Three-season tents are your home away from home for trips that stay below the snowline.
Access and vestibules
Some three-season tents have two entrances and vestibules, which provides a comfortable living space and means you won’t trip over companions when entering or exiting; single-door tents may be lighter and some are a tunnel design.
Fly
Most tents are double-walled, meaning they have a separate inner and fly. A fly protects against wind and rain and is made from waterproofed and seam-sealed nylon or polyester, the latter having greater UV resistance. Those with vents are preferable for wet or humid conditions. Single-walled tents are still waterproof and are lighter.
Guy points
A tent may need strengthening with staked-out guy lines. Most flys will have anchor points for these but you may need to attach the lines yourself. Check they are supplied and purchase extra if needed.
Poles
Poles provide the tent’s structure and wind resistance; a tunnel configuration is generally strongest. Check how well the poles support the tent fabric, how many there are and their thickness. These attributes affect the weight and strength of the tent.
Internal space
Check ceiling height, vestibule and floor area and, for tall people, the length of the inner tent. Steep side walls make life less cramped but can make the tent vulnerable in strong winds.
Organisation
Pockets inside the tent help you to organise your belongings. Some tents also have tabs to install a washing line or a gear loft.
Pegs
Aluminium pegs are usually supplied, and extras may be needed for guy lines and anchor points. Pegs are available in different styles including for snow or sand.
Inner
A mesh inner gives a bright and cool space inside. The more mesh there is, however, the less weather- and dust-proof the inner will be.
Floor
A waterproof tub-style floor is standard, but there is great variance in waterproof ratings – from 1200mm to 25,000mm. The lightest floors should be used with a ‘footprint’, or groundsheet, to provide protection from abrasion and punctures. Thin floors are lighter but prone to condensation.
Pitching
Most three-season tents are freestanding, meaning once the poles are fixed, the tent supports itself and holds its shape. This is useful where pegs can’t be used, such as pitching the inner only inside a shelter. Multi-pitch tents allow the inner or fly to be pitched alone.
Weight
The ‘packed weight’ of the tent includes everything that comes with it. Manufacturers may list a ‘minimum’ or ‘trail’ weight, which includes only the tent, fly and poles.
One, two or three-person?
The number of people accommodated is shown by the number at the end of the tent’s name, e.g. MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2 is a two-person tent. Most brands have a single, two-person and three-person version of the same tent.
Hilleberg Akto 1 $1352
A versatile, all-condition tent that can be pitched inner only or fly and inner simultaneously. Square ends provide extra space for taller users and the fly extends to the ground for maximum coverage. There’s a mesh-backed door, foot-end vent, above-door vent and pre-fixed guy lines. Fly Kerlon 1200, 5000mm Floor Nylon, 15,000mm Inner Nylon windstop Poles 1, 9mm Ceiling height 93cm Area 1.7m2, 0.8m2 vestibule Weight 1700g.
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Hyperbead $1499.99
Big Agnes’s most popular freestanding tent now uses Hyperbead fabric for water-resistance and durability. It has a TipLok Tent Buckle to attach fly, pole and stake-out loop, dual vestibules with awning-style doors supported by hiking poles, ceiling and side pockets and high-low venting. Fly Double ripstop nylon, 1200mm Inner Polyester, mesh Floor Double ripstop nylon, 1200mm Area 2.7m2 + 3.32m2 vestibule Ceiling height 102cm Poles 3 Weight 1180g (min), 1370g (packed).
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Hyperbead $1399.99
This minimalist tent now uses Hyperbead fabric for durability and weather resistance. It has two doors and vestibules, TipLok Tent Buckle to attach fly, pole and stake-out loop, 3D ceiling pocket, high-low venting. Fly Nylon ripstop, 1200mm Floor Nylon ripstop, 1200mm Inner Ripstop polyester mesh Poles DAC Featherlite NFL hub pole Ceiling height 99cm Area 2.6m2 + 2.80m2 vestibule Weight 992g (min), 1130g (packed).
Kiwi Ultralight Moa 1 DCF $1395
An ultralight, multi-pitch tent that sets up using hiking poles. The DCF fly fabric doesn’t tear, absorb water or sag when wet. It has two doors and vestibules, organisation pockets and an adjustable pitch height for greater ventilation or weather protection. Fly DCF, 15,000mm Inner Noseeum mesh Floor 15D ripstop nylon, 3000mm Poles 0 Ceiling height 110cm Area 2m2 + 1.70m2 vestibule Weight 625g (min), 722g (packed).
