I've had a Mountain Hardware Skyview 2.5 since the start of my BWCA/Quetico trips. Never got wet in it, even with storms raging. Large vestibule, felt durable, pockets inside, etc. In the 25 years since I've bought it, tents have become lighter, fewer pockets, and quite frankly, can't stand most of them that I've looked at. 25 years, feel like losing a friend. It's the rain fly, and I've recoated it, but just don't think it is the same and not willing to test it out for long treks. Any personal recs for tents? I like size, I like 2 or even 3 person tent for just me. Can go light on other equipment, don't take chairs, etc., but do want my home away from home.

We faced a similar quandary a few years when our 20+ year old Sierra Designs Clear Light quit protecting us in heavy rains. We found a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 that's been the perfect replacement--lots of room for 2; interior height that allows sitting up to get dressed, play Farkle, etc; lighter than the old tent. The UL3 may be bigger than you want, so consider the UL2.

TZ

Just a cottage importer Big Sky, Have been using a Chinook solo for 7 years, very well made 2/3 pole convertible exo-skeleton tent. For your requests a Revolution 2 Person when supplies catch up. The fly is suspended from the frame and the inner body fastens to the fly, sound complicated but just attach the frame and the tent is up.

butthead

I'm in a similar boat. My 20+ year old NF Tadpole is on it's last leg. Usable yes but I'm not super confident in it's weather worthiness. So I too took the plunge and ordered a Slingfin Portal - a Snow worthy, roomier 2 person test at half the weight. Truth is that Tadple was a decent solo shelter not near enough space for two. It's worth a look unfortunately it's basically on backorder. Enjoy the shopping! martian

I am a fan of Henry Shire's Tarptent. My family has owned a Stratospire 2 for a few years. It is spacious and weighs just over 40 oz. The size is great for 2-3 or taking a dog but, for soloing I'd probably choose the Double Rainbow. It seems easier to set-up on small sites. (see set-up videos on the Tarptent website)

Good Luck

I really like my Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 … I have had it several years now and it has never failed me. Its well made, fairly light, easy to set up and bombproof in rain and wind.

For a 2 person tent the Nemo Dagger is pretty hard to beat. I wish the fly came down another inch or two on the ends, but having said that, I've never gotten wet in mine.

For a three person, the ALPS Mountaineering Extreme 3 Outfitter is solid. Mine is relatively new and I only have 10 nights in it. The tent represents good value for your money. I was very surprised by the quality of the tent given its modest price. Compare the materials they use to other more expensive tents and you will see what I mean. Its huge vestibules are both a blessing and a curse.

There are a LOT of good tents made these days. Have owned a wide selection over the decades. Eureka, Mountain Hardware, REI, MSR, Big Agnes, Marmot, the list goes on. You mentioned size but few other desires. Front or side door(s), weight, free standing or semi free, price range, major maker or cottage industry (Big Sky I mentioned, CCS, Tarptent, Bear Paw, again a long list.

Kenpark, a suggestion for your Exteme, tie a cord to the inside zipper pull so it easier to get it started from the inside. I did this on my own.


butthead

Ya know, seems like each year I'm upgrading one of the tents for my family...and I keep coming back to Kelty. They are not always the lightest, but sturdy, handle strong weather, comfortable. I picked up a Night Owl 3 for my wife and daughter (my son and I hammock now) and man did they rave about how awesome that tent is after our trip this summer. Pretty darn light and compact also, was as light as our old Sierra Designs flashlight, which is less than half the size!

Seconding TarpTent. Bought a 4-person Hogback for family trips and it has been excellent. Two people and a dog...it felt huge. And about four pounds.

They have a number of worthy models.

When our REI Taj3 died its final death, we felt the same way. The first tent we tried after that was the Copper Spur. We didn't like the door style, for one--it just made getting in and out a pain. We also felt like it was made of crepe paper--super thin and billowy and I was constantly worried the next rock would puncture it.

We switched to the Marmot Limelight 3, and love it. Roomy, lightweight--but doesn't feel flimsy. Holds up nicely in the wind. LOTS of pockets. Two different size vestibules. Easy to use doors that don't feel like they are going to blow a zipper or let all the bugs in bc they are yawning chasms.

My wife and I have used a Kelty Gunnison 2-man tent for backpacking and BW trips for 6 or 7 years now. I would get another one in a heartbeat. We've been perfectly dry in many a downpour. It has held up in stiff wind. It packs up nice and compact. It's easy to pitch, easy to take down, easy to store. The rain fly has extra space outside both doors to keep packs, boots, whatever dry. Every time we set it up, I smile when I see the red dirt color on the ground tarp from the first time we used it in Utah. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

Our go-to tent come summer recreational camping is a very, very, very old Kelty. It's like a '68 Chevy truck. mmm - mmmmm.

Have you considered a Tarptent? $$$$ -- reason being: high quality, ultra-light, functional design, durable.

I bought a Nemo Dagger 3 person this spring, but haven't used it yet. I've set it up and it seems very roomy.

Tarp tents are nice, I have an antique model, the Squall 2 that I got sometime around 2004. I used it solo for my May trip this year. Still kept me dry. Ceiling was a bit low, which was annoying, and they can be prone to condensation being a single walled tent. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to get a newer model, something a bit bigger. Great company and great build quality.

I'd rather avoid single-wall tents in hot & humid conditions, which prevails nowadays in summer almost everywhere in the US and south-central Canada. And weight savings are minimal (single-wall Tarptent weighs more than traditionally designed MH Nimbus™ UL 2). Two doors on a tent intended for a single user could be more of a drawback than advantage - on? gains an extra vestibule, but setting up such tent on a limited size area could get unnecessary complicated. Eureka and REI designs, in my opinion, are too heavy compared to Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware, but often cost less. Considering importance of this item I think it's worth investing top dollars (on par with rain gear, paddles and portaging shoes).