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8 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2012 : 12:15 PM
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| I'm taking my 11 and 13-year old kids backpacking this summer for the first time. So I'm looking for suggestions for a good 3-person 3-season tent. Since it's likely I'm carrying the whole tent myself so I'm looking for something under 6 lbs. Any suggestions are very much appreciated. |
Edited by - JamesCan on 05/16/2012 8:37 PM
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Finally stopping that crazy suffering that is ice, climbing to concentrate on great ski tours!
3502 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2012 : 12:59 PM
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There are really light 3-P tents, but they lack living space and are made from pretty fragile fabrics. Great for serious backpacking, but with kids, the fun evaporates quickly if you have to spend a rainy day in the tent and everyone is on top of each other.
We have an old MSR Mutha Hubba, and found it a great 3-P 3-S tent for backpacking with the family. Pretty light, but good interior space and two doors/vestibules makes life a little easier too.
The newer MH is lighter and updated in terms of materials and the bathtub comes up a bit higher. |
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1448 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2012 : 1:26 PM
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I agree with johngenx
A huge factor other then weight is what price range are you wanting to spend ?
You can't go wrong with MSR, customer service rocks
Its that or a tarp style tent with bug screen |
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1097 Posts |
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Southern Vancouver Island, BC
Canada
230 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2012 : 4:30 PM
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Have a look at Mountain Hardware tents.
http://www.mountainhardwear.ca/
They are made with lightweight materials and are quite roomy. |
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8 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2012 : 8:35 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I just saw the Mutha Hubba is 30% off at around $300 at backcountry.com. Not sure if we'll also see a price reduction in Canada soon.
Johngenx - I read about the condensation issue of the Mutha Hubba. What was your experience with that? |
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Finally stopping that crazy suffering that is ice, climbing to concentrate on great ski tours!
3502 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2012 : 8:47 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by JamesCan
Johngenx - I read about the condensation issue of the Mutha Hubba. What was your experience with that?
We have about 300 nights on our MH, and it's not been an issue. BUT, we also use it in the Rockies, which is quite dry. The only thing that's worn out now is the zippers. The door zippers are on their last legs, and I'm not sure if it's worth to repair, as new zippers can be pretty pricey.
We have a Black Diamond Squall mountaineering tent that we've been using as our family back-packing tent. It's a bit roomier than the MH, but weighs more. |
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North Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
84 Posts |
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Qualicum Beach, BC
Canada
1301 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2012 : 9:18 PM
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| The MSR hubba series of tents now have an added vestibule attachment available, that will make a lightweight addition to any of their Hubba series and probably other MSR tents, as well. These add on vestibules create added room to store gear, cook or make bed room for a child or a pet. They work well in the snow. |
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Brentwood Bay, BC
215 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 04:00 AM
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You might want to check out the Big Agnes tents as well.
I have 2 of their tents and would recommend them. My 3 person, 3 season tent is their discontinued Emerald Mountain SL3 series. Even with an additional zipon vestibule it is under 6lbs (the tent only was under 5 lbs) but they no longer seem to offer the additional vestibule on their current lines. With my tent the biggest problem is sometimes its size; it's so big that sometimes it's hard to find a spot that it can go up. Second problem is that other backcountry campers might snicker at you thinking you packed in a car camping tent
Here are two links to similar tents (in design and size) to mine...
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/CopperSpurUL32012
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/jackrabbitsl3
ps. Whichever tent you choose an Integral Design tarp would be a good addition. Their Guides Siltarp 2 is huge and light weight (2.4 * 3 meters & 440 grams) so needless to say this can be setup over a door to act like an awning and can provide some dry sitting area. Mine goes with me on all but my lightweight solo trips.
http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Tents/LightShelters/PRD~5013-139/integral-designs-guides-siltarp-2.jsp |
Edited by - joker on 05/17/2012 04:15 AM |
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Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
110 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 06:52 AM
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| Ditto on Big Agnes. I've one season with a Fly Creek UL3 and am totally amazed at how light this tent is! If the cost doesn't scare you off, its a great choice. OTOH, the footprint is ridiculously overpriced but an MEC Tarn 3 footprint will fit at only $27. Good luck with your choice. |
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in the valley, BC
Canada
1456 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 10:55 AM
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Another vote for Big Agnes.
We have the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 tent and love it. Prior to buying a new 3-man/3-season ultra light I did alot of research and found this was the one that had what we were looking for with the best reviews. Big bucks but well worth it. We have our dog sleeping in it with us and it's survived him without an issue (he's a large lab). No issues with condensation either unlike my MSR Hubba (we live on the west coast were it is often very damp). Don't know where you're located but we picked ours up at REI in Bellingham.
Cheers! |
Edited by - Blucruisin on 05/17/2012 10:56 AM |
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God fearin' music packin' animal BBQin' funny trip reportin'.... cheese lovin' MH lover who skinny dips in Ling secret lakes
Somewhere between pomp & circumstance, British Columbia
Canada
1400 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 7:20 PM
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| I used a MH Light Wedge 3 with my kids. Great tent! |
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1448 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 8:00 PM
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Your best bet is ordering it from the USA
300 bucks is the cheapest I can find it right now
http://www.bigskycountry.com/page/item.htm?id=422089087&b_a=GoogleBase&ne_ppc_id=1183&ne_key_id=24826715
quote:
Originally posted by JamesCan
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I just saw the Mutha Hubba is 30% off at around $300 at backcountry.com. Not sure if we'll also see a price reduction in Canada soon.
Johngenx - I read about the condensation issue of the Mutha Hubba. What was your experience with that?
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3022 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 9:03 PM
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| Take along some DuctTape if you think that child-induced damage may occur. Great for quick patches. |
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8 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 9:27 PM
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Camshaft - I think I have pretty much decided on the Mutha Hubba. There is a friends and family sale on at Atmosphere so I will be able to get it for around $320.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 is very appealing but it's over budget for me. The tarp tents were also very interesting but I think I will start with a traditional model.
Thanks everyone again for so many good suggestions. There is so much to learn from your experience in this forum. |
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Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6897 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2012 : 9:35 PM
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| You could also have a look at the REI QuarterDome T2 plus which is under 3 bucks and is quite roomy. |
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8 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2012 : 09:10 AM
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| I bought the Mutha Hubba today after considering all the options all of you suggested. Thanks so much everyone! |
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13 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2012 : 09:59 AM
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| The MSR carbon reflex is a great tent, incredibly light and has a lot of room. It can actually fit 3 people. The only down side is the price. Such a large super light tent does not come cheap. I have one and love it |
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Brentwood Bay, BC
215 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2012 : 10:04 AM
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hard to go wrong with MSR tents... I have a 4 season 2 person tent of theirs and love it and it has always been a coin toss between them and Big Agnes for me.
have fun with your new tent :) |
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1448 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2012 : 10:51 PM
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The one thing that I found anoying with the mutha compaired to the hubba is the pole design and not quite as free standing. The Hubba needs to be pegged out or is sags and the fly touches the inner. Not a huge deal just annoying as it can start dripping with condensation.
Beyond that its a great tent for the price...
But with all MSR's sticking a stick in the top of the fly to help with air flow is a Huge must.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_7ONoMjDIc
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backpacking with kids: 3-person tent suggestions
