went on a moto camping trip with a buddy, who bought a new big agnes tent. The tent leaked and my Sierra Designs tent was dry. Maybe big agnes quality is declining or never was good. Look for bathtub floor that is seam sealed. Color is very important to me, if you 'stealth' camp or not, get a dark colored tent and fly, so you don't attract attention during the night.

 

[HoebSTer]

Just ordered a Eureka Taron 2 packs 5"x18" and 4lbs 10oz or so. Sleeps 2
http://store.eurekatent.com/products/634458/Taron%202?pid=250c72809016c7e09227f8169739995e

$129 on amazon free shipping

 

[ADVFireFighter]

Just picked up a rei half dome + off of eBay for almost half off!!! Came with the footprint too... I scored! Barely used! Going to be much lighter and smaller then my 30 second fire tent... Much larger as well... I can't BELIVE all the room!!

 

[Tremor38]

Just picked up a rei half dome + off of eBay for almost half off!!! Came with the footprint too... I scored! Barely used! Going to be much lighter and smaller then my 30 second fire tent... Much larger as well... I can't BELIVE all the room!!

?? OK, color me confused. Do you mean it packs smaller then your fire tent, but when open it's larger?

 

[ADVFireFighter]

?? OK, color me confused. Do you mean it packs smaller then your fire tent, but when open it's larger?

Sorry...
My fire tent is big and heavy, it's commonly called a 30 second tent... Takes that long to erect it...

And the new tent packs smaller and lighter and is much longer. It's slightly shorter but much longer and just about as wide.

 

[Firefight911]

I use the REI Half Dome and it is the bees' knees!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk which means there are more than likely spelling errors!

 

[jackfis]

one thing often overlooked by many users is the presence in many models currently on the market of support strings sticking out at 45 degrees all around the tent. Once you get tangled in one at night, you will appreciate a design that does not have any cords/strings around to trip you. Anyone who has ever attended a motorcycle rally will tell you that tents are all over and you often have to do some gymnastic to walk out of the area (or coming back to your tent wobbling after a few drinks....). ::003::

 

[Tremor38]

I use the REI Half Dome and it is the bees' knees!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk which means there are more than likely spelling errors!

Sent from my SC-03E using Tapatalk 2

Hmmm! You already have me marching around in Forma boots (very impressed, btw) and now I'll have to look at this. O0

 

[twinrider]

Sent from my SC-03E using Tapatalk 2

Hmmm! You already have me marching around in Forma boots (very impressed, btw) and now I'll have to look at this. O0

You might want to check out the Marmot Twilight 2P as well. Packs small, 2 large vestibules and lots of other nice features.

 

[528Hz]

I dunno about you guys, but I like to be able to stand up in my tent ::008::

 

[snakebitten]

This Alps Chaos 3 tent has been everywhere. Packs down nicely. And if the weather is dry, without the fly it is 80% net see through. Very nice if camping in a private place.

With the fly, dry as a bone.

Have had so many memorable nights with my wife in that tent.
She's a great tentmate.

Just finished sleeping in it for 2 weeks. Rained almost every night. (I like it once it's bedtime anyways) Never a single issue. All the gear stored in the vestibules.

While I don't need to be able to stand in a tent, I will admit its gettin harder to get dressed\undressed in my old age. But if she's with me, it's easier. "Honey, can you put my socks on?"

By the way, the 3 man is the right size for 2 people. My opinion anyways.

http://www.alpsmountaineering.com/alps/products/tents/backpacking-tents/chaos#.UglgYsu9KSM

 

[Bappo]

I have the Alps Zephyr 3 and mirroring Snakebitten's post it packs small, super easy to pitch, all mesh without the fly (which goes to the ground), and fits in the left tenere pannier easily.

Not that expensive either. I've been pleasantly surprised at Alps stuff. Just got an Alps cot (for my Kodiak flex-bow canvas tent) and it was inexpensive and nice quality.

 

[ADVFireFighter]

I dunno about you guys, but I like to be able to stand up in my tent ::008::

Ya well that's not possible for some of us lol... For sure wouldn't be a packable tent on a bike...