Was looking for a Snugpak Scorpion 3 IX WGTE at a price of £200 no luck yet... I need some help. Please..what is a decent price for winter camping in mountains. Preferably like a 4 season.
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Advice needed. Winter mountain tent under £200?
- Thread starter LYVAN
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A proper 3/4 season tent that you can carry for the mountains would start at around £400 minimum. You would be fortunate to get one second hand for £200.
I know the phrase “buy once, cry once.” But if this is a first tent, then going for a packable 4 season seems like it could be trying to take several steps all at the same time. Maybe too many steps for the budget?
Four season tents are not required to camp in winter if more sheltered sites are used. For example, people do camp in winter in woods with just tarps. The 4s tent is meant for exposed locations. While that might be something one dreams of doing, will it be what one actually does?
Might a 3 season tent work adequately for a year or two while gaining experience and saving funds?
How many people will the tent need to accommodate? Is the intent that a 3person tent will be occupied by three people or shared between two? Winter gear takes more space inside a tent, which probably isn’t accounted for in the description.
Ebay
Snugpack
Mountain equip
Vaude
Four season tents are not required to camp in winter if more sheltered sites are used. For example, people do camp in winter in woods with just tarps. The 4s tent is meant for exposed locations. While that might be something one dreams of doing, will it be what one actually does?
Might a 3 season tent work adequately for a year or two while gaining experience and saving funds?
How many people will the tent need to accommodate? Is the intent that a 3person tent will be occupied by three people or shared between two? Winter gear takes more space inside a tent, which probably isn’t accounted for in the description.
Ebay
Snugpack
Mountain equip
Vaude
Terra Nova Quasar worth a look, older ones seem to go around the £200 mark. Just watch for the taped seems delaminating and factor in some repairs if necessary.
My older Hyperspace’s seams have delaminated a little but still works just fine.
My older Hyperspace’s seams have delaminated a little but still works just fine.
Would a second hand Vaude Terraquattro 3P be suitable? I happen to know of one in need of a home that would be within that budget, 
. Practically new condition, cannot have been used more than a couple of times before health problems forced its elderly owner to cease camping. He always bought quality gear….then used it lightly! It’s heavier than that Snugpak, but having used Vaude and seen this tent, it’s not like it’s ridiculously over weight. I bought it off my elderly friend and was debating whether to put it up for sale here or keep it, but I have three tipi tents that I am more likely to use, so it is really excess.
Not pushing this since Lyvan wanted new, suggested an OD geodesic model a full 1kg lighter, but it might do to begin with.
Chris
. Practically new condition, cannot have been used more than a couple of times before health problems forced its elderly owner to cease camping. He always bought quality gear….then used it lightly! It’s heavier than that Snugpak, but having used Vaude and seen this tent, it’s not like it’s ridiculously over weight. I bought it off my elderly friend and was debating whether to put it up for sale here or keep it, but I have three tipi tents that I am more likely to use, so it is really excess.Not pushing this since Lyvan wanted new, suggested an OD geodesic model a full 1kg lighter, but it might do to begin with.
Chris
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No I'm sorry I'm only looking to find a new tent. Reason of choice being 4 season was told it would be stronger or more likely to be .. idk.. but I'm needing to go on month long camp x Hike so . Something strong... I'd sent for prototype or testing. I'm new so still looking around.... But yes I'd need it to hold up well minimum month long. I'm going to be probably going winter in it this following.. year.. as to say.. 3 person yh or the amount the bigger the better... I'm about 200 cm tall athletic. With bit lightly muscular.....
No worries
t’was just a thought. I too have got a kick from having new gear. That said, I have had five premium packs second hand and only one had a problem, and was sold on at no loss. Three second hand tents that have all been good, and some other bits of gear.
I fear you will need to compromise on something.
Strength and durability overlap, but are different.
Durability means it will last well, for the weight of materials used (weight as in fabric grams per metre square). A well made tent using heavy material should last longer than an equally well made tent of lighter material, if the materials are equivalent (some nylon is stronger than other nylon even for same weight). However poorly designed and constructed tents of heavier material may fail faster than better made lighter tents.
Durability is quality materials sewn together with enough stitches using strong enough thread, finished so it stays stitched, with adequate reinforcement…etc.
All of which generally costs more.
If it is inexpensive, light, and high quality, something unusual is going on with how it’s made (someone somewhere isn’t getting paid the usual rate).
Strength is helped by quality materials and construction, but also brings in design. For example, “strong” tents are designed to shed or withstand higher wind loads. Often by more poles, and how those poles are connected to the fabric. Tipi designs can be good in wind too.
Light weight strength costs more.
