Winter Tent

“Hi all,

I'm new to trail talk, so if I'm asking a question that has been asked resently please forgive me. I am looking for a good to excellent tent that will hold up to the winters in upper Michigan. One to two person size. Does anyone have a recommendation?

Thanks in advance”

“Geeze all this talk about winter tents.

Don't we talk about anything else here, oh I forgot the bacon rings.

Just kidding Triple. How much will you carry, cost (does it matter) yada yada yada.”

“Where in Michigan?”

“Bibler, either the I tent or El Dorado. BUT, check out rumors of Bibler using a new material and offering same quality product for much lower price in near future.

True 4 season, frestanding tents, great products from a company with a reputation of standing behind their stuff.”

“You could probably get away with any 3+ season tent from a variety of manufacturers. Eureka & Sierra Designs make some more affordable ones. TNF, Mountain Harware, Bibler, MSR, Marmot make some rather expensive ones, but all are good quality, especially bibler.

I have an old TNF Lenticular 3+ season tent. It has held up well in many conditions.

Basically, look for something freestanding, that is built to shed snow and wind, with limited mesh and good airflow, and a decent vestibule.

Good Luck!”

“Some good features include: lots of poles with more connection points to the fabric than summer tents, little mesh areas, a vestibule is nice, a fly that attaches that doesn't need outlying stakes, and is very taught when set up.”

“checkout gearfinder.com”

“Mountain Hardwear Trango.”

“Just to take a completely different approach...

A BD Megamid or a MH Kiva. They weight only 3.5/4.5 lbs, take high snow and wind loads, sleep 2/3 people and set up in a couple min. The fact that they don't have a floor is actually a plus in the snow...you can dig trenches to sit, cook, change your boots and even stand up in. Think of them as a snow cave with a tarp roof.”

“Integral Designs Tents are great tents and great for winter backpacking.”

“Steve, don't you lose insulation with that configuration?”

“Buddha Bear...
To be honest, I have never thought about....I have used them down to 20 below.

It's a little colder then a small double wall tent, but because it's like using a snow cave, I can leave all my clothes on until I crawl into my bag. I really like being able to come and go with out all the hassle of brushing off snow and worrying about my boots.”

“Get one of these, Kimosavee.”

“Could ya loan me $1,450?”

“that is awsome...I gotta git me one of them, for sure...”

“The guy that ran the PIT trip had something similar. He got it at a Forest Service auction for $20! It was cool, he was using a huge blowdown pine as the pole.”

“I have one , well it's the 8 persont actually. Thats my picture at the top of the page.

Heres Tamara with the stove going....

It's what we use for the New Years bash”

“For,$1450.00 I can take eleven women?”

“It is something like this”

“Dude, is that your company?”

“No...I have know Patrick for years though. Amy and I helped him test the first tents and stoves about 15 years ago.

He makes some neat stuff. He was the original "Mountainsmith", then he sold the company and started Kifaru.”

“Triple Shoot. First of all, welcome to TT. Since you're talking about camping in upper Mich, should I also assume you live in upper Mich? Lots of Michigan folks on this board, myself included.

I have done a bit of winter camping. Once, when the temps were down in the negative teens, I shared a 4-season. Every other time I have used one of two 3-season tents: the MegaMid and the Coleman Aries. Both have kept me plenty warm. I think the sleeping bag is more important than the tent when it comes to staying warm in the winter, IMO.”

“look into hilleberg tents too. they are top quality and light weight.”

“terrorbull, I am living in the south west side of lower Michigan. I went to school at Da Tech and get back up north as often as I can. I've winter camped before but have borrowed tents for it up to this point. I'm interested in doing more so I figured it's time to purchase my own. I'm a warm sleeper and have both down and fiber filled bags. I should be good in that area.

To all, thank you for the tips. I'll let you all know what I end up with.”

“Triple - We have another Tech grad on this board; Smiley Girl (her halloween handle is Smiley Ghoul... And, I usually go by tarabull). We're both in SE Mich. Keep your eyes open for MI trips. Would love to have you along. If you want, send me your email addy and I'll keep ya posted. We sometimes plan our smaller trips via email rather than on Trailtalk. Should be at least a couple winter hikes coming up.”

“Now THIS is the shelter for you, Triple Shot!!!”

“I love my Integral Designs MK1 XL.”

“I'd recomend a sears blue tarp. Simply roll ur self up in it like a borreto.”

“Anyone out there have any experience with a winter bivy? Bibler has a nice one that I'm thinking about trying. Are there cons that I should be aware of?

Thanks,
Triple”

“i have an integral designs unishelter bivy. it is nice that the pole keeps the hood/mesh off of your head. i had it in the rain the first time i took it out. stayed bone dry. didn't set up my tarp (5x8 siltarp) before i climbed in that night which pointed out the cons. if it is raining, you have to expose your bag and most of the contents to the rain if you haven't provided for that (a small tarp will provide the needed protection if you set it up). it is hard to change in it (not impossible, but hard).

the pros i experienced: light weight, small footprint, vented great, the bivy knocked the wind down better than any tent i have used.”

“Crazy Mike may have one of these. He may be willing to part with it now. Think he will be needing a 2 person tent.”

“Many people love them but would you like to wait out a freak storm in a bivy?

I like my Dana Designs Jana. I paid about $250 on sale.”

“I have a Mountain Hardware Night View. 4/3 season convertable...full rain fly and is freakin BOMB proof!!!. weathered a torneado in Florida on its maiden voyage. but in all actuality, TerrorBull speaks the truth, for most of the time a 3 season with good ventalation will be the best, the sleeping bag is what keeps you warm and cozy...a warm fuzzy dog or a nekkid woman, can help too. I go with the dog, cause nekkid women who backpack are hard to find where I live...but I keep hopin.

I did survive the Blizzard of Pa in Feb in my MH trilight tent...snowed 34" in one night and near burried me, but I was warm and dry on the inside...0 degree bag with a 40degree down liner. Suweeeet!!!”

“I think you are right about CM. I was out with him this past weekend and I think he's pretty whooped. Maybe they have a 2 person bivy on the market for him and Ms. CM”

“outdoor reasearch makes a double bivy.”

“If you live in the snow belt, consider one of these.

http://www.grandshelters.com/”

“i have a mountain hardwear muir trail that has been used one night that i will sell for $250 dollars. two person.”

“nice bivy baumee!”