Tents and Sleeping bags

In a recent thread in another part of the forum discussing camping and the such got me thinking...I am going to need a tent for this summer...

I'm on the cheap for now, But I don't need anything fancy...im not mountain climbing or trying to camp in a blizzard...i just need a descent tent that can fit in a kayak and doesn't leak in the rain...

Also gonna need a Sleeping bag...i don't know much about either subjects but i figured people on the forum must know...

so what sleeping bags and tents do you guys use or suggest...and what problems have u run into?

(remember im on the cheap)

no matter what tent you buy... take it out, set it up, and Camp Dry or silicone waterproof spray all the seams.. even the really high end ones tend to leak at the seams..

when my family used to go camping alot in cold weather...we had a huge tent...by today's standards it could probably sleep about 15-20 lol...but for the 5 of us and occasionally the extra friend for 6 it was great...too bad it was a old green canvas tent and it weighed about 60lbs and was 6 foot long folded up lol...but damn it never leaked lol

Its slightly nontraditional but I bought a Black Diamond Mega Mid (its a floorless tent) then sewed a stove jack on the back (available on line) and use a Kifaru small wood stove in it.  the stove weighs a couple pounds and the tent weights about three.  It all packs down smaller than my high end 2 person tent and the great thing is if you get wet and cold or the weather is nasty you have a warm place to stay, and you can cook on the stove.  If any one is curious and I get the time I can set it up and take a pic or two.

For tents and sleeping bags I think you can recognize that there's a huge range in price points. There also an incredible variety of products. You're going to have to decide your budget strategy- i.e., keep initial cost down, but maybe have to replace fairly soon, or go with high-end and not have to replace for a long time.

My personal sleeping bag is probably older than you, yn. It was one of the original Hollowfil bags, I think. I highly recommend a synthetic bag for the NW. Down is light, but useless if wet.

We have an older high-end backpack tent and a cheap plastic palace for car camping with the family. Even on the budget models, I recommend using a brandname that you recognize. Years ago my wife brought home a cheapy from Target that was from a company I didn't recognize. It had a weird hub system that was a pain and could be assembled only with aid of the directions. Went to use it several years later and the directions were gone and could never again figure out how to assemble it.

definitely looking for initial cost here lol...i don't wanna go to ridiculously cheap but the low to mid range...i was thinking somewhere around 150 for the tent...hopefully less...even if it is a good used one

as for the sleeping bag i don't have a clue...but seems like 50 or 60 bucks should get you a descent one...but then again what do i know

Its slightly nontraditional but I bought a Black Diamond Mega Mid (its a floorless tent) then sewed a stove jack on the back (available on line) and use a Kifaru small wood stove in it.  the stove weighs a couple pounds and the tent weights about three.  It all packs down smaller than my high end 2 person tent and the great thing is if you get wet and cold or the weather is nasty you have a warm place to stay, and you can cook on the stove.  If any one is curious and I get the time I can set it up and take a pic or two.

Sounds like a really cool setup.  Please post some setup pics in the other thread I started in the Shorebreak if you would?

definitely looking for initial cost here lol...i don't wanna go to ridiculously cheap but the low to mid range...i was thinking somewhere around 150 for the tent...hopefully less...even if it is a good used one

as for the sleeping bag i don't have a clue...but seems like 50 or 60 bucks should get you a descent one...but then again what do i know

How many need to fit, just you? 
I'd suggest Coleman brand tents.  I've had several over the years, and still have a small dome tent that my folks got me and my wife for Christmas back in 1994.  The kids stay in it now when we go camping.

Coleman has a thing called "Tent Finder" on their site.
Give it a whirl and see what fits ya.
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/gearfinder/tentfinder.asp

Well most of the time it will probably be just me...but i was thinking a 2-3 man tent because i will be taking and going with people sometimes...easier to take one tent then 2 or 3...

In a recent thread in another part of the forum discussing camping and the such got me thinking...I am going to need a tent for this summer...

I'm on the cheap for now, But I don't need anything fancy...im not mountain climbing or trying to camp in a blizzard...i just need a descent tent that can fit in a kayak and doesn't leak in the rain...

Also gonna need a Sleeping bag...

(remember im on the cheap)

YN, noticed you live in Seattle.  There is a cool place in Ballard you need to check out--here's the link:  www.secondascent.com/s/index.php
I bought my 2 person tent there last year.  They sell used outdoor gear, usually good brand name stuff, and in excellent shape, plus, it is cheap.  Everyone in the Seattle area should know
about this place and take advantage of this cool recycling idea.  You can probably solve both of your needs with this one stop.  Good luck and let us know how it went.
Rob.

Are you planning for primarily kayak camping or car camping?  What will you be sleeping on ... pad wise?

I have a 2 man tent to backpacking.  I have a 3 man tent for car camping.  When car camping I have a queen size colman inflatable mattress.  The larger 3 man lets me use that AND store gear in there, or I can use the large mattes and someone else can still fit in the tent.

But if it's cold out, I'll reach for the 2 man even when car camping.  It's easier to keep the airspace in the smaller tents heated with body heat.

I get the most use out of a 2 man tent.  I agree with some of the comments here.  Go with a brand name tent.  I've seen more than my fair share of cheapo tents ripping seams on their first use.  I have primarily bought Kelty or Sierra Designs tents, but have owned REI brand as well.  Since you're on a budget, go for the lowest costs name brand tents.   Most tents of this type are high enough quality that you don't need to mess with seam sealing or fly treatment out of the box.  You may want to treat the fly after a couple seasons.

I use a down sleeping bag.  You just can't beat the packed size.  But as Pisco points out, they are trouble when wet.  That being said, I'm pretty careful with it and have never had it wet.  Almost any bag would work well, just depends on what you're looking for.

-Allen

In a recent thread in another part of the forum discussing camping and the such got me thinking...I am going to need a tent for this summer...

I'm on the cheap for now, But I don't need anything fancy...im not mountain climbing or trying to camp in a blizzard...i just need a descent tent that can fit in a kayak and doesn't leak in the rain...

Also gonna need a Sleeping bag...

(remember im on the cheap)

YN, noticed you live in Seattle.  There is a cool place in Ballard you need to check out--here's the link:  www.secondascent.com/s/index.php
I bought my 2 person tent there last year.  They sell used outdoor gear, usually good brand name stuff, and in excellent shape, plus, it is cheap.  Everyone in the Seattle area should know
about this place and take advantage of this cool recycling idea.  You can probably solve both of your needs with this one stop.  Good luck and let us know how it went.
Rob.

+1 for Second Ascent.

-Allen

Well most likely it will be alot more car camping...but i do want to use it on some kayaking trips...so i was hoping for a one size fits all...besides my house is about the size of a tent anyways...i don't have anywhere to store all this stuff i keep buying lol...my kayak doesn't fit wall to wall in my house (i live in a basement apartment btw)

i will definitely check that ascent place out though

I have no personal experience with one of these, but a lot of paddlers I know that do long canoe/kayak trips love these.
http://hennessyhammock.com
There are several youtube videos about them.  Only sleeps one unless you really really like your paddling companion(s).  However, they are easy to pack.

I have no personal experience with one of these, but a lot of paddlers I know that do long canoe/kayak trips love these.
http://hennessyhammock.com
There are several youtube videos about them.  Only sleeps one unless you really really like your paddling companion(s).  However, they are easy to pack.

Steelheadr has one of these, don't you?  At least someone had one of these at Drano last year and I thought it was Jay.

-Allen