What makes these brands of camping gear worth the price?

Q. I've been to REI and other sporting good stores in search for camping gear in particularly tents. I see brands like Kelty, North Face, and Eureka and have seen their tents and to be honest, I don't see the reason for such a high price for these tents. Some are as much as $500 and I just don't get it. Some say it's the quality but I've been camping for over 20 years and my Coleman tent has held up in pretty harsh weather including heavy rain stroms and even snow and my coleman cost me about $100. I even have a Ozark Trail tent that has held up and never leaked. So what's the rationalation for such high prices? I don't get it. I have friends who say the quality is better yet they always seem to buying new tents every year and I've had my Coleman and Ozark for almost 8 years now and I camp about four to five times a year so they get used. s the quality that much better?

Answer
Agreed that the weight factor is a primary point. Any Coleman will weight more than any REI tent, in tent for tent comparison. Quality is also an Important issue, yes I can find a $40 dollar tent that weighs almost the same as a $400 tent but zippers fail, material fails, seams leak and who are you gonna call and complain to. REI stands by what they sell as does Coleman and they have a proven record in review products. Also look at what are professional guides using, here they want happy campers to return and use their services. If they were to put them in a tent that leaks, rips and falls down in a squall, that camper won't be back so again. You really do pay for what you get. If your buddies are buying new gear every year they are probably very hard on their gear and don't take good care of it. I have Coleman products and REI products that I have had for well over 10 years and all have served me well only because I take good care of them.

I agree with you that in some common tent designs like a simple dome or family cabin tent prices are ridiculously high for a name brand. Then you should consider dollar for dollar on it's guarantees and performance. In a family sized cabin tent used in car camping a Coleman tent will out perform anything out there at around $200 for their best tent. In a REI family tent double or even triple the price and you get less tent as well.

WaterPROOF tent for camping on ocean beach?

Bonghuffer

Does coleman or any more respected tent makers offer an already waterproofed tent to withstand multi-hour downpours?

I'm sure that Coleman is like the Huffy/Murray of camping gear, so any camping pros out there please let me know whom for to be looking.
Already got reservations, thanks. Had a great old tent heirloomed, lent it to a friend who lent it to a friend... Now we realize that we need a new one and dropping a half thousand on one that we plan on using twice a year is tough right now. The coleman that she got has a way-too-small fly and seems as waterproof as my tee shirts. She's returning it as soon as it dries out. How are Eureka brand tents? Worth buying, seam-sealing and fly-sealing?

Answer
There is no tent that is completely "waterproof". Coleman is a leader in family camping tent gear and their products are treated and seams factory sealed for weather protection so they have a "weather protection guarantee" but that is vague at best. Any tent for it to have good resistance to the weather must be set up correctly and all seams sealed and the material rated or coated with water resistance material. I find that higher end tents have better designs for weather protection and dome style tents the best overall design. Again Coleman meets that need. Here is an article to help you choose a quality tent,
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/family-base-camping-tent.html

Now you stated you are interested in beach camping. First if you don't have reservations now forget it all beach camping in the state of california is by reservation only 6 months in advance. Next beaches are naturally humid and tents are always damp inside and out in any weather situation specially at night . To help with that you need a tent with very good ventilation. Again Coleman tents meet that need.

@Eureka is no different than Coleman except for tent designs they use the same comparable materials and methods of construction or weather proofing, it's comparing apples to oranges

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Large Family Tent Under $180.00?

Erik

I need a big family cabin tent that cost under $180.00. It needs to sleep at least 6 people.

Answer
The best time to buy is now. The season is coming to an end for dealers selling camping tents, so big discounts are occurring at the walmarts, targets, etc.. You can also bet that the sporting goods stores like sports authority, REI, Big 5 are doing the same. $180. should get you a very nice even high end quality tent right now

good luck!

Need a New Motorcycle Camping Tent?

Jack

This Summer I am taking a seven or eight day trip up the coast of California and then across the state into The Sierras to meet up with family to fish the lakes and streams. I currently have a 5x7 Alps Taurus 2 which is fine for a night or two, but not for a week. Iâm 6â2â and 250 lbs and with my bedroll there is not enough room to bring in all my MC gear out of the elements.

So, Iâm thinking maybe an 8x8 4-man tent with at least a 5â center height. I donât need to be able to stand straight up to change clothes, but I donât want to have to bend at the waist, either.

