Need some gear advice

[jokrswylde]

New to this forum, but I have been stomping around the woods around here my whole life. I have not had the opportunity to get out much the past couple of years, but I am looking to get back out there. I am in the process of "gearing up" and decided I needed a new tent and bag. I am not yet sure if I am going to be able to get in 5 trips a year or 50, so price and quality are at odds.

I have a lowe alpine pack internal frame that I am pretty happy with. As far as tents and bags my goal is to get both for under two bills. After much research, I think I can get pretty close. I have narrowed it down to two tents and two bags, both prices are comparable, and any combo I can get for around 200. I would love to hear any feedback/ experience you guys may have with any of these.

Tent 1: Eureka Apex 2xt ---$119.00
Tent 2: Kelty Yellowstone----$ 80.00
Both tents seem like good deals, i do like the double vestibules on the eureka, while the kelty does not have one.

Bag 1: TNF Bighorn Bx 20 degree ---$98.00
Bag 2: Kelty Cosmic 20 degree ---$ 99.00
I am 6'4" 280 (big guy) and the reviews for the bighorn say it is very roomy...

Just wondering if any of you have any experiences with any of these. All advice is appreciated.

Also, these prices are online, but I would love to support local stores if they can come anywhere close to the prices, so if there are any local shops around bham that can get in the same ballpark, let me know. Thanks folks.

[luke724]

I am not sure where you are close to, but Southern Trails in Wetumpka should have everything you need.

[trailtigger]

also try Alabama Outdoors, I think they are still having their clearance sale.  As for what you are looking at getting, I would go with the eureka tent and TNF bag based on what I have read and heard from others about these products.

[jamfan]

I have the same Eureka tent, and it was my first backpacking tent.  It's a good tent and I still use it if I take my wife and/or dogs with me.  If you are planning on doing long backpacking trips, then it's pretty heavy and bulky for long trips though.  I assume you are looking at the 2 person tent b/c u have someone going with you?   If not, I'd suggest looking at 1 person tents.

[auwesman]

From my experience,
I'd go with the Eureka tent, and TNF bag if those are going to be your choices.

I packed with that Eureka for about 2.5 years.  Not a bad tent, a little heavy bot not crazy.  My only gripe was condensation in the cold weather.  Mine never leaked a drop, but I took great care of it also.

A buddy of mine had that Kelty bag and he wound up taking it back after 2 trips.  He said 20 degrees was WAY over rated on that bag.  Wound up getting a marmot sawtooth 15 which he sweats in.

Just thoughts from my experience.

Keep your eye on "steepandcheap.co m".  They occasionally have sleeping bags and tents for some great prices.

[jokrswylde]

I have the same Eureka tent, and it was my first backpacking tent.  It's a good tent and I still use it if I take my wife and/or dogs with me.  If you are planning on doing long backpacking trips, then it's pretty heavy and bulky for long trips though.  I assume you are looking at the 2 person tent b/c u have someone going with you?   If not, I'd suggest looking at 1 person tents.

Yeah I am trying to convince my wife to get out some, so I would like a 2 man tent. I ain't going on long trips...weekende rs mainly, so I am not terribly worried about a few pounds. Thanks for the help so far.

So is this a good combo for $200? or am I missing an obvious choice?

[SmokeDiver]

I have the same Eureka tent, and it was my first backpacking tent.  It's a good tent and I still use it if I take my wife and/or dogs with me.  If you are planning on doing long backpacking trips, then it's pretty heavy and bulky for long trips though.  I assume you are looking at the 2 person tent b/c u have someone going with you?   If not, I'd suggest looking at 1 person tents.

I second this. I have this tent and it is a bit heavier, it's best if you are using it for two people and split it up into two parts. Works well otherwise though.

[weathermansam]

I've read a lot of bad reviews on eureka tents, mainly from the poles snapping?  It turned me off, but if this isn't necessarily the case I may be looking into one I had my eyes set on a while back. 

