Starter 3-Person Tent for Light Backpacking Under $100?

C

cm_bushman

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Oct 22, 2012
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As the title suggests, I'm looking for a the best three-person tent to really kick off my 3-season camping for the next few years. In the past I've used Ozark Trail and Coleman tents but I hope to find something both lighter and of higher quality now. I'm a big fan of Wood Trekker's blog and his Shangri-La 3 tent, though the price just isn't justifiable for me right now. I'm hoping for a good quality three-person model at or under 4.5 to 5lbs., any design will do as long as it holds up. It would be nice to have some modular capability, (removable floor, rain cover, etc.) but if this feature is beyond my budget I can live without it.

I live in the mid-southeastern US so temps range from about 30-60*F at night Fall through Summer with lows in the teens to 0*F in the middle of winter. If I can find a suitable tent, I hope to use it as a year-round shelter, though three season is really the best I could hope for.
 
Good luck filling your criteria

I am looking for a two person, three season tent at less than 5 lbs
I have not found anything for less than $125
 
I use the Kelty Zenith II. It was around 80 i believe and actually can be picked up at Target. Its a two person I believe which equates to one big person and two reaaaaaaaaaaally small people.
 
You might check the outdoor shops' sales and there are some second hand sport equipment shops. Many outdoor related forums have swap listings. And of course there is always Craigslist. One more hint for finding a quality tent for bottom dollar... factory sponsored atheletes change manufacturer sponsors from time to time and let high-dollar equipment go cheap. And stores like REI sometimes have "garage sales" where they sell returns, displays and discontinued items for a fraction of their original MSRP.

I am doubtful that you will find a quality lightweight new-in-the-box tent in the stated price range. Particularly in a three-man size.
 
Check out kelty, mountainsmith, and ALPS mountaineering. They each offer tents that closely, but not exactly fit your criteria.
 
I wasn't aware that Mountainsmith started making tents again. They stopped a few years ago and concentrated on packs after an ownership change, as I recall. I bought a secondhand Mountainsmith three man Sanctuary tent through a member here who worked at a second-hand sports equipment store. I don't know the quality of the new tents, but I consider my tent purchase to be one of the best deals, on a great product, that I have ever found.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-New-quot-tent-review-Mountainsmith-Sanctuary

Wow! That was back in '07 and I still love it?

ETA: I just looked at their current offerings and the 4 man "Equinox 4" tent seems to be an updated version of my older discontinued tent. They did away with the clear window strip but added a rear door with second vestibule. And the site where I found it is currently pricing it at $139.93 with free shipping. They quote MSRP at $199.95. It might be worth looking into. Oh, and while my 3-man rated Sanctuary weighs 6#, this wone is quoted at 6# 15 ounces trail weight. I note that I reduced the weight of mine slightly by replacing the factory steel stakes with extruded annodized aluminum aftermarket ones.
 
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Okay guys, thanks for the perspective. I knew it was asking a lot to meet all of my criteria under $100. I like the Eureka Tent ThriftyJoe linked to, as well as the Equinox. I have no qualms about going up in price a bit to get a better value. I can dig around $175, but $250-$400 is just too much for me right now.

As far as Ultralight goes, I'm not extremely attached to the concept, I just like my gear as light as I can reasonably get it. 5lb. for a tent was an ideal goal, but if it is out of reach, I don't mind an extra couple pounds for a quality piece of gear.

While I have your guys' attention, what should I look for in my tent searches and who are the best brands to look at for my price range?
 
Keep in mind that if you are sheltering three people (or even two) in a three or four man tent, you can divy up the shelter between packs so that you each are carrying only a couple of pounds of a six pound tent. 2-3# each. Not so bad when you look at it from that perspective.

Don't buy a tent with fiberglass poles. Consider where you will set it up to decide if it needs to be free standing (like a dome) or if it will take a bunch of stakes and guy lines. Read some user reviews.
 
