What is the best 4 season tent? Looking to upgrade to something more durable! I make early spring trips or late fall. No warm weather here!

Not sure about it being the best, but I have a Mountain Hardwear Trango 4, and its worked well for me. Sleeps 3 very comfortably, but it is a bit bulky if you're backpacking. It vents well for hotter climates and you can button it up for those cold days. I like it so much, a Trango 2 (or maybe 3) is in my future.

searat

look at the exped venus 4 season. lite and warm.

JT, can you share some more specifics of use/what sort of things you're looking for in a tent? , I think that would help you get some more useable suggestions back.

How many people?

Also when you say you are looking for a 4 season for increased durability I’d have to ask what you have right now because it’s all relative, plenty of 70D floors on 3 season tents and plenty of 40D floors on 4 season tents. 4 season to me means high snow load, advanced condensation prevention, stuff like that, not necessarily higher durability.

+ 1 with Searat1. Have used a Trango 4 the last 5 years and it's been great.

*looks stuff up*

Man, 4-season tents are SPENDY dude...

I am not sure the OP needs a four season tent. They have lots of poles, lash together at multiple points, handle snow loads, ventilate efficiently but differently. And are quite expensive.

I have a Trango 3.1 I got it for high wind treeless areas. I like mine too and have used in hot weather this summer for non backpacking trips. While its a good tent, I don't know if it fits the OP needs.

The OP might consider a heavy duty floor, and less or no mesh.

Also the less the volume you can tolerate, the warmer the tent will be. No idea of the number of people involved.

Tents are a lot like a wife, once your married for a while you get used to em :) (That's a joke, o.k.)
My guess is for canoe camping a 3 season tent for 4-man would be peachy. So the story goes (for the most part) the rule of thumb is.
one man tent = one man
two man tent = one man
three man tent = two man
four man tent = three man
There are exception's, Like if you don't mind being crowded, then go with most of the tent manufacture's listing's... and some two mans, three mans, etc are bigger then other's of the same rating. but above is the general concensus of the camping world.
With that said, I have a Marmot Limelite II, had it quite a while, well put together tent. I also looked at the Limelite 4, it is a nice 4 man tent. Would sleep 3 Peachy.
Really depends on your budget. You can get some darn nice tents, they cut the weight by using different materials or by using more netting on the walls as oppossed to "cloth" material, lighter poles, etc.

SunCatcher

Mostly the tent would be for 2 people but would probably want a 3 or 4 person tent. I go late in the year and have seen significant snow on several occasions resulting in a a caved in tent. I also like the idea of less condensation inside. A nice sized vestible would also be a bonus. Weight isn't really an issue for our group and $5-600 dollars is fine too. I've had a cabelas xpg 3 person tent for about 10 years. It served its purpose but its time for something better. I know weight will be an adjustment as my cabelas tent is right around #5 but 6-7 more pounds won't kill us! Thanks.

quote jtoutdoors: "Mostly the tent would be for 2 people but would probably want a 3 or 4 person tent. I go late in the year and have seen significant snow on several occasions resulting in a a caved in tent. I also like the idea of less condensation inside. A nice sized vestible would also be a bonus. Weight isn't really an issue for our group and $5-600 dollars is fine too. I've had a cabelas xpg 3 person tent for about 10 years. It served its purpose but its time for something better. I know weight will be an adjustment as my cabelas tent is right around #5 but 6-7 more pounds won't kill us! Thanks."

I would take a long look at the Nemo Moki , I have not personally used one but have looked in depth at a bunch of 4 season tents and that one seemed to have a pretty cool set of features, Breathable Osmo fabric will help with condensation, not sure who else is even using this, I’m sure it’s expensive. It also has lots of venting for warmer weather, can handle a crazy snow load, linkable with other Mokis and the ability to add a 2nd vestibule if more outdoor storage is needed. 10,000mm waterproof rating on floor is about as good as you can get.

But the coolest unique feature is the super high-tech metalized fabric liner that you can get, really holds heat in, if you ever planned on trying to cold tent camp in 20 below this would be a pretty trick thing to have, downside is they are hard to get a hold of and very expensive. Check out the image attached, shows a FLIR thermal image of a Moki equipped with the liner, one with the door to the liner open one with it closed, the cold area shown with thru the door is the actually tent body, not the outside.







If that doesn't strike your fancy Hilleberg makes a bomb proof tent as well, top notch contruction.

We tent in our Eureka Timberline Outfitter 4 year round. Planning on Wisconsin in late January - has been in the minus 20's some years - and Warren Dunes in Michigan in February.

Hard to beat for all purpose especially if cost is a consideration.

quote BillConner01: "We tent in our Eureka Timberline Outfitter 4 year round. Planning on Wisconsin in late January - has been in the minus 20's some years - and Warren Dunes in Michigan in February.


Hard to beat for all purpose especially if cost is a consideration. "

+1

This tent has been around a long time for a reason. It is not as trendy as others and there are better ones but for the money it is hard to beat.