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.

Read more: Six Moon Designs Serenity Ultralight NetTent review (1)

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.

Read more: Tarptent StratoSpire 2 reviews (5)

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.

Read more: Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker reviews (6)

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 Hans Erdman

My third Timberline in progression, 2 to 4 to 6 person. Only one tent in the world I like better and it costs 3x more. This is the tent I have always wanted.

  Camping with the Timberline SQ   Interior shot, solo camping Bought my first Timberline, a two-person, in 1983 at LL Bean when a Maine Nor'easter smashed our dome tent. Used it for 19 years, including 4 years of volunteer tail patrol in the Adirondacks  and an epic bikepacking trip across NW Russia (my granddaughters still borrow it on occasion). So to upgrade to a 4-person in 2002 was a no-brainer. My wife and I still use the 4 on solo trips and canoe camping. All along I've drooled over the Outfitter 6, and in 2021 my wife gave me one for Father's Day.

Read more: Eureka! Timberline SQ Outfitter 6 reviews (12)

Featured review by Smartydog904

What a GREAT tent... My first concern when I purchased this tent was the color, Citrus green?? I saw the blue tent offered by Mountainsmith, it stuck out like a turd in a punch bowl! The Citrus green actually does blend well with a green environment. The most impressive feature to me, is the ability for one person to put this tent up in 2 minutes the first try!! The aluminum poles are sturdy and of nice quality. The tent stakes are a perfect design, small, light weight and shaped into a "V" shape with hooks at the top to catch your guy lines or tie down straps.

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Featured review by 1kdude

Handled 50 mph wind gusts during winter trip in the Sierras. Rugged / somewhat light /inexpensive/ simple enough for most backpacking trips. And it has windows. Glad I have it and would buy it again, even as a backup/loaner.

I am an intermediate backpacker who was looking for a 'lighter' 1-person backpacking tent for my "collection," saw this and couldn't pass it up for the price (see pros above for list of what I was looking for). I figured I could reduce weight with titanium stakes, fewer/thinner guy out lines, no footprint or stuff sacks, remove the hanging storage pocket and maybe carbon fiber pole replacements. Of course the cost/weight tradeoff is always there, but this is not far from the best package available IMHO if the priorities are 1-price 2-durability, 3-weight.

Read more: ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1 reviews (8)