I am giving serious consideration to purchasing a 2-man tent for my personal tent on future trips. I am looking for a lightweight, easy to set-up, tear down tent with enough headroom to be able to sit up enough to change clothes. Any suggestions are appreciated. I also want to spend less than $175 if possible. Thanks!

I've used a Kelty Vortex 2 for 3 Quetico trips and have been very pleased.  I think Kelty made some cosmetic changes and now calls it the Gunnison 2.1.

Priced at $189 at REI.  Good for solo use (I wouldn't use it for two people).

What I like:

Two doors and two vestibules.
Two poles (very easy set-up).
Never a leak in ~30 days of use.
Big enough to sit-up, spread out and be comfy.
Price.

What I don't like:

Minor condensation issues.  
Fly needs guy-outs for tautness and stability.
Kind of gloomy color.  It always feels cloudy inside.
Stability?  It's never failed me, but two pole structure feels less sturdy than some of the mountaineering-type tents.

Hope this helps.

Welcome back.

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Close to your range, gear loft and footprint included (coupon code '10TOUR' )

I've had a Mountain Hardware Hammerhead 3 for I believe eight years now, and I could not be happier with it.  Simple setup, lightweight, and just a beautiful tent to sleep in.  It's been on BWCA/Quetico trips at least once a year since I've had it, and it's still doing exactly what it should be.  I prefer the 3 person tent to sleep me and just one other person, as things are just a bit more comfortable with some extra room.  There is certainly plenty of head room as well.

It's a bit pricier than what you've mentioned (looks like around $300 now), but this website has it for only $236, which is not terribly far away from what you're thinking about:

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I got this tent,   (You need to Login or Register, real cheap in return for reviewing it.  On the plus side, it is light, well ventilated (for warm weather use), has two doors and vestibules, and is inexpensive. At the trading post, $99 is quite a deal.

Two negatives.  

There was a slight dripping coming through the door zipper in a rain storm.  I ended up hanging my rain gear on the outside of the screen door so the occasional drip was prevented from entering the tent.

There is one corner where the screening material pulled away from the seam making a whole the size of a pinkie nail. It is at a point of stress but seems limited to that point, it has not gotten worse from when it initially happened.  A small piece of duck tape now covers the spot.

Despite these minor problems, I really like this tent.

Mine is the Hammerhead 3 also.  What I really like is being able to reef back the fly on non-rainy nights and have nothing but mesh between me and the stars overhead.  If it starts to rain, it's quick and easy to reset the fly to fully cover the tent.  It's been bomb-proof in wind and rain and it has plenty of room to sit up.  2 vestibules when covered by the fly are perfect to keep boots and pack dry but outside of the tent.

It's over your price range but makes a really nice Christmas gift suggestion...even if you only get gift certificates to a store which carries it to help bring the cost down below your price ceiling.  ;)

I might suggest the REI Half Dome 2 for your price range if you're after free-standing.  I personally logged over 150 nights in the BW & Quet. in an LL Bean Microlight.  Light and simple, and packs down to the size of a football, except for the poles.  It's not free-standing, so you'll have to be a little more selective of where you pitch and use some short cordage to tie to root, trees or rocks, but it's footprint allows more options, especially in the Quet.

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173.93  ... STP sounds like much better deal.

I'd opt for either the Marmot LimeLite or the REI Half Dome 2.  

I've been using the Half-Dome 2 plus (an older verson than is sold now) for 6 years of canoe tripping (minimum of 14 nights out, maximum more like 30 per year).  Excellent tent.  Light weight, 2 doors/vestibules, overhead loft, free standing, small window.  I just happened on this tent at REI once ... on the clearance rack for $50 ... best $50 purchase of my life!  The ground cloth for the model was maybe $15.  This model is a tub-design, meaning no seam next to the ground.

On my last outing, I used my new Marmot Twilight 2P which I picked up from Sierra Trading Post for $130 (without ground cloth).  It has similar construction to the LimeLight, but used a more complicated one pole system with 2-Ys toward top and bottom and a cross pole in the middle ... all connected to 3 hubs.  This served me well on my 10 day WCPP solo and kept me dry despite some significant rain events.  This model is not a tub design and does have a seam close to the ground.  I did seam-seal the tent before my trip (I always do), and paid particular attention to the ground-level seam.  It passed with flying colors, but I don't think I ever placed the tent where the water had a chance to pool.  I did use a Marmot ground cloth with this tent, but I had to adapt one from another model because the tent seems to be a discontinued model.

While I do like the Marmot, one feature of the Half-Dome that might make me return to it is the zipper location for the vestibules.  The REI tent is slightly better in not allowing water to drip into the tent while you enter/exit if the fly is wet or its raining.


dd

Many years of good luck with Sierra Designs and Big Agnes, no frills designs and solid construction...Went to MSR last fall in a solo tent and broke the pole out of the gate-that was a first. Vestibules are a must in my book, double doors too are nice ...but my focus is on weight and the second door usually looses. I will buy more from either of these two companies-esp. the Big Agnes Seedhouse II. The zip on the vestibule is a stretcher though.

