if i was to buy one tent...four seasons?

[vash]

say it needs to be a smaller backpacking tent. light, compact. i tend to go out in bad weather, because the tent needs to be home during hunting seasons in addition to spring backpacking trips. hunting happens in the fall, and early spring. cold, and rainy in my neighborhood. rarely snow, but it could happen. i say most of the gigs will be from the back of a vehicle, but it will occasionally need to be packed in either on mules or my back.

does it need to be a four season? what is the advantage of one anyways. 3 seasons are less weatherproof?

cliff
TIA.

[gassy]

I'd stick with a 3 season. Just my opinion--check this out to start:

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/gear/features/tents.htm

[andrew15]

A four season is going to be heavier to pack in and out. That said, it will stand up to snow loads and strong winds a lot better - usually because of thicker fabrics and more of a support structure.

If you are setting up off the back of a truck or have a mule handy for your packed loads, get the 4 season. If you are the mule, that extra 3-5 lbs can be a lot to hump in and out the other 3 seasons.

I've got a 3 person 3 season and it weighs in around 7.5 lbs - that's about all I'd want to take. Even then, it's even heavier than I'd like for truly lightweight excursions.

Regards,
Andrew M

[myamoto1]

depends on your camping style, but Bibler (sp?) tents are bare bones, super light and hold up well. you can also go bivy sack if you're a super minimalist also in regards to 3 vs 4 season, 4 season tents typically don't have any mesh panels in them (not counting windows). as mentioned above the 4 seasons will weigh more.

you can usually find some pretty good deals on gear here:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Home_

[RWebb]

Bibler - not cheap -- I use mine for the more extreme stuff

also North Face - rel. heavy (got a VE25)

Walrus (my quick pop up one) & Marmot also good

4 season means suitable for high mountains - snow loads, crushing winds, etc.

[aigel]

I decided on a 4 season in the same situation. 4 seasons is made to take snow, usually a couple of feet. As others have indicated above, they are heavier for the same size but also stand up better to wind and rain. I have a 2 man 4 season Eureka that I like a lot. It is 7 pounds. I can pack that pretty well on any hunting or fishing expedition. Then, just get a very light set up (tarp, bivy, tube) for when you go on extended hikes etc.


Here is mine. Should be cheaper elsewhere:
http://www.backcountry.com/store/ERK0100/Eureka-Alpenlite-2XT-Tent-2-Person-4-Season.html



Cheers,

G

[Tishabet]

Check out 3-4 season convertibles. They usually feature zip-out panels and poles you can leave at home for reduced weight in 3-season mode.

I would not recommend using a true 4 season tent as your only tent year round, they can get beastly hot in the summer and are prone to condensation issues. FWIW my summer rig is a three season non-free standing Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight which weighs just under 4 lbs. My winter rig is a Sierra Designs Tiros which weighs just over 8 lbs. Both are 2 person tents.

[Granite]

You buy your tent for its primary use and not get hung up on the maybe it might snow. 3 season tents ventilate better and are typically lighter than 4 season tents. Most quality 3 season tents can deal with a little snow loading. Think about the living space. Does it have enough space for you to sit up and change your clothes? Windows to look out and see what is going on around you? Pay close attention to rain fly coverage. Do you want a big vestibule so you can store gear when you are not camping next to the car? I would guess you would want a free standing tent VS a tent you have to stake out to get it to stand up.
I just love tents/ shelters and I have too many to count.
Let us know what you decide to buy and why.

Steve

[Dave L]

if you want light and small and rarely see snow go 3 season. A 4 season will be better in the wind but you have to keep in mind that they are designed to handle wind above the tree line. Unless you realsitically see that kind of wind or large dumps of snow I dont think you would need a 4 season tent. If you are concerned about warmth buy a uco candle lantern, the candle will burn for about 9 hours and keep a 3 season tent quite a bit warmer.

[aigel]

If you read the blurb on the Eureka I posted, you will see that it has ample ventilation for summer camping. A good 4 season tent is indeed for all 4 seasons, including summer.

G

[jyl]

Since a so-called "two man" tent is barely big enough for one man who doesn't want his pack, bow, and other gear to be laying outside in the rain, getting a "three man" tent would be better.

True four season tents have heavier fabric (and less mesh/more solid) and complete fly coverage, sturdier poles and more of them (often in geodesic dome or other designs where the poles criss-cross), large vestibule (cook and store gear when snowbound), lower shape (better in wind, but less headroom), lots of staking points, etc. All great, but the tent is thus smaller for a given weight and cost.

I'd go for the three-man three-season tent rather than the two-man four-season tent of equivalent weight and cost.

A good three-season tent, staked or weighted down with gear and people, will handle lots of rain, pretty big wind, and even light snow. I've been snow camping in my three-season.

You go four-season if you are heading for severe winter storm conditions and have no easy retreat.

Of course, some tents are probably advertised as "four season" that shouldn't be. This is a four-season tent. http://www.backcountry.com/store/TNF1963/The-North-Face-VE-25-Tent-3-Person-4-Season.html