What Tent Shall I Buy???

It's been some time since I have blogged, because I had nothing to blog about.  But since I have an infinite amount of free time nowadays, I thought of blogging about tents.  (I was planning to buy one)

So upon watching YouTube videos, I stumbled upon this...

Long haired Colonel Sanders just about sums up what are needed to be considered in choosing tents. I narrowed it down to 2 possible types, the dome type and the tadpole type.  The dome type offers a larger livable space, while the tadpole type offers the aerodynamic design.

So upon looking at different brands and different models, I came up with these 5 finalists that are readily available locally.

1. The North Face Tadpole 23

You can't go wrong with The North Face brands, what I like about this model is the ample amount of headroom and living space compared that of the local tadpole tents.  But alongside this tent is a steep price tag that I need to think thrice before purchasing.

2.  Mountain Hardwear Raven 2

Next up is the Mountain Hardwear Raven 2.  This is a dome type of tent, it offers a bigger living space than that of a tadpole tent but it is not as aerodynamically designed.  But as I found out from asking other team mates and other mountaineers, the dome type will suffice most mountains, and it is also a matter of pitching your tent securely to avoid being blown away or apart. Now as with The North Face Tadpole 23, this tent also comes with a steep price tag.  Although it is not as expensive as the former, a lot of thinking should still be considered if I am to purchase this one.

3.  Sierra Designs Zia 2



This is the Sierra Designs Zia tent, (the video shows the 3 person but it also comes with a 2 person tent).  Another dome type tent, this gives a larger living space because of it's extended side design.  a larger living space would mean a larger area on which to move about.  What I also like about this tent is that it comes with a free gear loft and groundsheet.

4.  Kelty Trail Ridge 2



Next is the Kelty Trail Ridge 2 tent, as with the Sierra Designs Zia video, it comes with a 2 person tent.  This is also a dome type tent, a slightly smaller headspace as with the Sierra Designs Zia 2 but larger than the Mountain Hardwear Raven 2.  This is the cheapest of all the dome type tents in this review.  It also comes with a free gear loft but with no groundsheet.  Which is fine because I can just tailorfit local materials that will be cheaper.

5.  Brown Trekker Tadpole

This is the last tent on my list, it is the cheapest of the 5 because it's a local brand.  Unfortunately, there are no video reviews for this tent.  But upon looking at the pictures, It is quite similar to the Apexus Tadpole but with a slight difference.  The Brown Trekker Tadpole tent looks similar to The North Face's Tadpole 23 with the mesh body.  It doesn't come with a groundsheet or gear loft but as stated, it is the cheapest of all the tens here.

I have summarized these tents dimensions.

Now what I look for in a tent is a good amount of living space, as much as possible 2 doors and 2 vestibules as to not to disturb your tent mate when going in and out of the tent.

So what tent should I buy?  My verdict?  I am leaning on purchasing the Kelty Trail Ridge 2 tent.  It is the cheapest among the dome type tents here with the characteristics I am looking for.

But who knows, I might go for another tent which is not here.  :D

credits to YouTube, ZapposGear, BackCountryEdge and Brown Trekker FB Page.