High vs low end tents

[Jpmiller]

So it's that time of year where I start dreaming about spending the money I don't have on the gear I don't need 

I'm always thinking about upgrading my tent even though I've never had an issue with mine. I currently run a three man backpacking tent that packs fairly small and while I don't know the exact weight I do know it's light enough I don't need a lighter one. Its three or four years old and only cost me about 125 new I believe. I've always wondered about getting one of these high priced fancy tents to replace it but I dont really know the difference. I dont really need a stove as most of my trips are August bear and September deer and elk. Is it worth it to upgrade to a high end tents? What's the difference between tents of the same style? I see models that look exactly like the tent I own selling new for.hundreds of dollars more but I've not noticed or experienced any quality issues with mine. Not necessarily looking for brand/model suggestions just looking to hear what folks have noticed is or isn't better about high priced tents.

[jackelope]

If it’s just for you, a 3 man is huge and heavier than it needs to be.

You need a new one. Just let it happen.

[jackelope]

I considered this a decent middle of the road tent and this pic was taken in September. If I was upgrading, this is one issue I’d hope I would eliminate the possibility of happening. Aside from that, size and weight are a big deal. Double side doors and big vestibules are the other consideration for me.  Side doors are much easier getting in and out of and big vestibules allow you to store some gear under cover and cook under cover if needed. 
You pay for size and weight.

[banishd]

For backpacking it's definitely in the weight. Your three man tent may weigh 5 - 5.5lbs. In the backpacking world, switching out to a higher end, lighter weight tent can make a lot of sense if you are an ounce counter. For around $350 you can lose 2lbs or more making it one of the cheapest ways to shed pack weight. You would get fancier lighter weight poles, thinner, less durable material, maybe lose a little space and only have one entrance. So not really about what you get with a pricier tent.

[kselkhunter]

The higher priced 3 season tents typically have to do with weight savings.   Which typically involves higher cost materials to get to that lower weight.   Depending on what you're running now, it's a 1-3lb weight reduction that you're paying for with the "higher end" backpacking tents. 


4 season tents are higher priced due to the design for being able to withstand a snow load.  They're typically heavier.   A surprise September snow storm can cause even the sturdiest 3 season tent to bow in on itself as those poles typically are not meant for snow load (hence the 3 season moniker).  So that is why a 4 season is more expensive.


I have multiple tents, but my primary is a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL3.  3lb 5 ounces.  I could switch to the UL2 model and get down to under 2lbs, but I like having the extra space to keep my pack and weapon in the tent with me.   Plus for my hunts out of state, I have a friend with me usually and the 3man gives us enough room inside for two adult men.  So that UL3 is what I reach for most when heading out for a backcountry early season hunt.


When the wet or snowy weather starts I switch over to my SO tipi w/stove primarily for drying my clothes at night, but it also holds up best in bad weather (4 season).  Although I also have an in-between setup where I modified a tarp with stove jack that I can set up above my tent and run my stove on the other open end so I can use it to dry my clothes (let's me avoid packing my 8-man tipi on solo trips in late September/early October).   

[jackelope]

In my opinion, durability is increased with a higher priced backpacking tent. Also through researching and experience,  I won't buy a tent that only has one door... i.e. a front door. Double side doors is a must for me.
One that is near the top of my list is the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2.
https://www.bigagnes.com/Copper-Spur-HV-UL2

[Buzz2401]

I don't really believe durability goes up with higher priced backpacking tents.  My experience has been exactly the opposite.  I had been using the same tent for over 20 years, it was heavy for a 2 man tent but it worked.  Recently bought a new $400+ 2 man tent and it already has 2 holes in it, I take very good care of my gear and was bummed it already had holes in it.  But it does weigh less then half of what my other tent did and it has more features.

