I am not about to read all responses, I'm afraid, but I will offer you what advise I can having done a 2-up trip. Sorry if it's already been said.

Initially we went with the same design that you specified and got a 2 man geodesic tent from Robert Saunders for our 2-up overland trip in South America. It was free standing and had two entrances, etc. It performed very well, but space was a premium. Basically, we never needed the two entrances and I doubt you will either when you get in the swing of things. When you pitch you will do so with one clear point of entry and exit: you don't end up needing the second one. You might once in a while but it's really not that essential.

Then, about 18 months ago, we got a dog and if the 2 man was a bit cramped before with all our kit, now it was ridiculous. Our solution was to buy a tunnel tent.

It weighs and packs down the same as the 2 man, but it is vast. Admittedly, only one entrance, not free-standing (you need good tension on the two ends to maintain the form) and probably not as solid in strong winds (but that is only relative: it does not mean it will collapse if you sneeze on it, either).

However, the atrium area is huge: as big as the sleeping area which, in turn, is already bigger than the geodesic. We have not used it in very demanding conditions yet, but we met other tunnel users when in Patagonia and they had no complaints (ever been in Patagonian wind?).

If you pitch cleverly you can off-set probably all disadvantages of a tunnel, they are quick to set-up and so spacious.

The geodesic is now my comfortable 1 man and his dog tent when I go off alone. Otherwise it's the tunnel.

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

How about a cheap, easy to put up tent and a lightweight tarp? They're useful to live and work under as well as being an obvious alternative at night.

Just a thought.

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I've a feeling I'm not in Kansas anymore.

Ok after looking through a lot of tents today I think I've narrowed it down a little as to what we'll look into.

1. Mountain Hardwear Skyledge 3
2. Vaude Mark III
3. MSR Mo Room 2
4. Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL2 with extendable vestibule

Hilleberg Staika - off the table because of the price

Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 - off the table because of the overkill 4 season (or 3 colder seasons ) tent, longish set up, heavy

The North Face Big Fat Frog which is the follower of the famous Tad Pole - seems to be a little too small for 2 -up

The North Face Minibus 23 - thought through design but overdone a little maybe - too many things can go wrong with it and the waterproofing is not the best.

Bear in mind that it's not as if I used any of these - just sharing my thoughts with you.

@Warthog:

I don;t know why but the tunnel tents frighten us a little It's just all about where u can use them. A freestanding tent will stand on its own and if the weather is crappy you peg it down and you're sorted. With the tunnel tent you always have to peg it down no matter what the weather is like. I think that MSR Mo Room tent is close to beeing perfect - it's built almost as if it was a tunnel tent but is freestanding thanks to one additional pole PLUS it has an extandable vestibule which makes more room for gear.

Let us know what you think,
Stay safe!
Gosia and Andy

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[quote=quastdog;245931]I've been using a Trangia alcohol stove for 3 years with few complaints.

Stoves for dummies - like it! We too used a trangia, and yes, had to warm up the fuel - the last thing you need after a chilly night camping is to not get a brew going! But to find fuel (burning alcohol), esp in Morocco, was v tricky - we had to get some dodgy moonshine from under a tarp down a side alley, but at least it burned and we got to meet some great locals!!

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"Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from god"
Bokonon

That is a fair point and it's your choice so yo need to be happy with it regardless what others may think. I'll be curious to see how often you are in a place where pegging down is impossible, even if it means huntng around for a spot for a bit longer, though. Still, if your heart is set on a dome type, then also have a look at Robert Saunders tents. We bought a Mountain Trek and it has been fine, albeit a little small. It has the same form as many dome tents but was far cheaper than other brands like Terra nova, North Face et al. However, they have lots of models, so you may find the shape you want, but a lot cheaper than many. I would say the Base camp, Satellite Plus, Spacepacker, or Space-Trek may be worth a look-see.

Whichever tent you decide to go for, get a good footprint (I made mine by ironing together opened out rubble bags: not pretty but it works) because tent ground sheets seem pretty flimsy these days (all the brands included!!) IMHO.

Happy hunting.

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

I second the tarp option. MSR do one the TWING which is only 800 grams


Tarps are hugely versatile, you can use them as extra porch/cooking room for your tent, pack it on the top of everything and pull it out when you want a shaded siesta or a rain-sheltered lunch, suspend it over your inner tent when things are really hot to let the breezes blow, throw it over the two of you while you slide the poles into your tent in the pouring rain or sleep under it in an emergency when your free-standing tent blows away.

If you combined it with a lighter tent like MSR's 2.84kg FURY




you end up with a more versatile set up for the same weight.

One thing I'd really make sure is how long the tent takes to set up. When you're cold, wet, muddy and stood in howling wind and rain, do you want to be fiddling with complicated clip together pole systems, particularly ones which clip to the inner tent which has a nice big mosquito netting-ed "hole" in the roof.

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nice tarp Alex but...... Twing - $229.95 .... it can be!
I use a 4m x 3m tarp and it cost less than 2/3rds of that price!
and a +1 for the Nammatj 2 Hilleberg - had it for ...must be 6 years now I think and good as new except 1 wee tear in the roof which was my fault as packed next to a sharpy-
I can put it up in under 2 minutes, 6 pegs (can take more) - inner remains suspended and outer all attached in 1 piece- 2 poles- either fits- 2 ends taped up. The Staika is too expensive sadly for me- I'd get another but perhaps the Plus version that has a larger porch.
Solid & reliable-

Oh, eeek, yes, didn't look at the price, it was more for illustrative purposes only. I think my tarp was about £20 from Blacks.

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