We have had show us your rocks, dogs, sunsets, tarps... so on. How about your tent in action so those trippers looking for a new one can get some ideas. Catalog photos give a general idea and even set ups in camping stores or shows I don't think tell the entire story.

A photo should show gear or people to give some scale.

Atko one person tent. The inside hangs from the rain fly so the whole thing goes up as one unit. One hoop and pulls outs at the ends.

REI Taj 3

My wife and I have enjoyed the traditional Eureka 4 with added vestibule for many years now. Not always the star of the show, but a proven workhorse.



As far as our men's trips go, they love the more roomy models. We've gone through a progression of 9x9 footprint designs with 6 ft center height, with up to 3 guys in each tent.


Our first BWCA adventures depended (with spotty success) on this no-name model from a local bargain store:


For several years, we enjoyed this Cascade dome tent from Oshman's:


Last summer, we upgraded to the Eureka Sunrise 9:

Nemo Asashi 4P with Garage






2 Nemo Asashi’ s with center link

(crappy pic I know, only of of the Nemo Losi 3P in woods)



The two Asashi’ s, the Losi and an Obi2P on the right, sold the Obi before ever using it, nice tent, little short for me.



Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2, replaced the OBI, just about perfect for solo use, love it.

!$/a



Sierra Designs ZIA 2, just got this last week, will find it a good home this spring, talk about vertical walls, nice little tent for the price paid, under $90 brand new with foot print and gear loft.

Here are a few. L to R Top Row North Face VE 25 on Lake 1, Hilleberg Atko in Woodland Caribou, Exped Sirrus Extreme on the Man Chain. L to R Bottom Row: Exped Vella 2 Extreme on Clove Lake, Hilleberg Saivo at Insterstate park, Lean #1 + on Hog Creek.

Gosh, I don't have a picture yet of our Slumberjack Trail Tent 3:
Slumberjack Trail Tent 3

We've spent 4 nights in it and it's light, smallish but adequate dual vestibules and double doors. Roomy and comfy for two and plenty of gear. That's nice since I typically come to bed later than the wife. Not crazy about the fiberglass poles, but if they break I've done field repairs with willow branches and duck tape if I have to. Bought it as a "Temporary" tent after my old Big Agnes failed, but we really are impressed with it.

My solo tent is a MSR Skinny Two. If you squeeze TWO in the tent, they'd better be skinny as a New York model like the ones you see on the runway! Not crazy about the non-free-standing aspect of it, but it has pitched without problems. Probably spent about 20-25 nights in it?









I sure miss my old Big Agnes, though. Can't remember the model, but it hasn't been made for several years now. It was as easy to pitch as the two we have right now, but big enough to stand in and not that heavy. I'd sometimes take it even when sleeping solo in the summertime because it was so airy. RIP, my 'ol BA!

The Big House and the Taj3

not a tent, but it's where I sleep.

quote whiteh20: "Here are a few. L to R Top Row North Face VE 25 on Lake 1, Hilleberg Atko in Woodland Caribou, Exped Sirrus Extreme on the Man Chain. L to R Bottom Row: Exped Vella 2 Extreme on Clove Lake, Hilleberg Saivo at Insterstate park, Lean #1 + on Hog Creek.


"

That's quite a line-up of tents. What are the pluses/minuses of each in regards to weight, space, design, set-up, etc?

North Face Tephra 22 - a nice solo tent, freestanding, easy setup, solid, weatherproof. A little on the heavy side though.

LL bean Vector 6 on Fourtown Lake


Eureka Aplinlite Xt on Crooked Lake


Eureka Alpine Medows on Grabbro Lake





What I use now on solo trips. Warbonnet Superfly on Saganaga


tony

quote wetcanoedog: "
We have had show us your rocks, dogs, sunsets, tarps... so on. How about your tent in action so those trippers looking for a new one can get some ideas. Catalog photos give a general idea and even set ups in camping stores or shows I don't think tell the entire story.

A photo should show gear or people to give some scale.

Atko one person tent. The inside hangs from the rain fly so the whole thing goes up as one unit. One hoop and pulls outs at the ends.
"

I've considered those - the weight is good and they seem like they'd be pretty bombproof, but maybe a little small...? Freestanding is nice, but not essential.

quote wetcanoedog: "
We have had show us your rocks, dogs, sunsets, tarps... so on. How about your tent in action so those trippers looking for a new one can get some ideas. Catalog photos give a general idea and even set ups in camping stores or shows I don't think tell the entire story.

A photo should show gear or people to give some scale.

