Cheap vs Expensive Backpacking Tents! The Truth!
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Do you know the actual difference between cheap and expensive tents for backpacking? In this video I break down the difference in how tents are produced and what you are getting when you go cheap and when you go higher end.
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I’ve got a nature hike cloud up 3. It handled strong winds that lasted 2 whole days with gusts up to 90kph. I’m impressed, didn’t expect it to survive but it held up no prob.
I definitely think budget tents have their place. When I got back into camping I used a Coleman sundome for 50+ nights and it was on sale for 60 bucks. I use a Zpacks Duplex when I'm backpacking alone but when I bring both my kids I use a Naturehike Cloud Up 3p. It's worked fine but I don't take them backpacking in too bad weather and we don't do longer distances like I do alone. Without ground sheet the Cloud Up 3p weighs just 5.5 pounds which is not terrible.
You can get 4 Vik tents for the price of one Nemo tent. It’s a personnel choice as you mentioned . Thanks for taking the time to create these videos 👍
Thanks!
The Vik is a great wee tent. If you are just heading out for a summer camp backpacking and the weather is fair the Vik is great. It’s so light and easy to put up.
I might have to be the bad guy here...I'm older (in my 6th decade) and have camped in several different ways since I was a toddler. (Especially in the military.) The expensive tent thing is just ridiculously convoluted and a waste of monies. For the past 10 plus years, I've happily used a $29.99USD Ozark Trail Walmart tent that is listed as 3 person it has floor dimension of 84"x84" Dome style tent. It weighs just a tad over 5lbs. and I could make it lighter if I tried. I've never treated it with seam sealer or any water repellent spray. That tent has been through it! NEVER leaks or blown down. I've easily spend a years worth of days/nights in it and it has been in heavy downpours and heavy winds. Been in sleet a couple of times. Used on all types of terrain. Camp quite a bit in West Texas and Northern Pan Handle area of Texas. Camped on foot (hiking), Car (off-road 4x4) and now mostly motorcycle. I mostly camp solo...but when kids were younger brought them to teach them and I do also go with friends. Friends who spend a lot of monies....My tent sets up and tears down as fast as theirs...I type all this so one knows I am experienced. My friends tents weigh about 2lbs. less...but they are smaller (by quite a bit) and I'm sorry..they just don't seem as sturdy. Especially all these what I'll call exotic materials such as Dyneema. The funny thing...a couple of friends have "trekking pole tents" made by X-mid that costs over $500.00USD. They brag about the light weight...but when you add in the trekking poles...they weigh more!!! And if 5lbs. or less is a concern...maybe spend less time hiking and more in the gym? I laugh at these obsessions with weight! One day I hiked with my leftover sea bag for 20 miles. Yes, I was exerted..but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle and enjoyed the hike. Pretty sure I could still do it at my age now. And again in the military...we humped several miles dressed in heavy BDU's (military clothing) and most of us handled it just fine. Now-a-days..if the weather is bad...I don't go. A little rain is no problem...but a heavy rain....I'm just going to spend too much time in my tent. (And it's nice having 84"x84" for that!) For the $30.00USD I've spent in the last 10 years...I could replace it if there was a problem. Another motocamping friend has the Hubba Hubba. On paper it weighs less. But when holding it compared with my tent packed. Really doesn't feel much different. And his $500.00 tent looks more worn. He camps just a little less than I do. I do use a tarp under my tent..and would even if I had a more expensive tent. I notice the floor of my tent seems much more sturdy than ANY expensive tent I've seen and I feel confident in stating this. These expensive tents have floors that would puncture in most places I camp. I've been looking at tents and keep up...and I'm probably going to get another Ozark Trail...but just use a water repellant/UV protective spray. I joke that for some of these expensive tents...one could get a luxury hotel room! And as far as the moral reasons of your purchase...don't get me started too much on that! Especially when one doesn't really know the truth of the origins when most companies bear false witness on this...and they eventually sell to a company that moves off-shore and the fact that it can be our own countrymen ripping us off whilst lying about where all their products are truly manufactured.
