A LL Bean Mountainlight 3 person, but bought a marmot 3 person limelight will be using soon. My LL Bean has a couple of farewell trips left in it after decade of use. You get attached to to some of your old artifacts after a while. Hard to give it up.

Once the Eureka Timberlines were number one.

I see outfitters using various brands now also.

Your number 1 go to tent is?

My number one tent is my hammock. ;)

It depends on group size and arrangements. Alps meramac Outfitter 4 sleeps 2 or 3. Memo Losi 3P sleeps 1 or 2.

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 now which is replacing a BA Emerald Mountain SL3.

quote builditbetter22: "My number one tent is my hammock. ;)"

Ditto on the hammock, but when I went with my son last summer we both slept inside my Nemo Espri 2 which I also love. It was very "cozy" with 2 of us in there. You definitely have to be on the smaller side and very good friends to sleep two people in the Espri 2.

Eureka Midori 2

I'm no longer a ground dweller, I sleep in a hammock. But to the question, when I was in a tent I used a REI half dome tent. It served me well, never leaked.

quote OldFingers57: "Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 now which is replacing a BA Emerald Mountain SL3. "

+1

REI Halfdome 4

I'm normally a hanger, but use a Taj 3 when I have a kid with.

I have been using an ALPS Neptune 4 for the last 6 years (about 14 trips). It has never leaked and has held up very well. Not sure why, but I am planning on getting a Big Agnes UL4. I guess it will save 4lbs of weight; and the older I get the more important that is.

Mountain Hardware Drifter has been ours recently or NF Hubba Hubba.

Eureka Timberline is good for more people but heavy and not real great in heavy rain.

BA Emerald 3 for canoe camping and my old Eureka Alpine Meadows 4 for car camping.

Kelty Gunnison 4.3

quote cyclones30: "Mountain Hardware Drifter has been ours recently or NF Hubba Hubba.


Eureka Timberline is good for more people but heavy and not real great in heavy rain. "

I also have a timberline and based on my experience, I can't imagine a much better tentvto holdcup in during a raging thunderstorm, which I have.

30+ years later still Eureka Timberline if more than 2 in party.

It depends on group size. I have several tents - all for different size groups and purposes. The tent that has made the most trips with me is the Marmot Hideaway 4. I really like this tent and don't know why they discontinued it.

quote Noslen: "30+ years later still Eureka Timberline if more than 2 in party."

Same tent or have you replaced it over the years? I thought the 1970 era Timberline is better quality than the present ones?

I know some people like the Outfitter-heavy duty one.

Tarptent Hogback, 49 square feet and just over 4 lbs. giving up freestanding gets you a lot more room per lb and has not been a problem.

REI Taj 3

When just me, travel trip - North Face Strom Break 2 - 2 vest and good door-J opening - easier in and out.

Base Camp for 5-10 days - sharing with spouse - REI Base Camp - big space, and heavy but since I am short, I can stand or have a chair in the tent.

Mountain Hardware Hammerhead 2

Times have changed,quite a variety of tent models compared to years past.

It depends if I'm solo, traveling with one other person, like my wife, daughter or son, or if there is more than two of us and we want to only pack one tent to accommodate us. For "Canoe Country", the following three North Face tents have been my standard for several years.

For solo, my "go to" tent has been the North Face Tadpole 23. Actually considered a two-person tent, I find it's a good balance of weight and size. I started out with an 1980's version that was lavender and had untapped seams. I eventually replaced it with a newer version that had taped seams, "swift clips", and additional netting in the top of the main tent body. Still basically the same design, but improved.

For two of us, I like using my North Face "Big Fat Frog 24". It's essentially a Tadpole 23, but it has a little more elbow room and a large vestibule. It's still a little "cozy", so I prefer to use it with with my wife, one of my kids, or a close relative or friend. :-)

Unfortunately, North Face totally re-designed the Tadpole 23 recently and they dropped the Big Fat Frog 24 altogether. Personally I don't care for the redesigned version of the Tadpole 23, now called the Tadpole 2.

For three of us, my old North Face 25 is great! A little heavy, bulky and somewhat warm in hot weather due to the design. Still, it has served us well. It really proved its worth during an unseasonably cold, rainy Quetico trip in 2013. Although it was comfortable for the three of us, later in the trip I was exiled due to my snoring and slept in a Hennessy Hammock for the remainder of the trip. The VE-25 would accommodate my wife and I, our dog, and two of the kids when they were younger and smaller.

For river trips without portages, (and depending on party size, we use a REI Taj3 or a Sierra Designs Nomad 4.2 due to their bulk and weight.

Hans Solo

(From left to right; 1980's NorthFace Tadpole 23, updated version of Tadpole 23, North Face "Big Fat Frog",North Face VE-25. Seirra Designs Nomad 4.2, and REI Taj3)

Timberline SQ Outfitter 4 with one vestibule.

Still using my Eureka Timberline from the early 90s.
~JOE~
ps. I found a spare at a garage sale for $3. So I don't see myself buying another tent ever.

Moss Little Dipper. Most solid packable tent ever made. Can hold hundreds of pounds of snow when properly pitched.

andym, can you give us more good/bad about your Tarptent?

Moutain Alps solo (I don't remember the model). It works great for me, so no desire to replace it.

sierra designs electron 1. its very heavy for a true solo tent but its made out of sturdy materials which I think is more important than weight alone. I have changed my mind a bit about ultralight.

My hammock. But if forced to lay on the ground a REI half dome (2 person)

I switched to the Warbonnet Blackbird hammock seven years ago. Never slept better.

For me solo the North Face Tandem 23. Why it is called that is beyond me. For two its a tight fit. Its the same tent as the Tadpole 23 but with a different name. Why the different name has bugged me since I got it some seven years ago. It is a great weatherproof tent. I did get it at the local North Face outlet for seventy bucks.

For summer sashaying for two, the Marmot Limelight 3..Shoulder seasons we move to the Trango 3.1 by Mountain Hardware. More tie outs for wind and better cold protection

also occasional use of a Hubba Hubba though for two its a tight fit. It is used for solo mid summer use. Otherwise I am back in the Tandem23

quote billconner: "

quote OldFingers57: "Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3. "

+1"

+1
BA Cooper Spur 3 or 4.
Weight is important!

Our group started out in tents. . .now virtually all of them are in hammocks. (we bring up 6-18 every fall).

On solo trips I use a BA Copper Spur 2. On group trips, a Nemo Losi 3.

REI Taj3.

I hang when I can but with my daughter or ground dwelling friends I love my BA Copper Spur UL4.

CCS lean plus one for me, if no dog with me, Cabelas XPS 2 man.

Bob

bottom line? we all have what we know is best for us. number one in the bw? most likely the ones outfitters use most, purely a numbers thing.

quote kanoes: "bottom line? we all have what we know is best for us. number one in the bw? most likely the ones outfitters use most, purely a numbers thing. "

Outfitters like everybody else were heavy into using the green timberline tents. You see outfitters having more diversity also.

Eureka Timberline Outfitter (4 man). About 8 yrs. old. Prior to that had the std. model for 10 yrs. The 4 man works well for 2 people, though I use it mostly solo. I like to spread out a bit.

quote cycle003: "REI Halfdome 4"

+1

Big Agnes Copper spur 2 for solo, Nemo Losi 3 for 2 person, Nemo Asashi or Copper Spur 4 for 3 people, Spur is used if I trust the people, Asashi if I don't, so far Spur4 is still new with tags on and Asashi has been to the Woods many many times lol

quote Moss Tent: "
andym, can you give us more good/bad about your Tarptent?"

The one issue we've had is in the inner tent slipping around if we pitch on a slight incline. But he fixed that. Ours was the final prototype and shipped to us because we really needed to get going on a trip.

Pitching is really fast: one hoop pole, six stakes and I like having the inner tent already attached to the fly for pitching in the rain.

You do have to adjust the stake lines for temp a couple of times a day for the silnylon. But the lines have adjusters and so that just takes a second. So far, we've always had enough soil or limbs around to pitch it. It wouldn't work on bare rock unless there were enough big rocks around to be anchors.

I prefer a door at the foot and sometimes 49 square feet is a big tent pad to find. So, I might move to his new 3-man with a little less room but doors at the ends.

Be aware that when he says a number of people that he means 20" pads and little else. But that is the way he uses the tents. And that is one of the best things about these tents.

Overall, I think he really understands camping and his materials and makes great designs and has high quality control.

the wife and i-exped gemini 2, me solo-hammock, warbonnet bbxlc.

BA Copper Spur 2 solo, ccs lean +1 w/the pup, rei half dome 2 w/the wife.

I'm sticking with my Copper Spur 2 for solo. I think I'll use my Lean 2 when I go with my daughter. I couldn't imagine the Lean 3 as the 2 is very roomy. Kind of wish I'd of went with the Lean 1... But it's a great piece of equipment. I bring the poles with as I rarely find trees next to the piece of ground I want to sleep on suitable for this. The Copper Spur is a very durable light weight tent imo. Very easy to set up... even a nctry can do it. :)

North Face Tephra 22, followed closely by my LL Bean Ultralight 3 (from 1990's, lots of life left).

quote HowardSprague: "North Face Tephra 22, followed closely by my LL Bean Ultralight 3 (from 1990's, lots of life left).
"

That is a good tent. They hold up pretty good and very rainproof,only comment I have about them is a little condensation problems.

Every trip a different tent so far.

1st trip was a Coleman fiberglass pole dome. Probably 10x10 footprint. Roomy for 3. Thankful it didn't rain.

2nd trip was an Eureka Tessel 3 which was perfect for two people.

