looking at Winter tents or 4 season tents

C

cuphead

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Jan 14, 2008
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I'm a little puzzled here. I been looking around at some 4 season tents at REI, but I'm not sure exactly how far a 200$ budget can get me..

Prices range from 200$ to 1000$ but all I want is a simple tent capable of holding in a blizzard and keeping me dry and comfy, preferably a 2mans tent allowing for extra room for the clutter.

I dont want to go over my budget by much, as I don't really winter camp, but I promised a friend... long story short... I have a list to attend.

You guys have been very helpful in the pastand I was wondering if any of you would have good suggestions for my first winter tent..

Thanks in advance.:D:thumbup:
 
I would think MEC would come closest to fitting what you're looking for, especially with the exchange rate right now. Check the Gear Swap on MEC as they had a few tents in your price-range.
 
If you're talking about camping in Canada in the winter $200 is not going to cut it, unless you can find something used on Ebay. I used to go winter camping in West Virginia every year and used an MSR two person tent. You want something that's going to shed snow and wind. Usually if the tent is classified as a mountaineering tent it will stand up to lousy weather. Extra tie outs on a mountaineering tent can be used with "deadmen" buried in the snow to stabilize it in heavy winds. Look up how to build a snow cave. Snowtrekker winter tents are really good.
 
I use a bivy and tarp ($150.00 (IIRC) Outdoor Research Aurora and a $5 Walmart tarp). Last time out was a couple days ago on a one-nighter. Didn't use the set-up for most of the night, just rested a foot from the fire, but I got tired of mainainting the fire a went inside, worked well.

Just make sure you bring a warm enough sleeping bag.
 
I have two different 4 season tents from EMS, a 2 person (I forget the name...) and a 3 person Tundra Lodge. Both are excellent, have held up very well to years of use. I have had the Tundra lodge since 1991, and use it every year when it is more then just me. The Floor has even held up (never had to patch either) to my dogs when I take them out with me. Roomy, good air flow, dry. 3 pole dome, double walled. Not a bad set up. The 2 person is a single walled tent, with a crush cotton to keep condensation down. It sets up from the inside, so if it is really stormy out, you are inside setting up the poles. 2 poles, takes me about 5 minutes to set it up. Not a huge amount of room, but enough for me and my wife, or one of my kids. Last winter I was out, and they predicted snow, but not the winds. We got wind gusting to 45-50, and it took it with no problem.

Anyways, take a look. They are a bit "pricey" but both of mine are well over 10 years old, and both are still in excellent shape, no issues. (Other then I would REALLY like to get out and use them more!).

Cheers!
MrC
 
I appreciate the feedback..

As for tarps.. it's almost out of the question if I want my stay to be as comfy as possible.

I had a tarp setup late last week and i was freezing my nuts off.
I've done the snow cave thing before, but staying a week in one will take toll on my mood.

I'll be looking into Snowtrekker some more, thanks again!
 
Thanks for the aid.. the snowtrekker we're really out of my budget... But I managed to find something at MEC (thanks)

Here's what I ordered with short description: MEC TGV Tent

The TGV offers an impressive living-space-to-weight ratio. It’s strong enough to use year-round in the mountains, yet light enough to actually go places with. The extra length will be appreciated by taller folk, or those who like having room for gear at their feet. The main pole set, stiffened by a centre connector, works facing either way – there’s no guessing whether it’s back-to-front during set-up. The front arch pole provides extra headroom and snow-shedding capacity.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_...T<>prd_id=845524442592197&bmUID=1227291805333
 
That looks like a pretty good deal and having extra room is important in case you get stuck inside the tent for any length of time. Me and my climbing partner spent 24 hours inside the MSR tent on Mt Washington. We were sure that the raging weather outside signaled the end of the world. So we cooked our last meal over a Svea stove (of course with good ventilation). The next day we were able to summit
 
Careful with the deal spotting boys. Point this gentleman in the right direction with product names but let's not steer anyone towards one deal over another.
 
I have used my REI 1/2 dome for many years and it has yet to fail me. Although it is techinically only a 3 season tent, I have used it in some big-time scary winter snow storms without fail. Anchor it deep, guy it tight, and hold on!
 
I had pretty good luck with an REI Trail Dome (3 pole design) that was a three season tent but built strong. After seeing a friend's Cabela's XPG four season tent (4 pole design) perform admirably in some terrible weather near the Bering Sea, I bought one. [The two-person model often goes on sale for around $200.] These are not particularly lightweight tents but they are very strong.

A bit over a week ago I was camping on a roughly 7300 ft. ridge in Montana's Castle Mountains and the Cabela's tent held up to the high winds, snow, and cold really well.

DancesWithKnives
 
if your willing to go the tarp direction I highly suggest the golite hex-3 renamed the shangri-la 3 it is basically a teepee with a single pole...floorless therefore the design allows you to dig down into the snow and create a huge space...The thing is pretty solid in high winds and can take a snowload pretty well...and if you wish to use it during bug season they sell a inner "nest" that consists of bug netting and a waterproof floor. the tarp alone weighs in around 2 pounds and the inner nest around 3 i believe so all in all you have a ton of space for 2 people and gear with he option of later buying the nest for true 4 season use.

also if weight is not an issue and your car camping or the likes i suggest something like the marmot sanctum...they are bombproof but are true expedition 4 season tents... I mention the sanctum because i own one and scored it off of sierra trading post for something like 150. but like i said the weight is enormous somethign around like 9-13 pounds i believe

whatever tent you get be sure to get aluminum poles as fiberglass have a tendency to snap!
 
When you do online shopping at REI - pay attention for the 'Award Winning' title. This means that Backpacker or Outdoor magazine gave it the Gold award or an Editors choice award.

I have yet to go wrong with one of these choices.

I have to be honest though - 200 bucks is likely too little for a 4 season tent. You may want to find a heavier 3 season tent and see if you can make it work.

TF
 
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