Just Tents

[SKYMAX]

OK guys good info on the "ZOID 2" it's on my shortlist.
Anymore suggestions out there?
At 6'2' I am not gonna squeeze into a tiny solo tent so reccomendations for 3-season 2-person compacts pls. I do'nt wanna hear bout drippy, moist single skinners.
Also let's not get fussed about a coupla Lbs extra weight diff, the experienced riders say it doesnt matter overall and a good nights sleep is %30 of your touring time.
So far i like the Apex2 (4lbs10oz) or Apex2 XT (6lbs4oz) for fully covered vestibules (cooking in the rain)or the Apex Alpenlight XT (6lbs) for a snow job.
 http://www.eurekacamping.com/apexa_03.asp
Anymore suggestions out there please?




Clear skies, Max.

This message was edited by SKYMAX on 2-14-05 @ 4:39 PM

[JayH]

The Zoid 2.0 is a decent tent. I have a Walrus Zoid 2.0 (an older model before MSR removed the Walrus name) which is a nice tent. Fairly lightweight and has a square profile which is good for the rollers out there.  It has 2 side doors and is roomy enough for me to sit up (I'm a short 5'4").  It might be hard to sit up though if you're more than say 5'9" or so, being a 2 hoop tent, it's not as large as most 2 person dome tents.  Reflective guylines is nice but perhaps not so for stealth camping.

Can be fast packed with the MSR groundcloth.  

I don't think the Zoid 2.0 comes with the little vent but I also have an MSR Zoid 1.0 and it has a little vent that you can open/close from the inside in the roof. Pretty good for ventilation but I'm not sure if the 2.0 has it.  You'll have lots of room to store gear inside and since it is a 2 person tent, has 2 vestibules on both sides.    In essense too, you really only need 4 stakes and perhaps 2 to stake out the vestibules. I only use the side stakes if its going to be really windy.  

Jay

[skibc]

I am a Sierra Design person all the way-------just a few words to the
wise----make sure you know some one that has used it and that the
tent doesn't leak---what  a pain.

All so make sure you have a door and a screen door separte----

But I would recommend Sierra Design over anything out there.

Happy pedaling!

Nancy

[SKYMAX]

Thanks so far.
I should have mentioned the Apex series had all good reviews from users that's why its on my shortlist.


Clear skies, Max.

[Peaks]

I used the Zoid 1 for both the AT and the Northern Tier.  Good lightweight tent for me.  I like the side entry.  You can reach everywhere inside without crawling in to get that sock at the bottom of the tent.  

The Seirra Designs Clip Flashlight is another popular backpacking tent.  

If you have not done so, try the tent on before your buy.  Set it up in the store and drag everything inside that you will want for the night.  Then try to sit up, put on cothing, take off cothing, etc.  

[dombrosk]

I'm a claustrophobic 5'10" and find the ZOID 2 very comfortable... I knew that the mini and 1 person ZOIDs would be too small, but even the 1.5 was not quite big enough for me.

The ZOID 2 has worked out well for me, keeping life happy and dry through some reasonably extreme weather.

One tip... store loose gear down at the foot of the tent, not behind you.  It makes sitting up much easier.

Also, yes the ZOID 2 does have the cool vent option which prevents the condensation inside the tent making the waterproofing a moot point.

Happy tenting, all!

[RussellSeaton]

A place to get general information about tents is at REI.  They sell many tents from many brands.  When you select a category of tent, i.e. 3 season 2 person, there is a Comparison button at the top of the page.  This will list the size, packed weight, height, etc.  You can then print the page and group them into your own categories.  I put the tents into under 5 pound freestanding dome tents that all measure about 84"x50"; 5 pound to 6 pound freestanding dome tents that all measure about 94"x52"; and non-freestanding tents under 5 pounds that all measure about 90"x50".  Then decide which category of tent you want and select the one from that category that has other details you want.

For your height, I doubt the under 5 pound freestanding dome tents measuring about 84"x50" will be long enough without shoving the sleeping bag into the ends of the tent.

[pmspirito]

I have spent many-a-night in my Eureka Apex2-xt.  And it seems it has rained every one of those nights but i stayed nice and dry every time.  Rode out a couple of good storms too.

We just bought a Eureka Sunrise-9 for car camping and will be using it for the first time next weekend.  It looks to be a winner too.

best wishes from the back of the pack,  Peter & Judy Spirito

[sunfisher]

No experience with the Apex, although IIRC a friend has one that he's
happy with (he's 6'2").  Have used a Timberline lots.  Not light, but
roomy enough, can be freestanding, simple to pitch in the dark, and
there's a way to pitch it in the rain where the fly goes on first.

However, when time came to replace it last year, I found a Mountain
Hardwear Light Wedge 2 on sale.  Time will tell if it's a match for the
Timberline.
 Google up the usenet archives for rec.backcountry and search on
tents.  

[driftlessregion]

I share your concern about length since I'm 6'2"+ also. I went to REI and climbed in a bunch of tents to see what I could tolerate. I suspect that once you decide on a length that any of the major brands: REI, North Face (which is what I bought), SD, etc. will work fine. Get something with a vestibule! Great place for wet shoes etc.