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I’d say your outdoorsyness rates a little higher than a seven, Alex. Not many people can blithely say that they just backpacked South America. I certainly can’t.

Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight Tent

Clip Flashlight Tent

So, what you are after is an affordable, good-quality tent. We can do that. My own feeling is that the best buy in a tough, adaptable tent is the Clip Flashlight. This design has been around, well, seemingly forever. It’s a two-pole, tunnel-type tent that does require some stakes in the ground for support. But that’s a small price to pay, because the Clip Flashlight sleeps two, is palatial for one, weighs around four pounds, and can take most of what nature can dish out. And all for $179. That’s a steal in a name-brand tent.

is putting out some really good tents these days, too. Its Cirque ASL 2 tent ($249) is roomier than the Clip Flashlight, has double doors for easier access, and is self-supporting. It weighs a bit more—a little more than five pounds—but it’s well-priced at $249, and is a proven, weatherproof design. You won’t go wrong.

I’m also a big fan of tents. That company’s Aura 2P ($299) is a nicely designed, roomy two-person tent that’s very well-ventilated (maybe too much so for wet, cool weather), with two side doors for easy access and a full-coverage fly. It weighs about four and a half pounds, which is great.

So there you go. I’d suggest you simply buy the Clip Flashlight and camp happy.

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