I want to get my boyfriend a camping tent for Christmas but I know very little about tents. I am currently looking at Alps Mountaineering, Coleman and Kelty. Which of these would you recommend? Are there any other tents that you would recommend? Which tents/ brands are the best deal? Is there anything else I should know about getting him a tent, i.e. I should also get a footprint?
Thanks

Go to a good outdoor store- EMS, REI, Campmor…those are the 3 that first come to mind. Go to the tent dept and talk to the employees there. They can help you find exactly what you need. Make a list of features/sizes and price range that you are looking for and I`m sure they can find something that fits your needs. Like are you car camping or backpacking? Do you want a vestibule? Do the types of poles -fiberglass and aluminum really matter to you? Dont be afraid to ask questions and explain to them what you want, thats their job, that is why they are there

I’m thinking of backpacking across the midwest (USA) and am hoping for pointers on backpacking, such as gear and tips.

I have a mummy sleeping bag, an octogon tent (not sure if I’ll use it) and a Kelty 5500 backpack.

Take this opportunity, before you buy any more gear, to check out ultralight backpacking and consider whether you’d rather carry 10-20 lbs of gear and skip along the trail in running shoes or lug 30-50 lbs of gear you don’t need?

Your first step will be to check out one or two of the latest ultralight backpacking books such as "Lighten Up" by Don L Ladigin: http://www.amazon.com/Lighten-Up-Complete-Ultralight-Backpacking/dp/0762737344/sr=8-1/qid=1168796878/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-0601339-3354515?ie=UTF8&s=books And then take at look at The Ultralight Backpacking Site here http://www.the-ultralight-site.com/index.html

They’ll tell you the first obstacle is reducing the weight of your pack, your sleeping bag, and your shelter. If you can get all those under two pounds each, you’re on your way to becoming an ultralight backpacker.

I’m thinking of backpacking across the midwest (USA) and am hoping for pointers on backpacking, such as gear and tips.

I have a mummy sleeping bag, an octogon tent (not sure if I’ll use it) and a Kelty 5500 backpack.

If you are backpacking that distance, you want specific gear designed for long distance back packing. Special lightweight but warm sleeping bag, one man back pack tent. You will need a first aid kit, a source for cooking food unless you plan to arrange your trip around cities and towns for meals, water, food, hiking boots and socks. Soap, towel. Poncho for rain. Clothing that you can wear in layers and remove as needed. Small, lightweight but reliable flashlight and batteries. Ground cloth for under your tent. A mess kit for cooking and eating.
If this is your first time doing such a thing, plan several small trips to condition your body and get used to the weight of your backpack as well as to break in your shoes. Make sure your shoes are well waterproofed. You may want a pair of crocs to wear in the evenings to allow shoes to air out.
Here are several links that should be helpful:

http://www.backpacking.net/

http://www.thebackpacker.com/

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1&CMP=KNC-google&engine=google&keyword=G000003073

http://www.rei.com/gear/feature/search/Google/TNF%20packs?cm_mmc=ps_google-_-Category%20-%20Camp%2fHike-_-Camping%2fHiking_BackPacks_TheNorthFace-_-north-face%20backpack

We will be in the rocky mountain national park in mid may, so there will still be plenty of snow on the ground. I have plenty of good warm weather clothes, an external frame back pack to carry plenty of gear and a decent kelty sleeping bag, rated to 0 degrees (i think) my big question is if any one has suggestions on whether or not to use a foam mat to sleep on, a cot, or any ideas on what could be useful after the we get to the camp site, like tips on best location to put up the tent….or any advise someone has at all on cold weather camping. Thanks!!

Cotton Kills! Use wool or man-made fibers.
Stay out from underneath trees with your tent.
Use the CLOSED cell foam mat, whether you use the cot or not.

We are really into back packing, and most of the off the shelf Backpacks just don’t have it! My needs are basic. Light but durable, external frame, little if no bells and whistles (i.e. detachable day pack, compartmentalized, a ton of adjustable straps) My needs are simplistic: large volume interior, no outside pockets except for perhaps one, two or three, meshed outside pockets and/or a couple dasie chain gear loops, the ability to strap a tent to one side and a waffle bed pad on the other and the sleeping bag on the bottom.

