I'm looking for a lightweight (7 - 9 lbs) 4 man tent for taking on canoe trips. Weight isn't everything. Mostly I need the extra room. I hate cramped tents. And I hate being wet in a leaky tent. I've been looking at the REI Half-Dome 4 which seems to be what I'm looking for but want to here what others use. Thank you in advence for your help..

The REI Half-Dome is a very good tent. I have the older model of the Kelty Gunnison 4.1 and really have been impressed with it. It has 2 side doors with vestibules on both sides. So lots of room with a lot of external storage too.

Look at it here; also read reviews.

its hard to go wrong with an REI tent but here are some others to consider...

campsaver.com

One more loosely inferred recommendation of the Kelty Gunnison. Look at the most recent BW Journal(Fall '10) page 77. That's a Gunnison on the beach in the arctic.

Look close at all the floor dimensions. 4 mans can vary quite a bit and become a roomy "3 man" in a hurry. I bought an Alps Vertex 4 on sale last spring and was happy with it on two, four man trips last summer. It runs about a pound and a half heavier than others, but was a little roomier.

I use a Kelty Vortex 3 season 4 man tent with two doors, two vestibules. To be honest, it's a roomy 2 man tent, a cramped 3 man, and I don't how 4 man. The Vortex has a floor area 56 ft2, and the Gunnison has a floor area of 57 ft2. I'm 6'2, I use a 25" mummy style sleeping pad, my wife is 5'3", and uses a 20" sleeping pad. I don't see how we could lay 3 people side by side, and a 4th at our feet. Both tents are awesome and both have great reviews. If I needed to replace my Vortex, my eye is on the Gunnison 3 man. REI has really good info and feedback. I'd start there first for researching sizes and weights.

The Eureka Timberline will sleep four crossways. If you can find one with a door on each end (might be a different Eureka model), that would be ideal.

This Kelty has been on sale at Gander Mountain for over a month. I'm not sure if they are still sale priced, but the 2man version was down to $79.99.

I'm confused. Are you looking for a roomy tent for 4 people, or are you looking for a 4 person tent because it seems to be roomy for one or two? The aforementioned Eureka Timberline 4 (get the outfitter model) is a great tent for two people and I use it alone on some weekends, but I would never call it roomy with 4 people. With 4 people, I would take two.

I bought an Eureka Xeus3 for trips with myself and my son and it works great - but I shopped for the biggest and tallest 5 pound tent and this was it.

I just was not sure I understood what you were looking for.

I also have the Kelty Grand Mesa that Amok refers to, however I have the 2-person instead of the 4. I use this as my solo tent. This is a good tent, however comparing the GM4 to the Gunnison 4, the Gunnison has more width (+2 ") and length (+4"), and the side walls are a little heavier material. For more than 2 people I'd go for Gunnison 4 with the extra room and extra vestibule.

Jackfish, is right about the Timberline. It's a classic northwoods staple whose design is solid. It may be the the most popular tent you'll see in the BWCA. I have one of these. I would bring it after my Gunnison if I have that large of a group. However, mine does not have the two doors on both ends as Jackfish correctly says you'll want. Also, you'll have to add the vestibules. At its peak it has more height than either of the Kelty's I've mentioned, which is very nice with a tall family like mine.

quote BillConner01: "The aforementioned Eureka Timberline 4 (get the outfitter model) is a great tent for two people and I use it alone on some weekends, but I would never call it roomy with 4 people."

Oh, believe me... I'm not suggesting for a minute that the Timberline 4 would be "roomy" with four people sleeping in it. However, it would work fine, even the model with only one door, if you only wanted to pack one tent. It just depends on what you want and what you want to carry.

Btw, I know Eureka used to make a model similar to the Timberline that had a door on each end. My guess is they've discontinued it because I can't find it on their website.

Jackfish - I understand what you meant. The Eureka Timberline line seems to have split personality - no outfitters in the basic; the Timberline SQ 2XT or 4XT is similaer with doors at each end; and the Timberline 4XT Outfitter has one door. It is not real clear. Wish I know what one gained by going to Outfitter and why you have to loose second door.

quote Jackfish: "

quote BillConner01: "The aforementioned Eureka Timberline 4 (get the outfitter model) is a great tent for two people and I use it alone on some weekends, but I would never call it roomy with 4 people."

Btw, I know Eureka used to make a model similar to the Timberline that had a door on each end. My guess is they've discontinued it because I can't find it on their website. "

That would be the Alpine Meadows that you're talking about. It had an extra hoop pole over the top allowing for a roomier head area. Kind of an A-frame/dome hybrid. I think it's still available to the Canada market. It's a good tent. I've had one for many years. I have since went to a lighter 3 man tent for 2 people though.

