Recommendations? 3+ Season tent under 4 Lbs

[Alanna M]

I’m probably seeking a used Hubba Hubba HP, but I’m wondering what’s out there that I’m overlooking.

What I’m looking for:
Freestanding double wall
A mostly solid tent body (at least around the bottom) to keep out snow/dust/wind and to keep in a little warmth
Two doors & vestibules
Air vents on the fly
3+ season flexibility, I mostly want it to be able to handle some snow
Less than 4 pounds (tent body, fly, & poles)
A somewhat “livable” space, I’m only 5’4”, so luckily a little shelter goes a long way.
Price is a factor, but I have until about August to save my pennies (I’d like to get something before my next trip to Isle Royale)

How and where I would be using it:
I usually backpack solo, sometimes with a dog, and on a rare & lucky occasion with a close friend.
I’m in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the weather is unpredictable up here. Snow has been recorded in every month of the year. (Summer =3 months of bad sledding)
Summers are humid and 60-80 during the day and 40s at night, so condensation is always an issue.
In the summer we have mosquitoes, blackflies, deerflies, horseflies, and ticks that can drive you to spend more time in your tent than you originally intended, i.e., the livability factor of the tent is not just for the occasional storm.
Most of my backpacking is on the North Country Trail or Isle Royale

What I use now:
Mountain Hardware Batray 2, a two person floorless tarp (single wall) with bug mesh
The Batray has been great, especially with my dogs, and I will continue to use it. But ticks crawl under the sides and it can require 12 stakes depending on how I guy it out (or 12 rocks, like in this picture). I can’t close the front of the Batray, there is only mesh, which can get chilly, especially if the wind shifts (keeps the condensation away, though). Also I want something with a smaller footprint. The Batray certainly is a palace, but sometimes I want to be able to tuck into a smaller space.

The little bit of winter camping I’ve done I just used a basic tarp and a bivy. For car camping or treks with more friends I have a 6.5 Lbs MH 3-person tent from the mid-90s.

What I thought I wanted was a green Hubba Hubba HP (I don’t like yellow, I have noticed anything yellow I take outside in the summer typically acts like a bug magnet). Well, Cascade Designs stopped selling the HP model in North America due to poor sales and has no plans to reintroduce it into the market (at least that’s what the email from the customer service rep said). That leaves me with trying to find a used Hubba Hubba HP (can I dye the fly without ruining it?) or looking for another tent altogether. The one thing I didn’t like about the hubba hubba hp was the $450 price tag, ouch!

Other tents I have been thinking about:

Big Agnes Jack Rabbit SL2

3 lbs 13 oz @ $280 The Jack Rabbit looks like a heavier version of the Copper Spur 2 person, but the solid body looks like it goes up a little higher. It is 52 inches wide. This is the closest in looks to the HP I’ve seen. Does the 7oz weight penalty equal more durable fabrics compared to the Copper Spur?

NEMO Obi 2P

3 lbs @ $390 This is the lightest and most expensive tent I’ve been thinking about. The Obi goes from 50 inches wide at the head of the tent to 42 at the foot. It looks practical, but is it at all liveable? It doesn’t use a ridge-pole for overhead space. Also, it’s so new I really haven’t seen much in regards to reviews on it yet. But I have heard and read good things about NEMO’s Espri series (I have a friend trying to convince me to get the Espri 2P). The Obi is pretty pricey!

Big Agnes Lynx Pass 1

3 lbs 8 oz @ $180 This is a big compromise on my part. The Lynx looks like a heavier version of the Copper Spur 1. I’m considering it because it is relatively cheap & it’s wider than most solo tents (42 inches). There is room for a dog , but I would have to give up my plans of bringing anyone else out on the trail with me. (I still have the Batray for that).

FYI- I haven’t actually seen any of the tents I’m talking about. The closest REI to me is over 400 miles away in Milwaukee, WI. I might be going to Chicago next week, if so, I will be making a stop in Milwaukee on the way to do some more investigating.

I know there is a wealth of knowledge out there. Are there any other new/used tents you think I should look into? I’d even consider a Make Your Own Gear project.

On paper my favorite tents so far are a used Hubba Hubba HP (good reviews, good use of internal space, mostly solid tent inner) or the new Obi 2P (only 3 Lbs & company has a good reputation for storm-worthy tents).

Thanks!
Alanna

[Andy F]

You're in a nice locale for winter!

I have a Tarptent Scarp 2 which I like. I have both the solid and mesh inners, making it comfortable in any season. It's about 3.75 lbs, but there are optional crossing poles you'd likely want for heavier snow unless you're good at the waking up to shake off the snow routine. They add about another pound. To reduce weight, you might also consider the single person Scarp. There's an informative review of the Scarp 2 on this site, but it was done before the fly was lengthened to within a few inches of the ground.