[OltHunter]

It's mainly to do with fabrics and construction and country of origin.  lighter weight fabrics with the same tear strength as heavier fabrics are going to cost more per yard.  anything with Dyneema is going to be close to 5x the cost of anything close. are the fabrics pu coated on both sides or just one and a DWR on the other.  Is it silicone impregnated too and what is the hydrostatic head. Are the seams sealed.

So look into the fabric differences.  A cheaper tent can be comparable to an expensive one, but just use heavier fabrics.  Looking at a fabric website, a 1.1oz Silpoly is $5.95 a yard, 1.1oz Silnylon is $11.00/yd.  A 1.1oz Silpoly with PU4000 coating is $7.75yd.  A 1.1oz MTN Silnylon 6.6 is $12.50/yd.  A 1.0oz Dyneema CT2K.18 is $37.50/yd and a 1.2oz Dyneema waterproof/breathable is $54/yd.

Aluminum grades and thickness are another cost determination.  Or are the poles carbon. 

Does the rain fly stop a few inches above the tent floor, or does it go all the way close to the ground.  Does it have a vestibule or not and how many guy outs are on it. 

Something made in America or mass produced is another.

And brand name holds a premium too.

In the end, you got to find that balance for your budget of how heavy you want to go and how bomb proof do you want it.  If materials are the same, the lighter you go, the less bomb proof it will be like Buzz2401 mentioned.  But if you are going lighter and keeping the same durability, the price will be going up quickly but you better make sure the fabric is the reason and not the name printed on the tent!

Hope that helps.

[X-Force]

Durability in tents will probably correlate more closely with weight then price when they come from quality manufacturers. Hilleberg is heavy, expensive and bulletproof, MSR, Big Agnes, Nemo, Tarptent all make quality lightweight products but not nearly as durable.

To me it’s a question of room, floor/no floor, ability to stand, heat? Lots of options. I like the MSR Hubba line and lines like it because they are light, double walled of mesh and if you want to go light you can have a free standing floorless shelter. Depending on conditions it’s also nice to have heat so seek outside or kifaru have their place too. Lots off options out there. Whittle down what you want or options, weight and cost. Then you will still have 4-10 good shelters to choose from 

[Jpmiller]

I considered this a decent middle of the road tent and this pic was taken in September. If I was upgrading, this is one issue I’d hope I would eliminate the possibility of happening. Aside from that, size and weight are a big deal. Double side doors and big vestibules are the other consideration for me.  Side doors are much easier getting in and out of and big vestibules allow you to store some gear under cover and cook under cover if needed. 
You pay for size and weight.

I've never had more than a dusting of snow, what is the best way to prevent snow collapse? Stronger poles or more of a tipi style design?

[kselkhunter]

For snow, a tipi or a four season tent like a Hilleberg are best for backpacking.  Although the 4 season tent will weigh more than a traditional 3 season backpacking tent. 


3 season tents are not designed for snow loads.   Sometimes the poles just bend and once you clear the snow they pop back up.  Sometimes a pole breaks.   I have had both situations happen to me.


You can try to rig a tarp up over the top of the 3 season tent, and that can help distribute the snow better if pitched at an appropriate angle.  But a heavier snow storm will eventually defeat that setup as well, unless you have enough support points.  If you're doing August or early September hunts, the tarp idea could be best fit.   If you know you'll do some October or November trips as well, that is when a tipi starts making more sense. 

[jackelope]

That's a 3 season tent and the snow was really wet and heavy. Barely cold enough for snow...more like slush from the sky. It didn't stand a chance.
Scott and I were up all night clearing snow off of it. It was a crappy night.

[Buckhunter24]

Im new to backcountry camping si theres probably something obvious I am missing. That looks like pretty healthy timber behind the campsite with low risk of coming down, would getting under the canopy with the tent be a good option there?

[jackelope]

It's pretty steep and cliffy in the trees there. I definitely could have picked a better place to set the tent, but hiking in in the middle of the night, we didn't get too picky, and it wasn't snowing when we went to bed.

[Buckhunter24]

Makes sense