Looking for a good two person tent around $150.

I've been researching and I am looking to purchase my first backpacking tent. I will need a two person tent and would like to get fairly light within my price range. I am looking at a Kelty Salida 2 right now but am open to all suggestions about other tents and/or comments on my favorite right now.

I will only need a three season tent and will primarily be hiking in Kentucky, southern Indiana, and Tennessee.

alps mountaineering has a decent two man that's not terribly heavy. It could never be called ultralight but I found it a decent starting place.

John

I currently use the Kelty Gunnison 2.0 as my primary solo and double tent, although at 4 lbs 14 oz it's heavier than most people on the board would like. As a tent I love it. The only differences I see between that and the one you're looking at are more polyester in lieu of mesh walls, 7 square feet more floor space, and two doors.

Two people will fit in the Gunnison as long as they are very comfortable with each other, and I think that applies to most 2 person tents.

I don't have any direct knowledge... but this seems like a pretty good tent that meets your specs:

http://www.rei.com/product/814618

If you stretch a little bit farther... this is a great tent:

http://www.rei.com/product/767268

(of course if you stretch a little bit farther you could get a tarptent)

I recently got a Mountainsmith Morrison tent. I haven't had the chance to actually take it out yet but I set it up in my backyard for a little while and checked it out and let the kids play in it. It looks to be a pretty good tent and I paid less than $130 shipped from e-bags.com (the link over on the left side of this page).

Here's where I posted when I got it

Thank you for the information. The two main contenders right now for me are a Kelty Salida 2 or a REI Quarter Dome UL (obviously a little out of my stated $$$ range). I probably can't get a tent until next Friday when I'm paid so I still have time to think. Is there any certain reasons you'd prefer your MS over either one of those?

Length basically. The MS doesn't seem to weigh a whole lot more than either of those tents and it has two doors where the Kelty only has one. I'm 6'4" so I had put a minimum length of 90" on any tent I would consider. If I were shorter there were loads more options. I was strongly considering the REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus and was going to wait until I could save up the $300 but then I found the MS and decided that was the tent for me. I can comfortably fit me, my two kids, and our gear in this tent. I think I can also fit my dog. Anything substantially lighter that still met my criteria was a whole lot more expensive. I really liked the specs on the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL3 but $450 was too steep.

REI outlet has the REI Quarter Dome UL for $189.93, the Alps Mountaineering Mystique for 129.93, the Alps M. Chaos 2 for 159.93 and the Asolo Velocity for 149.93. Also check out Sierra Trading Post.

I did a quick sort on the Campmor website under the two person backpacking tents:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/ProductComparisonView?storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1&categoryId=200368487&breadCrumbs=%7c%7c

You've got a lot of options. The link (which may take a minute to load) is only the beginning. Recommend playing around with this a bit.

Depending on your cost/weight parameters you can do very well for under $150, and then save to upgrade later if you desire.

Please seam seal any Eureka product you buy, or you'll be sorry.

My favorite 2 man right now is my Eureka Apex 2XT. It's a bit heavier than some, but you get a ton of room with the double vestibules for gear/shoes, which is much appreciated when there is 2 people and a dog. The ventilation of the tent is awesome. I live in MN, but even in the summer I don't get as hot in this tent as I do with my rei half dome. I have a model from a few years ago. The 2011 model is pretty much the same accept the color and for some reason it's a pound heavier this year. Look at amazon or sunnysports for the older model and you'll save weight (especially if you trade out the stakes).

just noticed amazon.com has the ms morrison for $119 shipped if anyone wants a good deal on one they look great and i for one have had great luck with ms gear im sure it won t dissapoint

k smith

U may want to look into Tarp Tents. Not sure what they have in your price range. I have a Squall 2 and I love it. It was $230 but they have many other two person tents u can check out. It's definently light weight and very quick and simple to set up. Does well in any condition/season.