Question regarding tent space

[JohnStrider]

Hi guys,

Just needing a bit of help regarding adequate tent space for 2 people + backpacks. I currently have a DMH 2 Man Huon tent. I used it the other weekend on a solo trip and found that there was enough room for myself and my pack. Only disadvantage of this tent is that it weighs 2.32 kgs, but it was a hand me down.

Anyway, I'm going on a 8-10 day hike in NZ later on in the year with 4 others. We'll be taking two tents between the four of us, but I'm wondering if I should stick with the 2 man tent and risk cramming in 2 packs with two people who are both around the 188cm height, or should I upgrade to a 3 man tent that will ensure there is enough space for the both of us and our packs.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

JS

[DanShell]

John Its probably a personal thing. In my case id prefer to take my one man tent and sleep in that on my own But others may suggest you get a 4 man and spread the weight or likewise with a 2 man. There are plenty of 2 man tents that have generous vestibule space.
The stratospire 2 from tarp tent is one that comes to mind.

[JohnStrider]

John Its probably a personal thing. In my case id prefer to take my one man tent and sleep in that on my own But others may suggest you get a 4 man and spread the weight or likewise with a 2 man. There are plenty of 2 man tents that have generous vestibule space.
The stratospire 2 from tarp tent is one that comes to mind.

Cheers, mate.

Ideally, I'd like to take a 2 man tent, which I would share with one of the guys i'm walking with, but I'm a little concerned that having two people + two packs might be a tight squeeze.

[Moondog55]

It's part personal and part weather dependent but a 2-man tent is suitable for 2 very good mates in good weather or a bloke on his own in bad; well that is my "Rule of Thumb" anyway. My solo tent has always been a 2-man as the weight saving on a solo is minimal.
Although I do have my eagle eye on that new solo Tarp-Tent

[Franco]

Hi John,
There are many brands besides Tarptent but if you want to save weight, have a largish shelter and not pay a fortune, well Tarptent might be for you too..
Just did the Great Ocean Walk again (great...) so this is the second time for my SS2 on that walk.
Last time two mates used it (I was in the Contrail) , this time it was with my wife.
I don't like sharing tents even with my wife because I toss and turn and snore but the SS2 is large enough for my acrobatics.
The great thing for two guys is that it is really designed to sleep top and tail because the highest point on one side is diagonally opposite to the other side.
Same for sitting up, the apex on each side is back from the other.
Here are a couple of shots from the GOW, maybe giving an idea of the size of the vestibule :



plenty of space for a pak and to cook under one if you must.
If you do not use trekking poles you can order the "vertical support pole" a 12.5mm pole , much stronger than a standard tent pole. (under extras second page)
But of course I am biased...
franco@tarptent

I uploaded a YouTube clip this afternoon about setting up the Cloudburst .
This one is a 3 person tent , takes 3 long mats without overlapping , but at just under 1.5kg could very well do as a large 2 person tent.
Unlike the two wall Stratospire, the CBIII is an hybrid so floor, doors and side panels attached to the fly .
A "liner" ( covering the side and roof area ) is available as a 3rd pole also is.
Not a 4 season tent but can take with the extra pole, some decent snow fall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhy3V6hqrRM&list=UU0PuLUKvG7Fxxex5BMVK4vw
I have another clip on my YouTube channell with a look inside the CBIII including the extra liner and 3rd pole.

[Scottyk]

For that many days in NZ I would be getting a 3 man tent, you may end up spending a bit of time in it. As moondog said, not may 2 man tents are all that big for 2 guys and gear.
You'll be thankful for it after first wet day.
Lots of 3 man tents to choose from....

[stry]

What MD and Scottyk said !!!! Two average size people in a average size (by modern standards) two person tent is no fun in bad weather. Packs can always be left outside to create space, but then neither the pack, nor its contents, are accessible.

If the bad weather sets in for a couple of days, or more, as it easily can in NZ, you will definitely not be happy campers !!

[Empty]

Any 2 man tent I have is really only good for one person and some gear. Really 2 person tents should be described as for "newly weds only" and 3 person for anyone married 5 years or more.