yup, I'm your age and have been hiking our Sierras here for 40 years. This push by the high end mfg's to spend $$$ for a tent is laughable. My big wakeup was getting a tent with the nylon/poly floor and in a rainstorm, the water soaked right through. And if anyone thinks a DAC pole is stronger than a fiberglass pole, then they are new campers. I broke a DAC pole and when it reaches a certain bend point, it snaps in two pieces. Game over, With fiberglass that can break too, but it's still held together so one can wrap it with duct tape and make it useable. All the newer hikers/backpackers are concerned about weight..worthless and why we call them "weight weenies". If I'm car camping or not wanting to hike far to my campsite, my canvas tent is my "go to tent". Durable as hell and never leaked in any monsoon downpours. They breathe well in summer and hold in heat much better in cold temps. I'm a big fan of Coleman tents since made well and Coleman will replace any broken pole for free regards how old. Their floors are truly water PROOF as I've spent a few nights in what seemed like a shallow lake and the PU (polyurethane) treated floors don't let water in. You can spend $500 on a Big Agnus brand and in wet ground, the moisture/water comes in through their lightweight floor. Yeah, when it's 2AM and the rain is pounding down and sleeping in a high priced, ultra light tent with a wet floor, the Coleman or similar with a dry floor but a pound or two heavier is suddenly attractive.
@@gloppy101
@justmyself1000 really appreciate the comments here... i am in the process of looking into lighter options for back country hunting. i cannot bring myself to spent $2000 on a shelter and sleep system just to hunt a few days in the bush. i think i will sacrifice a couple lbs for a "the monies." stay safe out there gents. thanks again for the wisdom!
Used the Vik1 for 5 years in Norway and Iceland , spring to late Summer . In Mountains. It lasted long until my pole broke . Was always dry and satisfied :) i own the Tarptent Double Rainbow Lithium now but still Grab for the Vik1 alot of Time, i did buy it again . Love the freestanding Option and its cheap :)) great Tent also at 2lbs pretty light. And just 160usd . Im from germany i got the Vik1 for 120euro but spend 750usd plus 50 Shipping plus 180 Euro Import taxes on the Double Rainbow Li xD
And i use the Vik1 alot more ...
I have (had) three Naturehike tents:
Opalus 2 (nylon version) - Unbelievable tent. I've had this thing for years and it's seen an enormous amount of use. It has survived some of the worst weather you can imagine and is absolutely watertight and sticks to the ground like it's glued. I just took it out in tropical storm Ophelia the other weekend and it performed fantastically in wind and rain that was toppling whole trees. I call it my warhorse and prefer it over my very similar Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel 2. The Blacktail is a roomier tent, but it's heavy and the roof vents will drip in a heavy rain. The Opalus is MUCH lighter, sets up faster and doesn't drip a drop no matter what. To be fair, though, I have upgraded the stakes because the ones that come with it are, while really nice stakes, too small for such a large tent, and when I know the winds are going to be strong I double up the guy lines and stake them out in a V to keep tension on the poles no matter the wind direction. Without these modifications I doubt the tent would perform as well as it does in high winds.
Cloud Up 1 (nylon version) - My daughter's tent. Had it about a year and it sees a fair amount of use. Equally watertight, never had any issues with it, and she loves it.
Vik1 - This was a very well made tent, but it had a tear in the carry bag and another in the vestibule door, so I had to return it and bought something else instead (Sierra Designs High Side 1). It also had a tear in the plastic shipping bag in line with the one in the carry bag, so I think what happened wasn't a QC issue, but someone nicking it with a razor blade at some point after it left the factory.
We also have two Naturehike Moon Chairs. These are great chairs. Very high quality and only cost $50.
Where Naturehike, and probably other similar companies, falls off is customer support. It's virtually nonexistent. If you have a problem past the 30 day return window you're probably screwed, warranty or no warranty. Their products on the other hand, at least in my experience, are consistently high quality. I discovered their support issue with the Vik1. I sent them 4 emails, 1 Amazon seller message and made 2 chat attempts and they ignored all of it. Finally I contacted Amazon support and told them what was happening and they took the return themselves and refunded my money, which is why I replaced it with a completely different tent.
I'm a big believer in budget tents.The last thing I want to do is stress on my expensive tent getting destroyed in the elements. I can deal with the extra pound and save hundreds of dollars
They definitely have their place. The previous model of Ozark Trail 2P tent (currently $50) was a TANK! And the Kelty Salidas 2 was right up there as well for about $135. The latter is about 4.5-5# and I humped it up Mount Whitney. I wouldn't want to do that again, but if you're car camping and aren't logging huge miles to your campsite, a person should be embarrassed to show up in anything that cost more than $150. 🤣
@@AJHart-eg1ys so you admit your weak
Here's an example where you can buy three for the price of one you know ,to each his own, at best the more expensive tent will only last marginally longer
@andrewaarons5058 I made no such admission, whereas you demonstrated a loose relationship with the English language in your brief post.
