Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

I usually go in Spring and in Fall. However, I don't want to be limited to the season I go because of my gear. I want to be able to go if it's snowing, raining, and /or howling wind. So, the 4 Season Tent is what I've been looking at.

I'm going with a 3 person tent because, a 2 person is just too cramped for me.

 

I'm not too sure about my weight restrictions as of yet. I do know that I don't want to be lugging around an 8lb+ tent around.

I know why a lot of backpacking tents have so much meshing but...I just don't want one like that. It allows most of the heat in the tent to escape and I somehow feel more exposed.

 

I know that feeling!

If you need snow load capability you'll definitely be limited to mountaineering tents for the most part, though tipi designs would work fine and be able to utilize a small wood burning stove for heat if that appeals to you, probably a wash for weight and packability versus a mountaineering tent.

Both TNF and MH are pretty well regarded in those circles, but my mountaineering tent knowledge is pretty slim as I don't winter camp. The crew at backpackinglight.com are pretty technical and get a bit nerdy about gear, and they have a mountaineering/alpinism subforum, you might find some useful info/reviews there. I'd trust them as well with a lot more weight than the average internet review, they're a legit group.

 

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL3
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/SeedhouseSL3

Nemo Equipment Dagger 3p
http://www.nemoequipment.com/product/?p=Dagger+3P

No need for a mountaineering tent unless your doing some serious cold weather base camping. The mesh serves its purpose, and if used properly with a rainfly you can regulate temperatures to minimize condensation.

Simien mountains - Ethiopia

Slept in below freezing Temps at about 13k altitude in that Nemo Airframe 1 man tent/bivvy. (Check out the Gelada Baboon watching me set up camp pic prior to rain fly but look at all that mesh)

 

Most mountaineering tents are going to be HEAVY. Like 10lbs+. And also way more than you are needing. They are designed to be in snow storms and hi winds. Like 80mph type winds and 6+" of snowfall.

A good 3 season will handle most winter camping just fine. Ive used plenty of 3 seasons in decent winds (30mph) and a few inches of snow. Key is to knock the snow off every few hours to get the weight off the top.

With a rainfly over a mesh tent you will have plenty of temperature. Ive used mine down into the teens. Really at those temps its more about the sleeping setup than the actual tent.


If i were you i would really think hard about what you want in your tent. Then look at what is out there and make some sacrifices. Theres no way i would use a 4 season tent for anything other than winter with possible heavy snow and/or winds

 

Hmm, that gets me thinking...

Hopefully a 3 season tent will cost less.

Here is my main concern with low temperature; last time I car camped(February 2015)I was in a 3 man Coleman tent that was mainly mesh up top. I had the rainfly on and was in my North Face "Snowshoe" mummy bag(which has a 0 degree F rating) with a Thermarest inflatable mat under me. There was a tarp between the tent and the ground. I was cold most of the night and didn't sleep much at all. When I had a different tent that was not mainly mesh up top, I slept just fine. Coincidence? It's possible but....the only time I had issues with being butt cold was when I was in a tent that had a lot of mesh up top.

 

On the cold nights you'll want to get the rainfly as low to the ground as possible, but if that's the experience you're deciding off of, I'd probably give it another shot in a quality tent (not Coleman). Could've been a number of variables in play, and crappy tent/crappy tent design/incorrect rainfly setup can make a night outside suck.

Do you have a local REI? They'll rent tents out, you can try that and see if something works for you.

There's a few ways you can be cold at night, anyway. Make sure you're properly hydrated (and then some), have a snack before bed with a good fat content also.

 

As PeeRunner mentioned there are tons of reasons you could have been cold. Coleman arent exactly great tents...work ok but nothing great.

To really go well in cold temps, honestly your sleeping surface is IMO the key factor. have a good sleeping pad and itll make the world of difference. Its honestly where you will lose the most heat IMO. If im sleeping when it is cold i will usually take one of those blue foam pads and put it under my thermarest. Ive found that to be warmer than just the thermarest.

Also remember in cold weather it is important to layer. Not just pjs. Ill do thermal undies, fleece pants, and a fleece top. If its really cold either heavier fleece top, add a hat, and when its been really cold ive slept in my shell jacket and pants too.

 

Nick, I don't have a link to any lab tests or anything, but over the years I've seen dozens of people report that they get the most warmth from putting their closed cell foam pad (blue or otherwise) on TOP of their main pad than they did putting it underneath. You might consider trying this as well.

 

Yes, I do have a local REI and I've been an REI Member for many years now. I was unaware that they rented tents. Maybe that's the route to go before buying one. I plan on going on a small backpacking trip in late June and if the price is right, I'll just rent one.

*EDIT* I just got off the phone with the local REI, the girl who answered said that store does not rent tents. She was uncertain if any other REI stores still rent tents or not.

 

Check it out for sure, I think the rates would be online as well if you choose your store location. Or a phone call would confirm.

 

I tried both and never really noticed a difference that i could tell was from the pads being one way or the other. I found the foam pad slide around a bit more being on top then on bottom (with my pad) so i stick to the foam on bottom.

The real key is just more stuff between you and the cold ground. Ive heard of people putting extra clothes and even packs under there pads

 

You could also check with other outdoor recreation places. Does UCSB have an Outdoor Adventures (or equivalent)? Up at UC Davis anyone, student or not, can rent tents from the campus outdoor adventures and they're like $20 for a weekend.

 

There are still some REI stores that still rent tents, And gear etc.

 

Damn that sucks. Mine rents tents, pads, sleeping bags, stoves, head lamps, etc,.

 

Here is a list of all the stores that do equipment rentals for REI

http://www.rei.com/stores/rentals.html

 

I saw this for sale on Craigslist: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/spo/4901603783.html


It would be a 4 hour drive for me though...2 there & 2 back.
So, maybe not so worth it..

 

Thank you.

 

Pretty generic tent design. I'd not drive 4 hours either.

You consider waiting for the REI sale coming up in the spring to kick the season off? I'll be picking up a Kingdom 6 or Kingdom 8 one of these days.

 

Probably can wait. We go on our backpacking trip in late June. I just like to get all my ducks in order ahead of time..