Atko one person tent. The inside hangs from the rain fly so the whole thing goes up as one unit. One hoop and pulls outs at the ends.
"

I've considered those - the weight is good and they seem like they'd be pretty bombproof, but maybe a little small...? Freestanding is nice, but not essential.

my wife cooking, blue tent is a alpine design, four season, awesome tent, bombproof, now deceased due to smell. north face ve-24, the good one, made in america, best tent ever, got 25 years of hard use out of both of these tents.




north face, can't remember model, we called it the hitch a bitch. impossible to set up. it is now Somebody Else's Problem. note the site, wabakimi, set up in the woods, very little space.




marmot tent, not as nice as the ve24. it's gone




taj 3 in perfect campsite on the little lakes south of llc. this tent has served me well for 10 years.




some rei tent i bought on craigs list for $40 (used once). really poor design but for the price it is really sweet.




rei bivy sack. i use this often, i bring a tarp.

quote boonie: "

quote whiteh20: "Here are a few. L to R Top Row North Face VE 25 on Lake 1, Hilleberg Atko in Woodland Caribou, Exped Sirrus Extreme on the Man Chain. L to R Bottom Row: Exped Vella 2 Extreme on Clove Lake, Hilleberg Saivo at Insterstate park, Lean #1 + on Hog Creek.



"

That's quite a line-up of tents. What are the pluses/minuses of each in regards to weight, space, design, set-up, etc? "

VE-25: Bombproof and proven design. Great for two but real tight with 3. Nice vestibules. Too Heavy at 10 lb.13oz. Hotter than hell in the summer.

Sirrus 2 X: Easy to set up, great size for two but tight for 3. Bombproof, vents very nice even in the summer. Attached inner tent so tent stays dry when setting up in the rain. Hoop design. A little heavy at 7 lb. and non-freestanding.

Vella 2 X: Easy to set up and bomb proof. 6 lb. Vents great in summer with two doors and vestiblues. Attached inner tent so tent stays dry when setting up in the rain. Only drawback is non freestanding.

Akto: Bomb Proof!! Light @ 3 lb. 8oz. for a 4 season tent. Super easy to set up. Nice vestibule. Attached inner tent so stays dry when setting up in a rain. Small but works for a solo tent. Not freestanding.

Saivo: Bomb Proof. Maybe the strongest tent available. Vents great for a hardcore winter tent. Huge vestiblues. Attached inner tent, so stays dry when setting up in the rain. Best made tent I have ever owned. Easy to set up as this is an exoskeleton tent and is freestanding. Only downside is the weight at 8lb. 13 oz.

Lean 1: Light!! Weight to space ratio is outstanding. Very well made and well designed. Classic looks and great with a campfire in front of it. Great tent to have if it rains for a week. Plenty of room!! Not freestanding and no floor. Does take some time, effort, plenty of stakes and rope to pitch.

boonie..yes that is a small tent but all i use it for is a bedroom.
a Baker shelter serves as a cook shack/living room/bug shelter.
the Atko go's up as soon as i find a good spot for it,not free standing but i have never had a problem pitching it.i think the tension from pulling a each end was thought out so well that even with a loose peg found in the AM the tent was still up.
so i pitch and toss in the mat and bag and am not really back to it until bed time.the shelter filling the bill for the rest of the day.
i know that sounds like extra weight but it's not more that a "normal" two man tent. what i wanted as a storm proof place to sleep or shelter.
my light weight Eureka Sun Rise had so much netting that i was getting a light spray of rain under the windward edge at the bottom even with the rain fly down tight and my Timberline would seep water at the corners even with many coats of WP..it was sort of old and the floor needed a "innie"..the Akto needs nothing.
anyway i yak on..this is my last tent buy so i thought i would make it the best i could get and light so i could haul it around.
one last thought..i was going thru my tents to put them away and while stuffing the Timberline away it seemed that without all those heavy poles it would make a good light weight ten.if there was such a thing as light aluminum poles for some of these older style tents they could still serve as light to medium weights...

Nemo Losi 3

Big Agnes Parkview 3 person tent. It's well designed, strong and sturdy, easy to set up, and fairly light for a 3 person tent. There's plenty of room inside and large vestibules on both sides of tent. Tent has two doors. We,ve had this tent for four years and we are happy with it.

Kelty Gunnison 3.1 has held up to some vicious wind and rain.

Marmot Limelight 3


The retired Kelty Quattro 4

Old retired no-name car camping tent and coleman screen tent

Sorry, no photos with me of the old Eureka or the new car camping tent.

I just got this used military tent and tried it out up in Algonquin last week. I have to say hot tenting is pretty sweet!

