When I took an outdoor leadership course in college we learned how to plan, provision, navigate, and lead a multi-day backpacking trip. For our trip at the end of the course we divided into groups of 4 for shelter and cooking. Each 4 person group had a 10x12 foot sheet of 6 mil plastic from the hardware store, a few bits of paracord, and we each had a groundsheet cut from the same roll that was just a little bigger than our sleeping pads. Using the knowledge and practice from the course, we were quite comfortable even through the thunderstorms and winds we experienced. To this day, 30 years later, I still prefer a tarp to a tent unless bugs are really bad, although my current sil-poly tarp is rather lighter than that old plastic. Combined with my ultralight bivy I get a shelter that is roomy, well ventilated, bug proof, storm proof, weighs about a pound and the two pieces will fit in the cargo pockets of my hiking shorts if need be - and cost less than half the price of the tents mentioned. I'd definitely recommend 6 mil plastic as a starting point, though. Can't get much cheaper. When bugs are bad a tent is nice, and as someone else already mentioned, Durston's are hard to beat for value while being just as "high end" as the competition, or better. I have the two person silpoly version myself. But for starting out - I'd still say use a tarp, and hang a bug net under it. You can get creative with a "two cot mosquito net" draped onto a groundsheet and have great shelter for dirt cheap. I really like simple and versatile things, even though you have to use your noggin more than you do with a tent. At least I can't forget to put my noggin in my pack, unlike other things I could mention from past trips... Anyway, the most important piece of gear is the one between your ears. Use it well, and be safe-ish out there.
Johnson Outdoors bought Eureka, they immediately stopped production for military and industrial tent manufacturing. Consumer market tents may have an uncertain future.
@@tammy9162 I would definitely say go get a Kelty if you’re wanting something just for camping if you need something around two man but you want something that’s gonna last for a lot of years and don’t mind spending about $500. I would take a look at some of the Kodiak tents that are not hot tents.
When I took an outdoor leadership course in college we learned how to plan, provision, navigate, and lead a multi-day backpacking trip. For our trip at the end of the course we divided into groups of 4 for shelter and cooking. Each 4 person group had a 10x12 foot sheet of 6 mil plastic from the hardware store, a few bits of paracord, and we each had a groundsheet cut from the same roll that was just a little bigger than our sleeping pads. Using the knowledge and practice from the course, we were quite comfortable even through the thunderstorms and winds we experienced.
To this day, 30 years later, I still prefer a tarp to a tent unless bugs are really bad, although my current sil-poly tarp is rather lighter than that old plastic. Combined with my ultralight bivy I get a shelter that is roomy, well ventilated, bug proof, storm proof, weighs about a pound and the two pieces will fit in the cargo pockets of my hiking shorts if need be - and cost less than half the price of the tents mentioned. I'd definitely recommend 6 mil plastic as a starting point, though. Can't get much cheaper.
When bugs are bad a tent is nice, and as someone else already mentioned, Durston's are hard to beat for value while being just as "high end" as the competition, or better. I have the two person silpoly version myself.
But for starting out - I'd still say use a tarp, and hang a bug net under it. You can get creative with a "two cot mosquito net" draped onto a groundsheet and have great shelter for dirt cheap. I really like simple and versatile things, even though you have to use your noggin more than you do with a tent. At least I can't forget to put my noggin in my pack, unlike other things I could mention from past trips...
Anyway, the most important piece of gear is the one between your ears. Use it well, and be safe-ish out there.
Dan Durston Tents - lightest and most affordable unless you go for the 1lb tents. I own 2
Hubba hubba on sale for 380 on Amazon right now fyi. I don’t have one but I want one. Nicest tent under 500 that I’ve personally seen
That’s a really good deal!
Johnson Outdoors bought Eureka, they immediately stopped production for military and industrial tent manufacturing. Consumer market tents may have an uncertain future.
What's a general reasonable overall $200 or Less 2man Tent, for Camping?
Just camping or backpacking?
@@MountainAdventureChannel Camping for sure. Something better than Walmart and leakproof
@@tammy9162 I would definitely say go get a Kelty if you’re wanting something just for camping if you need something around two man but you want something that’s gonna last for a lot of years and don’t mind spending about $500. I would take a look at some of the Kodiak tents that are not hot tents.
@@MountainAdventureChannel Thank you Appreciate you 👍