Yours may be the first post I've read that might have actually been better had you ended it with a douche-y " 'nuff said."
Congratulations. 🤣
i'm telling you you're weak
My experience: I went on a ten-day hike on GR20 (Corsica Island, France) with a Zajo Litio UL2 tent (European brand). The cost of the tent was 140€. At the campsite, there were a number of various tent brands and there was also someone with NEMO Dragonfly. At the highest peak, Monte Cisco was a wind gust of 180 km/h, my tent was with a very minor tear and is still in the use but the Nemo was completely torn and literally blown away. Tents are "a tool" to me as I am most of the year outdoor (work) so I am from my GR210 experience only with tents that are with the wind resistance specification. Right now I use a tent with 200 km/h wind resistance official brand claim (European brand Robens Chaser 2). My thought is that as mats use the R-value standard there should be also a wind resistance standard for tents. Here in Europe, the wind is a big issue when camping.
My other experience is the use of Nylon based tents...light, right? But after the rain Nylon is soaked with moisture and became heavier than polyester. It is not a coincidence that the old traditional European tent brands are with the polyester... experience.
I have Budget tents.. If I was going to walk 2600 miles , most definitely I would dive into more expensive UL tents. But having a budget tent lets me know what I want or don't want. I have a Lan Shan.. I like the tent, but I don't like setting up trekking pole tents. I like setting up my free standing tent. Right now I have a Bryce 1p. Lots of room for me and my 30lb dog.
I was considering getting a Bryce 1p to replace an REI coop 2p that is just under 5 lbs. so I could save some weight but I'm leary about having 1 door that's on the end of the tent as opposed to having a door on the side. Do you find it to be a hindrance or no big deal?
@@MrTimmyGT Not really.. No worse than climbing out of a dome tent. I do prefer the side door on a dome tent, but really its' not that different. I am also short person so swing my stubby legs around out the front isn't a problem.
Never had a problem with my NatureHike tent after several years of thunderstorms and severe weather.
I have the older Dragonfly and the Dagger. I had taken either of them (I have one that is the bikepack one) every week. It rained EVERYDAY for 4 months here in Anchorage. No leaks. Not on the top nor bottom. It was in the 40's some early summer nights. It was not muggy inside. Plus it was spacious and luxurious. They are light and strong. The design is great. Its not a rectangle with a tarp on it. If your tent is not made in a sweatshop you will probabley sleep better. I have some inexpensive tents like one from Pariah, which is very well made. You need to do so searching before you buy an inexpensive tent....Great video.
My $30 tent from Sears worked just fine through 4 seasons over 30 years. And it weighs 3.5lbs. That's quality.
Well said Devin!
The one thing I tell new campers is that whatever tent one chooses, it MUST protect you from the elements because that is its basic function.
If the tent leaks, that in itself can either be an inconvenience, or life threatening depending on the temperatures.
The old saying "you get what you pay for" definitely applies.
Do your research - watch unbiased reviews and save up to buy the best that you can afford!
If you can borrow or rent, try it out in your backyard to see if it fits you, your gear and the way you plan to camp (backpacking, car camping, etc).
The other thing about tent manufacturers is that the tents are USUALLY not big enough to actually hold the amount of people as advertised (i.e. a 2 person tent is better for 1 person, or 2 people will be really close)!
Being single, my favorite shelter is a Warbonnet Blackbird XLC hammock, that I modified to use on the ground as well.
Rip stop nylon worked great for many years for me and still does. All of my sil nylon tents have been sold long ago and my 2016 Hubba Hubba is still my go to tent. The osmo fabric is an excellent product . Sil nylon was a fad in the pan.
Great video. I'm digging the Vik 1 so far. I picked it up for $99. I'm leaning toward more exoskeleton designs lately. The poles are a big factor in the cost & weight. I'm enjoying trying different types of shelters so it doesn't make sense for me to spend a lot. I live on the coast in California so it's not very extreme here. I'll try to dab into ultralight, but more so I can bring other gear. I just don't see myself spending more than $200-300 on a tent. I'd rather deal with the weight & bulk penalty or stop and dry the tent out. I see your point on labor issues, that's a whole topic in itself.
