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Sharing a tent?
 

Sharing a tent?

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[#12888060]

I'm heading off on a 5-7 day bikepacking trip with a pal next month.   He's not got a tent but I've got a few, so I've got two options:

  1. Share a 3-man tent between us
  2. A tent each

There's no appreciable difference in volume and weight between the two options.  We're going to using the one stove so there's a convenience benefit to #1.  But with #2 we get our own space and increase the chances of preserving our friendship.

WWSTD?


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 11:12 am
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If the combined weight/volume is the same, I'd go tent each. But it will probably warmer sharing.


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 11:19 am
lucasshmucas reacted
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But it will probably warmer sharing.

Especially if you spoon


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 11:20 am
granny_ring, Bunnyhop, cogglepin and 8 people reacted
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No way. Tent each. 😀

it is not going to be cold in August (assuming UK!)


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 11:26 am
csb and lucasshmucas reacted
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Apparently there's been an influx of these 'tenting' videos on Xhamster and PornHub following Glastonbury. Go for it!


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 11:28 am
thols2 reacted
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Depends on your diets....

And quicker to get one tent up in a hurry if it's raining hard


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 11:29 am
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I wont willingly share a bedroom even with the Mrs nowadays except for romantic reasons so it would be tent each for me. Less arguments and better sleep.


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 11:45 am
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Have you not seen Brokeback mountain?


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 11:45 am
cogglepin reacted
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Brokeback bikepacking


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 11:48 am
granny_ring reacted
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Don't see what's wrong with sharing, personally (if it's with a mate, not some randomer).

Are you hoping to 'stealth camp'? If so, one tent needs a smaller area and is less conspicuous than two. Also, quicker and less faff to pack away.


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 11:48 am
scotroutes reacted
 Yak
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No problem with either approach. Last time I toured (yeah, pre-bikepacking...) me and a mate shared a TNF Tadpole, a v light but ok for space 2 man tent. I would go for whatever is the lightest/smallest set up. A 3 man tent doesn't sound that light/small?

What are your individual tent options? Have you got a stash of ultralight 1 man tents?


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 11:49 am
mattstreet reacted
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Tent each


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 11:57 am
lucasshmucas reacted
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Is the next question 'sharing a sleeping bag'?


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 12:00 pm
cogglepin reacted
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Tent each.

Snoring.

Farting.

Smelly kit.

Pee bottle.

I can put with my own but don't enjoy others doing them.


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 12:01 pm
binman and lucasshmucas reacted
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Jesus, this place sometimes, it's worse than a school. Brokeback Mountain eh! How homophobic of you. Grow up


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 12:04 pm
Skippy, pondo, thebunk and 3 people reacted
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Tent each. Room to unpack, room to sleep nekkid on top of your sleeping bag if it's a warm night. Not elbowing each other in the face, not trying to dress/undress while remaining in a single dimension...


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 12:04 pm
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not trying to dress/undress while remaining in a single dimension…

😂 I have never heard this so perfectly described before


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 12:07 pm
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Apparently there’s been an influx of these ‘tenting’ videos on Xhamster and PornHub following Glastonbury. Go for it!

"Apparently"...??!!  So you've heard?

Depends on your diets….

Good point...vegan, so plenty of fibre...gulp!

Less arguments and better sleep.

This is what I'm worried about really.  Also, we're both over 50 so frequent night time trips to empty the bladder are going to occur.  Two tents it is!

What are your individual tent options? Have you got a stash of ultralight 1 man tents?

Doesn't everyone here?  I thought you had to demonstrate that, along with proof of a wood-burner and a career in IT before approving your membership?  But no, I've got a cheap Naturehike tent - the Taga I think - which weighs just over a kilo, a Nemo Dagger 3p which is about 2.5kg with the ground sheet, and  a Durston X-Mid2, because the Nemo was just a bit too bulky for me and the missus to go hiking with - she only agrees to go if all she has to carry is her sleeping bag and clothes.


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 12:09 pm
 Yak
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Impressive stash of lightweight tents!

Well either option is pretty light then.  Have a good trip.


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 12:22 pm
lucasshmucas reacted
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bivybag each?


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 1:11 pm
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Spent a night on Snowdon summit in a '2 man'* tent with a mate a few years ago. We were doing the Welsh 3000s/14 peaks. He's a big old snorey unit and l discovered , a restless, mobile sleeper. We were up at about 03:30 to start - I'd had zero sleep.  I've done a few multi day walking/wild camping trips since. I always sleep in my own tent now. I'd never contemplate sharing again.

*Lies


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 1:12 pm
lucasshmucas reacted
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Jesus, this place sometimes, it’s worse than a school. Brokeback Mountain eh! How homophobic of you. Grow up

Really? 🙄
Christ [s] on a bike! [/s] in a tent!


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 1:15 pm
cogglepin, lb77, bigblackshed and 1 people reacted
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I can't believe you even need to ask.

Sharing a tent with me would fall under the UN definition of 'cruel and unusual torture'


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 1:23 pm
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when bike packing i apply the rules of - self sufficient.

