Three-Season Tents
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How we choose: The best three-season tents highlighted here were selected based on 4,092 reviews of 1,078 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.
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Hilleberg Helags 3
![user rating: 5 of 5 user rating: 5 of 5](/images/stars/140x26/5.png)
The Hilleberg Helags 3 is a three-season tent designed for groups looking for excellent protection in a lightweight package. Although a bit tight for three people and their gear, this tent has superb livability for two people (a Helags 2 is also available). Excellent ventilation combats condensation well in such a large tent. Two doors/two vestibules allow for plenty of gear, and a 35-inch/89cm center height works well for most hikers.
Reasons to Buy
- Spectacular strength-to-weight ratio
- Straightforward design/easy pitch
- Good ventilation/condensation management
Reasons to Avoid
- Restricted livability for three people
- Large overall footprint limits site selection
- Head/foot entry not ideal for some people
As outdoor recreation is coming to an all-time high, a need for versatility can really come into play. Hilleberg has introduced a new line to its tents, and the Helags is quite the mobile home. Hilleberg proclaims: "Backpackers, paddlers, and bicycle tourers will all love its lightweight roominess, and since the Helags 3 weighs just 7oz (200g) more than the Helags 2, sizing up is an easy choice for those wanting even more comfort." Those who are familiar with Hilleberg products tend to unanimously agree on at least one word—quality.
Read more: Hilleberg Helags 3 review (1)
Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel 3
![user rating: 5 of 5 user rating: 5 of 5](/images/stars/140x26/5.png)
The Blacktail 3 Hotel is part of the Big Agnes company’s longest-running tent series. It is a well-made, comfortable, and roomy three-person, free-standing tent with many useful features, perfect for weekend backpacking, car camping, and canoe camping. The Blacktail Hotel 3 has a huge extended side-entry vestibule, attached to the fly, which provides a safe and weather resistant place to stash your extra gear or your wet dogs! It has been easy to acclimate myself to its setup procedures, and I have successfully used it in various weather conditions while canoe camping. My husband and I will continue to use it this fall on additional canoe camping trips, as well as an occasional campground outing.
Reasons to Buy
- Roomy tent interior
- Large extended vestibule
- Easily adjustable guy lines
- Pole repair section is included
- It can be set up as fast fly
- Tent has doors on each side
- Economic price for a lot of tent
Reasons to Avoid
- Only 8 stakes included (requires combining guy lines)
- Interior accessory pockets on only one end
- No pole diagram with instructions
- High fabric wall of tent reduces view and some cross-ventilation
INTRODUCTION: The Big Agnes Blacktail 3 Hotel is the newest incarnation of the long-running Blacktail series of Big Agnes tents. This three-season tent is designed as a backpacking tent, but I have found that it is an excellent choice for canoe camping. I am testing the three-person tent, though it is also available in a two-person version. Our canoe camping season had a delayed start due to pandemic restrictions and closures, but since mid-June I have been able to utilize the tent on seven solo canoe camping trips, which included camping in heat, wind, showers, frost (28 f.) and torrential rain.
Read more: Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel 3 review (1)
Six Moon Designs Serenity Ultralight NetTent
![user rating: 5 of 5 user rating: 5 of 5](/images/stars/140x26/5.png)
The Serenity UL NetTent from Six Moon Designs works great as part of a primary shelter system, but is light enough to carry as a secondary option. So many ways to set up in shelters, under tarps, or open to the sky makes it great for distance hiking.
Reasons to Buy
- Packs small and light 11oz/312g
- Durable materials
- Good entry/exit door
- Versatile hang and stake features
Reasons to Avoid
- Drying time if wet
Just add six stakes and a hiking pole Since I was going to be testing the Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape I figured I would try out their Serenity UL NetTent along with it. The two are designed to work together well and they do, but I used the tent on its own much more. SMD offers them bundled together or individually. Six stakes and a support pole are needed for best standalone erection and are not included. Let's take a good look at the tent and its features, then I will get into how I used it with tarps and in shelters.
Read more: Six Moon Designs Serenity Ultralight NetTent review (1)
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
![user rating: 5 of 5 user rating: 5 of 5](/images/stars/140x26/5.png)
The Copper Spur HV UL2 and UL2... A Tale of Two Tents.
Reasons to Buy
- Extremely lightweight
- Highly rated
- Packs small
- Durable
Reasons to Avoid
- Expensive
- Does not come with footprint
- New sheer fabric clouds views
- Several variations make choosing confusing
Big Agnes has been around for about twenty years. Should you require it, their outstanding customer service could not possibly be improved upon. Their stated goal is to produce the best gear possible to help folks get outside and chase their dreams. I think they stand true to that goal. You can learn more about them here: https://www.bigagnes.com/our-story. Copper Spur is the name of this product line. UL stands for ultralight [weight] and 2 is for the number of persons it's designed to fit; provided you don't mind touching.
Read more: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 reviews (5)
Naturehike Cloud UP 2
![user rating: 4.5 of 5 user rating: 4.5 of 5](/images/stars/140x26/4.5.png)
Cheap, light, resilient; a quality clone of the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2.