Eureka Timberline 4 SQXT


My trip partner Dr Dye's Tessel 3

North Face Mountain 25

MSR Zoid 2

MSR Zoid 2 x2

Marmot Aura 2p (both the kids got a Marmot tent from Mom and Dad- one for Eagle, the other for Gold award).

sierra designs Veranda 4
Not sure the brand but it's Very Heavy and Bomb Proof
Grand Trunk hammock with bug netting

Thanks for the information, whiteh20 and wetcanoedog. I keep looking at the Atko and the Lean and various combinations. I have a tent - Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight - that weighs about the same as the Atko, but i always feel a little claustrophobic in the wedge design. It looks like the Atko might maybe be a little less so, but not much. I like the attached inner tent. I have a CCS tarp and like the awning idea (although some campsites have not been well designed for it ;), maybe could even be combined with a CCS ground sheet. I also like the idea of a Lean + instead for the sides and the netting for sanctuary from bugs and wind, even though I don't usually go in bug season. But I wonder about condensation in it. I set up the tarp down to the ground on my last trip and had a lot of condensation on it the next morning. Maybe that would be lessened or solved with the grounsheet though. Of course, the big problem with all of that is I don't have the money now :(.

Kelly Scheels Classic 6. my first tent and it was given to me for Fathers Day :)

keep it coming folks..a lot more styles than i expected to see.
Steve.snow in Algonquin already!..a buddy of mine from Canada showed me his copy of the Canadian Forces winter manual.the part about the tent and it's set up i found really interesting.the cook got in first and was in charge of the tent and each guy followed,if i recall,by his task and not rank.anyway good winter photo--

Here's an old similar thread

Big Agnes Seedhouse 2. Not real thrilled with the small single door at the head of the tent, but for $20 it's great. Packs small and pretty light.

Marmot Limelite 2. Love it. The new model has two vestibules/entrances. Which would make it even better.
Fits two snuggly, going head to toe with a little room for day pack supplies and clothes. Easy as pie for setup.

2-man Timberline



2-man Copper Spur



Lean 2

Eureka pinnacle pass3xta. No longer made. It was a nice, dry inexpensive cave until I switched to this beauty:)

That looks cool!

quote pastorjsackett: "That looks cool!"

It's the sun glasses:).

Unless you meat cool as in cold...either way...you're right.

quote bear bait: " "

Which Mountain Hardwear tent is that?

quote nctry: " 2-man Timberline




2-man Copper Spur




Lean 2"

So which one of those do you like best for solo use?

Nctry, I like the camo tarp. The bright colored tents and tarps kill the impression of solitude when you can see them for miles.

quote boonie: "

quote bear bait: " "

Which Mountain Hardwear tent is that?"

Hammerhead 2

Inside the Hilleberg

Setting up the wood stove.

our two person. my solo tent. our mild weather tent. i have scaled down to purchase these fine tents the past 3 years.
sorry i just do not take many outdoor photo's of our tents.

tents along the buffalo river, arkansas. nice spot.

Koppen Maelstrom 2, and a Taj

Warbonnet Blackbird hammock

quote boonie: "

quote nctry: " 2-man Timberline





2-man Copper Spur





Lean 2"

So which one of those do you like best for solo use?"

I guess the Copper Spur... I'd like the Lean better for soloing if I'd gotten the smaller one. I don't like the doors on the CP Spur, but it proved to be pretty good otherwise. The timberline was the go to in the day...

Seedhouse 2 on Cherokee during the Pagami fire in 30-40 mph winds.

Tomster

This puppy held up. I was surprised. Later that day, snow and rain. The zipper broke, but BA fixed it for free. Great service. Pretty breezy tent for cold weather though. Does not leak. Great hot weather tent.

quote JackpineJim: "Nctry, I like the camo tarp. The bright colored tents and tarps kill the impression of solitude when you can see them for miles."

I'll likely go back to more the camo look in the future. The Copper Spur isn't to bad, but the Lean is a little bright. The upside is in the Yellow Lean it's light in there longer than the others. I like the multi colored tarp. It's not that terribly bright and brings a bit of color to the campsite.

Alpine Meadows on LLC

Timberline on Gabbro

Losi on Lynx

Here is a shot two days later, on 9-14-2011. Ice pellets everywhere, and it was around 28-30 degrees. Two days earlier, it was close to 90 degrees. I had every bit of clothing on that I brought with me. The wind was killer and blew through every bit of clothing that I had. Hard nipple weather for a guy from Illinois.