I bought my Western Mountaineering Antelope (GWS), short, right side zip + several other items from MooseJaw. The entire transaction was as good as it gets & the price was lower than anywhere else.
so-Called "Budget" tents are suited for children in the back yard or out on the trail on a nice night. However, if you want "Shelter" that you can count on to keep you dry during heavy rain storms or "Shelter" that will withstand strong gusty winds all night, & have a responsive customer service that can provide you with replacement parts then you should expect to pay for it.
Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada
@@azclaimjumper Which budget tents specifically are you talking about? There's plenty of reviews on NatureHike products and they've held up fine. You basically get what you pay for, but these have held up wonderfully. I try to buy direct from the cottage vendors when I can. I'm enjoying my custom Hammock Gear quilt because it's hard to beat their prices too.
@@azclaimjumper had the Vik1 4 years in Norway and 1 year in Iceland . Always dry , stand strong in any Winds above Treeline and in icelandic Highlands.
Had to replace it because i stepped on the Pole and break it. No replacement for that pole alone but as a 120eu Tent i hiked 5 years with it and was always dry and safe even in high winds .
I love my Vik One, except for the condensation in summer weather in the Appalachians. Ive been drenched and am switching to double wall for summer.
@@christinewelsh6485 Yeah I bet the heat & humidity is pretty brutal over there. With this El Nino, it's still cold and damp here. I've been taking it out in damp conditions just so I can try to 'solve' condensation issues in damp conditions. So far, I haven't been miserable so it's all good.
Vic is a handy little tent. Had it out in storms and it did well. The zippers definitely suck though. One of the poles has also split a bit but is still usable. Great budget tent though! THAT said, I just unboxed my X-Mid Pro 1 and have zero doubt I will be much happier with it!!!
You forgot one of the key benefits of a higher priced tent...the lifetime warranty. I know that my Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 is backed by a lifetime warranty and is good for life...or as long as Big Agnes is still in business. I've already used it too. I had a tear in my tent mesh and BA replaced the entire tent with the newer version!
A couple of other considerations related to that:
First, "lifetime warranty' very often doesn't actually mean what we think it means. Companies have an idea of how long it's reasonable to expect- something like a tent to last, and the "lifetime" is often pinned to that - not the life of the customer. And it' often only applies to defects and poor materials rather than wear and tear and it's up to them whether they want to repair or replace something. That said, if you get the right customer service person tending to you, there's a pretty good chance they'll replace it anyway.
Second, a lot of it is a matter of discipline. I think most of us would return a tent if something happened in the first 18-24 months. After that I think most people chalk an issue up to wear-and-tear and, let's be honest, as gear junkies they're really ready for that next tent purchase! 🤣 But if a person is really in love with the purchase, you will absolutely return that Atmost 65 or Stormbreaker every few years.
Take care.
So I used cheap tents and now I have the 529 dollar Nemo Dagger OSMO 2p tent. I can tell you that you really notice the major differences in the tents. The cheap tents will work and I use them for car camping trips. However, when you are considering backpacking across dirt trails then you need a good tent you can rely on if the weather kicks in. Can't really run into your car and fix the issue later.
If you cannot afford the more reliable tent now then save for it, get a small loan, borrow gear from your friends or family. You don't have to rush, I have kept saying I wanted to go hike camping for over two years, only recently have I gotten the money now to get the gear and I don't regrate waiting.
dont get a loan for a tent, please dont, thats stupid
I've never really noticed reliability increasing as the price does.
I absolutely agree that the cheaper ones - down to a $44 Ozark Trail one I got a dozen or so years ago that was an absolute TANK - are not what you want to take with you when logging miles. They're just too heavy.
But I'd say most of the value of the pricier tents tends to come in weight savings and - hopefully - QC. Heck, even the ability for tents to truly be freestanding seems to decrease as the prices increase.
