Under Construction
Features (See links below and camping magiznes and books for others)
- Weight vs floor space and price tradeoff.
A general backcountry guideline is that the tent's weight should not exceed three pounds per person.
- Ventelation - Lots of mesh makes a tent cooler in the warm NE and south, but will be colder in the higher elevations of the west.
Some tents have panels that zip in over mesh for warmth in cold weather.
Mountaineering tents employ hooded vents to release moisture in the winter.
- How low to the ground the rainfly reaches affects ventilation and rain-protection.
- Dual Doors
- Plastic windows in the rainfly to see out in a rain storm.
- Pocket inside for storing small items.
- Adjustable stake loops on the rainfly let you adjust if for ventilation and make it more sturdy in a heavy wind.
- Fly-only pitching using a fitted groundcloth (or footprint) with the poles and fly only.
See Types of Tents at the AMC.
2 Person, 3-Season, Backpacking Tents
Model | Price | Brand | Packed Size | Weight | Area | Hgt | Drs | Main Poles |
Max | Min | Floor | Vest | Total |
Median | $210 | | | 5 lb. | 4-8 | 32 sf | 10 sf | 43 | 3-6 | | |
5 pounds or less |
Meridian 2 | $200 | Mtn Hdwr | 18 x 5 | 4-13 | 4-3 | 27 sf | 22 sf | 49 | 3-5 | 2 | 1 |
Evolution 2P | $260 | Big Sky | 19 x 6 | 3-1 | 2-13 | 30 sf | 9.5 sf | 40 | 3-6 | 2 | 2 |
Clip Flashlight | $170 | Sierra Dsgns | 19 x 5 | 4-6 | 3-11 | 32 sf | 6 sf | 38 | 3-7 | 1 | 2 |
Lightning | $250 | Sierra Dsgns | 25 x 7 | 4-2 | 2-7 | 31 sf | 9 sf | 40 | 3-4 | 1 | 2 |
Hyperlight | $270 | Sierra Dsgns | | 5-1 | 3-4 | 37 sf | 8.4 sf | 45 | 3-4 | 1 | 2 |
Missing Link * | $229 | MSR | 11 x 7 | 3-7 | 3 lb. | 37 | 14 | 51 | 3-6 | 1 | 2 |
Tadpole 23 Tent, '06 | $229 | North Face | 22 x 6 | 4-14 | 4-4 | 35 sf | 7 sf | 42 | 3-4 | 1 | 3 |
Vector 22 | $239 | North Face | 24 x 8 | 4-14 | 4-6 | 34 sf | 10 sf | 44 | 3-6 | 1 | 2 |
Quarter Dome | $209 | REI | 7 x 20 | 4-4 | 3-11 | 28 | 7 + 7 | 42 | 3-4 | 2 | |
Clip Flashlight Tent | $170 | Sierra Dsgns | 19 x 5 | 4-6 | 3-11 | 32 sf | 6 sf | 38 | 3-7 | 1 | 2 |
Hubba Hubba Tent | $289 | MSR | 20 x 5.5 | 5 lb. | 4-2 | 28 sf | 9.5 sf | 38 | 3-4 | 2 | 3 |
Star 2 | $200 | EMS | 17 x 7 | 4-11 | 4-6 | 33 sf | 7+7 | 47 | 3-6 | 2 | 2 |
More than 5 pounds |
Meteor Light | $230 | Sierra Dsgns | 24 x 6 | 7-5 | 6-10 | 40 sf | 16 sf | 46 | 3-7 | 2 | 3 |
Tristar Tent | $179 | EMS | 26 x 9 | 7-12 | 6-12 | 39 sf | 5.2+5.2 | 50 | 4 ft. | 2 | 3 |
North Star | $159 | EMS | 23 x 8 | 6-12 | 5-12 | 35 sf | 11+11 | 57 | 3-6 | 2 | 2 |
Half Dome | $169 | REI | 23 x 7 | 5-11 | 5-1 | 34 sf | 9.4x9.4 | 53 | 3-5 | 2 | 2 |
Aeolos | $325 | Marmot | 20 x 7 | 5-12 | 5-5 | 35 sf | 19 | 54 | 3-4 | 2 | 4 |
Reverse Combi | $250 | Sierra Dsgns | | 6-13 | | 31.5 | 11 + 11 | 52 | 3-4 | 2 | 2 |
Hammerhead 2 Tent | $245 | Mtn Hdwr | 17 x 6 | 7-12 | 6-9 | 36 sf | 7.5+7.5 | 51 | 3-9 | 2 | 3 |
Moonshine | 279 | EMS | 19.5 x 8 | 6-8 | 5-6 | 31.75 sf | 11.25 | 43 | 3-6 | 1 | 3 |
Tetragon 5 | $60 | Eureka | 25 x 4 | 6-2 | 5-3 | 35 | none | | | 1 | 2 |
Yellowstone | $90 | Kelty | 27 x 8 | 6-1 | 5-7 | 37 | none | | | 1 | |
Heron 23 Tent | $289 | North Face | 22 x 7 | 5-5 | 4-13 | 28 sf | 7.4 sf | 35 | 3-10 | 1 | 3 |
Packed Size is height x diameter in inches.
