Tent advice

[Quetico]

This has to be a first right here. I will actually firmly disagree with the almighty Duffman. I just bought a Kelty 2 years ago. It held up well during its first outing during a tornado warning. Its done very well since. I've used numerous Kelty's from the government lands north of Atikokan Ontario to the gator infested Florida Everglades National Park. The ratings Kelty tents still get are very good. I really believe their quality is far superior to most brands. Kelty makes high quality products are common man pricing.

Now to the issue of Coleman- Coleman makes some decent products. Tents are Coleman's weakness. When I used to work outdoor retail I heard nothing but complaints about Coleman tents. Yes they are cheap. But will they hold up during a storm ro even keep you dry? Not likely.

Honestly? I can not count the number of Coleman tents that broke apart on me when we were setting them up in the store's for displays and demo's. We had a customer once who was set on getting one. We set-up a few just to make sure there was nothing wrong with the tent out of the box and everything was there. Tent after tent had issues right out of the unopened box. After that incident I have never felt even ok with recommending Coleman tents for anything beyond kids play houses.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Hey Darth, love your name and signature

[Duffman]

This has to be a first right here. I will actually firmly disagree with the almighty Duffman.

Almighty Duffman, funny stuff. Do I really come across as that big of a pompus donkey??? No? Well then I guess I'll try harder.

Three years ago went camping with a buddy who just bought a new Kelty, lower end model. Granted, I didn't sleep in the thing but I wasn't impressed, I thought the Keltys had a better rep. I checked out their HSOforum just now, looks like they make some nice tents. I'm going off of limited experience with the Keltys, but like I said, it seems that this model didn't cut it compared to what I've heard about this brand. So take it for what it is, my buddy went back to his old Eureka and hasn't used the Kelty since.

Though, the higher end Keltys looks like could compete with The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, and Sierra Designs. From what I can tell from a HSOforum.

[Quetico]

Idk about the pompus donkey but ... jk.

I will admit my tried and true canoe trip tent is a Eureka Rainer 4. Awesome tent I've weathered some nasty storms in. I just wish it had some windows. That tent has been thru some bad storms without any signs of wear and tear.

I was extremely impressed last fall with my Sierra Designs Clip Flash Light. It took by far the worst storm I've ever been in. It stood up great during winds gusting over 70mph. The walls stood strong with the extreme winds without too much bowing in. It was nearly destroyed when a tree dropped parallel to it 5' away. It shed off some smaller branches that fell on it.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

When a tree comes crashing down, I'm less worried about the tent then the tenter

[Quetico]

Yeah my cousin was out cold when it came down. It hit the ground and I got him moving extremely quickly. A few other trees dropped in the site. It was a tough hike out.

[stifler51]

i love my cabelas alaskan guide tent, its not a backpackers tent due to the weight, but it was amazing out in yellowstone last year. We had a few days of off and on showers and chances of snow overnight. Heater kept the inside warm and rain fly beads with rain and runs right off. Plus the little enterance area at the front of the tent is a great place to put a small chair for putting on and takin off rain clothes and muddy boots.

[zelek]

Ahh..I was wondering about that Alaskan Guide tent. Anyone else have any experience with that one?

I was also looking at some of the models from Marmot. I think the Halo 4P was the one I almost purchased last year. Can anyone add anything on the Marmots?? Thanks!

[Quetico]

I've looked into the Cabela's Alaskan Guide tents before. They seem solid. I know someone who owns one and swears buy it. A bit on the heavy side so not a wilderness trip tent.

I have come close to buying Marmot tents in the past. If I had to choose my 1 favorite gear manufacture it would be Marmot. Great gear all around. Comparable price, top quality.

[badknee]

thats great people are still talking on this topic.i still have not bought a tent,but i think i'm getting closer.i like the looks and remarks of the alaskan guide,now if it will just sleep six comfortably.also i never knew there were so many brands of tents.where would i find marmot tents? again never heard of them.