[auwesman]

Hmm...I've never heard about poles snapping.  Still, I found mine on line for like $85...so for that price you kinda get what it's worth.
I used mine heavily for those few years and never had any structeral problems.  Just condensation.  But, condensation was usually just a problem on very cold nights with two people in the tent.

[Cuffs]

Avoid that sleeping bag...

I hold little faith that you are actually getting the degree rating that you want for that price.  Also, all sleeping bags are now coming out with a certified degree rating system.  I personally would only buy a bag that meets that certification...  Prior to this rating system, any manufacturer could just slap on a degree rating on any bag, but not have to stand up to a test.  Now they do...

[weathermansam]

Hmm...I've never heard about poles snapping.  Still, I found mine on line for like $85...so for that price you kinda get what it's worth.
I used mine heavily for those few years and never had any structeral problems.  Just condensation.  But, condensation was usually just a problem on very cold nights with two people in the tent.

With the reviewers on amazon that seemed to be the main complaint, if they had one.  Might sound odd, but I've used a $20 junior dome tent from walmart for 5 years now and condensation's the only problem I've ever had outside of it leaking in a downpour [I neglected to take measures to waterproof the seams or anything else for that matter.  My main issues with it are bulk & weight.  I do like the built in ground tarp on it, though. 

[Rob]

I always recommend when first starting out, buy the best gear your budget can comfortably afford, then after you determine if you really enjoy the experience you can always upgrade later if necessary. If you choose to buy inexpensive or improperly fitting gear you may be discouraged by equipment failure, weight, uncomfortable fit, or inadequate protection. Keep in mind that not all inexpensive gear is bad and not all expensive gear is good. Most of us who have been doing this for awhile have had both experiences. You should first determine how you will be using the gear. For example, if you are going to be hiking primarily in warm weather you may not need a bag with a low temp. rating but you will need a tent that will provide better wet weather protection and more durability.

From my personal experiences the condensation problems with tents is quite normal for all ranges of tents. I have had cheap tents and now have one of the most expensive on the market. All have had condensation at least on the rain fly. This can be normal depending on weather conditions and wether or not the tent is single wall or double wall, and also wether the tent is actually pitched correctly, a tent that is not pitched properly will not vent. Keeping wet or damp gear or clothing in the tent with you increases the problem as does sharing the tent with someone.

[BCM]

I've read a lot of bad reviews on eureka tents, mainly from the poles snapping?  It turned me off, but if this isn't necessarily the case I may be looking into one I had my eyes set on a while back. 

I believe the tent that has the problem with tent poles snapping is the Eureka Solitaire that uses 11mm fiberglass poles to save weight.  I have the Solitaire and have gone through 3 sets of poles.  I replaced them with some DAC aluminum poles from an old Gander Mountain Firefly and the problem went away.  It did increase the weight of the Solitaire by 6 oz, making the one man tent about 3 lbs, but it is worth it not having to continually fix the poles with duct tape and have to fish them out of the sleeves.

I also own the Eureka Apex 2A and Apex 2XT.  Great tents.  The only problem with the 2XT is the zipper on the vestibule.  At 5'10" I find it to be annoying.  Since except for the vestibules the 2A and 2XT are the same tent, I use my aluminum poles from the 2A with my 2XT.  This reduces the weight of the 2XT about 4-6 oz.  I also use Groundhog stakes instead of the thick shepherd's crook stakes provided.  Reduces the weight about another oz.

[Jdevil]

This is absolutely my own opinion and preference, but due to all of the gripes mentioned in this thread, I do not use a tent regardless of how cold or wet it is outside.  Haven't since before I was in the Army 10 years ago.  I use a modular sleeping bag, same as issued by the Army, that has two interchangeable pieces with a gortex shell. Excellent for all weather conditions and is rated to -40 with all three pieces, if my memory serves correctly.  I've used it in every condition known to man, lol.  In addition to my ENO hammock, that's all I have ever needed and I have always remained dry and warm, without all the hassles of a tent.  Just my two cents!