As far as 2 blokes go, I hear the Americans are into spooning whilst the Europeans prefer the 2 man luge.

[JohnStrider]

Even if we are camping/hiking in the summer? Planning on leaving on Boxing Day and finishing our hike sometime on the 4th.

[Bubbalouie]

Any 2 man tent I have is really only good for one person and some gear. Really 2 person tents should be described as for "newly weds only" and 3 person for anyone married 5 years or more.

As far as 2 blokes go, I hear the Americans are into spooning whilst the Europeans prefer the 2 man luge.

+1

I've yet to se a 2 man tent that I'd be willing to share with my better half for more than a few nights. I'm not particularly big (just tall) and she's pretty small, most 2 man tents tend to be tiny is all.

We have a 3 man Vango for car camping and that works pretty well for us with our gear in the end vestibules.

[Moondog55]

Even if we are camping/hiking in the summer? Planning on leaving on Boxing Day and finishing our hike sometime on the 4th.

Always expect the unexpected and plan for the worst, you stay alive that way

[JohnStrider]

Yeah fair point, MD.

Ok well I've decided to either upgrade to a 3 man tent to share with, and go halves with, another one of the hikers on our trip or chip in for a 4 man tent for all of us to use.

The Tarp Tent ones look pretty good. Really want something that isn't too heavy. At least something lighter than the Huon I've been carrying.

[neilmny]

I'd be taking 2, 3 man tents John forget the 4 man.

[JohnStrider]

I'd be taking 2, 3 man tents John forget the 4 man.

Yeah I think I'm leaning towards that too, Neil.

Any suggestions?

[Chezza]

I'd be taking 2, 3 man tents John forget the 4 man.

Yeah I think I'm leaning towards that too, Neil.

Any suggestions?

From someone who is also 188cm tall, two 3-man tents is the way to go. You need to make sure they have some vestibule space too.

What's your budget?

Are floorless shelters something you'd consider? Are you willing to deal with an inner-first pitch and the possibility of getting the inner tent wet, or do you want a tent that pitches all in one (integral pitch)?

[kitty]

I guess 4 1p tents are out of the question? That would be my pick.
+1 for the SS2. Its plenty spacious, can pitch fly first, has height at foot and head, vertical walls on the side, and has two huge vestibules, so the "cramming in 2 packs" issue is redundant as each vestibule is big enough for pack and boots. Its also very lightweight. Im not 188cm so I cannot speak from that perspective.
If you are going to share a 2p (or 3p) you might want two work out if sharing a single vestibule/entrance is something you want to do, or if two side vestibules is a requirement, this might help you narrow your choice of tent/s.

[Franco]

No offence but all the comments about "spooning" or doubles being tight for two do not apply to the SS2.
One family of four, two adults and two children, did all of the Appalachian trail inside one StratoSpire II.
Not something that I would do but it is a large double....
Here is a set up I suggested for two adults and a child :


Both adults were under 5'7" so there is space for a short mat across at the bottom past the std (168cm) mats.
Nothe the space inbetween the two mats.
BTW, in this photo the inner is pitched high.
It can be lowered down so that you have less "bathtub" but a wider floor (that is how it can take 3x183x50cm mats...)
As for the size of the vestibules, try doing this with most tents :

The two vestibules are of the same size.

[neilmny]

I'd be taking 2, 3 man tents John forget the 4 man.

Yeah I think I'm leaning towards that too, Neil.

Any suggestions?

Is it 4 season or 3 season your looking for?
Franco's suggestion looks really good to me.
I like the Vango tents too - this one might be good as a 3 season http://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/vango-b ... te-ba300-k
This one is on the Wildearth 4 season list - http://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/vango-t ... te-te300-k
although I've never seen one in the flesh. (I have no affiliation with Wildearth at all but I just keep finding good gear at good prices there.)

[JohnStrider]

I'd be taking 2, 3 man tents John forget the 4 man.

Yeah I think I'm leaning towards that too, Neil.

