Looking for a 3 person tent

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

D

Dr Gil

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Dec 22, 2007
Threads
57
Messages
463
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Criteria:
Non-Coleman
Zippered windows
Not a cheapy. I'll spend up to $200
3 person, not 4, not 2
All mesh must be able to have a zippered covering
Must have rainfly. I would be nice if the rainfly didn't cover the zippered mesh windows.
3 season

I have something right now that fits all the criteria, but it's degrading from the age and use. It's an old Kelty Ridgeway, Beige and forest green in color. I can't even find any pictures on internet of it.

Any suggestions?
 
Last edited:
I have exactly the tent you want. I bought it in 1998 and paid 600 for it. It is a Mountain Headwear. After considerable use for 18 years and camping in it for a month this summer with my dog, there is not one single tear in its fabric. I should add that I abuse my gear and am particularly good at breaking stuff. I already put two holes in my REI tent and broke one of the pole's cords after having it for just 2 years.

Anyway, I can't stress enough how amazing Mountain Headwear gear is. There is one I found here...

Hylo™ 3 Tent

I'm not sure if the mesh panels zip shut. I think that's the only thing it's missing.

Edit: this one is much closer to what I have, but it is really spendy. Then again, you'll have it forever...

Trango™ 2
 
Last edited:
Catskills said:
I have exactly the tent you want. I bought it in 1998 and paid 600 for it. It is a Mountain Headwear. After considerable use for 18 years and camping in it for a month this summer with my dog, there is not one single tear in its fabric. I should add that I abuse my gear and am particularly good at breaking stuff. I already put two holes in my REI tent and broke one of the pole's cords after having it for just 2 years.

Anyway, I can't stress enough how amazing Mountain Headwear gear is. There is one I found here...

Hylo™ 3 Tent

I'm not sure if the mesh panels zip shut. I think that's the only thing it's missing.

Edit: this one is much closer to what I have, but it is really spendy. Then again, you'll have it forever...

Trango™ 2
Click to expand...


Both seem like very good tents. Bummer though, neither have the panels that zip shut the mesh covering. That's a deal breaker.
Thanks to both you and AlaskanWheeler for the suggestions though. I'll probably spend the resting of the weekend burning up the internet searching. It would be so good if I could find one by Sunday then I could find one for Cyber Monday.
 
Dr Gil said:
Both seem like very good tents. Bummer though, neither have the panels that zip shut the mesh covering. That's a deal breaker.
Thanks to both you and AlaskanWheeler for the suggestions though. I'll probably spend the resting of the weekend burning up the internet searching. It would be so good if I could find one by Sunday then I could find one for Cyber Monday.
Click to expand...

That second tent does have panels that zip it completely shut...it's just really expensive.
 
Catskills said:
That second tent does have panels that zip it completely shut...it's just really expensive.
Click to expand...

I must have missed that. You may be right, it's hard to tell if that top mesh closes off or not. But yeah, it's pricey. Too far out of my range for what I use it for.
 
:D .. I know.. my budget is around the same. But to get what you want you might need to open to other tents that might be slightly more then $200
 
NyNomad said:
:D .. I know.. my budget is around the same. But to get what you want you might need to open to other tents that might be slightly more then $200
Click to expand...

You are right. I'm cool spending $250-$300, but not $800-$1,000
 
I hear ya. The Oz and Shift are as expensive as a RTT. I'm single. Currently I have a $100 Ozark trail cot tent from Walmart and I can sleep inside the FJ somewhat comfortably as long as there's nothing in the back seat
 
Dr Gil said:
Criteria:
Non-Coleman
Zippered windows
Not a cheapy. I'll spend up to $200
3 person, not 4, not 2
All mesh must be able to have a zippered covering
Must have rainfly. I would be nice if the rainfly didn't cover the zippered mesh windows.
3 season

I have something right now that fits all the criteria, but it's degrading from the age and use. It's an old Kelty Ridgeway, Beige and forest green in color. I can't even find any pictures on internet of it.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

This is a very dark shot but is this the Kelty you currently have?
146.webp
 
skidplate said:
This is a very dark shot but is this the Kelty you currently have?View attachment 1357808
Click to expand...

It looks like it. Beige like color up top and forest green on the bottom, has sleeves for the poles on the tent instead of clips?
It has 3 large mesh windows with a fabric that zips up on all windows and doors, and a Window combination door?
 
Dr Gil said:
It looks like it. Beige like color up top and forest green on the bottom, has sleeves for the poles on the tent instead of clips?
It has 3 large mesh windows with a fabric that zips up on all windows and doors, and a Window combination door?
Click to expand...
Only thing apparently different is short sleeves up top with clips on the sides. My son's neighbor was selling this tent at a yard sale. I was interested so he said I could have it for free! It was missing the rain fly but I fabbed one up out of a tarp. I do love this tent.
 
JohnVee said:
Try this. Fly zipper color looks different - might be last year's model. Maybe I just saved you $120?
ALPS Mountaineering Extreme 3 Tent: 3-Person 3-Season - Up to 70% Off | Steep and Cheap
Click to expand...

I was going to go with the Extreme at first then after reading reviews I found people were saying that the floor is rainfly thickness and material, and were afraid it would tear quickly. My old Kelty Ridgeway had a super thick floor made of that tarp material and was never going to tear.
I found some people recommended upgrading to the Extreme Outfitter because of the thicker floor and larger zipper. I figure this will be a once in a decade purchase. "Buy the best cry once".
 
B-RAD said:
I bought this one for my son, as he is building up his camping gear. It seems to be a pretty solid option, all of the way around!

Morrison 3 Tent w/Footprint: 3-Person 3-Season
Click to expand...


I like it. Looks pretty good. As far as my needs and criteria, only 2 of the 4 mesh windows have zippered flaps. Not a deal breaker, but high on the priority list. Thanks for the suggestion. It came in real close to my list of criteria but not quite there. Certainly good value for the money though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom