recommend a 4 season 2 man tent

What's your favorite alpine tent for two man trips in the mountains? Seeking a balance of durability and weight. Cost also a factor; over $500 is too much. I'm used to tents with flys; input on the single wall tents marketed as 4 season appreciated. Current tent is a 15 year old Sierra Designs Stretch Dome Expedition CD that is really heavy, a pain to set up, and hot for use in summer. It's a 2.5 person tent really, not a 3 unless everyone is small.

Black diamond megalight is a bombproof pyramid tent that gives you tons more room at the same or less weight than a regular 2 man tent.

I'd recommend getting the bug net with tub floor too, adds weight but makes it a great tent for all seasons.

Ryan Valentine wrote:Black diamond megalight is a bombproof pyramid tent that gives you tons more room at the same or less weight than a regular 2 man tent. I'd recommend getting the bug net with tub floor too, adds weight but makes it a great tent for all seasons.

That's a tarp shelter, not a tent. Freestanding is also one of my mandatory criteria.

Trango t2. Cause you know when you get shit pounded it'll stay up, definitely heavy though

I like my Bibler Eldorado, got it in great condition used off of MP in your price range.

Its not as a light as a firstlight or similar bivy tent, but it does feel more bomber (the thicker toddtex) and its way more rainproof than a firstlight. Mostly I like it cause I'm 6'4" and I fit decently in it.

I've used it for 4-5 nights in a row on an expedition with a buddy and it wasn't too cramped...the bibler hotel! For normal camping its fine too, a bit warm in the summer but the mesh door is nice. You would probably do well with an I-tent if you aren't worried about space or want to shave weight. Just my thoughts.

Oddly years ago I had some of my suggestions on the Sierra Designs Stretch Dome incorporated into the tent from when we were on Denali. But like you have gone to lighter single wall tents. Over the years I have used Bibler (now Black Diamond) tents for expeditions. I have owned and used the I-Tent, Eldo, FIztroy, and others. Still have several. In fact, if you are interested ping me directly as I have a rare two door I-Tent for sale. Complete with vestibule and ground cloth. All for just under $500. It is in excellent shape (no holes, repairs, etc).

Mountain Hardware Direckt 2 is the most bombproof shelter I've ever lived in for an extended period of time. You can usually find them in this forum used for a very good price.

EDIT: Thanks for the correction.

Mountain Hardware Direckt 2

ColinM wrote: That's a tarp shelter, not a tent. Freestanding is also one of my mandatory criteria.

Guess it depends on where you'll use it most. Free standing can be nice but you'll usually sacrifice space to save weight. Your max price tag is your biggest limitation though.

I have a Nemo Tenshi with the vestibule and it's an awesome little single wall 4 season tent for "two." Problem is, almost every single wall tent costs more than you're willing to spend.

Again, I'm not sure where and how you'll most often use it, but 4 season mountaineering tents are usually not best suited for what most of us will be using them for. I like the advice someone else had to offer; double wall for rain, single wall for snow.

All of that said, I haven't used my Nemo once since I bought the BD megalight last year. Just saying.

While Hilleberg tents are fairly expensive they are really solid and light. I picked mine up from Neptune Mountaineering a few years ago, it was a floor model and highly discounted.

Read the reviews on the Mountain Hardware Direkt 2 and nearly all said it's not waterproof. Sounds not versatile to me if I can't stay dry if it's raining. Eldorado looks nice; I'll keep an eye out for used tents. Any experiences with the BD/Biebler Tempest, Fitzroy, or HiLight? Plenty of used options on eBay

I have an older model of this tent and it is bombproof but kinda heavy. A 3 person tent but perfect for 2 people with lots of stuff (e.g. winter camping).

omcgear.com/the-north-face-…

Hilleberg

James is spot on. The Marmot Thor series is fantastic. I have the 3p and sweat I could fit a family of 5 in it. They really do an awesome job with their tent designs.

Where do you live? Where do you do your alpine climbing? What season(s)? Do you wait for good weather usually?

The Mountain Hardwear Direkt2, Black Diamond Firstlight, or discontinued Lighthouse are probably the lightest and most compact options for a "bivy tent" being used for climbing (which is usually done with a favorable weather forecast, otherwise you're coming down).

Additionally, such lightweight tents would complement your Stretch Dome well. If you're intentionally going out with a questionable weather forecast (e.g. rain), the Stretch Dome is a good choice. Otherwise, go with the light and compact option.

Just finished a long trip with a big group and was the most envious of two tents in particular.

The Sierra designs Convert 2 was always one of the quickest up in the group and was very spacious for 2. Managed condensation well and had a decent vestibule. Weight was the lowest of any double wall, comfortably sized tent in the group. Is freestanding too.

The other (two) were Hillebergs. The Nallo 2 also was a true 2 person, comfortably sized and light, set up a bit slower than the convert but close. Not freestanding but was noticeably sturdier than the convert. There was also an Unna, listed as a 1 person but the inner dimensions are bigger than the ultralight single walls (direkt, tenshi, firstlight etc.). Unna has no vestibule per say but when set on snow a storage area can be dug under the fly easily.

Sadly both are out of the $500 price range, but they are investments that will long outlast the knot in your stomach that forms upon payment.

The Marmot Thor 2p and Sierra Designs Convert 2 look like great tents and both can be had new for less than $500 on sale. The Thor weighs almost twice as much as the Convert but I like the features such as ventilation.

I have a Big Agnes Shield and love it. It's light and strong and the poles set up on the outside, which makes for a very easy pitch. You can get a vestibule for it too.

ColinM wrote:The Marmot Thor 2p and Sierra Designs Convert 2 look like great tents and both can be had new for less than $500 on sale. The Thor weighs almost twice as much as the Convert but I like the features such as ventilation.

FYI Sierra Designs gives a 40% AAC discount.

I really like the MSR Fury. Weight isn't too bad for a double wall tent and the hooped vestibule is huge.

BA Shield now on sale for $389. Similar to Eldorado but the poles are on the outside which makes it a breeze to set up, weighs 4lbs.