ultralight, compact 3 season tent recommendation. thanks

You mention winter camping...if you are gonna be in snow...do a 4 season tent. Those Eurekas Acetylene mentioned are very nice! Eureka actually make a great tent I have 2 one big Canyon 1312 and now a Solitaire. They are very nice! The ALPENLITE XT for a 4 season is a favorite of mine..dont have one but want one! It is 7lbs+ but pack size it is 5.5x19. It is 54x90 so not a bad foot print and has decent vents...most 4 seasons tents get hot/warm in the summer!!! They dont have the venting/mesh like a 3 season. And I usually do not like to take a 4 season tent in the summer for the added weight and size generally arent necessary! Snow is the x-factor between a 3 and a 4 season. So in winter with snow...4 season only!! I use a 3 season as long as it isnt too windy, too cold and no snow...typically till mid december once again with no snow.

The Solitaire is my Bug Out Bag Tent...for it is 2lbs 9oz, and packs out at 4x17...so it is small...at least one of the smallest solo tents I could find until I discovered the Sea to summit Specialist Solo/Duo...which are a much better, lighter, and smaller (packed out) option that looks to be able to do 4 seasons. However the Sea is 499!!!!! Soli is 89 bucks!! Eureka makes all the military tents so their stuff isnt crap and they seem to be fair on price!
 
Ok...re-evaluated my budget for this since I still need other things like a sleeping mat etc. So I need the best bang for my buck at around $100-150. If anyone has a tent for sale in that price range, I would be interested. Thanks
 
yes, i use mine all year round; as long as you're properly prepared you will be fine. I've actually had less of a bug problem using a hammock. I've also never had any rain problems using one. imo they are all around better.
 
I am a big fan of Eureka. They have never let me down and I have used them from Alaska to Belize. I am doing the Wilderness Waterway through the Everglades January 2013 and I will be taking the Apex 3XT. Years ago, I purchased two hammocks at an Army Navy Surplus store. They had a roof and full mosquito netting on the sides. I probably slept in those hammocks a hundred times. They were excellent for summer camping in the Florida bush - more breeze 4' off the ground and elevated to stay away from the creepy crawlies. Good luck.
 
Hammocks take some getting use to. I am a gut sleeper so it was hard to get used to them. But I do like all the benefits. Only thing is you need to find trees! Not usually a problem. In cold weather I have heard they are not the best!
 
You guys have been awesome with the recommendations. Many thanks! I think I have it narrowed down to the Kelty Gunnison 2.1 and the Eureka apex 3t. The Eureka Alpenlite 2XT is definately on my wish list but out of my budget for now. So between those two...any help in that tough decision? Thanks
 
MSR, Black Diamond, Mountain Hardwear, and Hilleberg ... you can't go wrong with any of these manufacturers. Currently, I own two BD Bibler series tents [Bombshelter and Fitzroy] and an older, lightweight Mountain Hardwear tent [approach]. Take a look at their specs and narrow-it-down to the models that fit your price/weight/use requirements. I've used tents from all three and they've all been excellent. I've had a North Face tent too which was excellent [blew it apart on Mt. Washington one winter evening and TNF was very good about replacing all the broken/ripped parts].
 
I've had the Quartz 2. It's a pain to set up and heavy, but very sturdy. The setup requires you to thread the two poles through full length sleeves.

I sold it since I don't need a terrible weather tent anymore and really wanted something easier to set up. I got the Big Agnes Lynx Pass 1 (Amazon link. Currently says it's $143.96 from Moosejaw) and love it!
 
What about the Eureka tetragon? its not bad for its price range. I've been using mine for a few years and its held up quite well. There are definitely better tents available, but its a good starter unit, especially when money is tight.
 
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