Three-Season Tents

Recent Three-Season Tent Reviews

MSR FreeLite 2

The MSR FreeLite 2 is a dependable three-season tent that's designed for two people. With an easy setup and an efficient design, it's a solid option for the average backpacker. If you're someone who's looking for a dependable, lightweight tent, the MSR FreeLite 2 will do the trick. This tent is extremely reliable, straightforward, and packable. It's easy to pitch, holds up against gnarly rain and wind. And it even ventilates nicely. Without consulting instructions, the setup was fairly logical. Full review

Snugpak Ionosphere

A large bivy, not a hiking tent. I bought this a couple of years ago for section hiking part of the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand South Island. Though it did the job keeping me dry and snug it became very claustrophobic after a while especially when confined by rain. If the ground sheet tray is fully pegged down which covers the vestibule area too, cooking in wet weather is dangerous and therefore impossible. It can be unpegged and drawn back inside the main body but cooking is still not a safe… Full review

Snugpak Ionosphere

I've used this tent for three-season camping in Minnesota. Lightweight (10.6oz), durable, easy to pack and set up. I'm 5'11'' and 160lbs. It houses me and my pack comfortably. It's more of a 1.5-man bivy than strictly a one-man. And if you really needed to, two people could snuggle up tight inside. Seams are sealed and I haven't had any water intrusion when camping on damp ground. Setup: A little more tedious, as the poles do not support the shape of the tent on their own. Staking or guy lines are… Full review

Naturehike Cloud UP 2

Cheap, light, resilient; a quality clone of the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2. IMPORTANT MODEL NOTE: I have an older, out-of-production version. The new (current) is about 150 grams heavier, has more pole structure at the rear, a ventilation flap, and mid-fin side guys. Setup: Very easy, though a little thought is required for a taut pitch. The basic pitch is inner first: an aluminium pole structure (all-in-one, on a hub) overlaid on the inner, the inner clips to the poles, then a fly is put over. Full review

Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight 2

Great two-persons lightweight summer tent, well ventilated and easy to set up with a generous front big mesh door for easy entry that can be covered by a double zipped fly creating a vestibule. The front fly could be also used as a canopy or when rolled up for easy access, extra breeze, or just stargazing. Since all the major technical aspects have been covered in previous reviews I will concentrate on some observations that in my opinion made the difference—pleasant and unpleasant alike. Setting… Full review

ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2

The setup was easy, it packed well into the bag, poles look to be good quality. My problem is with the "pop-up" vents on the fly. There is not enough overhang to keep rain from blowing in. I have a lot of ALPS gear, so I figured I would try a tent. The setup was easy. It packed well into the bag. Poles look to be good quality. Disappointing that it does not come with a floor saver. My problem is with the "pop-up" vents on the fly. There is not enough overhang to keep rain from blowing in. It was… Full review

MSR Carbon Reflex 1 Fast & Light Body

The MSR Carbon Reflex 1 Fast and Light Body is a replacement option for the Carbon Reflex 1 tent body. It provides greater protection from the elements when compared to a typical footprint, but still utilizes the fly, poles, and stakes of the Carbon Reflex 1 tent to provide good overall weather protection. Using the Fast and Light Body gives you an optional shelter configuration that is lighter weight and provides significantly more interior space when conditions don’t require a bug resistant… Full review

Wilderness Experience Moonlight Mesh

Large floor space, light for 1978, airy and well vented solid piece of equipment. A bit of a rare bird. Eight body peg points, three guy outs, solid bathtub floor, three adjustable strap down points for the fly, and six clip points along the sides for the fly as well. This thing is built solid, bought it at a local Salvation Army for $10. I made aluminum poles to replace the fiberglass poles, and used it once south of Carbondale, Colorado, for a few days. It got very windy one night as a storm passed… Full review

Timber Top Tent

Easy to set up when I first bought/used it. At the top, it appeared that two poles were out of place, and the lower joints kept collapsing. I rearranged them, and still have a collapsing issue. Can anyone take a couple pics of the poles at the top and at the joints so I can align them correctly? Thanks! Full review