3rd trip was an Eureka Timberline 4 SQXT. It can fit 4-5 people. I had me & another adult on a Scout trip and I have no complaints about the abundant personal space.

Both times in Sylvania were the Timberline, too.

I take an REI Passage 2 on most Scout monthly outings, probably a good 40 nights on it so far.

North Face TriArch 1 is most recent acquisition and lightest tent I own.....so may become my fav BW tent. Can't hardly wait to test it out in BW this July.

quote nctry: "I'm sticking with my Copper Spur 2 for solo. The Copper Spur is a very durable light weight tent imo. Very easy to set up... even a nctry can do it. :)"

Funny

Big Sky International Chinook solo, Lean1+ option. Variety at home for many uses.

butthead

I love our Kelty Discovery 4 for our family of 3 plus dogs. It has two poles, so it sets up very easy,and has a large vestibule area for overflow.

REI Half Dome 4

Marmot Limelight 3

In looking through the thread it seems the trend is for one larger tent then 2-3 small ones, often quite heavy

The first year we came up, one of the guys brought a 4 man tent for himself and a friend. He said he liked to be able to stand up in it or get in it if raining. After carrying it. . .his full size inflatable air mattress, etc through 6 portages the rest of the group just about threw him and his gear over.

After 8 years our groups have moved almost exclusively to hammocks, or 1-2 men tents. Gives us a lot more options on camp sites as we aren't bound to look for lots of flat areas to pitch tents.

As to the rain, we bring two good sized tarps. One is to cook under and the other for gear and for sitting, eating under in the rain.

Our experience has been it is a lot easier to bring a large ultra light weight tarp to sit under if it rains, and hammocks or solo tents for sleeping. . .then large tents to get out of the rain in.

quote VaderStrom: "Marmot Limelight 3"

Got one,but still in the box,wearing out my old LLBEAN first.

Tarptent Double Rainbow if it's just me or the wife comes with. With more people I'll take the the Copper Spur UL4, but only because I don't have a larger tarptent. ;)

Also have a Mountain Hardware Drifter that I keep around as a loaner. It's also a very good tent, but heavier.

Tarptent Double Rainbow if it's just me or the wife comes with. With more people I'll take the the Copper Spur UL4, but only because I don't have a larger tarptent. ;)

Also have a Mountain Hardware Drifter that I keep around as a loaner. It's also a very good tent, but heavier.

quote AndySG: " "

Ah yes! That would be the one for deer hunting, yah!

So far we are enjoying our REI Quarterdome T3 Plus. Plenty of floor space really. A queen size air bed fits inside but we use our thermarest pads and have plenty of room to move around and sit up. We really like the teardrop doors with their stuff pocket up above so they stay out of the way when entering.




The first tent we used was an orange Timberline two person.

quote Hawbakers: "So far we are enjoying our REI Quarterdome T3 Plus. Plenty of floor space really. A queen size air bed fits inside but we use our thermarest pads and have plenty of room to move around and sit up. We really like the teardrop doors with their stuff pocket up above so they stay out of the way when entering.






The first tent we used was an orange Timberline two person."

A orange Timberline,learn something everyday,I though green was about the only color.

Thanks andym, very helpful on the Tarptent.

Alps Chaos 2. Did not pay a lot for it, maybe $125 and it has many trips to the BWCA and even more car camping under its belt. Last year in a monsoon it developed a tiny leak in the fly - Alps replaced it for free! So now I have an extra fly - would it work for a makeshift tarp?

At that price I feel like the tent has paid for itself and I am on bonus time, yet it is still in great shape and expect many more trips out of it. Absolutely the easiest and quickest tent to put up too, literally 3-4 minutes. Extremely happy with the quality and customer service, great tent.

I bought a Marmot Limelight 4 last year and have used it car camping a couple times, also a very good tent. Brought two newbies to the bWCA last year and they had no gear so they used the Marmot Limelight. In the same monsoon that my tent leaked slightly(and another buddy's) the Limelight was solid and dry as a bone. A little heavy and bulky for regular BWCA use though.


Alps Chaos 2

quote Pinetree: "

quote Hawbakers: "The first tent we used was an orange Timberline two person."

A orange Timberline,learn something everyday,I though green was about the only color."

Nope. When others mention their mothers throwing out their baseball card collections, I start steaming about letting my old girlfriend have "our" orange Timberline Eureka Timberline. (...and the Svea 123...) What a dope.

My wife and I bring a Timberline 4 on our canoe trips. Green, of course.

Seeing a lot of outfitters with ALPS tents. John and Lynn at VNO have trusted them, I know.

Mountain Hardwear Light Wedge 3 Tent
A nice tent, good nets above the door for storage. Pretty darn light. Fits 2 great, have done 2 people and 2 medium sized dogs as well and it was fine.

quote schweady: "

quote Pinetree: "

quote Hawbakers: "The first tent we used was an orange Timberline two person."

