4 season shelter recommendations

[Superdeuce]

I drew a tag for a late season goat hunt. I know the Copper Spur I picked up off another member here is a great 3 season tent but won't cut it for this trip where it may definitely snow lots. Anyone running the 3 season Hillebergs as 4 season tents? It is going to be backpack and the 4 season Hillies are heavy.. but I guess that is the trade-off for bombproof. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[muleman]

Where is your hunt and how much snow do you anticipate?

 

[muleman]

I have a lot of nights in a Mountain Hardwear Trango 3.1. The Trango has two vestibules one of which is very large. I love everything about that tent except the weight. The 3.1 I have is heavier than current versions and I managed to us it as my only backpack tent when I was a poor newly married college student. I can't believe I used to lug it around, considering one of my current shelters is twice the size and sub 4 pounds.

I've also spent double digit nights in a 4 season TNF tent of my brother's. I don't recall the model name and it is discontinued. Space was tighter in the TNF and I don't think TNF's current quality is as good as it used to be.

I would have no problem recommending the Trango 3.1 based om my experiences with it.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Hilleberg Nallo 3 GT is a great choice IMO. The tent is bomb proof.

http://www.hilleberg.com/home/products/nallo/nallo3gt.php

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

If its late season i want a stove. So that means floorless shelter imo.

 

[Justin Crossley]

If its late season i want a stove. So that means floorless shelter imo.

On a goat hunt I was thinking he would be above tree line. If not, a floorless with a stove would work too. I haven't tried one before though with a stove.

I have used the Hilleberg a few times though and I really like it.

 

[Yellowknife]

Hilleberg Nallo 3 GT is a great choice IMO. The tent is bomb proof.

http://www.hilleberg.com/home/products/nallo/nallo3gt.php

While the Nallo 3 is certainly one of my all time favorite tents, I really hesitate to call it a true four season. More like 3+.

Basically the hoop structure isn't the best for snow loads. I've done it, but it was dry snow and we had to wake up and kick the snow off every few hours.

They make other hoop tents with stronger poles which would certainly be better, but their dome tents are going to be the ones that can really handle snow load.

Yk

 

[thru-hunter]

The Nalo is a great tent and is extremely durable when pitched into the wind. That said I know of several people that got stuck pitching in a less than ideal spot and wound up spending a miserable night wearing the tent like a bivi. Great tents but not "bomb-proof". I have one and love it but I know it's limitations.

 

[Ironman]

On a goat hunt I was thinking he would be above tree line. If not, a floorless with a stove would work too. I haven't tried one before though with a stove.

I have used the Hilleberg a few times though and I really like it.

Why not floor less above tree line?

Firewood for the stove?

 

[luke moffat]

While the Nallo 3 is certainly one of my all time favorite tents, I really hesitate to call it a true four season. More like 3+.

Basically the hoop structure isn't the best for snow loads. I've done it, but it was dry snow and we had to wake up and kick the snow off every few hours.

They make other hoop tents with stronger poles which would certainly be better, but their dome tents are going to be the ones that can really handle snow load.

Yk

Yep, that and winds at 90 degrees to the tunnel of a Nallo GT 3 bent a pole in the Kenai Mnts on my Nallo GT3 a few years ago. That didn't impress me much even though I really liked the tent. If I was going to go to Hilleberg for a 4 season tent it'd be freestanding and the Jannu would be my first choice! That said I will be using a Brooks Range Invasion this year when not going floorless. The weight is impressive, but we'll see how this single wall does with condensation. The design and pole layout seem bomber, but nothing like true testing in the field to see how it handles the wind. Though I'd rather report that we didn't see any wind...sometimes being a gear guinea pig isn't as illustrious as some people think.

 

[Becca]

...sometimes being Luke's gear guinea pig isn't as illustrious as some people think.

