Solo and a 3 person Tent?

Jakerex

WKR
Joined
Aug 29, 2020
Messages
716
The past few years I used a big Agnes fly creek 2 tent and absolutely hated the front entrance. Looking for a change, I decided to find a big Agnes tiger wall UL2 for my new tent because it’s pretty light, has four walls and a floor, is self standing, and has side entrances including two vestibules.

So, my eBay tent came along today and I just bought it…..but it wasn’t exactly what I had in mind (bought it anyway). I bought a big Agnes tiger wall UL3. It was a very good price and in the short amount of time I had to make the decision, I thought “well chit, for the little extra weight (it’s 2lb 15oz with everything, compared to the 2 person tiger wall that is 2lb 5oz), why not have a larger tent to put stuff inside it, have more room to spread out, have larger vestibule areas, etc.

Now I’m second guessing my purchase. Is it dumb to have a 3 person tent for solo hunting / camping? Any downsides besides a little extra weight? I don’t do winter camping other than second season CO (yeah I know that could be winter), but do do camping throughout the rest of the year.

Hopefully some day my daughter comes hunting and camping with me, so that’s a good excuse to have a slightly bigger tent.


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Hnthrdr

WKR
Joined
Jan 29, 2022
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3,643
Location
The West
Heck no, extra room is always great, not like it’s AK and we get stuck in tents too much in Co, but if weather sucks way nicer to have more room!
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
16,205
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Colorado Springs
I have a Copper Spur UL4, and I've taken it with me on solo packing hunts a few times. I consider the UL4 to be a 2-person tent. There's no way even three are fitting in there.......comfortably.
 
OP
J

Jakerex

WKR
Joined
Aug 29, 2020
Messages
716
I have a Copper Spur UL4, and I've taken it with me on solo packing hunts a few times. I consider the UL4 to be a 2-person tent. There's no way even three are fitting in there.......comfortably.

Yeah. I’ve always considered a 2-person tent to be a 1 person tent, a 3-person tent to be a 1-person and a kid tent, and a 4-person tent to be a 2-person tent.

With that said, I camped in a tent with a hunting buddy once…..never again. Snoring, farting, moving around, getting out to pee, etc. I sleep solo in my own tent. Only difference would be with a wife and or kid.


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1brad

FNG
Joined
Aug 28, 2023
Messages
14
3 person tent is really a one person tent plus a little extra storage space. No problem at all.
 

Mcnasty

FNG
Joined
Aug 10, 2021
Messages
84
Location
Colorado
I have had the tigerwall3 for a couple of years now and have still have the same debate you have. IMO its great for 2 and good weight to space. Its much lighter than my old clip flashlight so it almost always comes before the smaller heavier 2 man even for just solo. That said it is heavy for 1 as compared to newer technology, trekking pole, and or floorless shelters like the 6moon Deschutes or the Duston xmid. If you are not pressed for cask consider one of these. lastly you can ditch the body of the tiger wall 3 to further reduce weight if you have the footprint and are not worried about bugs.
 
Joined
Jul 1, 2015
Messages
1,151
Location
Colo Spgs
Run the weight numbers to see what you are saving. I looked at one person tent weight vs cimarron tipi and they were a few ounces apart - so I went cimarron. I think

I too think about the weight so I actually got a single
Shelter (silex) which is right around 1 lbs. So that’s my day trip backup in case of weather or when I want to run super lightweight


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EcoastDG

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 25, 2017
Messages
111
Location
Maryland
I use either a Marmot Tungsten 3P (Awesome tent; especially hunting/camping with my wife) or a Stone Glacier 2p for my solo backpack hunting trips. Not much difference in weight. The main difference is the pole length. I can generally pack the SG in a side pocket. The Marmot is usually strapped to the bottom or top of my pack with no issue.
I love them both but I tend to use the SG a little more these days.
 
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Messages
511
Location
Northern Michigan
If the weight is not an issue I say use the bigger tent. I used my so cimmaron for 4 years for everything. Didn't matter if it was just me, or the 2 kids and wife and I. I did pick up a silvertip though to use for when it's just me or me and my son.

I do miss the room sometimes. The cimmaron is a palace for me with 1 person plus a stove and even a helinox chair at times
 

Watrdawg

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 30, 2019
Messages
285
Location
NC
A 3 person tent just gives you a bit of extra room for gear and to spread out!
 
Joined
Dec 5, 2019
Messages
1,146
I have a Copper Spur UL4, and I've taken it with me on solo packing hunts a few times. I consider the UL4 to be a 2-person tent. There's no way even three are fitting in there.......comfortably.
I have a UL2 and have used it with another buddy a few times. I use a 25” Xtherm and they are basically mashed against the wall. Needless to say this last scouting trip we just used a tarp because nobody was signing up for that again😂
 
Joined
Feb 15, 2019
Messages
938
Agree with the above, tent person ratings are based on sleeping only with no room for anything else. So 2p tent is really one person plus gear; 3p is really a 1.5person with gear, and a 4p tent is where you get into a true 2 person with gear.

Take the bigger tent and dont worry about the extra 3/4#
 

dtrkyman

WKR
Joined
Oct 2, 2014
Messages
3,241
If you run into crap wweather you will be glad to have the space! Shave the ounces somewhere else.
 

Ten Bears

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Mar 1, 2017
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Location
Michigan
I happily carried a Hilleberg Anjan 3. Few more ounces but it was a solo palace.

I road out storms with a satisfied smile on my face.
 
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