Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Lightest/Best 2 person tent

Currently I’m running a Luxe Lightweight TeePee with 1.5 person inner
Dry weight for the system is roughly 2.2 pounds. Since near freezing condensation builds up inside and can drip.

Planning a later season hunt next year with possible snow.

Looking for the lightest, toughest 4 season 2 person tent. Can be a one person, but I like room for my gear etc. to stay dry.

Thanks

Kuiu Storm Star 2P, 4-season, 2 person, two doors, two vestibules, 5 1/2# , free-standing dome

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL-2, 3 season, 2-person, two doors, two vestibules, 4#, free-standing dome.

Black Diamond Eldorado 2 person single wall tent weighs 4lbs 11 oz with carbon fiber poles. Thank me later.

Thanks fellas

I don't consider the CSUL2 a 4-season tent... I have one. Also, it weighs under 3.5 lbs.

The Kuiu Mountain Star is a nice tent, but I can't fathom hauling a 5.5lb tent for one in this day and age.





I've had the Black Diamond Firstlight, the sister version of the Eldorado. Good tent(s), but not real light for a 1P and I dislike not having a vestibule, and the front entry. It's unnecessarily heavy, small, and expensive for what you propose. It's a mountaineering tent made for single use, high altitude climbing.





I'd recommend the Big Sky International Revolution, either the 1P or 2P with solid interior... 1P under 3lbs., and a damn good tent.

1P:

https://bigskyinternational.com/col...-revolution-1p-tent?variant=165398741320

2P:

https://bigskyinternational.com/collections/tents-and-shelters/products/big-sky-revolution-2p-tent

This may be nitpicky but the big sky international website leaves much to be desired. What models do they purport to be 4 season tents vs 3 season?

Can you fit anything besides boots in the vestibules?

I'd also put the Stone Glacier Skyscraper on my list to investigate; a true four season tent is never going to approach the uber light weights of some of the three season shelters- it takes some extra weight to insure a shelter can handle higher winds and snow loads

I'd probably also recommend seriously at evaluating your shelter needs, often times a bomber four season tent is overkill

Any stove option in the Luxe you have now?

The little Luxe wild wild west stove is a dandy......

https://luxe-hiking-gear.com/collec...ies/products/folding-wood-stove-titanium

I understand, which is why I said the Firstllight is its "sister."

The Eldorado is the old Bibler I-tent. I just consider it a very specific type of tent, and I think there are better, lighter, all-around 4 season tents. The Eldorado is more of a fall/winter tent, made for what you're using it for. It's a great tent, just not as versatile as others, and it is not especially light.

For me, a generalist 4 season tent should be double wall, have a vestibule, a solid interior, and if for 1P, should be under 4lbs.

Besides the Big Sky Int'l Revolution, another that meets my idea is the MSR Access 1:

https://www.msrgear.com/tents/all-s...our-season-solo-tent/09544.html?srd=true

And its 2P version (which is right at 4lbs):

https://www.msrgear.com/tents/all-s...son-ski-touring-tent/09545.html?srd=true

There's really no "wrong" answer, it just comes down to what the OP's criteria are, and what it's going to be used for.

For most fall hunting in the Rockies, a mountaineering tent isn't needed...

I agree their old website sucked, but the new one is quite good.

Brad:

I agree with you, the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL-2 is a 3-season tent. That's why I indicated that it is a 3-season tent. I just wanted to give the OP a couple of options.

KC

I’ll second Big Sky Tents. I’ve used the Revolution and Mirage and both performed admirably but would look at their 4 season Chinook 1plus or 2p tent. It’s based off the Revolution but has an additional third pole that can be left behind in three season weather to save weight.
https://bigskyinternational.com/products/big-sky-chinook-2p-tent

Makes perfect sense KC. Thanks.

I'd forgotten about the Chinook! Good call.

I really like/prefer a tent (like the Kifaru or Big Sky) that have an external pole structure that allows the tent body and fly to be erected as one. Snow, and especially rain, aren't able to get into the living space during setup. Great designs.

