Outdoor Adventure USA

We are finally starting to get back into camping again. I was torn between tent camping and a tent trailer. We had a TT for several years and just loved it. We ended up selling it, bought a Class A motorhome to tow with. That was fine for a couple of years, but we ended up selling it. The last year and a half or so I have been with this group has regenerated my interests. I have decided to start tent camping again because of the mobility of camping on the trail.
Now, my questions are for basic tents. What I think I want, is a 10x10 dome tent that I can stand up in. From what I have been reading,they are relatively weatherproof and easy to set up. I was thinking of Coleman. Are the "department store" brands from Wal-Mart, Target, Big 5, etc. adequate, or is it better to spend more money from REI or other outlet for a way more expensive tent? I do not require a 4 season one.
My other concern is: sleeping mat or air mattress? I immediately thought of the newer air mattresses, but have been hearing from friends and reading about pads, such as a Therm-a-rest or the REI sleeping pad, might be a better choice. Any thoughts on these?
Thanks for any opinions and recommendations. I know I will have many more questions for you at BorregoFest.
Steve

StevesKJ wrote:.... My other concern is: sleeping mat or air mattress? I immediately thought of the newer air mattresses, but have been hearing from friends and reading about pads, such as a Therm-a-rest or the REI sleeping pad, might be a better choice. Any thoughts on these?
Thanks for any opinions and recommendations. I know I will have many more questions for you at BorregoFest.
Steve

Hey Steve -

We are in a somewhat similar situation. We've been using a truck camper for most of our camping for the last 7 or 8 years. We've got a lot of backpacking equipment, but that isn't always as comfortable as it could be for camping out of the FJ. So, we've been in the process of getting equipped with comfortable gear for "car camping" with the FJ.

For sleeping we've gone with the Therm-a-rest Dreamtime mattresses. If you're not familiar with the Therm-a-rest design, they consist of a foam mattress inside an airtight cover. You compress all the air out of the foam for storage. When you get to camp simply roll out the mattress and open the air valve(s). The foam expands and the mattress self inflates over a period of time. You can also add some more air if you like a firmer mattress. The Dreamtime is their thickest mattress and is designed for car camping. It's about 3" thick, and comes in 2 widths (25" and 30" IIRC). We've found them to be quite comfortable. A couple other features I like is the top side is covered with a soft felt-like material that is nice because you don't tend to slide off the mattress as often happens with a nylon cover. They also have straps that you can use to hook two mattresses together.

The only issue I have with them is they take up a lot of space even when compressed. I'm guessing they are 9 or 10" in diameter and 30" long, so make sure you will have room for them. They advise you to store these uncompressed with the air valves open, so they take up some room in storage. If you have some room under a bed or between the back of a couch and a wall that would be a good storage location.

Hope this helps.

Steve-

Dave and I both have this tent, I love it. Super ventilated, excellent quality. The rain fly has many great features for cooking, storage and ventilation. I like that is has a double entry/exit.

This is an awesome 4 season tent and REI stands behind its products.

When using the rain fly the setup is a bit of work but well worth the comfort and security.




REI Base Camp 6 Tent from REI.com

I got it on sale for $249.00 :rocker:
Best family tent I've ever owned hands down.

StevesKJ wrote:Are the "department store" brands from Wal-Mart, Target, Big 5, etc. adequate, or is it better to spend more money from REI or other outlet for a way more expensive tent? I do not require a 4 season one. My other concern is: sleeping mat or air mattress? I immediately thought of the newer air mattresses, but have been hearing from friends and reading about pads, such as a Therm-a-rest or the REI sleeping pad

I have two tents, one smaller Coleman I use when it's just one or two of us traveling. Then a larger one that I bought at Target.

My main reason for choosing these was ease of setup and tear down. I didn't want a tent that needed more than 2 "poles" to hold it up. I once bought a tent at REI and it took too long to set it up and I returned it. I can set either one up in camp in just a few minutes, tear down is just as easy.

I've found these inexpensive tents adequate for our needs. Yes, they are not made as well (I'll bring both of them just in case one has a problem, but this has never happened), they have survived rain and years of use. The larger one is almost 6' in the center and cost less than $60 at Target.

I like the sleeping pads, again because camp setup and tear down is faster and easier vs. an air mattress. My wife who has an old back injury prefers a 4" foam pad.

