Does anyone have any recommendations for tents? Looking to buy a decent tent that will comfortably fit two people and that packs nice and it lightweight but I don't want to break the bank but would like something quality.

REI Half Dome 2 Plus fits that bill well. Big enough for two, but pretty small and light. Two doors/vestibules if you want to store stuff in there also.

After 25 years of Eureka Timberlines, I've got an REI T3 Plus (or some name like that.) Anyway, it was marketed as a three-person, if I recall, so is very spacious for two. It's extremely light, quick and easy to set up, good wind and water protection. However there is no aftermarket vestibule and relatively little room for shoes under the rainfly. I was hesitant to buy an REI model believing that a "house brand" would be inferior. But this thing turned out to be much better than I anticipated.

If the tent is for two, buy a three or four-person tent. A two person tent can hold two people, if they're 5-6 and the size of jockeys.

Mike

Mike,
I totally agree with you about the sizes. I am 6' 3" and find it tough to sleep in a 2 person tent haha

Might want to move this to the Gear Forum.

I have a 2016 Half Dome 2 for sale. It's a very sturdy good shelter. I'd have no trouble sleeping 2 guys bigger than I am in it (I never bought into the add an extra to get enough interior space). It's a bit heavy at 5lb 2.2oz, all included (except a footprint/groundcloth), with 10 Groundhog stakes and guylines. Packs about 6 inch diameter and 18 inches long.

There's a lot to choose from and used can be a great deal,. I have had excellent buys on Ebay and REI garage sales. Look at cottage industry backpacking gear suppliers for even more variety.

butthead

Tents from all major manufacturers of backpacking tents are decent, pack well, and are lightweight. A 3-person tent will comfortably fit 2 people if you find a 2-person tent too small. To keep from breaking the bank, look for closeout deals on Steep & Cheap, Sierra Trading Post, etc.

The newly updated REI Quarter Dome 3 is really nice - light and good size - just pricey!

I carry a Eureka 2 Man Back Packing and used to take it to BWCA. However I began taking a 3-4 man a few years back as weight is not as much of an issue up there. Never knew how much we would appreciate the extra space and the tarp bottom.

How much are you willing to spend on a tent? As for what tent to get. I suggest for two people that you look at a 3 person tent as opposed to a 2 person tent. The 3 person gives you more elbow room and some room for clothes and other things in the tent and you are not right next to the other person. Most 3 person tents are the size of a Queen size mattress for floor dimensions.

quote butthead: "Might want to move this to the Gear Forum.


I have a 2016 Half Dome 2 for sale. It's a very sturdy good shelter. I'd have no trouble sleeping 2 guys bigger than I am in it (I never bought into the add an extra to get enough interior space). It's a bit heavy at 5lb 2.2oz, all included (except a footprint/groundcloth), with 10 Groundhog stakes and guylines. Packs about 6 inch diameter and 18 inches long.


There's a lot to choose from and used can be a great deal,. I have had excellent buys on Ebay and REI garage sales. Look at cottage industry backpacking gear suppliers for even more variety.


butthead"

That's what I was thinking, probably get more eyes reading this in the gear forum.

I second looking at a 3 person tent for 2 adults. Many people find a two person backpacking tent a bit small with two adults.

I currently have the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 3. A bit pricey but I love it.
In addition to the REI tents mentioned by others, take a look at the Marmot Force.

I've been happy with our two Mountainsmith Equinox 4 tents. Great for 2 adults and clothes bags. Rated approximately 6.5 lbs (perhaps less since I don't pack the stuff sacks?) and have had them through major wind and rain storms with great performance. Seem to be as light or lighter than many 2 and 3 person tents. Can be purchased in the $100 - $150 price range. Don't have them right now on Sierra, but here's the link if you care to read reviews. Mountainsmith Equinox on STP

they must size those tents for honey mooners ....not two guys overweight who haven't shaved or showered in days.....

:-)
dr bob

Steep and Cheap has some great very light options from Big Agnes:



Copper Spur=

Fly Creek UL= Fly Creek w/ mtnGLO=

Just remember...
Inexpensive, lightweight, high quality...pick two

My wife and I sleep very well in either of the 2 person tents I have, Alps Mystique or an Alps Lynx. The Mystique is iffy for the BW because it's not free standing, has to be staked out, and there's some spots where that's hard to do. When me and my son go we use an Alps Chaos 3, more space, you can sit up and play cards, stuff like that. Alps aren't the top of the line but I have 5 and I'm happy with them all, plus you find them on sale almost all the time at Steap&Cheap, The Clymb, websites like that.

