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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2020 12:48:45 GMT -8
Hey there,
My friend and I are first time backpackers planning to hike the pct for 7 days.
Is it better to get a two person tent that we share and trade off carrying? Or each get our own 1 person tent.
Thanks for the advice!
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Jul 17, 2020 13:37:55 GMT -8
Depends on a lot of factors. Here are a few questions to consider: How much do you like each other? How big are you? Is saving weight important to you? Is cost an important consideration? Do either of you snore? "Better" in this instance is very much a subjective judgement having to do with your own priorities. If you provide us a little more detail about your trip and what you're looking for, we might be able to give you some helpful guidance. You might also consider reading the pinned article above: link |
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Jul 17, 2020 13:39:50 GMT -8
Welcome.
How big is the tent (which manufacturer/model), and how much do you like each other? Does anyone snore? Roll over a lot? Flop around?
A typical true backpacking 1P tent is made for 1 person.
A typical true backpacking 2P tent is made for 1.5 people.
A typical true backpacking 3P tent is made for 2.5 people.
Personally, I'd take separate tents.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jul 17, 2020 15:07:17 GMT -8
If you decide to take only one tent, split up the load. Poles, rain fly, and tent body are the typical components. spread out the weight, and if one feels heavier than the other portion, find something else to swap from the heavy pack to the lighter one (as long as both hikers are of equal size and ability).
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Jul 17, 2020 16:59:40 GMT -8
You and your friend should borrow a 2 person tent and go out for one night, before attempting 7 days. One, you'll figure out whether or not you want to carry the gear you have for 7 days after carrying it for 2. Two, you'll figure out if your friendship will survive being in a 2 person tent for six nights, and possibly save the relationship. Three, no one should make a 7 day trip their first trip. Particularly if you are hiking part of the pct where bear canisters are mandatory - it's a rare person who figures out how to pack one of those for a week on the first try. Taking it out and figuring out everything won't fit in it leads to bad things, for you and the bears.
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Jul 17, 2020 17:49:35 GMT -8
^^^^ Great advice.
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Post by dayhiker on Jul 17, 2020 19:25:28 GMT -8
G,o out once in good weather , then try bad weather not far from car, maybe even car camp.
I shared many tents when I was younger, as a Boy Scout and thru college, after that I had 1.5 tents for myself. My snoring got loud enough years later I would not consider making some share with me anymore, and tents are much lighter (depending on what you buy. I have stored my pack outside with a pack cover, but I like it in the tent with me (I remember once when a mule deer tried to drag it away when I came back from getting water nearby), not even in a vestibule, and put anything that might not do well if it somehow got wet inside it etc. I also like to stretch my arms out. But I don't remember sharing being that bad but I was much younger etc., arms actually don't like being pinned to my sides now days.
if you are in Oregon or Washington you won't need a bear canister
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daveg
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Post by daveg on Jul 17, 2020 19:40:44 GMT -8
no one should make a 7 day trip their first trip. +1 I've met a fair number of aspiring AT thru-hikers (who had little or no backpacking experience) who bailed just three or four days after starting because "It wasn't what I expected." A two person tent will cost and weigh significantly less and than two one person tents. But if you get a two person tent, who gets it when the hike is over? If you go on future hikes, will you need a two person tent? If money and a pound or two of additional weight is not an issue, I would go with two one person tents. You'll each have a tent to keep when the hike is over. And if all you need on future hikes is a one person tent, you'll save some weight on future trips. I'm admittedly biased. Unless I'm hiking with my wife or every ounce of weight savings is critically important, I'd rather carry my own solo shelter. It gives me and my hiking partner more flexibility. And I sleep better by myself in my own tent. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2020 19:44:48 GMT -8
Except for when my wife could hike with me, I always carried a 1 person tent. I like my privacy!
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jul 17, 2020 20:39:42 GMT -8
Except for when my wife could hike with me, I always carried a 1 person tent. I like my privacy! Same here.
ETA: By the way, most people thrash around more at night when they're backpacking than they do at home.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 18, 2020 12:20:38 GMT -8
I think I’ll chime in with both those recommending a trial run, and the comments on sharing vs. not sharing tents. The last time I tried to share a tent with someone besides my husband, I ended up sleeping outside. Granted, it was a pretty marginal tent, but I’m just not comfortable doing that anymore. Since I raise the question, I assume you aren’t on spousal terms, so think long and hard about how you feel about sleeping that close together.
Based on my experience, a 2P tent like the BA Copper Spur is plenty roomy for a couple of small people, but when push came to shove last weekend, I didn’t care to share it with my adult son.
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Jul 18, 2020 14:01:26 GMT -8
Just to throw a wild card in here, I'll always choose my backpacking hammock (Warbonnet Blackbird) over a tent.
Some destinations don't have suitable trees, so I also have a 1P tent. I bought a Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo when it was on sale for $184.
I'm past the point of sharing a tent with anyone who is not my wife (for that I have a Lunar Duo). I much prefer side entry with a vestibile.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jul 18, 2020 14:30:23 GMT -8
On 2 separate trips, I shared a tent. One the first trip, my wife and I shared a 3 person tent with my good friend. On the second trip it was that friend, his wife, and I. Other than that, he and I never shared tents. I've slept under the same tarp with others on several occasions. I never felt weird about it, but they may have.
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Post by cheaptentguy on Jul 18, 2020 18:39:21 GMT -8
Just to throw a wild card in here, I'll always choose my backpacking hammock (Warbonnet Blackbird) over a tent. Hammock setups are great, but if you that route, make sure you're covering your bases. (and by bases, I mean your bottom.) I hear of a lot of people that take the Eno out and don't realize how chilly drafts get below you. Most people who use hammocks get an underquilt, but you can get by with a standard sleeping pad under you. I'd do separate tents. I bought a 3P tent to share with a buddy, and then I started backpacking a lot more than the buddy wanted to, so now I have a much larger and heavier tent than I need. You may want to consider a 2P tent for yourself, as 1P tents can be fairly tight. |
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Jul 18, 2020 19:15:35 GMT -8
After getting my hammock I tried pads but soon invested in a good underquilt. Still use my down sleeping bags as top quilts.
I sleep much more comfortably in my Blackbird, lying fairly flat on my back. You can also sleep on your side but not stomach, and if you're a very active sleeper the confines of a hammock may not be for you.
The beauty of a hammock is being able to set up almost anywhere in a forest, no flat level spots needed -- and it's great having a shelter above the wet dirty ground instead of on it. Just string the tarp between two trees first, and you're ready to unpack.
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