Another Tent Question - Canoe Camping

[hkeller]

Our 20 year old Kelty Domolite 4, which has been a good tent and held up to wind, rain and sun, is finally heading south on me. The coating is delaminating from the fly (probably because my OCD behavior caused me to spray waterproofing on it several years ago - should have left well enough alone).

So we are looking for a larger 4 person, gear and a lab sized tent. Weight is not much of an issue, given that this will only be used canoeing. Durability is important. Also, it must be storm proof. The Kelty stuff is cheaper, but the materials used to seem a bit heavier than the more expensive tents, which worked well for me.

Recommendations from personal experience would be appreciated. I do want to stick with synthetic material.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ih88hi10]

Have you thought about hammock shelters for each person?
Yeah they can be expensive but storm and rain wise, I don't know that you can beat it with something that will fit in a canoe. And they reduce the gear you will need and are very comfortable. You might get one of those little flip open tents or soft kennel for the dog.

 

[greentruck]

North Face makes some decent tents without getting too exotic. The bigger ones tend to be the more robust. We've got a Trailhead 8, which I think was the biggest tent they sold at the time, since discontinued. It comes in at just below 30 pounds, so I'm sure you can find one lighter than that.

Pricing is reasonable, although I see they now have a $5000 tent. That one has got to be a lot more special than our Trailhead 8, but I don't have any Everest expeditions left in me. Didn't have any to start, either, though.

 

[B-RAD]

I have several tents from 2 man backpacking, 3 man Northface VE-25, and the family car-camping REI Base Camp 6. It sleeps 5 adults with gear comfortable, has a vestibule and a rain-fly the covers the entire tent. It's been great for me, and has held up well in some very heavy rain storms, complete with sleet and hail. It weighs 25 pounds which is the only thing to consider if you are doing any portaging while canoeing.

 

[tyama]

Hiya, I'd go for 4 season tent. The mt hardwear, msr, and north face looks pretty nice. Little bit more expensive, but at times you can find them on sale.

Best, ty

 

[hkeller]

Thanks for the input. Hammocks are great, but won't satisfy the need to have a dry place to play cards with the kids in an extended rain.

I'd take a look at the REI, but aren't they anti-4x4? I see some cool tents out there, but everyone seems to have drawbacks. I am leaning towards a Cabels Alaskan Guide tent with aluminum polls. It is a bit more weight and money than I like, but it seems to fit my needs. Anyone think otherwise?

 

[greentruck]

SNIP
I am leaning towards a Cabels Alaskan Guide tent with aluminum polls. It is a bit more weight and money than I like, but it seems to fit my needs. Anyone think otherwise?

Two things. How much extra weight and do you plan on any/many portages?

I thought it interesting another tent in this class was right at 30 pounds also. Probably one good load, depending, when portaging. You get much higher than that and it's a struggle for recreational canoeing, especially for long portages. With kids, 30 lbs is pretty heavy and will limit anything else being carried in some cases. But maybe your family is all rugged/old enough that's not a factor?

Then there's the case where you always unload from the vehicle, load the canoe/s, cast off and then unload right to the camp zone at the other end. Weight matters a lot less then, if that's the only planned use.

 

[hkeller]

Good questions. We don't portage. We soley river camp. Park one vehicle at the top and another at the bottom and float down. Trips range anywhere form overnight to 4 nights. We been stuck setting-up in the dark, so ease of set-up is important. We've had days where a storm has kept us inside all day. The Kelty domolite has a big footprint for a 4 person, relatively speaking, but on those days, even it was small. Combine this with the fact our kids are getting bigger, and I am now leaning towards a 6 man tent.

 

[patrickfinley]

I'm a big fan of the Marmot tents. We have the Marmot Limestone 4p. It's a larger 4p backpacking class of tent that is a good size and not overly bulky and heavy. It's also a decent price.
http://marmot.com/products/limestone_4p?p=118

North Face, Mountain Hardwear and REI also make good tents.

The only downside with a 6p tent is that if it can be hard to find a flat enough, rock free camp area. Those have a really big footprint if your remote canoe camping. Perhpas a 4p with a big vestibule would do the trick?

 

[hkeller]

That Marmot was on the top of my list until I read a review that it was really more the size of a three person tent. What do you think, can you fit four folks, a black lab and a little gear in there? I like the price with the included gear loft and door mat.

 

[Wallygator]

I have several tents from 2 man backpacking, 3 man Northface VE-25, and the family car-camping REI Base Camp 6. It sleeps 5 adults with gear comfortable, has a vestibule and a rain-fly the covers the entire tent. It's been great for me, and has held up well in some very heavy rain storms, complete with sleet and hail. It weighs 25 pounds which is the only thing to consider if you are doing any portaging while canoeing.

I will second the REI base camp 6 recommendation. Very storm proof. In fact I bought it because I read about a guy who was camping on the beach when a hurricane came in. He got scared, as we all would, and abandoned the tent for safer shelter. When he came back the tent was still there. No worse for wear. Good solid tent.

 

[SmoothLC]

^^ Ditto that.

We purchased our REI Base Camp 6 long before they went all anti-4x4, so understand why they may not be an option.

Anyway, had it up in the Uintas a few weeks ago, got dumped on and had a big wind storm. No problems.

. . .

 

[Sinister]

I have the Marmont Halo 6. Plenty of room, nice air circulation and great in crap weather with easy 1 man set up.

 

[patrickfinley]

That Marmot was on the top of my list until I read a review that it was really more the size of a three person tent. What do you think, can you fit four folks, a black lab and a little gear in there? I like the price with the included gear loft and door mat.

I come from a backcountry camping background where tents tend to be pretty small. For me the Limestone 4p was very spacious. I have 2 adults and 2 young children. I can fit 4 sleeping bags in a row inside the tent with room at the bottom for gear.

If I had a big dog and 4 adults it might be a bit tighter. Some gear might have to go in the Vestibule.