Heading to Kawnipi with my group of 6 in a few weeks here and its time for a new tent. We are a group of 6 close highschool friends on our 6th year in a row.

First off: When on trips with large groups, do you prefer one large tent or a few medium size tents?

Because this trip is one of the few times a year all of us are together we prefer to haul in our 8 person tent so we can all hang out if a rainy day happens and stay together. We know its probably not as lightweight as possible but its what we do. Unfortunately, last years trip to Kawnipi was the last year for our tent; staying in a tent that lets both water and mosquitoes in is no fun.

Secondly: For those who choose to bring in big tents for a group; whats your favorite? We need it to comfortably sleep 6, be of decent quality and weight, and also doesn't break the bank. I also bring in my NorthFace Stormbreak 2 for gear and to have an extra small dry space at camp.

Cheers!

For sure smaller tents. For two people, I like a two man tent with two doors and two vestibules, otherwise use a three person tent for two people.
Get a large tarp for group gathering. You should use the tents only for sleeping or quiet time.

Bannock: "For sure smaller tents. For two people, I like a two man tent with two doors and two vestibules, otherwise use a three person tent for two people.
Get a large tarp for group gathering. You should use the tents only for sleeping or quiet time.


"

Exactly, +1

Another vote for multiple smaller tents and a large tarp for the group hangout. Much more versatile, and easier to find suitable tent pads. I've seen some sites that would accommodate a tent of that size, but it's the exception, not the rule.

Agreed! Hang out under a tarp. Not as claustrophobic as a tent.

Take 3 four man tents. Plenty of room to spread out and will not heat up inside as as fast as 3 smaller tents.

Bring a tarp for a place everyone can hang out in and keep your gear dry. Look at getting a 10 by 16 so everyone can fit.

I would bring 2 four man tents that each fit 3 people to sleep comfortably. Look at your discount online sites for deals like Moosejaw, Sierra Trading post and places like that for discontinued models.

Definitely go with the couple of smaller tent option. Two four man or three three man Easier to find multiple smaller pads than one large plus tents will be lighter and easier to spread around in packs if needed. Probably cheaper too as "good" quality tents that size are very expensive. Two quality tents can be had for less than one quatity that size

Plus what happens when someone does something stupid like get a job that won't let them get away or worse yet has KIDS ( see how I avoided saying anything about married). Am assuming you are all relatively young still. Also if you ever stop going someone will probably want to buy/take a three or four man rather than a six man.

Check out steepandcheap.com , no affiliation.

Many campsites don't have a good place to pitch an 8-10 man tent. (IMO it takes at least an 8 person to handle 6 adults. I even find a 4P JUST enough for 3 men) Just enough to get by to sleep comfortably. Without breaking the bank etc......my choice would be 2 -Taurus 5 or Meramac 5 and a Noah's Tarp 16. In the right spot you could even pitch them facing each other a dozen feet apart and pitch the tarp as a breezeway/porch between the tents. 3 men in a 5 man tent should be plenty comfortable/roomy even in the rain. Just my blue sky brainstorm for price/flexibility/practibility. The Taurus have vestibule and Meramac is without.

old_salt: "Agreed! Hang out under a tarp. Not as claustrophobic as a tent."

I concur. Even with a huge tent, 6 people coming and going it's going to be tough to rest. Better not make any CHILI if you choose one tent (LOL)!

Have you considered hammocks? I take in 2-3 groups of 6-8 men each fall and over the last 12 years we have all moved from large tents, to small tents, and finally to hammocks. The "group time" aspect is handled by a large group tarp we put up in the middle of the camp sites. By getting rid of the tents, you open your options up to far more camp sites then trying to find one that can handle an 8 man tent or even 3 four men tents. We bring a 16 foot Kelty Noahs tarp for the middle of the camp. No one wants to be cooped up in a tent for hours at a time in a rain storm when then can move around, cook dinner, drink coffee, etc under a large group tent. Never understood the four man tent idea for one or two guys. Unless the plan is to literally live in the tent with all gear, bringing in a chair,etc. Our guys would much rather spend the time when dark in front of a fire, when raining, under the tarp, and hammocks for sleeping.

You know what worked really well for us on a rainy day - a bug tent - yep hung from trees not too heavy to carry along but an extra place to get way from the bugs. So if you take smaller tents or hammocks and the bug tent you probably are still lighter than a big tent.


bug tent we used

I am not sure if the one we took was quite this big, but this was the brand.

The link did not seem to work brand was Nemo

https://www.campsaver.com/nemo-bugout-elite-12-x-12-shelter.html

ockycamper: "Have you considered hammocks? I take in 2-3 groups of 6-8 men each fall and over the last 12 years we have all moved from large tents, to small tents, and finally to hammocks. The "group time" aspect is handled by a large group tarp we put up in the middle of the camp sites. By getting rid of the tents, you open your options up to far more camp sites then trying to find one that can handle an 8 man tent or even 3 four men tents. We bring a 16 foot Kelty Noahs tarp for the middle of the camp. No one wants to be cooped up in a tent for hours at a time in a rain storm when then can move around, cook dinner, drink coffee, etc under a large group tent. Never understood the four man tent idea for one or two guys. Unless the plan is to literally live in the tent with all gear, bringing in a chair,etc. Our guys would much rather spend the time when dark in front of a fire, when raining, under the tarp, and hammocks for sleeping. "

My issue with hammocks is by the time I include the 2 hammock and 2 tarps and 2 under quilts, it seems like I did not save any bulk or weight over a lightweight tent (for 2 people). Plus I have to find trees instead of tent pads some sites are better than others for this just like tent pads vary but the the sites are more set up for tents. I also seem to get colder in a hammock. I know there are lots of opinions, but I would defiantly try out hammocks in a separate trip before taking that as my only option in the BWCA.