Salewa Puez 2 $1299.90
This freestanding, multi-pitch, semi-geodesic tent offers sturdy and stable shelter for medium-altitude alpine trekking. It has a quick-pitch system, single front entry, one vestibule and rear vents. The compression stuff sack doubles as a gear loft. Fly 20D nylon ripstop, 3000mm Inner 20D recycled nylon, mesh Floor 40D recycled ripstop nylon, 3000mm Poles 6, aluminium Air Light Ceiling height 100cm Area 2.54m2, 0.63m2 vestibule Weight 2150g (min), 2390g (packed).
MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2 $1249
The latest version of MSR’s best-selling freestanding tent has a light and airy interior, two doors and vestibules, metal corner hardware, a roll-top stuff sack and upgraded fly vents. Pre-dyed fabrics reduce carbon footprint. Fly 20D ripstop nylon, 1200mm Inner 20D polyester micromesh, 20D ripstop nylon Floor 20D ripstop nylon, 1800mm Poles 1, DAC NFL 9.3mm Ceiling height 102cm Area 2.95m2, 2 x 1.48m2 vestibules Weight 1360g (min), 1540g (packed).
Mont Dragonfly from $1199.95
A three-to-four-season two-person tent with versatile ventilation, a seam-sealed waterproof fly and tub floor, symmetrical design with fly attachment at either end, two entrances and vestibules, full-width wall pockets, roof pockets and carabiner ceiling clips. Fly 30D ripstop nylon, 2000mm Inner 20D ripstop nylon, mesh Floor 70D nylon, 25,000mm Poles 3, DAC 9.6mm Ceiling height 110cm Area 3.08m2 + vestibules Weight 1485g.
Salewa Litetrek II Camo $1099.99
A self-supporting double-walled tent for lightweight alpine trekking in milder months. It has a camo flysheet, a ventilation panel and mesh door, and can be pitched without pegs or guys. Fly 75D polyester ripstop, 3000mm Inner 70D ripstop nylon, mesh entrance Floor PU-coated 5000mm Area 3m2 + 2m2 vestibule Ceiling height 100cm Poles 3 Weight 2700g (min), 2980g (packed).
Sea to Summit Telos TR2 Plus $1199.99
A freestanding tent with full fabric inner for use to the end of the shoulder seasons. It has a 30cm tub floor, near-vertical walls, Apex and Baseline vents, a FairShare storage system to share the load, two doors and vestibules, and the stuff sacks double as pockets and a lampshade. Fly 15D nylon ripstop, 1200mm Inner 20D nylon ripstop Floor 30D nylon ripstop, 4000mm Ceiling height 105cm Area 2.62m2 + 3.6m2 vestibule Poles 1 x DAC Featherlite NSL 8.5mm Weight 1531g (min), 1700g (packed).
Nemo Dagger OSMO 2 $1099.95
A light and roomy tent using bluesign-approved OSMO poly-nylon fabric made from recycled yarns. There are two large doors and vestibules, nightlight pockets, Divvy Cube stuff sack (allows splitting the weight between companions), waterproof storage tub and lifetime warranty. Fly 0D OSMO Ripstop, 2000mm Inner Ripstop nylon, mesh Floor 0D OSMO Ripstop, 2000mm Poles DAC Featherlite NSL Ceiling height 106cm Area 2.9m2, 2 x 1.1m2 vestibules Weight 1520 (min), 1860g (packed).
Mont Moondance 2 $1049.95
A multi-pitch tent with a 25,000mm-rated floor for performance in the harshest weather. Easy pitching with poles and fly attached at either end. There are dual entrances and vestibules and an internal-access roof vent. Fly 20D ripstop nylon, 2000mm Inner 20D ripstop nylon, mesh Floor 40D nylon, 25,000mm Poles 2, DAC Featherlite NSL 9.6mm Ceiling height 110cm Area 2.86m2, 2 x 1.22m2 vestibules Weight 2010g.
ONE PLANET Goondie 2 Mesh $939
ONE PLANET’s best-selling three-season tent is durable with a single-piece bathtub floor, and balances airflow with micromesh walls and wind resistance with a lower band of nylon. It has two doors and vestibules, a fully seam-sealed fly with air vents, a gear loft and clothes-line loops and cross-over pole design. Fly 30D polyester, 1500mm Inner Micromesh, 15D nylon Floor 70D nylon, 20,000+mm Ceiling height 98cm Area 2.53m2, 2 x 1.96m2 vestibules Poles 3, DAC Featherlite 9.6mm Weight 1795g (trail), 1940g (packed).
