Back Country Tents

[Mickey]

What are some of the best 2-3 person tents for use in the BWCA? What are your favorites for ease of set-up, dryness, and hold up well use after use? Thanks for the input!! Mickey

[Packer]

I'd like to hear Tough Guys answer to this.

[delgue]

For backpack camping, still use a two man Jansport Mountian with clipon rainfly,bought at Seattle REI 1976-frame is flexible poles that push together-i think the whole thing weighs less than 4 lb. --Jansport quit making tents, but there are alot of modern day good lightweight camp tent makers,and a good one will last a long time. But, you have to watch out for cheap knockoffs of the high quality tents. Closely check stitching,compare a cheaper tent---set up several in the store. Make sure the tent poles are connected by cable or rope through the center of the pole, and lastly make sure the tent fits its stuffbag without a wrestling match or verge of tearout--a seemingly minor consideration but that in itself is evidence of a well thoughtout tent design. For manufacturers,I like Mountainsmith and Mountain Hardware, but there are lots of other good ones
---There are mountianeers here on this site,although you wont be in the mountians,their expertise applys in the worst of weather-You will get some good feedback, and dont forget, take some extra mosquito netting and a few spring clothespins.
enjoy your trip-

[JiM]

Ask the outfitters what they use. I think you'll find nearly all of them use the same brand of tent.

[peetee]

I have Marmot Nutshell that's performed superbly. If you seal the seams, which most manufacturers recommend, you'll be water-tight. The carrying weight is less than 5 pounds and sets up in less than 10 minutes tops. This is definitely a 2 person tent though. No chance squeezing three. I used to have a Cabela's Boundary waters tent. One of the tent poles snapped in half during a thunderstorm during the middle of the night. Needless to say it was a pretty sh***y night. Cabela's was even reluctant to replace it, saying they couldn't help acts of nature. In summary, really good expensive tents are worth it if you're ever caught in hellacious weather and will be camping for a few days. However, if you only go camping once a year for 2 days at a time, why spend the money?

[Shellback]

Have used a Eureka Timberline 4 for many years. It's got a 7' by 9' floor area with screened windows at each end and a separate rain fly. Also available is a vestable or awning. This tent weighs around 7#'s I believe. They also make a Timberline 2. Cabelas carries them and also the outfitters grade Timberlines. Another note, they are green in color and not some gaudy blue or orange creation standing out in the woods!

[vetspet(ind)]

we used to go every yr for 1-2 wks...timberline eurekas held up very well...coat the seams as many of the designated campsites are muddy....i liked some sort of cushion between me and the floor just in case there was a leak...i liked the down sleeping bags...some evenings get pretty cold and when we used the older synthetics they were not as warm as the down...the newer synthetics are probably just fine...we used to bring a minnow seine in with us and attach it to two poles and get our own minnows...fished thursday bay of crooked lake...if you go that way i can give yu some pretty good areas to fish....bring tiny crazy crawlers and if you have a really calm night with no wind and bright moon i've nailed the smallmouth at times....steve

[Pitts]

The timberlines are a very good tent that is the brand that the scout troop that my son belongs to have had for 10 years and they perform very well for all the kids that use them.
Get the guide series because the zipper is heavyduty and will not pull out. The reagular timberlines have a smaller zipper and after 10 years about 1/2 have failed or are failing now because the teeth are so worn they won't lock together anymore.
They are used on average at least 2 times a month for 6 months at a time which is a lot.

Hope this helps

Pitts

[Gunga Din]

There are a handful of tent mfg's that make top-notch products. I own a Mountain Hardwear Trango 3.1, which is a roomy 2-person or cozy 3-person tent. It's bullet proof, has a roomy vestibule, and has kept me as comfortable as possible at over 20,000' in 80+ mph winds. Here's a pic of me (in blue) and my tent in So. America, http://www.climbing-guides.com/aconcagua/pics/35BC-KickingBack.jpg.

I'd look at Mountain Hardwear, Bibler, Sierra Designs, The North Face, and Marmot. For less money, you could go with an REI tent or even a Eureka. Make sure to get aluminum poles (not fiberglass), seal all seams, buy and use the footprint, keep ventillation in mind, and pay close attention to the vestibule when choosing your tent.

[FJH1]

I have a North Face VE-25 with the vestibule and absolutely love it. Best tent I've ever owned.

Best Regards,

FJH

[byron]

I have a kelty vortex and have had no problems with it. It sheds rain great, ignores the wind, has two doors and two vestibles and costs under $200. Depending on your need, the 2 or 3 person might fit the bill.