That might just be me, though. Even when getting a "cheap" or budget tent, there's no way I'm looking to Naturehike or some other company that's really untested even now and rolling the dice I'm getting one of the good ones. I'm going Kelty, North Face, etc., that's got a history and will stand behind their product - in my own language. :)
In the end, though, it just comes down to what kind of camping you're doing. If you're hiking with it for any decent miles, you're going to have to spend a few hundred to get a tent light enough to lug around you. The activity pretty much makes the decision for you. To be honest, if a person only car camps, he should almost be embarrassed to camp in tent that cost more than $150. :)
Take care.
I had a naturehike cloud2 and it last 5 years of heavy use and the thing that failed was only the zipper so for a beginner that is not sure a naturhike is very good, now I have an Nemo Aurora2 and will try it out soon.
Great backstory on the why behind the what of backpacking tents. Nest to see the testing and research done.
Have had my 'Nature Hike' for years now without any problems in all kinds of different conditions.
Anyone who's ever slept in storm conditions will NOT regret paying what a well made tent costs.
Facts
I've slept in storms in a 25 EUR (30 USD) tent and was doing better than most. On the beach Abel Tasman trek in New Zealand. Tent is Decathlon MH100 so not light
@neozaruneozaru8215 When l was homeless, I've slept on nothing on a concrete sidewalk with nothing. If l had to pick a tent, I'd pick a high quality tent any day over a low quality tent.
@@YankeeWoodcraft to each their own. I generally sleep bad in tents and yet I've slept the best in my inexpensive tent with inflatable mattress. Maybe my inexpensive tent was good quality.
@neozaruneozaru8215 Absolutely, but any tent is better than no tent and objectively speaking, one doesn't know the value of their gear until it's tested.
The nemo dagger 2 is the best ever made imo
If I had a family, I wouldn’t hesitate to use a naturehike for my family to enjoy camping. I’ve owned a few of their tents and they handle days of rain, and wind, no leaks at all. But since I don’t have a family and plan on hiking the PCT and AT, I will buy the Dustin mid 2 pro +. With the weight I will be saving, I can add some luxuries.
Do you know the weight differences with these 2 tents specifically? I appreciate this video, i use the nature hike and have been thinking about upgrading
The thing is, you can get a well made tent for less. At least, you used to.
I bought the Ozark Trail 2P tent with full rainfly from Walmart about a dozen or so years ago. It's the one that (seemingly) inexplicably costs more than their 3P and 4P tents, around the $45-$50 range.
The thing was a tank. There was a lot of taffeta so it wasn't going to be the coolest tent on a warm night, but you were not worried about rain, wind, etc. And at 7-8#, it's not the "backpacking" tent they still call it
That said, at least a half dozen years ago the colors changed while keeping it at the same price point. I have no idea whether the materials, etc., changed with the colors. As much as I stand by that older model, I would be inclined to believe it's probably made more cheaply now.
Regardless, it was a solid option and not just budget - but CHEAP.
I upgraded to the Kelty Salidas 2P for my multi-day summit of Mount Whitney. Less taffeta (but still too much), full rain fly and it convinced me to never again haul a 4.5# tent up to about 14500. But, again, it's kind of a tank. It can still be found around $135. I'd consider that "budget" rather than cheap.
I'm not by any means saying that people are foolish to go higher shelf. I'm just saying that, in the right hands, a tent made of cheaper materials can still be a solid option as long as you're not logging huge miles with it. But you have to do your due diligence.
Take care.
The newer Ozark Trail tent staff gave me (I am homeless) two months ago. That 3 people tent with green rainfly. This tent still holds up well during rain and wind but two months later, there is a minor leak around the bottom of the door and the edge of the tent.
So I bought a Stansport backpack 2 person tent on sale for $35 out of $50 at a local hunting store That tent was made in a sweatshop because bright green rainfly didn't hold up well during rain but good during wind. So I had to buy waterproof spray which does work well during 2nd rain. Never will I buy a Stansport tent again neither is Ozark Trail although they're cheaper and better than Stansport tent but still.
Next time I will buy either Night Cat or Camel Crown tent thru Amazon. They're cheap and are well made tents. A RUclips review said they're good.
@@codypomeroy9040 I wish you the best of luck in your next tent purchase and future endeavours.
I haven't heard much good about most OT tents. I only know the experience I had with the previous model 2P tent (orangish yellow) with the full rainfly.
It's obviously difficult for most of us to base an opinion of the quality of a tent on it being used every day, which really is not what they're built for. Two months of nights equates to about 5-10 years worth of use for most people who buy these tents. And by that time most are satisfied that they had a budget tent last 5 years and/or are anxious to buy the next budget tent.
