Its seems there has been a lot of tent recommendation threads lately so i thought i would add another one. I like a good livable tent with good head room and large doors. To that end i don't mind carrying about 4 lbs max for a three season tent. I really like side entery with two doors and free standing. I have had my share of tents in the past and i am still looking for the one that makes me look no longer. I have narrowed it down to the scarp 2 , the big agness copper spur 2 ul and the Hilleberg allak.(probably not the hilleberg because of cost). I should mention that i will usually use it solo. So the scarp 2 and the copper spur 2 are my two biggest contenders. I do winter camping also so the scarp could kill 2 birds with one stone but it looks like it is a little flat on the roof for snow load even with the crossing poles. The copper spur 2 looks sweet. I like how the walls of the inner tent are nylon for a good ways up then the rest is mesh. Also has two big doors and good head room. How is it in the wind? Anyone have either of these tents or a different suggest that fits my general criteria. Thanks

I love my Copper Spur. I'm also 6'4" so the length suits me well. It's been great in the wind so far, for me.
The Scarp is a sweet tent though. The advantage of the Copper Spur is the older, slightly heavier model can be had for pretty cheap. I picked mine up for 200 bucks.

I think hub poles are a weak point and would not want them.

"I think hub poles are a weak point and would not want them."
I am wondering what the basis of this statement is? Have you had a hub tent pole fail at the hub? And under what conditions?

I've had 3 BA tents, all with hubs, each in a few storms with strong gusts and have yet to have an issue with the hubs (or the poles in general). Not trying to start an argument, but just trying to get at what specifically about the hubs would make them worse and under what conditions. I think we could agree that these tents are not designed to be 4 season or expedition tents. They would probably not be the best under R. Caffin conditions :) but I think are more than adequate for "most" 3 season camping outside of expected harsh conditions.

FWIW Josh, I have a BA CS3 right now that we use for 2. It's a good tent for our three season camping in Wisconsin/Minnesota. I found the CS2 too cramped for 2, but would be great for 1. On the other hand I recently tried a Scarp 2 which I also found a bit cramped for two (compared to the CS3), though better than the CS2. It would be a palace for 1, though heavier than the CS2.

Edited by BER on 05/16/2012 09:27:23 MDT.

Petesy arranged a meet in February in the Scottish Highlands where many of the group used loaner BA tents. Not a single complaint down in the comments section: http://www.petesy.co.uk/arrochar-meet/

Having owned a Copper Spur 1 and 3, I'd agree that the CS2 falls in no mans land. Not large enough to fit two comfortably, and not that much lighter than the CS3 to justify the loss of space that model has. But I sold my CS3 out of concern about how robust the floor was when my 70 lb dog came along on trips. I sold my CS1 to fund a Hilleberg Akto and regret it - the CS1 was a cracking little 1P freestanding tent, but the only way I'd fit a dog in there is if he slept on top of me.

The Allak would be the luxury model, but it breaks your weight limit by almost 3 lbs.

I hate to break it to you guys, but both the Scarp and the Copper Spur are not free standing tents. A free standing tent can be completely set up with the fly and then moved without needing to remove stakes for the fly (except of course for wind protection). The Scarp would quality if the two extra poles are used to the four corners, but then you may still need to use stakes to pull out the two end sides. Franco would know, for sure.

Anyway, true freestanding tents are rare, except the mentioned Allak is a true free standing tent---along with several wedge Coleman/Eureka tents with the top fly hooked into the four corners and not needing a single peg except to keep it from blowing away in a wind.

I'm with Walter. If it has bits flapping around when stakes aren't used, then it's not really freestanding. That seems to bring the list down to single wall domes without vestibules, although that Allak adds another pole for the vestibule.

One option I thought about because of my Black Diamond Lighthouse was a similar tent with a second door.
Bibler/Black Diamond Ahwahnee

A vestibule, or rather a porch, can be added if you use a poncho. That works even better if you use trekking poles.

For me the easiest way to set up a free-standing tent is to peg the corners down first.
That way the floor keeps the shape and I can insert the poles a lot faster than when it moves all about.
I happen to subscribe to the freestanding only if it is all freestanding (inc vestibules...) but in the end you need to stake the tent down.
The Scarps with the crossing poles are fully freestanding so yes you can lift them up move them to another location and just stake them down.