The packed diameter is not that much of an issue, nor is the weight. But, the main compartment of my duffel is 24â long and I need my tent to fit in that.

I have a small Coleman Cat Heater that I would use to take the chill off when up in the mountains. Weâve tried that heater in our trailer and in a 10x10 tent. Useless. But it does work well in my 5x7. Maybe it will work in a 4-man, too.

A vestibule would be good, but not necessary. One or two doors; doesnât matter. Aluminum poles are preferable.

Iâd like to stay under $200; $150 or lower would be better. But, Iâll spend more for the perfect tent if needed.

I think I like both the Kelty Trail Ridge 4 and the Big Agnes Jupiterâs Cabin 4. The Kelty is $50 cheaper but the Big Agnes packs a little smaller.

Any recommendations? Or comments on the two mentioned above?

Answer
I have a four-person 9x8 Pacific Crest Rock Creek dome tent that I used on my solo motor camping trip to the Arctic Circle in AK two years ago, and that I will be taking on my planned ride to Panama this spring. I really like it. It works great, and to me is the best combo of price, quality, size, weight, packability, and ease of one-person deployment (I have no trouble putting it up or taking it down alone). It's also very light and compact for its size, measuring right at 24" when in its carry bag.

I use a twin air mattress when I travel by bike (a comfy, good night's sleep is critical), and it has plenty of room inside for that and all of my gear with room left over for changing clothes or whatever. The height at the peak at 52" is a little less than five feet, but I'm 6-2 and it works fine for me.

My previous tent was a three-person dome, but one of the main ridge poles broke while putting it up one evening and I had to replace the whole tent in a small town on the road. I couldn't find another three-person tent since there was only one sporting goods store in that town, and it was kind of a small family-run place with a very limited selection (not complaining - there could have been no selection at all). I was a little worried about bumping up to a four person tent as I thought it might be a little too big and bulky for MC camping, and my three-person had worked so well (other than a balky main zipper).

In reality, I like the four person tent even more than my three, so the broken ridge pole was a blessing in disguise. Aside from being a bit roomier without being TOO big, the Pacific Crest is also higher quality than my last tent, which probably explains the broken ridge pole and balky zipper on the old one.

Best of all? The Pacific Crest Rock Creek is less than $60 from several sources online. I paid $69 for mine at the small town store two years ago, which I still consider a good deal for what I got, especially in a pinch.

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What kind of tent should I buy?

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Jade Orchi

We bought a pretty expensive tent at Walmart last year and it leaked when it rained (horribly), was hotter than all get out, and blew flat to the ground in a stiff wind. We are going to buy a new one this year and trash the other. Which tent should I buy or what features should I look for to combat rain, heat, and wind.

Thanks.

Answer
No, you did not buy an "expensive" tent at Walmart. Walmart does not sell any expensive, high-quality, lightweight tents. Walmart does sell cheap tents that can be effective for casual use IF you buy a strong seam sealer, like a silicone rubbery adhesive, and spread it across every seam and joint between different fabrics. Furthermore, the reason that your tent "blew flat" or contortioned is because you purchased a tent with cheap fiberglass poles that flex in the wind rather than break. Your existing tent is fine for car-camping in fairly pleasant weather. I even use one for certain car-camping outings when I want a little higher ceiling and am not concerned about weight. For backpacking, I have two $300 tents, a one-person and a two-person backpacking tent, weight respectively two pounds and four pounds, hub-design, low-profile, aluminum poles.

If you want a higher performance tent, then you will need to spend, depending on capacity and style, $300 to $1,000. Do not go cheap on a tent, since failure will end your vacation or force you to spend a lot more money on motels. Features that you need to consider ~ Rain protection: full-rain fly. Heat: adequate ventilation design. Wind: high-grade aluminum poles and a low-profile dome rather than a high-ceiling cabin tent or a very expensive four-season tent. You did not specify sleeping capacity. However, "we" implies a family, so I will offer links to several tents that may meet your criteria. Purchase a tent at least one-person larger than the specifications imply, unless you want a very tight fit. If heat and bugs are a significant problem, then consider also purchasing a screen room.

