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!

Welcome back.

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

I got this tent, (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links), 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.

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.

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

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

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.

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 to view media files and links)
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?)

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

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

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

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

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

dd

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.

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!