I have a big "condo" tent that I bought from Target a couple years back that I don't use anymore. You are welcome to borrow it and try it out. Either to learn what you do and don't like about it and what to look for when you buy a tent, or you can buy it from me for a great price if it suits your needs.

unwiredadventures wrote:

StevesKJ wrote:Are the "department store" brands from Wal-Mart, Target, Big 5, etc. adequate, or is it better to spend more money from REI or other outlet for a way more expensive tent? I do not require a 4 season one. My other concern is: sleeping mat or air mattress? I immediately thought of the newer air mattresses, but have been hearing from friends and reading about pads, such as a Therm-a-rest or the REI sleeping pad

I have two tents, one smaller Coleman I use when it's just one or two of us traveling. Then a larger one that I bought at Target.

My main reason for choosing these was ease of setup and tear down. I didn't want a tent that needed more than 2 "poles" to hold it up. I once bought a tent at REI and it took too long to set it up and I returned it. I can set either one up in camp in just a few minutes, tear down is just as easy.

I've found these inexpensive tents adequate for our needs. Yes, they are not made as well (I'll bring both of them just in case one has a problem, but this has never happened), they have survived rain and years of use. The larger one is almost 6' in the center and cost less than $60 at Target.

I like the sleeping pads, again because camp setup and tear down is faster and easier vs. an air mattress. My wife who has an old back injury prefers a 4" foam pad.

I have over the years bought less expensive tents and found you get what you pay for. Several years of use or one good blow and a seam tears out or a zipper goes and then it's off to the trash they go and possibly ruining your trip. Spending a little more for a quality tent that takes a few more minutes to set up can not only save you money in the long run, but keep you very comfortable under adverse conditions. The one thing I have found that I can't always predict is the weather. My REI tent has withstood 40 mph winds in Mojave, kept me toasty in 20 degree cold at 10,000 feet at the National Park Martir and dry as can be in a windy and cold downpour in Anza Borrego. The large vestibule allows you to store gear outside the tent and keep it dry and you can stand up it which is great for changing clothes.

What ever tent you choose, do yourself a favor and buy a tarp to protect the bottom and also purchase a set of better quality replacement stakes. The stakes that come with the cheap tents are total junk. I also carry a couple of the cotton Mexican blankets. They work great as pillows or as extra ground padding. Good luck shopping Steve. I look forward to seeing you and your wife at BorregoFest.

I was also going to mention the REI tent that Scott posted above - it's a great tent and very comfortable for 2. However, it doesn't meet your stated requirement of being tall enough to stand in. That said, tents that are that tall tend to catch a lot of wind, so there is a tradeoff there. If you go with a tent like that you're going to need to make sure it's well staked and weighted.

I generally agree with Scott that money spent buying quality items is money well spent. You do need to balance that against your expected usage though. If it's going to be used only 1 or 2 times a year, you may be able to give up a bit of quality.

As an engineer I have a gear affliction. I can't make the simplest purchasing decision without an N-dimensional trade study that often seems to lead to the conclusion that only the most sophisticated design will actually meet all the contingencies.

gon2srf wrote:My REI tent has withstood 40 mph winds in Mojave, kept me toasty in 20 degree cold at 10,000 feet at the National Park Martir and dry as can be in a windy and cold downpour in Anza Borrego.

...also purchase a set of better quality replacement stakes. The stakes that come with the cheap tents are total junk. I also carry a couple of the cotton Mexican blankets.

So far both of my cheap tents have survived high winds without damage in Mojave (even when I saw other tents blowing away) and has kept us dry in torrential downpours in Mojave and Big Sur. The key is correct setup, tent placement and replacing the cheap stakes with real good ones. They've been comfy in mid-winter winds at sub-freezing temperatures at higher elevations at Death Valley.

I keep a few wool army blankets on hand for those cold nights just in case.

I know I have cheap tents, I'm not knocking the better quality equipment. I've just been dissatisfied with the more expensive brands setup and tear down times.

Thanks for all of the good input. I am on the fence for a tent. My logic says to buy a good one that will last without any problems. But my wallet says to spend a little less now, evaluate my needs and desires, and upgrade in a couple of years. I plan on taking at least six trips of more than three nights during the year, several more weekend outings. I am looking forward to seeing everyone's setups at BorreogFest.
Steve

StevesKJ wrote:Thanks for all of the good input. I am on the fence for a tent. My logic says to buy a good one that will last without any problems. But my wallet says to spend a little less now, evaluate my needs and desires, and upgrade in a couple of years. I plan on taking at least six trips of more than three nights during the year, several more weekend outings. I am looking forward to seeing everyone's setups at BorreogFest.
Steve

Steve-

One item I forgot to mention is a catalytic heater. They cost about $45.00 and can make life very cozy for you and your wife. When I have my wife with me I just turn it on a few minutes befure were ready to go to sleep and she get's to enter a 70' environment even if its 20' outside. Oh yeah, I like it too.