What weather requires a 4 season tent?

Question

I'm going travelling and want to go as light as possible, so if I don't need a 4 season tent I can cut back on weight with a 3 season.

I don't really know what a 4 season is actually aimed at beyond the 3 season. Is it protection against very heavy winter, snow, etc. or will I need it even for lighter winters, or would a 3 suffice?

Answer 1

Being a 4-season tent does NOT necessarily mean it will be more rainproof than a 3-season. 4-season tents are designed for high winds and snowload, with features like tunnel access doors and heavy duty fly that comes all the way to the ground. The moisture problems most people have in tents are not dur to the tent walls, floor and fly leaking as they are to condensation build up due to poor ventilation and TOO MUCH waterproof, non-breathable material. So winter use tents tend to have less ventilation than 3-season due to to being meant for cold, dry, windy conditions.



Bottom line, if you are not going to be camping in heavy snow or bitter cold and high winds, you are wasting money, weight and functionality by buying a winter tent. I used to winter backpack a lot and did most of it in good quality 3-season tents. I have owned 7 backpacking tents. The driest one was a Cannondale (no longer made) that had a double wall of breathable non-waterproof material (no condensation at all, no matter what the conditions and the taut outer wall functioned as a fly -- water would seep through but simply roll to the ground within the gap between it and the inner wall). The second driest has been a Marmot with a mostly mosquito netting inner tent and a waterproof fly with vestibule. I have found my winter tents (like a North Face VE 24) to be terribly stuffy and damp in warm or rainy weather.



So the answer is, yes a good quality 3-season tent with a sturdy frame and a vestibule fly will be fine for most winter camping. Just avoid anything with a flat roof area that would not shed snow.

Answer 2

A four season tent is heavier because it is designed to handle a snow load and high winds. A good 3 season tent will do just fine unless you plan to be out in extreme conditions.



One thing I always look for in a tent, I like the rain fly to go all the way to the ground. After I purchase one, tape and seal all the seams and spray with a liberal dose of a good water proofing spray. Very few tents are totally water proof straight from the factory.

Answer 3

has in answer 1 the tent will be designed to take on the all weathers but now a days the weather could be bad at any time. If was to be going out for weeks like it sound like you are. then you need to protect what little you have with a Quality tent. there is nothing worse than a damp sleeping bag if the side of the tent gets wet. forecast for the Uk with heavy thundery showers and hot steamy days.

Answer 4

I have camped in high winds on exposed tundra at around 12,000 feet, in below-zero weather, inside a lightweight, three-season backpacking tent, $300 class. If you spend $200-$300, you should be able to purchase a structurally sound tent. You will not need a four-season tent unless you are establishing a base camp on a high mountain with high winds and a snow load.