3-4 person 4 season tent option?

[geoffmallo]

Yes another tent thread!

We're planning a trip to the Arthurs in a few months and need to work out our shelter options. There will be 3 in our party which is the cause for yet another tent! I was previously thinking about 2 in one of the 2 person tents (Bible Ahwanhee, MacPac Minaret) and then getting a solo shelter like the Hilleberg Akto or Soulo. Then my wife said why don't you think about a 3 person tent? So I'm exploring all options.

I've basically decided the many 2-3 would be far too small so it looks more like a 4 person 4 season tent. Many reviews say the 3 person is too tight (Eg kaitum 3) and for 2 weeks in poor weather and cooking in the vestibule?

So options are getting smaller.

Bibler bombshelter (1.3 kg per person)
Hilleberg keron 3 (1.3 kg per person)
Hilleberg Katium 3 (1 kg per person)
Hilleberg Nallo 3 (.9 kg per person)
Hilleberg Nallo 3 GT (.93 kg per person) - the GT's have massive vestibules.
Hilleberg Nallo 4 GT (1.1 kg per person)

the Hilleberg's are 160cm wide which I don't think would be enough for 3 people sitting out weather. The other concern with the Hilleberg (aka Hotel Hilleberg) is that they are very long at over 4m. Where can I put the thing?

The Nallo 4 GT would be pretty nice if I can find anywhere to put it.

[whiskeylover]

We used the Wilderness Equipment First Arrow as a snug three person, four season tent for a longer walk, but we are all smallish (5' 6", 5'4" and 5' 0" and 75kg, 60kg and 56kg) and we took a light shelter tarp with eyelets and guy ropes that we could set up as a cooking shelter or annexe etc. This was perfect for us but may not suit bigger people. Was better in winter as we were a bit too snug (sweaty) in the heat some nights, especially me as I was in the middle.
It weighs 3.5kg but it has a very roomy vestibule and can be set up as just the fly separately, or you can unhook some of the inner to increase vestibule size while you are cooking, although I never cook in the vestibule - I prefer to put a coat on and cook outside. This is considered to be a 2-3 person tent - I suppose it depends how friendly or closely related you all are too!

[geoffmallo]

Thanks wiskeylover. I've got a 10 year old polyester first arrow that I've used in winter with 3. Two of us were over 6ft! Needless to say it wasn't ideal. For a long and possibly wet trip it'll just be too small I think.

I do like the tarp idea though.

[Franco]

For a climbing expedition a 3 person tent for 3 climbers will do, the same for a family . However spending two weeks in the same bushwalking tent with two other adults would be for me a torture not dissimilar to the ones used at Guantanamo Bay.
For a start I snore, then I tend to wake up every few hours check the time/temperature/surroundings have a drink and maybe go for a pee. Apparently I am not the only one . If you then have three adults that may indulge in my sort of behaviour....
Seriously if one gets sick for example, he may appreciate having a tent to himself . Some are not aware that they after a few days they can peel paper off a wall just by walking by, not the kind of person that you want 2 cm away from you all night.
Another point is that it is more likely to find two one/two person sites than a flat 4 m or thereabout area.
I would consider a double, a single and a light tarp (for cooking under and maybe eating lunch/having a break out of the rain ).
Franco