How much to spend on a tent?

[RobinGoodfellow]

# People, Tops

Okay, looking to buy a camping/hunting tent... not afraid to spend a few bucks if need be if it makes sense. I searched the forum but most of the results were a few year old so let's start fresh.

This is not for pack hunting, not playing on carrying it with anything other than my truck. Figure a "6 person" tent but I might need 8-10? I've never been in a tent I though was too big but I understand the challenges of finding a good footprint for a huge tent. Realistically no more than four people ever sleeping in it, probably more like two.

Do I go with a canvas tent? It's a bit pricey but I'm a "buy once, cry once" kinda guy. They call this a "6" but it looks like a "2" to me.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N12UXQ1/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01N12UXQ1&pd_rd_w=oo8YA&pf_rd_p=45a72588-80f7-4414-9851-786f6c16d42b&pd_rd_wg=LZkiy&pf_rd_r=R3VGRZQJ6ADFDG8ZYGD8&pd_rd_r=fa1f8c84-e8b8-495b-94c0-3edd118b8ded&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzS0QwNklWTFlDRlJOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDE5ODQyMkxRUE5LTVE2TjBMQiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjc2NzQ1M0EyNzNRVjZSMlBVViZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Would prefer to spend less, but nylon tents always look like throwaways to me. Open to suggestions. Again, I don't need a lightweight hiking tent, got that.

You could get 6 in there--with no gear.

I'd say 3, tops.

[sonofeugene]

Okay, looking to buy a camping/hunting tent... not afraid to spend a few bucks if need be if it makes sense. I searched the forum but most of the results were a few year old so let's start fresh.

This is not for pack hunting, not playing on carrying it with anything other than my truck. Figure a "6 person" tent but I might need 8-10? I've never been in a tent I though was too big but I understand the challenges of finding a good footprint for a huge tent. Realistically no more than four people ever sleeping in it, probably more like two.

Do I go with a canvas tent? It's a bit pricey but I'm a "buy once, cry once" kinda guy. They call this a "6" but it looks like a "2" to me.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N12UXQ1/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01N12UXQ1&pd_rd_w=oo8YA&pf_rd_p=45a72588-80f7-4414-9851-786f6c16d42b&pd_rd_wg=LZkiy&pf_rd_r=R3VGRZQJ6ADFDG8ZYGD8&pd_rd_r=fa1f8c84-e8b8-495b-94c0-3edd118b8ded&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzS0QwNklWTFlDRlJOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDE5ODQyMkxRUE5LTVE2TjBMQiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjc2NzQ1M0EyNzNRVjZSMlBVViZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Would prefer to spend less, but nylon tents always look like throwaways to me. Open to suggestions. Again, I don't need a lightweight hiking tent, got that.

Canvass tent?? You're kidding, right?

Nylon tents are definitely not throw aways. And some are not cheap at all.

Someone mentioned to go larger. Plus one on this. I used to motorcycle camp with a nice North Face two person tent. Yes, it'll hold two people but you'll be very very close and friendly and have no space for anything but you, your bags and pads and maybe a tooth brush.

REI, as mentioned, is a good source. I have a 6 person REI tent that my wife and I used to use. We'd put a queen size air mattress in the middle, the dog kennel at the head of the bed, and had plenty of room at the foot and sides. Four people would have been a bit crowded.

Pay close attention to how it sets up. Some are fiddly. Some go up and come down really fast and easy. This is a plus, for sure. The old North Face tent I have required threading the rods through long sewn channels and while relatively easy to do, good tents nowadays have clips on the tent that you simply hook to the arced poles.

And go 4 season if you can. You get a better tent that way.

And always use a good tarp or something under the tent. The floors on a good tent are pretty rugged but I like to prolong their life by using something under them. Some tents have accessory ground tarps cut to the contours of the tent for just this purpose. Buy one if they are available.

And, unless you really just have to have everyone in the same tent, just get two. That way there's a bit more privacy and you can put the snorers in one tent and stick them on the outskirts of your camp.

[sonofeugene]

REI: https://www.rei.com/search?q=tents

Over 500 tents to chose from.

If I was buying again, I'd do my research and then actually set up the tent I was considering. REI often has them already set up and usually don't have a problem with taking them down and putting them back up again. And, if you join (don't think it costs anything), then at the end of the year, you usually get around a 10% rebate on all the purchases you make at REI. Like getting 10% off. They also have periodic sales where you can get stuff at quite a discount. I think I bought my 6 person dome tent for about half price.