A orange Timberline,learn something everyday,I though green was about the only color."

Nope. When others mention their mothers throwing out their baseball card collections, I start steaming about letting my old girlfriend have "our" orange Timberline Eureka Timberline. (...and the Svea 123...) What a dope.

My wife and I bring a Timberline 4 on our canoe trips. Green, of course.

Seeing a lot of outfitters with ALPS tents. John and Lynn at VNO have trusted them, I know.
"

lol Too bad about the Svea stove. We still use ours. Never felt the need to replace it. It's very good for simmering.

#1 BW tent, and the perfect tent for me was the Unipen backpacking tent from "tents on sale dot com" (gone for a while now). It was cheap and well built. Not too heavy, but not ultra light. Set up quick, sturdy, and never a drop of rain inside.

Now I have a hammock.

Big Agnes Parkview 3. Love the vestibule with its own pole.

In the beginning, (with 2 guys) it was a Eureka Denali. Bomb proof-- over kill for the BW,, even in the winter. Then a Mountain Hardware Skyview --- overkill for most BW trips--,, but hey,, its a tent thing and we tent people like to be set up solid. (pic was taken July 24, 1999 on SAK,, right after the blow)




Now that I have gotten smart, (at least I think, and hope) its been sharing a Eureka Zeus 4 with 4 guys and making single ports. If not with 4 guys-- (either solo or tandem) it's been either a Sierra Designs Orion 3 or a North Face Talus. Lately with 2 guys it's been an Exped Mira 3 seen here. Great tent.

I still have a Eureka Timberline 4, I don't use it anymore for the simple reason I don't trip in groups of 4 anymore. But if I did, I would not hesitate to use it.

I have a 2 man Eureka Dome, I forget the name of it, Alpine? It is very similar to a popular tent by Kelty from about 15 years ago, and basically the same as everyone else makes other than the details. 2 doors on each side

I use a hammock whenever possible.

quote ZaraSp00k: "I still have a Eureka Timberline 4, I don't use it anymore for the simple reason I don't trip in groups of 4 anymore. But if I did, I would not hesitate to use it.


I have a 2 man Eureka Dome, I forget the name of it, Alpine? It is very similar to a popular tent by Kelty from about 15 years ago, and basically the same as everyone else makes other than the details. 2 doors on each side


I use a hammock whenever possible."

Surprises me the amount of hammock people just hanging around.

My favorite tent, when I used one was the Kelty Switchback 4, very comfortable for 2. It was a modified A-frame tent with lots of net ventilation and a rainfly that went very close to the ground. I only wish they were still made, since mine lost a fight with a barbed wire fence.

"Surprises me the amount of hammock people just hanging around. "

we are always surprised that there are still people in tents!

Kelty Gunnison 2 - a good light weight 2 person tent with vestibules on 2 sides. Very well ventilated and comfortable on solos in the warm season.

No matter what the group size I like to be alone in my own tent. I use a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight 2. I let everyone else choose their tent placements first because I can literally fit that tent almost anywhere.

It is my "fortress of solitude."

My first tent was a Eureka Aurora? It is basically a Timberline a frame with an extra center loop. Door on both ends. Heavy at 12 lbs.

Then I bought a Sierra Designs Lookout 2 CD off craigslist for $125. Like new. 7 lbs. It's a 3 man with two doors/vestibules. Diamond shaped.

Last year, I used my CCS 12 X 12.5 for a tarp shelter with a cheap Coleman bug net and my Lookout foot print. about 4 lbs. Used it once by myself and once with another guy. I will use this for solo trips. I really like having no door to unzip and zip. Just walk in and out. I fold the front corners in the close it up at night.





This year I may try the Lookout with the fly/foot print setup.

quote IceColdGold: "My first tent was a Eureka Aurora? It is basically a Timberline a frame with an extra center loop. Door on both ends. Heavy at 12 lbs.

Then I bought a Sierra Designs Lookout 2 CD off craigslist for $125. Like new. 7 lbs. It's a 3 man with two doors/vestibules. Diamond shaped.

Last year, I used my CCS 12 X 12.5 for a tarp shelter with a cheap Coleman bug net and my Lookout foot print. about 4 lbs. Used it once by myself and once with another guy. I will use this for solo trips. I really like having no door to unzip and zip. Just walk in and out. I fold the front corners in the close it up at night.





This year I may try the Lookout with the fly/foot print setup.


"

bug protection

quote IceColdGold: "My first tent was a Eureka Aurora? It is basically a Timberline a frame with an extra center loop.


"

I believe that was an Alpine Meadows you are talking about .

Another vote for Sierra Designs.

Currently own two, Zia 2 and the Papagayo 4.

I have always used them and never have had any complaints.

quote TrebleHook: "Another vote for Sierra Designs.


