Topic

Need tent suggestions

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
Joey G BPL Member
PostedFeb 14, 2022 at 1:33 pm

Last year was my first year backpacking. I lived in Washington at the time and was able to do three trips in the Olympic National Park.

I bought the Ultimd 2 from HMG as my first tent. I did like it, but it was HUGE. A couple campsites I had issues finding a spot for it. Also, with the insert, it took up a lot of room in my pack. So, I sold it and have been on a journey to find a new one ever since.

I would like to stick to DCF. Besides all the benefits everyone knows, I like the texture and feel of it.

I plan on using my new tent spring, summer, and fall in Washington and maybe Colorado. In Winter, I plan on Big Bend or Guadalupe National Park (I recently moved to Texas).

What are some good suggestions and top picks this year?

Joey G BPL Member
PostedFeb 14, 2022 at 2:14 pm

So, Xmid is what they call the ones that require two poles? I’m still very new.

Todd T BPL Member
PostedFeb 14, 2022 at 2:28 pm

X-Mid is the proprietary name for Dan Durston’s tents.  Good luck buying one right now.  If you didn’t get in on the recent sales, you’ll probably be waiting a year or two.

I have the 2-person X-Mid (silpoly).  Great tent.  My only real gripe–and this will be relevant to the OP–is its large footprint.  Theoretically, only the floor part needs a good smooth ground under it, but it’s finicky to pitch on uneven ground.  Doable but finicky.

Joey G BPL Member
PostedFeb 14, 2022 at 2:49 pm

Also, my next tent doesn’t have to be a pyramid style. Been wondering if the Zpacks Free Duo might be a good option since I’ll be backpacking in Texas some and the hard ground.

Bruce Tolley BPL Member
PostedFeb 14, 2022 at 11:40 pm

MLD makes wonderful shelters and my 10 year old DuoMid is going strong.  Is the footprint of the Solomid small enought for you??

Any DCF shelter will take up a lot of room inside your pack unless you move to a tarp.  Sounds like you want something that has 1) a smaller footprint than the HMG mid2 and 2) semi free standing for ease of pitching in Texas.  The latter requirement might mean you really don’t want a trekking pole supported tent.

So I suggest you look at all the specs on the 1 person DCF tents and nylon tents by Henry Shires Tarptent, especially the ones with 2 doors and 2 vestibules.  I have a Double Rainbow which has one crossing pole and a small footprint.

PostedFeb 15, 2022 at 9:34 am

Tarptent’s Double Rainbow Li would be my choice (actually, it is my choice). I love the extra room, especially in rainy weather, it sets up quickly and it’s not heavy. The perfect shelter for me.

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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