Choosing a second shelter for 3 uses – what would your choice be?

If money was no object a strong 12 * 8 Cuben tarp

Realistically, how often do you have scenarios b and c? When would c even occur? Freestanding can be nice, but probably not worth the extra weight of your trekking pole shelter. Pick what you like most for scenario a.

I have my Mountain Hardwear Drifter 2P which serves as a cheap and comfy 2 person tent that a) I have no problem carrying between 2 people and b) loaning to a friend. It is reliable and won’t hurt my feelings if it gets injured. If I had to replace it, I’d replace it with an REI Half Dome SL 2 (or Quarter Dome SL 2 if I want to spend more) for the same reasons – Cheap “ish”, easy to use, comfy. You could score the QD for about 300 with the 20% coupon, the HD for about 225.  Not sure what your budget is, or how rough your friends are on borrowed equipment. I am not loaning a nice BA tent to friends who are new to backpacking.

I would look carefully at the Durston tent if you like side entry.

Very good tent, especially for the $.

You could probably sell it on Gear Swap if it doesn’t work out.

I chose a shaped tarp (Hexamid) for my second shelter.  I use a Hexamid tent as my primary shelter.  The smaller packed size and weight of the shaped tarp is nice when I’m hiking outside of the primary bug season.

Thanks for the suggestions!

scenario b (loaner to a buddy) is real – friends come visit me in the WNC. Mountains to hike all the time & I’d like to introduce some of them to backpacking.  Hopefully they can rent most of the stuff from REI.

Erika, the X-Mid I think is too similar to my primary as I’m hoping to expand capabilities (ie freestanding) & my newbie friends may struggle w the pitch, or not have trekking poles at all.

Since the primary use for my second shelter is to use w my SA, tarps may not be ideal.

John- wanted to make sure you didn’t think I was packing both shelters at once in case the other was needed. What I meant was, if I knew I was going somewhere where freestanding was superior, I’d pack that.

I went with BA Copper Spur HVUL2.

Thanks again for the great input.