Any suggestions?

From someone who is also 188cm tall, two 3-man tents is the way to go. You need to make sure they have some vestibule space too.

What's your budget?

Are floorless shelters something you'd consider? Are you willing to deal with an inner-first pitch and the possibility of getting the inner tent wet, or do you want a tent that pitches all in one (integral pitch)?

My budget is probably going to be between $200-$300, but I'll be going halves with the person I use it with.

Is it 4 season or 3 season your looking for?
Franco's suggestion looks really good to me.
I like the Vango tents too - this one might be good as a 3 season http://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/vango-b ... te-ba300-k
This one is on the Wildearth 4 season list - http://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/vango-t ... te-te300-k
although I've never seen one in the flesh. (I have no affiliation with Wildearth at all but I just keep finding good gear at good prices there.)

I'm looking for a 3 season tent. I love the look of the SS2 and if I had the budget for it, I'd shell out for one. I think the Vango Banshee 3 looks pretty from both a price, weight, and requirements point of view.

Good having someone else to share the weight with.

[RonK]

What I don't like about 3pp tents is that they're heavy to carry solo.
Better to each take your own tent I reckon. I'll only share a tent with my wife.

[JohnStrider]

What I don't like about 3pp tents is that they're heavy to carry solo.
Better to each take your own tent I reckon. I'll only share a tent with my wife.

The plan would be to split the tent items between two people. Found a Vango that is 2.4kgs (each person carries 1.2kgs). Not so heavy really.

[RonK]

What I don't like about 3pp tents is that they're heavy to carry solo.
Better to each take your own tent I reckon. I'll only share a tent with my wife.

The plan would be to split the tent items between two people. Found a Vango that is 2.4kgs (each person carries 1.2kgs). Not so heavy really.

That's understood. As long as there are two to carry it.
But what if you later want to do a solo trip? Buy another tent?

[JohnStrider]

What I don't like about 3pp tents is that they're heavy to carry solo.
Better to each take your own tent I reckon. I'll only share a tent with my wife.

The plan would be to split the tent items between two people. Found a Vango that is 2.4kgs (each person carries 1.2kgs). Not so heavy really.

That's understood. As long as there are two to carry it.
But what if you later want to do a solo trip? Buy another tent?

I still have my 2 man tent and 1 man tent if need be. I'm looking to upgrade my 2 man tent because I've realised it won't be big enough for 2 people (both around 188cm and 80-90kgs) and 2 packs.

[Chezza]

I take it your budget is up to $300 for the whole tent, not per person.

Hard to find a new quality tent for that price, especially with the value of the Aussie dollar lately.

How about this:

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/doncaste ... 1073779646

It is One Planet, so probably nothing to fault other than the inner first pitch. The new Goondies get great reviews.

[Moondog55]

$50- to renew the DWR and you'd be good to go
Great value IMO
well done Chezza

[JohnStrider]

Great find! I wonder how heavy it would be?

I've managed to find two 3 person Vango tents. The Banshee is $200 and the Helix 300 is $194.

[JohnStrider]

Just found that it's 3.5kgs. The Vangos are 2.7 and 2.4 kgs respectively.

[Moondog55]

Divide mass by dollars multiply by poverty factor then make the decision
Only a decade ago 3.5 kilos for a 3 person tent was bordering on UL and I take the One Planet over Vango for robustness and longevity
Leave out the large bottle of Coke each
Seriously it depends on your budget but I remember packing an old Vango and at the end of the day the space is worth it in most cases
That's Vango Force 10 not the modern LW stuff, 8 1/2 pp-pounds if I remember correctly

[JohnStrider]

Post deleted

[Chezza]

Just found that it's 3.5kgs. The Vangos are 2.7 and 2.4 kgs respectively.

I'd give the Vangos a miss myself. I can't work out pole diameters but found a thread about someone bending a pole in moderate winds.

If you have questions about the suitability of the Wurley for where you're going just give One Planet a ring, I'm sure they'd help. But it's a good brand so I'm sure they wouldn't cut corners structurally.