Pretty nasty few days. I was windbound for 3 days on Cherokee. Went from Cherokee to Cross Bay takeout in one LONG day. My takeout was closed, and there were ashes all over my car. My best trip ever though. Total weather changes, the fire/smoke, great scenery, screwed up a knee, fishing sucked, and fell in the lake up to my waist for the first time. What more variety could you ask for?? It was a great trip, as far as I was concerned, and I would gladly do it again. It was about my 30th trip. Lost count due to lack of trip notes, but my first trip was in 1976 from Poplar to Winchell. Second trip was from Sawbill to Phoebe to a now-closed campsite.

Tomster

tl4
rei half dome
da taj sd electron 1
msr hoop, my new ride

i forgot about that crappy little tent rei didnt design but still put their name on. might be the same one wartman posted....sierra something.

Tent is a Trango 4. First time adding photos so description didn't show with the photos.

Copper Spur UL1


Seedhouse 2 under duress

quote quark2222: "Here is a shot two days later, on 9-14-2011. Ice pellets everywhere, and it was around 28-30 degrees. Two days earlier, it was close to 90 degrees. I had every bit of clothing on that I brought with me. The wind was killer and blew through every bit of clothing that I had. Hard nipple weather for a guy from Illinois.





Pretty nasty few days. I was windbound for 3 days on Cherokee. Went from Cherokee to Cross Bay takeout in one LONG day. My takeout was closed, and there were ashes all over my car. My best trip ever though. Total weather changes, the fire/smoke, great scenery, screwed up a knee, fishing sucked, and fell in the lake up to my waist for the first time. What more variety could you ask for?? It was a great trip, as far as I was concerned, and I would gladly do it again. It was about my 30th trip. Lost count due to lack of trip notes, but my first trip was in 1976 from Poplar to Winchell. Second trip was from Sawbill to Phoebe to a now-closed campsite.


Tomster"

We were windbound on Thursday bay of Crooked for about the same amount of time when you were on Cherokee. When we finally moved, we probably should have waited another day because the winds weren't all that much better. It was scary crossing the main parts of Thursday and Friday on our way towards Gun, with the waves and winds. By the time we made it to Gun I could hardly paddle with any force, my arms were so tired.

Kelty Crestone 1 without Fly on




Coleman Hooligan 3



Asolo Velocity 3

Mountain Hardwear Light Wedge 3 - great one of my favorites!

quote TuscaroraBorealis: " Inside the Hilleberg


Setting up the wood stove."

TB-- what "hot tent" is that?? Looks much bigger then anything snowtrekker has, but maybe wrong. THAT looks like a fun set-up!

quote WhiteWolf: "

quote TuscaroraBorealis: " Inside the Hilleberg



Setting up the wood stove."

TB-- what "hot tent" is that?? Looks much bigger then anything snowtrekker has, but maybe wrong. THAT looks like a fun set-up!"

Shawn actually bought some material from snowtrekker and custom made his own tent/shelter.

Thanks for all the great posts!
some years ago Cliff J said something like the only stoves he saw in the BW were Coleman one burners and the only tents Timberlines.
looks like tent wise we are really picking up on the wide choice of gear that's out there and making the best use of it.

quote wetcanoedog: "...the only stoves he saw in the BW were Coleman one burners and the only tents Timberlines..."

Guilty as charged, Cliffy.

Green = Timberline
Yellow = Sierra Designs
Orange = Marmot Limelite II
Lite Colored One = BA Copper Spur 1

SunCatcher

MSR Hubba...not the greatest pic, but it's the only one I have. Pic taken on Horse just above Lower Basswoods Falls on my first solo trip.

My under 6 pound 3 person tent - good for 2 IMHO - with a 5 x 8 floor area plus a vestibule. Eureka Zeus 3. Hss withstood some significant downpours and high winds just fine.

Not my regular use BW tent but the most interesting I own, "Walrus Hurricane Hole". 3 hoop tunnel tent, full 4 season expedition style, 2/3 person capacity. Inner tent suspended from outer tent. Most weather resistant/strongest tent I own, heavy, bulky, and hot!

butthead

Butthead- that Walrus looks like a true "full-coverage" rainfly that comes right down to the ground. Probably doesn't improve ventilataion though.

quote boonie: "Butthead- that Walrus looks like a true "full-coverage" rainfly that comes right down to the ground. Probably doesn't improve ventilataion though."

If "full-coverage" includes a 6 inch sod/snow cloth edging (even at the doors), YES!

butthead

Just purchased two tents! A First Ascent 3 person tent and a new Snowtrekker 10x13 EXP base camp. Haven't had the privilege of camping in either, but did set up both of them.

First Ascent-one pole design. Easy to put up our first time. The glow in the dark zippers are awesome and the head room is amazing! Here is a picture...



