Camping gear necessities

[bassin_rob]

Starting to gather up the necessary gear for some backcountry hunting and camping. Looking for some recommendations on a tent. I love to live by the moto, buy once cry once. With that being said the most expensive isn’t always the best either. Ideally I would like to buy my tent from REI. With the yearly dividend getting paid back in a few weeks coupled with a 20% off coupon I should be able to get a great tent for not a lot out of pocket. Looking for a 2 person, lightweight tent, not sure between a 3 or 4 season, and a lifetime warranty is a big plus. The KUIU seems to fit the entire bill other than can’t buy it at REI. Any tents anyone can recommend and should I go 3 or 4 season. 99 times out of 100 I’m not gonna be camping in crazy weather, but like I said buy once cry once so I feel like spending the extra for the 4 season may be smarter in the long run.
Also other than the obvious things, what are some things that are a must have in your opinions for both backcountry hunting and camping.

 

[Bowman]

I not an expert in these matters
But going from 3 season to 4 season price really jumps up.
But I understand the logic of being prepared . How much is safety worth.
I would spend the money on a very good safety beacon and gps.
Even maybe a good sat radio.
Then a 3 season tent with an extra light tarp to cover it if necessary.
I done that to keep snow and rain out. Sprayed water repellent.

 

[bassin_rob]

I not an expert in these matters
But going from 3 season to 4 season price really jumps up.
But I understand the logic of being prepared . How much is safety worth.
I would spend the money on a very good safety beacon and gps.
Even maybe a good sat radio.
Then a 3 season tent with an extra light tarp to cover it if necessary.
I done that to keep snow and rain out. Sprayed water repellent.

Ya With the 2 KUIU tents that I like a lot it goes from 450 for the 3 season to 600 for the 4 season. And good advice on the sat radio. Not something I thought of. Grew up glamping. And have only really day hunted for the most part besides one experience down in D12.

 

[Mud Pigeon]

I would suggest making some notes for questions you have and calling Kuiu customer service. You'll likely talk to someone that knows the ins and outs of each of their tents as well as having real world experience in hunting situations. Even if you never buy their product it should help the decision process.

 

[bassin_rob]

I would suggest making some notes for questions you have and calling Kuiu customer service. You'll likely talk to someone that knows the ins and outs of each of their tents as well as having real world experience in hunting situations. Even if you never buy their product it should help the decision process.

I’ve done a decent amount of research on them and know they would fit the bill. Watched their videos on them and everything. Mostly looking for a recommendation I could buy from REI that people have used and could suggest.

 

[Lungpopper]

Nemo, Big Agnes, MSR. Can’t go wrong with those brands.
Personally I bought the Nemo Hornet 2p. It’s really a 1 1/2p but works great for 1 person and gear. I like that it has two doors and vestibules, kinda cool for extra storage. Weighs 2 pounds

 

[CoryMClifton]

I am in the same boat. I’m going with the Kuiu tent I like their customer service better and would rather give them the business than REI even if they are a little more.

 

[bassin_rob]

Nemo, Big Agnes, MSR. Can’t go wrong with those brands.
Personally I bought the Nemo Hornet 2p. It’s really a 1 1/2p but works great for 1 person and gear. I like that it has two doors and vestibules, kinda cool for extra storage. Weighs 2 pounds View attachment 38482

Thanks Darryl. Figured you would have some good info for me. They carry Nemo at REI as well. Is that a 3 or 4 season? Also warranty? I was recommended MSR but not much of a warranty. If I’m dropping 5-600 hundred on a tent I want a warranty haha.

 

[bassin_rob]

I am in the same boat. I’m going with the Kuiu tent I like their customer service better and would rather give them the business than REI even if they are a little more.

If you are in the process of picking everything up I got a sweet deal on what seem to be quality sleeping bags. Mountain Hardwear has 50% off their bags and they have killer reviews and a good warranty.

 

[Lungpopper]

Yes REI carries all 3. The Nemo was just under $400. I don’t pay much attention to warranties.

 

[bassin_rob]

Yes REI carries all 3. The Nemo was just under $400. I don’t pay much attention to warranties.

Awesome will look into it now. At that price I’m going to assume 3 season. Seems like the 4 season are $600+. Have you used it in rough conditions?

 

[ilovesprig]

Good grief!!!....$600.00 for a 2 man tent?.....$24.95 from Wal-Mart.....San Carlos, colder than hell, bears, and can't weigh more than a few lbs.....

You boys are all Richie Rich...….

.

 

[bassin_rob]

Good grief!!!....$600.00 for a 2 man tent?.....$24.95 from Wal-Mart.....San Carlos colder than hell, bears, and can't weigh more than a few lbs.....

