Taking another look at my 2/3 person tent options

Im on the east coast, and took my kids backpacking and camping a lot when they were that age. I found that 2 seperate 2 person tents worked best for our family of 4.

8 and 10 years old is too tall to fit into the space of 1 adult, so youll need a 3 person tent soon. Smaller works if they lay foot to foot – which requires a tent that has headspace at both ends.

4 person tents are massively huge when trying to find a space that doesn't have a big foot or rock sticking up where someone will need to sleep. 2 man tents are near the upper size limit about 1/4 of the time.

Also, if you use a hammock, sooner or later they kids or hubby will want one too.

For specific tents – the only light 3 man tent that I thought was large enough for 4 to play cards (with sleeping bags inside it) during a rainy afternoon – was the MSR Hubba 3. The big Agnes 4 man tents might be big enough too, but their sides slope a lot, making the space a lot less liveable.

For 2 man tents, I'd buy what ever 3 pound thing REI is blowing out on sale that year :)
The REI quarter dome is a perennial favorite budget tent.

If you are reasonably sure the kids can treat the tent gently, then I'd suggest the tarptent squall 2.

Tarptent Cloudburst might be perfect for you: 52 ounces isn't insane to carry solo, and can fit 3 small or two regular. Reasonably priced, well made, with some setup flexibility. I don't have one, but am thinking along similar lines. Anyway, just a thought.

I use the Go Lite Shangril La 3 with my family. I choose to link two trekking poles to eliminate the weight of the center pole. I can ditch the net tent in favor of small bivies in bug season and if I go it alone.

A TarpTent Stratospire 2 would fit the bill. It will easily fit two, 3 in a pinch (easier with kids), is tall enough to sit up and play cards, and weighs about 40oz. Downside is it takes a bit of practice to pitch well, but gets easy in time. Also, it'd fit 3-4 in a fly-only pitch.

I was thinking about 2, 2-person tents, but someone would have to sleep alone….guessing hubby and the boys go together….though, now that I am thinking of it, I am not sure how the two of them would do together with no one to referee…..not sure one would sleep by themselves.

Last year we tried two different tents backpacking….one an old four person tent from maybe 2000 that we still had laying around, but it was not waterproof any longer and heaver than wanted. I also purchased a bearpaw wilderness canopy 2 and net tent 2, but I could never get a great pitch and it was a bit cramped with low head room for my husband. I ended up selling that one.

I try to sell my husband on hammocking, but he thinks that there is too much to it and likes the tent better. He also gets motion sickness in most moving objects, so he doesn't feel he can rest easy.

I will check out some of the mentioned tents.

Thanks.

Do you bring trekking poles? Tarptent Rainshadow 41 oz I believe. Easy to pitch you can get poles if you don't use trekking poles. Lots of room.

I don't think you can get all six points at <$300, but setting aside the light-enough-for-solo requirement. a TT Rainshadow2 gets you maximal floor space for the 42oz weight.

Does anyone one in your family need a wide pad? I've you're all happy w/the standard 20", a TT Strat2 would work for 3 of you. Could probably get w/in budget in Gear Swap. Less floorspace, more headroom. So better for cards, worse for restless sleepers.

Or just go and get a Hogback and have lots of floorspace and headroom! 65 oz/$420

I figure: if you're not getting cuben get a TT.

This. So far my wife and two boys so far have squeezed into a SL3 with minimal effort.

Getting a bit tight though and we're probably going to pick up a larger 'mid this year. The Locus Gear Khafra with mesh provides 98 square inches of space. A bit cozy, but more than the SL3 and can easily be justified solo. 45ish oz without stakes/center pole/guylines. Easily lowered for solo use with a bivy or smaller mesh. Doesn't fit your budget constraints though.

Well, the more I research, the more I find in possibility……

I do carry trekking poles, but selfishly, I use them for porch mode on my superfly, and none else carries them in the family. The SS2 looks cool, but I have had trouble tensioning tarps like this before. I was just looking at the rainshadow 2, which new, fits the budget. But was not sure of the one door…… and having the poles in the exit, entry-way have been a problem for my boys knocking them over.

I think I am retracting my "light enough for one person" requirement…..I can outfit my friends with a hammock if need be.

I guess that I am only concerned about weight when I am along with the boys…..since I will carry the most gear for all three of us.

hmmmmm. Maybe the two, 2-person tents is my best option.

I have what I think is a pretty good recommendation considering your requirements.

Sierra Designs Flashlight 2- ~3.75lbs all in. Less if you change out the stakes and use your trekking poles. can be found for $250 or less. I feel this would do well for your children. Although the weight can not be split evenly. Comes in 3 versions, each progressively lighter and more expensive.

I'm almost positive you could get two of the original for $400 or less. Maybe even one or both the UL version.

It's a pretty nifty little shelter. It has dual side entries and dual "gear closets". It's probably too tight for two large adults, but plenty of room for two children. They could even both sit up straight in it. Easy to set up, good ventilation and it appears to be quite storm worthy if placed in a good site with wind direction taken into account.

(I do own one of these, though I've never used it in the field, nor do I think I will. I'll probably hold onto it though, in case I ever find a significant other. (LOL) Because it is a very reasonable shelter for the price.)

Sorry for the long winded post, but I like receiving details such as these. Good luck on your search