Recommendations on under the radar 4 season tents

[UA_Blake]

So like a lot of us I listened to Matt Rinella’s latest rant and I won’t get into what I agree or disagree with on all points. However, it did me make have some self reflection on my gear choices. With that in mind I’m in the market for a four season tent and I am interested in trying something that may be flying under the radar (not a sponsor to the popular influencers). Looking for something similar to a Kuiu Storm Star with the easy set up. Anybody have a recommendation I may not have heard of?

 

[Htm84]

I don’t have any real world experience with them. But I’ve been looking at slingfin tents. Stone glacier uses their designs.

 

[UA_Blake]

I don’t have any real world experience with them. But I’ve been looking at slingfin tents. Stone glacier uses their designs.

Interesting…didn’t realize Stone Glacier was literally using someone else’s tent and rebranding it

 

[Gettincloser]

Not sure if you would call them popular or not but I have been looking at getting another tarptent. I had the double rainbow but traided it for a floorless shelter. Now they have a Stratospire 1 tent that can be setup floorless with just the rainfly or as a true double wall tent. They also have a 2 man version but the 1 man is what excites me. Specifically because it can get small! They ca. Tension the vestibule flat so it can squeeze into a smaller footpri t if needed or it can be spread out to generate more internal space!

 

[*zap*]

I have a few rei tents and they all have worked well and lasted the test of time.

The arete asl 2 that I have is very close to being a 4 season.....I guess it would depend on the area you use it in.

 

[zacattack]

I have a mountain laurel designs duomid. They are very reasonably priced, but I think the wait times for a new one are atrocious.

 

[UA_Blake]

I have a few rei tents and they all have worked well and lasted the test of time.

The arete asl 2 that I have is very close to being a 4 season.....I guess it would depend on the area you use it in.

Have you used this tent in the snow? I ran into an issue with my current tent under snow conditions which is why I’m in the market for a four season now.

 

[*zap*]

It was fine under snow load....and it has good vents on top for condensation which can be zipped up from inside...very stable in wind and under snow. Sometimes I use an msr gear shed for the vestibule and I was going to look at it this season to see about adding a stove jack to the gear shed.....

This is the model that I have it is first gen:

 

[Pierrebuiltknives]

LiteFighter 2 Two Person Tent – LiteFighter Gear

litefighter.com

I had a eureka Summit XT from back back in the day like 27 years ago. It is still bomb proof cept for the waterproffing is flaking.
The MSR hubba hubba is another 3 season tent I own that is bomb proof.
If I get another 4 season tent I will be buying this with the winter setup. USA made. Berry complient.

LiteFighter 2 Two Person Tent – LiteFighter Gear

litefighter.com

 

[doverpack12]

Just consider what you really need the tent for. If you really need 4 season protection those are dangerous conditions and I would not be buying a less known or off brand. If 3 season protection will due that is much less dangerous conditions and less known brands would be fine for me.
I have an rei that has been great, however this year in very high winds it actually filled up with dirt and then the wind collapsed as well. Luckily I had a vehicle to crawl into, took months to get all the dirt out of everything that was in the tent.

To me 4 season is high wind, blowing snow or rain, potential high snow load and cold. Conditions you need dry shelter in or you will be in trouble.

 

[UA_Blake]

Just consider what you really need the tent for. If you really need 4 season protection those are dangerous conditions and I would not be buying a less known or off brand. If 3 season protection will due that is much less dangerous conditions and less known brands would be fine for me.
I have an rei that has been great, however this year in very high winds it actually filled up with dirt and then the wind collapsed as well. Luckily I had a vehicle to crawl into, took months to get all the dirt out of everything that was in the tent.

To me 4 season is high wind, blowing snow or rain, potential high snow load and cold. Conditions you need dry shelter in or you will be in trouble.

It’s a great point, I guess to me I wasn’t equating “under the radar” with cheap necessarily. Just something that might not be getting a lot of attention from influencers or ads

 

[*zap*]

REI rates the arete asl as 3-4 season...I do not think wind would be an issue with one if it is set up right.

 

[sneaky]

There's a reason you keep seeing certain tents mentioned for true 4 season use, and it isn't because of influencers. It's because they work. Exped makes some good 4 season tents, Terra Nova out of the UK does as well. Hilles will always be the gold standard. Fjallraven makes their versions of Hille designs.

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[*zap*]

I have an msr gear shed that I can use with all my floored tents....side or front entrance. Going to set it up today or tom and see about putting a stove jack in it so I can use my so medium stove with any tent I want to....should be interesting. I guess I will try to hand sew it in...

 

[Mansfield Outdoors]

I highly recommend Tentipi's Olivin 2 as one of the absolute best true 4-season backpacking tents available globally. It can be lightened up by removing the inner-tent if desired. But when you want the full 4-season capability, the inner-tent with sewn-in bathtub floor is hard to beat. Available in either double silicone coated ripstop, or in a breathable, condensation free lightweight cotton/poly canvas.

Please don't hesitate to call us directly with any questions or concerns - 425-501-7512

 

[Broadjumper]

I snow camp a bit in OZ high country and a tent can mean life or death. I use a saivo or nammatj 3gt and have never had a drama. If your not useing a pulk or similar you will need to split the weight. Both are heavy but I have used both in shocking winds and white outs and they have been flawless. Some friends have used the WE Space 2 winter jobs with a lot of praise for them. Any quality 4 season tent that can withstand high winds, but most are heavy to pack one out so you have to compromise I guess or share the load. Helsport make some great tents similar the H/bergs.

 

[bracer40]

Here’s a good review on 4 season tents:

The 6 Best 4-Season Tents of 2025

We tested 14 of the top 4-season tents from The North Face, MSR, Hilleberg, Mountain Hardwear, and more to find the best shelters for your all-season needs

www.outdoorgearlab.com

 

[sneaky]

Big Sky Chinook is the tent the Storm Star from Kuiu is modeled after. That's another one that doesn't get a lot of mainstream press

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