Camping - what kind of tent should I buy? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

arloiginla · 05-22-2010, 11:21 PM

I'd like to enlist the help of CP here in buying a new tent.

Looking for a family size tent, it is only for 2 people but me and my gf like it big

So anyways, looking for one of those family size ones that can theoretically sleep 7-10 people. Weight of the tent doesn't really matter, but details such as leaks, ease of set-up and stuff like that does.

If anyone has bought a new tent recently that they would or wouldn't recommend I would appreciate the insight. What is the best name out there for quality? So far I've looked at tents from Coleman and Bass Pro but they all seem to have some issues in rain leakage and stuff like that.

Price doesn't matter, I am more concerned with finding something that is top-notch quality.

ken0042 · 05-22-2010, 11:27 PM

For me the thing I like with my smaller tent is that I can get it up pretty fast; and I don't need any help. (insert joke here.)

However my fiancee doesn't like how small it is, and that you can't stand up inside.

Jesse834 · 05-22-2010, 11:48 PM

These site might help you man in what you are looking for.

http://www.campingequipmentco.com/ce...ents-c-32.html

D to the iddy · 05-22-2010, 11:50 PM

I bought a really nice 3-Man Backpacking tent last year and after doing some investigating I decided to go to Mountain Equipment Co-op. It's more expensive but if you're looking for waterproof-ability and ease of set-up, backpacking tents are a good choice. Here's a LINK to the tent section to MEC where you can check out some stuff. There's some 6-8 man tents if you browse around.

arloiginla · 05-22-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

For me the thing I like with my smaller tent is that I can get it up pretty fast; and I don't need any help. (insert joke here.)

However my fiancee doesn't like how small it is, and that you can't stand up inside.

Yea I should mention that one of my requirements is that I can stand up inside. I am 5-9 so something at least 6 and a half to 7 feet tall in the centre would be nice.

arloiginla · 05-23-2010, 12:21 AM

These are two that I'm looking at (thanks Jesse):

http://www.campingequipmentco.com/ce...ent-p-472.html

and this one is at the Bass Pro shop at crossIron, does anyone have this one or know anything about it? I've been back to look at it twice...

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...001000_325-1-2

BlackArcher101 · 05-23-2010, 12:36 AM

Costco usually has some decent ones that size.

Do you really need a 4 room family tent or are you looking at those just because they are tall enough? Are you bringing the bedroom with you? They seem to be overkill and would be a pain in the ass to setup for only 2 people.

puckluck · 05-23-2010, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

However my fiancee doesn't like how small it is

[Insert joke here]

sclitheroe · 05-23-2010, 08:26 AM

Look for something with taped seams if possible. I found it makes a big difference in the waterproofness of the tent if it rains all day or multiple days in a row.

Also, you get what you pay for - decent tents aren’t cheap. That Basspro one is cheap for its size, and it gets very mediocre reviews. If you are going camping once or twice, its probably fine, but if you are planning to go out for a longer trip or be setting up and tearing down every couple days, I doubt it will hold up.

bringtheheat · 05-23-2010, 09:33 AM

Also when you get the tent they usually come with a water sealing roller or tube, that they recommend to put on all the seams. I would put it one as most seams are not without this on it.

When in doubt go I always go with the Northface, or Mountain hardwear tents (or gear for that matter) They are not the cheapest of tents but they do work wonders.

chid · 05-23-2010, 09:38 AM

That campers place on Macleod Trail has really knowledgeable staff and has some sales on tents a lot, we bought a 2 person tent there last year and it is a really good tent. Will post what brand later as I forget.

squiggs96 · 05-23-2010, 07:44 PM

Buy one of those tents with walls, electricity, indoor plumbing and heat. If you can't afford to buy one, you can rent them by their street name of "hotels". It's much easier than owning one and your room is cleaned daily. The showers are very nice and you don't have to eat hot dogs. Instead of lowering your standard of living for a vacation, you can actually increase it. Instead of acting like a homeless person, these hotel rooms treat you well, and there is a smaller chance you will be eaten by a bear.

