ALPS Mountaineering Vertex 4.0

The ALPS Mountaineering Vertex tent is a durable lightweight tent that won't break the bank. It's great for backpacking and car camping.

LIKES

• Size/weight/cost: You won't find many four-person backpacking tents for under $200. The Vertex 4 is around 9 pounds which isn't the lightest, but it does boast a large base area of 7'6" x 8'6" which is 64 sq ft. In comparison, most four-person tents are 50-56 sq ft. I've camped with 4 people, 3 people, and a dog and it's very roomy
• Waterproof: Both the fly and floor seams are factory sealed. I've had this tent for 8 years and have not had any issues with raining getting in
• Doors/Vestibules: The Vertex 4 has two doors and two vestibules. Having two doors means no stepping over people to get in and out of the tent and the vestibules offer room for gear and shoes
• Organization: There are pockets in the corners of the tent to keep small items like keys/contacts/headlamp. There's also a hanging shelf at the top of the tent for additional storage
• Quality materials: The zippers and large and durable. The floor material is thick for durability. The aluminum poles are study.
• Setup: Setup is a breeze. The aluminum poles are one continuous system and easily clip into the tent 

DISLIKES

• Ventilation: Personally, I like more ventilation since I'd rather have a cool drafty tent than a hot stuffy tent. 
• Not an ultralight tent: For those ultralight backpackers, there are lighter 4-person tents out there but as with all ultralight items, you do pay a premium. 
• Rainfly window: The rainfly window is made from a clear plastic and after many years of use, has torn away from the fly. 

RECOMMENDATION

Alps Mountaineering makes rock solid outdoor gear at an affordable price and the Vertex tent is no exception. The Vertex is now discontinued and an equivalent model is the available called the Lynx 4. The Lynx has similar specs, is a pound lighter and also has more mesh in the walls. This may be my future tent if I ever replace my Vertex. 

Great 4-person tent for the money. I just got back from a trip with this tent and I'm pretty impressed with the performance and features. The tent doesn't pack down small like some backpacking tents and it would be a little heavy for an extended hike, but for weekend backpacking trips and non-strenuous hikes it is pretty good.

It got down into the mid 40s and rained pretty hard on our trip for the first two days. The rainfly on this tent covers the whole thing and it shrugged off the rain and wind easily. It even felt relatively warm inside because of the coverage and we made use of the front vestibule. Extras include a mesh pocket and mesh 'shelf' that hangs from the ceiling. Factory waterproofing was enough to keep the tent dry, but on the second day rain no longer beaded up on the fly. I didn't have a tarp or footprint but I will get one, the floor is thin and I was nervous about the rough ground.

As usual, putting four adults in here might be stretching the limits of your friendship but three should fit comfortably.