I'm looking for a tent that can be used for short backpacking trips (1-2 nights, under 10 miles) in the Texas summer (high's 90-100, lows 70-80). Breathability is key...privacy would be nice. Sized for 1 person + backpack (i.e., "2 person").

Trying to decide between one of the cheaper Big Agnes tents or just going for the REI QuarterDome 2...though the Kelty Horizon 2 looks neat but I don't have a lot of trust.

And I'm exhausted and ranty...suggestions appreciated.

Any brand name tent with a lot of mesh should work fine, buy it based on size/weight/price instead. Mesh will breath better than any nylon which is why three season/summer tents keep using more and more mesh.

What is the primary reason for wanting a tent as a shelter? My hot weather/insect setup is this: catoma bed net and a poncho or tarp to string above it in case of rain. Loved that set up in the army and still use with my civilian gear for light weight solo trips. It wont fit your backpack inside with you but I've never done that even when using a regular tent.

I have the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2, and the breathability is mainly due to the netting I suspect. In hot weather, I have the rain cover mostly rolled up on the sides so air flow is plentiful. When it's cold or raining, I have enough ventilation when I properly guy out all the lines.

Also, most tent designs include a vestibule for placing gear, so it's not entirely necessary for getting a 2 person tent to fit a pack.

I've gone to a silnylon tarp over a mesh tent and won't even go back.

Specifically what tent?

Also, was this in NY or elsewhere?

How I camp if not in hammock.
But use a got sized but net suspended under and staked to the edges of my ground sheet.