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Lightweight 2 man tent or tarp options

Original Post
Ryan Arnold · · SLC · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 751

I have an REI half-dome, which has been great for short backpacking trips. However, the lightest I can get it is around 6 pounds, and it's really bulky. For longer trips, I've been looking into lighter and smaller options like the Big Agnes UL Scout 2 man vs a tarp like the BD beta light tarp.

bigagnes.com/Products/Detai…

blackdiamondequipment.com/e…

I've read a lot about them, and am trying to consider not only size and weight but also condensation, bug protection, comfort for 2 people, weather resistance, etc. I usually take 2-3 day trips with 5 mile approaches high into the Wasatch mountains.

Can people share their experience with these, or maybe sell me on a third option that you love?

Martin le Roux · · Superior, CO · Joined Jul 2003 · Points: 401

BD FirstLight and HiLight are slightly heavier than what you're looking at (3 lbs) , and they're cozy for two people, but they'll be better in severe weather.

If you want bug protection then a tarp shelter like the BD Beta Light might not be your best choice.

Adam Paashaus · · Greensboro, NC · Joined May 2007 · Points: 791

Okay the scout looks pretty cool. Ive not seen that before and the weight is great for being fully enclosed. With that said, condensation still may be an issue being single wall even with the ventilation which looks pretty good. Condensation will form on anything regardless of ventilation dependent on where pitched (ie. Under pines or in grassy meadow etc.)

I have the beta light and would definitely recommend it to anyone who doesn't need to be IN a full tent. We use a tivek groundcloth and have used it for over 1000 miles of backpacking with no issues other than the zipper failing (which was an easy free fix with pliers)... (if you dont know that trick, research it.) Easy to pitch and lots of room for 2 people and some gear. Packs the size of a large grapefruit.

Hope this helps. I personally would stay with betalight given the chance to start over for ease of setup and simplicity, but if bugs are a big concern the big agness is a good option. Do research on the shangri-la 3 from go lite. I have the shangri-la 5 for our family of 4 and you can opt for inner bug tent if you want bug protection on that particular trip or save the weight on fast light trips when bugs aren't an issue. I think its a single pole that comes with the tent but I lash my trekking poles together to save that weight and get the height needed.

Mark R · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Adam Paashaus wrote: Do research on the shangri-la 3 from go lite. I have the shangri-la 5 for our family of 4 and you can opt for inner bug tent if you want bug protection on that particular trip or save the weight on fast light trips when bugs aren't an issue. I think its a single pole that comes with the tent but I lash my trekking poles together to save that weight and get the height needed.
I have an SL-2 and do exactly that. Carry the nest (inner mesh tent) if you expect buggy weather otherwise just carry the fly. It sleeps 2 and sets up with two trekking poles.
Chris Borg · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 0

i have a tarptent double rainbow that i love.

tarptent.com/double-rainbow…

light, optional freestanding, good room for two people

Adam Paashaus · · Greensboro, NC · Joined May 2007 · Points: 791

I didn't realize the sl2 had bug insert. (Edit: they appeared to have discontinued the bug insert. Someone stated you can still find them on ebay)Thats even better for weight. I noticed the sl3 is out of stock. Thats the way golite rolls these days to create the demand. The sl5 was out of stock when we 1st wanted it so we waited and kept inquiring and so glad we did.

Mark R · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Adam Paashaus wrote:I didn't realize the sl2 had bug insert. Thats even better for weight. I noticed the sl3 is out of stock. Thats the way golite rolls these days to create the demand. The sl5 was out of stock when we 1st wanted it so we waited and kept inquiring and so glad we did.
It looks like they might not be making the sl-2 nest anymore? I picked mine up for a screaming deal when Go-lite was doing all of their clearance and coupon for posting reviews shenanigans. I've seen them come up for sale recently on other message boards like BPL and they usually go pretty cheap.
Luc-514 · · Montreal, QC · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 12,506

I've got the Beta Light with the Beta Bug insert since most of the time I'm on the East coast.
You can deduct the 6 pegs and you end up with around 3 pounds for the fly and bug netting plus your hiking poles.
It's roomy, I carry a small rip-stop nylon tarp as a ground cloth when I don't use the liner.

Max Forbes · · Colorado · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 108

Bugs are always tough in tarp tents.. so is condensation. Keep in mind that tents, especially double wall tents, that are so light defiantly do not hold up as well. If your planning on spending some time in shitty weather something like the MSR Hubba Hubba would hold up really well. People really seem to like the BA Fly Creek, a good freestanding alternative to the scout, but it has the advantage of a double wall system. It is tiny on the inside so people often go with something roomier like the copper spur.

If I were you I would look at the following tents:

MSR Hubba Hubba & Carbon Reflex
REI Quarter Dome (Can be set up without body) & REI Dash 2
TNF Mica 2
BA Fly Creek & Copper Spur

Shelters:

OR Bug Bivvy + Any tarp system made by MSR
BA Scout
NEMO Veda
Sea to Summit Escapist tarp

Karl Henize · · Boulder, CO · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 643
Rob Dillon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 760

+1 for the double rainbow. Super light, bug proof, fine for non-monsoon Wasatch conditions.

tarptent double rainbow

Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 436

I'm a big fan of lightweight cuben fiber shelters.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Echo is my current go-to backpacking shelter.

Review on my blog, here:

larsonweb.com/blog/?cat=16

Paul-B · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 115

Mountain hardwear tents that have the Drypitch option can be set up as whole tent, fly only or fly and foot print only. Nice flexibility and weight options. Just so happens I am selling a brand new one as well....

mountainproject.com/v/mount…

Doug Wolfe · · NJ · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 120

It's a bit pricy but probably the lightest on that market
ZPACKS Hexamid with the inner net tent. I've had mine for like 2.5 years and probably have well over 75 nights in it. Solid setup and super light and packs pretty small

tom donnelly · · san diego · Joined Aug 2002 · Points: 364

The 2014 Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 is even lighter than before.
It is the best light tent I have seen, that is still strong and roomy enough. For instance all of the lighter BA tents seem either too flimsy in the wind or no headspace. Tents with droopy walls will have more problems with moisture.

Lighter than that would be the tarp type tents where you use your hiking poles, and generally do not set up in exposed places.

Another interesting company, but I have never seen their products:
bigskyproducts.com/

Rick Blair · · Denver · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 266

I spent a night in the Black Diamond Beta Light last summer in Rocky Mountain National Park. We pitched it over moist ground and had some condensation but the walls are so steep, it does not drip inside. My friend is large and we had no trouble fitting inside with gear. We even cooked a meal inside while all hell broke loose outside, not one drop in the shelter. Great tent and the easiest I have ever pitched. Stake down the corners, crawl underneath and prop up with the trekking poles. I replaced the stakes with MSR needles, total weight 1lb 3oz. This is one of my favorite pieces of gear.

Dave Wise · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 50

Another vote for Tarptent. I have a Moment DW for my lightweight backpacking solo shelter and can't say enough good things about it.

Also check out the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo. Super lightweight and very roomy, but not free standing. Pitches with two trekking poles.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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