Take care.
I bought the Naturehike Cloud Up 2. It's been on two separate week long bike tours and we are taking it on another 2 week long trip soon. I also bought the Mongar 2 for the upcoming trip. Two tents for $250. I'm sure the Nemo tent is nice, but I can buy 4 tents for the price of one Nemo.
This video was very interesting and informative. Since you work with fabrics, does this reasoning also apply to why one fleece jacket is $30 versus another brand that sells for $100 or more? Is it just the brand name, like designer jeans, for instance, or does the cost cover research and development? I have been baffled why backpacking clothes are so expensive. I would be interested in your perspective. Thank you.
A lot of factors. Research and development, what the fabric actually is, where it’s manufactured, etc. name brand performance fabrics come at a premium.
Good video. A lot of the times it comes down to "gotta pay to play," in a sense.
The question lies with the difference in price
Does it make a difference
Naturehike and 3lul tent
are excellent beyond reproach for your average weekend warrior
Both in weight and quality
Unless you are a very committed backpacker and the difference matters
The rest is marketing hype
I won't trust Naturehike for next-level conditions until it's stood behind its products for a few decades, but that would be said for a variety of brands and your point is a good one.
The thing is, the activity kind of makes the decision for you. If you're logging miles, you want to reduce weight. For THAT, you need different (not necessarily "better," in my opinion) materials, which are going to cost you more. But if you're just camping 100 feet from the parking lot, I had the previous version of the current Ozark Trail 2P tent (current model $50) that was an absolute TANK. And there's plenty in the $150 and under crop that will do the job just fine. I hauled a Kelty in that range up Mount Whitney for a few days. Wouldn't recommend it, but if 4.5-5# is okay, then you're G2G.
Take care.
I just watched review of Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 tent. The internal floor dimensions where 4 inches narrower than stated size and that is apparently within tolerance.
So much for high price high quality.
A tent is basically a waterproof floor combined with a mesh that stops insects and a canopy that stops rain. Most people only camp for a few days during summer, typically at the same place. All they need is a mid-range tent with the above attributes. Space and comfort are more important than ultralight materials, especially if you drive to the campsite. Bikepackers and backpackers need a lighter tent that looks more like a small bivouac. These people are prepared to sacrifice comfort to save on weight they need to carry. Side note - I live in Europe where wild camping is only allowed in parts of Scandinavia and Scotland. You risk hefty fines especially for camping in national parks. So, the idea of roaming freely with high-end gear on your back is more or less a romantic illusion :)
Wal Mart recently sold Moosejaw to Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Would love a full review of that new Dragonfly Osmo! There aren’t many out there yet, so I’d really appreciate your perspective.
Have you looked into Decathlon tents they are a european firm with a good reputation and have been moving into the north american market. I am looking getting into camping and Decathlon price wise is very economical.
Love my NatureHike tent! However, I also have a Gossamer Gear Trekking Pole tent. Different tents for different situations.
My Moosejaw experiences have always been fantastic.
Just one persons opinion.
I can afford a more expensive tent and have lots of personal justifications for them including many made in this video. I pulled into a camp spot along the Big Sur coast in November and folks were leaving early cuz high winds collapsed their tents during the prior night. It not only cut their trip short but was a nightmare for them during the night, I'm sure. Note that not all the tents were trashed but cheap and improperly set up ones were. So I'll add "trip insurance" to my long list of justifications for my quality tent purchases (right now: Nemo Dagger Osmo and Marmot UL Fortress, both 2P).
What are your thoughts or where would you place the REI qtr dome SL2 when it comes to cost vs quality? They utilize DAC poles & stakes. I picked one up during their sales which really helps bring down the cost.
In my opinion, 99% of the reason to spend over, say, 150$ on a tent is because you dont feel like a good camper/backpacker unless you have good gear in the same way that mediocre guitar players will spend 1500$ on a guitar that doesn't make them sound any better. Differences in actual real-world functionality are marginal between those price points and only fairly specific needs would justify a price tag above 200$. Just shop smart and you'll be ok.
Unless you have several hundred dollars burning a hole in your pocket, in which case go crazy.
Totally agree - though maybe your US$200 price point is a little low.
@@kevinharding1181 yeah. Somewhere around there. Depends if you find a good deal.