Currently own two, Zia 2 and the Papagayo 4.


I have always used them and never have had any complaints."

sierra designs has gotten too "cute" lately. they now make tents I would never buy.

quote Pinetree: "A orange Timberline,learn something everyday,I though green was about the only color."

The older models were available in orange and blue. maybe more. A friend has an orange one he still uses and a guy in scouts had a blue one.

quote kanoes: "

quote TrebleHook: "Another vote for Sierra Designs.



Currently own two, Zia 2 and the Papagayo 4.



I have always used them and never have had any complaints."

sierra designs has gotten too "cute" lately. they now make tents I would never buy."

Well you got me there, Jan! But they make great tents. They offer a life time warranty, too!

I lost the Timberline 2 and Timberline 4 in a divorce... My T-4 had two doors and I used 2 vestys. With gear in the huge vestys, could put 2 adults, 3 kids and a dog in the body and be just fine... sigh. Some day I'll buy a SQXT with 2 doors/vestys just for old time's sake.

Kelty Gunnison 4 now. Kids are full size and we're down one adult, so it sleeps 4 fine. Compared to T-4 it has almost the same floor space, but the vestys are small and shallow. Kinda like the doors on the long sides though.

If less than 4 people, Nemo's Losi 3P if weight is a factor. If weight doesn't matter, the Kelty comes anyway or a Taj 3. There's something I like about the Taj, but every time I use it I curse the odd shaped floor which makes my innie a PITA.

Eureka apex 2xt...I've had it for years and its done a few trips, both car, backpacking and BWCA...hasn't leaked or broke a pole, has vestibules and doors on both sides and is well vented for chili night! :)

1-2 people - REI Quarter dome 3

2-4 people - REI Half dome 5 (no they don't make it anymore)

The Copper Spur 4 has been the standard for the last 3 years. It is almost as light as my aging 19 y/o REI Half Dome 2.

My two person and solo trips just got an upgrade this Christmas with a Copper Spur 2 (at 3 lb 1 oz). I really like those tents!

REI Base Camp 6 for serious workouts with a base camp recovery.

Yep - the best tent is a hammock. An additional tarp somewhere makes life easy. I know this is a stupid reply to a simple question about tents.
But, seriously, after getting my hammock four years ago I will NEVER pack a tent into the B'dub.

quote OBX2Kayak: "I switched to the Warbonnet Blackbird hammock seven years ago. Never slept better.


"

quote KarlBAndersen1: "
Yep - the best tent is a hammock. An additional tarp somewhere makes life easy. I know this is a stupid reply to a simple question about tents.
But, seriously, after getting my hammock four years ago I will NEVER pack a tent into the B'dub.

quote OBX2Kayak: "I switched to the Warbonnet Blackbird hammock seven years ago. Never slept better.



"

"

Must be a weird or different feeling in a rainstorm? At least we don't have to talk about a innie or outie on the floor.

I'm surprised I haven't seen a Big Agnes Seedhouse UL mentioned unless I missed it. The 2 man is a great light weight solo tent. I will be giving the hammock a try though this year.

best part of hammocks vs tents. . .no crawling out on my knees three times a night. ..can be used as a "chair/swing". . .never gets dirty as it never touches the ground. . .if using snake skins and a rain fly it also ever gets wet. No need to dry it out.

I've only used a Hennessy Hammock. It's number 1 in my book!

I'm old fashioned but still take my Eureka Timberline 4 for two of us. It is the outfitter version. 14 years and still doing great. I set it up with the big annex vestibule if rain is coming.

quote ockycamper: "best part of hammocks vs tents. . .no crawling out on my knees three times a night. ..can be used as a "chair/swing". . .never gets dirty as it never touches the ground. . .if using snake skins and a rain fly it also ever gets wet. No need to dry it out. "

the best part of a solo tent is that you don't need trees, you only need about a 3'x8' area of clear ground...and you can find that anywhere. ;-)

Copper Spur.

I have a Eureka Timberline Outfitter series with a vestibule that is quite nice. I also have several different REI 2 man tents - passage 2, older half dome 2, half dome 2 hc, and half dome 2 plus. I have an Alps 4 person, and last, but not least....I have a Eureka Copper Canyon 6. I do not take the Copper Canyon up north, it is the local car camping tent.

I have a bit of a tent fetish, but all get used at least once a year.

Good thread. I started with a Eureka Timberline 4 which I passed on to my youngest daughter. Very solid tent. I then began using a Eureka Mountain Pass 4 which I still like and use at times. It is not as windproof as I like. I then upgraded to a Moss Little Dipper. Really solid tent as an earlier commenter stated. It does weigh in about 10-11 lbs. It also rarely snows in the BW in the summer, so snow load handling is not an issue. But very very windproof.