For me the key is identifying your goals and then waiting for the deal to pop. Best tent ever in my opinion is the Kelty Eureka/Timberline series. What you pay for in a few ounces in weight is made up for in toughness. Look at outfitters, renters and the Scouts and they all seem to go back to the tried and true timberline series. New is about 200.00, but there is allegedly over 1.5 million out there.... weak link is the dog-bone, but easily replaced for a few bucks.

From a popular camp more site:

The Eureka Timberline Tents are possibly the worlds most popular tent with millions being sold over the years. The Timberline 4 sleeps up to 4 people and provides a sturdy and stable shelter. This is a freestanding, scout tested shelter that is easy to set up and has a durable, stable shockcorded aluminum frame. Hooded windows in the rear and 1 in the door provide excellent venting even in rain while the breathable nylon canopy helps minimize condensation. The fully sealed non stretch polyester fly and the fully sealed nylon bathtub floor combine to keep the worst weather at bay.
Main fly and floor seams are factory taped for extreme weather protection.
Bathtub floor keeps seams taut and high off the ground for superior protection
Freestanding
Sleeps 4
1 Door
Shockcorded seamless aluminum frame is sturdy, stable and is usable in cold weather
Polyester fly won't stretch or sag and offers greater resistance to UV breakdown
A Frame design is incredibly sturdy and easy to set up
Large front door with Twin Track window/door zippers is side opening and makes it easy to go in and out of the tent.
2 large windows - 1 in the door and one in the back for excellent ventilation
Windows are hooded so they can be open even in rain and still get ventilation
All windows are closable, great for stopping blowing sand or light snow
Breathable nylon canopy helps minimize condensation
All clip set up is fast and sturdy and promotes greater air circulation than sleeves
Poles attach to tent body via pin and ring for fast and easy set up.
E-Z hooks on shockcord attach fly to body for taut, fast and easy set up
Shockcorded side guy outs and fly attachments give stability & tear resistance in stormy conditions
Updated Junction Tubes, protect the fly from abrasion, are a custom lightweight Zytel nylon for durability and can be attached to the tent so they don't get lost
2 mesh gear pockets for internal storage
Side guy outs maximize head and shoulder room
2 Gear Loft/Flashlight/Clothes line loops
Optional vestibule and/or annex can be added for extra gear storage, shade or rain protection
Tent, pole and stake bags included.
Fire retardant.
Import.
 
Go to Sierra Trading Post online.

Sign up for their emails.

When you receive an "Extra 35% Off" email, check to see if the tent you want is discounted the extra amount.

Look at the MH Lightpath 3. With extra 35% off it is about $130 shipped. Listed at just over 5#, not freestanding, very similar to the classic SD Clip Flashlight 3.
 
Fiberglass poles are heavy and tend to break. Aluminum alloy is lighter and stronger, IMHO. TOp makers of high dollar tents use DAC aluminum poles.
 
Well, the 3P is the kicker. There are quite a few smaller, lighter 1P and 2P tents out there. And I purposely showed the high end tents in tose links to illustrate what those makers consider the best poles available.
 
I do like all of the tents in those links, the firstlight in particular looks fantastic and simple. I can't afford one now, but the way it's looking I'm going to try and spot some deals on tents mentioned here at the places mentioned here. Maybe some day I'll find it affordable to upgrade, as I place a great importance in such things, since they may be all you have for days or weeks at a time on some trips. As for the 3-Person criteria, right now it's only me and my wife camping, (though the extra space is welcome) but with a bun in the oven, I like to plan ahead!
 
Bun in the oven? Get a 2P or large 1P that will do you for a few years. Then plan to upgrade. I got a 3P because I like bringing my gear in the tent and sometimes have a guest. And if not, I have room for Jake. I would hate to think of the two of us having a fart contest in one of my smaller 1P tents (yes, I have a couple of those too). (1p tents, not fart contests). In the smaller tents, look at the Big Agnes Seedhouse series. They are an upgrade from the Eureka Solitaire. Which is itself a decent though tiny tent. And below your budget in cost and weight.
 
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