Can someone reccomend a good tent?

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enjoy hiking in Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina.

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If you're looking for something that's good for packing on the trail with you, you might not be thrilled with the size options if weight is an issue.

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If you're looking for something that's good for packing on the trail with you, you might not be thrilled with the size options if weight is an issue.

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Care to explain more? How heavy are they when packed up?

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Care to explain more? How heavy are they when packed up?

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Well, if you're hiking long distances and are worried about your pack's weight, bigger tents weigh more than smaller tents. Plus, the quality backpacking tents can get expensive.

However, with two of you sharing one tent, you could probably split up the tent between the two packs. One have the tent and fly, the other the poles and stakes.



Edit to add: I do not claim to be a backpacking expert.

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Care to explain more? How heavy are they when packed up?

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Are you going to go camping where you drive in and set up a tent/campsite for the weekend, and go on hikes during the day, but come back to homebase every night? Or are you going to park at a trail entrance, hike during the day, and then set up camp way out somewhere, and do it all again the next day before working your way back to the trail entrance? I would opt for a 2-man really light tent if doing the latter, and use my 4-man if the former. The 4-man isn't super heavy, but I wouldn't want it on my back all day in addition to other gear.

check out the prices on cheapandsteep.com, then google the one you like and look up reviews. i bought a one there and have been happy with it.

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Care to explain more? How heavy are they when packed up?

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My biggest tent that I backpack with is 6.5 lbs. That's big for backpacking. I only use it on shorter distances when I'm trying to show a woman a good time. It's a very spacious 3.5 person tent. It's also my car camping tent.

If I were serious about doing many miles or weight is an issue I'd never bring that one.

Can't go wrong with any of the best brands but I use Mountain Hardwear.

I bought a Marmot 3 Person Limelight several years ago and it held up good.

As others have said, buy the next size up tent then what you need (buy a 3 person tent if you two people will be sleeping in it).

If you are interested in a certain tent, there are a lot of YouTube "review" videos that show how easy it is to set up.

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My biggest tent that I backpack with is 6.5 lbs. That's big for backpacking. I only use it on shorter distances when I'm trying to show a woman a good time. It's a very spacious 3.5 person tent. It's also my car camping tent. If I were serious about doing many miles or weight is an issue I'd never bring that one.

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When I'm backpacking and hiking, I can't see our distance going more than 12 miles. This tent will be predominately used for weekend get aways - not hiking the entire Appalachian Trail.

Is there a certain weight I should look to stay under? Honestly, the other equipment's weight was what I am keeping my eye on, not the tents.

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Also, something that is relatively easy to set up and sturdy. I've heard some tents are notoriously flimsy and the poles have been known to snap.

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Honestly, I would "overbuy" a little and get a good backpacking tent, from one of the quality makers. You don't need an Everest quality tent, but a generic run of the mill sleeping tent.

I'm assuming car camping, but if you're actually going to pack, then no question get a backpacking tent.

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I'm about 6'1 and would like maybe a little extra room - mainly above head where it isn't so claustrophobic. I guess I'd like maybe room for 3 or possible 4?

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You just don't want too much tent. It's a pain in the arse to haul around, set up, take down, get clean - etc. With that in mind a 2-person tent will feel confining for a taller and/or "more American" sized individual. So, maybe get a 3-person.

All you want from the sleeping tent is room to spread out your sleeping bags and sleep. Do everything else with either a tarp or open, canopy/gazebo set up. If you get into a situation where there is a lot of bad weather, you're going to pack it in and come home, IMHO - so you don't need much more than that, especially for 3 season camping.

I like Kelty tents, but if you go to the local REI and talk to the folks there, you'll see what I'm talking about - REI, MSR, Kelty, even North Face (but you're buying a name on that one, IMHO) make 3-person backpacking tents that run between about $200 up to $600.

In fact, now that I've looked at their website, they carry 3 Kelty "camping" tents that sleep 4 ( ) for under $200. But, I would only do that if you contemplate really spending time IN the tent. Camping - like I said, they're going to be bigger, heavier, generally more cumbersome - often they're more complicated and have cheaper components than the backpacking tents. Backpacking tents are at a premium, but use lighter - and generally more sturdy - components.

Here's what I'm talking about - the "cheapest" (on REI's website, anyway) Kelty 4-person camping tent is the Discovery 4 and it goes about 11 pounds, sells for $150 (they have a special on the camo for like $109 right now). About a 7x8 floor.

The base level Kelty 3-man backpacking tent, the Gunnison 3 (Deuce Midnight and I did a long trek at Philmont with a Gunnison 2, but we're not big AF - well, he wasn't back then ) - it's under 7 pounds, has a about a 6x7.5 floor, and sells for $240 and comes with a footprint (special tarp the right size for the tent to protect the floor). ETA: That's roughly the footprint for a king size bed.

If you "live" in the sleeping tent, it's going to be disgusting, too.