Anyone familiar with a Marmot Limestone 4P ?

cybervet

cybervet

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Well, I have been shopping for a new tent with a bit more space for times I want that. I've been happy with my Eureka Mountain Pass 2, but want something bigger. Of the plethora of 4 person tents out there, I am zeroing in on the Marmot Limestone 4P (not Limelight) as my pick for best features for my hard earned dollar spent.

Is there anyone in here that has one, or has had experience with one? I'd appreciate any input, positive or negative, about this tent before I pull the trigger. I know it's gonna cost me some pack space and may take a few extra minutes for setup, tear down. It's probably more space than one person needs, but I expect to have company now and then. AND, I never said I was out to rough it.

Thanx to anyone with an opinion ...
 
Marmot is a good quality tent and great customer service.

However, that is a long tent when packed at almost 30". Take a look at the Mountainsmith Genesee 4 tent - it's cheaper, fewer poles, non-sleeves on the tent so easier to setup w/clips, just a tad shorter but packs almost as small as a 2p tent at 19.5"x8" vs the Limestone at 27.5"x10":
http://www.amazon.com/Mountainsmith...&sr=8-1&keywords=Mountainsmith+Genesee+4+Tent
 
I think that's what mine is. I'll check when I get home later today. Only used it once for two nights. Wife and I had plenty of room. I'm fairly good size and like being able to stand up inside to dress. My bike has lots of storage so decided to go for larger tent. Tried to upload pic from phone but not smart enough.


Edit--- Pic, it is Limestone 4P.

securedownload-5.jpeg
 
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Joe - The link works, but they are out of stock and give no information on this tent.

Scott - I can not give you a review on the tent you are asking about, but can give you my thoughts on things to look at.

What Joe said about the tents that use sleeves to support the tent that the poles "slide" through are a pain to set up and take down. I have a Eureka Sunrise that has just about the same style as the one you are looking at by Marmot. The sleeve styles take extra time and can be FRUSTRATING when things do go smoothly. If all you are doing is multiple days at ONE site, not so bad to deal with the sleeves. One other feature of the Mountainsmith that Joe mentioned is that it has two doors. Really nice when you do have that second person with you.
 
Here's my .02. Two years ago I went shopping for a larger tent. I was immediately drawn to the Marmot line of tents. I like almost everything about them....except the price. So I shopped around....I really shopped around. There's a lot of tents out there!!!

Mostly because of funds available, I opted for the Slumberjack Trail Tent 4. It gave me the height I wanted, and it fit well within the budget. It also allows me to sit in my Kermit, which helps get dressed or undressed. About the only thing I don't like about it, is, it has fiberglass poles. I'd make sure that whatever you buy, it has aluminum poles and that the tent clips to the poles. Having clips makes it much easier for set up, especially in fowl weather.

As with everything else, there doesn't seem to be the perfect tent....+/-'s. So good luck with your search.
 
When I am ready to replace the tent I have, also a 2 person with only room for 1 from Mountain Smith (not the same as what Mellow has) I am thinking of going with THIS Alps Mountaineering Extreme 3 Outfitter tent.
I know it's a 3 person tent but I like the way the main poles cross each other twice and the tent uses clips rather than sleeves and the full coverage rain fly buckles on and there are 2 vestibules and doors. Many of the same features as my current tent. It packs down to 8"x24". It's also closer to my budget.
 
Another factor is the floor coating thickness in mm's. Generally the thicker the better....most quality tents are 1500mm and up. A decent groundsheet can help saving your floor. My tent doesn't have a vestibule to keep my gear in so everything has to come in the tent with me......really hard on the floor.
 
I kinda feel the sleeves are a little more substantial by not pulling on small areas. I didn't have any problems setting up. As far as packing mine fits in a pannier except for the poles which are a little long. However they do fit in my dry bag. One drawback is it doesn't come with a groundcloth but I have a tarp that is almost identical so I use that.
 
PFD023 said:
Another factor is the floor coating thickness in mm's. Generally the thicker the better....most quality tents are 1500mm and up. A decent groundsheet can help saving your floor. My tent doesn't have a vestibule to keep my gear in so everything has to come in the tent with me......really hard on the floor.
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That's one of the reasons I like the Alps tent I mentioned about. The Outfitter series has the 1500mm coating on the floor as well as larger/heavier #10 zippers on the doors and fly. The top of the inner shell end mesh windows is also zippered so you can reach out to open/close the rain fly vent there.