A Mountain Laurel Designs Duomid or Supermid with a netting inner might be a good option too, but I find the fabric of a mid sloping down over my face and feet annoying, especially with a thick winter bag.

[Ike Jutkowitz]

Hi Alanna,
I can't answer your question, not having used any of the tents in question, but wanted to make you an offer. I've got an older Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight (circa 1993) in good condition that I'm in a position to retire. It's got a small scratch in the door and slight discoloration of the fly but is still totally bug proof and waterproof. It houses two people and a dog snugly, but comfortably. Weight is about 3 lb 11 oz in sack. I'd be happy to send it to you if you think you might find it useful.
Ike

[Manfred]

Hi Alanna,

Did you see the recent review of the BSI Evolution 2p?

The dimensions and the weight look interesting.

Claimed Length: 84 in (213cm)
Claimed Width, foot/head: 46/56 in (117/142 cm)
Claimed Inside Height: 42 in (107 cm)
Measured Length: 82 in (208 cm)
Measured Width: 45/54 in (114/137 cm)
Measured Inside Height: 45 in (114 cm)

Claimed Weight: 2.79 lb (1.27 kg)
Measured Weight: 2.76 lb (1.25 kg)
BPL Trail Weight: 2.77 lb (1.26 kg), w/ two stakes

Best Regards,

Manfred

[Greg F]

If you are looking for a good deal rather than the absolute lightest weights REI Outlet has the Seedhouse 2 and 3 on for really cheap. The seedhouse 2 is on for $160 plus you can get another 20% off of one item at the REI outlet until Thursday.

The minimum weight of the seedhouse 2 is 4lbs 3 oz so a little over you goal weight.

Its a really cheap reasonably light weight solution.

[Alanna M]

Andy, thanks for the suggestion on looking into the Tarptent Scarp 2. I didn't realize the Scarp 2 had an available solid inner. Is it very finicky to pitch? It isn't freestanding, which is a quality I'm looking for. But does it really take only 6 stakes to properly guy it out? And yes, if you like winter, the Upper Peninsula is the place to be!

Ike, does your Clip Flashlight have a mostly solid inner or mesh inner?

Manfred, I'm looking for a tent with a more solid tent inner than the Evolution. But that is one sweet looking tent!!!

Greg, yes, price is certainly a big factor. Hence, I'm considering a Clip Flashlight from 1993!!! But I think the BA Seedhouse series is going to be draftier than what I'm looking for.

I'm looking for solid walls, at least along the lower sections of the tent, that can keep out the "spindrift" snow.

[Mary D]

I hate to rain on the Clip Flashlight parade, but mine (same era) had major condensation problems. Due to the door's slanting outwards at the bottom, I had to close the vestibule up tight in even the merest drizzle to keep the rain from hitting me in the face. As a result, there was severe condensation on the tent fly which dripped right through the inner and left puddles on the floor and my sleeping bag. I personally would rather have a single wall tent with decent ventilation. If there's condensation, I can wipe it off!

The Tarptent Scarp is free-standing with the optional pole, which you'd need for snow and high winds. All free-standing tents need to be tied down somehow or they'll fly away in the wind, so the "free-standing" bit is a bit of a misnomer–I haven't seen any double-wall freestanding tents in which the fly didn't have to be staked down. One nice thing about the Scarp is that it's one of the few US-made tents in which you pitch the fly first and then the inner tent underneath. That allows you to keep the inner tent dry even when pitching in pouring rain.

[Andy F]

The Scarp 2 isn't finicky to pitch at all. Leave the inner clipped to the fly. The whole tent sets up with one pole and 6 stakes without the inner getting wet. The video on the Tarptent website shows the little tricks which make it easier. This video is also helpful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSTJMdjOql4

If there's any chance of strong wind, make sure to use the additional guyout points on the main pole. (They're not included with the tent.)

There are a few ways to pitch the netting inner by itself or with half of the fly pulled back.

As Mary pointed out, it is free standing if you want to carry the extra poles for that purpose.I'm not sure if you would really need the crossing poles for anything except heavy snow or winds over 50 mph.

I think the solid inner would be usable up into the 50's for night temps.

[Alanna M]

I'm realizing now the Big Sky International Convertible winter configuration should have been on my list, along with the Tarptent Scarp 2 with the solid interior.

A Ray Estrella quote from the State of the Market Report: Two-Person Double-Wall Tents (2010) "Best Tents for Rain/Snowy Conditions – In my opinion, and from what I saw during the past eight months of putting these tents through their paces, the MSR Hubba Hubba HP was the best in foul weather, especially snowy winter conditions. The Nemo Espri 2 handled quite a bit of snow and rain well also."

Are there any Hubba Hubba HP or NEMO Espri users out there with insight?

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