Presently I am using a Nemo Losi 3p. I really like this tent but I am still uncertain about the jakes feet. I think I prefer the traditional snaps. Which is the best? It all depends on the conditions, time of year, and preference for easy set up. For practical use, the Mountain Pass is hard to beat and it is very roomy. JerryG

quote kanoes: "

quote ockycamper: "best part of hammocks vs tents. . .no crawling out on my knees three times a night. ..can be used as a "chair/swing". . .never gets dirty as it never touches the ground. . .if using snake skins and a rain fly it also ever gets wet. No need to dry it out. "

the best part of a solo tent is that you don't need trees, you only need about a 3'x8' area of clear ground...and you can find that anywhere. ;-)"

good point...i've also wondered how people, like myself, who can't sleep on their back, can sleep in a hammock..?

Years ago like I said earlier you looked up at a campsite and it seemed over half the tents were Eureka timberline and maybe a couple of other brands. It seems like so much variety out there and from comments most people are satisfied with their tent.
I thought you would hear more soaking wet stories and never again this brand.

Generally smaller and lighter than the "traditional" Timberline 4 or 6 person so popular 20 years ago. Lots to do with expanding outdoor sport-gear availability. I'm not a fan of hammocks (comparison between the camp style advantages are futile discussion), but there is another recent expansion in camping. A general trend to lightening the load is noticeable.

butthead

quote mc2mens: "

quote kanoes: "

quote ockycamper: "best part of hammocks vs tents. . .no crawling out on my knees three times a night. ..can be used as a "chair/swing". . .never gets dirty as it never touches the ground. . .if using snake skins and a rain fly it also ever gets wet. No need to dry it out. "

the best part of a solo tent is that you don't need trees, you only need about a 3'x8' area of clear ground...and you can find that anywhere. ;-)"

good point...i've also wondered how people, like myself, who can't sleep on their back, can sleep in a hammock..?"

Never tried it all night, but one we had along last year allowed a diagonal position which let me sleep on my side for an afternoon nap.

+1 on hanging in a hammock. ENO with a hennesey expedition tarp.

quote OBX2Kayak: "I switched to the Warbonnet Blackbird hammock seven years ago. Never slept better.


"

Yup. ^^^^ What he said.

Three favorites for solo kayak camping:
Alps Mountaineering Zephyr 2 (lightest and most sensible)
Kelty Trail Ridge 2
Kelty Trail Ridge 3 (downright luxurious for one person)

I use all three of them depending on my mood. I tried other Alps tents and found the construction good but the designs quirky. Had an REI Taj 3 but found it stifling and it lets rain in when you enter and exit. Too bad because it's the tallest 3P you can buy.

Would like to try a Kelty Gunnison 3.3 for the "porch" flap, but can't find an excuse to buy another tent.

quote Ausable: "Mountain Hardware Hammerhead 2"

x 2 - The Hammerhead 2 is a fantastic tent. I do not know why they discontinued this one after many years. I have yet to see a 2 door tent I like better. The fly is excellent, has two very large vestibules, has a zip out ceiling, good ventilation, and is very roomy.

That said, I have switched to setting up my tent under a CCS tarp along a ridgeline. Thus, I wanted a simple tent with a door or doors on the ends, not the sides. The Eureka Amari Pass 2 is perfect for this set-up. It is very simple to set up, is of good quality, has a couple of nice features, and if you need it, the fly is good. And for some reason it costs much less than nearly all decent quality tents. It is a bit of a tight fit for two, thus the three person may be better for some. The 2 person makes an excellent solo tent, as well. I set it up under the CCS 16-foot to give a good area to "live" and cook under if it rains. If solo, setting up under a 12-foot CCS tarp would work. I love being able to pack everything up without anything but the tarp being wet.

Cannot go wrong with either.

When it's my son & me, CCS Lean 2+. Solo it's the Warbonnet Blackbird hammock.

First trip I took a mountain hardware light wedge 3. One night on hustler a storm almost destroyed the tent. Ever since then I have been taking an Rei geomountain 3. A lot more stable

quote schweady: "

quote mc2mens: "

quote kanoes: "

quote ockycamper: "best part of hammocks vs tents. . .no crawling out on my knees three times a night. ..can be used as a "chair/swing". . .never gets dirty as it never touches the ground. . .if using snake skins and a rain fly it also ever gets wet. No need to dry it out. "

the best part of a solo tent is that you don't need trees, you only need about a 3'x8' area of clear ground...and you can find that anywhere. ;-)"

good point...i've also wondered how people, like myself, who can't sleep on their back, can sleep in a hammock..?"

Never tried it all night, but one we had along last year allowed a diagonal position which let me sleep on my side for an afternoon nap."

I never sleep on my back in my bed at home. Somehow just works in the hammock and I actually feel more rested when I wake up than I do at home. I have been able to sleep on my side in mine (Warbonnet Blackbird).

