Opinions on a good 3/4 Season Tent

[KWight]

Okay, so with another child on the way and the camping trailer getting a bit more crowded I am looking to get a good 3/4 season tent. I hope to use this when I go backcountry camping on 4x4 trips, so would like to have a 6+ man tent. I like having the space to stretch out and want something that will be able to take torrential rains, gusting winds or even heavy snow on hunting trips.

I bought this tent last summer and used it on three trips:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?p=WX2&i=115295

I like the design but the stiching left something to be desired. It has a full size rain fly with a vestibule that you can set up two large folding chairs in to allow for changing out of wet clothes or cooking out of inclement weather. The downside is the large mesh panels in the roof that do not allow for good heat retention on cold nights. It got down to 34 degrees on the first night of my latest trip, the Coleman heater stayed on all night and took the edge off the cold. Unfortunately, on the second night, I did not have it fully set up (floor was staked down but guy lines weren't) when a gust of wind came and blew it 100 yards from camp and nearly off the edge of a canyon on White Rim Trail in Canyonlands. I am open to the idea of getting another (manufacturer has a lifetime warranty) and going over the stitching again prior to using it.

My biggest concern lately, has been: With the rising fuel prices, I have been spending a lot of money on my outdoor adventures, so I don't want to risk them being ruined by cheap equipment. I also don't want to break the bank, so something in the middle would be great.

I have looked at these tents from Cabelas:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...parentType=index&parentId=cat20103&id=0043361

This one has smaller mesh panels which might allow for good heat retention on those cold winter nights. This is the only difference I was able to see from the tent I previously destroyed. The downside is the higher price for the Cabelas brand.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...parentType=index&parentId=cat20103&id=0024840

I am open to considering the REI and other models as well.

Please let me know what tents/brands you would recommend.

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[Caleb]

Springbar, a little pricey but it's a lifetime tent.

 

[cuban b]

In my experience Cabela's gear is nice. Expensive, bulky, and heavy (usually), but nice. That said I would look around. I would look at companies that specialize in tents-Marmot, MSR, etc.

the real answer is to PM Mesha, he works for an outdoor retailer, and knows more about camping gear than probably anyone on here.

He probably owns more tent models than his store carries. Seriously.

 

[Tacoma]

Man, I'd be pissed if I only 3/4 of a season out of a tent.











what?

 

[Cody]

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=1244&prod=2555&cat=1264&viewAll=False

I bought the Trango 3 tent from mountain hardware about 14 years ago, and it has been awesome. I haven't had a single problem with it other than on really warm nights it doesn't have great ventilation, but I don't expect much from a 4 season. I picked up a little mesh tent for desert summer nights.

here are some others I dug up.

http://www.backcountry.com/store/BAG0132/Big-Agnes-Big-House-6-Person-3-Season-Tent.html

http://www.backcountry.com/store/KEL0481/Kelty-Grand-Mesa-6-Tent-6-Person-3-Season.html

 

[KWight]

Cody

Nice options there, my shopping has me wondering, why do they put so much mesh in the roof of those tents? It seems like that creates a way for all of the heat to escape. It would be nice if there were mesh vents on the roof that could be closed or partially closed.

Kevin

 

[Cody]

3 season tents have a good amount of mesh....because they are designed to be used in the summer. 4 season tents are generally mountaineering tents designed for snow and high wind (or lots of rain). Most people around here don't camp in heavy blizzards, or heavy rain often enough to justify the cost of a sick 4 season tent--especially a 6 man which would be more like a basecamp tent and big $$$.

I would get a 3 season, with a full fly/vestibule. The Mountain Hardware would be my first choice mainly because of how happy I have been with mine, but that Kelty would work. Big Agnes tents are supposed to be really nice and easy to set up, but I've never used one and if you want a 3 going on 4 season tent, I don't think the rain fly setup on that would be sufficient for some sideways blowing rain. The way I look at tents, if I want one to last me a long time, and be able to handle a ton of different conditions then I'd spend the money and do it right the first time. I've used my MH Trango 3 100's of nights in all kinds of terrain and weather, and it's still looks basically brand new.

North Face makes nice tents too, but for the larger 4 season stuff they are pretty spendy.

something to consider also, if you buy from Backcountry.com they have a lifetime return policy. So if in 6 months or a year your have problems like you had on your last one you can take it back.

If you thinky heavy snow is a big concern, then look into something like these...(if money is no object)

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=1244&prod=2124&cat=1262&viewAll=False


this is the older versin of what I have....95% the same still although the price is a lot more now. I think I paid $349 for it
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=1244&prod=2022&cat=1262&viewAll=False

 

[ace]

We have a couple of springbar tents from Kirkhams. You will never find a nylon tent that will stand up to the durability and stability of one of these canvas tents. We used ours in Yellowstone for a week last summer and it rained almost the entire trip and we slept dry and comfortable the entire time. They also stand up to wind unlike a fiberglass pole dome tent. Mine has zipdown panels so if you choose, you can have mesh windows on all four sides.

