Lightweight Family Backpacking Tent

For size and weight, how about the Big Agnes Superlight 3? It seems relatively roomy , and is still pretty lightweight. Even though it is still heavier than your 4lb minumum (barely) and pretty pricey ($350) it would have enough room for your daughters to “grow” and not force you to get another one in a few years. And by the time they are old enough to carry their own weight, they will want their own anyway…:)

Hope this helps!

Look at the GoLite Hut 2 and Hex 3 ( http://www.golite.com/products/prodlist.asp?category=9 ). I’d go for the Hut 2, but kids would love the tipi-ness of the Hex. Add an REI Mombassa bug net, a polycro ground sheet, your trekking poles and shake. With the bug net, you’ll still be under 2 pounds and a lot less $$$. You still get the 360 degree coverage of a double-wall tent, which would be my consideration with kids. You’ll have a shelter you can use for hiking without the kids too.

I’d much rather have kids going in and out of a tarp tent than expensive zippers, netting and floors. You can laugh at cocoa spills and I’ll bet the kids will love the openess of a tarp tent– more like playing camping at home.

You might consider the Oware 9×9 pyramid tarp, which gives full rain coverage, weighs 26 oz and has an 81 sqft footprint. Polycro groundsheet is a good addition.

or a TarpTent RainShadow 2

Kifaru makes a tent or two that might work.

Look at the 4 man (plenty of room to sleep 3, and have all your gear inside)

Or, GoLites Hex3 might work for you as well.

Thanks for all the good ideas! A tepee / hex type shelter does look promising. Seems like they have a lot of usable space and are definately lightweight. Also, there is the bonus of being able to use them as winter / light mountaineering tents. Along those same lines, has anyone had any experiences with Black Diamond’s Mega Light? Seems to be almost identical to the GoLite Hex 3 and the Oware.

Thanks for all the good ideas! A tepee / hex type shelter does look promising. Seems like they have a lot of usable space and are definately lightweight. Also, there is the bonus of being able to use them as winter / light mountaineering tents. Along those same lines, has anyone had any experiences with Black Diamond’s Mega Light? Seems to be almost identical to the GoLite Hex 3 and the Oware.

I own a BD Mega Light and highly recommend it. My only complaint is it is a little snug for us six foot plus people. I still fit but if it were six inches larger it would be easier to stay off the walls at night.

It is easy to set up, holds up well in wind and the polyester fabric stretches less than silnylon.

Robert

Robert

Moonbowgear (www.moonbowgear.com) made a 4 man silnylon fully enclosed tarptent for us a few years back. It weighs 3.5 pounds (weight includes everything–stakes, poles, floor, storage bag) and comfortably fits our entire backpacking family (Mom, Dad, an 8 year old and an 11 year old). It’s withstood some pretty nasty weather very well. The only downside–it wasn’t cheap. It has served us well now for a few years, and I expect will last until the kids are out on their own….