3 Man Gear Configuration

[luke moffat]

Even without the nest I fill the SL-5 would be tight for 3 guys and all their gear on a 7-10 day hunt...especially if the weather was sub par. A small paratipi or the ilk would be a great option to have to store gear/packs and what not and leave the SL-5 for hanging out and sleeping in. The extra 12 oz of the tarp would keep your gear dry without having it be in the tent with you. Also allows you to have a bivy shelter in the case that you need to spike out away from camp for some reason.

That said I've slept 4 people in my SL-5 a number of times, but generally the weather was good and we left our packs outside. So bringing just the SL-5 "could" work but I think having a lightweight auxiliary shelter for gear would pay huge dividends in the end.

 

[Travis1984]

We slept three guys in an sl5 and left the gear under a hexamid outside. I'm sure it can be done with guys and gear, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it. But that's me, you will find a host of opinions here with degrees of rightness for your style.

 

[fire652]

I am new to western hunting, but my group (3-5 men - 5'7 - 62" - 160 - 225lbs for reference) does a lot of hiking and fishing. We use a seek outside 8 man tipi and the x-large stove (seldom use fishing which creates even more space in the center). two of us carry jetboils as well for the simple fact they are easy to use and make using freeze dried meals easy. Comes out right around 4 lbs per person (3 guys) when you split the gear up. This set up fits all of our packs, fishing gear, and we still have room to lounge if needed.

 

[JNDEER]

I usually hunt with 2 other guys. The most we have done was 6 days all CA hunting for deer. We use to do two 2 man tents and that worked out fine, but was a little heavier.
We now use the BA fly creek UL4. It is lighter and fits all 3 of us just fine. With either of these options you would have to get a tarp set up to keep your gear under as there is not enough room to comfortably store it all.

We have always just used a pocket rocket. Took turns boiling water for meals and that has worked fine for us. I suppose you could get a larger pot to boil enough water for two meals and that would be good for coffee or breakfast in the morning if you need it.