WilliamC
Thru Hiker
I may be wrong but I think @dandurston is in Canada and designed the X-Mid to fit his own needs?
My first tent - What should I get?
- Thread starter harok11a
- Start date
I've used a Nordisk Telemark 1 for five years. It's a very refined tent with many nice touches - but it is fragile. Choose the alloy pole LW over the 30g lighter ULW carbon fibre version (also much cheaper). And yes, water does pool on the fly at the foot end - no chance of it shedding snow! I regard it as a late spring to early autumn tent. Also severe condensation problems.
For 3/4 season use I prefer my old (2012 model) Terra Nova Laser Competiton - much tougher and it does shed snow! Slower to pitch and colder to sleep in due to better ventilation than the Telemark. The Wild Country Zephros is a cheaper and heavier version of the same design. It's a classic design for good reason.
For 3/4 season use I prefer my old (2012 model) Terra Nova Laser Competiton - much tougher and it does shed snow! Slower to pitch and colder to sleep in due to better ventilation than the Telemark. The Wild Country Zephros is a cheaper and heavier version of the same design. It's a classic design for good reason.
dovidola
Thru Hiker
Re the Luxe Hexpeak V4A (my go-to tent for 5 years now) mentioned earlier - you might struggle at 6'3". I'm 5'11" and find it about right.
One piece of advice (apologies if it's too basic) - whatever tent you eventually decide to get, make sure you practice pitching a few times in the garden or similar before using it 'for real'.
One piece of advice (apologies if it's too basic) - whatever tent you eventually decide to get, make sure you practice pitching a few times in the garden or similar before using it 'for real'.
The severe condensation issues with the Nordisk Telemark definitely put me off. As a first tent I believe problems like this will probably cause me to hate camping.
Rog Tallbloke
Thru Hiker
For the fair weather camping you're planning on, get something that allows more of a through draught. Tents with doors on both sides are good.
TinTin
Thru Hiker
I'm 6'2" and if I was buying my first fully enclosed tent with budget unimportant this would be my short list. Note: I doubt I'd go DCF.
Tarptent Notch
Tarptent Scarp 1
MLD Solomid XL
MLD Duomid
If budget was an issue I'd probably consider a Liteway Pyraomm to my spec ie with stronger zip and only one side zipped.
https://liteway.equipment/shelters/pyraomm-tarp
But in fact I wouldn't buy a fully enclosed tent, I'd buy a MLD Cricket for fair weather and a MLD Trailstar for wet and windy.
Tarptent Notch
Tarptent Scarp 1
MLD Solomid XL
MLD Duomid
If budget was an issue I'd probably consider a Liteway Pyraomm to my spec ie with stronger zip and only one side zipped.
https://liteway.equipment/shelters/pyraomm-tarp
But in fact I wouldn't buy a fully enclosed tent, I'd buy a MLD Cricket for fair weather and a MLD Trailstar for wet and windy.
TinTin
Thru Hiker
That sounds like a really good way to miss out on the best options available and to ignore advice from people who have tried many different options like @Mole @Shewie and @Rog TallblokeScroll through Ultralight Outdoor Gear’s tent site. Many more options
SteG
Thru Hiker
Well not really philip , I don't think, with all due respect there is a few good options on there to be considered. Mole suggested possible tents that are actually for sale on there and tents there that fit Rog suggestion of two doors are there too. Plenty of good lightweight tents out there that aren't Mids, tarptent or MLD.
TinTin
Thru Hiker
The OP asked "My first tent - What should I get?" and went on to tell us he is 6'3" and wants something for relatively fair weather so how does sending him to a site listing many mainstream relatively expensive options that may or may not fit his stature help him choose a tent that would be right for him. IMO you have to find a way to narrow down your choices and my way would be to listen to some of the really experienced people on here (not including myself of course).
SteG
Thru Hiker
Seriously, how many people on here have just one tent and only bought once?
SteG
Thru Hiker
Yes the forum has narrowed those choices and some of those can be found on ULG and cheaper than having a scarp delivered from USA.
I'll definitely look more on ULOG, but I've asked on here to get personal suggestions that meet my needs, and to get info on a wider array on options.
I'm also absolutely fine with buying more than one tent long term. It just adds to my nerdy outdoor gear collection! (which lets be honest, is probably what most of you have as we're all on here talking about relatively obscure tents!).
I'm also absolutely fine with buying more than one tent long term. It just adds to my nerdy outdoor gear collection! (which lets be honest, is probably what most of you have as we're all on here talking about relatively obscure tents!).
JKM
Thru Hiker
Me.
Pretty much all my wild camps have been in the same tent.
Although I have temporarily owned a few for research purposes
but anything I have bought since I started wild camping has been for guest accommodation and not used myself.
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SteG
Thru Hiker
JKM
Thru Hiker
Your resistance to temptation is strong
Alas my resolve is currently crumbling...
Temptations are strong at this time of year. Once the sun starts shining my thoughts turn to trip planning, but when it's minging outside I just think about gear.
OwenM
Thru Hiker
Had one backpacking tent for about 25 years, a macpac ultralight, and was very happy with it. Five years ago I bought a Tarptent Notch in silicon nylon, nice and light but a bit cramped. Then I got a Phreeranger which has more room at only a little increase in weight. Then I got a solid fabric inner for it, this added about 50g to the weight. I think I'm happy for now.
Unless I go camping in Sarek in winter, then I may want something a bit stronger.
Unless I go camping in Sarek in winter, then I may want something a bit stronger.
Franky
Section Hiker
David Charles
Day Walker
Newbie here!
I've been searching everywhere for an upgrade to my Mountain Warehouse Backpacker 2 tent so I've done a fair amount of internet research that might help answer this question.
My old MW Backpacker 2 weighs 1.9kg and has withstood some pretty foul weather over the years - it's never leaked or collapsed. Having trawled through the internet, I'm beginning to think now that there is probably only a couple of hundred grams to be saved (I don't hike with trekking poles) and only if I spend upwards of £400. Only now am I realising how great my Mountain Warehouse tent is!
Unfortunately, it looks like my old MW Backpacker 2 isn't for sale any longer, but there is a new dome-shaped model on their website: https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/034676-backpacker-lightweight-dome-2man-p28469/green/
If it's anywhere near as good as the previous wedge-shaped model, then I would highly recommend it! Especially as it's only £64.99 delivered. Hope that helps!
I've been searching everywhere for an upgrade to my Mountain Warehouse Backpacker 2 tent so I've done a fair amount of internet research that might help answer this question.
My old MW Backpacker 2 weighs 1.9kg and has withstood some pretty foul weather over the years - it's never leaked or collapsed. Having trawled through the internet, I'm beginning to think now that there is probably only a couple of hundred grams to be saved (I don't hike with trekking poles) and only if I spend upwards of £400. Only now am I realising how great my Mountain Warehouse tent is!
Unfortunately, it looks like my old MW Backpacker 2 isn't for sale any longer, but there is a new dome-shaped model on their website: https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/034676-backpacker-lightweight-dome-2man-p28469/green/
If it's anywhere near as good as the previous wedge-shaped model, then I would highly recommend it! Especially as it's only £64.99 delivered. Hope that helps!
Mole
Thru Hiker
Hi David
The old version looks very similar to this?
https://www.olproshop.com/collections/lightweight-tents/products/pioneer-lightweight-2-person-tent
TinTin
Thru Hiker
Trouble is the OP is 6'3" and they are only 2m long. I guess he could lie diagonally.
turkeyphant
Section Hiker
http://fitmytent.com/ is also useful.