Trad Gang

I have come to the realization that I just can't afford or justify spending the money of the kifaru or Titanium Goat tents.., not yet anyway..

What are some other decent options? My 7 year old and I are going to go camping and do some hunting from a blind in CT...

I was looking at the Eureka Timberline or the Big Agnes tents?? It would be nice to use it for local camping/hunting trips but also for an October Moose hunt in New Hampshire (lucky lottery winner)

Thanks

Stephen,

I have used a Cabela's tent for about 5 or 6 years (I think it has been that long).

Here is a link to it:   Cabela\\'s Tent (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0003770514192a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=outfitter+tent&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1)  

The construction is solid, and it's been roomy enough for two plus 2 big labs. I think the price is acceptable as well. I have the 10X10 model. I like it because with my 6'5" and 280lbs frame i can stand up to get dressed (me trying to lay in a "flat" tent trying to put my pants on is frustrating to me and odd for anyone watching from the outside).

We live in this tent for weeks at a time with little discomfort. It's no wall tent, but it isn't a pup tent by any means.

Holler at me if you need more info.

OkKeith

OkKeith:

Thanks for that. I have been looking at that exact tent...It is in the running.

steve

I use one of these.  They are great in cold weather but not that packable.  Two guys can set it up in about 30 minutes


 (http://www.mikeswillowlake.com/images/forsaleitems/closed_door.JPG)

huntelk

I'll give you my opinion as I have seen people spend a lot of money on expensive camping equipment that ends up sitting in a corner of their garage

My sons and I do a lot of camping and I can tell you that I have found that the choice of shelter will be dependent on what your goals are.  What works for car camping will be a nightmare on a 20mile hike-in camping trip.

If all you are doing is one or two night trips with your son at campsites you drive up to, AND you don't anticipate more than a few of these trips a year,  you will do just fine with an inexpensive Coleman 4 or 6 man tent.  I've used them extensively and never had a problem even in the worst driving rainstorms. (and it ALWAYS rains when I go camping)  Spend the money you save on the tent on some quality sleeping pads.

If however, you plan on doing a lot of camping (more than 6 times a year let's say)  then I'd go for one of the more expensive tents like the Cabelas cited above.  It will last longer, you'll be more satisfied and you'll spend less in the end.


I don't recommend this for everyone but I am now a big fan of camping hammocks for backpacking trips. Our Boy Scouts love them for 3 season camping here in the South.  They are light, comfortable to sleep in, set up quickly and the entry level models can be bought for ~$30.  Cover it with a $10 tarp from Walmart and you're set.  Downside on these is they are not a good option for the little kids and are too cold for winter camping IMHO.   You are also out of luck if all you have is a hammock in an area with no trees.
   

I'm interested to hear what others have to say on this subject.

I have a Eureka Timberline that I have had since 1982, yes 82. Mine is the 4 man and you can't go  wrong! I have used it motorcycle camping, hunting ,fishng; just a good tent! Eureka also makes the Apex line of tents ,I have a 2 man and 3 man, they might be even a bit better than the Timberline. Any name brand tent Big Agnes, Mountainsmith,Northface,plus many more will be a good choice. Just decide on how much room you need to have...make sure the tent has a vestabule.[keeps boots and such out of the way]

I have the same tent as OkKeith, the 10 x 10 .  Plenty of room for 3 people plus gear.  Not hard to set up at all and not too heavy.  I have used it in Colorado and Idaho with no problems at all.  I just spray it once a year with scotch guard just to make sure it keeps turning water, although I don't think it is necessary.  I like the extra head room for getting dressed also.  It's been good for me.

BOB

Hey John,

I completely agree with what you say about fitting the gear to the situation. I have recently discovered camping hammocks myself. For me they are fine for a few days, but after that they put more kinks in than a night's sleep should take out.

Lisa and I spent nearly a year trying to figure out what would work best for us and the Cabela's tent fit all the criteria we established. We decided that these things were important to us, in this order:

1. Size. I am a big fella and as I mentioned above, I hate trying to get dressed lying down in the tent. We have lightweight tents for backpacking use so didn't need another of that type. We travel to hunt and fish a lot. Texas, Wyoming, Missouri, Kansas, North Carolina (not to mention camping at our deer lease) and spend weeks at a time at remote camps and needed a tent that we wouldn't go stir crazy in if the weather turned bad and we had to stay inside for 20 or 30 hours. So, tall and with a fairly large foot print.