Our Snowtrekker recently came in the mail and we set that up in the backyard. We rented these before, but it was super easy to set up. We've had our tent custom done with our stove towards the middle back with an option to keep it in the corner as well. The space is amazing! Here is a picture...

REI Clipper--about 6 lbs., bombproof, pretty small footprint, can be picked up and moved around before staking, wish they still made them. Great for late spring trips when the wind and rain can be problematic.

On Suzanette, all night wind/rain/thunder & lightning, on solid rock, no problema.



Under better circumstances, McIntyre Lake cedar grove.

I just love having a tent in the living room! Good job McVacek

Tents in the Living Room.
Testing out the new Marmot Limelight 3



The Timberline Outfitter 6 - for car camping

Taj 3 on Caribou




Inside the Taj for a late night card game. There are 4 of us sitting inside.

quote Grandma L: "Tents in the Living Room.
Testing out the new Marmot Limelight 3





The Timberline Outfitter 6 - for car camping



"

I love the chandelier in the Timberline!

My beloved Moss Triton, best tent EVER!!! Retired now, sure wish Moss was still around.
Current river, MO 2/2010

quote Grandma L: "Tents in the Living Room.
Testing out the new Marmot Limelight 3

The Timberline Outfitter 6 - for car camping
"

By golly, that Timberline setup looks downright luxurious!

My son-in-law's Big Agnes in the foreground and my REI Half Dome beyond

I love my REI Mountain 3 tent! It was spacious yet lightweight and compact enough for our pack. The front vestibule has enough room we could put our boots and packs and the back vestibule also has enough room to put smaller items (we kept our boots back there). No problems with condensation and the tent was warm when needed and not overly hot when steamy outside. Easy to put up/take down. Only thing I would change is the front vestibule only has floor space on the two triangles on the edge; nothing in the main traffic area. I'm taking a small piece of footprint to put on the ground in that area next year.

Before moving to the trees, I picked this little gem up off of craigslist for 50 bucks. Timberline 4 Outfitter. Thought for sure it was a scam.

My Taj on the west shore of Isabella.

Teepee wall tent with stove.

Eureka Timberline 2sqxt.
Cabelas version of the Eureka Timberline 4. Can't remember the name, too lazy to go downstairs to check. Drying out on Afton Lake.

Eureka Timberline 2sqxt.
Crazy Creek tarp.

Big Agnes Copper Spur 3UL


Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock with Hammock Gear Cuben Tarp(11x8.5)

Lean 2

quote bear bait: "

quote boonie: "

quote bear bait: " "

Which Mountain Hardwear tent is that?"

Hammerhead 2"

I absolutely love my Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead 2. I have had it many years and have not had any problems. It has good air flow, the ability to zip an extra layer in the ceiling, and outstanding 2 door - 2 large vestibule system. I searched for tents for three years when I finally found this - and two other award winners of big name companies failed. I know at some point the fly will lose its ability to repel water, but that has not happened yet and it is close to 10 years old.

My other sleeping arrangement is an ENO hammock with a CCS 12x10 tarp. Great way to go.

Whenever the Hammerhead tent is no longer functional I will get a simple fairly low standing rectangular tent, leave the fly at home and set it up under the 12x10 CCS tarp. GREAT way to go as the only thing wet during a rain storm is the tarp as you can pack everything else up under the tarp. I have done this a couple of times with the Hammerhead, but it is not the best design for this approach.

Tents are okay, but I like to see all that beautiful scenery and have shifted more towards tarps and lean-tos. If the weather is really wet I might sleep in a tent, but the rest of the time on a river trip I want to be able to see. I like the old Moss parabolic tarps and the Whelen nylon lean-to. It is great to be able to sit by a fire and have some protection. They are especially good for early and late trips with less daylight. We are going on a trip this Feb and plan to stay out of the tent although one will go along.

Tents are okay, but I like to see all that beautiful scenery and have shifted more towards tarps and lean-tos. If the weather is really wet I might sleep in a tent, but the rest of the time on a river trip I want to be able to see. I like the old Moss parabolic tarps and the Whelen nylon lean-to. It is great to be able to sit by a fire and have some protection. They are especially good for early and late trips with less daylight. We are going on a trip this Feb and plan to stay out of the tent although one will go along.

I'm kind of fascinated by those of you who have so many tents. I have only one - the REI Half Dome 2. Budget friendly, dependable, fairly light-weight and good quality. Instead of multiple tents I had fun finding pictures of my tent in different locations:

Malberg Lake
Gillis Lake






Lake Polly Kekekabic Lake Thomas Lake