Max Weight sometimes means package weight (shipping wt. )
Some manufacturers also list a "Fastbpack" weight for fly, poles and groundcloth only.
Weight is pounds - ounces
sf - square feet
Hgt - Headroom (peak height) in feet - inches
* MSR Missing Link is a lean-to single wall structure with open door and awning in front. Uses trekking poles.
1-person 3-season backpacking
Model | Price | Brand | Packed Size | Weight | Area | Hgt | Main Poles |
Max | Min | Floor | Vest | Total |
Median | $220 | | | 3-7 | 2-14 | 18 sf | 7 sf | 24 | 3-2 | |
| < 2 lbs 13 oz |
Beta Light | $160 | Black Diamond | 4 x 6 | 1-8 | 1-6 | 35 | | | 3-8 | 0 |
Uses trekking poles or other poles not included w/ tent. |
Skypoint 1 | $220 | Mtn Hdwr | 20 x 5.5 | 3-5 | 2-12 | 25 | 5 | 30 | 3-2 | 1 |
Waypoint 1 | $195 | Mtn Hdwr | | | 2-2 | 20 | n/a | | 3-4 | 2 |
Single wall tent. Condensation is a problem in humid condiitions. |
Light Year | $140 | Sierra Dsgns | 19x5 | 3-4 | 2-11 | 20 | 3 | 23 | 3-2 | 2 |
Solo 12 | $190 | North Face | 23 x 5 | 2-8 | 2-2 | 18 | | 18 | 3-4 | |
Sarvis 1 SL | $280 | Big Agnes | 15 x 6 | 2-15 | 2-4 | 15 | 4.5 | 20 | 3-2 | 2 |
| > 2-13 |
Moon Shadow | $259 | EMS | 20 x 5.8 | 3-7 | 2-15 | 26 | 10 | 36 | 2-10 | 2 |
Sololite | $130 | REI | 19 x 6.5 | 4-4 | 3-8 | 21 | 7.7 | 29 | 3 | 2 |
Baku | $230 | Sierra Dsgns | 21x5 | 3-7 | 3 | 17 | 7 | 24 | 3-2 | 2 |
Hubba Solo/ Fast & Light | $230 | MSR | 20 x 6 | 3-7 | 3 | 17 | 9.5 | 27 | 3-4 | |
Meridian 1 | $170 | Mtn Hdwr | | 3-14 | 3-4 | 16.5 | 7 | 24 | 3-6 | 2 |
Zoid 1 | $190 | MSR | | 3-6 | 2-14 | 16 | 7 | 23.5 | 2-10 | |
2-person 4-season
Tne North Face Mountain-25 $400
MSR Fury $400
MSR All Season $350
Bibler Tempest Tent $500
Kelty Orb 2 Tent $375
Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 $450
REI Mountain 2 $250
The North Face Mountain 25 $400
3-person expedition
The North Face VE-25 $500
See Also:
Outdoor Product on-line mail order stores
Google Search for tent reviews
Find Tents at Backpacker magazine
ConsumerSearch
2005 Tent Reviews at Outside Online
Buying Tents at AMC
Single Wall Tents at Backpacking Lignt
Return toProducts
last updated 8 Sep 2006
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