I've become a huge fan of Alps Mountaineering. This tent isn't the flashiest out there. Not the lightest 2-man in production. But the design is excellent, and the durability makes up for an extra few ounces, in my opinion. I used this on a couple of elk hunts this fall and was extremely happy with it.First, the rain fly is the perfect design for a backpacking tent. It is large, covering the tent completely, and so retains heat in cold weather. The long door extensions also offer a place to stow the backpack or other equipment out of the elements. The first excursion saw some hard rains, and the fly did its job by keeping everything underneath it 100 dry. The second excursion saw 15-20F temps, and the tent stayed several degrees warmer, allowing me to stay warm with lighter sleeping bag/clothing options. And my water wasn't entirely frozen in the morning. Bonus! The fly doesn't use any poles and buckles into the corners of the tent. Easy to setup and take down.Second, I love the pole construction. There are just 2 lightweight poles, and they snap together easily and feel plenty sturdy for the long haul. The snap design up the side of the tent makes set-up quick and easy.Third, the floor is thicker than ultra lightweight tents, which is something I want out of a hunting/backpacking tent. I can set it up anywhere and not have to worry about sticks or grass poking through the floor or puncturing my sleeping pad. I see no need for a ground tarp or footprint for the majority of terrain.All-in-all, this is one of the best values out there for a rugged and functional tent. I'll be hauling this around the mountains for years to come.
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]