REI Half Dome 2 Tent is a good buy. You should check it out.

quote jcavenagh: "Just remember...
Inexpensive, lightweight, high quality...pick two"

Not if you shop right. Kelty and Alps Mountaineering have some tents that meet all three of those criteria. My favorite is the Kelty Trail Ridge 3 (I have the older version). The Alps Zephyr 3 is even cheaper. My definition of "light" for a 3P is about 7.5 lbs or less, so not ultralight.

A 3P usually has quite a bit more room for only a couple lbs more. If you're not portaging there are some 4P backpacking tents that might work for you. Just be sure the sites are likely to have room for a 4P.

I recently bought a Marmot Limelight 3. I've set it up in the backyard, but haven't really field tested it yet (in a month I will) . Seems like a great tent and it wasn't that expensive ($239 shipped). It has high sidewalls and it's very roomy for 2. limelight 3

The Alps Extreme 3P is an economical choice that comes with Aluminum poles. Check for sales and like mentioned above: Amazon,Sierra tradingpost,, overstock, steep&cheap, woot, will save $.

I bought a Quest River Runner tent from Piragis in 1996. It's a nice tent..

quote butthead: "Might want to move this to the Gear Forum.


I have a 2016 Half Dome 2 for sale. It's a very sturdy good shelter. I'd have no trouble sleeping 2 guys bigger than I am in it (I never bought into the add an extra to get enough interior space). It's a bit heavy at 5lb 2.2oz, all included (except a footprint/groundcloth), with 10 Groundhog stakes and guylines. Packs about 6 inch diameter and 18 inches long.


There's a lot to choose from and used can be a great deal,. I have had excellent buys on Ebay and REI garage sales. Look at cottage industry backpacking gear suppliers for even more variety.


butthead"

Agree with the idea to move this to the gear forum. Also, I think a 3 person tent is the best bet for 2 unless you are really weight conscious (gear, not your belly!) or unless you are tiny and hobbit like (think Butthead!!).

What is your budget? I hear most favorable reviews on Leans from CCS. High quality...... Anybody have any experience with them?
CCS Lean2

To me a tent for two,means a three person tent. Marmot limelight series very good. There is a lot of good tents out there along with a lot of bad ones. Take your time in picking and look at reviews.

I'm actually planning to get a Marmot Tungsten 2 for myself and the girlfriend. The floor dimensions will fit our 2-person sleeping bag with a little room to spare, and the two vestibules should be plenty for our packs. I like the more vertical sides of the Limelight series (and how well that lends itself to being set up with just footprint+fly) and am indifferent to the different door style it has, but the Tungsten does the job as well as we need it to and is a little lighter and a little cheaper. Dunno... might spring for the Limelight or not when the time actually comes. Either way, I like what Marmot has to offer.

This tent will be the compact, freestanding, lightweight alternative to our other tent which we LOVE for base camps and car camping but is utterly IMPOSSIBLE to backpack/portage. It's a 4-person Kodiak canvas that weighs like 50+ lbs. Man is it amazeballs, though.

Tents are complicated and can have issues. Best guaranteed tent is from ll Bean.

My canoe tent that I am taking on the Allagash in a few days is a 18 year old version of this one. Great thing about canoeing is the bigger tent you can bring. Makes life in camp much more civilized.

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/85974?feat=506832-GN3&page=adventure-dome-4-person-tent&csp=f&attrValue_0=Crisp%20Lapis/Stainless%20Steel&productId=1435380

MARK, just to set the record straight my feet are only size 8 1/2 (although they are 4E wide)!

hobbit-head

PS: For the OP. The "best tent" is what works best, for your use, by your decision.
Enjoy the journey, shop around, compare and get ideas. "The Best" is a variable and may change as you grow in the hobby! bh

quote bcelect: "What is your budget? I hear most favorable reviews on Leans from CCS. High quality...... Anybody have any experience with them?
CCS Lean2 "

A CCS Lean1+, great shelter and quite versatile in it's setup, big enough to sleep 2 with room for gear and places to sit in a chair. 5 feet across the front ridge, I set mine normally with the bottom front 7 feet wide (multiple stake loops), it is almost 11 feet to the back edge. Only adjustment is to work with the lack of a sewn in floor (personally I find that an advantage).


butthead

lot of tent threads

quote jcavenagh: "Just remember...
Inexpensive, lightweight, high quality...pick two"

+1

This would be my pick for 2 guys. Total weight is 4# and it is a 3 man tent. Sturdy.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV 3

Why do these replies sometimes get all crooked? I mean, after I have had a few, I get it, but what the heck?

