Lightweight two person tent

[ncwild]

I have an REI Quarter Dome Plus T2 tent that weighs 5+ pounds. Really trying to get my weight down and in search of a lighter tent. Prefer a two person, as I like the extra room, plus room for my spouse when together. I have looked at the Fly Creek, Copper Spur and Zpacks Duplex. Leaning toward the Duplex, but concerned about condensation and winter use. Anyone have experiences with these or sub two pound two person tents?

[SteelCut]

I have used my Duplex for over 3 years and the Duplex is a very open tent and I've only had minor condensation on the inside a few times. When it has happened, it tends to run down the inside and towards the mesh at the ends and drains off.

But, because the Duplex is a fairly open tent, it does tend to get the wind that comes under the vestibule doors and into the tent. So, IMO, it is not something I would use for windy cold conditions.

[DuneElliot]

I loved my Duplex. Condensation was occasionally an issue especially when camped in valleys and near water when the temperatures were fairly chilly overnight even with doors left open. I carried a small camp towel to wipe it down so didn't have to pack it away wet, or too wet; the towel also doubled for my pot holder and other things.

I just replaced my Duplex with the new Stratospire Li which has almost the same interior dimensions as the Duplex (45" wide and 72" long - 3" shorter than the Duplex) as it is a true double-wall DCF tent (removable inner and option of solid or mesh inner).

However, I have found that (and read other reports) that DCF doesn't allow snow to slide off like silnylon. I was caught in a major hailstorm in July in my Duplex and had to keep knocking the hail off...it sorta stuck to it and wouldn't slide very well.

Other tents you should look at are Tarptents, specifically the Stratospire 2...true double wall, with options of mesh or solid inner so you could have some winter options. It has a pretty wide floor for a 2p tent at 52" and is silnylon.

If you go with one of the Big Agnes...go with the CS2 vs FC2...double side entrances are MUCH better.

[DuneElliot]

Just realized the TT SS 2 is over your desired weight cap but so is the CS2...both come in around the 3lb mark.

[Crossup]

The BA FC seems to be the most popular(I'm presuming for AT use), all my outings I see the same thing: as many FCs as everything else combined. I've used both the CS 3 and FC2 and they work well, especially when you can pick up a sale priced FC2 for $150. But you mention winter use...I dont see these being the pick for 4 season use.

[HooKooDooKu]

I love my Copper Spur UL2 AS A ONE MAN TENT!
If your desire is for a two man tent, I would recommend the Copper Spur UL3.

I once borrowed a Fly Creek UL1. Hated it mainly because of the door at the head rather than the side.
But I could possibly see using a Fly Creek UL3 as a light weight 2 man tent. You would better have the space to move around to get to the door and get in and out of it (compared to the UL1 I tested), and it's nearly a pound lighter than the Copper Spur UL3 (smaller footprint to boot, so you don't have to find quit so large a spot to setup a Fly Creek UL3 as you need to setup a Copper Spur UL3).

[HooKooDooKu]

The BA FC seems to be the most popular(I'm presuming for AT use)

When I did a thru hike of the JMT, Copper Spur (or Copper Spur knockoffs) were the singularly most popular tent I saw... making up as much as 7-15% of all the tents that I would see setup at a popular camp site (otherwise, it was relatively rare to see two of any other tent setup in the same camp site).

[srestrepo]

funny you mention this. i was just starting a search for a decent two person tent. i didn't necessarily want to go with the lightest weight tent and im under a stricter budget than you are. i came across the Marmot limelight 2 person tent. seems decent enough. but mostly i commented just to subscribe to this thread to see what other people come up with.

[DuneElliot]

When I did a thru hike of the JMT, Copper Spur (or Copper Spur knockoffs) were the singularly most popular tent I saw... making up as much as 7-15% of all the tents that I would see setup at a popular camp site (otherwise, it was relatively rare to see two of any other tent setup in the same camp site).

You should have seen our camp in the Wind River Range...we were a walking ad for the Duplex...that was what all 3 of us had.

[nsherry61]

I have an REI Quarter Dome Plus T2 tent that weighs 5+ pounds.

