Three-Season Tents

Reviewed by Sean Van Cleve

The Hilleberg Helags 3 is a three-season tent designed for groups looking for excellent protection in a lightweight package. Although a bit tight for three people and their gear, this tent has superb livability for two people (a Helags 2 is also available). Excellent ventilation combats condensation well in such a large tent. Two doors/two vestibules allow for plenty of gear, and a 35-inch/89cm center height works well for most hikers.

As outdoor recreation is coming to an all-time high, a need for versatility can really come into play. Hilleberg has introduced a new line to its tents, and the Helags is quite the mobile home. Hilleberg proclaims: "Backpackers, paddlers, and bicycle tourers will all love its lightweight roominess, and since the Helags 3 weighs just 7oz (200g) more than the Helags 2, sizing up is an easy choice for those wanting even more comfort." Those who are familiar with Hilleberg products tend to unanimously agree on at least one word—quality.

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Reviewed by Sheila Bergin Goss

The Blacktail 3 Hotel is part of the Big Agnes company’s longest-running tent series. It is a well-made, comfortable, and roomy three-person, free-standing tent with many useful features, perfect for weekend backpacking, car camping, and canoe camping. The Blacktail Hotel 3 has a huge extended side-entry vestibule, attached to the fly, which provides a safe and weather resistant place to stash your extra gear or your wet dogs! It has been easy to acclimate myself to its setup procedures, and I have successfully used it in various weather conditions while canoe camping. My husband and I will continue to use it this fall on additional canoe camping trips, as well as an occasional campground outing.

INTRODUCTION: The Big Agnes Blacktail 3 Hotel is the newest incarnation of the long-running Blacktail series of Big Agnes tents. This three-season tent is designed as a backpacking tent, but I have found that it is an excellent choice for canoe camping. I am testing the three-person tent, though it is also available in a two-person version. Our canoe camping season had a delayed start due to pandemic restrictions and closures, but since mid-June I have been able to utilize the tent on seven solo canoe camping trips, which included camping in heat, wind, showers, frost (28 f.) and torrential rain.

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Reviewed by LoneStranger

The Serenity UL NetTent from Six Moon Designs works great as part of a primary shelter system, but is light enough to carry as a secondary option. So many ways to set up in shelters, under tarps, or open to the sky makes it great for distance hiking.

  Just add six stakes and a hiking pole Since I was going to be testing the Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape I figured I would try out their Serenity UL NetTent along with it. The two are designed to work together well and they do, but I used the tent on its own much more. SMD offers them bundled together or individually. Six stakes and a support pole are needed for best standalone erection and are not included. Let's take a good look at the tent and its features, then I will get into how I used it with tarps and in shelters.

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Featured review by Dawn McMahan

Lightweight and roomy with an easy setup.

The TarpTent Rainbow is my most recent gear purchase. I read dozens of reviews on multiple tents/tarps, and did some test drives on several tents before selecting the Rainbow as my tent of choice. A deciding factor for me, aside from the Rainbow's great reviews, weight, and livability was Tarptent is a U.S. based company, offering multiple shelter options, all made in Nevada City, California. Purchasing from a boutique gear company is just as easy as ordering from the larger outfitters, such as REI.

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Featured review by David Hope

The Macpac Microlight is a versatile tent especially for a 46-year-old dad, me, wanting to introduce his 5-year-old daughter to the Australian Alps and for a once competent 20-something telemarker to give it go again this snow season on battered knees. At 46 I unashamedly want four-season gear to be lightweight and this delivers at 1.5 kgs. I've heard it's perhaps too warm for Australian summer conditions, but then you can't have everything. Where would I put it! I thought the vestibule was generous and workable, possible to keep all gear covered and cook. I am 5'8" FYI, something to consider.

After using the Macpac Olympus for over 25 years I required another tent to introduce my 5-year-old daughter to the wonders of the alpine wilderness (I did not want to hall a 3.5kg tent plus Teddy on my own). After searching for a suitable tent it occurred to me that I have been in blizzards in my Olympus on numerous occasions where the tent would be flattened to face level then dutifully stand to attention only to be flattened again and re-stand itself. So it finally occurred to me, why would I consider any other brand? My daughter and I set off for Mt.

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Featured review by Herdingcats

You can spend more, but you'll get less. I've also started using trekking poles as a replacement for the tent poles, and I have to say the tent sets up so much better (as if that could even happen!).

In an effort to put together a more alpine-friendly (lightweight) backpacking setup, I did a ridiculous amount of research in late 2012 / early 2013. Naturally the big-three (backpack, tent and sleeping bag) were right at the top of my list for replacement.   Now that the 2013 season is over for me, the only one of the big-three that I'll be keeping is my StratoSpire2 TarpTent by Henry Shires (the new sleeping bag and backpack are being handed down to my sons). I bought the StratoSpire2 so that I'd have a 2+ person tent with all the bells and whistles including two doors, two gear-friendly vestibules, fully enclosed bug netting, quick set-up time and a bath-tub floor.

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Featured review by Wade In The Water

The Copper Spur HV UL2 and UL2... A Tale of Two Tents.

Big Agnes has been around for about twenty years. Should you require it, their outstanding customer service could not possibly be improved upon. Their stated goal is to produce the best gear possible to help folks get outside and chase their dreams. I think they stand true to that goal. You can learn more about them here: https://www.bigagnes.com/our-story. Copper Spur is the name of this product line. UL stands for ultralight [weight] and 2 is for the number of persons it's designed to fit; provided you don't mind touching.

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Featured review by Shane

This is an excellent 1P trekking-pole tent that is lightweight, roomy, and not difficult to set up. It has weathered several storms and cold weather very well. Recommended for taller hikers or anyone who wants a roomy lightweight trekking pole tent that is under 30 ounces.

I've been using my SMD Skyscape Trekker for two years now. I've taken it on various multi-day hikes. It has performed well through thunderstorms, wind, rain, and freezing temperatures. It's not terribly difficult to set up, but it does take a little practice to get it just right. You do need two trekking poles to set it up, although in a pinch it would probably work with one trekking pole. The Skyscape Trekker only requires five stakes, although I bring an extra to use for the guyline that pulls out the tent above my feet for more foot room.  Tenting near the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area (WY) Speaking of headroom, I'm just over six feet tall.

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Featured review by Colcam

The Base Camp 6 is by far, the best tent I have ever had, REI or not, and this is my 7th tent. I wore out the other 6 with long, heavy use.

Easy to set up with two people, but can be done with one, just takes longer. Color coded poles are a dream. Very sturdy in high winds especially for such a large tent. "Bombproof." Does a good job of keeping out the rain and wind. Haven't been in snow and cold yet, but it's so huge that it would be hard to warm up that much space with body heat alone.  Packs beautifully in a multi compartmented storage bag. A place for everything, and everything in its place. Packs nicely especially in the Thule top box.

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Featured review by David

For the weight, this extra-large, one-person tent is HUGE! It is easy to learn how to pitch this tent in under three minutes using your hiking poles and six stakes.

I bought this tent secondhand, but the previous owner only used it a few times, so it was still smelling new. I wanted a trekking pole supported tent so I could drop weight by not carrying tent poles. I looked at and tried several tents, including the Tarptent Notch and the Lightheart Gear Solo. Ultimately, I settled on the Solong 6 because I wanted that extra space this tent provides. I'm 6'0", 180 lbs, and this tent has so much space considering it's under 2 lbs, including the seam sealing.  I watched the how-to pitch videos a few times, and practiced pitching the tent in my yard a few times before setting out on the trail.

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