[Redlantern]

REI carries Marmot tents and gear. Rock solid but pretty spendy.

[echotrail]

Are you sleeping 6 people using groundpads or cots? I needed a tent that would sleep 4 adults on cots. I first looked at the Alaskan Guide and then bought the larger 12'x12' Cabela's XWT. No regrets on the choice.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

What kind of cot are you using?

[Quetico]

I've never found anything Marmot makes that wasn't worth every penny. Their tents are comparable in price to Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardwear, etc. Yes they will be far more expensive then Coleman, Wenzel, Great Land and those type of brands because your getting what you pay for.

[badknee]

echotrail,two adults four children sleeping on ground pads.a little extra room wouldn't hurt though.

[PEATMOSS]

We had an Alaska Guide tent from Cabelas for a little over a dozen years. Our family camps alot and in alot of pretty primative sites. That tent held up great and we never ever got wet. The ONLY thing bad I could possibly say about it was that the octagon shape was not always conducive to setting up cots etc inside. We bought the Cabelas XWT last spring and used it about 40 days last summer. We like it even better than the Alaskan. Great tent for us. Cabelas always stands behind their products as well as, if not better than anyone.

[DarthBaiter]

I'm with you bad knee. I started this thread and still am shopping for the right tent. Just when I think I've decided, then another brand and model is mentioned. Thanks to all who have kept this going, and I too didn't realize there were so many choices. The Alaskan guide looks solid, how is the ventiallation? One other thing I've noticed when shopping tents is that many seem to or appear to have similar floor material as the sides. My older tent has a tarp like floor. I can't imagine that this (new tent floor) is better or is it....? What am I missing?

[echotrail]

The Alaskan Guide and XWT tents are built with quality flooring material. As with any tent you can protect the floor even more by putting down a ground tarp under the tent being careful it does not exceed the tents footprint. Using a floor liner inside the tent will add more protection. The XWT has a clip in each corner to attach and stretch out a floor liner.

[Acemac]

IMO buy a 4 season tent they are built with air flow in mind so you dont get wet on the inside EVER!

[Comit 2]

I just got a Hennessy Hammock. I now have no need for my Eureka Timberline. Just for fun I got a ENO hammock and a bug guard too. All I need now is a jet boil and I'm set.

Good luck sleeping on the ground.

Good posts guys lots of great info!

You can't beat the Eureka Timberline for easy one person setup. It is one of the best 2 and 4 person tents ever made.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Eureka Sunrise is easier to set up then the Timberline. More room too.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

Is it possible to find a decent tent for around $40-50 that will fit two people comfortably plus fishing gear?

I'll mainly use it for shore fishing on sandbars on the MN River but also occasionally at campgrounds. Probably will only need it 5 times a year MAX.

I see Coleman tents are somewhat affordable. Wal-Mart and some other stores have some other brand that I can't remember but they were cheap.

[Supercrew]

I am looking at the Coleman Legacy Weathermaster with the screen porch, out of the truck, ocasional camper, and looking for more room than I would need just in case. Any thoughts since this is a new tent this year? I also like the deal at Cab's because they offer a LED light kit and charger for cells and MP3's. Pulling the trigger in the next couple of days cuz I need it for opening week, and want to make the right choice the first time.

ocasional camper

out of the truck camping, boat dragged with

state parks

spring through fall

sleeps 6 min, need to keep stuff dry

using cots

wife hates bugs, thats why I like the screened porch feature for a family size tent.

Thanks, Supercrew

[Quetico]

I can not stress this enough- when it comes to tents you will get what you pay for. If you spend $40-$50 on a tent plant on having issues and getting wet. Avoid Walmart and Target brand tents. Avoid Coleman tents at all costs.

I'd rather see you pay $150-$200 for a tent that you will be happy with for years to come vs flipping thru cheap tents every few outtings.

Shop around the internet.

Mnwild check your email

[walliz]

Put this in the classifieds, please.