calumniate · 05-23-2010, 09:31 PM

Well the bass pro shops (tm) one has a two star review. Looks really flaky. Polaris is a good brand for a tent I think. I've had my 4-man Eureka for about 15 years and still seems 'modern' haha. Nothing wrong with it at all and very sturdy. Have you checked out Wholesale Sports? They don't have big Eureka's right now, but a good selection anyways:

http://ca.wholesalesports.com/storef...rod251435.html

GreenLantern · 05-23-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D to the iddy

I bought a really nice 3-Man Backpacking tent last year and after doing some investigating I decided to go to Mountain Equipment Co-op. It's more expensive but if you're looking for waterproof-ability and ease of set-up, backpacking tents are a good choice. Here's a LINK to the tent section to MEC where you can check out some stuff. There's some 6-8 man tents if you browse around.

Best advice you can find. Go to MEC (assuming you live in any province besides SK, you will have one) and tell them what you want, tell them your price range, they will will have a tent for you.

They make the best quality stuff for the price, you really can't go wrong with anything MEC.. or at least I haven't yet.

BlackArcher101 · 05-23-2010, 10:08 PM

Something to think of also.

A very large roomy tent with only 2 people in it will not stay warm overnight. You'll need some good bags to go with it.

arloiginla · 05-23-2010, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Costco usually has some decent ones that size.

Do you really need a 4 room family tent or are you looking at those just because they are tall enough? Are you bringing the bedroom with you? They seem to be overkill and would be a pain in the ass to setup for only 2 people.

Well I want something roomy enough that I can put a small table and chairs inside (don't like eating on my lap) and not have to compromise the sleeping area.

So something with more "rooms" is preferable. Also yes, I want something tall enough. I walked into the Bass Pro one and I could stand very comfortably inside and not just in the very middle either.

I have no idea how bad setup would be for one of those things. I guess I am assuming somewhere around 30 mins for two people. If it's more than that it'd probably not be worth it. I won't be camping in any one spot more than four or five days so it'd be put down and set up quite a bit.

Edit: also for those mentioning Mountain Equipment Co-op, I'm not finding much on their website. Should I assume there is much more to be had at their actual physical location (downtown Cgy)?

Superfraggle · 05-23-2010, 11:34 PM

MEC carries tents that are more for actual tripping. I'm not sure you'll find much there in the proportions you're talking about. It's not the sort of tent that would be any good outside of car camping.

BlackArcher101 · 05-23-2010, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arloiginla

Edit: also for those mentioning Mountain Equipment Co-op, I'm not finding much on their website. Should I assume there is much more to be had at their actual physical location (downtown Cgy)?

What you see on their website is what they got. MEC is more focused towards the smaller end of tents, when pack size and performance is required.

Arlo, where are you planning on camping and during what months of the year?

arloiginla · 05-23-2010, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

What you see on their website is what they got. MEC is more focused towards the smaller end of tents, when pack size and performance is required.

Arlo, where are you planning on camping and during what months of the year?

I'll be camping pretty most weekends out in the mountains this summer, anywhere from Banff to Radium to other more remote places in B.C.

Being a teacher, I'll get two months off next summer as well and might want to make a longer trip somewhere and camp for a longer period of time.

I need something that is going to be decent in all kinds of weather (other than winter obviously).

Pack size doesn't matter at all to me, nor does pack weight. I'm more just concerned with performance.

BlackArcher101 · 05-24-2010, 12:16 AM

If you want to eat on a table inside your tent... perhaps another option is to get one of these:

The problem is, if you want a very large tent, but still want decent protection from rain/wind over a number of days, it's pretty hard to find. With the above, you can spend nights in there playing cards, eating on a small table, not having to worry about insects. Then you can go into a medium sized tent with a good fly on it to sleep the night away in comfort.