I get it, but I'd say that for most of us, the activity decides your tent. If you're not going to be hauling it around, you're pretty good in that $175 and under range. I had a GREAT Ozark Trail tent I got for $45 a dozen or so years ago.
Now, when it comes to people walking around in Patagonia, 99% of THOSE people just want to fit in with the friends they meet at the brewpub to drink their IPAs. 🤣
Buy a Coleman dome tent......with that and a tarp or 2 is all you need in 95% of cases.
Great video! I appreciate your hard work!! 💪
To each their own, I think that Coleman tents are fantastic. If you can afford a Big Agnes or Nemo go for it. Either way just get out there.
Well of course a lot of the well-known' manufacturers can afford to bump their prices up simply because they are well established or bank on nationalism (made in the USA or Made in the UK etc.) and they also have large marketing budgets to cover and sponsor shills (no judgement - not claiming that here!) to promote their gear.
BTW quite a few of the big name brands have their tents manufactured in China, some in the very same factory (there are some top notch factories there). These manufacturers are the ones that obfuscate on their websites with regard to the country of manufacture.
As to performance - go on the UK wild camping forums and see reports of how the cheaper tents perform (and how many of the big name brands - even Hilleberg - have failures in UK conditions). Of course there will be failures - any product whether it's Apple or Ferrari have a percentage of manufacturing defects - however in general, unless you find yourself in a severe Summer storm (which you won't if you've done your research before heading out), those budgets tents hold up well for 2.5 - 3 seasons (even if they don't have all the mostly unnecessary frills or designs or use expensive materials, that increase the ticket price). If you are looking for a 4 season tent - or one for places such as Ireland or Scotland - then you undoubtedly need a better tent, designed for the conditions, but that should go without saying.
Would you put the Paria Bryce 2p tent in the “not the best” category?
I do not have the DO RE MI to get a good quality tent. I do know what seam sealer is and lube for the zipper is.
Sure you do. You just can't get a really light one. I have purchased solid options in the $45-$150 range over the years.
The important thing to remember is that budget doesn't mean cheap. You can get tents for a lot less than the Vik , some are really good and some not so much 💩🗑️
This is a true statement.
@@BackcountryExposure do you follow Luke at TOGR? He dropped a video the other day about a tent that's so bad the only waterproof part is the floor
If you're not lugging it around for a good chunk of miles. you can get a tank of a tent for $50. At least, you could with the previous model. :)
Not sure why Nemo is so popular in the US. They just look like a Walmart special to me
Have you used any Nemo tents?
As a user of expensive of MSR tents that switched to Naturlike you are so wrong :D. They use the same materials, manufactured in the same Chinese factories. You are just paying for the brand. MSR rainflies desintegrate after medium use, because they use low quality PU coating. Its all over their tent reviews and I have the same experience.
The best budget tent hands down is the north face stormbreak 1 and 2
And I think it depends on your definition. I think that one comes in at about $185 now. I'd look at that and my older Kelty Salidas 2 as being "budget." I had an Ozark Trail 2P tent that currently goes for $50 (but is not necessarily the same materials, etc. as the $44 one it replaced that I bought about a dozen years ago) that was an absolute TANK. I'd put that price in the "cheap" category.
Other than weight, I'm not sure you really gain much once you get north of $200 other than weight savings. Not to mention they tend to no longer be truly freestanding the higher up you go in price.
That all said, I'd love to get one of those NF ones they take up Everest! :)
Take care.
wow great video thank you my friend
@3:03 LOL, that's the Outdoor Vitals business model. They are good at marketing but there products are 💩
I disagree. Their apparel has been some of the best outerwear I’ve used.
To be perfectly honest I was watching this video for increasing my bias towards the NEMO Dragonfly, but this video had the opposite effect. Being not US native I have this cheapness culture so my main question is "what do I got concretely" and not "the story behind it".
Nemo and others will offer lifetime warranty! You pay more once and lasts longer!
In China, they also support local companies and famous X-mid tents clear copy of SieraDesign tents (all made in Asia), so here is a question? If you don't live in the US is there any chance to start doing business or will everything you do be cloned, poor quality, wrong material, ? Because the rules are not the same and all companies just want to make money + money 😊
At around 2:12 you infer that Hilleberg tents are made in China. To my understanding, they’re made in Estonia NOT China.