The Canadian Alpine Meadows is different than the old American Alpine Meadows. I think the Candian model is only full height at one end. The American one was truly just a timberline with more interior volume from a central hoop pole. Loved them. Wish it would come back in modern, lighter fabrics.

In the meantime, if saving weight would be good then consider a Tarptent Hogback. We use it as a palace for two people. It would be tight with 4 but is meant as a 4-man ultralight backpacking tent and for that tight is normal. But I think most BW campers would consider it good for 2 or 3.

My son has a 2-door Timberline. It's the 4 XT model. Unsure if it's still available in a 2-door though.

I bought the Marmot Hideaway 4 last summer and used it for the first time on Fourtown. It was perfect for me and my brother. Would have been too small for even 3 guys. I really like this tent. It's got a great feel to it, set's up easy, breathes well but still covers up good.

I bought the Sierra Designs Lightning XT4 last year and love it. When I was looking it was the best weight to room ratio I could find. It is on sale here:

Lightning XT4

I have the timberline 4xt,it does have a door on each end,works well for three people,have used it on alot of trips for that,would work for four people but would be cramped

I have the Timberline 4 with 2 doors. It's NOT the XT. We do bring a vestibule which fits all gear. With only sleeping pads and bags in the tent (clothing in pillow cases and used as pillows), it works for family of five (kids age 8 and up). Used it with one other adult in September, and it was like a freakin' palace. Should have left the vestibule home I guess, but I'm used to stashing gear in there without regard for mud or muck.

Still like the 2 doors even though I almost always use it with vestibule - you can access the gear from inside then and I love it. My Timberline 2 has only one door and it's a PITA to go out and around to get in the vestibule.

"Outfitter" models will weigh more, are sturdier material with heavier coating on it, and have oversize zippers to withstand more abuse. My T4 is not Outfitter model, but I did pick an option for a size 10? zipper that was a bit bigger than standard. Think I got the T4 10 years ago - by searching online, some obscure vendor at the time. The T2 was pre-1992 and still in use today.

I should say that I've considered trying out a model with side doors vs the T4 end doors... seems it might be an advantage in some situations. Otherwise, I've no real reason to change up from the Timberline - the rectangular floor is efficient and spacious. Weight seems great compared to square footage you get - but don't forget to add in vestibule when comparing.

quote mr.barley: "That would be the Alpine Meadows that you're talking about."

THAT'S IT!!! I knew someone would know. Basically a Timberline with a door on each end.

I have 6 tents and the one that gets used the most is the kelty gunnison. It is light and has a full rainfly. fits 3 people pretty well and 2 plus packs. good value too. Mr. Green

I really appreciate all of the responses to my tent inquiry. I bit the bullet and purchased a REI Halfdome 4. I looked at the others where I could but in the end the REI seemed to have the features and price I could afford. Next year will be the new experience of staying dry and having some room to move! I hope..... :-)

Congrats - post some pics when you get it set up for the first time. I hope it brings you exactly what you're looking for!

quote BWPaddler: "I have the Timberline 4 with 2 doors. It's NOT the XT. We do bring a vestibule which fits all gear. With only sleeping pads and bags in the tent (clothing in pillow cases and used as pillows), it works for family of five (kids age 8 and up). Used it with one other adult in September, and it was like a freakin' palace. Should have left the vestibule home I guess, but I'm used to stashing gear in there without regard for mud or muck.


Still like the 2 doors even though I almost always use it with vestibule - you can access the gear from inside then and I love it. My Timberline 2 has only one door and it's a PITA to go out and around to get in the vestibule.


"Outfitter" models will weigh more, are sturdier material with heavier coating on it, and have oversize zippers to withstand more abuse. My T4 is not Outfitter model, but I did pick an option for a size 10? zipper that was a bit bigger than standard. Think I got the T4 10 years ago - by searching online, some obscure vendor at the time. The T2 was pre-1992 and still in use today."

Eureka Timberline 4s are great tents. Yeah, they'll house four, especially with the vestebule, but they make a luxurious two-person space. I used Timberline tents for years and years--they've withstood some of the worst weather, and I used them year round (though I think they're rated as a three-season tent).

Just some good deals going on @ 40% off of Kelty tents, sleeping bags, and packs. And 4 man tents, too! Kelty website.

Tri,

thanks for the link, will pick up a couple teton 4's for the scout troop. That is a great tent for $125, we have used them a lot, with great results.

