Marmot Camping Tent

- how to properly clean and store a tent?
I went camping in the desert this past week and unfortunately, sudden high winds managed to kick up some sand into the tent. The particles are very small, more like a fine powder dust type of sand. Since sand is abrasive to the nylon, I am wondering what the best way to clean and store it is? It is a marmot aeros 3 if it matters. I thought about wiping down the interior floor with baby wipes, but am unsure of the effects that their chemicals properties will have on the nylon.

A The Marmot is as simple to clean as setting it up. Don't use any soaps or harsh chemicals of any kind just set up the tent, shake it out if need be and hose it off with the garden hose. let it dry completely as set up and then wipe off any spots with a moist cloth and let it dry again. Fold and store and your done.

- Backpackers! Tent decision help?
Short version: Tent 1- 5lbs, size is 95% of my perfect size Tent 2 -6lbs11oz and is 125% of my perfect size Do I buy the smaller one that is a nice weight and I just have to be conscious about not touching the walls at night? Or get the bigger one and carry unnecessary weight? This tent is for me alone and maybe a medium size dog. Long version: So, I've always been a car-camper, and am slowly building a different system so I can hike a few miles and then camp. Maybe 5 miles, maybe 10, not sure. I'm interested in the Marmot Limelight 2p(2-person)(http://www.rei.com/product/828149/marmot-limelight-2p-tent), but am concerned about the size. I bought it and when I'm in it diagonally with my sleeping bag I fit pretty much perfectly, my feet are right at the walls, but I tend to toss and turn at night and am not sure if it's worth it to get the 3-person version(http://www.rei.com/product/828150/marmot-limelight-3p-tent) which is pretty much only wider, but laying diagonally will get me more room. Also, I want to bring my future dog. We could cram in the 2-person decently enough I think. For the purposes of this question, lets assume these tents are the only options. I know there's other tents that can work as an in-between option for me, but please let's leave those options for a different question. So, I'm hoping to learn from other's mistakes. Is it generally better to get lighter weight stuff, but "rough-it" a bit more since I'm not going to be living in it for months at a time, or get something bigger and more comfortable but 2 lbs heavier since I'm not hiking 50 miles? Thanks for your help in advance!

A I would never choose a tent I didn't fit into, it makes no practical sense. Leaking shouldn't be a problem, but your head and feet will be cold in the winter without any air between you and the tent walls. And if you are a fitful sleeper already, the annoyance of being pressed against the walls isn't going to help. You must be really tall, or maybe you're sleeping on a cot or thick air mattress that is positioning you up into the narrower portion of the tent. I'm 6'1" and have no problem fitting in the Limelight 2p. Regardless of the overall length of your trip, you're going to have a maximum comfortable pack weight to be able to enjoy a full day of hiking. If you're just hiking in-and-out, staying for a few days or even a week at one location, the extra weight probably isn't going to be a factor. Even if it is, there are ways to save weight on all tents. You can leave behind the stuff sacks and tent stakes; just stuff your tent into your backpack, slide the poles in afterwards, and use found wood to cut stakes on-site. That will save you a pound or more in weight. You can literally shave off another 4oz or more by cutting-off labels and unnecessary pockets, loops and straps from your tent and other gear. This all might seem extreme, but consider that a down jacket like the Patagonia Down Sweater weighs under 14oz, or you can get 4 to 5 servings of cooked rice, beans or pasta per pound of dry weight. Besides, as anyone who's walked the walk knows, the lighter your pack the happier you'll be. I think you're unnecessarily limiting yourself to a model of tents that aren't the best choice for your body. And in doing so you are eliminating options that could both be more comfortable AND reduce weight. I'd suggest you research the REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus tent. It is 6" longer than the Limelight 2p yet weighs only one extra ounce. If that's out of your budget you might look at the Eureka Spitfire 2, a non-freestanding tent that provides 10'9" of length in a 4.5lb package. Don't be concerned that Eureka isn't considered one of the "elite" tent brands, I've owned a Eureka Backcountry 2 tent for 20 years and it is still my choice for backpacking.