Marmot - Tungsten 2-Person Tent

I’m kind of in love with my Tungsten UL 2P. Ticks all of your chosen boxes and can be found on sale for relatively cheap. Headroom and ventilation are excellent but may not be what you’re looking for (check floor dimensions) for full time 2 person living. No complaints here and per reviews has kept plenty people happy for many adventures. Tip: make your own Tyvek footprint.

I have a 3P one door big Agnes that is plenty big but only has one door. It’s light and holds two wide sleeping mats. I’ve had it for at least ten years and thanks to the footprint it is still in great shape. I wish it had a second door though. I have an MSR semi free standing 2P Freelite. It has two doors and packs super light and pretty small. It’s luxurious for one person but two would be a little tight. With two it needs standard width sleeping pads. For a slight weight penalty I have a Marmot lightweight 2P two door. It’s the most comfortable but a bit heavier. Maybe the limelight? The big Agnes or the Limelight are my preferred with a partner and the MSR when solo or when partnered for long trips. If I were to buy new now and only have one, I’d probably do the Marmot Super Alloy semi free standing (similar to the MSR but a bit more room I think) or a Big Agnes two door lightweight model like the Tiger Wall or Copper Spur. Which of these last two is lighter.

Must haves (I’ve passed over and returned tents for these) Poles that clip instead of slide into sleeves. Makes setup/takedown super fast and easy.  High Quality zippers/fabric/hardware Full rain fly with vestibule for shoes. Double doors.  Good ventilation and plenty of mesh. Available oem Footprint Nice to haves: (Increase comfort and usability but aren’t total dealbreakers) Headroom is important to my family, but not a big deal for me personally.  Straight walls which keep the interior feeling open.  These two hit all those marks for me: Mountain hardwear Mineral king https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/mineral-king-3-tent-2102591.html Marmot tungsten https://www.marmot.com/equipment/tents/4-person/tungsten-4-person-tent/SP_1031644.html

I really love my Mormot Tungsten. It is a little heavier than some of the other Recs but is roomy and has withstood some intense PNW rain. It also comes in an ultra light version (I don’t think it’s actually ultralight, but it is lighter than the OG version). Don’t pay full price for it though, Marmot tents are on sale all the time. I don’t like the zipper geometry on the MSR elixir and hubba for heavy rain and damp/dew- it’s meant so you don’t have to reach so far out into the vestibule to open your fly, but i find it means the zipper can drip into your tent through the open door.