Most off the shelf’ packs you see in the stores, just have way to much on them, which of course adds to the weight with useless compartments and to price with the labor involved in making those useless pockets.

I really think if there is nothing out there, this might be a possible business opportunity. But more importantly, I just need to carry a minimal amount, (we have it all worked out as to what we need and we don’t need a gazillion pockets or added features) comfortably and with ease of stowage are my priorities.

I’ve been to Kelty and most other brand name pack manufacturers, I’m looking for some info from those making packs to user needs, or making AT (Appalachian trail) Packs.
Much Thanks!
BeachBum, Thank you for that very interesting piece. We are definately not the kind of people that enjoy carrying cannon balls, and are fed up with the sales pitch mentality of our local outdoor retailer. I’ve used a sewing machine a few times, and love the feeling of doing things ourselves. This is a great idea! I’m still not sold on not needing a padded hip belt (love the ability to shift the load off shoulders for a bit) And I really need an external frame, it’s so much cooler, (I hate a sweaty backs, ewww) and I remember them being eaiser to put on and carry when they aren’t on your back. I also have a ton of perfect cannon balls that are piled up on the floor of our gear room. The last being REI Ultra lights (which are good) but too many pockets and useless straps and not external frame.
All really good points Beach! I actually might have to look for a frame, attatch my Ultralight to it, cut off the garbage, add a couple of stretchy mess thingies to the back and be done with it. I was just hoping someone else manufactured something near to what I wanted.

Other then finding someones used external frame pack on crags list, I haven’t seen any places were I can buy just the frame.
Willie, thanks, Rutland is about a 4 hour ride from here, (like they say in maine, you can’t get they ah from here. Or, If I were going they ah, I wouldn’t be starting from he ah.

I’ve got a lot of stuf, so I suppose, If I can find a good external, I could dust off the sewing machine and whip something up, but you guys know how we girls love to shop!
I lucky enough to have Ragged Mountian outfiters in my back yard, and they have tons of gear matterials and hardware. And then there is IME and their consignment basement. I guess it’s time to shoping!

I know what your saying and I have an article for you and a site that may have what you are looking for. I hope you take the time to read the article in full and check out the site. Here you go:

http://www.rayjardine.com/papers/cannonballs/index.htm

http://www.rayjardine.com/papers/why-sew/index.htm

http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Backpack-Kit/index.htm

The last link is about the custom backpacks, you can put as many or little pockets, pouches, bells, and whistles.

***Edit***

Well you can always just buy the padded hip belt separate. Thats not a big deal since they sell them. I wore mine out on an ext. frame pack I had and replaced it myself. You can always sew it on. Also, if you have a frame to the pack (which I believe you do, if not you can purchase just the frame as well) why cant you sew the pack to fit on the frame. All you would need is a grommet puncher to make the holes for the pins to secure it to your frame, right? If you look at all externals the fastening mechanism is usually the same, they are usually a pin and a ring, if you leave extra material on the pack you can leave room for a grommet. You can get the grommet gun at most hardware stores, definitely Home Depot.

I think he leaves the frame and hipbelt off because he doesnt expect you to be carrying more than 15-20lbs.

Well if you have the ultra-lite REI packs and there are too many pockets and straps why not cut them off, if you dont need them why keep them around…especially if its on a pack that you like.

My pregnant wife and I are going camping in Algonquin Canada in about a month. We are very excited and this is my first time. Im told we have a 3 hour canoe and a 1 hour hike to get to our campsite.
Could any of you please elaborate on some necessary things to bring with us. It is in early august. We have a good tent, decent sleeping bags, a Kelty 5000 bag that would fit even the kitchen sink(and i get to carry) And a few camping essentials like off.
Also, What types of things should we watch out for in algonquin, what are some sights we should try to see?
Thank You in advance for your answers.

Omg im so jealous of you. I love Algonquin park.

Anyway, you should also consider getting waterproof bags.
such as this one (it’s sorta shaped like a drum)

http://www.myshoplive.com/electrical-equipment-1.htm

There are really good to have, to keep your food in just in case it rains, and so no animals will make their way into your food.
also, waterproof matches are key! and you will also want to bring some sort of thick string (like that yellow rope that is pretty cheap) to make your own clothes line to dry out your stuff if it gets wet.

