BACKPACKING TENTS_3 OR 4 SEASON

“TRYING TO DECIDE TO GET A 3 OR 4 SEASON TENT? 2 PERSON SIZE? I KNOW THE 4 SEASON IS HEAVIER THAN 3 SEASON BUT SINCE I'LL BE USING IT IN MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA/TENNESSEE WILL A 3 SEASON WORK MOST OF THE TIMES EVEN WITH COLDER TEMPS? I'M NOT SURE WHAT CONDITIONS JUSTIFIES HAVING A 4 SEASON TENT?
THANKS,
WNCMAN”

“Do you camp in the snow?

A tent isn't going to be warm no matter what kind you get.”

“main decision here is whether you will be camping while more than about 6 inches of snow is falling on your tent - if yes start thinking about 4 season if your three season tent does not shed snow easily - in other words how well your tent stands up to snow load is the main question.”

“Snow loads and winds are what make a 4 season worth the weight. A 3 season will have more mesh while a 4 season will have less mesh or mesh that closers off and more poles.
My 4 season SD Tiros 2 old but strong is hotter than heck in the summer but with 2 people inside in the winter with a candle burning it is pretty cozy. I've been in it in the 20's in long underwear.

Now I usually use a Bivy on the ground in the winter, I never have been snowed on heavily while inside it. I am guessing that might be fun. I do carry my tarp to give me a wind break and I hope rigged right it would shed some snow.
last edited: 9/29/06 3:09:38 PM”

“Since I will be selling a 4 season tent on eBay within the next few days, I'd have to say: DEFINATELY A FOUR SEASON TENT.”

“... I judge everything by it's cold weather performance. There are, however, other reasons for buying a 4 season tent, mainly ruggedness.

I bought a Eureka! Sentinal 4 person expedition tent in 1988. I planned to use it to initiate my kids to the joys of the out of doors and wanted a tent that could stand up to kids and be useful in the long term.

The kids are grown up and out of the nest, but the tent is still going strong almost twenty years later. Two years ago I bought a Eureka! Mountain Pass 2XT and love it.

No matter how you look at it a 4 season tent will protect you better in bad weather and outlast a 3 season tent with hard use.

On the other hand condensation might prove to be a problem in the warm and humid North Carolina summers. I've found that venting (if it's not pouring rain pretty much takes care of it.

Good luck and have fun.

Doug”

“GREAT POINTS GREMLIN & OTHERS, BECAUSE I DO HAVE 2 BOYS AND THEY CAN BE ROUGH. DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT THE SIERRA DESIGNS TENTS THAT ARE 3/4 SEASON? THEY SAY 3 SEASON WITHOUT THE FLY, BUT CAN BE A 4 SEASON WITH THE FLY?”

“how bout a three season and a tarp?...use it with out the tarp most of the year and then if you expect big snow drag the tarp along and pitch in an A frame over the tent to shed the snow...it would only add about a pound, pound and a half to your weight

oops, i guess lthiker beat me to it...i guess i should read before i post LOL
last edited: 9/29/06 3:50:31 PM”

“There are also "convertable tents" out there, I think sierra designs and marmot have some. 3 and 4 season dependingon what you bring, mostly ventilation controls you can leave behind.”

“I've been using my Sierra Design Meteor Light (Soloing)for the past 16 Yrs, in the N. Ga, E. TN and W. NC mountains, I prefer camping in winter and I've never had a problem, though it will be drafty on a windy night it seems to shed snow quite well (with wet heavy snow, you may want to periodically shake the rainfly to shed some weight), but the most i've seen is about 5-6 inches and was quite toasty once the sides cover up with snow. I usually bring an overrated sleeping bag to compensate for the draft. My four season (Kelty Mountan Hut Expedition)is usually too bulky (the fly is huge, I do have a 3 season fly for it also, though still bulky)for one to carry, so I use that for extended trips at elevation and split the bulk between two.”

“Golite makes a teepee type tent thats very light and sheds wind and snow well. The floor is optional

http://www.golite.com/products/NS_proddetail.asp?number=SH6106”

“DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE CAPS LOCK KEY DOES ??

Caps is considered shouting, normally people use lower case for posting.

New Jrsey is furthur north and I have happily used a 3 season in the NY Adirondacks and Catskills in winter and in the NH Whites in winter. The SD 3 season tents have also performed well in those conditions.

Snow load has to be considerable, and winds too to make the additional weight worth the tote.
If you plan on winter trips to Colorado or the NH Whites pretty frequently it may be worth the 4 season.”