I’m planning to spend a month on the trail in September. Starting from Harpers Ferry headed south. . In everyone’s honest opion, what’s the best/lightest tent for $200 or less?
I’m planning to spend a month on the trail in September. Starting from Harpers Ferry headed south. . In everyone’s honest opion, what’s the best/lightest tent for $200 or less?
At $225, it's hard to beat the Six Moon Designs Trekker. At 28 oz it's about as light as your going to get without going to cuben fiber and doubling the price. I'm happy with mine and they have made improvements since I got mine.
I like the unobstructed side entry, the narrow footprint and enough headroom to sit up with enough elbow room to change a shirt without touching the sides of the tent. On a hot night you can vent both sides.
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A used Tarptent Protrail is a good suggestion. You may also find a used Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 on various sites for that price as well.
For September, I'd consider going with just a tarp (<$100, <1Lb) and a cheap ground cloth. Most likely no need for bug netting.
"It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how." ---Dr. Seuss
Watch for clearance sales this time of year.
A couple of places I've found great deals this time of year in the past include:
Sierra Trading Post
Campsaver.com
Backcountry.com
Campmor.com
I don't usually advise knockoffs but the Lanshan 2 has decent reviews.
It is the basic design of zpacks duplex but silnylon vs cuben fiber and $100 vs $600. I think it weighs about 2.5 lbs. You have to order from aliexpress / China and it may take a month to get it.
I'm normally a hammock camper but considering this as I really want to hit some balds this year.
Check some of the reviews on YouTube...
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REI has great deals in "REI Outlet" and "Used Gear" sections.
A low mileage used TarpTent Notch like the one that sold here at WhiteBlaze a week or two ago.
A Notch started and finished the CDT in 2018.
Wayne
Are single-wall Tarptents truly waterproof?
Sort of. During a very heavy rain, ie thunderstorm, there will be misting. Sil Nylon does bleed through under pressure and rain hitting the tent at 40 MPH is a lot of pressure. The main problem is keeping the foot of the sleeping bag from rubbing against the back of the tent wall. It gets all wet from pushing up on the wet wall. Of course, feet down hill is the preferred orientation, which compounds the slide to the back of the tent problem.
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combine a used large tarp with a lightweight synthetic bag and you got your low cost bingo :-)
Let me go
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You can also get it domestically. There are about 3-4 other tents it looks like. Which one you think it knocks off depends on your background. But it is light enough and fairly cheap.
https://www.trailspace.com/gear/3f-gear/lanshan-2/
often you will find it on Amazon and EBay as well as Aliexpress.