I can't think of a situation when I would not stake my shelter down (or use rocks/deadman anchors to hold the tie outs and guylines)
Franco
I forgot..
here is the Northern Hemisphere version :

Edited by Franco on 05/16/2012 18:30:15 MDT.

Love that pic.

Hilleberg's definition is certainly one definition. There are others.

Ive used the CS2 for my daughter (5 foot nothing) and myself (5'8"0 on the JMT. The first night we were out, there was a huge thunderstorm with torrential rain and hail. We were about a mile north of Duck Creek at about 9,500 feet, in some tree cover. There was about 4 inches at least of hail buildup on the sides of the fly after the storm. The tent did great - no leaks, didn't hear any flapping (but the hail was very loud). I like the side entry, ease of setup, large vestibules that kept our boots and packs dry, bathtub floor that prevents drafts once you're lying down. When we camped on granite or no place to stake, it was easy to use rocks to anchor the tent at the guyout points. I always stake my tent, but the only places you have to stake this are the vestibule. Staking out the guylines at the ends is optional, tho it gives a bit more room - but nothing like on the Fly Creek where its really mandatory to stake out the fly.
Ive also used the CS3 for 2 adults and my daughter - a little cramped but fine.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate all the help. Its nice when people have the tents in question. As far as the free standing tent definition i just meant that the body of the tent is self supporting. I know the fly will need to get staked out at the vestibules and the guy out points. Take care.

" I know the fly will need to get staked out at the vestibules and the guy out points. "

If this is the case, then may I politely ask why you want "freestanding"?

Especially if one already uses hiking poles, there are some excellent tent designs out there with two large doors, two large vestibules, plenty of open mesh, and cavernous interiors. They just don't hold themselves up without stakes. I particularly like the SMD Lunar Duo, which I've been using with my spouse for several years.

Well played, Franco.

The desire for a freestanding tent is one of those peculiar criterion like with the catchphrase "don't take out something which isn't used every day", but in fact most backpackers rarely consider it when looking for a tent.

Edited by TipiWalter on 05/17/2012 10:36:41 MDT.

You might want to take a look at the Black Diamond HiLight - freestanding, sub-three lbs, full side door, and you can add a vestibule if you need more space when using it as a co-op - light enough for soloist & with room for the dogs.

I have been using it's predecessor - BD LightHouse - for 5-6 years - (a lot of use and still in new looking condition) it can be used as a 3-1/2 season tent - shouldn't be used in exposed alpine winter jetstream conditions but can take the snow if protected from heavy wind.

I like free standing tents for several reasons. If you are in a rain storm and the ground gets soft your stakes don't always stay in the ground when the wind picks up. At least with (my so called idea of) a free standind tent my body weight will hold it down if all hell breaks lose and the vestibules are riding free. Then again i can just possibly blow away with it. Another reason is just plain ease of set up. I can move it around if a stake placement is over a hidden boulder or if i want to move it into the shade during the late morning or whatnot.(my hiking freinds know what i mean right Jay.) A free standing tent doesn't need but a few stakes for good measure in good weather. I am coming from using a gatewood cape, a nallo 2, and( most difficult of all the nonfreestanding tents i have used) a terra nova laser photon. The last tent i mentioned needed like 10 to 12 stakes to make it stand up. The copper spur 1 that i just bought looks to be a breeze to set up.

I am not asking anyone else to like what i like nore am i trying to persuade anyone to ditch their stake dependent tents. Also ,as far as tents that use hiking poles, i like my poles to be available if i want to leave my tent at camp for awhile. Lets face it, a tent that is freestanding and easy to set up only saves 5 minutes in camp at the most so either way its going to be a place to sleep soon. Now if i can just get my freinds to camp near a hammock freindly spot always, i could leave the tent at home.

Thanks for all of the help. I bought a copper spur 1 and i will probably get a scarp 2 with nylon interior with crossing poles also when i sell some more stuff. Anyone want to buy a nemo obi 1 or a big agness seedhouse 2ul with footprint?

Joshua
good comments.
If we all liked the same shelter it would be a nightmare trying to find our tent after a midnight break in the dark on a busy campsite...
Franco

Try them. Delivery has been an issue but for your money they are the best and are truly freestanding. After months of research, and because free standing was essnetial and low weight was second in priority, they became the only option for me. I have a Revolution 2P Porch on Order.

"but for your money they are the best and are truly freestanding"

Best at what?

There are many freestanding tents of similar weight and less money.