RRC Archives

i was wondering what everyone was thinking about tents, specifically sierra designs. overall, how are they? waterproof, vestibule, weight, construction, space? i was thinking of getting a 2-person, 3-season tent, possibly sierra design cause i get a deal. but i was also looking for a marmot of the price is right. just looking for some thoughts. thanks

I have a Kelty Jetstream... it's held up in some pretty bad storms without a single drip. Best feature is it literally takes less than a minute to set up. Got it at campmor or sierra trading post. I've heard only good things about Sierra Designs but no experience. Marmot is good too, but a friend of mine has one and it takes him over 10 minutes to set it up. I'm well into my second beer with the fire going before he's got his tent set up.

I hear the best tent for the casual user is the Bibler ahwanee(sp). I'm going to get a Bibler Fitzroy the first of the year! 8)

I'm a big fan of TNF tents. I have nothing but good things to say about mine!

Man i am all for the walmart $30 special! they are cheap, I am not camping out on Everest, they do stay dry, never had an issue. Save your money! They also work great in the cold weather and hot.

K-Mart.
Coleman.
$50.00.

AMEN JEFF!!

I have a Kelty Vortex 2. Campmor has them for $120. It has 2 doors, 2 vestibules, mesh pockets inside, and a gear loft. I've spent numerous nights in it without any problems. Being 6', I've got plenty of room in it. It's also free standing.

I also have a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight. A much smaller tent; fine for just me. It weighs about 1/2 of the other. It would be too small for 2 adults unless you are real close. It is not free standing. The cost in Campmor for the 2002 model is $140.

I think buying a tent depends mostly upon when you're going to be using it. I agree with Gretchen on a cheaper tent if you're just going to be sleeping somewhere and not packing it around...but if you're going to be carrying it in a pack I'd look at pack weight...one of the easiest ways to do this is get a campmor catalog...they have charts showing how many it sleeps...tent weight then pack weight etc...it gives all kinds of brands with these charts.

I personally have a Sierra Design Clip 3 CD...it's sleeps 3 (supposedly) for the pack weight of most 2 man tents...the only thing bad (according to most people) is that it's not a free standing tent...meaning it doesn't have poles that cross in the middle to hold itself up...it only works with tension pulling the poles...it's easy and fast to set up for one person once you get the hang of it...I love my tent...I bought it bc I'm a single female that used to go backpacking on her own
it's a little pricey if you get it from a store...but if you get last years model from campmor it's a whole lot cheaper
how you take care of a tent will reflect on how long it will last you...don't fold it when you put it in it's sack...stuff it...folding it makes it weak where the folds are...hang it up for storage...you'd be surprised how moldy a tent can get even when you swear it's dry
water repellent spray and a ground cloth do wonders too
good luck!

I slept under a tarp for three seasons. You gotta keep the wind off of you if you camp in the winter. The best four season tent on the market is a Bibler.Bar none.
For car camping coleman is cool.