A single/double tent any idiot can put up??

[mrpete64]

Hello,

I am looking for a single tent that is "foolproof" to put up. I am not crazy about sleeping outside but need a tent to bring with me to Alaska in case I cannot find a place to rest my "aging" body. I would even entertain a double size tent. The main criteria is that it is EASY to put up.
Thanks for your insight(s).

Mr. Pete-------->
aging hippie

 

[markjenn]

Most high-end tents these days are pretty easy to set up. The key thing I look for is that the poles are threaded together with shock cord and that the frame is external to the shell so you're not screwing around threading poles into sleeves. (I hate sleeves with a passion.) My MSR Hubba Hubba takes about 5-minutes to set up (about half that if you don't need the rain fly).... I can't imagine it could be much easier. Another feature I look for is for the tent to be movable - some types require staking down during set up and you can't move the tent after it is up.

There are some self-erecting tents being sold these days, but I think they're more trouble than they're worth and a lot bulkier to pack.

- Mark

 

[Mellow]

+1 on the sleeves, they can turn into a pain.

I actually have a hubba hubba 2 person tent and gear shed for sale if you're interested for a good price:
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?143871-MSR-Hubba-Hubba-2-person-tent

Most 2 person tents are very easy to setup these days, the key is to set it up a couple times in the back yard to get used to it.

 

[offcamber]

Nemo Morpho air beam tents.....pretty simple and pack small.

 

[TheHelios]

I just used my Eureka! Apex 2 tent this weekend and sets up in 5 minutes or less.

1. Fully lengthen out both poles.
2. Place each pole into one of 2 loops at the top of the tent.
3. Place poles into each corner of tent.
4. Slide clips onto poles and you're done!
Extra Rain net
1. Buckle net to each corner of tent
2. Loop the 3 velcro pieces of each section onto an arm.


This thing packs super small and I'm very happy with it.

 

[scott123007]

Hello,

I am looking for a single tent that is "foolproof" to put up. I am not crazy about sleeping outside but need a tent to bring with me to Alaska in case I cannot find a place to rest my "aging" body. I would even entertain a double size tent. The main criteria is that it is EASY to put up.
Thanks for your insight(s).

Mr. Pete-------->
aging hippie

For the camping moron's like me! http://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Warehouse-Quechua-Waterproof-Pop-Up-Camping-Tent-2-Seconds-Easy-I-1-Man-/321677810622?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae57ddbbe

 

[Checkswrecks]

Agree totally that all of the tents these days are very easy after the first time. This is something that you need to see first-hand IMHO. I'd suggest going to a REI, Hudson Trail, Bass Pro, or similar and ask a salesperson to SHOW you how to set up whatever model strikes your fancy.
That all said, watch the packed size WITH a ground cloth, and think about exactly where/how you are going to carry it. It's real easy to get something just awkwardly too big.
At the same time, get something that you can at least kneel in, plus have a full person-sized space for your wet gear. It's a total drag to try to squirm and deal with equipment after a day of rain and suddenly the inside of the tent is as wet as the great outdoors. And being Alaska, you can count on days of rain.
The 2-3 man domes go up super-fast and hit all the above, so they have become extremely popular.
Finally, plan to get at least a 3" thick insulated ground pad that is inflatable like this: http://www.backcountry.com/big-agnes-insulated-q-core-sleeping-pad?ti=UExQIEJyYW5kOlNsZWVwaW5nIFBhZHM6MToxOjEwMDAwMDAxMl9iY3NDYXQ3MTAwMDAxMjQ&skid=BAG0280-SIL-PET

 

[Ramseybella]

Anything with two cross poles is completely stupid proof.
Or buy my tent I have in for sale! ::024::

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=14722.0

 

[Spaggy]

I have a Kelty Gunnison that has the cross poles. Dummy proof design and not too spendy. I went with a 4 man so I could have some room for gear and changing. i don't carry it in a backpack so the extra weight isn't a concern.

 

[terryth]

Go to an outdoor store and buy a decent one with aluminum poles. All the cheaper ones generally have longer pole sections that don't fold down as short and are harder to pack. I can get my tent, sleeping bag, pillow, and luxurylite cot into one Hepko Becker junior flash 30 liter side case. The cot is pricey but works far better than any kind of pad I have ever used in my life and packs small and compactly

 

[mrpete64]

Thanks for your comments...I appreciate it!!

Mr. Pete------->
aging Hippie

 

[EricV]

+1 on the Eureka Apex 2. I used one of these a lot and enjoyed the space to pull gear in, easy set up and small packed size. They used to be offered in aluminum or fiber poles, but watch the pole length when making comparisons. There are some great tents with short sections, and some great tents with long pole sections that mean too big to toss in the pannier. It's nice to have options. IMHO, the Eureka tents are good quality and often found on sale at bigger stores.

 

[pnelson]

I really like my North Face Stormbreak 2-person tent. It's easy to setup and the rain fly is big enough to completely cover the tent, also making two vestibules, one on each side. You can get in/out on both sides and the best part, the shock-corded poles break down short enough to fit in my panniers.

$215 on Amazon with lifetime warranty http://amzn.to/1wfTqDn

 

[shrekonwheels]

For fifty bucks you can get a four person Coleman at Wally world that actually are decent. I say four person as it gives lots of room for you to stretch out gear etc. I used to like putting a chair in it, now with that said in high winds they damned near lay flat.

I also have this tent in two person, it has enough room for two people so I would assume the one person would be roomy and comfy too, way better quality. Ot is free standing so you do not have to stake it if you do not want to, way easy to set up. http://www.amazon.com/Alps-Mountaineering-Lynx-Tent-2014/dp/B00J53WWAY

Whatever you get carry a piece of visquine to lay beneath the tent to keep the chill from the ground as well as needles or thorns from poking thru the bottom of your tent.

If you buy a quality sleeping pad they are amazing, well worth the 200 dollars or carry an air mattress. I've dislocated both shoulders so both options are life savers.

 

[eemsreno]

This is the same tent I have. Got the 2 man just for me and the 4 man when Wifey goes.

 

[snakebitten]

Slept in beds all over the world. Some really awesome ones.

But never, not one, that was better than this one.
A little tight with the both of us and all our gear, but many amazing hours\nights spent in it surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of adventure.
(Alps Mountaineering tent also)

 

[merchant]

I have an REI Half Dome Plus 2 person tent and love it. Super easy to put up and take down. Packs small and has lots of nice features. A quick look at the REI site says they have updated models/names. Looks like the Camp Dome 2 Tent is the latest incarnation. Great thing about REI is their return policy. If you don't love it for any reason, you can return it for any reason for a full refund or store credit.

 

[Ron15S10]

Not sure if this is the right place to pose this question but will ask is any way. Has anyone who owns the Eureka Spitfire 2 tried placing it in their OEM pannier? I ask because based on the packed size I think it'll fit but I question if that's truly the packed size i.e. 17.5" x 4".

 

[shrekonwheels]

This is the same tent I have. Got the 2 man just for me and the 4 man when Wifey goes.

And the same bike WTH, ??? its almost like, like we are not original or something.

 

[eemsreno]

shrekonwheels
Don't tell me you have camped in this same spot. ::025::