Hilleberg make superb tents, but not the lightest and not the cheapest. Think 6x your budget, but they share good info to bear in mind.
www.hilleberg.com
Seek Outside are a very different maker, favouring floorless shelters, but also share interesting info. Their tents are used by hunters in poor weather.
seekoutside.com
4 season should withstand wind loads better than 3 season, but 4season also means it holds warm air better and protects against spindrift ingress better with a lower to ground fly, higher bathtub floor, less mesh and more solid liner. The trade off tends to be less ventilation and breathability. None of that on its own means it will last longer.
Three person tents are snug for two with a little kit. Shelters are sized on the number of human sardines that they can fit. On a winter trip in Canada we used my friend’s 6-man Kifaru tipi, and it wasn’t spacious for the three of us, gear, and the stove!
Regarding obtaining a “prototype”. There is somewhat questionable logic in eschewing used examples of time proven designs with history and user reviews in favour of a pre-production item of as yet unproven quality.
More importantly though, being chosen to receive a preproduction item is a very low odds option. You have to hope that a company is developing a design that fits your other criteria, when you are looking, and you have to persuade them that you offer something of significant value in exchange.
Early prototypes are tested by people already close to or employed by the company. Later preproduction items are shared with people with demonstrable ability to promote the product. Reviews are sought from people with experience or a platform. Durston X Dome, for example. Lots of established YouTubers were trying them. We got a pass around, we each got a week to look at it, then forward it on after making comments. We got that opportunity because the company saw a market (bushcrafters) to explore and wanted feedback from people with experience. My buddy got a deal with Hill People Gear after buying a Ute pack while guiding an expedition in Borneo, then writing to them and sending photos…examples of his photos and travels. he was in his 30s, had been travelling and adventuring for over 10 years with an impressive résumé
It’s likely going to be a tough sell when you are just starting out.
I wish you the very best of luck!!
Chris
t’was just a thought. I too have got a kick from having new gear. That said, I have had five premium packs second hand and only one had a problem, and was sold on at no loss. Three second hand tents that have all been good, and some other bits of gear. I fear you will need to compromise on something.
Strength and durability overlap, but are different.
Durability means it will last well, for the weight of materials used (weight as in fabric grams per metre square). A well made tent using heavy material should last longer than an equally well made tent of lighter material, if the materials are equivalent (some nylon is stronger than other nylon even for same weight). However poorly designed and constructed tents of heavier material may fail faster than better made lighter tents.
Durability is quality materials sewn together with enough stitches using strong enough thread, finished so it stays stitched, with adequate reinforcement…etc.
All of which generally costs more.
If it is inexpensive, light, and high quality, something unusual is going on with how it’s made (someone somewhere isn’t getting paid the usual rate).
Strength is helped by quality materials and construction, but also brings in design. For example, “strong” tents are designed to shed or withstand higher wind loads. Often by more poles, and how those poles are connected to the fabric. Tipi designs can be good in wind too.
Light weight strength costs more.
Hilleberg make superb tents, but not the lightest and not the cheapest. Think 6x your budget, but they share good info to bear in mind.
Choosing the right tent | Hilleberg
There really is no "best" Hilleberg tent for you, but there is a "right" one.
Seek Outside are a very different maker, favouring floorless shelters, but also share interesting info. Their tents are used by hunters in poor weather.
Fearlessly Floorless
Why Floorless Tents are awesome, and how to overcome the potential pitfalls.
4 season should withstand wind loads better than 3 season, but 4season also means it holds warm air better and protects against spindrift ingress better with a lower to ground fly, higher bathtub floor, less mesh and more solid liner. The trade off tends to be less ventilation and breathability. None of that on its own means it will last longer.
Three person tents are snug for two with a little kit. Shelters are sized on the number of human sardines that they can fit. On a winter trip in Canada we used my friend’s 6-man Kifaru tipi, and it wasn’t spacious for the three of us, gear, and the stove!
Regarding obtaining a “prototype”. There is somewhat questionable logic in eschewing used examples of time proven designs with history and user reviews in favour of a pre-production item of as yet unproven quality.
More importantly though, being chosen to receive a preproduction item is a very low odds option. You have to hope that a company is developing a design that fits your other criteria, when you are looking, and you have to persuade them that you offer something of significant value in exchange.
Early prototypes are tested by people already close to or employed by the company. Later preproduction items are shared with people with demonstrable ability to promote the product. Reviews are sought from people with experience or a platform. Durston X Dome, for example. Lots of established YouTubers were trying them. We got a pass around, we each got a week to look at it, then forward it on after making comments. We got that opportunity because the company saw a market (bushcrafters) to explore and wanted feedback from people with experience. My buddy got a deal with Hill People Gear after buying a Ute pack while guiding an expedition in Borneo, then writing to them and sending photos…examples of his photos and travels. he was in his 30s, had been travelling and adventuring for over 10 years with an impressive résumé
It’s likely going to be a tough sell when you are just starting out.
I wish you the very best of luck!!
Chris
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