That was not my intention. Sorry if it came across that way.
The simpler system is always superior. A tarp is better for light weight back packing. It cost less and takes up less room. If it gets destroyed, it is cost effective to replace.
I am awaiting the delivery of the Nemo Mayfly 2 which I snagged at a pretty decent discount but still expensive by my standards. I needed a lighterweight tent that packed down pretty small to fit into my trunk bag of my E-MTB. The OSMO fabric convinced me to give it a go. I live in Louisiana and get tons of rain, high humidity and dewy nights and mornings and the OSMO is supposed to outshine nylon in these conditions. That being said, I also have a cheaper ALps Mountaineering 4 man tent that I love for car camping. It has never failed me. Their is an old saying that holds true, "Quality has no fear of time."
The price between say Nemo or zpacks is getting closer
polyester is not as strong as nylon
Great video. Devin What are the best places in Utah to backpack as a beginner???
I can carry a 5lb 4oz tent for $100 or a 5lb tent for $350. Call me cheap bur I'm up to carry the 4 Oz. Anyone who brags over the 4 Oz first off probably wouldn't be camping with me anyway, but is just trying to prove they have a .... umm... lighter tent! Probably doesn't know what they are doing anyway.
You can also carry a 4.5# tent for $135. I hauled one up Mount Whitney. But if you're logging serious miles, we kind of end up paying for the weight savings, not really for a "better" tent. I've had great tents for $45.
What Nemo tent is that?
Dragonfly
Devin, I find your take on this interesting, especially considering your love of Outdoor Vitals gear (which you are wearing in the video). From my understanding, and seemingly many others, OV is just reselling generic, cheap quality Chinese knockoffs. Now, I admit, I do not fully understand the company or their operations, but when I was researching some of their products there seems to be a lot of belief that they are doing exactly what you are describing; selling generic Alibaba goods. Maybe they do design some of their products, or maybe they pivoted away from being essentially a drop shipping company, but there's a lot of people on both sides of the argument. I know it's beyond the scope of this video, but is there any way you can get to the bottom of it (sponsorships aside) and give a once-and-for-all insight into OV?
Good question. I don’t have a full understanding of the inner workings of the early days of OV, but can clearly speak to what I know and have observed from the past couple years.
OV has a full time designer, Brigham, who also happens to have a degree in Outdoor Product Design. He and Tayson design and develop products. They have partners in the textile industry, which they speak about openly, that they work with to find fabrics, etc for their products. OV gear in its present state is not cheap, white label products.
@@BackcountryExposure thanks Devin! I never know what to believe when it comes to what people say online!
Nemo products are simply over priced.👎
Or you just don't notice what Nemo offers vs cheap brands
@@trailerhaul8200 Purchased a Durston... Pretty happy and spent less than what these con artist are charging. If you enjoy spending more and getting the same or less. Have at it.
@@tippin.turtle Durston has $600+ model. Are you comparing apple vs orange?
True
Nemo salesman.
If only they put me on their payroll
So they're cheaper because they don't say Nemo...
Does not mean the cheap one is worse, America think their better, they just sell dearer !!!! Your excuse is rubbish Nemo ect does not stand up to Europe conditions.
I understand their is certainly quality differences but this guy sounds like a hipster who just wants to be unique lol
This is a classic example of bias, you really cant compare if you haven't tried them both, nor can you compare two tents designed for different uses. How about you try a Naturehike tent similar to your favorite tent. Test it out, actually use it in extremes rather than say they can't. But you'll stick with your sponsors..
You really don't need to repeat yourself 10 times to make an exactly the same point.
Worst video you have done ever. Whole video has a strange agenda. Also strange to compare a single skin exoskeleton tent with a double skin tent. Btw Nemo wasn't the first to create that design tent you show. Nemo is produced in Asia, same place where most other companies do too.
Okay… feedback noted.
@@BackcountryExposure The other stuff you've done is supergood though, I should hav mentioned that. Some good and some bad feedback today, sorry about that haha.
Lol $200 for a tent
If you aren't a hard cord hiker or camping, cheap ones will cut it, but if you sleep mostly in your tent because you spend all the year around traveling, then yeah buy a more sofisticated one you can find, and thats apply for everything, i wont buy a milwaky wrench if im not a mechanic, and use it ocassionally