Perfect Expedition Tent?

[Wayne]

I am looking for the perfect 2 man expedition tent for taking on canoe expeditions to Canada and Finland. Ideally free standing with midge nets getting pegs to hold on the Canadian Shield is an art.

I'm not after the latest ultra light fabric. My gear gets proper use and needs to be durable but light enough not to eat all my baggage allowance.

Budget £300 - £500

 

[Quixoticgeek]

I would look at the Vaude Mark series of tents, not the lightest on the market, but they erect really fast, pitch inner/outer together, are free standing, and extremely weather proof. Excellent tents.

J

 

[Stew]

And the good thing about Vaude tents that is often lacking in other brands is smooth poles rather than collars at each joint. Makes a massive difference!! Really miss my one.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I'm watching this with interest as having only last week assisted in the packing of my Daughter's rucksack ahead of her 1st DoE trip which included my Millets closeout bargain tent, I was truly shocked at a; the bulk (don't you just hate those horrible integral plastic tarpaulin ground sheets) and b; - the unbelievable weight of the poles which took total pack weight over the 2 stone limit!

K

 

[C_Claycomb]

Wayne,

On my first trip canoeing in Scotland, the Knoydart lochs, Jed Yarnold and Dave Goodworth shared a Vaude MkIII which seemed good. Jed spends a lot of time on canoe trips and expeditions and might have some good advice.

While in New Zealand, the guide I had down on the edge of Fjordland used an MSR Mutha Hubba and said he really rated it highly. Much of South Island is a thinly covered shingle bank and the parts that Gordy guided on are noted for the volume of rain they receive. It seemed a light package, compared to my Vaude Taurus (oldish) and looking at the catalogue shows that although its an inner first, it can be pitched with either liner or fly separate, or both together, which seems like a really nice option to have.

Not really sure what the terrain where you are going will be like, but I have really enjoyed using a hammock on canoe trips in Norway and Sweden. Was lining up on one to the Canadian Shield and it looked hammock suitable too. If there are enough trees they seem to work very well.

Good luck

 

[The Cumbrian]

I bought a Vango Chinook for the same reasons, but for use canoeing in northern Scotland where often the best places to camp are on sand and shingle beaches.

I bought the Chinook 200 (2 person) as a solo tent and it gives plenty of space for me, but you would want to be good friends if you were sharing it with another adult.

Cheers, Michael.

 

[SGL70]

Don't know about perfection (nigh on unattainable and a bit subjective) but I can't help myself but give my vote to Hilleberg.

New, they might be outside the budget frame....but used might be an idea: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hilleberg-Nallo-2-GT-2-Person-Tent-/252426489053

Yes, Got it myself
No, No affiliation just a very happy customer.

Greger

 

[PDA1]

If you are entering via USA,then REI have an excellent 2 person tent the half dome 2plus at $219 pplus state sales tax. Weighs 5 1/2 lbs, so OK for canoe trips. Pitches inner first.

https://www.rei.com/product/878520/rei-half-dome-2-plus-tent

Outstanding, inexpensive tent.

 

[Quixoticgeek]

Some thoughts on tent design:

- Any tent that is inner first is not a good idea. You're going to end up soaking the inner if you have to put the tent up in heavy rain. Why such a design is so pervasive still amazes me.
- Tents that require you to thread a pole through a sleeve always struck me as a poor design trying to put up such a tent in high winds, you end up doing battle with a sail. This is the most common design as it's relatively easy to design, but when the wind picks up it leaves itself wanting.

This is the reason I settled on the Vaude tents. I have the old design hogan, with the exoskeleton pole design. It's so fast to put up, it's survived storms that have levelled campsites. It's only flaw is the weight. I'm looking at the Vaude Mark L 2P. I'd love to go for the much lighter sphærio 2p, but they don't make it in green.

J

 

[PDA1]

Good point re inner first. Common in US tents, possibly because of the predictability of the summer weather. Pretty useless in the western UK though. Pole sleeves are another matter. For a cross pole tent I agree, but for tunnel tents, sleeved poles work well. Think Akto e.g. There is a well known youtube vid of one being assembled in 85 mph wind.

 

[C_Claycomb]

I had a look at some of the new MSR offerings, thinking they were purely inner-first, and saw them showing how (at least some) could be pitched that way OR outer first, which looked really nice. I thought that the Vaude outer-first method was great, but I have had times in the Lake District when the inside of the shell was sopping wet from condensation, which has promptly transferred to the inner when the tent was deflated. Would have been able to keep the inner drier had I been able to strip the fly off separately.