As best as I can figure from your description of necessary criteria, look at the Big Agnes Flying Diamond 6 Tent, $540, 19 pounds, 5' 6" ceiling height or Big Agnes King Creek 6 Tent, $470, 16.5 pounds, 6' ceiling height. If you want smaller and cheaper, Big Agnes Coulton Creek 4 Tent, $300, 9 pounds, 5' ceiling height. I own a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL-1 that holds up well in high-altitude tundra backpacking, $300, 2 pounds, 3' 2" ceiling height.

I am looking for a good quality Back Country Hiking tent.?

Rob

I am looking for a 2-3 person tent that is quality but not to expensive ($100-$150). I found a kelty for 230$, seemed high in price. Would appreciate an suggestions.

Answer
http://www.trailspace.com/gear/kelty/teton-2/
http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Kelty-Teton-2-Tent-2-Person-3-Season/KEL0384M.html?avad=397_fa3a083
Kelty Teton 2
2-Person 3-Season
$149.95
*I own this simple, easy-to-pitch, two-pole design tent that offers super ventilation and quick setup.

http://www.trailspace.com/gear/kelty/yellowstone-4/
http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Kelty-Yellowstone-4-Tent-4-Person-3-Season/KEL0299M.html?avad=397_fa3a0eb
Kelty Yellowstone 4 Tent 4-Person 3-Season
$144.95
This tent sleeps four, offers a quick, easy setup and is an economical choice for the camping couple or family.

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What should I look for in a tent suitable for ukcamping?

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Kate M

Answer
Hi, I do a lot of walking cycling and wild camping all over the UK.
Waterproofing and stability in wind are important. There are a lot of choices from small one-person lightweight tents to heavy canvas bungalows for family use on camp sites.
For British tents Vango is the top dog. They also make excellent sleeping bags and some of the best rucksacks available anywhere.
The top range Vango Force Ten tents and Vango rucksacks are used on Everest and other high mountains.
Karrimor is also an excellent choice for rucksacks, as are Berghaus ( a British company, not German as it sounds) and Lowe Alpine.
Vango is an anagram of Govan in Scotland where the company is based though not all the tents are made there. Some are made in China (what isn't these days) but the quality control is very good and they have the same standards applied to them as British made tents.
Vango has a reputation to keep as a world leader in tentage. It's a good company that gets involved in outdoor events, not just selling stuff and it works closely with the DofE board and outdoor sports groups.
For a brief history of Vango products see under the tents
http://www.greatoutdoorsdirect.co.uk/c-43-vango.aspx
My Vango mountain tent is a tunnel design so it's easy to cover with an extra plastic sheet when wanted. It's light enough, very strong, and has never let water in on the HIghlands in wet Welsh Wales, in wild places on the Alps and Andes and on the wet island I live on (IOM) even without an extra cover.
An advantage of an extra cover is having a large one enough to provide dry space at the side of the tent for rations, a bike etc.
It can be a cheap groundsheet from B&Q or Wickes or similar or just a large sheet of polythene from a builders merchant.
Plastic or brass eyelets can be bought cheaply from camping shops like Millets and take a few seconds each to fix so you can peg the sheet down, with guylines if wanted.
Stay away from dome tents if you want to use an extra cover.They are very awkward to cover because of the shape.
I also use two Coleman tents which are always good and have never once let me down even in horizontal rain in the Cuillin and the rest of beautiful Britain and in the Alps and Andes.
Here is a long answer for UK camping, old but as true now as then
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090925142055AAXaMmR . . . .

looking to go camping june 2013 in tennessee?

kgln81

looking at the smoky mountains/ Gatlinburg area. tent camping, but with electric hook ups and bath houses with showers.. in the mountains, near water. anyone familiar with camping in this area with a nice campground to recommend would be a great help!! thank you :)

Answer
Cades Cove combines the feel of primitive camping with the modern convenience of flush toilets, drinking water and electric hook-ups. A camp store provides visitors with basic necessities as well as bike rentals.

The Great Smoky Mountains are a hikers paradise and visitors to Cades Cove Campground love the 5-mile roundtrip hike to Abram Falls. From Cades Cove Loop Road, follow the signage at the turnoff for directions to the trailhead.

Although Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, the large volume of water rushing over falls more than makes up for its lack of height. The long, deep pool at its base is very picturesque. The trail to the falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek. The waterfall and creek are named for Cherokee Chief Abram or Abraham whose village once stood several miles downstream.

A nearby horse stable provides one-hour horseback rides as well as hay rides and carriage rides from March through October, offering recreational activities for the entire family.

Campers can also enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.

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