2. Weight/packed up size. A wall tent would have been great, but we could put a cooler and 10 days worth of food in the same space a wall tent and pole set-up would use. The tent we were looking for needed to pack down well. We wanted something that wouldn't take up much more space than a daypack. On the off chance that one of us might hurt ourselves in the backcountry, we wanted a rig that one person could drag out and set-up fairly quick.

3. Durability/Warranty. We did fudge here just a bit. Not that the one we got is flimsy by any means. We didn't want to have to replace it every other year, but this goes to weight and price (the next consideration). We wanted quality materials and a product from a company which we knew would stand behind their equipment if we had any trouble, but we were not going to the top of Everest or trekking in the Gobi.

This brings us to ...4. Price. We didn't want to go cheap, because you get what you pay for, but then again I didn't want to have to sell my truck to get it either. The age old argument of quality versus price went on long after we had settled on the other factors.

I am sure this is WAY more than anyone cares to hear about how we selected our tent, but then again I'm not doing much today and had the time.

After we considered all these things, we bought the tent I mentioned above. Of course having a hundred bucks or so in credit points didn't hurt either. As I said, this is our sixth year (I think) with this tent, and it gets used an honest 100 days or so a year. Some of these trips will last 2 weeks (that's 2 days in, 10 days in camp and 2 days out).

I have a buddy that swears he will never buy a tent. He carries 3 or 4 of the huge WalMart tarps and what seems like a thousand feet of rope. He is a master of rigging up shelters from this outfit, complete with floors and such. He can take up to 2 or 3 hours to get it just like he wants. He might have 80 bucks in tarp and rope, but I like to get set-up a little quicker than that and with a little less hassle. Convenience costs, but for this I can afford it.

OkKeith

I have three tents.

I have hunted out of an Alaskan Guide, 8-man tent for roughly seven years. It needs a touch-up with the silicone, finally, and has been a dry and reliable shelter from everything that my hunting area (I call it Monster Mansion) can throw at it.

Expensive, and a hassle for one person to set up, but well worth it for my three-week stays in the woods.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/Hunting%20and%20Camp/2007%20November%20Hunt/Img_5079Nov21SnowCamp.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/Hunting%20and%20Camp/2007%20November%20Hunt/Img_5065Suffering600.jpg)

The second tent, I bought for short overnights, like 3-D shoots and such. It is a Eureka Timberline, and it is a well-made tent too. I have not tested it like the Guide, but for rain-shedding, ease of set-up, and wind resistance, it is tops for an A-frame. Very sturdy, very comfortable. I have the four man tent, which is fine for just me. My husband likes to join me at the Baltimore shoot, though, and we are just too cramped in that tent. (Clark, me and the dog.   :rolleyes:   )

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/ATAR06/Spirit.jpg)

This year I bought another tent. It is a Eureka Sunrise, and I spent 230 dollars for it. I got a 30 dollar rebate on top of that. I agonized between that and the 6-man Timberline, liking the ruggedness and easy setup of the Timberline, and the full-coverage fly, but lamenting the nonavailability of a vestibule for the 6-man model.

The Sunrise is 11x11, and easy to set up. In real cold weather, it would do OK, but would not be as warm as the Guide or Timberline, due to all the ventilation it provides. My buddy Bart uses his in winter all the time, though.

It has tons of room, and a small heater, lanterns, etc. would help keep you warm. With all the venting on it, fresh air would not be a problem. I would recommend spritzing it with silicone on the corner seams right out of the box. We had gobs of rain at ATAR, and all I got were a few small damp places there... I spritzed them quick-quick, and they stayed dry after that. I am very picky about a dry tent.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/ATAR%202009/IMG_1858.jpg)

I would not hesitate to hunt in the early season with this tent. Two feet of snow might change my attitude, but it seems capable of handling all but a nor'easter. And there is room for Clark now!

