Which 3-4 season backpacking tent

[7mmfan]

My Dad is in the market to upgrade his backpacking tent for fall hunting. We were out in some moderately crappy weather in Idaho this year and his 2 season lightweight unit didn't quite cut it. There is a plethora of options out there and without and real world experience with any of them, I feel like it's kind of a shot in the dark.

Requirements:

1 - Freestanding, not floorless
2 - Decent sized vestibule, big enough for pack and gun anyway. Two vestibules would be ideal.
3 - Under $500
4 - Lighter is better, but I understand the tradeoff

I've seen some REI, Big Agnes, Nemo, and other brand tents that all seem to fit the criteria, so looking for peoples opinions based on actual experience.

Thanks,
Rory

[kselkhunter]

Is he trying to use it in snow?   3 season tents can't really handle much of a snow load.  So the first question is to define if he's really looking for a bad weather tent or not.   I've had multiple tents collapse, and some poles even break, in snow load.   If he's going to use it in snow, a 4 season tent or a tipi are the best paths.

If just 3 season tent, Big Agnes makes good products.  I have the Fly Creek UL3 model and it's nice and roomy.  I also have a MSR Hubba Hubba and it's also good quality.  Neither do I take if there is a chance for multiple inches of snow.   I take the Seek Outside tipi for snow hunts.  I also have various REI, Kelty, etc. backpacking tents and the Big Agnes and MSR brands are better quality.

With the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL3 you don't need a vestibule.  Plenty of room inside for rifle and pack.   And very lightweight for the size.

[7mmfan]

Snow is always a possibility at 8000' in Idaho in mid October. We had a couple inches this year, but it was no big deal. We have been dumped on in the past. We've had the discussion about durability in weather like that and he understands that tipi's are better suited for that environment, but he's a diehard enclosed tent kind of guy.

[Mtnwalker]

I think there’s a new Kuiu 4season in the classifieds

[kselkhunter]

Staying under $500 for a quality 4 season tent is a challenge.  Hilleburg's are great, but typically higher priced.  Big Agnes makes the Battle Mountain 4 season tents that are worth a look, as are the MSR Remote 3, Marmot Thor, Kuiu, and Nemo Chogori.

[7mmfan]

I agree that under $500 is a challenge, hence leaning more towards a quality 3 season. Was hoping to find a good Cyber Monday deal today, but I'll have to keep looking I guess.

[cbond3318]

Let me know if he gets into the teepee game, I know a custom stove builder. 

[highside74]

I think someone had a kuiu 2 person tent in classifieds the other day.

[7mmfan]

I saw that. I'm contemplating that. The real hard part of this whole thing is that I'm trying to buy him one for Christmas, but of course, tent selection is a highly personal decision. I'm a tipi guy, so I'm trying to put myself in his shoes, and also look for something I can return if it's not really what he wants.

[7mmfan]

Let me know if he gets into the teepee game, I know a custom stove builder. 

Could probably store your tipi in your stove! Not sure why we didn't think about that last time.

[highside74]

I would look at the copper spur ul2. 2 side entries and vestibules. Plenty for one man with extra room and gear outside. Plus they are 6 or so inches longer than an MSR or REI.

[boneaddict]

I bought a kuiu this last year. I liked it.   Way more room than my REI, and better for riding out a storm. 

[7mmfan]

I bought a kuiu this last year. I liked it.   Way more room than my REI, and better for riding out a storm.

Did you get the Storm Star or the Mountain Star?

[Skyvalhunter]

I got the Summit Refuge. Haven't really tried it in adverse conditions yet.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Marmot limelite.

I haven't researched a bunch since I purchased ten years ago, but the floor and rainfly are 1500 and 1700 mm. Pretty aggressive for a 3 season tent.  Compared to the fly creek or copper spur it's not even in the same category IMO and I own both. A bit on the heavy side, but twin doors and vestibules make it comfy and I have rode out significant weather including snow in it. Only complaint beside weight is the pole setup. Not the most straightforward. Otherwise been an awesome tent.

[Platensek-po]

Check out mountain smith tents. I have a 3 season that is amazing and their customer service is great. I had the poles stolen from a campground in South America and they sent me new ones free of charge. It’s a great size and light but super weather proof and easy to set up. I’m a big dude and I fit with room for my pack at my feet.

[huntnnw]

I have a 3p Kuiu refuge. Plenty of room for my wife and I plus all gear inside. It is also capable of having a stove.

[jackelope]

I’d go Copper Spur. 2 Side doors with big vestibules. Get the UL2 for 1 guy and you won’t need vestibules.

[7mmfan]

Got him narrowed down to the Kuiu Stormstar, Copper Spur UL2, or a Luxe Minipeak XL. I may have him leaning floorless now, which I personally think is a good decision for him.

[highside74]

I thought I wanted floorless until I used it. No thanks.

Now I've never used one with a stove but if I'm by myself without a stove I want a normal tent design.

[Skyvalhunter]

There is the option of going with floor or not like with the Kuiu tent I have.

[jackelope]

I thought I wanted floorless until I used it. No thanks.

Now I've never used one with a stove but if I'm by myself without a stove I want a normal tent design.

