Shoutout to the guy at the REI in Boise who talked me out of a bigger tent

I was set on a 4-person tent for just me and my dog, thinking more room was always better. He asked how much backpacking I actually do versus car camping, and pointed out the extra 3 pounds and bulk. I got a 2-person Big Agnes Copper Spur instead and it's been perfect for three trips now. Anyone else switch to a smaller shelter and find it actually works better?

3 comments

3 Comments

lucashart2mo ago

My old tent was basically a lost and found.

bennett.aaron2mo ago

Glad you listened to that guy. I used to haul a palace for solo trips, a real condo on my back. Setting it up felt like building a small house after a long hike. Now I'm in a tiny one-person thing and I spend way less time fighting poles and more time just... sitting. The extra space was just more room for me to lose my headlamp in anyway.

sarah8292mo ago

Wait, you actually carried a condo-sized tent for solo hiking? That's insane. I can't imagine dragging that much fabric up a trail just to lose my gear in it. The tiny tent life sounds way more sane.