Buying a new tent...

[jesseschulman]

I own two tents right now, both are backpacker-type of tents. I bought a Coleman Tioga a few years back and it has had a lot of use so far. Even got caught in a few rain storms with it and never had a drop of water get inside. It has a ton of ventilation and has held up pretty well over the years. I must admit though, I wanted to get a new set of poles for it and have been having some trouble. The part numbers listed on the manual don't come up on their website, and I tried to call them once and was on hold for like 20 minutes before I hung up and emailed them. That was a few days ago, haven't gotten an email back yet. The other one I have is some no name brand I got for free from a friend that was cleaning out their house. It's almost brand new (might be, not sure if they used it) and its super light and compact. A good tent for a quick overnighter.

I prefer backpacker tents since the most that will ever go is my girlfriend, my dog and myself. And the two-pole systems are great and fast.

[Frank6160]

I see people saying spend hundreds of dollars to buy a tent. I own 2 Coleman tents use them regularly and am well pleased. One from Wal-Mart (a Red Canyon 8 person )and the other from Dick's Sporting Goods (a 3 person Mountaineer) The Red Canyon is going into it's fourth year.I did have to seal seams in both of these and I aleays use a ground cover under them. I have camped with teenagers and small children using them. A family need not spend a lot on a tent. With a little care a lower priced tent will most of the time do OK. I know there are bad ones in all of them.

[UKCraig]

I have been away on an extended trip for the past months and, along the way, have used FOUR tents! Each time I went for the cheapest that I could get and they were absolutely fine for everyday use (the only reason I had to get rid of each was the cost of transporting them by air). The only point I had any issues was in Mt Cook in New Zealand when the tent that I bought with me from Oz did its best to blow away in the high winds. I would suggest that, yes, go for the cheapest you can find BUT make sure that it meets a minimum standard. As well as being waterproof (obviously) it is important that it is strong (good quality poles and also proper guy ropes ON EACH CORNER rather than just being there for show!!)

[Fairweather8588]

SierraTradingPost.com always has good deals on gear, and it looks like they have a few larger tents that may suit you from brands like Kelty and Sierra Designs

[MrsPete]

One word: eBay!

My husband had a 4-person tent when we were married, and we enjoyed it for years. It was an inexpensive little dome-top tent (the only style I'll ever buy in the future -- they're so easy to pop up), and I was very upset when our shed was robbed and it disappeared. I know who did it, but I can't prove it. %#$@%# druggie kid across the street. Oh, well. He moved away.

Next my husband bought (used) a big two-room plus a screen porch tent. The size was great with kids, but it was a bear to set up. Not being a dome, it was not free-standing, so it was no good in sandy soil, and we aren't that far from the beach; once it fell on us in a storm. We certainly had the $35 use out of it, but he and I never loved it the way we'd loved that little tent. What's the Walmart-gear name brand? I'm pretty sure that's what it was.

Finally, I'm getting to eBay: I bought him a (new) big three-room tent from eBay, and it is fantastic! Sort of V-shaped, it has two "domes" and loads of room inside. It's heavy and lives in a Rubbermaid tub. It goes up in no time and has never disappointed us. I paid less than $50 for this tent, including shipping. I'm pretty sure the name-brand is Swiss Gear.

I'll also go on record as being a proponent of buying good equipment and taking care of it. For example, my grandmother bought me a sleeping bag for my 15th birthday. It was outrageously expensive at $90, but I'm still using it -- that's 27 years. That sleeping bag has camped cross-country twice, and it's been on more scout outings than I can remember. I worked as a summer camp counselor for three years, and in college I worked for a while for an Outward-Bound type place on campus -- that same sleeping bag saw me through it all. I've never, ever been cold in that bag, and it's still in great condition. Of course, I've always treated it like a baby.

One more thing: Before you BUY a tent, you might consider renting to see what features you like. The university near us (the one where I used to plan/lead Outward-Bound type outings) rents equipment VERY CHEAPLY. They rent to the public for a higher price than they rent to students, but the option exists.

[glc]

What's the Walmart-gear name brand?

Ozark Trail.

[Where am I?]

I'm with Midwest Michael on this. Unless you really need something rated for the Sierra Nevada winter, why blow a big chunk of dough on a bundle of sticks and fabric who's sole purpose is to be subjected to abusive conditions? I'll take a $40.00 tent and a can of sealant for 2-3 years over a $300.00 tent that will last 6 years of heavy use if I'm lucky. As for a liner, I bought a $15.00 roll of 3M plastic ground cover about 8 years ago and I'm almost half way through it. Ofcourse, there's a good reason those cheap tents last so long. If the weather and terrain permit, I'm sleeping in a HAMMOCK. A new place with new smells and new sounds can make the night sky a whole new show.

[atinybird]

Hey everyone,

My boyfriend and I are going cross country this fall/winter/spring and we're planning on camping for good chunks of it. Does anyone have any recommendations for good 4 season/winter tents?
Ideally I would like to not spend more then $200 on a tent, but I have the feeling that might not happen. Especially for a good winter one.

Oh- and sleeping bags. Mummy bags or a double sleeping bag?

Suggestions please!

Thanks,
K

[Mass Tim]

Does anyone have any recommendations for good 4 season/winter tents?

I would expect the replies to this question to range about the same as the other recommendations from a more affordable option all the way up to something built for keeping out cosmic rays. Would your expectation of the winter portion of the trip require keeping out Arctic blasts of cold air, or the occasional 30 degree overnight?