This.

[highside74]

Got him narrowed down to the Kuiu Stormstar, Copper Spur UL2, or a Luxe Minipeak XL. I may have him leaning floorless now, which I personally think is a good decision for him.

Those are great choices. My thought is that the Kuiu is double the weight of the copper spur to carry around on the off chance that he might need a four season  for an October snow. I'd take my chances and carry the Copper Spur.

[blackveltbowhunter]

What terrain is he hunting in mainly? There is no way I would run a back packing floorless shelter in western wa, north idaho etc..... without a stove. Wet and muddy not great drainage, it's a mess. Even with a stove it will limit pitch locations and can still be a nightmare to get dry. I love tipi type shelters, but like everything else they have limitations.

[huntnnw]

I couldn’t imagine a floor less tent in rain or snowy conditions. No thanks . I’ll carry an extra 10 oz for a floor

[Skyvalhunter]

I have done floorless and stove less on a Kodiak Brown bear hunt in Oct where it rained and blew 8 of the 10 days. Its all about tent placement. I guess it also depends on your comfort zone.

[Mtnwalker]

I couldn’t imagine a floor less tent in rain or snowy conditions. No thanks . I’ll carry an extra 10 oz for a floor

It can go both ways. With proper setup it’s also nice to not have water puddling or mud tracking in that comes with a traditional floored tent in those conditions

[baker5150]

I couldn’t imagine a floor less tent in rain or snowy conditions. No thanks . I’ll carry an extra 10 oz for a floor

It can go both ways. With proper setup it’s also nice to not have water puddling or mud tracking in that comes with a traditional floored tent in those conditions

Can't beat a floorless tipi with a stove and a 3/4 or 1/2 nest.

More versatile than any other option IMO.

[7mmfan]

What terrain is he hunting in mainly? There is no way I would run a back packing floorless shelter in western wa, north idaho etc..... without a stove. Wet and muddy not great drainage, it's a mess. Even with a stove it will limit pitch locations and can still be a nightmare to get dry. I love tipi type shelters, but like everything else they have limitations.

This tent would mainly be used in East/Central Idaho, so generally dry when we're there, but every year we get some form of rain/snow/cold. This year we had an extended period of high winds, cold, and some snow and rain. His current tent did fine, but he saw the writing on the wall. I was camped 10' from him in my tipi with stove and he ended up storing all his stuff in my tent to get it dry and keep it dry. My guess is he would really like the Minipeak XL with a nest and stove. Even just a 1 man bathtub floor changes the whole thing as you don't have to worry about water in your sleeping area anymore.

His argument is that he likes the simplicity of a freestanding tent, which I understand, but man you don't get a whole lot simpler than a tipi with 4 corner stakes and center pole. You can have the tent erect in 1 minute and all your gear in the dry if you're setting up in inclement weather.

Either way, everyone has been a good help with this subject so far and I think I was able to narrow it down to 3 legitimate shelters that offer different pros and cons and will give us something to talk about.   

[kselkhunter]

The half nest option is nice to have.  I love it for my tipi during summer to keep the bugs out, and if it's raining hard.  In snow or fall when it's dry, I go without the nest in the tipi.   

[blackveltbowhunter]

What terrain is he hunting in mainly? There is no way I would run a back packing floorless shelter in western wa, north idaho etc..... without a stove. Wet and muddy not great drainage, it's a mess. Even with a stove it will limit pitch locations and can still be a nightmare to get dry. I love tipi type shelters, but like everything else they have limitations.

This tent would mainly be used in East/Central Idaho, so generally dry when we're there, but every year we get some form of rain/snow/cold. This year we had an extended period of high winds, cold, and some snow and rain. His current tent did fine, but he saw the writing on the wall. I was camped 10' from him in my tipi with stove and he ended up storing all his stuff in my tent to get it dry and keep it dry. My guess is he would really like the Minipeak XL with a nest and stove. Even just a 1 man bathtub floor changes the whole thing as you don't have to worry about water in your sleeping area anymore.

His argument is that he likes the simplicity of a freestanding tent, which I understand, but man you don't get a whole lot simpler than a tipi with 4 corner stakes and center pole. You can have the tent erect in 1 minute and all your gear in the dry if you're setting up in inclement weather.

Either way, everyone has been a good help with this subject so far and I think I was able to narrow it down to 3 legitimate shelters that offer different pros and cons and will give us something to talk about.   

That's huge. I would for sure lean hard for floorless and if really wanting comfort a stove. I use a tipi in the same areas of Idaho from September thru November it's perfect.

[PacificNWhunter]

I’m sure it’s been mentioned but the MSR Hubba Hubba sounds like it may be an option for you.

[ridgefire]

I would take a look at the Nemo Hornet 2. I have been real happy with this tent and it has dual side vestibules. I also have a BA Fly Creek UL2 which is nice but I prefer the side vestibules on the Nemo. Both these tents pack small and weigh in around 2lbs.

[CaNINE]

If you’re serious about needing wind and snow load protection then look to the Mountain Hardwear Trango. None better. Over your budget but with sales right now can be had for some great prices.