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Which 3-4 season backpacking tent

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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.

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