There we also bridge hammocks (Warbonnet Ridgerunner) that you can sleep on your side or stomach in. And THEN there is the Amok Draumr. It's like a floating bed. You could sleep in any position in the Amok. They look pretty comfy, but, spendy.

Oh, I forgot.

I use a Warbonnet Blackbird with a Hennessy Hex Tarp.

The beauty of hammocks is the fact that you can mix and match from different manufacturers.

Seeing a lot of hammocks and multiple person tents in this thread. Looking at a Eureka Timberline 2 for my solo trips. I have a Timberline 4, and really like it, but a bit big for 1 person. Thots or experiences welcome!

Sierra Designs Alpha 3
It's a heavy convertible, but one hell of a tent.
Feeling a Blackbird coming on though...!

quote jaek5199: "Seeing a lot of hammocks and multiple person tents in this thread. Looking at a Eureka Timberline 2 for my solo trips. I have a Timberline 4, and really like it, but a bit big for 1 person. Thots or experiences welcome!"

The Timberlines have been passed by lighter weight fabrics and modern frame geometry, still solid and dependable. I have been purchasing used tents and do not mind small space, the Big Sky Chinook I posted is my only new tent in 10 years. Decision based on versatility and weight/carry size. Have bought 3 solo specific tents used off Ebay all have been good! And bargains to boot!

butthead

I wonder if the new timberlines are of the same quality as ones years ago. They seem much more flimsy and not as waterproof ?

Marmot Limelight 3. Perfect for the dog and me. Two people and a dog are a bit tight but in there but doable.

quote Goldenbadger: "Marmot Limelight 3. Perfect for the dog and me. Two people and a dog are a bit tight but in there but doable. "

I bought one last year,but finished the season off in my old LLBean person Mountain light tent. I set up the marmot and really liked the layout.

A big ole Coleman 5 person, plenty of room, *relatively* waterproof

I once took a 2 man Ozark Trail tent from WalMart on a 5 day trip and was very pleasantly surprised. I figured at $30 I had to give it a shot.

Marmot Limelight 2p solo - 2 vestibules and nice doors - easy set up and good weight. Eureka Timberline 2 when tandem. I added a vestibule and have had this tent since '99.

I have a variety of tents and store tents for the family - Timeberline Outfitter 2-4-6 - Sierra Design Bedouin 4, REI Base Camp 4...... but, my current favorites are my Marmot Limelight 3 and North Face Storm Break 2 and 3. The Strom Breaks have D door in both the vestibule and tent for much easier in and out for those of us who don't bend so well any more.

I have been looking at these newly designed REI Quarter Domes that also have D doors in fly and tent. but, they are a little pricey. And, I am currently under a "no-buy" ban.
REI quarter dome 2

Do not know how I missed this thread, but as most I have several tents for different size groups. I have a cabelas west wind 4 and west wind 6 with vestibule for larger groups. Both bomb proof and marginally heavy. I've thought about replacing the fiberglass polls with aluminum to reduce weight.

Currently our group sleeps in seperate tents. For this scenario I use my Sierra Design Electron 2. Roomy two vestibule and relatively light weight. Never had an issue with SD or my Cabelas tents.

Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 is da bomb! Kifaru 4-man with stove a close second (or first in October!)

Summer- Nemo Losi 3 or MSR hubba hubba, Fall -MSR Trango 3, or a Timberline 4

Big Agnes Fly Creek 2, just bought it, 2 pounds 6 ounces with ground cloth, got a really good deal on it.

For 2017 Big Agnes Copper Spur 4 UL. Elbow room while still really light and stable.

marmot limelight 3. love the color, space & windows.

quote mjmkjun: "marmot limelight 3. love the color, space & windows.
"

It gets very high review ratings from customers.

quote Wables: "I'm normally a hanger, but use a Taj 3 when I have a kid with. "

+1, that's my exact setup too.

I've been happy with my Mountainsmith Equinox 4 tents. Really comfortable for two adults with all of your clothing bags inside along with other gear under the vestibule that is not used for entry. Our three younger boys sleep in one also with there clothes bags. Been through some real rainy weather and one night in SD had some extreme wind that would push the tent side down into my face. Also, weighs in at respectably light weight as compared to the cost (purchased from sierra trading post). Only complaint comes at getting out of a wet tent in the morning and getting wet climbing out from under the full canopy.

Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock with Hammock Gear CF3 tarp.