Killdeer

Steve if you are going camping and hunting and you want a hard core tent there are a bunch. 4season North Face ve 25 mountain $500 . They stand by their product. You want a fast good set up ck MSR Hubba Hubba. The 25 mountain is a 4 season tent and bomb proof. It depends on the money you want to spend. Good luck. I luv the Kifaru bit could not justify the money

I've heard nothing but good from folks that have purchased the Cabelas tents.....  No, it isn't an MSR or North Face or Kifaru, but seems to be a good mid-line.  I have a bunch of tents ranging from the $100 "wally-World" summer tent to some fairly extreme 4 season models.  Each has its advantages, and disadvantages.  There are always compromises, or we wouldn't be living in houses.  If you aren't doing the extremes, and extreme weather isn't more than a rarity, go mid line....use the money for more trips.

My kids and I have spent many nights over many years in a $70 Coleman.  I see them on Craigslist all the time for half that.  We went camping in SC this summer and had 2 coleman tents, and a coleman stove, lantern, cooler, chairs.  I felt like I was sponsored by them.  

Don't get me wrong, I know they don't have the rep or admittedly the high quality of some of the high $ equip; but for me, that extra jack is best spent going on more trips and not on gear.  Of course most of my camping time is spent under a homemade tarp with a $40 kelty bag and a 50 cent Ridgerest pad.

A cancer survivor I know signs off all her emails with this:

"Life isn't about weathering the storm; it's about learning to dance in the rain."

That's how I like my camping to be.

The eureka timberline is a great tent for the money.  I have had one for a long time and it still works great.  Easy to set up and handle the elements well.

I don't think we're comparing apples to apples.
If you aren't backpacking your tent a few miles into the woods, then the examples shown above will give you a LOT of reliable shelter for less $ than Kifaru. (plus floorless shelters aren't for everyone).

But if you are backpacking, then you might be less than happy with a 16# Cabelas tent.    :)    

If you really want a floorless tipi type shelter you might look for a Mountain Hardwear Kiva Light, 4# including the pole.
I picked one up new for under $200. They have a floor you can add if you want.

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Shelters/Kiva001.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Shelters/Kiva003.jpg)

You are getting some good advice here in MHO.

I have owned numerous tents (I think I own each of the models that killdeer has - whats up with that?) and each has there place.

Now I am normally a person that buys top end first, as I have learned that is what I will work up to so it ends up costing more than if I just went that way in the first place.

But, tents are different as has been mentioned in that each has its function and place.  I would buy the tent you need today and know you will likely buy again.

If you and the kids are going for a weekend go cheap.  It will work well for weekend trips and  will also be used heavily by the kids in the backyard - a bonus.

When you are ready for the next adventure - say to the mountains backpacking - that will be a different tent and you will make that decision then.

Good luck.

I have the Cabela's Outback Lodge in the 10x10' model and it's a great tent for the money.You need to make sure (as with any tent) that the seams are properly sealed and treated as needed. This tent goes up really fast, and as mentioned above all that headroom is really nice, especially if you're caught having to spend an extended period of time in it.

Add another one for the Outback Lodge.  Had mine up in all kinds of weather in Montana and it has never failed me.

I have been using the Cabela's Big Horn 2 for the last 5 years.

It's been problem free, I can set it up by myself in less than a 1/2 hr.  It hasn't leaked yet and I've had it out in some really bad winds.

I have the vestibule, which I use for storage and cooking, and it really makes it a home during the hunting seasons.  I also have used a wood stove in it with no problems, but now I use a vented propane stove, one of the best accessories I bought for it.

 (http://mysite.verizon.net/vzep2hbr/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/TentCamp.jpg.w560h420.jpg)

 (http://mysite.verizon.net/vzep2hbr/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/TentCamp2.jpg.w560h420.jpg)

 (http://mysite.verizon.net/vzep2hbr/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/TentCampinside.jpg.w560h420.jpg)

 (http://mysite.verizon.net/vzep2hbr/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/TentCampstove.jpg.w560h420.jpg)

Great information everyone, I sure appreciate the responses, thank you.

I'll digest it all and make a decision which is not ez for me...ah!!

I got turned on to the GoLite Shangri-La single pole tents today.. They may just what I need as well....if I can find one at a decent price.