I think it's just over your weight limit, but several outfitters (including Canadian Waters, Voyager North) at least DID use this tent. I think they still do. It must be durable or they wouldn't bother.(Even with its two doors I think 3 adults is the comfy limit) "Alps Mountaineering Meramac4 ZF AL OF" ZF being heavy #10 zipper(Z) and nylon oxford floor (F). Aluminum poles (AL) and it used to be that the (OF) was the 'outfitter' designation. I like the 5' center height. They also make a Taurus OF model.

2 three-man tents. Allows you to easily spread the weight equally across all 4 packs and will give you the spaciousness you are looking for. Pretty hard to find a 4-man tent that is going to seem spacious with 4 men in it.

i was on campmor website and they have slightly soiled(as they put it ) Tents that had some really good prices on them eureka,marmot some pretty good brands

look at Tarptent.com, Henry Shires makes some great ultra light tents that can't be beat. I own the Rainbow which weighs in @ a total 2lbs.
they are sturdy and well made, most importantly ultra light.

After 3 trips using full outfitting, I realized I'll probably be making annual trips and that it was time to start buying equipment and using the outfitter to fill in the missing pieces.
I went back and forth on 4 man tents for the last couple of months, but ultimately decided on the REI half dome 4, which I just purchased an hour ago...it'll arrive in a week or so.
Lots of nice tents out there and I narrowed it down to the Kelty Gunnison or the Timberline two door model. I probably could have flipped a coin and not been wrong, but for some reason I kept going back to the REI tent. Very happy with my choice and can't wait for June 12th!

I also like the Alpine Meadows although a bit heavy for my tastes. I have also had the T4. I used to put a vestibule on both ends, and store firewood under the vestibule on the non-door end. Always had dry wood.

The more I think about it, the more I'd be tempted to get a CCS Lean3 Plus for 3-4 guys. If you can't all sleep in that monster, I don't know what you can sleep in. (10x10, 5' tall) And they're super lightweight compared to anything else out there.

The best four man tent is a six man tent. 8)

quote Nigal: "The best four man tent is a six man tent. 8)"

Good one!

quote Nigal: "The best four man tent is a six man tent. 8)"

AKA, the best 2 man tent is a 4 man tent.

quote BWPaddler:
Still like the 2 doors even though I almost always use it with vestibule - you can access the gear from inside then and I love it. My Timberline 2 has only one door and it's a PITA to go out and around to get in the vestibule.

."

Sounds like you put the vestibule on the wrong side. It would be handy though to have one on the back side for more storage. I didn't get the two door model because I didn't like the vestibule as part of the fly. That model uses no pole with the vestibule making it smaller. I like the separate vestibule for room and option of not having to use it. I'm on my 6th Timberline and although I'm thinking of trying something different next year, I'll always keep a couple Timberlines on hand.

Nah, intentionally put vestibule on back end (no door) to hold gear not in use. Can't stand that in the front entryway. I also don't like vestibule as permanent part of setup, like the add-on option. My 2-door T-4 does not have built-in vestibule and it DOES have 2 doors. I think they must play around with the options available on any given year or something. I'd keep looking until I found 2 doors and optional vestibule - basically no complaints with my T4 setup. Wishing the T2 had 2 doors, but ah well, it's not in use much these days.

My husband and I both hate cramped tents, and we like to be able to step into the tent, instead of crawling in. We found the perfect tent is the Columbia Bugaboo.

Columbia Bugaboo

It might be a bit heavy for your needs, we basecamp and don't do a lot of portaging. It has a reasonable sized footprint, and there isn't a lot of what we think is wasted space of a hexagonal dome tent.

We got it at Cabelas 4 years ago. Ours is the first model, but they've upgraded to number II. It has never leaked and has held up to pretty strong winds. Because we use it so much, one of the fiberglass poles started to fray last summer, but Columbia was very good about sending a replacement for a reasonable price.

I have heard super things about the 'Nemo Losi 3P tent' (for 2 people of course) Vertical walls, tall, lightweight,and plenty of mesh for summer. Two of these might work well.

I too recommend the Kelty Gunnison 4. I've had this tent since about 2005, been on a dozen bwca trips with it. Mostly used for two people but have used it once for three adult men and were very comfortable with the space. Waterproof for the first several years but have sprayed the rain fly on recent trips because the seam tape has peeled off even though it has never leaked. Great tent for two or three men.

I don't remember the weight of Kelty Gunnison 4 but it's light. It also fits it into a seal line 115 back pack. Rolled is about 6" X 20". Highly recommend this tent.