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Hey Guys,

Chanthee and I went camping this weekend and got more than a bit of tent-envy. While I generally go for cheap and no-frills, it seems to me that there really are a wide range of high quality tents out there...then, I went to the LL Bean Factory Outlet in Maine....$336.00 for a 4 person tent. LOL, more than I want to spend.

So, the questions are - which brands and how much?

James



It depends on where you are camping and what type of camping you are doing. The tent you would want to use on the North Slope of Alaska would be a very different tent that you would use in your local park camping 10 feet from your vehicle. Are you car camping, backpacking, camping in a wilderness in the lower 48, camping in the Alaska wilderness? All of these questions could require a different tent. How much does your life depend on the quality of you tent? The further you are from civilization, the more important that question becomes. A poor quality tent may get you by in a local park 10 feet from your car and if it doesn't, it is a minor inconvenience. Just get in your car and be dry or drive home and it is no big deal. If you are out in the Alaska Bush (3 hour flight from civilization), then your very life could depend on the quality of your tent. In this case I would want the best quality that I could buy. Define what type of camping you are going to do along with which mode of transportation and where you plan on camping and that will help decide on the quality of tent. In the lower 48 States, you don't need a $2000.00 4 person tent for camping for a weekend (yes we do have tents that expensive and even more up here for expeditions.) Out in the Alaska bush or on Mt. McKinley, that $336.00 4 person tent you saw would probably get you killed, but could be overkill in your local park.

As far as the Marriot goes, they are not located a lot of places I want to go and you can't take an RV on a plane either (unless you are using a C-130). I can set up a camp with a tent that will be as comfortable as a Marriot, I am sure Tony could do the same. I have been in tent camps that were as comfortable as a Marriot, while the food was even better. I have camped for 50 years now and am as comfortable camping as I am in my own house.

David Ramey Photography