need a tent reccomendation please.

[Daz]

Several things come into play:budget, other possible intended uses, other gear owned.

If you have the budget, a Hilleberg Akto or Vaude Power Lizard.
If you are only using it for this trip, and don't camp other places or times, is it worth the investment? Probably not.

Again, if you are camping more and have the budget, an MSR Carbon Reflex or Big Agnes Seedhouse II might be a compromise worthwhile for weight savings, but is it $ better spent on gas money to get out hunting?

The LightPath in the classifieds is the descendent of the PCT2, which was one of the best tents MH ever made. Mine is over 12 years old, and has over 150 nights in it. As long as those guy lines are tight, it's not going anywhere.

While not my primary tent anymore, it is still a great piece of kit. Easy to set up, sheds snow and rain well, great ventilation and space, and can be used with just footprint and fly in a 'fast pack' configuration.

Freestanding is nice, but if you are not above treeline, camping on a glacier,or winter camping in snow you don't need free standing.  

If you own a bivy sack, why not look at a tarp or single wall tipi (Kifaru/TiGoat)? If you don't have one, then a tent is the answer.
The Golite SL5 is great, but i would do it without the nest, and still consider a tyvek ground sheet at minimum.

We sometimes convince ourselves that we need that high $ piece of kit because it is so much 'better', but the bargain gear of tomorrow will be the top $ gear of today.

[David Yukon]

Wow, no one mention Hilleberg. They are the best, super tough, easy to set up, and light for there size.... And not made in China!

[Vesty]

Sierra Designs. I've had mine for 30yrs. It has been through everything imaginable. My model is the Starlight. It weighs less than 3#.

[kill shot]

Buy my tent. I used it once in the winter at the end of archery season here in michigan. We had about 8" of snow on the ground and 20 deg. Although it was a fun experience, no one I know cared to do it with me. I think my hunting buddies would rather attend a mary kay party. The tent is a sierra 3 man 4 season. I'll sell it cheap. It's close to brand new.

[Bernie B.]

J.T. nailed it on the head!  I couldn't be happier with my Kelty Gunnison II.  I use it for self-contained bicycle trips and elk hunting in the Colorado mountains.  I'd buy another in a flash if anything went wrong with mine.

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

[Bozz]

For one man with gear, you might want to look at the Appy Trails 3-man tent. Although it's not free standing, I've been in one with 40 mph winds, and rain through the nite and stayed dry during a sheep hunt in Co. Now I won't pack in with out it. B-

[robtattoo]

Originally posted by Whip:
Golite 5 man.  I sold my 2 man backpack tent last year and bought one of these.  Don't pay attention to the 5 man rating though.  It is a great tent that is a palace for one, or has plenty of room for two, but I wouldn't want to crowd any more than that.

^^^
This.
If you're really wanting to save weight & it'll just be you, by your lonesome, I'd go with the 3-man. You will get a lot more all round use from the 5 man though. With the nest it'll keep you year round.

[The Night Stalker]

Hilliberg atko for me, sets up in the rain without getting wet.  If you run the risk of heavy snow, the unna or soulo would be better.  Pricey but top of the line.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Ken,  Use a big comfy tent at base camp, then if you are going to spend a night in back country, bring a small tarp or something light.  You will find quick how to minimize gear when you are there.  You may lose some comforts but gain others.

[Homebru]

I've used a Golite ShanGriLa 3 for 4 years and like it for 1 man.  You could fit 2 but it would be tight.  If you plan to have 2 men, I'd recommend the 5-man.

All that being said, it's tough for us to know how you like to sleep.  You'll get lots of recommendations from different people claiming their choice is "best".

What sort of backpack camping have you done and with what equipment?  How did it work?  How did you like it?

homebru

[jhg]

Siltarp all the way.

But you must get to know them by using them in the backyard first- but very light, easy to pitch to whatever configuration you want, plenty of dry space. I don't use a tent in Colorado in September.


Joshua

[adkmountainken]

THANK YOU all for the info and answering my pm's. i will be looking closely at the tents on this thread. trying to keep cost down a little but also am very aware how important a good tent is. thanks again!

[SKITCH]

If your staying on a budget and you can find a nice used Sierra Designs or MT. Hardware tent...go for it.  If you can't...check out the Cabela's XPG Ultralight 2.  They call it a 2 man but it's about right for 1 guy and a backpack or supplies....or just a little room to move.  I picked one up last year and took it out a few times and it did well, even in some pretty good rain.  Nice reviews online and the price is right.

[58WINTERS]

consider carefully if you see a lot of mesh in the tent body which is commonly done to save weight.  Wind can come under the fly and bring with it lots of dirt or dust this is primarily a concern in desert like or sandy areas.  This can also be a problem if the temps drop at night and the wind can blow in right over you so you are exposed.  I like a tent with lots of ventilation but I want to be able to button it down if the weather is fowl or cool.  I have a North Face Mountain 25 which works well in all conditions, it is considered a 4 season tent and is no light weight at 9 lbs. but will give you a solid shelter that will protect you if things go badly. Hunting hard is easier when you have a comfortable place to recoup.
58

[fnshtr]

I have and use the Mountain Hardware 3 man tent. It was perfect for my son and I last September on an elk hunt. Two doors with two vestibules... stayed dry during all day downpours. A tad over 4 lbs. with floor, tent and fly. Plenty of room for bows/gear and room to cook in if necessary.

Good luck!

[beachbowhunter]

Originally posted by awbowman:
MSR Hubba, great balance of price, size, weight, good vestibule and durability.  Free standing and can be pitched with just the fly if you like.

Limelight very similiar in weight etc. I believe

Love my MSR Hubba

[Tim in Wa.]

A Kifaru tarp,either a Super Tarp or a Mega Tarp
spend y but worth it
Tim

[8Crow]

I'll offer up a slightly cheaper option--the Appy Trails Mk III or Mk V.  I started out with the Mk III but found that it just didn't offer enough room to sit up in the morning and get dressed without rubbing up against the sides.  When it's 15 deg and the entire inside is covered in frost, rubbing up against the sides is pretty annoying (and cold).

I had some reservations about it because it uses grommets instead of the usual web loops but so far they've held up just fine.  Quick and easy to set up, lighter than most of the options above, although you'll probably want a piece of tyvek or similar for a ground cloth which will add a little weight back.  The pitch isn't super-tight but I think it's good enough.

On the downside, the reason it's cheaper is that it's made in China.   :(   The only American made comparables I could find were from Seek Outside and Kifaru.  Very good stuff but the way I would have configured them would have cost 4-5x as much and I just couldn't swing it right now--preparing for a CO trip this fall just like you.  Someday though, I will likely replace the Mk V with something from one of those two.  My buddy (with no kids and a lot more money) has a Seek Outside tipi & stove and they are NICE.

[eflanders]

As a spike camp tent setup, I have to assume that you will packing in.  If this is the case, weight will be a huge consideration. Remember that you will definately want a fly and a ground cloth of some sort.  These add to the weight factor.  CO can really throw some different weather at you during the elk season.  Highs of 80+ to the lows of 10. It usually rains at least once a day (depending on which side of the slope you are on) and it can easily snow.

The next consideration that you need to look at is the size you need.  The size will usually affect the final weight.  Are you planning to keep your gear and things inside with you?  Or are planning to stow gear under the fly or in a vestibule?

Now armed with the above information, start to look for tents that meet your criteria.  I think that most of the popular specialized camping companies make a quality product and back their products very well.  So then it's really a matter of comfort, weight and expense.

You can good reviews of backpacking gear at:  www.backpackgeartest.org

[beaver#1]

Hennesy hammock  thats  all