And Ken, you forgot the unit of measurement when telling us your shoe size...pretty sure it is 8.5 cm.

quote Grandma L: "The newly updated REI Quarter Dome 3 is really nice - light and good size - just pricey!"

+1 for this one here. Looks great for the money.

You should consider Tarptents. A small company with great choices. It's geared for backpacking so the tents are designed to be lighter. Don't be scared by the trekking poles shown as you can get optional poles in their place. They have two choices for a 3 man tent and numerous choices for 2 man tents.

Tarptent

quote Tyler11: "Does anyone have any recommendations for tents? Looking to buy a decent tent that will comfortably fit two people and that packs nice and it lightweight but I don't want to break the bank but would like something quality."

Alps Mountaineering Zenith 3-man


Well-reviewed tent @ $139:
Light enough
Big enough (floor is over 6' wide, and over 7.5' long)
Sets up quite easily, and the material seems decent.

A brief review:
Review from GearGuide:

I'm a fan of REI tents, the half dome has been a good one.

Also a fan of Mountain Hardwear and Sierra Designs, one of which has been our main tent for over 25 years now.

Definitely would recommend getting a 3 man for 2 people. Those manufacturer specs generally indicate how many people can squeeze in, with no room for anything else, and comfort is not a factor.

Subtract one from the manufacturer specs to get the comfort level for your group.

quote Frenchy19: "Why do these replies sometimes get all crooked? I mean, after I have had a few, I get it, but what the heck? "

This happens when someone is replying with a quote, and they start deleting stuff and they wind up with one less quote finish < / quote > than quote start < quote >.

quote DrBobDg: "they must size those tents for honey mooners ....not two guys overweight who haven't shaved or showered in days.....


:-)
dr bob"

You really may be looking for 2 tents instead of one. You may even want to have 2 entry permits and camp a separate campsites. :^)

Anything by NEMO equipment

NEMO Losi series is outstanding.

I have had an REI quarterdome ultralight for 10 years. I liked it, but his year when we unpacked it, the seam linings were nothing but a bunch of plastic flakes. I had hoped this tent would last a lifetime. I brought it in to the store and was told that this was the expected life of the tent. I think I will look for another brand. We take very good care with our gear and have stored carefully as well. I was a little disappointed in the response.

My only disappointment in my REI tent is that my seams disintegrated at 10 years. Was told at the store this was expected.

And mine fell apart at 10 years... expected life of the tent I was told. I guess I hoped for longer.

The seams on my REI quarterdome tent fell apart at 10 years and I was told this was expected when I brought it to the store. I really loved the tent, but will shy away from REI tents after this. I really had hoped this tent would last me for much longer. We are quite meticulous with care of our gear .. only switched tents for something a bit lighter weight now that we are not spring chickens.

Big fan of the MSR tents, not cheap, but the ones I own have held up well .

If the partner is not your spouse, GF or BF, try to get a good deal on a two person, but purchase 2 of them. The privacy and room will be welcomed by both of you. I actually take a 4 person tent for me and do not regret the extra weight as I really like the room and we happen to base camp. The other traveling friend has now gone 4 person as well and does not regret that purchase.

Thanks for the suggestion. These look like nice tents. It looks like other folks have had trouble with these seams.

I agree with millcreek that LL Bean is a good route to go. I have one of their tents from '94-95 or so, still going strong and I just re-waterproofed it for the first time this fall. REI is also nice, if you have a store in your area and can go check out a tent in person (they usually have at least a couple set up, w ouldn't be surprised if they set a specific one up for you to see).

That said, I'd start by going to campmor.com, go under "tents", narrow down by "aluminum poles", and compare. I agree with others regarding size - if it's for two people, don't go less than a 3-man tent. I have a 2-man North Face Tephra 22 and while it's a great tent, I only see two people in it if something goes wrong with someone else's tent, or maybe if it were just me and my 10 year old daughter,..and even then, it'd be a sleepless night getting kicked by her!...The person tent ratings are, in my opinion, "1p" = solo with little stuff,.. "worst case 2 person" = solo, "worst case 3 people" = 2 person, and so on,..

Campmor tents

oh jeez,...just noticed this thread is well over a year old! good one though.