My "go to" tent is the traditional Timberline 4 if I'm with another person, I guess I can't argue with its durability, roominess, and simplicity to set up. Although its heavier than all the ultra light gear that's out there, 7 1/2 pounds divided among two people is worth it.
My solo tent is the Alps Mountaineering Zephyr 2 I found at a pawn shop for $20 used but in great shape.. I use it in the Rocky mountains in my backpack and as my solo BW tent. 4 pds 12 ozs.. lots of ventilation and vestibule makes it pretty nice.

quote dpreiner21: "Kelty Gunnison 4.3"

+1

Surprised there aren't more MSR users out there. I've got their Hubba Hubba and Pappa Hubba tents. Very happy with quality, weight and function.
AdamX

When I go with my son we take the XPG 4 man tent, bomb proof. When I go solo I'll be takeing my new MSR Hubba Hubba, it's a 2 man tent so it's a little heavier than I really wanted [about 4 1/2 pounds] but there's enough room in it for a rugby match. I still have the BSA Jackrabbit tent I bought from Kanoes but after using it for 2 years found it was just to small for me and my gear. I tried the MSR Hubba NX but it was way to small, it was suppose to be 30 inches wide [floor measurment] but when I put my 20 inch Klymit pad in it touched on both sides, when I laid down my shoulders rubbed both sides of the tent, didn't even have enough room to put my hat in flat on the floor. FRED

For the last 12 years +, Hilleberg Nallo GT4

Timberline 2 or 4 or both depending on who's all going. Have both.

Eureka Timberline 4 (Outfitter) has been my goto for 2 or solo. realistically it is a 2 person tent.

I love my very old Walrus Warp 2. Use it for solo trips or with my wife or a kid. My other is a Eureka Timberline 4. These two tents handle my family of 6. On guy trips two other guys bring Timberline 4s.

I just bought a closeout MSR Stormking. Yes still expensive but sometimes you have to spoil yourself. Looking forward to using it. After some stormy days on past trips I wanted to have a place to gather with my family to ride out storms while they are young. Will be a spacious castle for my wife and I when no kids along! The Timberline really struggles in the wind when you cannot anchor it very well like river sandbars with not much to tie too. I wanted a free standing bombproof shelter and my wife refuses to own a tent that cannot be zipped closed. She froze her butt off one year on a Colorado backpacking trip and that was it. It is not the lightest tent out there but that is why I work out 5-6 times a week. Makes wilderness trips a breeze.

Any new tents for this season?

Kelty Gunnison 4 for 2-3 people and a Eureka TImberline 3 for 1 person or me and a small person.
I have a Eureka Timberline 4 which is great but it isn't quite as tall as the Kelty.

quote ValueerStrom: "Marmot Limelight 3"

+1 for the marmot limelight 3p. Plenty of room for 2ppl and a dog. Bomb proof, never gotten wet. Very well designed with lots of headroom so 4 ppl can all hang out and wait out a storm. Weighs around 6lbs packed the way I use it.

quote Pinetree: "Any new tents for this season?"

Just got the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 4. Used my coupon, a gift certificate and my REI dollars to afford it. Hoping to get the whole family in there for a few more years until the kids get bigger. Saving about 6-7 pounds from last year by bringing one tent and a lighter weight option.

Set up very quickly easily.

I use a eureka SQ2 it has room for two stands up to all kinds of weather. We use a 16' Noah's tarp when you need to gather out of the rain.

quote luft: "

quote builditbetter22: "My number one tent is my hammock. ;)"

Ditto on the hammock, but when I went with my son last summer we both slept inside my Nemo Espri 2 which I also love. It was very "cozy" with 2 of us in there. You definitely have to be on the smaller side and very good friends to sleep two people in the Espri 2."

I still love my hammock but picked up a Mountain Hardwear Ghost Sky 2 in the scratch and dent area of REI last summer. I used it on several solo trips last year and really liked the interior space.

I have a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight 2 person tent. Whether solo or with larger groups I usually take it for just me. I can fit it in and set it up almost anywhere. I like not sharing a tent as most people drag in more dirt and stuff than I care for.

It's my "Fortress of Solitude!"

In groups of 2-4 I usually share a Kelly Gunnisen 3 person tent with my paddling partner.

I have a couple 4-person Timberlines that I think I'm going to offer for sale here soon. I just don't use them anymore and someone should get some use out of them.

Mountain Hardwear Light Wedge 3
Still going strong a little over 6 years - holds up well vs the dogs. Seems to have held up a little better than my Eureka and NorthFace tents.
Due to growing family I'll need to get a larger tent soon, I'll look at Mountain Hardware again.

I am usually a hanger but after a little research I bought a Moonlight 3 from Tentlab for when I go up with the kids. Great tent....chemical free.

My most favorite and beloved tent is an REI hoodoo 2. It is slowly dying from overuse though, and they don't make them anymore. I despise the quarter dome 3 we got to replace it, it's poorly made and poorly organized in every way. The glued on straps to attach the tent body to the poles popped off in a heavy wind the first time I ever used it, it's leaky, it's too dark and gloomy inside, and the storage is lame. I'm toying with getting someone to custom sew me a replacement hoodoo 2.

After slamming my quarter dome tent above I read elsewhere that they had re-designed it. As long as the tie downs are sewn on it looks like they fixed all of the things I hated about my old one. Still doesn't look as nice as my beloved hoodoo2 though, just saying.