Snow tent on the cheap

[motas]

Hey guys,

Going to be camping in the snow in a few weeks on a ski trip for the first time and unfortunately my canvas tent is gonna be about 1000 times too heavy. So I am looking for recommendations on a budget 4 season tent.

I do limited hiking and skiing and stuff but would like to be able to do it and do plan to do a bit more in the future. Mostly gonna be 1 or 2 nights doubt ill do much more. So it doesn't need to be ultra light, ultra fancy or high tech. But it will need to be robust, quality and big enough for 2 people (can be pretty cosy). I only want one tent to take on all hikes so needs to be suitable for 4 seasons in Australia. Up to about 30c down to maybe 10c. I am looking to purchase now and my parents are in CA so will post one to me. So I'd especially like to hear if you know of one on sale or even second hand would be fine. Had a look on craigslists but its a bit of a struggle to find second hand gear from overseas.

Thanks for any help!

 

[K2ZJ]

Did you mean -10c? 10c is not that cold to require a 4 season tent.

 

[motas]

Yes thanks!

 

[NatersXJ6]

Don't need much

Ive done lots of winter snowshoe backpacking in my Eureka Backcountry model. almost 20 years old now and I still use it occasionally. It did well / fine in subzero temps, and didn't even have vestibules. A full coverage fly, aluminum poles, and easy to set up in gloves is all you really need.

Seriously, take gloves to a store and try to set up the tent with them on!

 

[Big mike]

Great advice on the gloves....I unfortunately learned that trick the old fashioned way....trial and ERROR .
Mike

 

[motas]

Stores here are really expensive (even considering the terrible exchange rate) so I am looking to buy something online. I know support local and everything but I'm on a uni student budget which really doesn't allow much choice. So doesn't really leave much chance to try it out and have a good physical look.

I also have next to no knowledge on nylon tents, or hiking gear in general. All our tents and swags are canvas so no flies, alu poles or vestibles so I really don't know what I am looking at.

So could anyone recommend me some specific tents to check out?

Thanks for the help!

 

[LilPoppa]

http://www.mec.ca/product/5036-338/msr-fury-tent/?bc=50130/50055+50130/50130+50858/50130+50858+50828

I have a friend who has this one and loves it. Check out other tents on this website. Canada's dollar is really low right (at least compared to USD), so you may be able to save some money that way.

 

[NatersXJ6]

CA?

Are your parents in CA California or CA Canada?

Walking into any REI store, pretty easy to find in California, can net a decent 4 season mid budget tent. Usually in stock and reasonably priced...

You can check out their website too.

 

[CaliMobber]

Thinking on the cheap, this tent might work. Its not as warm as a solid wall but -10 on the low end isnt that cold so if you have a decent bag and some thermals it should be perfect 2.9lbs

http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-Solita...on&refinements=p_n_size_browse-bin:2204488011



A few reviewers on this page say it works well in the cold, one guy used it in -18c. just gotta go easy on the cheap fiberglass poles

http://www.trailspace.com/gear/eureka/solitaire/

I guess the Canadian version of the eureka has aluminum poles? maybe the aussie one does as well. just food for thought.

 

[PlacidWaters]

First, let's define summer and winter tents. Summer tent: usually has mesh on the inner tent for ventilation. Winter tent: the inner tent has solid walls (no mesh) and the poles are stronger to support a snow load.

For 30c you do NOT want a winter tent. Without mesh the heat really builds up. For 30c you want as much mesh as possible.

It is much easier to stay warm in the winter (by using the right sleeping bag and mattress) than to stay cool in the summer. BUT: If it's actually going to snow any significant amount, you do need a winter tent. You don't want the tent to cave in and smother you.

If you have a good sleeping bag and insulated mattress, a mesh tent is fine at 10C. I very often sleep at zero degrees (C) in a mesh tent and don't mind it a bit. In fact I slept outside at -16C with no tent at all as an experiment (with two down sleeping bags) and had no problem. At zero degrees the temperature inside the tent is going to be about 5 degrees warmer than the outside temperature whether you have a mesh tent or a tent with solid walls---the type of tent makes little or no difference. The fly provides some warmth. But it's not the tent that keeps you warm; it's your sleeping bag and mattress.

If it's not going to snow much, here are my two favorite cheap tents:

1) Kelty Trail Ridge 2 or 3: 2nd and 3rd photos below. $US154 for the 2-person or $200 for the 3-person. https://www.backcountryedge.com/ind...eMYYOxqhrJfpBObjpmzyaggSR2ytiaV3rkaAj4X8P8HAQ

Craigslist $120: http://boulder.craigslist.org/spo/5100604976.html

2) Alps Mountaineering Zephyr 2 or 3: first photo below. $140 for the two-person. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/al...=PCGOOGLES5&currency=USD&codes-processed=true

The Trail Ridge is a better tent (more spacious, stronger frame). The weight, quality, and price are all reasonable. Decent tents don't get much cheaper than this.

Two people will be a lot more comfortable in a three-person tent. With a 3P you get quite a bit more space for just a bit more weight; it's worth the extra weight.

If you will please clarify whether your parents are in California or Canada, will will advise you on where to buy one of these tents.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Here is a comparision of two 4 season tents. I own the older version of the FURY, used to be a company called Moss.
http://www.rei.com/product/810195/msr-fury-2-tent
http://www.rei.com/product/795544/the-north-face-mountain-25-tent
These are true 4 season tents. I've used mine for 25 yrs and it will still not even ripple in a 50 mph wind, and it doesn't leak.

Don't get a cheap tent, look for a tent that the fly protects the sides of the bottom wall, and comes out far enough to offer a decent gap and
has rigidity in its structure.
REI also has Big Agnes tents, I've looked seriously at a couple of them for 3 season use and they are still going to run you $275-$350 USD.
Buying in the US is going to hurt you.
Have you tried Amazon US? Might find something brand name for less there.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p...+tents&ie=UTF8&qid=1439152437&rnid=2204487011

The Big Agnes Jack Rabbit SL2 is a two person 4 season tent. For $300 you probably would be hard to beat this tent for dollar and quality.