The $5 Walmart Close-out Tent
Dana:
$5 Walmart Closeout - This was my first effort to find a "real" tent that I could use hiking. I wasn't actually looking for a tent at Walmart, but I ended up with a $5 special that lasted me two seasons of fairly nice weather camping. I reasoned that if I used it for only one night, it would pay for itself. Ended up I liked it so much I bought one for Jeff, Christopher and another friend. I even gave another one away as a gift. It's simple to set up, weighs an anorexic 3.5 lb., has a lot of room for tall hikers, and although two people can sleep in it, it's perfect sized for one person and their gear. The best part is telling everyone that you got a two person, lightweight tent for $5. I still save it, in case I need it for hiking guests.
Upside:
Diminutive weight, aluminum poles, low cost and ease of set up.
Downside:
No rain fly, not freestanding, no vestibule, no pockets on the inside, must set up with the front or back into the wind in order to get good ventilation, I constantly tripped over the lines.
Christopher:
$5 Special - The first backpacking tent I owned. This was a tent that Dana stumbled across and because it was so inexpensive, bought one for all of us. I have to admit, for five bucks, it's a great little tent and has served me well.
Upside:
It's lightweight; features excellent ventilation because one end has a small window and the other is all mesh; although big enough for two, it works best with one person and their gear.
Downside:
Single walled; not freestanding; no rain fly; no vestibule for wet or muddy gear; even though the mesh zips up, the nylon flap only ties.
Jeff:
The $5 Walmart Tent - I plan on purchasing a new 2-3 person tent in the near future, but for now I either bunk up with Christopher or Dana, or I use this tent which was purchased for all of us by Dana. To be perfectly honest, this has been the most trustworthy piece of equipment I've used. I have used it in all conditions and it has performed admirably. I have yet to be caught in a torrential downpour, so perhaps my affection would change. But for the money, it has been unbelievable.
Downside:
Lack of a vestibule, lack of a rain fly, and only having a 1-ply layer thickness. Dew or melting frost basically soaks the tent with "seep through" moisture.
