buying my first tent

[ineedhelp]

hi im buying my first tent. im looking for a cheap light weight. i have 2 in mind, 1. kathmandu bora rrp:$350 and on sale for 175 http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Hike_&_Dayw ... Tent.html# 2. kathmandu mono rrp: 150 and on sale for $90 http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Hike_&_Dayw ... Tent.html# yes i know they are probely entry level tents but im not the richest. i live in tassie so ill be camping mainly in the south of the state and maybe an occasional 1 or 2 day hike. i would like to know the quality and reliabilty of these two tents and if any one had any advice on buying a particular brand and or produce?

cheers:]

[Gusto]

If you are unsure as to what you want out of a tent then you should really check them out in person and see how you feel lying in one. Is there enough room for you to get changed inside the tent when it's raining? Is there somewhere (vestibule) you can store your stuff in rain.

You may find the mono tent is incredibly small to live in.


Specifically I haven't been into a Kathmandu store for years so I can't comment on the quality of materials and construction techniques being used on their tents these days. Generally speaking the shape and design of any Kathmandu tent will be quite reasonable. By that I mean they generally appear as though they would shed water and wind.

Looking at the shape of the Mono (from the pictures), I would never buy it, purely as it doesn't appear to have enough room. But that is a personal preference.


Your message implies that you will mostly be car camping. In which case, it can be easier to actually buy 2 separate tents. The cost of buying 2 tents may be slightly more expensive though. Hiking tents are generally as small as possibly can be to minimize carried weight. Which can be a little impractical when car camping.

A quick search online will help you flick though quite a few tent stores. You may find a $50 two pole dome tent will suffice your needs. At least perhaps in the short term whilst you save your money and decide what you really like.

[wayno]

you realise the bora weighs 3.5 kilos?, twice the weigh of the mono? part of the reason expensive tents are expensive is they use lighter technology, like alloy poles that are light but still strong although heavy on the bank account.
just looking at the link the mono is pretty minimal on space, i doubt you'd be able to sit up in it, basically just enough for your in your sleeping bag. your pack will probably have to stay outside the tent with a lot of your extra gear in it, so in rainy weather trying to organise yourself will be more difficult let alone trying to dry out wet gear.. but it is light and will pack down small and its still completely shelters...
have you looked at tarp options? is there a reason you want a tent specifivally?

[Strider]

Ignore the RRP, it is meaningless. You are looking at tents that are worth $90 and $150.

I have a Kathmandu tent myself (Northstar V3), and though it still serves me well I will buy another brand when it comes time to upgrade.

*EDIT*

Just looked at the Northstar on Kathmandu's website - $449 on special!!!?? I think I paid about $269, and that was 5 years ago now.

[wayno]

what about something like this? more of a proper sized tent than the mono and a kilo lighter than the bora

http://www.mountaindesigns.com/online-s ... prodID=915

[nq111]

Kathmandu tents used to be quite reasonable in terms of quality, design and price.

I think they have dropped in quality/design relative to the market now however - even at the 'discount' price.

Try ebay (ebay.com not ebay.com.au) and look at some of the better brands second hand or even discounted new. Even with shipping, if you are prepared to wait and bid on a few auctions and lose a few, good chance you will get a significantly better tent for $100-$150.

[icemancometh]

Space to put all your stuff doesn't matter that much unless you have a lot of stuff that needs somewhere to be put, Wayno.

I thought everyone here was weight obsessed when it came to packs and the like, going for quilts and uberlight uncomfortable little packs.

But seriously, you need to look at some tents in person as suggested and work out what YOU need. One person or two? Roomy or light? And what fits YOUR budget. For one or two nights at most I'd say go the smallest thing possible as it's only one or two nights and you're probably close enough to get back out if you don't like it out there.

The Bora tent from Kathmandu isn't light. Anything not under 2kg isn't really light nowadays and some can be had for a lot less than that. I would stay away from that and the MDs one as well personally as I believe there are better ones out there. You only have to look through some of these threads to find lots of recommendations by people and equally the same or more number of comments from others that it doesn't work for them.

Also do you NEED a tent? What about a tarp/a bivy/a hammock?

I didn't own a tent for years, only going a bivy and sharing with people if I went with friends/groups, though I would often still prefer my bivy as it was just so much easier/quicker (except for waiting for everyone else to setup and pack up everytime!)

I've since bought 2 after a lot of deliberation and still find I pull the bivy out more.

I'd also hesitate to recommend online for your first tent unless you know what you want. Poke around the shops and ask Qs to your friends/people on the forum/in shops and work out what YOU really need. Good luck.

[Dale]

OP - as you're camping in Tassie where the climate can be a tad challenging, you might want to seek advice from your fellow taswegians. A cheap tent may fail in some of the nasty Tassie conditions. While I understand you want to save cash, you need to stay safe as well.

I'm sure this guy has been mentioned before on the site, it's a great travelogue of his (mis) adventures walking the Overland in Winter and poorly prepared.

I thought everyone here was weight obsessed when it came to packs and the like, going for quilts and uberlight uncomfortable little packs.

My uberlight pack is comfortable ! Damn it - I bought the wrong one !

[pazzar]

There are definitely better options than the 2 Kathmandu tents, even for the same price. The Eureka tent that was linked is ok, if a little heavy. The Eureka Mountain Lite 2 is another option, weighing in at 3.2kg, and it has snow valances and does handle water and snow. You can pick them up under $200 on sale normally. In saying that, shopping around is worth the effort. There are some good lightweight Macpac and Mont tents that are good value on sale, you just have to pick the right time to buy.

[Liamy77]

the tarp tent moment with the extra pole and liner might be worth considering - for the odd night here and there about $200 ish and will weigh about a kilo all up... That Eureka didnt look too bad tho (haven't used it though)

there is also a for sale section here on this forum - check through the old sales and get a feel for second hand prices and gear available there.... you can always save up for a Hilleberg Nallo 2tent / MacPac minnaret or some other better gear later