VIK 2

I have a nature hike 6 person mastiff for when my boys and when I go I use 2 person Nature hike. Have a wood stove and metal pipes. Feel safe. Might want to invest in a saw or a mini chain saw.

We picked up a 2p Nature hike tents off of Amazon and it was the happy medium you're looking for. It has quickly become our favourite tent. The poles are super easy and intuitive to put together. The tent is durable and has plenty of space too!

I understand your budget constraints and reasonings …but hear me out… Bump your budget $50 or so and get a decent freestanding 2P with all the fixin’s from NatureHike (Amazon). They are a great budget option: durable, lighter weight backpacking tent models, well thought out features (because, let’s be real, they copy existing manuf/models that have been rigorously tested already), and can function both for backpacking or an extra car camping setup.

I have to disagree with all these trekking pole people. I don't dislike those tents but I do really enjoy a freestanding tent! It has a lot of advantages.... Super easy to pitch and does not need to be staked down which can be hard to do in some places. I use both just depends on my trip. For a freestanding tent I have had good luck with Naturehike and Alps Mountaineering and one tigris. I don't spend big on my tents I accept the slight weight penalty and spend the money on other things like a good sleep system and backpack

Naturehike tents have been my festival or car camping tents for years but the 2p ones make half decent trekking tents too. They’re made in China so it’s not weird to order them from Temu. Personally I got mine from AliExpress and they are higher quality, and thus more likely to last, compared to other similarly priced tents. I think buying one is more environmentally friendly in this way. The most environmentally friendly tent is a secondhand tent but the next best thing is one that will not immediately become landfill.

Will get downvoted but for your frequency of use I'd go with Naturehike. I have a 2 person and 3 person. Years of use at least a couple times a year each and only had to replace some stakes that I lost.