I need to replace my 4 man Timberline tent after 21 years. The zipper broke on it and not sure if repairing the zipper is the way to go. I had the other door zipper repaired a year or two ago. Looking at replacing with a three man tent. Any one have one they would like to give a review on? I kind of like the Northface Talus 33. Any Comments would be appreciated. Thanks

tony

My review... Eureka Crescent. It's a three man tent that's roomy enough for two people and gear... three people in a pinch. It's easy to put up. I've had it for 10+ years. With care, it's still water... resistant.

I haven't owned any other tents... so I'm kind of bias

Hex

I love my Marmot Hoot 3 person. Marmot replaced it with the Swallow 3 person and I guess they've discontinued that model. But you can still find the Swallow 3P on the Internet. It's 75 X 96, has 2 vestibules (the front one is large and very versatile), keeps us dry in wind and horizontal rain. It's a little heavier that some, but hey you're in a canoe and can split it up. I used a North Face tent on one trip and it was well made and kept us dry. I have no experience with the Talus 33.

I have just purchased a Talus 33 but won't be using it till June. I'll let you know what I think of it after 4 days in the BWCA.

I also was faced with replacing my Eureka, in my case it was a Alpine Meadows 4. I bought an Alps Outfitter 4 person. Easiest tent I have ever pitched, very roomy. Basically an A-Frame style with rectangular floor but dome style poles and pockets. It has turned out to be a very nice three season tent. Check out the Alps Mountaineering web site. As a side note two of my paddling buddies also bought sleepng bags from them as well. Both gave their respective bags high marks.

Tony, if you really liked your Timberline 4, and just want something a little lighter and more compact, you might see if you can find a Timberlite 3. Eureka has discontinued them, but you may still be able to find one. I saw CBO had a used one advertised on their web site. http://www.canoetrip.com/gear2.html
It sets up just like the Timberline 4, but the rear A-frame is smaller than the front.

I would stick with the Timberline4, I also have the vestibule and annex attached. It's not the lightest thing, but durable and parts are easy to find.
I had a Timberlite3, and found it to be too small (It really is a 2 person with no gear inside).

If I was going to switch from the Timberlines to a dome style, I would avoid any tent with pole sleeves. Maybe it's just me, but working poles into and out of those sleeves drives me nuts. I would look at something that uses only clips, like the ALPS Mountaineering Taurus or the Kelty Gunnison.

I've used a lot of tents in the BWCAW and have found my most recent purchase the best, I cant think of the brand right now but its called a quick draw, it is a dome tent that is for 4 people. I've only used it for three and there is plenty of room for 3 and gear. It pops open and you only need to put in 2 poles, it takes about 24 seconds if you've never used it before and we timed ourselves at 13 for the fastest setting up and take down times combined, keeps you dry and is still good after about 4 years and multiple uses.

Has anyone tried the sierra designs comet? It is a bit more costly, but slightly bigger and materials seem a little nicer then on the talus.

Was meaning to stop by rei and finally did today. Found a returned comet for $150. The side entry will be a new experience, but at least I wont be lugging a 18#, 6 man dome for 2 people over the hills again :P

Has anyone used a tent by Kelty. I am thinking about a Gunnison 4 man tent. Suggestions/comments?

I have a Kelty 4 man tent I bought this year. It is the model that was replaced (?) by the Gunnison and got it for less than a hondo. The very first trip I took it camping it t-stormed all night, the wind howled, rain and hail came down. I have the foot for this unit too. I was high and dry the whole night. So, OK, I was impressed compared to the Coleman we used to use for the last 6 years.

Jim

Tried out the North face talus 33 last week. Four nights in the BWCA, the tent was great. Plenty of room.

I've got a Mountain Hardware "room with a view" 3-person. I've given it good use for many years, and I love it. lots of screens for great ventilation including a screen roof so you can watch the stars at night if you take off the rain fly. It is relatively light and bomb-proof. However, it is quite cozy for 3. I always go 2 and have room to spare.

My REI Taj 3, which I have now owned for three years, has been fantastic. It has two doors (each with their own mini-vestibule, big enough for a Duluth pack and your shoes), almost all screen on the top for good ventilation, a full coverage rainfly that has quite literally never allowed any rain in, and is set up by all clips, that is, no pole sleeves (which I hate). It is a bit spendy, but has been well worth it for me.

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My girlfriend and I purchased the new Mountain Hardware Alcove 3, and in-short, its great for BWCA camping. We initially bought the Mountain Hardware Haven 3 (over the REI Taj 3) due to its great vestibule size and $50). Hope this helps.

I have a kelty mantra 2. This works great. Plenty of room and very warm and dry. I've taken it camping in many different areas (Mtns., bwca, and in snow)it works well in all of them. I would definitely suggest Kelty to anyone.

Have fun out there.

I was in the search for a new tent a couple of years ago. I wanted a two person tent with extra room or vestibules. I finally went with a REI Taj 2. It is a two person tent. That is a joke. A two person tent is maid for Danny DeVeto and his dog. I took it home and set it up to find that it is not maid for me. 6'3" 220lbs. The next day I got a promo from REI for the Taj Three. This is the best tent in the world for two big guys and their gear. It has a storage loft, two doors, and two vestbule. They also have a fitted footprint. This is the best tent I have ever had been in or owned. Best part. Under 200 bills.
Keep it in the woods.

The Eureka Apex 3 is awsome, not really a three person tent so much as two and gear, it's got 2 doors with huge vestibules, And the bathtub floor wich I really like, (Don't worry, the zippers, still go all the way to the ground)it's light enough for backpacking, plus it's about $125 on Campmor. I took mine this winter, and it was great. the vestibule was big enough to put my boots and stuff under it so they wouldn't get full of snow,and gave me a snow free place to get dressed in the morning.