Budget 2 Person tent suggestions

Posted by: michoi2

Budget 2 Person tent suggestions - 06/28/13 08:29 PM

Hello everyone, let's get this out of the way, this is my first post and I'm new to backpacking. That being said I have racked up a pretty good amount of experience camping, hiking, mountain biking and general outdoors stuff.

Now I'm looking for a good budget 2 person tent. What I'm looking for must be:

-Comfortable for 2 people
-Have a vestibule
-Have a full rainfly
-Well ventilated but must also stand up to rain
-*The tent has to pack up small*
-Doesnt have to be free standing although it is a plus

I'm not interested in tarp shelters and like staying dry, I'm also looking for a brand new tent as my luck runs short with the used tents I've bought. The tent needs to pack up small and has to be a 3 season tent. I've found the Eureka Midori 2 wich seems nice but I want to know if theres anything better out there for the money.

All sugestions and comments are greatly appreciated!
Posted by: balzaccom

Re: Budget 2 Person tent suggestions - 06/28/13 09:51 PM

Depends on how small you want to go. The Timberline from Eureka is also a pretty good tent.

But every tent is a compromise between weight, space, strength and cost. Only you can decide which are more important to you!
Posted by: michoi2

Re: Budget 2 Person tent suggestions - 06/28/13 10:51 PM

The timberline is acctualy one of the used tents I own, its got a few years of use and leaked when I bought it used. A new one is a bit out of range for my budget and packs a bit bulky for my likeing.
Posted by: lori

Re: Budget 2 Person tent suggestions - 06/29/13 10:43 AM

That looks like about my list, minus the "must be lighter than my hammock setup" criteria that I have.

I have a Lightheart Gear tent that fits all those criteria.

Freestanding is overrated.

I also liked but did not take advantage of the fact that she makes them in custom colors, if you want to pay a little extra. Considering the tents I was looking at before all cost more than $300, the Lightheart was a "budget" tent.

I won't take a tent unless it has the features I need. I hate tents. I have never enjoyed sleeping on the ground. I sold, threw away and disposed of every double wall tent I've ever had, but the Lightheart is here to stay....

"Better" is the subjective part. I got sick of looking for the right tent and spent the money, and got it over with.
Posted by: PDA

Re: Budget 2 Person tent suggestions - 07/02/13 06:23 PM

REI half dome 2 checks most of your boxes but is a bit heavy at 5 lbs. I find it to be excellent as a tent, but prefer a hammock when there are trees. However, there is no such thing as a two person hammock that works for overnight, so the tent can be an advantage. 2 1/2 lb per person is not too bad. Full retail about $180, I bought mine for 50 at an REI garage sale, almost new and very little used, and no damage to tent fly or poles.
Posted by: lori

Re: Budget 2 Person tent suggestions - 07/02/13 08:49 PM

Originally Posted By PDA
However, there is no such thing as a two person hammock that works for overnight, so the tent can be an advantage.


http://youtu.be/mjtebGvLf_U

Or, two hammocks, three trees and one large tarp...
Posted by: mikepetersen

Re: Budget 2 Person tent suggestions - 07/08/13 03:08 AM

A family hammock or a jumbo hammock is better for your use. These two types of hammocks can adjust 2 persons easily and take nylon hammocks because the nylon hammocks and handy, portable, easy to assemble and easy to disassemble.
Posted by: Franco

Re: Budget 2 Person tent suggestions - 07/08/13 06:43 PM

OK, so this "tent" needs to be relatively inexpensive. lightweight and pack small.
So we suggest a $600 Vertex double hammock that weighs 6 lbs and packs twice as large as many double wall tents.
Just for comparison the Tarptent StratoSpire 2 offers a lot more protected area than that for $325 and 40oz.
No it isn't freestanding (you need to use trekking poles or get 2x2 oz poles) but neither are hammocks...
BTW, the SS2 also packs about 1/3rd of the size of that hammock.
Two separate hammocks and a fly would not be much lighter or less expensive either.

Anyway the SS2 is still over twice the price the OP is looking at.

franco@tarptent,com
Now this is a REAL time set up....:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyQT9JHloQM
Posted by: immortal.ben

Re: Budget 2 Person tent suggestions - 07/08/13 10:12 PM

I will throw in with the Eureka Apex 2XT, which may be snug for two to share who are not super-friendly. It meets all the other requirements and will not break the bank, seeing as you can get one for $100. I love everything about mine except the weight. It weighs around 5lbs on the trail. Split between two people, that would not be so bad.

Or there is the GoLite Imogene UL2 which is MUCH lighter at 2lb 6oz,and from what I can tell, pretty much the same size. They cost about $250 and are currently out of stock, but are expected to be in stock mid July.