So whats the consensus on tents? How late in the year will you guys run 3 season or do you just run 4 season from archery on thru rifle hunts? I have a 3s that I have used on warm stuff but am considering going later with the backpack and tent so am thinking of just running a 4 season all year. I hate being cold and will adjust my bag system more for temps im thinking. Whats everyones favorite 4 season tent? The new Stone Glacier looks nice, or just spring for a Hilleberg?
3 season tent vs 4 season
- Thread starter Dieseldog
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rmyoung1
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- Jul 12, 2010
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I asked a similar question a few years back and got some good advice: Hilleberg is a tent company. They make fantastic tents and have for decades. Just get the known product and don’t over-think it.
That was solid advice. I bought a Hilleberg Akto and I’ve been pleased. Getting ready to buy a Hilleberg group tent.
That was solid advice. I bought a Hilleberg Akto and I’ve been pleased. Getting ready to buy a Hilleberg group tent.
airlocksniffer
Member
I think it depends on where you are camping. Higher altitude with a potential for high winds and/or heavy snow load? 4 season for sure. I think you can get by with a 3 season in the winter depending on weather and site selection. At least I hope so. I'm headed on a snowshoeing overnight this weekend and planning on taking my old REI Quarter Dome 3 season tent. I'll let you know the verdict on Monday.
BlakeA
Well-known member
Kifaru Tut with a Smith cylinder stove.
Schaaf
Well-known member
I asked a similar question a few years back and got some good advice: Hilleberg is a tent company. They make fantastic tents and have for decades. Just get the known product and don’t over-think it.
That was solid advice. I bought a Hilleberg Akto and I’ve been pleased. Getting ready to buy a Hilleberg group tent.
What do you think that Hilleberg heats up to on a 0* night?
D
Deleted member 16014
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In 0*-10* type winter temps I've generally gotten an additional 10-20 degrees inside the tent depending on the interior volume and solo vs. 2 people. The four season tents I've used (at least that come to mind) are Hilleberg Allak, Moss Stardome/MSR Fury, Hilleberg Nallo 2 GT, Big Agnes String Ridge, Mountain Hardware Trango, and Rab Latok Summit. A three vs. four season tent title is no guarantee of features. There are three season tents I'd take all winter over some labeled four season. I used a Hilleberg Niak (3 season) for a little solo backpack trip in the Hoback Basin last month. In heavy wind it has a higher cut fly for spindrift than I like but otherwise it's rock solid. Until you try some different options in different conditions it's really hard to say one or the other will fit your needs better.
The Stone Glacier tent looks great, though I can't say I want one in particular. I disagree with them that a "fly over pole" design is a better mousetrap, but that's fine. It has been on the market for a while, just not branded as Stone Glacier, look at: http://www.slingfin.com/Tents/alpine-zone-tents/windsaber
String Ridge and a NF Mountain 25 on the Ingraham glacier.
Nallo 2 GT on a November hunt.
The Stone Glacier tent looks great, though I can't say I want one in particular. I disagree with them that a "fly over pole" design is a better mousetrap, but that's fine. It has been on the market for a while, just not branded as Stone Glacier, look at: http://www.slingfin.com/Tents/alpine-zone-tents/windsaber
String Ridge and a NF Mountain 25 on the Ingraham glacier.
Nallo 2 GT on a November hunt.
Epfd217
Member
Consider what makes a 4-season tent rated 4-season. Usually it comes down to wind/snow load and a full coverage fly. I agree with SnowyMountaineer that I have some "3-season" tents that I more than trust in winter. I wouldn't waste money on a 4 season tent unless I planned on camping in full on winter-style mountaineering situations. Don't get caught up on a 4-season rating. Plenty of people winter camp in the open, under tarps, in snow shelters, single wall shelters and finally in dual wall shelters of different ratings.
My new go-to for the cold weather is a Seek Outside Cimarron with ultralight stove. Handled wind and snow just fine and the stove is magical in the cold.
My new go-to for the cold weather is a Seek Outside Cimarron with ultralight stove. Handled wind and snow just fine and the stove is magical in the cold.
Big Sky Chinook is a nice light 4 season tent.
Plus its free standing which makes winter set up much easier.
You can also run just the dome in the summer and leave the nest at home, making it a light free standing single wall shelter.
I agree with above, what I look for when winter camping is snow load. I prefer to have the third pole.
I have used many single wall shelters in late fall and winter but got tired of dealing with all the condensation.
Plus its free standing which makes winter set up much easier.
You can also run just the dome in the summer and leave the nest at home, making it a light free standing single wall shelter.
I agree with above, what I look for when winter camping is snow load. I prefer to have the third pole.
I have used many single wall shelters in late fall and winter but got tired of dealing with all the condensation.
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Schaaf
Well-known member
Epfd217
Member
Well, no fire means now you're just camping in a regular tent. I've don'e plenty of winter camping, with and without a stove. Fire is for comfort, and nothing more. Your clothes and sleeping system should match the weather outside. If the fire goes out or you can't get a fire going, your sleeping bag should save you. Fire is nice for sitting around at night or warming the tent in the morning. The more I got used to having the stove, the better I slept at night and let the fire die until morning.
TheNorthStar
Well-known member
Last season in central Idaho we saw nights in the vicinity of 15* with a smattering of snow, freezing rain and sleet to start off the week. I used a marmot tungsten 1p with a 0 degree bag. The tent held up just fine and I would end up waking up an hour or two after falling asleep to shed a layer. A proper bag and a 900 calorie mountain house mac n cheese before bed served better for keeping comfortably warm than the tent itself.
For all that, though, I am looking pretty hard at purchasing a nallo 2 for this year.
Hope that helps.
For all that, though, I am looking pretty hard at purchasing a nallo 2 for this year.
Hope that helps.
IdahoPotato
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Floorless with a stove is my plan this year. Seek Outside also makes some cheaper options, but I hear Kifaru has the best material out there.
