REI Gimme Shelter Tent

I was backpacking and a friend had this tent. I commented on it and he hooked me up with a friend who had one, never used for 45 bucks.

I thought I'd upgrade this year to an Outdoor Research Night Haven since it has sort of a skirt to get around the open sides. Sent it back.

The things I love about this tent are its weight, its compactness, the fact that it's easy to fold up to where it fits in the stuff sack.

The downside is for 2 people you aren't going to get much in there but the people, but for a tent that allows me to do 3 or 4 day weekend trips using a 2000 cu in pack I'm not complaining.

This tent's design allows you to raise the roof above the floor a good amount which REALLY helps as far as condensation on your back getting in and out of the tent.

Another downside is if it is going to rain be sure to pitch this tent with care so the sides overhang the floor well, or water can splash on you.

Overall this is one of the best tents of its type I have tried. I've tried to "upgrade" several times without success. I keep going back to this one!

I bought a Gimme Shelter on closeout from REI for about $60. Our Troop was headed to Philmont Scout Ranch and needed to improve our gear. After a couple of test outings we liked what we saw.

Spent quite a few months hunting down used or never used Gimme Shelters on eBay paying on average about $65 with shipping. The Troop now has 6 or 7 of these tents and two Eureka Zeus.

The Gimme Shelter is a favorite; compact, light and easy to set up. We replaced the front and back guylines with Triptease lines and all the stakes with Northface aluminum "Y"s or "V"s.

A really great piece of equipment. Have used in snow with success.

Have used the shelter several times, in rain, snow and mixed. Very easy to pitch, and with the floor, very dry and comfortable. We always use pack covers, so gear space is really no problem. Pitching it as a roof over a snow pit would be easy and make a great space. No problems with leaks and condensation - especially if used without the floor. The vent seems adequate. In good weather or clearing periods, the entirely open front gives a great view.

You can see pix of the shelter in action at:
http://www.europa.com/~paulg/pix/lucielleamigo.html
and
http://www.europa.com/~paulg/pix/steensam06.html

I really love this tarp shelter. It went up very easily and has the ability to go up without tent poles. It packs VERY compact, and also the bottom can be taken out so it is just a tarp tent.

The cinching device is very interesting on this. Once you put the stakes in, you pull the rope and lock it in.

Used this thing on a thru-hike of the AT (with no floor and tyvek groundcloth). It lasted all 2,200 miles and I still use it two years later. Never used another tarp that sheds weather this well.

Wish they were still made, I'd buy another one. Will be replacing it with a Shangrila by Golite.

I have used this shelter in many different conditions. It has proven its worth in all. It is SL, spacious comfortable. Truly an outstanding product.