Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2p bike pack version is on clearance at REI and you can get an additional 20% if you are a member for about $300. It looks like the clearance regular backpacking 2p version is gone. I picked up the 3p version for my gf and I
Durston Xmid or xdome is another recommendation. We wanted more space so the Nemo fills a need in 3p version for us
Nobody is telling you that you have to spend $500 to shed a pound. The point they were making is that for some people *who are not you*, it is worth it. You already made the point that it isn't worth it to you in the post - you don't have to keep making it over and over again.
People prefer the tents they prefer for various reasons, including not only weight but configuration and familiarity with a brand which tends to provide a better sense of reliability than with inexpensive products from amazon, and various other things - even color. Many people also buy from places like REI because they have memberships and can get good discounts and they know they can return their ***used*** tent for up to a year after purchasing it if they aren't happy with it - which is worth a lot to many, many people.
The reason there are more expensive tents out there is that there is a market for them.
The $100 tent you link to is no longer available, nor are the other mobi tents in their amazon store. Looking at their website, their tents are between $200-$400. We got our Nemo Dragonfly 3-person tent for $350, with a 1-year return policy (even used), and $35 back in member rewards because we bought it from REI (so it was $315 factoring that in). That is right in range of mobi's prices. We chose the specific tent because we like the features and it's lighter than others in the same price range (at least at the time we bought it) - and the brand provides a lifetime warranty. At most we paid $115 more for our tent than a mobi tent - or possibly even around $75 *less* than what we'd pay for an equivalent mobi tent (if the highest price ones are even really equivalent to ours). The price difference was well worth it to us for those reasons plus others.
REI Half Dome SL held up great in a storm for me. sets up quick, fits 2-3 people easy. Nemo Dragonfly if you're backpacking. Marmot Tungsten if car camping and want cheaper. get a 3-person for you + dog + friend. test it at home first.
Second on the Alps, and I also own a Nemo dragonfly osmo.
Some people will say they aren't necessary, but I disagree 100 percent, especially in your use case. Get. a. ground cloth/footprint. Even if it's a $4 dollar general blue tarp. If somebody in the troop has access to tyvek housewrap, even better. You can run that through a wash and dry cycle and make it a lot less crinkly if you want.
Unless you plan on camping on carpeting, there will inevitably be a stick, rock, piece of broken glass or debris that will scratch or puncture your floor.
As far as purchasing, also keep an eye on the REI Garage Sale. I've seen some really good deals on things that were returned after a couple uses or missing an item that could be easily replaced.
Top Camping Tents on Reddit
1
The North Face
Wawona 6
86% positive of 132 users
Spacious vestibule, strong in storms, but rainfly tricky solo.
bigfloppydonkeydng
