Will be purchasing a backpacking tent for 2 people for a hunt next fall. Generally I figure that you need to take the number of people you sleep and add 1 for gear, so I figure that a 3 person tent would be best. However, I am lookin at a Cabelas Boundary Waters tent rated for 2 people. It has 40 sq ft of floor space (8' x5' ) and that may actually be large enough. Anyone have experiences with these tents or what others would you recommend. I want to stay under $300. Will only be using this tent once every 2-3 years, but gettting wet one time is too much.

THanks

A freind of mine has one of those that he ordered out of Cablelas a few year back. I have never stayed in it myself, but we go camping together alot and he he has never had a complaint about it. When we go backpacking though, it' s never made the trip. It' s a bit on the heavy side, but if your talking about a once a year hunt, I wouldn' t spend the money on a good lightweight backpacking tent either.

I can tell you though that with 2 people you might consider bringing 2 tents though. One for sleeping, and one for storage and wet clothes and stuff. It is really hard to dry stuff out all in one tent with 2 people already in it.

Another recomondation that I have for you is that if your only talking about using that tent once a year is that you should consider renting a tent. If you have an REI in your area they rent tents and it' s pretty cheap. That way you can also get a top of the line tent (norhtface, REI) and give it a try to see how you like it

txhunter,

You might try asking this question at www.backpacker.com. They have a " gear" section on the forum with alot of members that has experience at traveling light. There are several companies out there with all kind of prices.

sierra designs flash clip 3, 180 bucks alaskan.

txhunter58, could you tell me where/when you are going on a backpack hunt. It could help to narrow things down a bit. If you are heading to the rockies, and it' s later than early season you shouldn' t be taking a 3 season tent as most of the " lightweight" tent are.

Txhunter58,
Some of the most hellacious rain/hail storms I' ve been in have been during early elk season -- so I put a high priority on staying dry! If you are hunting later then snow may become an issue BUT you will NOT get a decent four season tent in your stated budget.

My first pre-requisite for a non-wall type tent is that it has a good " tub" in the bottom of it that comes a fair distance up the sides -- looking at the picture in my trusty Cabelas catalog, I' d say it does okay. Second pre-requisite is a rain fly that goes down nearly to the ground and at a minimum overlaps the top of the " tub" by a goodly margin -- rain doesn' t always come straight down -- what if it is flying sideways? Looking at the picture you are okay EXCEPT on the door end -- a good thunderhead could put a fair batch of water into your tent. I see they have a vestibule add-on that could take care of that weakness for $24.99 plus it gives you more storage space and lets you seperate wet and dry - I highly recommend it.

Any tent is a better tent if it is under a tarp!
Never Go Undergunned,
EKM

If we get picked, the tent will be for an early rifle season in a Colorado wilderness. Season starts Sept. 9th. This will be a backpack hunt, no horses.

Thanks for the info, I am now looking into some different tents. I have since pretty much decided that a 2 person tent just won' t be big enough, so I am looking more at 3-4 person tents.

Lilhunter: tell me more about the flash clip 3. Are you talking about the Sierra Designs Clip 3 CD. The head end is taller than the foot section and weighs 5 lb 9 oz. It comes with a 7 sq ft vestible. I am also looking at the Sierra Designs Metor Light CD. Only a 2 person, but has 40 sq ft in the tent and a 16 sq ft vestible. I am also looking at the Cabelas XPG 4 person tent. Still less than 9 lbs and packs to 9" x20" . Have heard good things about this tent and withstanding rain.

I' ve gotta second the recommendation on the Flash Clip 3. It' s a great little 3 season tent and won' t let you down if the weather gets rough. I know quite a few serious backpackers who use it or the 2 man version. If you want to save as much weight as possible, have a peek at that Cabela' s Bivy Tent. I use one when going far, high and light in wilderness. You have to have a tolerance for bare minimum shelter and it' s best to set up in a sheltered area, but it' s a damned good value for the quality.

Who makes the Flash Clip 3. Can' t find that name. Closest thing is the Sierra Designs Clip 3 CD. Is that what you are talking about??

The suggestion to contact BACKPACKER is a good one. I have a Marmot that I have used in the mountains of Alaska, Colorado, and Montana in just about every weather imaginable. The cost was around $280 and worth every penny. Quality tent.