For a great, CHEAP, ground cloth I use a piece of Tyvek house wrap cut to size (about 2" less than the tent floor on all sides). I just went to where a contractor was building some new apartment buildings near us (someone is always building on our side of town) and asked for some of their scrap house wrap. The builder I happened upon pulled about 12 ft off his 8 ft roll and just gave it to me after I told him what I was going to do with it. Lets vapor through but stops water penetration and saves the tent floor.
 
SourKraut said:
... So I shopped around....I really shopped around. There's a lot of tents out there!!! ...
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I've been shopping quite a bit. Every time I get close to zeroing in on one, I see something in the side bar that looks interesting.

On my feature want list ... as much height as possible, aluminum poles, durable and well coated floor. Good ventilation for hot summer nights, yet able to close up and be comfortable on cooler spring and fall nights. Quality construction in poles, material, zippers and stuff is a must. Quick and easy set up / pack up is on my list, but is negotiable if other features are there. I'd love to justify a Redverz, but OMG the price and I fear it's overall size may be an issue at some camp sites.

I tend to agree with Skunkape about sleeves distributing the tension more evenly across the top. Are the sleeves really that big of a PIA?

I thank everyone for opinions and insight.
 
cybervet said:
I tend to agree with Skunkape about sleeves distributing the tension more evenly across the top. Are the sleeves really that big of a PIA?
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Yes, I agree. The sleeves will distribute the load better. But I have yet to pull a clip out of a tent either.

And YEs, the sleeves are really that big PIA. Same are worse then others. But once you go clips you will never go back. Especially if scrambling to erect the tent in a downpour.
 
T_C said:
Yes, I agree. The sleeves will distribute the load better. But I have yet to pull a clip out of a tent either.

And YEs, the sleeves are really that big PIA. Same are worse then others. But once you go clips you will never go back. Especially if scrambling to erect the tent in a downpour.
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100% agree with Tom. I am sure someone has had a clip pull out, but have not read that yet. Sleeves can be very frustrating, especially at take down. Add rain and you will be getting a tent with clips. Trust me.
 
Vestibules are nice, that's for sure. However, most of the ones I've seen really don't hold that much stuff. Hence, what ever is left has to come inside. Another area you might want to consider...and it can be important...is how much taper do the sidewalls have. Try to find a tent where the walls are more vertical.

If you're just doing an overnighter, most of this stuff probably doesn't matter. On the other hand, if you're planning on staying awhile, you'll want as much room/comfort as possible.
 
Those Redverz aren't that big, here's my tent under Bug Dr's canopy last May.

Raymond
 

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ZIAMON said:
Those Redverz aren't that big, here's my tent under Bug Dr's canopy last May.

Raymond
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That's a pretty funny pic Raymond. What tent do you use?
 
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cybervet said:
I've been shopping quite a bit. Every time I get close to zeroing in on one, I see something in the side bar that looks interesting.
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I share your pain. I've been using a 2 person North Face tent that is probably 4 season rated (and maybe 25 yrs old). It is virtually bulletproof, but a bit small and too low (headroom). So, for the last 6 months I've been scouring this site for recommendations and searching the big purveyors of tents.

Just bought a Big Agnes Skunk Creek tent from REI. This company has an incredible selection of tents and if you become a member of the cooperative, you get 10% back of your year's purchases at the end of the year. The Skunk Creek has all clips and no tubes, netting for the top half of the tent all the way around, and a large fly with a big vestibule. Check it out on the REI website. It happens to be on sale now and, I think, has been discontinued by Big A so you will need to decide soon. REI allows full returns, so you can buy one and then, if you don't like it, return it. It is also cheaper than your Marmot (tho that is a very good brand!).

I set the Skunk Creek up in my livingroom. It is huge! Went up easily. Peak height is 5' 1" and the picture on REI's website is deceptive - the high clearance goes back a ways from the front of the tent. Free standing, aluminum poles. All the good features. I can get dressed standing up (bending my head) comfortably. And shoes and some gear can remain outside under cover in the vestibule.

How difficult are fabric tubes to deal with when setting up a tent? My wife and I have been using a big LL Bean Vector tent for the last 5 years or so. We camp for at least 2 weeks in a National Park every year. This tent has fabric tubes for the aluminum poles. In the afternoon, on a sunny or cloudy day, they are not an issue. If you pull in late, or if it is raining, they become a snarly mess. Well, the tubes don't present a problem, but impatience or rushing does. And taking the tent down in the rain is similarly slower. And wetter. My criteria for my new tent included (up front) NO tubes and hooks/clips exclusively, as well as high headroom and good ventilation.

One last comment. I said my new tent is huge. Funny how that description will become quickly obsolete once I put my air mattress, sleeping bag, riding coat and pants, and gear from the side cases inside the tent.
 
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