Lots of options....

Thanks

I like Killdeer have the Eureka Timberline 4 when I'm camping/hunting solo and the Cabelea's Alaskan Guide 6 person for when my daughter is with me. Both great tents. The Cabeleas with the alum pole upgrade will run alsmost $500 and the Eureka can be had for under $200. The only option I want for the Eureka ia the vestibule to store my wet boots etc..... Can't go wrong with either.

I see some of the "lodges" on here and can't imagine how they could be called a tent!

I've hiked/packed/camped with a bunch of different tents over the years.  The Eureka TimberLine series is tried and true, the A-frame style tents shed water great and can handle snow without an issue.  You do sacrifice usable room and there's definitely a weight penalty with the bigger Timberlines.  I missed my old worn out Timberline so much when a TimberLite (same style of tent, just much lighter in weight) came available in the classifieds I snatched it up as soon as I could.  

My brother (who's a long distance ultralight hiker) turned me on to Hennesy Hammocks this last summer.  They are AMAZING for mild weather - but will just freeze you solid as the temps drop, even with the added underquilts etc.

I've always been a fan of the "large tarp" campsite, and open floor tents don't really bother me in the late season (early/mid season with bugs galore is another story).  There's plenty of manufacturers that make teepee style open floor tents like Kifaru (Black Diamond's MegaMid, MH's Kiva, Kifaru, GoLite's Shangrila, MSR, etc...) and most can be made to have a stove work with them (Ti Goat sells a stove jack you can sew in to any floorless tent).   You can't beat Kifaru's stoves though - they are perfection in my book.

Vestibules are nice, but for the weight involved I'd take an 8x10 or larger nylon tarp any day of the week.

Check out  www.soulpad.com. (http://www.soulpad.com.)  I bought one recently, and am very pleased with the quality, design and service. And,they have a winter liner option for one of the designs. Should give kifaru a run for the money.

sierra trading post 70% off. mite not have what your looking for but a sale is a sale. good luck

I just bought my first backpacking tent this year.  Right place at the right time was thee biggest determining factor in this purchase.  Just moved to town when a local backpacking store was closing up shop.  Picked up a Mountain Hardware Trango 2 for less than half normal retail.  It is heavy for a backpacking tent at 9.5 pounds, but it has front and rear vestibules, a bombproof internal guying system a dn a great early season option of pitching the ground sheet and fly independent of the tent body.  

I was going to go either M.H or Hilleberg, just wasn't sure of the model.  Would of preferred something a little lighter but for the deal I got, I can suffer with a slightly heavier pack or one or two fewer luxury items.

If you want a smaller style tent, that'll fit two grown adults fine with a vestibule, the Eurkea Apex 2xt was a great tent....I recently noticed they dont make it but someone else has copied the design...well eureka does however it's not quite the same.  LIght weight easy to set up and will take any abuse I can put out, which means it's one helluva tent and it really aint spendy!  Great intro tent that'll last a LONG time!!

if you do get the cheaper poled version, have some aluminum poles made for it, you wont regret it!  Cost me another 75 bucks for the alum poles.   The fiberglass poles are fine for back yard and even for some of our sheep hunts however one ended up breaking enough I had to replace it so it didnt break afield...afterall there is no stores on a mtside and no tent can get deadly!

Tents change with time..and there are too many to keep up with on my limited funds.

my go winter tent is still a north face expedition 25.  And my 'light' tent at 4+ a little pounds is a clip 3cd by sierra designs.. I need something lighter for earlier season hunts...in the neighborhood of 2lbs would be nice.  Tarp tents here I come  :D

I've had good luck with my Cabelas tents.  When I'm backpacking 5 miles or more into a wilderness area for elk I take my Deluxe XPG 2 or 4 man model.  On the other hand, if it's a drive-in hunt, like the annual "Wensel Texas Pig-Gig", I setup my 12X12' Alaknak and wood stove.

(Hit your F5 key to refresh if the photos fail to load.)

