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I have been looking at UL backpacking tents to use for a hunting base camp. I'm looking for something under 3 lbs if possible, and, being a fan of Big Agnes, I've been eyeing their Slater, Fly Creek, and Copper Spur (have the 3 person model) tents.

It seems as though less screen is better as I'd want to keep as much wind out as possible. Most UL tents are 3 season tents at best. But warmth isn't the tent's job as it's your sleeping bag and clothing and such.

Anyone using a 3 season tent to hunt out of near mountains or where the winters are fairly cold/snowy?

I recommend Tarptent, I've spent a bunch of time in a Contrail and it's been good to me.

I don't use trekking poles, but I did see a couple of tents I like.

How big a tent? I like my SL-5 and Mega-lite for lightweight 2-person shelters.

That SL5 with nest for $299 straight off the golite website just seems like a great value.

Sl5 with nest would be good too!

I didn't bother with the nest. I got the floor for the Mega-lite but never use it.

I'm a little guy and don't need much room as long as my gear can be stored without being in the way.

The size isn't an issue as long as it packs well. I'd want to weight to be <3 lbs.

Solo, orr do you want it to fit two?

Another vote for Tarp Tent. I like my SL3 for the Late fall/early winter here in the Northeast.

Solo. As I'd be moving somewhere new I'd be going alone.

I personally dislike front entry tents, so two of the BA's you mention would be out for me.

I really like the Copper Spur... my wife and her girlfriend use the CSUL-2 and it's a proven tent. Montana Miller on this forum swears by his CSUL-1.

I had a Tarp Tent Rainbow and it's just too much of a condensation collector for my taste.

I prefer the simplicity of the MSR Hubba. I use the HP version (I actually have two and may decide to sell one of them if you're interested).

I use Fibraplex Poles, and ditched the factory Stuff Sacks, instead using Tarp Tent Stuff Sacks. With Tyvek Footprint mine comes in at 2lbs 10 oz's. With regular poles it's a shade under 3 lbs. The all net version is a couple ounces heavier than the HP version.

You can get great deals on the all-mesh Hubba right now as they changed it for 2014 (the new model is not to my liking).

Brad, didn't you used to have a BD first light, what do you think of those for solo?

Smoke, I did. Had one from 2006 through to 2012. Liked a lot about the tent, but disliked the front entry and lack of vestibule. With Tyvek footprint it went 3lbs 7oz's. Not an enormous difference to the Hubba, but I'll gladly give up 1/2lb anywhere I can, especially if I can get a vestibule and side entry.

Why do you dislike front entry designs?

Though the vestibules seem rather small I'm wondering if there's plenty of room to place the big pack on the inside. To me this kinda defeats part of what a vestibule ought to be (a garage for storage), but it does still allow a place of entry/exit that keeps stuff out of the tent.

I don't like the idea of a lot of mesh, especially for winter, though I'd use this tent for all of my hunting forays. I greatly dislike cold wind! And this is the one thing I have against the CS. I do like our 3 person tent for our basic camping, and it's 2 vestibules.

Getting a hunting tent is further down my list at the moment. I do appreciate the offer though.

I don't particularly like front entry either. I find a side entry tent to be a lot easier to get in and out of. The smaller the tent, the more marked the difference.

It may just be a matter of getting older and physically less flexible.

Tom

RW, the problem with the Fly Creek and Slater is their vestibules and tent bodies extend at a fairly steep angle in front of the tent. Getting into the tent through the vestibule in inclement weather is fairly certain to allow that weather into the tent. Those tents also require a lot of guying, as neither are true freestanding tents.

While I always stored all my gear inside my front-entry Black Diamond Firstlight (never the pack, that's always outside), not having a vestibule became more and more of a drag. Ditto not entering the tent through a vestibule in bad weather. Ditto the angled front entry (even though it's only slightly angled).

Having a clean spot not on the tent floor to store boots is a huge advantage of a vestibule, as well as being able to cook there in chit-weather.

My wife and her girlfriend used the Flycreek-3 last summer here in Montana on a trip we all did together. They found the Flycreek tough to get in during the downpours/sleet we had every afternoon without getting stuff wet, and it was a lot harder to get in and out of than their Copper Spur 2. She sold the tent right after that trip. I was in the Hubba HP (non mesh, high performance version) and didn't experience a problem.

I'm with you on non-mesh for fall conditions, which is why I have the HP version of the Hubba. Still, I think the CS1 has a fair bit of non mesh inner tent and would be fine. Mostly.

When I started backpacking in earnest in the mid 1970's I can't remember a tent that was side entry. I always remember those tents were tough to get into, especially for two people. That is, until I got a North Face VE24 in 1979. That was a breakthrough design and made life a lot easier, being a progenitor of the side entry dome (sans vestibule).

I've had a couple front entry designs sine then, but always find myself back with a side entry/vestibule design. They're just better for my needs/likes.

BTW, just sold the VE24 this fall on ebay for $189 after nearly 35 years owning it... IIRC that's what I paid for it new in June of 79'. I hadn't used it since a summer 1992 backpack in the Bob Marshall, and all the waterproof coating was gone from the floor.

People are nuts!

After doing quite a bit of research looking for a tent for both solo and with my wife, I ended up getting the BA copper spur 3. It seemed like a good weight/size and had many good reviews. Someday when it gets above 0, I'll actually give it a try.

HW, my wife and her girlfriend have used the CS2 now for going on 7 years. I get to see it in action every summer above timberline in all kinds of weather. Really a great tent and design. Perhaps one of the - dare I say "best" - designs out there.

If I were looking for a solo tent I'd be all over the Copper Spur 1 or 2.

I have the 3 for me, my son, and my dog and I really, really like it. Saw one of the Copper Spur 1's used in some pretty horrible weather and it held up well.


Travis