Here's a link for those interested.
http://www.armysurpluswor...roduct.asp?productID=7252 

[wirerat123]

I know this thread has likely gone passed it's cycle, but maybe not.  Some things I would seriously think about.

Are you really going to be camping in temps below 40?  How much tent space do me and the little woman need? (The reason this can be important is consider the worst case scenario, rain all day, how small of an area are you two willing to squeeze into together for that long?), How much weight are we seriously willing to carry each?

My advice you may ask?

Sleeping systems:
Get 40 degree bags, and two Wally World fleece bags.  Most of the time you two are likely camping in weather that will never go below 50, and 40 degree bags will more than cover that at much less weight.  If you two are going out and are worried about temps dropping below 40, then carry the fleece bags with your 40 degree bags, and use them like a layered system.  Bulky? yes.  more versatile?  yes.  Lightweight?  pretty similar.
SunnySports.com has slumberjack 40 degree bags right now for $34 each.  They even have Lafuma Microfleece mummys for $35 that will mate up together into a modular system really nice.  $70 for a 40 degree bag, and a microfleece mummy that should get you down to below 40s comfortably.

So for $70 you are getting a 40 degree bag and a microfleece mummy.  in colder weather you can layer the two and get pretty low.  In cool weather you can take the 40 alone and sleep well.  In warm weather you can take just the microfleece mummy and stay comfy without overheating and very little bulk.

Shelter systems:
Me and my girl use two Hennessy Hammock, and don't mind sleeping seperate when hiking.  2 grungy people on trail don't cuddle too much.  Light, very comfy, and serve several uses in one package.  Chair, Lounger, tent, they stand up to some really rough weather.  But Hammocks are certainly not for everyone.
My suggestion?
Gigatent Yellowstone 2 person.  Sleeping area isn't really large or anything, but how much side to side space is really needed?  But it's just short of 4 foot center height.  Basically in the worst case scenario you will be able to sit up comfortably facing each other and play cards, but not have to carry some huge bulky dome.  You should be able to split the load of the Gigatent to about 2.2 pound per person.  Sunnysports.com has them for $90 right now.  They are kinda funny looking and don't take a side wind very well, but setup correctly the wind shouldn't be hitting the broad side.  2 doors, 2 vestibules.

Slumberjack 40degree bag - $34
Lafuma Microfleece bag - $35
Gigatent Yellowstone 2 - $90

about $160 and 8lbs total if you have to carry both bags.

Want to go one step further and go just a little above budget get a Crazy Creek Crazy Tarp for $45 to go with the above setup, have the little woman carry it and you shoulder the tent, then you will have a good tent setup and can setup the tarp additional and have a sleeping area combined with a open area to cook, clean and relax.  It would make for a really nice camp setup.  When the weather cools off enough where bugs, snakes, or ticks aren't an issue, dump the tent, just carry the tarp, and save some real weight.  In everything but heavy windy rain you can chill out under the tarp area without having to be forced into a small tent.

Hope this helps some.  I think for $205 (really close to on budget!) you can get a much more versatile setup.

[ndgogrl21]

This website has lots of gear reviews.

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/

[Woody]

With the reviewers on amazon that seemed to be the main complaint, if they had one.  Might sound odd, but I've used a $20 junior dome tent from walmart for 5 years now and condensation's the only problem I've ever had outside of it leaking in a downpour [I neglected to take measures to waterproof the seams or anything else for that matter.  My main issues with it are bulk & weight.  I do like the built in ground tarp on it, though. 

I use the same junior dome tent when I take a tent (I am pretty dedicated to my poncho tarp now). I did spray mine with the silicone spray but I too have not had any issue with leaks in some pretty substantial rain just condensation. My only complaint about the junior dome tent is that I have to sleep sideways in it and can still barely stretch out and I am only 5'11". For the money and weight of about 3.75 lbs it is not a bad option for solo hiking in my opinion.

My brother uses a Kelty sleeping bag and has had no complaints with it.