I have a feeling that this summer I am going to spend most of my disposable income on outdoor gear. This means I will be doing a lot of searching and researching to find the best quality goods for the right price. I will keep you informed on what I am looking to purchase, and will review each new product here. So that you, my faithful audience, can offer your own expertise, or use some of my research and field-testing to guide your own purchasing decisions.
I am looking to purchase quite a few items this season to round out my pack (actually a new pack is one of the items I am looking for). I have old packs and old sleeping bags, so these items are not a top priority right away (unless I stumble upon an item for a price that I just can’t refuse).
First on my list: A tent.
I hiked into Rock Pond last summer and made a BIG mistake. We didn’t bring a tent, as we planned on sleeping in one of the lean-tos. The campfire will be enough to keep the bugs away right? WRONG. I probably got 30 minutes of sleep all night, but I learned a valuable lesson, and won’t repeat the mistake. I needed a tent.
After researching tent sizes, weights, accessories, etc. I decided that I would like a 2-person, 3-season tent. I was looking for one with two doors, so in the event that one of us had to get up in the night, the other wouldn’t be stepped on. An included footprint and gear loft would be a nice bonus.
I came across this beauty on S&C , for $95! Stoic Templum 2 – two person, three season with included footprint and gear loft, weighing in at about 5lbs. At that price, I couldn’t pass it up.
The day it arrived in the mail I packed my things and headed to a little campsite on the Hudson River in Lake Luzerne to test it out.
The tent went up very easily, no more than five minutes, and that was on the first attempt! Now that I am more familiar with the design I should be able to get set up in a couple minutes – even if it’s dark. The rain fly has a vestibule for each door, so we were able to leave our footwear and backpacks outside of our sleeping space, but undercover. There was plenty of room lengthwise, and I am 6’1″. However I wouldn’t want to be sharing this thing with just anyone. It is fine for two people that are very comfortable with each other, but it’s still pretty narrow.
Overall I think this was a great purchase. Compact enough to hike with, yet large enough to share (with certain people). I got a great product at an even better price, with a few added extras. AND, now I get to wake up to sites like this:
A few things that are also on my never-ending list of gear to update/purchase:
- Weekend Pack
- Sleeping Bag (30 Degree)
- Backpacking Stove
- Water Filtration Unit
If you have any advice or knowledge on these products don’t hesitate to share it here!
You may already know of this but, http://www.steepandcheap.com is a great place to get gear and clothing. They have new deals every half hour or so or when one sells out.
Not sure if you’re looking to be able to physically see and hold your objects, but I think you’ll find it worth checking out!
Enjoy your blog. Your tent purchase experience is interesting. You are a great writer. Keep your entrees coming.
love the blog, nice to get the view of a novice as he learns the ropes. all of us beginners appreciate the realistic help and advice. I’ll be following
How many high peaks so far?
Jake, I started hiking last summer and climbed 4 peaks, Cascade & Porter (loop), Dix, and Big Slide. Cascade and Porter are nice and easy, and both can be conquered in about a 6 hour loop. Dix was pretty difficult for me, I went when the trail was still a little wet, and it gets quite steep at the top. I hiked Big Slide via the Three Brothers with some friends, and this was my favorite so far. A great view from the top looking directly at Marcy, Algonquin and the western high peaks! I still need a little more gear, then I will start making overnight trips, climbing a couple mountains at a time and maybe doing some back-country brook trout fishing!
It’s articles like these that keep me optimistic about being helped on the internet. Thank you for helping me. By the way your site rocks!
Thank you for your review as I am now looking at one of these tents for my trips into the ADK’s as well. I venture into the backwaters around Star Lake and Lake Lyla and have now decided to purchase a Stoic Templum 2 tent of my own. Thanks for the information.