Also, here is a link to the trails and museums located at algonquin.. have a look here for some ideas

http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/mustrails.html

The canoe ride will be long, but you’re never short of things to look at I assure you! It will be well worth the effort, and hey you’ll be pretty buff by the time you’re through! I suggest you adventure around after setting up camp in your canoe to see what is around your area.

Have fun! and don’t forget tons of bugspray

My pregnant wife and I are going camping in Algonquin Canada in about a month. We are very excited and this is my first time. Im told we have a 3 hour canoe and a 1 hour hike to get to our campsite.
Could any of you please elaborate on some necessary things to bring with us. It is in early august. We have a good tent, decent sleeping bags, a Kelty 5000 bag that would fit even the kitchen sink(and i get to carry) And a few camping essentials like off.
Also, What types of things should we watch out for in algonquin, what are some sights we should try to see?
Thank You in advance for your answers.

Omg im so jealous of you. I love Algonquin park.

Anyway, you should also consider getting waterproof bags.
such as this one (it’s sorta shaped like a drum)

http://www.myshoplive.com/electrical-equipment-1.htm

There are really good to have, to keep your food in just in case it rains, and so no animals will make their way into your food.
also, waterproof matches are key! and you will also want to bring some sort of thick string (like that yellow rope that is pretty cheap) to make your own clothes line to dry out your stuff if it gets wet.

Also, here is a link to the trails and museums located at algonquin.. have a look here for some ideas

http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/mustrails.html

The canoe ride will be long, but you’re never short of things to look at I assure you! It will be well worth the effort, and hey you’ll be pretty buff by the time you’re through! I suggest you adventure around after setting up camp in your canoe to see what is around your area.

Have fun! and don’t forget tons of bugspray

I have a family of 5; 3 kids under 5. One is still in a crib so I need room to put a playpen in it. I am not looking for a good deal or what is the cheapest. Nor am I looking for the most expensive. I want someone who really knows what they are talking about to tell me what brand to look at and why they are superior.

I love North Face products and I know the names Coleman, Kelty, Eureka to name a few but I know that Coleman makes great lanterns and cook stoves as North Face makes good apparel but do they make just as good tents? Please help me!!

Eureka Equinox 6 Luxury Family 12- by 10-Foot Six-Person Tent
Don’t worry about brand loyalty. All those make really great products and several have decent warranties.

This one has really good reviews. http://astore.amazon.com/camptents-20/detail/B000EQAUAA/105-0745032-2409218

I have a family of 5; 3 kids under 5. One is still in a crib so I need room to put a playpen in it. I am not looking for a good deal or what is the cheapest. Nor am I looking for the most expensive. I want someone who really knows what they are talking about to tell me what brand to look at and why they are superior.

I love North Face products and I know the names Coleman, Kelty, Eureka to name a few but I know that Coleman makes great lanterns and cook stoves as North Face makes good apparel but do they make just as good tents? Please help me!!

Eureka Equinox 6 Luxury Family 12- by 10-Foot Six-Person Tent
Don’t worry about brand loyalty. All those make really great products and several have decent warranties.

This one has really good reviews. http://astore.amazon.com/camptents-20/detail/B000EQAUAA/105-0745032-2409218

Do you backpack? What do you recommend bringing?
I’m thinking of backpacking across the midwest (USA) and am hoping for pointers on backpacking, such as gear and tips.

I have a mummy sleeping bag, an octogon tent (not sure if I’ll use it) and a Kelty 5500 backpack.

I’ve lived out of a backpack for 12 months… Basically, aside from your tent and sleeping bag, all you need is clothes. And really, you don’t NEED very many at all. A few pairs of underwear, 3 sets of socks, 1 pants, 1 shorts, and 3 t-shirts, with a jacket. And that’s really all you NEED (this is VERY difficult to imagine as you’re packing, but trust me, it is a huge thing to pack as little as possible.) You’ll also need a flashlight (I recommend a headlamp) a sleeping mat, and travel pillow. Aside from that, you really don’t need anything else….it’s all just luxury items from there (even the sleeping pad is considered a luxury item)