The Black Diamond BombShelter is a 4 person, 4 season, state of the art tent. The name bomb shelter is fitting because this tent could probably survive a bombing. The storm-proof design features four Easton aluminum poles and the tent is constructed from Black Diamond’s proprietary ToddTex fabric. The poles intersect seven times for maximum strength. Not one, but two vestibules provide covered points of entry and place for 4 sets of serious gear. Even with all this durability, the tent still ways in at under 9 pounds and carries a lifetime warranty.

Hikers recommend using this tent for a mountaineering base camp. They say this tent can be set up by one person but most people recommend giving it a couple practice runs in the backyard first. One climber did recommend having at least two people in the tent to stabilize the heat ratio. One hiker did say the tent was a bit tight with 4 people but is quite roomy with 3. The tent does feature 50 square feet of floor space, so make sure you take that into account before your next trip.

The Big Agnes Copper Spur is an ultralight tent that comes in both 2 and 3 person models. Backpacker Magazine recently said about the Copper Spur:

With legit space for three sleepers, you simply won’t find anything else this light, roomy and weatherproof.

The tent features of trail weight of 4 lbs 3 ozs on the 3 person model and an extremely light 3.5 lbs on the 2 person model. The tent features DAC Featherlite poles and a reverse-combi pole system. A two door design allows for excellent ventilation with the window flaps down.

Backpackers think the Big Agnes Copper Spur is worth every penny! One camper said he even set the tent up for the first time in the dark with no problem. Several reviewers reported the tent as being extremely stable in high winds, one person said they were 30-60 mph during their trip. Several reviewers did recommend buying the footprint for the tent to extend life and reduce wear on the floor. All reviewers agreed that this is one of, if not the best, 3 season - 3 person ultralight tent on the market. It does carry a bit of a price premium, but as is often the case, you get what you pay for and this tent is no exception.

• Overall Rating: 10.0

The Mountain Hardwear Light Wedge is a 2 or 3 person 3 season tent. The Light Wedge features a functional wedge shaped design instead of the standard dome tent. A brow pole over the vestibule increases space for gear storage. The tent features a 43″/50″ (2pp/3pp) interior height and a 3 pole setup. It is possible to pitch just the vestibule with the footprint for an ultra light carry. The tent weighs 5 lbs 6 oz/6 lbs 4 oz (2pp/3pp) when packed.

Hikers and campers give the Mountain Hardwear Light Wedge high marks. One hiker reports taking the tent out for a 3 day excursion in Colorado. He reports that the tent stayed dry even though it rained every day. He added that there is plenty of room for 3 people in the larger model but does recommend buying a compression sack for carrying. He also recommends buying some extra stakes if you want to stake down all the guy lines.

The REI Hobitat tent comes in both 4 person and 6 person capacities. The Hobitat is a cabin style tent design for 3 season car camping. The tent is constructed of nylon tafetta, which is very durable and also has great waterproofing ability. The floor is made up of 300-denier polyester. The rainfly is also constructed of polyester. Both tents feature a four pole setup. The Combi-poles are made of aluminum. The 4 person tent weighs about 16 pounds packed and the 6 person tents weighs slightly over 20 pounds packed.

Campers give the REI Hobitat two thumbs up. The Hobitat is one of REI’s best sellers. Campers cite comfort, easy of setup (a couple people said it took them around 15 minutes the first time they set it up) and sturdiness as the pros. The cons include weight (it is supposed to be a car camping tent though) and a couple people said it could use extra ventilation. They were camping in 80+ degree weather though. Overall, the REI Hobitat is a solid tent for families who want to camp a couple weekends per year.

The Big Agnes Big House tent is perfect for a family weekend outdoors! The Big House is large enough to sleep six comfortably. This enormous three season tent is a snap to set up with color coded poles that quickly clip onto the tent. The Big Agnes Big House has 75 inches of interior room, so even Dad won’t have to duck inside. The walls are lined with gear pockets to hang flashlights, lanterns and other weekend accessories.

Campers say the fly is kind of gimpy as it covers the sides but does not fully cover the doors. The doors are waterproof but to get the full advantage of waterproofing and fly space, you have to get the vestibule! They love the pole to tent interface, and say the sleeves for the poles are pretty tough. They note that the entire package is actually fairly light (the website says 13 pounds) and it all packs up into a briefcase style carrying case.