MSR FreeLite 1 $949.99
An ultralight semi-freestanding tent for solo trampers. It has a true rectangular bathtub floor, no-curve tent door for ease of use, gear loft pockets and a single door and vestibule. Fly 15D ripstop nylon 1200mm Inner 10D polyester micromesh Floor 15D ripstop nylon, 12000mm Poles 2 Ceiling height 100cm Area 1.85m2, 0.74m2 vestibule Weight 740g (min), 890g (packed)
MSR Elixir 3 $939.99
A basecamp or tramping tent for those wanting extra room. It offers durability, space to accommodate wide sleeping pads, and has colour-coded poles, multiple pockets, no-curve doors for ease of use and an included footprint. Fly 75D ripstop polyester 1500mm Inner 20D nylon micromesh, 40D ripstop polyester Floor 75D taffeta polyester, 3000mm Poles 2 Ceiling height 109cm Area 3.79m2 + 1.41m2 vestibule Weight 2750g (min), 3420g (packed).
Mont Moondance 1FN $919.95
This freestanding, multi-pitch tent has a waterproof internal space for clothes, pack and accessories via a triangular expansion opposite the doorway. It has steep side walls, a seam-sealed tub floor, symmetrical design and internal-access roof vent. Fly 20D ripstop nylon, 2000mm Inner 20D ripstop nylon, mesh Floor 40D nylon, 25,000mm Poles 2, DAC Featherlite NSL 9mm Ceiling height 100cm Area 2.31m2 + 0.71m2 Weight 1485g.
Marmot Limelight 2P $799
A freestanding tent with pre-bent poles formaximum internal space without adding weight. It has extra-wide D-shaped doors for easy access, dual vestibules, a seam-taped bathtub floor, a laundry line, multiple interior pockets including a lampshade pocket. Footprint included (250g). Fly Polyester ripstop, 1200mm Inner Polyester ripstop, mesh Floor Polyester taffeta, 2000mm Poles 2 Ceiling height 109cm Area 3.2m2 + 0.80m2 vestibule Weight 2250g (min), 2682g (packed).
Mont Hypermid 2 Ultralight Pyramid Shelter $589.95 + Two-Person Mesh Inner $359.95
Use as a versatile lightweight tarp-style shelter pitched with a hiking pole, or pair with the two-person mesh inner (one-person option available) to create a tent. There are internally accessed roof vents for airflow, four guy cords and eight pegs. Optional carbon fibre pole sold separately. Fly 20D nylon ripstop, 2000mm Inner No See-um mesh Floor 40D WaterBloc 25,000mm+ Poles 0 Ceiling height 132cm Area 3.16m2 (two-person inner) Weight 639g + 618g (min), 683g + 631g (packed).
The North Face Stormbreak 2 $500
An easily pitched, large doored tent with twin zip vestibules (for multiple configurations), mesh pockets, high-low ventilation, and a full seam-taped fly and floor. Fly 75D polyester, 1200mm Inner 75D polyester taffeta and mesh Floor 68D polyester, 3000mm Area 2.84m2 + 1.82m2 vestibules Ceiling height 109cm Poles 4, 9.5 mm aluminium Weight 2410 (min) 2670g (packed).
Orson Jett 1 $499.99
This lightweight tunnel tent is quick to pitch (fly and inner can be pitched together) and is stable in high winds. It’s 220cm long with near-vertical ends, a large side entry and generous vestibule. Seams are fully taped, and there are multiple vents for airflow. Fly 20D Silnylon, 3000mm Inner 15D nylon micromesh, 20D ripstop nylon Floor 40D ripstop Silnylon, 5000mm Poles 3, 8.5mm aluminium Ceiling height 97cm Area 1.84m2, 0.88m2 vestibule Weight 1380g.
Orson Indie Pro 1 $429.99
An ultralight, multi-pitch
hiking pole tent. Fly and inner can be pitched simultaneously, it is fully seam sealed and has easy in/out with an inverted ‘T’ inner door. Extra wall tie-outs raise wall heights at head and foot, high-low venting, nine stakes included. Fly 20D Silnylon, 3000mm Inner 20D nylon mesh Floor 40D ripstop Silnylon, 5000mm Poles 0 Ceiling height 105cm Area 2.1m² + 0.88m² vestibule Weight 1050g (packed), 964g (min).
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