Alpine Designs “A” Frame Backpacking Tent

Posted on by Rob Drews

Take your backpacking trip back in time a few years with this early 70s A frame tent by Alpine Designs of Boulder Colorado. The always innovative George Lamb and his team did a great job on this simple, classic tent incorporating some great features.

This single wall tent features zippered screen and full door entries at either end making it ideal for two occupants. The tent also has zippered floor access at one end. Construction is achieved via four half inch diameter collapsible aluminum poles ran through the tent pole casing and lining into a machined aluminum member at the top. A draw cord running though the tent peak at the ends runs through this member and is staked into the ground. The rain fly sits over the top and ties to the tent cords or stakes into the ground on it’s own in some places.
Approx Measurements:
Packed Weight: 7lbs
Packed Size 18″ x 11″ x 6″
Erected Measurements
93″ head to toe
59″ across
45″ high

Sierra Designs single Man Backpacking Tent – Oakland CA

Posted on by Rob Drews

Classic Oakland California era Sierra Designs single person backpacking tent.  This tent looks as if it borrows structural engineering from Spanish architect Félix Candela using arches to make a simple yet durable structure.

Includes all original pieces:
Tent
Rain Fly
Plastic composite and aluminum poles (8 pieces)
5 stakes
1 Sierra Designs Oakland CA tent bag
Small Sierra Designs Berkeley CA stuff sack (added bonus)

Condition wise this tent is in great shape for its age. No holes or rips in the tent body or fly, all seams are complete and the zippers work great. Some blue has transferred to the white of the tent top after being stored rolled up for years. Floor of the tent is remarkably clean, indicating the tent was used very little.  Has a little of that old nylon tent smell but has been airing out for the last two weeks and will continue to until point of sale.

Approximate Measurements:
Packed weight: 4.5 lbs
Packed size: 28″ x 6″ x 3.5

Set up:
44″ tall at front
15″ at feet
95″ head to toe
44″ across

The North Face VE 23 Geodesic Tent

Posted on by Rob Drews

This beautiful TNF vintage VE 23 Geodesic dome tent is classified as a two-man three season tent there’s nearly enough room for three. It Features quick and easy construction using three collapsible poles, two screen windows with door screen and solid flap. Rain fly with peak attaches under the poles and has a shock cord around the door to stabilize in adverse conditions.

This particular set up includes:
Tent
Rain Fly
3 poles marked North Face 19
1 aluminum peak pole
12 aluminum Stakes
1 extra rain fly cord
Tent pole tips sheet

Approximate Measurements:
Packed weight: 6.5 lbs
Packed size: 29″ x 9″ x5.5

Set up:
50″ tall
85″ head to toe
93″ across

The North Face OI-22 Brown Label Tent – Two man Three season

Posted on by Rob Drews
The North Face Vintage OI-22 Brown Label Tent - Backpacking 3 season

This is a nice example of the The North Face OI-22 tent. “OI” being for oval intention and 22 for two-man two poles. This light weight two-man tent uses two poles in a double helix fashion to erect. The poles lock into riveted brass rings on at the corners of the tent. The rain fly sits atop the poles and is staked down as well.

Inside the area measures:
59 inches across in the center
97.5 inches long (head to toe)
37 inches high at its highest.

Weight:
approx. 5lbs

Poles are ghosted with the writing The North Face 25.

Two small velcro up windows at each end with mesh storage below. TALON zippers on bug screen and outer door.

Vintage Sierra Designs Terra III Geodesic Tent

Posted on by Rob Drews
Sierra Designs Terra III / Terra IV Tent

Vintage Sierra Designs Terra Tent. I am unsure if this tent is the Terra III or IV but I am going with III as it appears it would  sleep 3 more comfortably.  Here’s what Sierra Designs had to say about the then in a piece of promotional material for it:

“Sierra Designs Terra III and Terra IV geodesic domes. These tents incorporate strength, simplicity, and real value. Designed for comfortable, rugged three-and four-season use and built with Sierra Designs’ renowned attention to detail and high quality? Come on in and check ’em out for your self !” click here to view original postcard.

In pieces this assembling this tent looks a little bit daunting, but as noted in the instructions it is in fact quite simple to pitch and nearly impossible to mess up.

Measures approx:
84 inches across
80 inches deep
48 inches high
Weighs approx:  8 Lbs

Includes: directions, 1 extra pole, 3 extra rings/discs, 2 extra ferruls, 3 extra nylon cords, 5 stakes (1 missing). Small vintage Camp 7 stuff included as the parts bag.

Gerry Single-Wall Two-Man Backpacking Tent

Posted on by Rob Drews
Vintage Gerry Two Man Tent

This Gerry single wall two man rip-stop nylon tent is in very nice condition for such a classic.  Two pole upfront, one rear makes for quick and easy set up. Corded aluminum poles are all straight and original. Nylon cord and tightener all complete and original.
Internal sleeping area measures 45 inches wide x 90 long. Foyer can be staked on either side to provide protection at the entrance. Bug screen on entrance and rear window.

Comes with 4 extra aluminum U stakes. Ripstop Nylon stake and pole sheath and stuff sack.
Weight: Just under 5 Lbs.
Measures 16 inches long x 10 wide in stuff sack.

Made in the USA by the legendary Gerry company of Denver Colorado. Gerry was a leader and innovator in outdoor gear from the 1950s through the 80s. To learn more about Gerry and visit this link. http://www.oregonphotos.com/Gerry1.html