Big Agnes Seedhouse 2 , easy to set up, and DRY!

I am also a fan of Big Agnes' Seedhouse 2. Dry, quick and easy to set up, stable in rough weather and no condensation issues in cold weather. Packs small and is quite light. Great for a solo, can't imagine it as a tandem.

I am also a fan of Big Agnes products, but do not have one of their tents.  I currently use a Eureka Lite'n Up model two man tent.  It is snug for two large people, very roomy for one.  I am looking at buying a Eureka Apex 2XT which is the same "model" with two D doors and vestibule plus separate rain fly.  There are a lot of them out there, especially on E-Bay.  It is bright yellow and black, which some might think is too garish for the woods.

I would go for a GoLite Shanghai-La-3 or a 2.  Both tents are very easy to set up, very light weight and very good in windy conditions.  The price is higher than you want to spend, but after spending the money, quality is still there.  I have used both tents for Kayaking and hiking.  I know people have spend x amount on tents, and like them.  When you use a better tent, you will never sacrifice for less. Better is BEST.

Tom C

Hey Old Salt what's cookin?

I'm a MSR fan myself. Backpacker magazine rated the Hubba-hubba with high marks so what the heck I sprang for a 2 man version.   (You need to Login or Register
Yea, I know it's over budget. A breeze to set up I really enjoyed the extra room on my most recent trip. Hopefully it holds up like my MSR solo "Zoid" (still going strong but I'm getting really suspicious....something got to go wrong sooner or later.....right?)

Hey MT.  I think you're really going to enjoy that tent.  I have the Mutha Hubba, a 3 person tent that is perfect for 2, and its been an absolutely fantastic 3 season tent.  In wind and rain it has done exactly what its supposed to do - stay pitched and keep me dry.  The set up is idiot proof and the overall design and quality are outstanding.  Enjoy.

I think I said I have the Hammerhead3, but I actually have the Hammerhead2.  Love it!

I'm now giving consideration to a Mountain Hardware Drifter 2 tent to use as a solo. Anyone used one of these? Pros? Cons?

It is similar to the Hammerhead, but has more headroom (something that matters to me), and is a little smaller and lighter, as well as about $100. cheaper. Thanks!

Old Salt wrote on Nov 15^th, 2010 at 3:36pm:

I'm now giving consideration to a Mountain Hardware Drifter 2 tent to use as a solo. Anyone used one of these? Pros? Cons? It is similar to the Hammerhead, but has more headroom (something that matters to me), and is a little smaller and lighter, as well as about $100. cheaper. Thanks!

This looks like a replication of the original REI Half-Dome 2 Plus (not the current one), with is/was an EXCELLENT tent.  I wish they still made it.  It is extremely simple and quick to set up.  My only reservation about the arrangement is the tent's rain fly.  It does not appear to have any air vents.  This could produce more than anticipated condensation inside the tent.  The original REI tent has fore/aft vents which is one of the reasons I like it, but it also produces a place where leaks can develop.

Like this model, the original REI also had 2 doors/vestibules ... you'll love that feature and it does give you additional flexibility when setting up in tight spaces.  Lots of room for getting your gear under cover.  I typically load up one vestibule with gear that gets little use on the campsite (e.g, the bags that the tent comes in, my gear pack, etc.) and the other side is used more for egress purposes ... which is here boots get placed overnight.

I do have other Mountain Hardware equipment.  I've always found their construction to be excellent.

Good luck with your purchase ... I've been using a 2-man tent for my individual use for AT LEAST the last 5 paddling seasons.  I LOVE IT.

dd

My thinking is that except when there is a driving rain, I will keep the fly at least partially open. Thanks for the feedback!

Old Salt wrote on Nov 15^th, 2010 at 8:19pm:

My thinking is that except when there is a driving rain, I will keep the fly at least partially open.

Does this tent have bi-directional zippers on the fly?  My current model does.  It does add more ventilation options.

dd

OS DD has a very valid point about options.

According to a review I found on the REI site, it does have bi-directional zippers on both sides of the fly. That reviewer used it in tropical and rainforest conditions, rarely encountered in Q.

I am very aware of the need for adequate ventilation.

;D

Hi:  Afetr I retired my Eureka 4P I purchased a Marmot Limelight 3P, that's for two campers.  It is easy to set up and comfortable for two.
Recently I purchased an Alpenlite 2XT from Campmor.  It's a four season tent which I am going to use for solo trips.  I've set it up in the kitchen :), and it looks good.  It has excellent reviews on Trailspace.  I have my fingers crossed!

Big Agness seed house 2 is a great tent. See my post on Hennessey Hammocks. I'll never sleep on the ground again. ;)