Winter Tent Questions

[Hammy]

I need to find a better tent for this season.

The one I currently have has a whole wall of screen only covered by the fly.

From looking around a large majority of 3/4 season tents are like this. Is there a reason for the tent to be so open?

I thought that being able to close all the windows to retain the heat would be better.

What should I look for in a cold weather tent?

I assume smaller is better? Less to heat?

[Napoleon047]

heating the tent isnt the issue, its whether or not it will keep the wind out and if it can handle snow piling on it. the heat issue is solely the responsibility of your sleeping bag.

[Hammy]

Originally Posted by Napoleon047

heating the tent isnt the issue, its whether or not it will keep the wind out and if it can handle snow piling on it. the heat issue is solely the responsibility of your sleeping bag.

Well the one I have now the fly is about 10" above the ground and the start of the screen is only a couple inch's above that. I find in heavy rain the water actually bounces off the ground and into the tent.

Breeze is bad too, I assume it's because of the fly being off the ground?

So a mesh wall is ok if the fly goes to the ground to stop the breeze?

I was looking at this one until I found out that the back wall is all mesh




Columbia™ Bugaboo Dome Tent


Columbia™ Bugaboo Dome Tent - Shown with rainfly
This is one serious family-camping tent! Columbia’s Bugaboo Dome has a polyethylene, tub-shaped floor for absolute protection from ground moisture. Its 1200mm polyester double-coated fly, sealed seams and sturdy 9.5mm fiberglass poles ensure your trip won’t be cut short by nasty weather. Its removable door mat and Clean Sweep™ floor allows for easy clean-up of your sleeping area, while the Bugaboo’s Cyclone Venting System™ increases air flow to move hot air out and cool air in. Quick Release buckle system for easy put up and take down. Comes with a remote controlled battery operated light that can be attached and used in or outside the tent. Includes carry bag. Imported.

I need something that will hold 3 and gear, don't care how heavy I just want something that will stay dry and not cost a fortune.

[NastyNate]

Cabelas Alaskan Guide dome tents. Another thing that will help. Get the smallest tent you can live with. Less air space to heat up.

[Diesel Smoke]

Just a word on Columbia tents. I have a Columbia Frosty Ridge II tent and LOVE it. The thing weighs almost nothing, holds me and my gear and has kept me dry through some really nasty weather. I know this is no where near the tent you posted, but I am extremely happy with my Columbia tent. For me it's the little details, like instructions sewn into the tent bag, the bag is also gusseted with a zipper, so the tent slides in easily once rolled up. Then you run the zipper up and compress the entire tent. I would not hesitate to buy another Columbia tent. It's one of the better thought out tents I have ever had the joy of camping in.

[Loveday]

Another vote for the Cabela's Alsaskan Guide tents. Sturdy as can be. Well made.

One thing to consider with "all that heat," especially in a four season tent, is condensation. It's tempting to restrict most ventilation, but I've found that it can make for a miserable night and morning.

[bronko]

Sierra Design's Omega. I have been running this girl for about 4 years now and have been nothing but warm and comfy the whole time. It's not an extreme mountaineering tent but I have had it in some darn right cold snowy blizzardy weather. You have the ability to close up both the front door screen and top screen with a separate full walls to keep heat inside. Sleeps two no problems with plenty of vestibule room for the packs.

Only thing it hasn't held up to is drunk buddies stumbling onto it and busting a pole

http://www.sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=65

[Haulin Ass]

I do %80 of my camping in the snow the tent I whent with was the Eureka Timberline Outfitter 6.
It is a nice tent you can stand up in and change in.
The snow just falls off to the sides do to it's A fram. The tent costs around $350.00 or so.
I all so run a Mr Heater off a 30lb propane cylinder it is nice.

[Hammy]

Originally Posted by bronko

Thats kinda the design I had in mind. A Dome with a good strorage area.

I doubt I will see much snow as my son is only 5. But I might as well get one that will grow into our trips.

Well the Cabella's are out since they are alot more than I have to spend and are only available from the US.

I am trying to find something this side of the border.

