Optimal Tent for an old guy or old guy + old gal
Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 8:24 am
For several years I have been searching for the optimal tent for me.
My criteria: minimum length 85", width at shoulders 40", width at feet 30", Height where sitting up 39", Weight 2 lbs, double wall, side entry.
Why these criteria? My current solo tent is the Flycreek 1 UL, the floor size meets my criteria but it is 1" too low as I hit my head on the top of the tent when sitting. it is also a front entry tent which at my advanced age is getting harder and harder to enter and exit. The Copper Spur UL1 meets all criteria except weight and height being 8 oz too heavy and 2" too low. I like double wall with separate fly for two reasons. First by removing the fly I can have refuge from mosquitoes where there is no shade without getting roasted in an enclosed space. Also it is possible to roll up the fly separately when wet and keep the floor of the tent dry. This facilitates moving early in the AM after a night where conditions lead to condensation. The the relatively large size I want also keeps my sleeping bag from touching the walls of the tent when there is condensation, thus keeping the bag dry.
Any suggestions for an alternative would be appreciated. I am at a stage in life where cost is not much of a concern, just less money for my kids and grandkids.
Now for a two person tent. We currently use a Copper Spur 3 UL. This is almost Ideal. Really comfortable for the two of us. But it is a bit heavier than we would like and has a huge footprint. Optimal would be 60 to 62 inches wide at the shoulders and 56 to 58 inches at the foot, again about 85 inches long and 40+ inches high, weight 4 lbs or less. Two side entries a must. The footprint and weight of the Copper Spur 3 UL make it slightly off the optimal.
Again any suggestions. Most 2 person tents are just too small with max width of about 55" and most 50" or less. With two 26" wide sleeping pads there is just not enough width to ensure that our bags will not hit the sides of the tent.
Thanks for any suggestions.
mike
My criteria: minimum length 85", width at shoulders 40", width at feet 30", Height where sitting up 39", Weight 2 lbs, double wall, side entry.
Why these criteria? My current solo tent is the Flycreek 1 UL, the floor size meets my criteria but it is 1" too low as I hit my head on the top of the tent when sitting. it is also a front entry tent which at my advanced age is getting harder and harder to enter and exit. The Copper Spur UL1 meets all criteria except weight and height being 8 oz too heavy and 2" too low. I like double wall with separate fly for two reasons. First by removing the fly I can have refuge from mosquitoes where there is no shade without getting roasted in an enclosed space. Also it is possible to roll up the fly separately when wet and keep the floor of the tent dry. This facilitates moving early in the AM after a night where conditions lead to condensation. The the relatively large size I want also keeps my sleeping bag from touching the walls of the tent when there is condensation, thus keeping the bag dry.
Any suggestions for an alternative would be appreciated. I am at a stage in life where cost is not much of a concern, just less money for my kids and grandkids.
Now for a two person tent. We currently use a Copper Spur 3 UL. This is almost Ideal. Really comfortable for the two of us. But it is a bit heavier than we would like and has a huge footprint. Optimal would be 60 to 62 inches wide at the shoulders and 56 to 58 inches at the foot, again about 85 inches long and 40+ inches high, weight 4 lbs or less. Two side entries a must. The footprint and weight of the Copper Spur 3 UL make it slightly off the optimal.
Again any suggestions. Most 2 person tents are just too small with max width of about 55" and most 50" or less. With two 26" wide sleeping pads there is just not enough width to ensure that our bags will not hit the sides of the tent.
Thanks for any suggestions.
mike