 

[santaman2000]

When you say "expedition" I automatically think of the older canvas tents. For a 2 man I'd think of a wedge design such as Beckel Canvas Products makes www.beckelcanvas.com/products_view.php?products_id=11 but they're probably heavier than your weight limits.

 

[santaman2000]

Here's some photos"

[h=3]Wedge Tent[/h] Basically evolved from a tarp thrown over a rope. Its steep sides make it an excellent choice where heavy rain or snow loads may be a problem. Easily pitched between two trees, sheer poles or what have you. Long a favorite with the dog sledder, trap liner, etc. This tent features a heavy duty nylon zipper clear to the peak on each end which zips down from the top as well as up from the bottom to accommodate a ridge pole and provide ventilation. This arrangement also allows one side to be raised as an awning and admit the warmth of a camp fire. Add stove pipe hole and a small woodstove and you have one of the most versatile year-around tents going.

Each tent is made to order with just the options you choose which can include (but not limited to) Sod cloth, windows and stove pipe hole. As each tent is made to order please allow 4-6 weeks for production. Production times may vary if you have questions please call or email.
Details: 8'6" x 8'6" floor size, 7' height 20 lbs.
Cat. No. W0990
8'6" x 11'6" floor size, 7' height 25 lbs
Cat. No. W0912
Price: $435.00/$525.00

 

[santaman2000]

Probably a Miner's Tent is closer to your weight requirements though

[h=3]Miner Tent[/h] Once popular with the Klondikers and 49ers, it is now a favorite with river runners and outfitters. The easiest of all our tents to put up. Stake the corners and raise the peak with a pole or rope over a limb. The river rats use one 8' or two 9' or 10' oars for poles (as shown). Due to a complete lack of vertical sides it is by far the most stable tent in a high wind.

Each tent is made to order with just the options you choose which can include (but not limited to) Sod cloth, windows and stove pipe hole. As each tent is made to order please allow 4-6 weeks for production. Production times may vary if you have questions please call or email.
Details: 8'6" x 8'6" floor size, 8' height 20 lbs.
Cat. No. M0990 Base price $360.00

11'6" x 11'6" floor size, 9' height 25 lbs.
Cat. No. M1212 Base price $450.00.

Price: $360.00/$450.00

 

[Old Bones]

Alpkit might do something for you - the Kangri would fit the bill https://www.alpkit.com/products/kangri . price is good as well. If you close to them, always worth going in and looking at it, asking questions, etc. They might even have a 2nd.

 

[Quixoticgeek]

I had a look at some of the new MSR offerings, thinking they were purely inner-first, and saw them showing how (at least some) could be pitched that way OR outer first, which looked really nice. I thought that the Vaude outer-first method was great, but I have had times in the Lake District when the inside of the shell was sopping wet from condensation, which has promptly transferred to the inner when the tent was deflated. Would have been able to keep the inner drier had I been able to strip the fly off separately.

I believe you can pitch the outer separate on the Vaude tents, but often it's just easier to pitch inner/outer together.

J

 

[Quixoticgeek]

Probably a Miner's Tent is closer to your weight requirements though
The easiest of all our tents to put up. Stake the corners and raise the peak with a pole or rope over a limb. The river rats use one 8' or two 9' or 10' oars for poles (as shown). Due to a complete lack of vertical sides it is by far the most stable tent in a high wind.

Doesn't meet the original requirement regarding free standing.

J

 

[Squidders]

The only fully free standing (including the vestibule) tents I have seen are Hilleberg and way over budget unless you consider renting one.

I'd go for a Vaude Mark L 3P which is a good size for two plus gear, is mostly free standing, good with wind from every direction, has the option to pitch inner and outer together or outer first, is very easy to ventilate, has decent poles, has two entrances and is in budget.

As much as I love my MSR NX tents, they are very lightweight and i fear damage, they are also inner first... so I have tried outer first using the footprint but wouldn't bother in anything less than perfect conditions which is exactly when you don't need to do it.

 

[santaman2000]

Doesn't meet the original requirement regarding free standing.

J

True, I missed that bit. Maybe the possibility of using the canoe paddles for support makes that less important? It still would need pegs though.

 

[Quixoticgeek]

True, I missed that bit. Maybe the possibility of using the canoe paddles for support makes that less important? It still would need pegs though.

I think Wayne wants it to be as free standing as possible without pegs for when camping on rocky outcrops near Canadian rivers/lakes.

The Vaude Mark tents do need a peg at each end for the porch, but you could just use a bolder, and if it's not too stormy, just leave it unpegged.