There is no such thing as an REI Quarter Dome Plus. REI's 2-Plus tents are their Half Domes which, yes, weight in at about 5 lbs. The REI Quarter Domes are their "ultra-light" tents and the Quarter Dome 2 (which doesn't come in a plus model) is closer to 3 lbs. Very similar to a BA Copper Spur . . . slightly heavier than the Copper Spur and frankly a little easier to put up and and little more durable, I have owned and used both.

Anyone have experiences with these or sub two pound two person tents?

Only with the Fly Creek UL2 which my son currently has on the PCT. He likes it quite a bit. I find it adequate, but I tend to migrate either lighter to my poncho as my 8 oz shelter in the summer or a bigger tarp or my Copper Spur in heavier weather.

As for winter use, I've used my Copper Spur extensively in winter and the Fly Creek a few nights. Both are fine in relatively sheltered locations when there is not too much hard wind or heavy snow. In winter storm conditions, I would highly recommend accepting the weight and cost of a real 4-season tent for most people.

[ncwild]

Thanks for all of the information. Here is a link for a review of the REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus by "Nutnfancy" on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byj_jVXIYXI

[HooKooDooKu]

i came across the Marmot limelight 2 person tent.

I've got a prior season version of the Marmot limelight 2. Purchased it as a tent for my boys to share when all three of us go on a trip together. Got it an a ridiculously low clearance price (like $130).

The Marmot limelight is what I would call a typical heavy-weight back-packing tent.
It's good quality made with durable materials. In this case, the material is "durable" because it's pretty thick and therefore heavy weight. Things like the Copper Spur are much more expensive because thinner and therefore lighter weight material is being used, but the material is more expensive for the durability. (If you haven't heard the saying about camping gear, it goes "strong, light, cheap; pick two").

I would put the Marmot limelight in the same class as most Kelty and ALPS Mountainering tent... again, good quality but heavier.

If you're looking for a really inexpensive tent for just one person, I would suggest you look at the Kelty Salida 2. It has the same foot-print as a Copper Spur (except for only 1 door rather than 2) and weights less than 5lbs. If you keep an eye for sales and clearance events, you should be able to pickup a Salida 2 for $110 or less.

Originally, I had planned to purchase a Kelty Salida for my boys, but then got the crazy deal on the Marmot (which comes with a footprint).

I used to recommend the Kelty Gunnison 2 that Sierra Trading Post has for only $129... The older models of the Gunnison were plus size (worth the slight weight penalty to have enough room to truly be a 2 man tent). Where as the Copper Spur spec indicates only 29sqft, the Gunnison spec indicates 37sqft. But someone on WB took my advice and ordered the Gunnison. But rather than getting the older model with 37sqft of space, they were sent the newer model with only 30sqft of space. At those dimensions, the lighter weight Salida makes much more sense if the tent is only going to be for 1 person.

[ncwild]

Youtube review, link, of the REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byj_jVXIYXI

[ncwild]

Thanks HooKooDooKu...

[HooKooDooKu]

There is no such thing as an REI Quarter Dome Plus.

I'm afraid you are mistaken:
REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus
REI might not make them any longer, but they used to.

[nsherry61]

I'm afraid you are mistaken:
REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus
REI might not make them any longer, but they used to.

I stand humbly corrected. I hang my head in humility for being arrogantly and irresponsibly short sighted. My brain was in current or near-current product mode.

[soumodeler]

I really like my Duplex for 3 season use, but I switch back to a TarpTent Notch for winter use. I generally have good results with the Duplex in regards to condensation.

[Kaptainkriz]

If I had to do it again now, I'd definitely consider the TarpTent StratoSpire Li: https://www.tarptent.com/product/stratospire-li/
https://www.tarptent.com/product/scarp-2/

[Kaptainkriz]

If I had to do it again now, I'd definitely consider the TarpTent StratoSpire Li: https://www.tarptent.com/product/stratospire-li/
https://www.tarptent.com/product/scarp-2/

[DuneElliot]

I bought mine the minute ordering went live. Have it in possession but since my hiking poles kinda got destroyed by another backpacker while on a very brutal hike (with my permission of course) I am having to wait to be able to set it up and check it out.