Tent Recommendations?

I'm looking for backpacking tent suggestions. I've never overnight camped before, so I have no clue what I should be looking for in my first tent.

I'm thinking I need a 3 season, 2 person tent. I'm also somewhat tall - 6'2"

Any recommendations?

Thanks

How much were you looking to spend? Did you plan on selling both the wife and kids, or just the wife?

REI is having their big spring sale this weekend and will have some very good prices. They also have 20% off one item which could help with a tent purchase.

I've been using the MSR Hubba Hubba for about 5 years and love it. Lightweight, lots of mesh and, when properly staked out, about as bomb-proof as you can hope for in such a lightweight tent. Never had any leaks or failures. Not sure about height but I suspect you'd be fine, maybe a tiny bit tight.

I really like my Black Diamond Vista 3. It is a 3-man tent, I know you said 2-man, but in my opinion 2-man tents with gear get pretty cramped. This is a very lightweight tent, especially for its size, weighing less than a lot of 2-man tents. It is long enough for you and also high enough to sit up inside. A side benefit is it is orange which is a nice color for those night time tent shots. It is relatively expensive as the lighter tents tend to be, but worth it in my opinion. REI is a great suggestion, not only do they have good sales, the salespeople are very knowledgeable since you don't have much experience. On top of that they have the best return policy around, anything happens and that tent leaks 2 years from now and they will replace it (they replaced a tent that started leaking from the bottom tub 2.5 years after I bought it).

If you're really looking to have 2 people in the tent, I like the North Face Morraine. I have the old 3/4 season version called Polaris and its been a great tent. Vestibules front and rear for backpacking gear. Sturdy in foul weather. Tall enough for me to sit up. I'm 6'2" as well. My wife and I have been using ours for probably 9 or 10 years now. I use a lighter North Face tadpole NHP when backpacking by myself, but I could take the Polaris just as well.

I've owned 2-person, 3-season models from both Sierra Designs and Mountain Hardware, and been entirely happy with both. I got my current Mountain Hardware in 2003, I think, and it's going strong, and that's with some heavy use while river guiding. I'm sure the other models that have been suggested are very good too.

I definitely recommend looking for deals on Sierra Trading Post and SteepAndCheap.com, especially if you're not in a super hurry to buy. A little patience and luck could get you a great deal. Though if you're fussy about details in your gear, hands-on shopping at REI might be better.

Edit: You could also take a look at Outdoor Gear Deals, a site run by some NPN folks.

I'd recommend whatever the current version of the REI Halfdome is (or maybe not - seems it's been redesigned for the worse since I got mine). I would also add my voice to the go to REI crowd just because you can see and set up so many different options there. They also have some info sheets that tell you about features to consider/look for as well as dimensions and stats for all the ones they carry. Most important thing is to actually see/try one in person. What works for one person (doors on the end) doesn't work for others (want doors on the side). How easy/fast is it for you to set up - because you will be doing it on more than one occasion in the cold, dark, rain.

Thanks for the opinons everyone. I had seen the upcoming REI sale, and figured I'd use that as an excuse to pull the trigger. I hadn't really considered a 3 person because I figured they would be too heavy. It would probably me single about 1/2 the time and wife the other 1/2.

So far I'd been looking closely at:
MSR Carbon Reflex 2
MSR Hubba Hubba HP
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2

I'll have to check out the Black Diamond models.

Everything suggested is surely great. But if you really want to save weight and still have a high quality product, there is only one place to look; Tarptent.com.

Once you carry a tent that is 1/3rd the weight and doesn't skimp on a single feature, well, you'll never go back to the big guys brands.

Thanks for everyone's responses. After a lot of research the past couple days, I finally pulled the trigger on the MSR Hubba Hubba HP. Love REI discounts and dividends!

In case anyone else is looking for a good site that reviews backpacking gear check out: backpackinglight.com. They have some great in depth reviews on gear.

I second Kurt's endorsement of the tarptents. I adore my Double Rainbow, with two doors and generous sit-up room for two people but weighing just 2 1/2 lbs. REI's half-dome models offer heavier materials and construction, but you'll be carrying that extra pound or two for many miles as you enjoy and amortize that extra durability. Very wet, cold or snowy destinations have their own demands for covered entries, vestibule storage and full (not mesh) inner liners. Stop by REI's sale when they bring out their returned tents (the afternoon or next day after the sale begins) and play around with what's available. It's a tent-shopper's dream, and you'll probably leave with a cheap date. I'll probably be there, out of habit more than need...