There seems to be a good selection of Columbia, Bass Pro's selection and The big outfitter www.lebaron.ca has Eureka! brand tents

[Hammy]

Originally Posted by Haulin Ass

I do %80 of my camping in the snow the tent I whent with was the Eureka Timberline Outfitter 6.
It is a nice tent you can stand up in and change in.
The snow just falls off to the sides do to it's A fram. The tent costs around $350.00 or so.
I all so run a Mr Heater off a 30lb propane cylinder it is nice.

This one looks nice and in my price range

Eureka
Mountain Pass XTC Plus - 3 Season

http://www.lebaron.ca/pdf_files_sp07...a_wabakimi.pdf

The Timberline Outfitter 6 is $398 up here

[NastyNate]

Originally Posted by Haulin Ass

I do %80 of my camping in the snow the tent I whent with was the Eureka Timberline Outfitter 6.
It is a nice tent you can stand up in and change in.
The snow just falls off to the sides do to it's A fram. The tent costs around $350.00 or so.
I all so run a Mr Heater off a 30lb propane cylinder it is nice.

Do you have a pic of that tent with you next to it. I used to love my 2 man A-frame, and was thinking about that tent, but was worried about the size.

[Haulin Ass]

My computer crashed this last week and lost all my pics.
I am 6'0 and I can stand up in it. The center Ht. is 72" floor size 8'6"x10'3" Wt.lbs 19.
You can get them at Cabelas our what I did and found one on line. The price I paid was cheaper than the Cabelas one by $50.00 and that was delivered.

[Jeff.]

I just bought this...

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colem...tegoryid=11070
(only paid about half, thank god)
but I set it up this weekend to check it out...it's an awesome tent. I definitely would recommend it. It's super light, will easily fit two people plus some stuff and has an awesome layout with the front "easement" area being optionally enclosed and the footprint is pre-attached and can be packed away attached as well, which makes setup a pretty quick task. The rainfly looks like it will work really well, and there was no skimping on ventilation.

[Doc Holiday13]

Originally Posted by Napoleon047

heating the tent isnt the issue, its whether or not it will keep the wind out and if it can handle snow piling on it. the heat issue is solely the responsibility of your sleeping bag.

True that

Originally Posted by Haulin Ass

I do %80 of my camping in the snow the tent I whent with was the Eureka Timberline Outfitter 6.
It is a nice tent you can stand up in and change in.
The snow just falls off to the sides do to it's A fram. The tent costs around $350.00 or so.
I all so run a Mr Heater off a 30lb propane cylinder it is nice.

Yeah I did the propane heater in the tent once and it was amazing. 28 degree's outside and like 80 inside.

All the 4 season tents I've been in have some really really good ventilation. I'd recommend a 4 or 3 season and better sleeping bag. Remember also you are suppose to keep warm clothes on inside the sleeping bag too. I usually sleep in boxers, so I have a negative temp rating on my cold weather bag

[apeters89]

I'm looking for a decent for year round use. I think I'd really like one of these , but I don't know how to get one

http://www.eurekamilitarytents.com/tents/combat.html


What about these? Any good?

http://www.eurekatent.com/p-166-tund...able-soon.aspx

[Jeff.]

Well, now that you brought up this old post and I've had a chance to use my tent for a year and a half...all I've got to say is it's awesome.

I was in 100 mile an hour gusts on a snow wheeling trip and that tent didn't even bend down to touch me. Granted, I didn't sleep a wink because I thought the tress were going to break and kill me. Either way, I highly recommend the tent I posted above for cold weather camping.

