I am currently looking for a 2 person 3 season tent for mid-August Mt. Whitney summit. The lightest tent I've had a chance to look at in person was the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 2 weighing in at 2lbs 10oz. Anyone have any lighter ideas? I've got a budget of about $450.

The Big Agnes tent would be fine. Also, you could probably get by with something substantially lighter, like a single-layer 8-12 ounce shelter. Whatever you take, get it with the marmot-proof option. The little furry critters are really bad at Trail Camp (where you are likely to camp).

--B.G.--

Since you're looking at the Fly Creek UL2, I imagine you don't mind cramming in there pretty snugly. The FC UL2 is pretty small, so you won't both be able to sit up at the same time (without hitting the roof) and the feet ends of your sleeping bags will be in contact with the mesh wall/roof (based on the BPL review as I recall).

So yeah...if you don't mind a small 2 person tent, the Easton Kilo is even lighter and it's a really nice design. I'm not sure which tent is actually bigger, but the Kilo is lighter (2 lbs for the fly, tent and poles, 2.2 lbs with stakes and everything).

Other light options include an HMG Echo II (a bit over your budget) or you could go with a single wall tent (lots to choose from).

Take a look at the the two person Tarptents- around 2 pounds, around half of your budget.
My husband and I tried laying down in the BA FC2 and didn't fit- he's 6'2 with broad shoulders
We ended up with the BA FC3, but also recently bought a Tarptent for when our son and our dog share the tent.
The Tarptent is the Hogback- a 4 person tent that is really spacious inside.
It and the BA FC3 weigh in exactly the same - 4 pounds.

Just started using a the Tarptent Rainbow as my 2-person tent. It is a immensely large 1-person tent or a snug 2-person tent. Approximately 2.25 lb's

I personally love the Cloudburst 2 and Squall 2 for Tarpents, but I also like the Alpinelite Gear 2p tarp and bug tent called the Terraform.

I really like the what I've read about the Easton Kilo. Form what I've read it seems like a roomier(barely, but hey every inch counts)and lighter FC UL 2. Does anyone own one? The Length looks good but how is the shoulder room? I was hoping to find something that could fit two adult males.

Most of the two-man tents I've looked at won't hold two men except if they are spooning. Not really what I was looking for. Both the BA FC UL2 and the Kilo are a tight fit for sure. They can call them what they want to, but really they are palace's for one or good for a couple kids. The FC UL3 is good for two adults and that's what I have. It was 3.66 lbs as shipped to my house. I dropped a few stakes, guy lines, and stuff sacks and got the weight down to 3.49 lbs. It is surely above your weight limit, but will fit two people with a little room left over. The package is fairly small for a freestanding tent and you could split it between two people to spread the weight out.

If your still looking to go to the two-pound range, you can get close using a tarptent from SMD, TT, or Lightheart. But even those are a few ounces over including stakes, guylines, etc.

I was really stuck on a 2-lb. shelter option trying to keep my base weight low. But after allot of research, I bought the lightest (freestanding) tent that would hold two people, regardless of the name. Maybe next years tents will actually hold two people. Hope you find something that will work for you.

Has anyone looked at or tried the new Sea to Summit Specialist tents?
Under 2 lbs for the duo, under 1.5 for the solo, and weights may include aluminum alloy poles that come with the tents, but can be replaced by hiking poles.
Main Peak has sold out the duo.
http://www.seatosummit.com.au/home.php

http://iclimb.co.nz/tents.htm
http://webshop.montbell.jp/goods/disp.php?product_id=1122376

Edited highlights from website:
The Ultralight Dome is a 2-person hiking tent weighing 865 grams.
The Ultralight Dome is a single-skin tent, and no vestibule.
The tent is a 3-season hiking tent with DAC Featherlite poles.

Specs are:
Unpackaged weight: 865g
Packaged weight: 890g
Optional footprint weight: 300g
Wall waterproofness: 1500mm hydrostatic head
Floor waterproofness: 2000mm hydrostatic head
Floor waterproofness with footprint: 10,000mm hydrostatic head

Edited by nzbazza on 07/05/2011 05:40:01 MDT.

I have an MSR Carbon Reflex that I plan on selling (I prefer tarps), within your budget... PM me if it interests you, and you'll get the first crack at it before I post it :) (Will Reitveld reviewed it here.)

Edited by Tamerlin on 07/05/2011 12:23:10 MDT.

I have an Easton Kilo and posted a preliminary review of it with pics a couple months ago. It's located in this thread:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=35678&startat=100

Unfortunately, I got sick a few weeks ago when I was planning to give it a real trail test, but am planning to take it out soon. To note, it has a decent amount of room in it, but would be tight for two adult males in their bags. Nothing anyone who has had a two person tent on a trip hasn't dealt with before though.

If you want to camp in luxury, go for the Fly Creek UL 3. If you're only going out for a couple nights, don't mind the squeeze, and are looking for weight savings in a tent, then the Kilo is definitely worth consideration.