Can anyone recommend a 4 person tent...

[jackelope]

Is anyone using a 3 or 4 person backpacking tent that is free standing and is not floorless that they could recommend? My wife and kid want to start doing some overnighters in the mountains and I'm looking for a tent big enough for the 3 of us. I've seen a few tents in the 6-7 pound range which I'd be good with as we won't be too terribly far from the road...just not sure what to choose.
If anyone happens to have a GoLite SL5 with a nest that they want to part ways with, I'd be seriously interested.
Thanks

[Woodchuck]

http://www.cabelas.com/browse.cmd?categoryId=153410580&WTz_l=Unknown%3Bcat104779080
Light, relatively speaking... I can put mine up by myself in 15 minutes. Never be short of room. Available heat if in cool temps. 

[jackelope]

http://www.cabelas.com/browse.cmd?categoryId=153410580&WTz_l=Unknown%3Bcat104779080
Light, relatively speaking... I can put mine up by myself in 15 minutes. Never be short of room. Available heat if in cool temps. 

I'd love to have an Alaknak one of these days, Jimbo....but I'm looking for one I can put in my backpack.
I guess I didn't clarify that.
 

[Stein]

I would look at the REI tents, they are built well and relatively affordable.  There are coupons for 20% that just came out if you are a member.

Cabelas also makes quality products.

It pretty much depends on whether you want a 2/3 or 4 season tent.

[Woodchuck]

http://www.cabelas.com/browse.cmd?categoryId=153410580&WTz_l=Unknown%3Bcat104779080
Light, relatively speaking... I can put mine up by myself in 15 minutes. Never be short of room. Available heat if in cool temps. 

I'd love to have an Alaknak one of these days, Jimbo....but I'm looking for one I can put in my backpack.
I guess I didn't clarify that.
 

You're a big ol boy, get a bigger pack. 

[whacker1]

SL5 seems to be the best bang for the buck.  That will be my next tent purchase.  I haven't found much that can get the space, standing room, weight, and hold out the elements like one.  At 5lbs it seems to be the best option.

[CP]

Not free-standing and not lite but these are very good tents especially if you are taller:

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Kodiak-Canvas-Tent/productDetail/Canvas-Tents/prod9999000225/cat100834;jsessionid=73DC4CB35D9507689789C278BA764E17

[CP]

Sorry, I missed the backpack part.  No way you will the Kodiak Canvas in a backpack.

[Stein]

Golite is going through bankruptcy and a majority of the creditors that are going to get the short end are suppliers of the materials they use.  If you are going to get one, now would probably be a good time.

I have one of their 1-man tents and for the weight and price it is amazingly well designed and built.

[whacker1]

Golite is going through bankruptcy and a majority of the creditors that are going to get the short end are suppliers of the materials they use.  If you are going to get one, now would probably be a good time.

I have one of their 1-man tents and for the weight and price it is amazingly well designed and built.

Oh wow! this is the first I have heard of this.

[jackelope]

Golite is going through bankruptcy and a majority of the creditors that are going to get the short end are suppliers of the materials they use.  If you are going to get one, now would probably be a good time.

I have one of their 1-man tents and for the weight and price it is amazingly well designed and built.

I can't find one anywhere, although I haven't been looking too hard.

I had a SL3 and sold it as it wasn't big enough for me. I touched the walls when I laid down in it on both ends. I am 6'4", my wife is 6'0" and my 7 year old daughter is the tallest kid in her class and also the youngest... 
The 5 would be big enough for us I think.
 

[quadrafire]

http://www.golite.com/Default.aspx

He's right.

[quadrafire]

I have the SL5 but have never used it with the nest. You will lose some room with that, but should be big enough. The angle of the sides limits you somewhat on head room except for the center. It could be improved by tying out the sides with the attached loops.
If you could tie the roof peak to a branch above you could do away with the center pole and give a lot more usable room.
The other thing that seems worse with this tent vs others i have is condensation seems pretty heavy. MAYBE not as bad with the nest?

[TheHunt]

One of the ones I have been looking at is the kifaru tipi's.  http://store.kifaru.net/shelters-c5.aspx and there are Seek Outside Tipi http://seekoutside.com/ which has great reviews.  They also have nests to keep the bugs out and they have folding stoves. 

[Stein]

I can't find one anywhere, although I haven't been looking too hard.

I had a SL3 and sold it as it wasn't big enough for me. I touched the walls when I laid down in it on both ends. I am 6'4", my wife is 6'0" and my 7 year old daughter is the tallest kid in her class and also the youngest... 
The 5 would be big enough for us I think.

I'm 6'4 as well.  Your biggest challenge will finding a backpacking tent for 3, they seem to be 2 or 4 with most manufacturers and a 4-man light backpacking tent seems to be a rare thing.  Throw in the extra length you need and it really narrows the field.  You may want to consider going with two 2-mans or a 1 and 2.

REI makes extra long versions, I have the half dome (or quarter dome, can't remember).  The golite Shangri-la will also fit you but they don't make them anymore.

[whacker1]

http://www.golite.com/Default.aspx

He's right.

Dang, I was looking at their web-site a month ago, and it didn't have the going out of business information.  I had no idea that was coming down the pipeline.  Hopefully someone will pick up that design as I really liked the idea of going without the pole and using a branch as the tent then gets down to 4.5 lbs, which awesome for 3-4 people plust standing room.  I will have to look at those other models.

[whacker1]

I don't know if golite was too cheap, but after looking at the kifaru and Seek outside, boy there is a significant price difference.   
 

[zwickeyman]

Big Agnes Copper Spur 4 might work for you. Good tents, I use a CS2 for early season.

[jackelope]

One of the ones I have been looking at is the kifaru tipi's.  http://store.kifaru.net/shelters-c5.aspx and there are Seek Outside Tipi http://seekoutside.com/ which has great reviews.  They also have nests to keep the bugs out and they have folding stoves.

As much as I'd love to, those are too rich for my blood.

The Copper Spur is high on my list.

[hirshey]

My basic spike camp tent (when not bivying) is a 2.5 person Mountain Hardware... you might go on their website and see weight/price/pitching options... the tent itself has been awesome for me. (the stuff bag has required many, many stitch jobs). I have one of their tents that you can pitch with the full compliment, or just the rain fly, or footprint and rainfly. It gives you some versatility, and I've been happy with them. Price is fairly affordable, too. 

[hirshey]

Weight options for a 3-4 person range from 4-7 pounds, too. Depending on what you really want.

[whacker1]

it looks like golite's bankruptcy is a reorganization, so maybe they will re-emerge next spring with line of product that will suit your needs.

[swanny]

I dont have production specs yet, but this will come in under 4lbs when the production version is available in March. I've used the two person version multiple times and it has enough room for adults to sit up side by side when in the tent.

http://www.exped.com/usa/en/product-category/tents/mira-iii

There are a few pictures of in this post on my blog towards the bottom of the two man setup.

http://9to5active.wordpress.com/category/travel/

[MLHSN]

If you are on Facebook, like sierra trading post.  They have been throwing up 25-30% codes pretty regularly.  That's a sweet deal when STP usually sells last years model at a discount.

[92xj]

Pretty hard to beat a eureka timberline 4 person tent. A tick shove your seven pounds, but within a mile or two of the car you would be fine. I've had mine for the past 15 ish years. Ten of those in the hot humid wet thunderstorm south and the last five or here in the dry heat and snowy winter. Had held up to everything. It's the only tent I've kept for any extended time. Even after going to a flexbow canvas tent for room in still not letting go of the timberline. For the price and durability, it's pretty great.