(http://brothersofthebow.com/m1.jpg)

(http://brothersofthebow.com/m2.jpg)

Cabelas is always a good bet for any tent. Their warranty is second to none. That said in the last year I have seen high winds rip the roof out of two of the Cabelas models listed above. Either of the models that have the one centre pole are the ones I've had issues with - in both cases Cabelas replaced tents no issue (stopped at stores on way home from hunt and ended up with new ones both times - again their warranty is fantastic. All that said I purchased a North Face Trailhead 8 from Cabelas as well and this is an awesome tent. Lots of room and built to withstand any kind of wind short of Tornado! It's no backpacker but packs into a medium duffel and has top of the line aluminum poles.

Some real nice set ups....

QuoteOriginally posted by wihill:
I see some of the "lodges" on here and can't imagine how they could be called a tent!

Yeah. Especially as I recall the countless nights I spent in the woods with just a poncho liner!

Try mpgear.com

Car/truck camping: I love my Cabela's 8man Alaskan guide model. Heavy as a sack of anvils but after 12 years of heavy use it's still as bombproof as ever. I have no clue how you would get 8 men in there unless they were REALLY good friends but enough room for our family of 4 with breathing space. Plenty of room for an extended stay for two adults.

At/below treeline backpacking: I tried a bunch and could find absolutely nothing better than a Hennesy Hammock. You'll never sleep on the ground again. If I could convince my family to each get one, this would be the only "tent" I'd ever use. It's that comfortable. Weighs nothing too.

Above treeline: I've only hunted above tree line one time, for 4 days and it was in some one else's Kifaru. If I were walking that far again, it would be worth every penny to me. No experience with the others but with what I had in the Kifaru, I'd save up for one if that fit the bill.

Try watching SteepandCheap.com They post some great deals and good tents.

One thing you might also want to consider is,do you want a free standing tent which doesn't have to be staked down or one like the Kiva or Golite that has to be staked to get it set up.I have both kind and each has its own place in the camping world.There's no perfect world if your only buying one,that's why so many of us has more than one. Best of Luck

Noelkman is right -  www.steepandcheap.com (http://www.steepandcheap.com)  has some great deals on high quality gear but you have to keep an eye on the site and an eye on your credit card because it is borderline adictive.

Bob Urban

Paha Que' makes great tents at a great price. Mine has weathered major storms with no problems.

my son and I went to compton this year again. spent two miserable nights in a wet coleman tent that had never leaked before. needless to say we spent 2hrs. at the laundry mat drying everything.I told myself this is never going to happen again.I gathered as much information as my brain could take.the best deal i could find for my money was the cabelas 8 man alaskan guide series tent with fiberglass poles.we since been to denton hill and two fishing trips. with two major  storms,the tent did not budge and not a drop of water.center ht.6'8" and tons of room.i would highly recomend it.

I almost bought one of the Mtn Hardware Kiva tents like Lost Arra shows last year. It looked very nice.
What I did buy is very similar to that tent, a Black Diamond megamid light, also floorless. It is 4 sided pyramid, with a 86"x86" footprint and a telescoping center pole. You can leave the poles out of these tents if you happen to be camping under a convenient tree limb. Just hang the peak from the limb. Or you can substitute a kayak paddle,or find a stick, etc if you want to go even lighter weight, and are in the right situation to do that.
They are so steep sided that the rain wants to run off, not so quick to leak if the waterproofing starts to give out during a trip...
I got my second one of these after wearing the first one out since buying it in 1983 when they were Chouinard Megamids. It gave really good service.
Very light weight at 2 lb 5 oz, you can cook on the ground in the doorway, and you can fit a lot of stuff (muddy boots, packs, bows, etc)in there and still have room for yourself. It sets up in about a minute: stick in the stakes around the edge, unzip it and put up and extend the pole, and you've arrived.
You can get a floor and a bug screen that go in them, but to me that defeats the best features of this tent: it's simplicity and light weight.
I got started using these floorless tents while mountaineering; you can wear your crampons inside! (These days it is cork boots, same idea.)
I have other tents with lots more features, but I seem to always grab this little handful of nylon when I start to load the pack. They really shine when you are carrying camp on your back, or are limited in space, like in a kayak or on a bicycle. I have also been along with a group and we carried other tents for sleeping and used this as the kitchen, and it works well in that role too.

that black diamond looks nice. great price also compared to Kifaru.