4 Person Tent Suggestion?

DSM Turbos

DSM Turbos

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2006
Location
Raleigh, NC
Thinking about getting a nicer 4 person tent. Any suggestions? Been looking at a few REI brand ones and those seem to be the top of the list right now.
 
I've got 2 seasons in on my Ascend Basecamp4 from basspro. I went from KMart brand to this...so I'm super pleased, and not a bad price. I've camped in it in tropical storms and was very comfortable, and I thoroughly like the idea of having a 'screen room'. Can't seem to find it on BP's website, but here's a link:

http://autoorder.net/product/Ascend-BaseCamp-4-4-Person-Tent.html
 
What ever you get I suggest getting a decent name brand one from Kelty, Mountain Hardwear, REI, Stoic, North Face, Sierra Designs, Marmot, etc. I've seen too many Walmart specials make it through 2 campouts and then just fall to pieces. Sure they are cheap and will work, but when it comes to a good tent you really do have to spend the money. Check out these websites for some deals

http://gearx.com/camping/tents-shelters.html?limit=24
http://www.backcountry.com/tents
http://www.departmentofgoods.com/tents
http://www.geartrade.com/browse/tents
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/tents~d~228/
 
Check out www.campmor.com also. Pretty good prices, and a nice parametric search.
 
I can't find the 'style' of it on their website, but our big tent is a Big Agnes... sleeps 3 adults and 2 60# dogs... we got it at REI. The cool thing about going to look at stuff at REI is they're cool with you taking one and setting it up so you can get in and check it out...
 
We've had great luck with Coleman cabin tents. Bought one when we get married 28 years ago and it still works good.
 
I ran a camping store (many years ago)and the thing I learned is brands do matter. REI, Kelty, North Face, and the others do cost a little more but what you get in return is a simple, light, weather resistant, durable tent. Most of these tents are a made so you can put them up by yourself in under 5 min tops. The biggest questions you should ask yourself is how often do you plan on using it? If you are going a lot then get a good 4 season tent. like the North Face, Sierra, Mormot, or Mountain Hardwear. If you are only going a few times a year then look into a 3 season tend like Kelty, Mormot, Mountain Hardwear, and Eureka . If you are only going once a year then go wal-mart brand and hope it doesn't rain.
 
Just remember when it says 4 person it usually means room for four people to lay down, not including stuff. Since my camping involves the wife and two little girls I went with a six person. Room for all of us plus a little more to walk through without stepping on everything.
Here's my setup: REI Kingdom 6 with optional garage. The garage is great for rainy days or staying out of the sun at the beach. Can cook under the awnings or zip it all up for privacy. If you catch the prior year models on clearance and use the members extra 20% off coupons it gets downright cheap.
ai302.photobucket.com_albums_nn82_Average_Joes_415e4241.jpg
 
I have the same tent as above and like it alot. One of the great things about the REI tents, and this may apply to all the more expensive tents, is the fact that it fits back in the bag that it came in. Set up is very easy even in the dark. It has very good venting as well.
 
I have an Alps Mountaineering Vertex 4 tent. As mentioned above, the 4 person tent fits 2 and car camping/short hiking gear comfortably. It has held up well for the last 2 years of Uwharrie and beach camping. Probably similar quality to the ones mentioned above with a slightly lower price. Look at past season outlet stuff; Backcountry.com or departmentofgoods.com REI only if you need it right then or have to try stuff out before you buy.
 
Ive got a Swiss Gear 4 person tent. I generally only use it for car camping, its incredibly heavy. I like it, but it can be a PAIN to get back in the bag. Ive got it down to a science now, so I can do it relatively quickly, but when I first got it, I almost never used it again. The poles can be a PITA to get in place too.

Ive also got a 1 person REI half-dome that I use for backpacking, and I LOVE it. Very easy to put together. I assume all REI stuff is just as good too. IMO, I'd go REI.

If you decide to go the REI route, its worth it to spend the extra 20 to become a member. When I first purchased my camping gear, I bought it ALL from REI. I got about 500 dollars worth of equipment, and got close to 100 back on my REI dividend check.
 
Just spent the better part of two wks in a Kelty Yellowstone 6. Nice tent and quick/easy to set up. Only part I don't like is they don't seem to be putting the tarp type material into the floor of these tents anymore. We kept ours setup on a tarp to protect the floor.
 
I just ran across this: http://www.kodiakcanvas.com/

This is undoubtedly one of the nicest tents I have ever seen. I am still using my 38 year old Diamond Brand Free Spirit 4, which is still in excellent condition, but if I were shopping for a new one this would be it. Watch the video. Just thought I would share the info. :)
 
GONOVRIT said:
Just spent the better part of two wks in a Kelty Yellowstone 6. Nice tent and quick/easy to set up. Only part I don't like is they don't seem to be putting the tarp type material into the floor of these tents anymore. We kept ours setup on a tarp to protect the floor.
Click to expand...

Have the same on and really like it, super quick putting up and taking it down as well.
 
I have a Kodiak 10x10 for cold weather and a Kelty Yellowstone 6 for warmer weather. Both are great tents with lots of room.I used the Kelty ar SCC in Arkansas last month. It raimed twp nights and I was camped in a low spot. My tent was in 4" to 6" deep water and had almost 0 leakage. Four of us picked it up by the poles and moved it to higher ground. Both tents are over 6' tall in the center so you can stand up in them.
 
Back
Top