You boys are all Richie Rich...….lol

.View attachment 38484

You got a point haha. Just lookin for something that’s gonna stand up to rough weather, snow, winds, etc. if I was just planning on local hunting I couldn’t agree more. But im hoping to be out of this state ASAP and Winters in Idaho are gonna be a tad bit rougher haha

 

[Kellendv]

You do not need a 4 season tent. They need to come up with a better classification system or just designate them as mountaineering tents.

4 season tents are generally “single wall” construction meaning that the tent body is made up of one layer of water proof “breathable” fabric and, in general the tent poles go inside the body of the tent. These tents are really designed for high mountain use in the greater ranges of the world like Alaska, the Andes and the Himalaya. They are built to withstand wind speeds and snow loading that you are really never going to experience in any hunting situation or really any situation in the lower 48. Even if you go hunt in Canada or Alaska it won’t be in the conditions you would need a 4 season tent for. They don’t breathe well in moderate conditions, you will be miserably hot in it, and the condensation from just breathing in it all night will make it rain inside your tent.

As LP said, Nemo, Big Agnes, MSR, Black Diamond, and many others are all making good 3 season tents that you can even use in most winter conditions you will encounter. I would guess most of those brands are represented at REI.

 

[ilovesprig]

Robbie,

Just kidding....I'm sure there's a big difference....Everybody knows I'm just a Wally World guy.....lol

 

[bassin_rob]

You do not need a 4 season tent. They need to come up with a better classification system or just designate them as mountaineering tents.

4 season tents are generally “single wall” construction meaning that the tent body is made up of one layer of water proof “breathable” fabric and, in general the tent poles go inside the body of the tent. These tents are really designed for high mountain use in the greater ranges of the world like Alaska, the Andes and the Himalaya. They are built to withstand wind speeds and snow loading that you are really never going to experience in any hunting situation or really any situation in the lower 48. Even if you go hunt in Canada or Alaska it won’t be in the conditions you would need a 4 season tent for. They don’t breathe well in moderate conditions, you will be miserably hot in it, and the condensation from just breathing in it all night will make it rain inside your tent.

As LP said, Nemo, Big Agnes, MSR, Black Diamond, and many others are all making good 3 season tents that you can even use in most winter conditions you will encounter. I would guess most of those brands are represented at REI.

Thank you! First break down I’ve gottwn between the 3 and 4 season tents. Definitely makes sense! Will look for a 3 season then! I checked and NEMO have a lifetime warranty. Haven’t looked st the black diamonds yet. Will check those out next. Thanks for the help.

 

[Kellendv]

Thank you! First break down I’ve gottwn between the 3 and 4 season tents. Definitely makes sense! Will look for a 3 season then! I checked and NEMO have a lifetime warranty. Haven’t looked st the black diamonds yet. Will check those out next. Thanks for the help.

No worries, let me know if you have any questions. I’ve used a lot of this stuff and have seen a lot of guys buy 4 season tents only to regret the decision and the tent ends up sitting in the garage slowly degrading...

Just be honest with yourself. There are some instances where a 4 season tent might be needed in the mountain west states, like a mid-winter multi-day ski tour, or winter ascents of mountains in the Cascades or Rockies. But those are very specific scenarios. If you’re looking for a tent to do everything, get the 3 season. You’ll be happy with it 98% of the time instead of unhappy with it 98% of the time lol.

 

[Baller]

Instead of a sat phone you might look into a garmin inreach mini or something like that. You can text and whatnot cheaper than a sat phone service while still having the ability to reach out to rescue agencies. Would be lighter as well. As a guy that goes out and hunts alone safety is def something to think about.

 

[TheGDog]

I recently purchased an MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person for the first time of my boy participating in a scouts hike-in overnighter last year. He was a little apprehensive about going without me being there. So I popped for the 2-man. But we found out they won't give'em credit towards the merit badges if he's in a tent with me, so I ended up in it solo and it was great! I had been using an REI Quarter-Dome 1-man tent. It's "alright". But your abs get worked a lot in that thing, as it's small enough you can't quite comfortably rise to seated with forelegs underneath of you. And condensation inside that tent can be problematic. You've got to make sure non of the gear you plan on wearing the next day touches against the sides of that REI Quarter Dome or you could wake up to partially wet gear. Likewise with keeping your weapon away from touching up against the sides of that tent.

In comparison, that Hubba Hubba fits everything inside for 1P and with plenty of room to spare. And it's kinda helpful too if you didn't pick the absolute flattest spot to set it up at, as the extra room allows you chance to slightly rotate your pad and bivvy to adjust for gravity and pitch of the floor a little bit, which has proven useful for better sleep.

 

[Bowman]

LOL , at my age it's a must to be able to sit up and stretch. I purchased a one man tent I felt like a hotdog.
Waiting for something lunch.
2 man tent for this kid.
The tarp over the tent helps with that condensation problem.
And adds protection.
Old school lol