Huntsman,
Thanks for posting that link again. That is a great option for my solo elk hunt in NM next Dec.. Do you recommend a tipi style tent for that?
Sorry people didn't mean to hijack.

Maybe I’ve been missing it Brad, but what Kifaru tent are you referring to that offers an external pole system?

bigwhooper, yeah, I'm well past having to crawl into an unheated tent..... give me stand up room and a woodstove.

I’m there myself. No heat source to get dry?..hard pass.

No, you’re not missing anything! I misspoke, meant Kuiu.

Just got in a Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL3 for my 2020 season yesterday. Really like the dual doors, dual large vestibules, and weighs just under 3 lbs all up with all the stuff sacks and stakes. Semi free standing, which won't be an issue where we hunt.

The Big SkyChinook, 4-season, 2 person tent with two doors and two vestibules, weighs just over 4#. Impressive!

Who owns and has actually used one? Please comment. How about a review.

Don't own one, but the weight looks good for one person and all the gear.

Liking the vestibule design. Reminds me of the MH sniper/spotter tent.

Close to $800 with the options/accessories, though.

@KC: I used a Big Sky Revolution 1P (which the Chinook is based off) w/ both inner tent options (mesh and breathable fabric) for years in the Sierra and Olympics.
The head end and foot and end walls seem to be more vertical than other like design tents which make more of the floor square footage useful. The attention to detail is superb & it's incredibly easy to set up with a good taut pitch. Both vestibules provide great weather protection and storage and I never experienced any condensation.
The Chinook builds of the Revolution design adding an additional crossing pole for 4 season use (can leave behind during 3 season) and your choice of 3 season, 3+ season, or 4 season poles. In all honestly I used the Revolution in the winter in the Olympics and it did really well with wind (using the breathable fabric inner) and light snow loads so unless expecting the worst case conditions and heavy snow loads I'd probably opt for the Chinook with either the 3 season poles or 3+ season poles and breathable fabric inner.

cdg:

Thanks for the info. My current KUIU Storm Start 2P weighs 5 1/2#. Now I have to decide if I want to pay $600 to save 1 1/2#.

KC

Not the version I have, I would need to upgrade to a different style

I’ve always paid close attention to what Brad, KC, Mt. Warden and Tanner have had to say about small tent options in the high country. I’ve had BA, MSR, REI and used a Nemo Hornet this year for 7 days at 12k’ in CO 2cnd season.

I agree with the statement that a bomber 4 season tent is probably more than a man needs 90% of the time.

I’m also with Hunts and IDDave on the comforts of heat and headroom with a stoved teepee. Recently jumped on a SO Cimarron with a titanium stove and looking forward to using it this year. Hope to get it out the next month or so on a couple fishing/hunting trips

Not looked recently, but the high end Everest quality stuff from NorthFace is usually top grade.

Thanks fellas

I've checked out the reviews on the Big Sky Chinook tent. Most are 5 stars. The two that rated it lower say that the vestibule leaks at the top and gets your sleeping bag wet.

The North Face VE-25 was the tent of choice for most people on Mount McKinley. It's a bombproof expedition tent, but it weighs 10#.

Yep...got one. Saved my bacon once in the most terrific wind storm.

The rainfly fits perfectly on my single wall for lower altitudes.

Thanks Brad and all for the insight.
This would be for backcountry hunting ie... packing it in on my back. Up to 3-4 miles in for campsite usually

The Big Sky International Revolution 1P seems to have the same problem with the vestibule as the Chinook. Also it's only a one man tent. I personally prefer the extra room of a 2-man tent and I'm willing to carry an extra 1/2# to get it.

I looked at the MSR Access-2 tent also. The mfg claims that it is a 4-season tent. But I'm skeptical that it's pole system could carry a heavy snow load.

Really appreciate you guys

You’re as anal retentive as I am.

Going to go through all these and figure out pros and cons.

Obviously lightweight is important since it’ll be on my back, but I’m willing to carry a few “extra” pounds to sleep comfortably and not have to worry about a heavy snowfall ruining my night.

100%

The only one man shelter I would ever buy is a tarp, survival type shelter.