"My issue with hammocks is by the time I include the 2 hammock and 2 tarps and 2 under quilts, it seems like I did not save any bulk or weight over a lightweight tent (for 2 people). Plus I have to find trees instead of tent pads some sites are better than others for this just like tent pads vary but the the sites are more set up for tents. I also seem to get colder in a hammock. I know there are lots of opinions, but I would defiantly try out hammocks in a separate trip before taking that as my only option in the BWCA."

That's not actually apples to apples. We use Hennessy hammocks which have their own attached rain flies. The hammock, mosquito net and rain fly go into a very small dry bag like bag. The underquilt also goes into a small bag. Then we bring sleeping bags.

You will use a sleeping bag either way. The trade off then is two small bags (think Walmart size shopping bags) or a long tent bag, and an additional long sleeping pad. The two person tent is going to be significantly heavier, bulkier and less able to compact then the two small bags for the hammock. Also, if you are using a down underquilt with a down top quilt or sleeping bag you will be quite warm down to temps in the 20's. I find that configuration warmer then a sleeping pad and sleeping bag in a tent.

At the end of the day the issue I think is this: If you are a person that likes to spend time in your tent reading, eating or just hanging out. . .that is the way to go (can't do that in a hammock). However, we much prefer to be under a tarp then in a tent for anything other then sleeping. (By the way. . .the 16 foot group tarp also goes in a small dry bag similar in size to a Walmart sack).

I didn't really mean this to be a tent vs hammock discussion. Just some things to consider. I probably went cheep with my hammock gear, and have paid in other ways. I know people love them and great for you that you do. I was just suggesting that I would not make that my only choice in the wilderness if you don't already know if you love a hammock already.

I probably knew that a rebuke was coming and so I checked back. Sorry for that.

REI has a Kelty Trail Ridge 8 on sale for around $370. I have not used it but I do like other Kelty products. It's just under 18 pounds - 3 pounds per person for shelter is bad in canoe country. (And I paid more for a good 3 person tent for 2!)

Your group has done this before so I respect that. Your lucky to have this long term group of friends who still all get along. Not many people could assemble a group of sux that would spend a night together in the same tent, let alone a week. My only concern would be finding a site with a big enough tent pad but they exist and much easier to find in the Q than BWCAW.

I think the large tarp/bug shelter is a good idea but could be in addition.

I've noticed that outdoors stores are often selling decent large tents well off list. Kelty, North Face, Big Agnes (Big House) are often sold at close to half of retail price.

We ended up getting two 4 person Alps Mountaineering Morada's. Yes - not the fanciest brand or tent by any means - but ive stayed in my buddies Alps mountaineering tent in Joshua tree through horrible rain storms and stayed perfectly dry. Also stayed dry on a climbing trip at Shelf Road in CO through a night of rain this spring.

https://www.steepandcheap.com/alps-mountaineering-morada-4-tent-4-person-3-season?skid=ALM3088-DARCLA-ONESIZ&ti=UExQIENhdDpUZW50czoxOjIyOnNhY0NhdDcxMDAwMDQw

Seems like everything I was looking for us.

I do like the idea of hammocks - but as mentioned above once you pack it all with bug netting rain tarp etc the price is comparable to a tent, weight is comparable, and lose the secure feeling of a tent. I have done 3 solo trips in the BWCA with my hammock and think they are perfect for solo trips!

Excited to be able to find some better tent pads with these two tents! The tent we brought the last 6 years was HUGE. Took its own bag, was heavy, had broken poles and didn't fit well anywhere. (Trust me as a moderately experienced BWCA tripper it killed me to bring that beast but my amigos are stubborn) Trip report to come in a few weeks once some Kawnipi fun is had!

schwartyman: "We ended up getting two 4 person Alps Mountaineering Morada's. Yes - not the fanciest brand or tent by any means - but ive stayed in my buddies Alps mountaineering tent in Joshua tree through horrible rain storms and stayed perfectly dry. Also stayed dry on a climbing trip at Shelf Road in CO through a night of rain this spring.
"

You made a great choice. I'm a big fan of Alps tents. They're the best quality for the buck that you can find, though not the lightest, they're great for canoe camping. I haven't found anywhere else that can you get their quality of zippers fabric and workmanship with the very critical full rainfly all the way to the ground. I've got three of them for different uses.

Think you made a good choice. I too have been very pleased with my Alps Mtn. My Chaos 3 has served well for many years. Looks like a very good price too.

With the amount of positive responses here to Alps products I think you did just fine. I had looked at that very tent while reading your post. After looking at various "4 man tents" I came to the conclusion that the Morado was the larger of most out there. I'm sure you will appreciate the extra space.

Wanted to provide an update on this tent.

After a week in Kawnipi, long weekend in Red Rock, couple weekend climbing trips at Devils Lake, I was extremely satisfied with this tent. The trip to Red Rock I experienced one of the worst thunderstorms i've camped in, and not a drop got in the tent.

After packing it up after a climbing trip last fall I noticed the window material on the rain flap looked funny and after looking further it was actually deteriorating and had become disconnected from the fly. I packed it up and told myself id deal with it this winter.

Last night I was in contact with Alps Mountaineering customer service about warranty info, and already this morning they have shipped me a new windowless rain flap free.

Obviously a little disappointing about the window falling apart but their quick service more than made up for it in my eyes.

Still highly recommend this tent (avoid windows on the rain fly apparently) and largely impressed with Alps as a company and how they handled my issue. Just thought id share.

I like the Big Agnes flying diamond 4. They make it in a 6 man as well.

lol typed out a suggestion, then looked at age of thread and saw it was an update :)