Lightweight tent recommendations?

[Kevin Dill]

For hunting, I'm definitely a Kifaru tipi devotee. Nowhere can you get as much interior square footage for so little weight. For me, one of the supposed "disadvantages" (no floor) has turned into a decided positive. We can walk into our tipi anytime with our boots on and not worry with debris or mud. We can cook in the tipi and not worry about spills. Wet gear can come inside and drip without a concern. I was a skeptic about tipis until I got my 8 man Kifaru. I don't think there's a dome, A frame, cabin, X, wall or any other tent shelter I'd trade my tipi for.

They are expensive, but really only cost about half what you pay up front. That's because the resale value on them is outstanding. I've seen 5 year old tipis in good shape bring 75+% of their new cost.

[MAT]

Check out this place.  I have the lean 2 shelter, and it's huge for 2 people (7'x10'). Light at 35 oz, packs really small, easy to setup (don't need poles) and afforadable.  Also unlike a tipi it has head room.  And made in the USA too.

 http://www.cookecustomsewing.com/welcome.htm

[prc]

i have a mountain hardware 4 man, its great for 2, all gear stowed out side, more than 2 it gets awful close. tent weighs in about 3lbs, which isn't bad. it is very study, and guaranteed dry. i've had this thing in 30/40 mph wind gusts and down pouring rain, never been wet. a little pricey, i think it was around 300. it is and has been a great tent, and carries a great guaranty. i have tried the cheap tents, and i'm here to tell you i'll not do it again.

[Orion]

I have a 6-person Kifaru, which is just about the right size for two people and their gear.  Three would fit without too much crowding, but better be real comfortable with your friends if you try to put four in it.  

With the ultra light packable, take down (medium) stove, it's very good in cold, nasty, windy weather. Condensation builds up quite heavily in warmer summer weather.  A ground cloth would probably reduce the condensation, but I don't use one.

[LongbowGuy83]

I'll second REI. (rei.com) I have the REI Arete ASL 2. It's a 2 man, 3-4 season. They make a ASL 3 also. Great reviews and I love mine. A little tight for a 2 man unless you're kin. But very well made and lightweight too.
 
 

[HugeBull]

Guys, buy a copy of Backpacker's 2011 Gear Guide, due out later this month.  BP is probably the best authority on outdoor gear, and they will have info on lots of options.

Personally, I am a tent and tarp proponent.  The tarp alone is not enough for me to have confidence in a warm, dry night's sleep.  Outside storage makes for a more comfy night.  It is not worth shaving ounces if you have to sleep cold, wet, or cramped.  If I can't sleep worth a hoot, I can't be motivated enough to hunt worth a hoot either!

Hugh

I've used a Eureka Timberline for many years.  Like Buddy said, you can sleep two easily with lots of room for gear.

[Pandaros]

It really depends on weather and territory, but Marmot and Tarptent are great choices.

[bpjon]

Go Kifaru.  Crazy expensive, I ate a lot of mac and cheese and ramen after buying mine, but they are darn near bulletproof and have a lot of room for the weight.

[Tyler2045]

I have two tents both from good will got less than $50 invested in both. And have not had problems from either. Tyler

[JockC]

I use a tarp for extreme ultralight, tarp with very light bivy for ultralight in weather, GoLite tipi for light in bad weather or with friend, tipi with folding woodstove for light in really bad weather.  Tyvek scrap groundcloths for all.  I do carry a thick Big Agnes pad.  Floorless is a joy if bugs aren't an issue.

[J. Oles]

Check out Helleburg tents-

I use the Janu (sp) here in Kodiak.

It's amazing how water proof the double wall design is.

Not for warm weather though.

Jason

[JEFF B]

i have a coleman 3 person tent it is Awesome! got it on here as a trade/Gift cant recall when i have had it 2 years now.

[Montanawidower]

Another vote for a Kifaru 8 man.  We use them on llama pack trips and they are sweet.  One consideration though.  My "8" man is really a two man in my mind.  I have slept up to 4 (two ladies    )with ultralight cots but it was a pinch.  Oh yeah, and they are a second mortgage.

[Coach Jones]

Eureka Timberline

[wojo124]

I use the heck outta my Eureka Timberline 2....great tent been around for a long,long time

[Flinttim]

Whatever the tent, get one you can sit up in. Nothing worse than getting socked in a for a couple days of rain and have to lay down the whole time.

[Michael Pfander]

I use the MSR Hubba 2 man as my personal tent.  It is 4.5 # and has done it all.  My wife and I can use it on backpacking trips.  Its a tite fit for two but really nice for one.  More and more we, [me,wife, son, daughter] are going with outside poles and clip systems.  They step up so much easier.  I second the VE 25 great tent.  I only use mine when I'm above 10,000 and I know its going to snow.
MAP

[RPolk]

I have used my Eureka Timberline 4 for 7 seasons it is a little on the heavy side for backpacking. But it gets lighter by the minute in a hard storm.

[JJB]

I used a Cabelas XPG tent for my last backpack elk hunt and liked it very much.