[reverser]

If you want something extremely durable, look into mountaineering tents. I have an MSR StormKing (5-person) that is great. Mountaineering tents are made for snow and pretty rough terrain. The poles and fabric are incredible.

[ACfixer]

Canvass tent?? You're kidding, right?

Not kidding at all. If you don't mind the weight and a bit more setup time they are really nice. Have you ever set up a cot and slept in a cabin style canvas tent? Generally quieter and warmer IME.

Like I said, I have a nice "2-person" 5lb backpack tent from REI (which is quite snug for one person and a pack), I am familiar with quality nylon tents and their benefits. I am not opposed to going with a good quality nylon model, but think cabin style and not dome.

If you are going to set the tent up and leave it in one place for 3 days to a week... This:



Is infinitely better than:



I love REI for backpacking stuff guys, their brick and mortar stores are fantastic and their customer service and sales are outstanding as well. They don't sell junk. I'm just looking at a little different mission here, hunt and base camp oriented vs. mobility.

[tsmithson]

[ACfixer]

^^^ Great post, thank you.

[Magilla26]

I have a Eureka 4 man tent that holds me and my gear. I have hunted in three days of solid rain and no water got in the tent. This tent was not cheap but it was good quality. The first thing that breaks on a tent is the zipper. A tent with a broken zipper is worthless. Get a quality tent with a good zipper.

[Spyder]

I have a 35 dollar Walmart tent that has survived several years of hunting eastern Oregon in crazy wind and rain storms and temps down to the high teens. It hasn't seen snow yet, and don't think it would be great for that.

It's big and bulky and heavy and would make a terrible packing or hiking tent, but if you're sleeping next to your vehicle, it's perfectly fine.

I also have a Big Agnes Expedition Copper Spur that is $550 bucks. I spent the last week and a half in it. It's very light weight, compact, fits in my multi day hunt pack, and isn't big enough for me. I will likely sell it (only used once!) somewhat soon, and search for something a hair bigger for my over-size body.

No point in blowing five hundred bucks on a high tech fancy lightweight backpacking tent, if you're going to camp by the rig.

[Dred]

We bought a Coleman 10 man instant tent and have been happy...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-10-person-Instant-Cabin-Tent/815359963

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzR9sbgAiIQ

With 2 queen size air mattresses, 4 people sleep great...sill plenty of room for clothes and dog bed...

T

[Casual_Shooter]

I also have a Big Agnes Expedition Copper Spur that is $550 bucks. I spent the last week and a half in it. It's very light weight, compact, fits in my multi day hunt pack, and isn't big enough for me. I will likely sell it (only used once!) somewhat soon, and search for something a hair bigger for my over-size body.

No point in blowing five hundred bucks on a high tech fancy lightweight backpacking tent, if you're going to camp by the rig.

Spyder- Have you seen the Big Agnes Copper Spur Hotel HV UL2? The fly has an extended (HUGE) vestibule area. You could probably stretch out if you laid with your upper torso in the tent and your legs and feet out into the vestibule. Not ideal in the buggy season with no full mesh coverage, but probably long enough for you.

[Spyder]

I have not, but I'll look in to it! Finding stuff to fit me is a ...chore.

[RandyD]

Years ago, I bought this 4 person tent from Cabelas, Alaskan Guide, https://www.cabelas.com/product/camp...6.uts?slotId=1 This was the best tent, I have ever owned or used. I liked it so much, I bought the 8 person tent for family camping. My wife and daughter do not like to camp, so if you are interested, I am willing to sell my 8 person tent. I am keeping my 4 person tent for future camping and hunting trips with my buddies.

[AtomicOrange]

I bought a couple decent tents years ago, now we just rent one as needed. Nice tents can be rented pretty cheaply. So, depending on how often you would use it, that might be an option.

[ACfixer]

I bought a couple decent tents years ago, now we just rent one as needed. Nice tents can be rented pretty cheaply. So, depending on how often you would use it, that might be an option.

Well I live in Big Bear Lake, I can buy a tent for the price of the gas down the hill to rent it and return it.

I'm waiting for Springbar to get back to me, I wrote them a note but I guess they are moving their facility and kind of busy. Only the Highline (import) stuff available right now that i can find, looks like decent stuff but I'd like to explore the USA models.

EDIT: They just called me! They've almost got it together and are going to be up and running soon... pretty sure a 6 man USA Springbar is going to be my choice.