At least if you both have the kit - theres less chance you'll have a fully miserable night .

"can i get the tent poles" "you have the tent poles though i have the XX.." - No one had the tent poles.


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 1:53 pm
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1. Share a 3-man tent between us
2. A tent each

3. Stay in a Hotel


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 2:00 pm
cogglepin, thols2, dyna-ti and 2 people reacted
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Separate tents. I'm amazed this is even a question.


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 2:02 pm
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OK. I'll bite. What is a "tenting" video?


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 2:04 pm
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5-7 day bikepacking trip

Tent each, it's a bit of personal space for either of you, after each full day stuck with each other. And you're going to be together for the best part of a week. Don't underestimate the value of personal space.


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 2:07 pm
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I've done it both ways (throws in a quick oo err missus) the only real downside of two tents can be finding adequate space to pitch. Two tents need a lot more space than one slightly larger tent.


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 2:19 pm
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Really?

Yes really, stupid immature and homophobic


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 2:35 pm
thinksta, gowerboy, robola and 2 people reacted
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Having had to share with snorers before, I have my own tent and it is pitched far enough away from anyone else for snoring to not be an issue.


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 2:57 pm
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Having had to share with snorers before, I have my own tent and it is pitched far enough away from anyone else for snoring to not be an issue

Foam earplugs work a treat. Though as someone who has been accused (unfairly I might add) of snoring like an asthmatic wildebeest, possibly in my nostrils as well as my ears.


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 3:03 pm
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I used to share 2-man tents with mates as a much younger man, because we were poor and didn't have many options. I wouldn't do it now though!

“can i get the tent poles” “you have the tent poles though i have the XX..” – No one had the tent poles.

We did exactly that at a Polaris challenge.  No poles, no pegs.  Amazingly we asked around and found someone who had previously broken a tent pole and replaced it but inadvertently left the broken one in their bag.  With the broken section removed it was just about the right size for our single hoop tent.  I whittled pegs from sticks with a multi tool.


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 3:18 pm
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Though as someone who has been accused (unfairly I might add) of snoring like an asthmatic wildebeest, possibly in my nostrils as well as my ears.

Last time I slept alongside someone who resembled that comment, it was in a cave...an echoing cave I may add. Never again.

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49547386016_ed1fcb64bc_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49547386016_ed1fcb64bc_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2iukiE9 ]Lacy Caves[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/ ]Matt[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 3:26 pm
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<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Having spent a stupid portion of my adult holidays in hostels with randomers..... I'd definitely go for a tent each, especially for multiple nights!</p>

Edit ffs mods can we please get rid of whatever new formatting buttons get randomly pressed please!!!


 
Posted : 13/07/2023 3:49 pm
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Same as molgrips, in my youth it wasn't an issue, always shared. Now I'm older I prefer to have my own space / tent. I still sometimes happily share (with ear plugs) in circumstances that are obviously better to share. However Mostly it's about me knowing I probably now snore, I'd rather relax and sleep in whatever position I can best get a sleep, rather than worrying I'm keeping a pal awake and trying to not snore and not be lying in a snoring position. Even when we rent a house, I now prefer to move a mattress out of a twin room and sleep in the lounge or kitchen to get a good night's sleep rather than stressing about snoring (them or me).


 
Posted : 14/07/2023 12:43 am
lucasshmucas reacted
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Tents? Not single glamping cabins? 😆


 
Posted : 14/07/2023 12:59 am
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if you are bikepacking with that person, you are spending all the time with them - even with a mate there is the risk of getting on each others nerves, especially when tired hangry  - tent each gives both of you a mental break


 
Posted : 14/07/2023 1:38 am
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Tent each.


 
Posted : 14/07/2023 8:31 am
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And quicker to get one tent up in a hurry if it’s raining hard

Bevis and Butthead had an episode on pitching a tent if you search on YouTube.


 
Posted : 14/07/2023 9:28 am
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I would go for a tent each, but does anyone have any tips for sharing a tent when there's no option? I'm doing a trip next year where tents are provided, and no chance of taking my own as luggage is limited by the capacity of the aircraft.


 
Posted : 14/07/2023 9:36 am
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Separate tents.

Makes having a **** far less awkward.


 
Posted : 14/07/2023 9:46 am
Houns reacted
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I would go for a tent each, but does anyone have any tips for sharing a tent when there’s no option?

  • Opposite sex
  • Very attractive
  • Fertile
  • 'Clean' - ahem
  • Accomodating

No issues sharing... 🙃

Otherwise? No thanks unless hanging off something that requires minimal packweight and footprint which is highly unlikely these days.


 
Posted : 14/07/2023 10:04 am
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does anyone have any tips for sharing a tent when there’s no option?

Earplugs.


 
Posted : 14/07/2023 10:09 am
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If you’re sharing a tent, put some bags down the middle so you’re not breathing in each other’s faces.


 
Posted : 14/07/2023 10:32 am
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