Reasons to Buy
- Cheap
- Light
- Proven design
Reasons to Avoid
- Sloping walls
- Not ultralight
- Stolen design (ethics)
IMPORTANT MODEL NOTE: I have an older, out-of-production version. The new (current) is about 150 grams heavier, has more pole structure at the rear, a ventilation flap, and mid-fin side guys. Setup: Very easy, though a little thought is required for a taut pitch. The basic pitch is inner first: an aluminium pole structure (all-in-one, on a hub) overlaid on the inner, the inner clips to the poles, then a fly is put over. With a pitch or two of experience it is second nature. There is very little one can do wrong, no ambiguous poles for example, but one should remember to attach the bathtub sides to the rain fly.
Read more: Naturehike Cloud UP 2 reviews (3)
REI Base Camp 6
![user rating: 4.5 of 5 user rating: 4.5 of 5](/images/stars/140x26/4.5.png)
The Base Camp 6 is by far, the best tent I have ever had, REI or not, and this is my 7th tent. I wore out the other 6 with long, heavy use.
Reasons to Buy
- Very stable even in high winds and rain
- Lots of room, easy access in and out, easy setup
- Lots of convenient storage pockets, and light/gear hang loops
- Great packing/storage bag
- Sage green color with a splash of burn orange is aesthetically appealing, and fits into nature nicely
Reasons to Avoid
- Heavy
- Warm on hot days, with limited ventilation in wet conditions
- Pricey
Easy to set up with two people, but can be done with one, just takes longer. Color coded poles are a dream. Very sturdy in high winds especially for such a large tent. "Bombproof." Does a good job of keeping out the rain and wind. Haven't been in snow and cold yet, but it's so huge that it would be hard to warm up that much space with body heat alone. Packs beautifully in a multi compartmented storage bag. A place for everything, and everything in its place. Packs nicely especially in the Thule top box.
Read more: REI Base Camp 6 reviews (7)
REI Passage 2 Tent
![user rating: 4.5 of 5 user rating: 4.5 of 5](/images/stars/140x26/4.5.png)
This is a solid freestanding, three-season tent that fits two people with ease. It's lightweight, breathable, and compact—perfect for all your backpacking and camping needs.
Reasons to Buy
- Easy setup
- Light
- Packs small
Reasons to Avoid
- Small inside
I got this tent on sale hoping it would make me go hiking more, and honestly it has. The first time I used it was with a college friend after driving to Mammoth Caves for a night. We got in late, and I was a little worried about getting the tent up and ready before it got too dark. The first time I opened the stuff sack, everything was neatly in place and easy to find. I'm usually not the best with tents, but had no problem with this one. The poles were easy to attach and everything fit together well.
Read more: REI Passage 2 Tent reviews (5)
Eureka! Timberline SQ Outfitter 6
![user rating: 5 of 5 user rating: 5 of 5](/images/stars/140x26/5.png)
My third Timberline in progression, 2 to 4 to 6 person. Only one tent in the world I like better and it costs 3x more. This is the tent I have always wanted.
Reasons to Buy
- Easy setup
- Durable
- Roomy
- Tall
- Almost weather-proof
Reasons to Avoid
- Cost
- Weight (almost 20 lbs)
- Some seepage in heavy rain if walls aren't taut
- Doors and integral screen can be a bit tricky, particularly at night
- Hi-lo venting worked a lot better on older model doors.
Camping with the Timberline SQ Interior shot, solo camping Bought my first Timberline, a two-person, in 1983 at LL Bean when a Maine Nor'easter smashed our dome tent. Used it for 19 years, including 4 years of volunteer tail patrol in the Adirondacks and an epic bikepacking trip across NW Russia (my granddaughters still borrow it on occasion). So to upgrade to a 4-person in 2002 was a no-brainer. My wife and I still use the 4 on solo trips and canoe camping. All along I've drooled over the Outfitter 6, and in 2021 my wife gave me one for Father's Day.
Read more: Eureka! Timberline SQ Outfitter 6 reviews (12)
Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker
![user rating: 5 of 5 user rating: 5 of 5](/images/stars/140x26/5.png)
Here it is...I finally found my tent. Kinda went crazy this year in my search for the right tent, but finally found it.
Reasons to Buy
- Lightweight at 36oz**
- More than enough room for one and gear
- Ventilates great, yet provides excellent protection
Reasons to Avoid
- I wouldn't say "delicate', but I wouldn't let kids in it
About me: 55-ish year old, 5'10" tall, overweight (190 lb and all in the beer belly), upper-intermediately experienced backpacker. Been backpacking all my life since before Boy Scouts in the early '70s to present. Due to injuries and some physical issues (read: fat, old and lazy, mostly) I don't get out as much as I used to or would like to and have been transitioning from “Old Style” backpacking where I'd carry between 40 and 60 pounds (sometimes more) for a 3-7 day trip to “Lightweight” backpacking.
Read more: Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker reviews (5)
Mountainsmith Morrison 2
![user rating: 4.5 of 5 user rating: 4.5 of 5](/images/stars/140x26/4.5.png)
What a GREAT tent... My first concern when I purchased this tent was the color, Citrus green?? I saw the blue tent offered by Mountainsmith, it stuck out like a turd in a punch bowl! The Citrus green actually does blend well with a green environment. The most impressive feature to me, is the ability for one person to put this tent up in 2 minutes the first try!! The aluminum poles are sturdy and of nice quality. The tent stakes are a perfect design, small, light weight and shaped into a "V" shape with hooks at the top to catch your guy lines or tie down straps.
Read more: Mountainsmith Morrison 2 reviews (7)
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