tent buying?

[Aiden]

Greetings,

I am preparing for my first week-plus long event this year (Pennsic), and was wondering if anyone might be able to provide some advice on tent buying.

I'm looking to get a new tent, something I can stay in at Pennsic and possibly at multi-evening weekend events, and something that is larger than my old modern nylon dome tent, which has proven to be abysmally small. I've had my eye on getting a canvas tent ever since my first SCA camping event last year and am now thinking of getting a wall tent, something in the 10x10 range, perhaps something a tiny bit larger (such as 10x12). I do lack a fair amount of knowledge on wall tents, and canvas tents in general, given that I've only seen them (from the inside and the outside), helped tear a few down, and stay in a few borrowed, one-person wedge tents years ago.

I'm wondering if a canvas wall tent might be good for one to two people to stay in at an event like Pennsic, or perhaps a few smaller long-weekend events, in which case I figure I may have to set up and tear down such a tent myself, depending on when I arrive and who I am camping with.

Any thoughts and/or suggestions?

-- Aiden

[Joshua]

I love my 15'x15' pavilion, but, alas, I can't recommend the guy who made it, for it is a one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-made-again affair.

On a completely unrelated note, I hear Gabbo makes yurts...

Joshua

[Aiden]

I'd love to have a yurt. Sadly, I think my wallet might quit on me if I were to do so, and possibly my car as well, which I have a feeling is going to be a bit packed by the time Pennsic rolls around. I'd love for it to happen one of these days though.

[Joshua]

There are a fair number of large and inexpensive mundane tents out there. I couldn't recommend a specific one, but the most popular seem to be the multi-room ones (and they're surprisingly big). Don't expect them to last forever, though.

[Lou_VladsWest]

Are you looking for a Pavillion?

I highly suggest 4 Seasons Tent Masters for Pavillions. I have had mine for 9 years and it still looks brand new. Its a lot easier to put up that people think (2 people can do it in about 20 min). Their quality is top of the line and can withstand 60 MPH winds when set up properly. I camp with Vlads Pleasure Pavillion at Pennsic and its our tent of choice in camp. Vlad's tents are over 20 years old and still strong and look great. Well worth the money. DONT GO CHEAP! We had one person go with a much less expensive brand, and It didnt last 2 years. The best size to start with is the 13x19 oval.

<a href="http://s988.photobucket.com/albums/af3/LouCapSD/?action=view&current=Pavillion-Outside3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af3/LouCapSD/Pavillion-Outside3.jpg" border="0" alt="Pavillion"></a>

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af3/ ... tside3.jpg

Lou

[Joshua]

And the owner and proprietor of Lou's Den of Iniquity and After Hours Blue Feather Gay Bar should know!

- Joshua

[cgaspar]

The best size to start with is the 13x19 oval.
Lou

As the owner of an oval pavillion, I actually don't recommend it. The round ends become annoying to use compared to a square / rectangle shape.

Errr... I mean, yes, an oval pavillion is a great idea! And I happen to have one for sale...

--
Carson

[Joshua]

... an oval pavillion is a great idea! And I happen to have one for sale...

For sale, and coincidentally in storage on-site at Pennsic! No transporting required!

- Joshua

[Aiden]

Are you looking for a Pavillion?

I highly suggest 4 Seasons Tent Masters for Pavillions. I have had mine for 9 years and it still looks brand new. Its a lot easier to put up that people think (2 people can do it in about 20 min). Their quality is top of the line and can withstand 60 MPH winds when set up properly. I camp with Vlads Pleasure Pavillion at Pennsic and its our tent of choice in camp. Vlad's tents are over 20 years old and still strong and look great. Well worth the money. DONT GO CHEAP! We had one person go with a much less expensive brand, and It didnt last 2 years. The best size to start with is the 13x19 oval.

A pavillion seems like it might be a bit much for me at this point, both in terms of size and financially. Maybe in future years.

I've definitely heard the advice of not going cheap. At the moment, I'm heavily considering getting something new from Panther Primitives, which some local SCA folk have recommended. They have some stuff that fits within my Pennsic budget, and that look like I could both fit into my vehicle (a small-end SUV), my local storage space, and that I could bring to other camping events.

Thanks for the advice!

[Korren]

I'm looking at this non-canvas tent, mainly because of the height, just right foot-print and nearly vertical walls.

http://www.rei.com/product/777759

Has anyone used the Hobitat brand, before?

Korren