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#116633 - 05/27/09 09:15 PM What tent?
snowbanana Offline
newbie

Registered: 05/27/09
Posts: 1
Loc: Utah
what would be the best 3 man tent for about $200

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#116634 - 05/27/09 10:37 PM Re: What tent? [Re: snowbanana]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
For what conditions? It would help to know in what part of the country you'll use it, in what season, at what altitude, for what length trips. Those all factor into the definition of "best."

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#116645 - 05/28/09 07:56 AM Re: What tent? [Re: snowbanana]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
That depends on a lot of things. If you have 3 very large men, you would probably need a 4 or 5 man tent. If you are going out in winter the answer will be "there are no tents in your price range."
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

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#116666 - 05/28/09 01:49 PM Re: What tent? [Re: snowbanana]
Trailrunner Offline
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 1835
Loc: Los Angeles
"Best" means lots of things to lots of people. The only thing you specified was cost. Post what else is important to you and you'll get more specific answers.

Consider:

Ease of ingress/egress.

Vestible size, or no vestibule.

Versatility.

Ease of setting up.

Ventilation.

Weight.

Bulk.

Freestanding or not.

Durability.

Single wall or double wall.

2, 3 or 4 season.

Color. Yes that's important to some people.

And that's just off the top of my head. The best tent for me may not be the best tent for you.



_________________________
If you only travel on sunny days you will never reach your destination.*

* May not apply at certain latitudes in Canada and elsewhere.

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#116688 - 05/28/09 05:04 PM Re: What tent? [Re: snowbanana]
BarryP Offline
member

Registered: 03/04/04
Posts: 1574
Loc: Eastern Idaho
Like others have pointed out, there are too many variables.
If you want lightweight, consider the Tarptent Rainshadow, but you’ll have to get it used for that price.
Also consider a 10x10 silnylon tarp, bug netting and ground cloth. However, tents are faster to set up.

To keep it under $200, will cost you in weight. I prefer aluminum frames and factory taped seams. I’ve had very good results with these tents:
1. Sierra Designs - Sirius 3, http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___27676WC?compare=true&categoryId=200368487 I took out some useless stuff and my packed weight comes in at 5.0lbs
2. Kelty Teton 4 Tent. My packed weight is 6.9lbs http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___24906WC?compare=true&categoryId=200368487


I have not tried these tents but they should work well for under $200:
3. Eureka Pinnacle Pass 3 XTA 6.5lbs http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___28102WC?compare=true&categoryId=200368487
4. Eureka Zeus 3 Classic Tent, 5.1lbs http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___24217WC?compare=true&categoryId=200368487

All of the above requires only 2 poles for fast and easy setup and they’re sturdy in wind. Besides personally owning a Teton 4 tent, our scouts have been using them (kelty) for 5 years now. And they actually still look good.

-Barry

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