• Overall Rating: 10.0

The Fitzroy’s four Easton 7075 aluminum poles and seven pole intersection keeps the tent at as low a profile as possible to maintain stability and strength in the most intense of weather conditions. At 6 pounds, the Fitzroy is one of the lightest tents of such strength as you will likely find. The four-season design, combined with plenty of floor space and two-door construction ensures optimum ventilation and easy access during all seasons. The doors feature pole-supported awnings and zippered vents to give you full control of the ventilation. The three-point equalizing guy lines are exactly what you will need for high winds and internal mesh pockets hold your items, both dry and organized.

The Bibler Fitzroy is a classic model that has become well known in its lifespan as a strong and roomy option for backpackers and mountaineers alike. The setup for the Fitzroy is simple, though not one or two step, so you should practice once or twice at home, especially if backpacking in extreme conditions. The tent does not come with seam sealing either, but once you have done so, it remains waterproofed and is fairly comfortable for most outings. Condensation is non-existent and indoor space is optimized by the pole design, allowing for easy storage and hanging of items.

The Kelty Gunnison is a 3-season revision of the classic Vortex design, combining a simple style and lightweight carrying build. The tent features mesh panels for optimum ventilation and minimal condensation and just enough light to experience the outdoors. The poles, Aluminum DAC Pressfit models, have quick clips for fast assembly, and with two separate doors and vestibules, the Gunnison provides a maximum area for living space. Additionally, the Gunnison features taped seams to keep water out and internal storage pockets. You can purchase the Kelty Gunnison in either 2 or 4 people variations.

The Kelty Gunnison is an incredibly easy to setup tent, providing quick and simple 2-pole and clip design with just the right level of durability for most weather situations. The windows in the fly are great for stargazing on clear nights and the material keeps the frost and condensation at bay, ensuring a dry and peaceful night’s sleep. The Gunnison provides an inexpensive, lightweight and sturdy tent that is perfect for most casual outings and 3-season backpacking. A footprint is recommended, especially for mountain hiking.

The Mountain Hardwear Viperine 3-season tent features the new Cross hub pole structure technology that allows a design with only one pole holding up the entire tent structure. The result is a tent that features nearly vertical side walls and much more interior space. The tent is watertight, with a treated fly and the additional vestibule provides additional room for muddied clothing and backpacks during any weather conditions. The guy-out loops are perfect for maintaining stability in high winds and the mesh and window allow plenty of circulation and ventilation while still protecting against bugs and excess moisture. The Viperine comes in both 2 and 3 person models.

The Viperine is built to withstand the elements in all three major backpacking seasons and does so admirably for most backpackers who purchase it. In addition, they dry quickly after rain because of the great ventilation and the included footprint does a wonderful job of keeping the tent comfortable, even on bumpy and uneven ground with no visible clearings. Winds of well above 30 knots break on the tent with minimal shaking and the inside stays warm and comfortable in the worst of spring and fall weather.

The Marmot NyxTent is a 2-person, 3-season tent that is built to provide minimal carrying weight and maximum living space for two people in almost any conditions. The Knees Poles System utilizes a bent space over the lower sections of the tent to remove the tight corners and wasted space that most tents have. The result is more than eight square feet of vestibule room for storage of your packs, boots, and other muddied items. The total weight of the tent, even with its additional space is only 4lb, 12oz, making it an ideal tent for most 2-person backpacking excursions.

The Marmot NyxTent is perfect for essentially any conditions, largely because of its efficient design. It withstands heavy rains, sleet, mild snow, and heavy winds equally well, though it is not designed to withstand the most extreme of winter weather. Users who have put it to the full test have found that is withstands nearly any conditions without a single leak or bend. The extra space it provides is perfect for remaining comfortable in those extreme conditions and at only 4+ lbs, it is easy to carry too. A good, additional footprint rounds out the experience for a comfortable, durable sleep while backpacking.

The MSR Hubba Hubba is a sub-4 pound tent that provides plenty of room during all three major backpacking seasons. Included in the new Hubba Hubba is a second door and vestibule for optimum space and gear storage when sharing a two or three person model. The tent is built with an all-in-one swivel and hub pole mechanism which allows for optimum interior space and to ensure you do not get pushed into the side of the tent while sleeping. The fly and body provide increased protection during stormy conditions. The MSR Hubba Hubba comes in 1-person, 2-person, and 3-person variations.

The MSR Hubba Hubba is a super light tent that packs easily and covers almost any situation, regardless of conditions. It sets up quickly and provides dual vestibules to keep everyone dry if it starts to rain. Considering its small weight, it offers a decent amount of space and ensures enough head and foot room for even the 6’+ crowd. When packed correctly and carried by the right person, it compresses to not much larger than a football. An extra footprint is recommended as the thin flooring can be uncomfortable on uneven ground.

• Overall Rating: 1.0