best 4 season hiking tent?

Question

Im looking for a good winter hiking tent. There is no such thing as a light weight winter tent though like there is for summer time. Does anyone camp in cold climates and what do you recommend?

Answer 1

Best is an opinion. 4 Season tents verses 3 season verses just a tarp or a hammock debates occur annually. Aficionados like their system of camping gear (as another poster already shared) and adapt it to the seasons rather than spending the bucks to get gear actually made for cold heavy snow climates, why is that? cost for one and a semper fi attitude is another.



4 season co-notates handling heavy rains, snow loads and high winds. That requires stronger materials to build it and with that comes heavier weight and a higher price. So "best" for you will be something that fits your budget and meets your weight criteria. Top sellers are what gets a "best" rating quite often, also reviews from reputable sources like Backpacker magazine or REI an international retailer of outdoor gear.



So read the reviews is my best suggestion as people who have tried out the product know best. Next is rent the gear some places rent out the gear why spend several hundred for one trip in new gear? and you can try before you decide to buy. Do you really need a 4 season when a 3 or even a 2 will do? perhaps winter camping won't be your thing after spending a weekend out in it so having rented it you are not out all that cash.



Next is Semper Fi make do with what you got.. As another poster already shared you can often make a 2-3 season work well for your needs even the hammock camper or the tarp man figures out ways to stay warm dry and cozy in their gear year round. It's all about insulation, tent location, and diet.



My self I have several different ones but the REI Half dome 2 has been my go to backpacker tent for years. Southern Calif. does not have the winter blizzards back easts gets but a good winter storm is always a possibility. I have started a trip on 90* sunny weather day only to get snowed on in the same night and the tent has never failed me.

http://www.rei.com/product/845478/rei-half-dome-2-tent

Answer 2

You only need a 4-season tent if you need it to survive under snow loads and high winds. It will little do toward improving interior warmth other than the amount of additional heat retention due to such tents having much less mesh than their 3-season alternatives. That being said, if you still need a 4-season tent, there are relatively lightweight options out there. I have a two-man Nemo Tenshi, which is just over 4 lbs. Black Diamond's two-man Firstlight tent is just under 3 lbs. These are both single-wall tents, so you have to be able and willing to manage condensation, and at these weights there are no vestibules.

Answer 3

A 4 season tent is heavy and not suitable for backpacking. Takes a Sherpa to haul one, or a pack animal. I recommend a 3 season tent.

Answer 4

I think that 11,000 feet qualifies as a "cold climate" most of the year.

I never camp in a four-season tent. I carry a two-pound Big Agnes Fly Creek. My four-pound MSR Hubba Hubba has proven itself as well. If you are using adequate sleeping pad insulation and a down sleeping bag rated below the lowest nighttime temperature, then you should be fine in a three-season tent.

Answer 5

I have a Hilleberg Nallo 2. Its great. Read the reviews.