Tent/shelter help please

sheesh, there are a lot of things to consider and many good options. Sounds like you are not interested in tarping, so that narrows things down a bit.

For great fully enclosed shelters, check out traptent.com as well as sixmooondesigns.com. A couple of tried and true options would be the Squall 2 and the Lunar Duo from these manufacturers. The Lunar Duo is palatial, the Squall is probably lighter. They both (particularly the Squall 2) pop up on the Swap often enough that you can probably pick one up there.

Many other good options.

Hey Jeff,

After reading your post it sounds like you and I have a lot in common (looking to shed weight, but not going to lose sleep over an extra ounce either), and while I too am still trying to find the perfect solo shelter, I backpack with the girlfriend and my Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 has served us well on our weekend trips.

Ideally, there would be a single shelter that would accommodate two people with gear, while at the same time being light enough to justify not having to drop more coin on a separate shelter for solo outings. While this utopian shelter might already exist, my girlfriend isn't akin to Les Stroud and prefers a certain level of "comfort" on the trail, so a double-walled tent was the way to go. Admittedly I pulled the trigger on the Copper Spur long before I stumbled across BPL, but even with my newfound reservoir of knowledge I can’t say that I have experienced any buyer’s remorse. The Copper Spur is easy to set up, light weight, and has served me well when Mother Nature hasn’t.

Would I recommend the CS3 for someone of your height? Absolutely. I am just shy of six feet and haven’t come close to touching the walls of the tent even when my air mattress “migrates” during my sleep, so I would imagine that it would meet that criterion. That being said, like most tent manufacturers, what Big Agnes considers a 3-person tent is really a glorified 2-person shelter. While I have managed to squeeze three people in the CS3, I think it’s better suited for two people and gear. So regardless of what tent you decide to go with, you might want to “plus-up” the size just in case you want a little more space to sprawl out.

Hopefully someone else here can point you in the right direction for the “utopian shelter”, but after months of lurking around here I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m going to need a separate shelter for my solo trips. At the moment I’ve got a couple on the radar, but having little tarp tent experience I’m reluctant to invest in something from Tarp Tent, MLD, Six Moon Designs, etc… To each his own, but if you’ve got the funds I would recommend getting two shelters: one for you and one for the lady.

Good Luck!

Hi Jeff, I'm a novice backpacker myself, but I'm very happy with my Big Agnes, just as Andrew is with his. I went with the Fly Creek UL2. At just 3 pounds packed weight, it was roughly half the weight of my REI Half Dome I've been using. For one person, the Fly Creek UL2 is spacious. Two would be much tighter, but very doable. I'd look at it like this. If most of my backpacking was going to be solo (or in my case, solo with a dog), I'd get the FC UL2. If I was primarily going to be backpacking with my wife, with the occassional solo, I'd go with the FC UL3 instead and deal with the slight extra weight.

In retrospect, the UL3 is also a slightly better design in my book simply because you can get the whole inside living space with no stakes (if you are so inclined). The way the UL2 is designed a minimum of 2 stakes are needed to get the footspace. But since most of my backpacking is solo, I opted for the lighter tent. Both have received outstanding reviews.

I have an REI Quarter Dome T3 which is great and a manageable weight for two. For your height, the T3+ would be needed. These are great tents and reasonably priced. Believe me, your lady won't go for anything other than a "proper" two wall tent. The 2 person T2+ would lack room to spread out.

Definitely look at the TarpTent StratoSpire 2 or Double Rainbow to start with. They're excellent tents that give you lighter weights without compromising performance.

Also, keep in mind that with Big Agnes the "minimum" or "trail weight" listed is extremely optimistic, with the full weight being far more accurate.

Look at Six Moon Designs and LightHeart Gear too. Both get excellent reviews on here.

I have a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 it is nice I am 6'1 and my brother is 6'3 we do well in it. I also have had a Marmot Aeolos it is great for tall guys. I have had an MSR Skinny Two that is the best for tall guys. If you are a side sleeper and above six foot I have seen nothing better. It is single walled, condensation issues ,not free standing ect.., I have a Nemo Losi 3p and it is a great tent.
Then the MSR HUBBA HUBBA,Marmot Aura 2p and Big Agnes Flycreek UL2 are cutting it close for taller guys .

Car camping the Nemo Losi is cool. Great green color easy to see your campsite and lots of organization pockets. Wifes and kids favorite

Backpacking BIg Agnes Copper Spur and MSR Skinny2. I love these tents.

I do really like the Marmot not very light but great use of space with the knee joint tech it gives very vertical walls.

I have had North Face and Mountain Hardwear. Nothing I can remember that stands out for tall guys.

FYI, if you're interested in a TarpTent Double Rainbow, Jeff Antig has one listed for sale in the Gear Swap forums right now (look here: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=59193). You might drop him a PM and see what you could work out.

If you want something a bit less orthodox than a tent you could look into the Mountain Laurel Designs Trailstar. Most seem to say it's spacious if not slightly too big for solo use and great for 2+. Or maybe the Duomid. Combined with a bug inner it's pretty much just the same as a tent except pitched with trekking poles or a single optional pole.

Thanks, funny I saw that this morning and sent him a message, just waiting to hear back from him. If this doesn't work out I'm seriously looking at the SMD Haven Net Tent/Tarp combo and might get the Gatewood cape as another option when I'm by myself and just want to use the Net tent with protection from rain if I need it. I like the option of Tarp only, Net tent only (with gatewood in pack in case) or both.

I dont think the Gatewood Cape would be long enough for you at 6'3". I actually found it to be below my comfort level and I am 6'. Other than being a bit short, it was a nice shelter though.