[GQtim]

Originally Posted by apeters89

I'm looking for a decent for year round use. I think I'd really like one of these , but I don't know how to get one

http://www.eurekamilitarytents.com/tents/combat.html


What about these? Any good?

http://www.eurekatent.com/p-166-tund...able-soon.aspx

Ive got one but a slightly older model mine is a tan/olive drap fly.
Great tent tough enough for my wheeling trips, its done we well in the australian outback 40+c, tropical queensland and snow in the highcountry

quick to put up and down, also Eureka have great customer service even for me living in Australia. we dont get as cold as over there lowest here would probly be around say -10c tops without wind chill

Its small like 2 person and gear your done, for just me when i dont have my swag its a perfect size and fits my weimerana with no dramas

[Frankenyota]

Originally Posted by apeters89

I'm looking for a decent for year round use. I think I'd really like one of these , but I don't know how to get one

http://www.eurekamilitarytents.com/tents/combat.html


What about these? Any good?

http://www.eurekatent.com/p-166-tund...able-soon.aspx

Eureka tents are awesome. I've been using them for years. For true four season use I'd recommend a tent with a fully enclosed vestibule, with a zip open door. That extra space to stash your gear is awesome when its truly cold and miserable. On the other hand I've spent many a cozy night in a snow cave. I earned the BSA "100 degrees of frost" award when I was a young pup. I really do love my Eureka tents though, but you'll need a good properly rated sleeping bag no matter the tent you use. Don't forget to put your boots in plastic bags at the foot of your sleeping bag so you don't wake up to ice cubes.

[87manche]

eureka tents are a good value.
we used them in the BSA, and I've got a twister 6 that's holding up well.
Sometimes their seam waterproofing lacks, but that's nothing a $10 bottle of seam sealer doesn't fix.

[apeters89]

Originally Posted by Jeff.

Well, now that you brought up this old post and I've had a chance to use my tent for a year and a half...all I've got to say is it's awesome.

I was in 100 mile an hour gusts on a snow wheeling trip and that tent didn't even bend down to touch me. Granted, I didn't sleep a wink because I thought the tress were going to break and kill me. Either way, I highly recommend the tent I posted above for cold weather camping.

Originally Posted by 87manche

eureka tents are a good value.
we used them in the BSA, and I've got a twister 6 that's holding up well.
Sometimes their seam waterproofing lacks, but that's nothing a $10 bottle of seam sealer doesn't fix.

Yeah, I'm thinking I'll be looking at picking one up in a few weeks. My Coleman just isn't cutting it in these Oklahoma winds.

[TDbronco]

Originally Posted by Hammy

I need to find a better tent for this season.

The one I currently have has a whole wall of screen only covered by the fly.

From looking around a large majority of 3/4 season tents are like this. Is there a reason for the tent to be so open?

I thought that being able to close all the windows to retain the heat would be better.

What should I look for in a cold weather tent?

I assume smaller is better? Less to heat?

Well if you are looking at having to spend any amount of time in it (like in a blizzard) you will want to be able to move around in it and at least sit up so do skimp to much.

Here are a few really great tents and when you see how well built they are in person they worth the money


http://estore.websitepros.com/176479...%2C/Detail.bok

http://estore.websitepros.com/176479...kto/Detail.bok

http://estore.websitepros.com/176479...-GT/Detail.bok

http://estore.websitepros.com/176479...o-3/Detail.bok

[TDbronco]

But if you don't need a true 4 season tent than one of these may work for you and much cheaper and lighter.


http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=47

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=53

and check out the DBLRAINBOW & CLOUDBURST2 on the link below

http://www.tarptent.com/products.html


Also MSR makes really good stuff

[speedo]

If you really want a tent for winter camping this might be for you.

Gus

[mike]

Originally Posted by speedo

If you really want a tent for winter camping this might be for you.

Gus

My god, those things are huge. WAAY bigger than I'd wanna heat with body heat Course, if I'm in a tent.. I've generally been carrying it.

[Triaged]

Originally Posted by apeters89

Yeah, I'm thinking I'll be looking at picking one up in a few weeks. My Coleman just isn't cutting it in these Oklahoma winds.

I have an old Coleman Peak1 (now called the eXponent line) with only 1 pole and it does a bunch better than that....one like this


You don't need to spend a truckload of money (I spent about $80 for the tent above) to get something that will stand up to winds. The biggest thing is to get one with a rain fly that goes all the way to the ground. It adds a bunch to the structural strength of the tent. You also (obviously) don't want something that is tall.