Indeed....I corrected your above statement for accuracy hon

 

[Yellowknife]

That said I will be using a Brooks Range Invasion this year when not going floorless. The weight is impressive, but we'll see how this single wall does with condensation. The design and pole layout seem bomber, but nothing like true testing in the field to see how it handles the wind. Though I'd rather report that we didn't see any wind...sometimes being a gear guinea pig isn't as illustrious as some people think.

ugg.. My experience with various single wall shelters does not inspire me to try stuffing two people into a single wall that small. You might consider packing the synthetic bags for that trip if you expect any wet weather at all.

sometimes being Luke's gear guinea pig isn't as illustrious as some people think.

You two have fun with that.

 

[luke moffat]

ugg.. My experience with various single wall shelters does not inspire me to try stuffing two people into a single wall that small. You might consider packing the synthetic bags for that trip if you expect any wet weather at all.




You two have fun with that.

HAHA yep really only would take it to Kodiak and thats a wiggy's bag endeavor anyways. And it'd be the "sleep" tent while the tipi would be the cook/hangout tent. The combined weight is still less than a Hilleberg Nallo 3 GT and a lot more options.

I know you have field tested more gear and seems some failures you'd like to forget about I'm sure as much time as you spend in the woods hunting and your work (which is still one of the coolest jobs around)

 

[Yellowknife]

Back to the original question. I've used my brothers TNF Mountain 25 a few times in winter conditions with good luck. I'd have no issues packing that if snow was in the forecast. Currently own a Trango 4, and while it's too heavy for backpacking, the Trango 2 would be doable and seems to be very popular with mountaineers up here.

Money no object, and lousy winter above tree line weather expected, I'd probably get a dome Hille and be happy. The only "lightweight" Hille I would consider would be the Kaitum, with it's extra pole in the middle. No actual experience with those tents though, so take that opinion for what it's worth. I also don't really know what your "late season" weather is like, so it all just kind of a guess on my part.

Yk

 

[Superdeuce]

If I was going to go to Hilleberg for a 4 season tent it'd be freestanding and the Jannu would be my first choice!

Was looking at the domes, why the Jannu over the twin vesti Allak? Thanks for the suggestions everyone. The area is east Kootenays, BC.
SD

 

[luke moffat]

For me it would be two reasons. First and more importantly for me is the larger sleeping area. The Jannu's tent area is nearly 20% larger which makes it nice if you are weathered in. Secondly would be weight. The difference between the two is about .75 pounds. You could bring along a Kifaru Paratarp or supertarp to store more gear and have a nice cooking area/bivy out tent for the same weight or slightly more than the Allak. Just gives you more options IMO that way. That way the vestibule doesn't really matter all that much. Just what I would do and still may end up purchasing if the Brooks Range Invasion turns out to be a rainforest inside

 

[Superdeuce]

The other one I wondered about is the Rogen. The Allak's new lighter 3 season twin.. Expect it is still pretty bomber, but not sure I like the large gap where the shell does not come all the way to the ground... could see that being problem.

 

[luke moffat]

If you are looking at 3 season options that opens up a whole 'nother world of tent options. But you stated you wanted a 4 season. The Allak and Jannu are light 4 season tents as it is according to Hilleberg themselves as they have the 1200 Kerlon and 9 mm poles. They are kinda a compromise between their heavier tents with the 1800 Kerlon with the 10mm poles and their new lightweight models like the Rogen have a lighter fly material but also 9mm poles. I'm sure as 3 season tents go its hell for stout as it is, but Hilleberg lists it as a 3 season not a 4. Its up to you obviously to choose if the extra weight with worth the extra security protection on the mountain.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Jeff Martin]

I am running the Atko. I have been in some nasty stuff with it and it is bob proof. Right at 3 lbs, i wouldn't trade for it.

 

[Superdeuce]

The lady at Hilleberg said if solo, go with the Atko. But for 2 guys, she said the Jannu has a lower profile so the more vertical wall of the Allak feels quite roomy and is actually preferred by taller guys (like over6 '2") to keep their feet from touching the wall. She did say the Jannu is more popular by mountaineering types and due to it's design is actually a stronger tent as well despite same materials. She also suggested the Rogen was not a good option for above treeline winter exposure. She suggested in the same class, the Kaitum2 with dual entries or the Namajt2 single entry but with the Kerlon1800 and 10mm poles might be a consideration as well.

Like Kifaru packs, so many great options make it tough to make a decision.