Grab These 4 Backpacker-Approved Tents at a Discount Right Now
This article originally appeared on Backpacker
A tent is the most expensive piece of gear in most backpackers’ gear closets, and upgrading your shelter can put some serious strain on your wallet. That’s why, this time of year, we’re always on the lookout for Thanksgiving-adjacent deals to help soften the blow. If you’re looking to snag a new tent for a backpacker on your list--or, let’s be real, for yourself--check out these four Backpacker-reviewed and -approved picks, each of which can be had for up to 25% off retail now.
Eureka El Capitan, 2 Person ($195--25% off)
Buying a legit 4-season tent can be an expensive proposition, but the roomy, durable El Capitan performed well enough in our testing that we named it the best budget pick of the winter. With 35 square feet of floor space plus dual 14-foot vestibules, the El Cap feels like a palace, and has enough head and shoulder room to make waiting out winter storms, well, a breeze. A floor made of 150-denier polyester with a 5,000-millimeter waterproof coating and a fly and body made of 75-denier polyester with a 2000-millimeter coating kept out whipping winds and stood up to frozen rain without budging. (The tradeoff to that durability, space and low price: It’s relatively heavy at 8 pounds and 8 ounces.) Buy Now
Sea to Summit Ikos TR2 Tent ($344--20% off)
You’ll have to move quickly if you want to grab this shelter, which earned the Most Comfortable title in our Summer Gear Guide: It’s part of REI’s Gear Up Get Out Sale, which ends on November 20. With 31 feet of floor space, plus twin 9-square-foot vestibules, the Ikos was a reliable friend during a stormy test in Yellowstone National Park, and had the winter chops to keep our testers cozy when four inches of fresh dropped during an overnight trip in New Mexico. Give some credit to the 68-denier ripstop polyester fly and its PFC-free DWR coating, which shed water handily in even driving rain. The downside: Like the El Capitan, the Ikos trades comfort for a hefty trail weight, clocking in at 5 pounds, 3 ounces. Buy Now
Big Agnes Gold Camp UL3 Tarp and Mesh Inner ($350--25% off)
Sleeping in a pyramid-style tent may take some getting used to for new initiates--what with the big center pole sitting in the middle of your space and all--but take the plunge, and you’ll enjoy spectacular size and livability for the weight. At a slim 4 pounds, 3 ounces--that’s just over 1 pound, 6 ounces per person--the tarp and mesh inner provide a roomy 45 feet of floor space and a whopping six-and-a-half feet of headroom at its peak. Want to go truly ultralight? Leaving the mesh vestibule at home on non-buggy, non-soggy hikes drops the trail weight down to just 2 pounds, 6 ounces, or a little shy of 13 ounces per person. Buy Tarp / Buy Mesh Inner
Coleman Peak1 2-Person ($243--10% off)
If you know someone who’s just making the transition from car camping into backpacking, this beginner-friendly tent held up to 30-mile-per-hour winds during an overnight at Carlsbad State Beach in California. Like,a lot of tents aimed at beginners, it rides the line between a backpacking tent and car-camping shelter at 6 pounds, 1 ounce, so it’s best for short trips with a partner where you can divide the weight. On the plus side, it comes equipped with a grab bag of nice features, including a bevy of pockets for keeping your small gear organized and a triangular moon roof you can unzip from inside for unfettered stargazing. Buy Now
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