which tent

Hello all... Can't decide which tent to purchase. I'm looking for
- Three person, two and a medium dog
- four season
- single wall
- not grossly heavy, sub 6ish pounds

looking at the BD fitzroy and tempest

thanks

I love this tent Nemo Moki Stayed warm and dry for 3 days in blizzard conditions. It's a bit heavy but an awesome tent.

You could take a look at Mountain Hardware Airjet 3. I have an Airjet 2 which I have used both during the warm summer and cold snowy winter.

Personally I've never really bothered if a tent is three or four seasons, as long as at holds up in rough weather and has good ventilation. My Airjet has yet to take on rough weather but the ventilation is very good with very little condensation inside the tent with two people sleeping during midwinter.

I had a Fitzroy for a number of years and loved it. At times it seemed like it took too much time to erect but once we got it up and running life inside was good. Never had any leaking problems, it was roomy and totally bombproof in wind or nasty weather. I'd still have it except that the fabric fell apart due to all the UV it absorbed.

take a look at the MSR Twin Peaks. I love mine for year round use - in the snow or the heat. It's got the room your looking for and is super lightweight. Since it's floorless you can cook inside as well. You can get an optional bug screen as well that provides a floor if you need/want it.

I'll second Nemos. Tight as a drum, well thought out designs. The condensation curtain actually works.

Also, look into Hillebergs. While not a single wall, it does set up like one, i.e. the inner stays attached to the outer the whole trip. And if you don't trust your dog's claws on the inside of a tent, the vestibule is amazing (especially the GT). They are not free-standing and so may require a bit of room to pitch out completely, but that usually only matters on an alpine type ledge. Lightweight is covered...2 lbs LESS than the Fitzroy with vestibule, and the vestibule on the Hilly has three times the area. Pure heaven when you're trying to cook inside on a nasty day.

Steve

+1 on the Fitzroy, fantastic tent. Had it about 8 years now and never a problem, tight as a drum and stable. When the weather turns bad it's nice to know that this tent will not let you down. The only complaint is lack of an integrated vestibule, I have the optional one but it would be nice to have it permanently attached.

The Nemo looks nice and have always heard good things about Hilleburg.

The vestibule thing got me too and that is why i'm looking at the tempest. about the same size and has two vestibules....and the added weight of the vestibule adds a pound to the fitzroy, not the tempest.

Mountain Hardwear EV3 is sweet but maybe overkill if you're not doing higher altitude mountain routes or snow camping. I've had an EV2 for years now and always holds up great, even in lots of rain (which surprised me). Open all the vents on cold nights though to let as much mositure out as possible.

Different tents for slightly different uses. The lack of an integrated vestibule on the Fitzroy (and the Nemo, for that matter) allows one to use the tent with vestibule when you desire the extra living space, and then strip the vestibule off for those alpine routes where you may want the absolute barest minimum footprint and weight. The Hilleberg may not be the first choice if that's what you plan on doing. But the HUGE vestibule on the Hilleberg, wow, just wow!

The Nemo has a tie in point on the inside of the tent while the Hilleberg does not, giving an indication of its intended use. I don't know about the BDs, they may as well.

The Hilleberg, with its double wall, will flap a bit more in wind--the outer will be tight, but the inner moves around a bit more, at least in my experience. You'll need to add the weight of earplugs into the equation :)

BTW, I have both a Nemo and Hilleberg, thus I speak mainly to them.

Either way, there will be days when you say, Damn I got the perfect tent, and days you'll say, Oh I should have gotten the (x).

I'd vote for the Fitzroy. I just bought one to replace a Tempest. In theory it's nice that the Tempest has an integrated vestibule but the trouble is that the fabric is much flimsier than the main tent body. After a couple of years mine had ripped in a couple of places and I've now had to replace the whole tent. (BTW the vestibule could still be repaired. The rest of the tent is in good condition. If anyone wants to make an offer let me know.)

The Fitzroy also has more floor area. Two people and a medium dog could be a tight squeeze in a Tempest.

Black Diamond Guiding Light 5 pounds, 8 ounces.

On sale at Sierra Trading Post for $329.96

Use key code ALVJUNE2KX

sierratradingpost.com/p/,24…

That tent keeps coming up on Steep and Cheap as well, not sure but I think the price was ballpark $300 as well. Was toying around with getting it for the times the Fitzroy was a little tight.

http://www.steepandcheap.com/?CMP_ID=PD_GOO005&CP=Google&CMP=KNC-Google&mv_pc=250&s_kwcid=cheap%20and%20steep|2660722881

Not sure how the Epic fabric compares to ToddTex as the description states "highly water-repellent". I've never had a problem with the Bibler Fitzroy soaking through, anybody have experience with the Black Diamond versions of the Bilber models?

Just wanted to thank all of you who have contributed. I have gotten some much needed reviews and ideas. thanks again and keep them coming. Once my medical bills are paid I'm treating myself to a tent

Flimsy 4 man Coleman at the local yard supply outlet store. 29.95. Great for one summer of basecamp filth somewhere.

Ralph Kolva wrote:I've never had a problem with the Bibler Fitzroy soaking through, anybody have experience with the Black Diamond versions of the Bilber models?