My old Eureka Equinox 4 man tent is really starting to show some wear. It has served me well thru the years. I am thinking of buying a new 4 man tent for 2011. It must accomodate 4 large paddlers ( 3 are 6 ft tall and 1 is 5'11" with medium builds). Ventilation is a must as we usually make June/July trips to Quetico. I also prefer 2 doors and square configuration, setup simplicity, and rainproofness. We base camp and fish so weight is not as much of a concern but of course we are all +55 years old and keeping total weight below 11 lbs would be a plus. I have been looking at Big Agnes Pine Island, Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4, Marmot Halo4P, Kelty Palisade 4. Any ideas ? .... Happy Thanksgiving to all.

If you always plan on camping with 4, then you might want to consider the 6 man tent size since you have some big fellas there, unless you all like it real cozy. Probably would add about 6 or 7 more lbs. depending on brand.

Campmor has many of it's tents on sale. They have a very liberal return policy if the tent isn't what you wanted. Just set it up inside and give it a look.

I like Kelty Gunnison models, The two huge vestibules leaves the main body for just your bags and pads.

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wrote on Nov 24^th, 2010 at 3:02pm:

My old Eureka Equinox 4 man tent is really starting to show some wear. It has served me well thru the years. I am thinking of buying a new 4 man tent for 2011. It must accomodate 4 large paddlers ( 3 are 6 ft tall and 1 is 5'11" with medium builds). Ventilation is a must as we usually make June/July trips to Quetico. I also prefer 2 doors and square configuration, setup simplicity, and rainproofness. We base camp and fish so weight is not as much of a concern but of course we are all +55 years old and keeping total weight below 11 lbs would be a plus. I have been looking at Big Agnes Pine Island, Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4, Marmot Halo4P, Kelty Palisade 4. Any ideas ? .... Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Man I want to hang out with you guys. You fellas must rank up there with like the nicest guys on the planet. 4 guys in one 4 man tent? "OK....roll over on 3"  ;D.......  I'm almost to the point where its going to be straight solo sleeping and my tent is probably going to be a tad bit away from you, especially if you snore :(.
You guys are tight (pun intended) spring for one of these, you can all chip in.  8-) ;D
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I would go with two 4-man tents...

solotripper wrote on Nov 24^th, 2010 at 3:30pm:

...I like Kelty Gunnison models, The two huge vestibules leaves the main body for just your bags and pads....

I have the Kelty Gunnison 4 and I like it a LOT. I chose it because of the reasonable cost, aluminum poles and the full sized rain fly. But it is comfortable with 2, maybe 3 of us and we are are the smaller size...at least when it comes to height.  :)

I would compare the floor size of the Eureka Tundraline 3 to  what you have been using. I am 6 feet one inch and had no trouble sleeping sideways in a thunderstorm. Full fly, two doors, two large vestibules and very well made.

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I use a Lean 1+, room for 2 and gear. If you can break the traditional tent mindset they are great shelters, offering volume and lite weight! A Lean 3+ would fit 4 men and gear.

butthead

Thanks for the comebacks on my 4-man tent recommendation request.

Jimmar- probably right to get a 6 man but like the idea of 2 Gunnison 4's
Solotripper- Kelty's Gunnison looks to be a winner
Masterangler- your'e right...a 4 man tent can be a tight fit ... however
                   we have  had enough room in my Eureka Equinox ...
                   your MSR tent would work but 30lbs???
OldSalt- I like your idea of going to 2 two man or 3 man tents
Marten- will be taking a closer lokk at the Eureka Tundraline 3
Butthead- looked at the Cooke Lean to at Canoecopia last year...
              certainly a light weight alternative ...not sure about
              committing to a floorless tent

Actually, my suggestion was to go with two 4-man tents. I like the Eureka TL 4, plenty of room for two. Fits most tent pads.

Old Salt....thanks for the correction. I will take a close look at your recommendation.

I run a CCS (Cooke) lean shelter also....I add a "floor" with an additional tarp. While is not free standing it is a breeze to set up. It has been in use during heavy rains and we stayed dry....the sod cloth with an additional tarp (coated) has kept me and mine literally a float. The weight to space ratio is bar none. I am though thinking about adding some wing sides on both sides of the door. A big shelter...

Marlin55388- will have to look further into the Cooke Sewing Lean to set up. I see you can get a screen door added. I will have to convince my buddies that this type of tent  will stay "bug free" and "rain free". I like the light weight for its size.

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this might be of interest - on sale thru Dec 10th -  5 man tent, nice height and 13 lbs, and Mtn Hdwr tents get good reviews

Mad_Mat- Thanks, I do like Mountain Hardware quality. Looked on-line: 12 lbs 11 oz. nice weight for size. One drawback is that it is 12 ft 5 in. x 8 ft 1 in.  It would probably be a tad too wide @ 12 ft for tent pads in Quetico. Looks like a lot of good price deals to be had on tents during Christmas shopping  time.

Hey Wally,

Why not try two 3 man tents to cut down on the wight so you can bring more boose ;)
I don't care much for being poked with morning wood myself that's why I bring a three man for two guys :-?

Sweat dreams,

//Windsailor

Windsailor- good one!!! .... you are absolutely right. It's time to split up the ole gang. We have all been friends for 20+ years but a little bit of space for each other is in order.   Looks like I will have to start researching 3 man tents.     Any reccomendations?

Wally
I usually sleep outside under the tarp in a bug screen and sometimes with out, I do bring a "MRS Fling" for back up its very lite and good size for a two man.  It is single wall tent, I 've come to the conclusion that rain flies are over rated an add extra wieght.  I also have a Mountain Hardware Hammer Head 3 for colder trips, but that one is a little heavy for general use.

//Windsailor

Windsailor- not a bad way to go. Never considered going your route.