Durston tent alternative?

[mlbmichigan+]

I had my heart set on a Dan Durston X mid 2 person tent. love the free fly, weight, etc. Unfortunately they are sold out for quite a while and I am going to IR in August. I am not a frequent backpacker and I go solo most of the time but the DD 1 person tent just seems too small.
1. anyone have the 1 p and if so what do you think?
2. any other suggestions for a similar tent in the $300 or lower range? I can't justify spending more given the number of trips I take.
3. One of the IR outfitters told me to get a river country 2 person tent because they are under $100 including the tracking poles and are fine for the occasional summer trip.. Does anyone have experience with that?

[Ingo]

Have you looked at the Tarptents? The Stratospire 2 looks rather similar and there's a couple other options also. I've been very happy with mine (although the particular model is not currently made).
For a decent budget tent I like the Kelty Grand Mesa 2. Heavier at 4 lbs, but will keep you dry and not break the bank.

[kolo]

I have a 2 person Go Lite tent that I bought a few years ago, mainly for backpacking the Minong. The tent and everything included weighs 3 pounds. It has a rain fly and foot print. It is supposedly a 2 person tent but would be tight with two people. It worked very well for me and my gear, as I am solo, but I am six feet, five inches tall! It is still like new because I only used it that one time on the Minong.

I am unable to backpack anymore so the tent is collecting dust. I might be able to let it go if you are interested. I can't remember how much I paid for it exactly, but it cost me something like $250-$300.

A review for it can be found here:

https://www.backpacker.com/gear-item/go ... -ul2-tent/

I agree with Ingo about the Kelty tents. I have three Kelty tents and like them all. I mainly canoe now, so weight is not as much of an issue. Kelty does a great job in backing their products.

[hooky]

Do you already have tarps? If so, this might be an alternative work checking out.

https://www.pariaoutdoorproducts.com/pr ... -mesh-tent

I mainly hammock camp, but bought one of these on a whim. My son borrowed it for a trip we did in October. He loved it so much, I got him one for Christmas this year. I wish I had some pictures of it set up to show you, but in warm weather a regular square or hex cut tarp is all you need. In cool/colder weather a winter tarp with doors would work great. I use trekking poles now and those work great for pitching it.

[bloodbuzz]

i've been looking at simlar stuff. check out gossamer gear the two

[Base654]

I just looked on amazon and it appears that they are shipping for April delivery.

[bloodbuzz]

^

The current listings are resellers. His website says there won't be another batch until fall unfortunately

[mlbmichigan+]

thanks all, based on your feedback I bought the 1p kelty late start and the paria 1p bryce. same price, size and weight basically. kelty is denier, has a seam in the middle of the bathtub, no footprint, no vent in the fly but has a bigger vestibule, side door. Paria is sil nylon, seamless bathtub and comes with a footprint and fly vent. door at the end, small vestibule. Decisions, decisions!

[hooky]

thanks all, based on your feedback I bought the 1p kelty late start and the paria 1p bryce. same price, size and weight basically. kelty is denier, has a seam in the middle of the bathtub, no footprint, no vent in the fly but has a bigger vestibule, side door. Paria is sil nylon, seamless bathtub and comes with a footprint and fly vent. door at the end, small vestibule. Decisions, decisions!

I'll be curious to hear about the Bryce. The Breeze is well made, so I assume the Bryce is too. Paria was a pleasure to deal with also.

[mlbmichigan+]

The fly connector webbing on the kelty seems like it would stretch when wet, paria feels like it wouldn't. I think I need to flip a coin.