[bccarlso]

This is the season we're finally going to do a family (of 4) backpacking trip or two! I have two older style REI 2P tentsm, but they are quite heavy and I'm looking to shave some weight, especially since we'll be taking heavier/bulkier backpacks to carry the kids' extra gear. I'd entertain floorless or enclosed models, but looking to try and find something inexpensive (hence looking for used). Anyone have anything they're not needing? Or recommendations if I end up needing to get new ones? Tarptent Preamble looks good (and affordable, $200), or MLD Duomid ($280), etc. if I need to go that route...

[Randito]

Not sure how big your kiddos are, but the Black Diamond MegaLight pyramid tent can accommodate up to 4. You may even use two trekking poles with an gizmo and/or few voile straps.

[Bargainhunter]

I'm a big fan of the Mountainsmith Mountain Shelter LT. https://mountainsmith.com/products/mountain-shelter-lt I got a few in the pre-Covid days for ~$70 before the price run up. I don't hike with trekking poles so I made my own carbon fiber equivalents and they've held up in big snow dumps and extreme winds. Once it's staked out it's super solid. I appreciated the heavy duty materials, especially after watching thinner ultralight tents self-destruct. Since I've purchased mine, Mountainsmith was sold, so I'm not sure if the quality is still there. But there appears to be plenty of new old stock out there.

[bccarlso]

@Randito - think I want to go with (2) 2P shelters since it won't always be us four going. @Bargainhunter - thanks for the recommendation, I'll check that out.

[Randito]

The Black Diamond Beta Light is a two person version. Sets up with two trekking poles. With the edges staked down flush to the ground , protection from poor weather in both the Mega and the Beta is pretty good. The mega flaps a bit more when the wind gets stronger. As supplied by the factory, they work less well in warm and buggy conditions. Staking out flush to the ground limits ventilation. But raising the edges a bit from the ground results in more bugs coming in. BD sells a bug inner tent with a floor. but wiegh and bulk are equal or greater than the tent/tarp itself. Sewing a foot wide swath of Mosquito netting along the bottom edge helps improve ventilation without letting too many pests in.

[bccarlso]

That's one thing I did like about the Tarptent Preamble, it has a built in bug skirt.

[CS]

I have one of these HG Trek tarps w/ d-rings, packs down small, pretty light and indestructible. Already seam-sealed $60 or something? https://hammockgear.com/the-trek/

[bccarlso]

[Greensleeves]

Check out Luxe outdoor, strictly trek pole tents. Very lightweight, have taken mine on multiple trips to Peru, has held up in worst weather

[CS]

That Luxe company is pretty confusing, I could never tell if it was a scam or not. But it looks like there's a notice about the one in Forks: http://www.luxeoutdoor.com/eng/catalog-topic-gallery-view1.asp?id=1489&selfpath=/30

[Bowregard]

Just a note for clarification: BD Beta Light changed the tent config a year or two ago and I suspect both versions may still be available. The older version is basically a trekking pole tarp with full closure if staked to the ground. Very light and roomy. The newer version has mesh attached to the bottom to provide bug protection when ventilated by staked up a bit and is a bit smaller. As Randito noted the "Beta Bug" designed to fit inside the older Beta Light is very heavy for what it does.