3 vs 4 season

[Buffalo0922]

probably a really dumb question : What is the difference between 3 season and 4 season when it comes to backpacking tents/tarps

Going on first backpack elk hunt in northern CO in early NOV. Was planning on using a SG SkyAir ULT (with vestibule) for shelter and nemo sonic 0 bag with insulated pad...

Weather could dip into the high teens at night, snow is always possible but generally don't get huge amounts. I am very familiar with the area I will be hunting, just have never hunted it or slept outside with backpacking type equipment.

Is this setup completely unreasonable for the season?

Thanks for any input

 

[PathFinder]

It's a general guideline more than anything. I use my Paratarp on lion hunts in the winter so you can get by with anything that keeps the moisture and wind off. That's not a suggestion, just a demonstration that anything can get you by.
As a general rule, a 4 season shelter is going to be dual solid walls. Meaning two layers of silnylon/etc, rather than one of mesh and one of silnylon. Also going to have more guy outs and a stronger frame to handle wind and snow loads. The purpose for which such shelters were initially designed was extreme mountaineering trips (Everest, K2, etc). I think for hunters they fill their niche best above timberline late season on sheep hunts, etc.
Hot tents are probably the ideal thing going for hunts below timberline. Generally, with a stove they weigh about the same as a 4 season tent. It gives you a way to dry gear, warm up, and spend time comfortably when it's dark for more hours of the day.

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[PathFinder]

To address the shelter you're asking about, you won't die, and you'll sleep comfortably. It's a pretty similar shelter to the Paratarp though, and that means it's good to sleep in and that's it. Remember it's dark for long periods, and if the weather sucks you're going to be laying down in there a lot. If that doesn't bother you, it'll be fine. Depends on the duration of the trip.

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[Buffalo0922]

To address the shelter you're asking about, you won't die, and you'll sleep comfortably. It's a pretty similar shelter to the Paratarp though, and that means it's good to sleep in and that's it. Remember it's dark for long periods, and if the weather sucks you're going to be laying down in there a lot. If that doesn't bother you, it'll be fine. Depends on the duration of the trip.

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Thanks for the input. I definitely overlooked some of the things you mentioned, like being stuck in it...

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[5MilesBack]

Weather could dip into the high teens at night, snow is always possible but generally don't get huge amounts.

We've had lows in the 20's in the past two weeks in the high country. In Nov I would say high teens for lows would be best case scenario from my Nov hunting experience. Below zero and pushing snow with the bumper in the truck was always more common.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I think another attribute is the ability to handle a snow load. Thin fiberglass tent poles could break if snow or ice built up and weighed the tent down.

I have one 4-season tent (Alaskan Guide), and I’d say the poles are at least double the diameter of my similarly sized 3-season sent. There is also 6 of them (I think) instead of the 2-3 you see in most 3-season tents.

 

[Buffalo0922]

We've had lows in the 20's in the past two weeks in the high country. In Nov I would say high teens for lows would be best case scenario from my Nov hunting experience. Below zero and pushing snow with the bumper in the truck was always more common.

Ouch - If this ends up being the case my plan will have to change. I have a Kodiak tent with stove I will have to set up more as a base camp.

I was hoping to stay a little more mobile

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[tttoadman]

I have spent my time with broken tents and small tents in the snow. I love my six moons lunar solo for its size and weight, but not fun if you are stuck in bad weather. For late season, I now pack a silvertip with a helinox ground chair. I can sit in there and dress and eat. Not really much weight penalty because it is floorless. Everything sags with snow on it, if your shelter is just big enough under normal conditions, with snow you will have your cold wet tent wall sitting on your feet and your head.