They are more expensive than others, but you wont have to replace them every year or two. We've had the oldest one for about 10 years now and have always put it away dry and its like new still.

 

[Cody]

We have a couple of springbar tents from Kirkhams. You will never find a nylon tent that will stand up to the durability and stability of one of these canvas tents. We used ours in Yellowstone for a week last summer and it rained almost the entire trip and we slept dry and comfortable the entire time. They also stand up to wind unlike a fiberglass pole dome tent. Mine has zipdown panels so if you choose, you can have mesh windows on all four sides.

They are more expensive than others, but you wont have to replace them every year or two. We've had the oldest one for about 10 years now and have always put it away dry and its like new still.

I don't know. There may be a reason that all of the Himalayan expeditions don't use canvas I bet if you put them into 80 below temper with 100+ mph winds and a few feet of snow, they might not perform quite as well

But springbar are cool if you have room for them, especially around here and for family out-of-car camping.

other big 3-4 season tents (bored at work)
http://www.rei.com/product/762575
http://www.rei.com/product/732598

 

[Bodine]

I already have one of these http://www.warriormfg.com/ but if I needed a family tent it would probably be one of these http://www.kodiakcanvas.com/ if I was car camping it would probably be one of these http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0034805516987a.shtml and if i ever get the opportunity to hike the slot canyons with Cody and company it would be one of these http://www.trailspace.com/gear/tents/bivy/ and one of these http://www.cabelas.com/spodw-1/0020698.shtml to get me back out for I am in poor shape.

 

[ID Bronco]

Our scout troop has a few of the Alaska Cabelas tents. They work great. They are holding up to the scouts, so that says a lot to me. The fly comes down almost to the ground, and the little compatment in the front is nice for dirty boots, etc.

 

[Cody]

lol, nice Bodine.

 

[RKCRWLR]

I have the Alaskan Guide tent. VERY well made, relatively easy set up. Its great if your caught in the wind... very sturdy. Its also VERY heavy and bulky to pack. I give it an 8 out of 10. I have a Kelty cabin tent. POS. Pain to set up, hates wind, flappy. A good tent is money well spent. A good sleeping bag and pad is even better spent!

That said, I am getting too darn old and with kids I decided to go with a pop-up. We still tent camp off road, but a pop up is great to have.

Good of you the get the kiddos out in the woods and off the TV set.

 

[WayneXJ]

Another vote for Springbar.

 

[Devel]

I like my walmart tent its a cabin style tent and sleeps 9

 

[DOSS]

I would get a 3 season, with a full fly/vestibule. The Mountain Hardware would be my first choice mainly because of how happy I have been with mine, but that Kelty would work. Big Agnes tents are supposed to be really nice and easy to set up, but I've never used one and if you want a 3 going on 4 season tent, I don't think the rain fly setup on that would be sufficient for some sideways blowing rain. The way I look at tents, if I want one to last me a long time, and be able to handle a ton of different conditions then I'd spend the money and do it right the first time. I've used my MH Trango 3 100's of nights in all kinds of terrain and weather, and it's still looks basically brand new.

I agree.. Mountain Hardware has some great tents... I have had my 2 person Backpacking tent since 97??... has been great southern utah windstorms, high uintas blizzards and spent 2 weeks being poured on in the redwoods and I have not a single complaint.. easy to put up.. holds up to wear.. at least 200 nights have been spent in it...

 

[73fj55]

I used to sell Moss tents. Not sure if they are still around or through someone elses name. Great tents, pricey, but awesome 4 season tents.

 

[mesha]

I used to sell Moss tents. Not sure if they are still around or through someone elses name. Great tents, pricey, but awesome 4 season tents.

Moss was purchased by Walrus several years ago walrus was in turn purchased by MSR. the Moss stargazer is the best mountaineering tent ever made. You will pay roughly 600 bucks for a used one on ebay though. the msr fury is the same design, but it will only fit 2. The original engineer/designer for Moss just started back up with msr and has been the main reason for the new designs. the elbow room and asgard are brand new tents that are awesome.

If you would like a canvas tent I can get you a deal on a kodiak tent. Someone who used to work for springbar in the repair shop went out on his own and formed kodiak. they are in some ways better and some ways not as good. The floor is beefier and the canvas is a little thinner. His reasoning was the floor wore out the walls didn't they come with more features and are significantly less expensive. They also have a lifetime warranty. Pm me for a price.

Whatever tent you purchase get aluminum poles instead of fiberglass and get a nylon floor rather than a tarp style. also leek for a rainfly that goes all the way to the ground and a bathtub style floor.