ALPS Mountaineering - Chaos 3

Weight isn't an issue? I like the Alps Mountaineering tent I bought last year. I can't remember the model name at the moment, because it was an exclusive model to Backcountry.com. But it's the same tent as the Chaos 3 model, just different colors. The design is basically a ripoff of the MSR Hubba Hubba. Nemo Dagger and Aurora are similar. Best part it was cheap. About $100, for a three person, aluminum poles, all clip suspension tent, that normally sells for $219. No foot print included however. But the floor dimensions are 7'6x 5'6, and HF sells tarps exactly that size for cheap.

Yes! We love our Alps Chaos 3 - they are on a good sale now for the closeout model at REI. Weathered many storms in the low profile design.

I actually purchased this tent and returned it last year. It’s big and sets up easy, but it’s not going to last. Bought it as a cheap tent just to use with my German Shepherd and we never went out and actually used it. I’ve been around a lot of tents, and this wasn’t a great one. Poor quality on the stitching all over, and the rain-fly is not good at keeping out rain. It will blow right in from the space above the door and get your stuff wet. Doesn’t come down far enough on the front for protection against the elements. I got it for $60 for the REI outlet and I returned it after setting it up 5 times just in the back yard. Stitching came out from the clip that attaches the tent to the pole on one side and that was that. The year before that, I had purchased a totally different brand’s green 4 person dome tent that was the same exact design. Exactly the same. Bad stitching, short rain fly, just different colors. So the design for this tent is a general cheap pattern that different cheap companies slap their name on and sell at cheap prices. I returned it and got one I absolutely LOVE for about $80 at the outlet again. ALPS Mountaineering- Acropolis 4. It’s a 4 person tent but I can still stand 98% all the way up (5’9”). Stitching is good, fabric quality is nice and hefty, and it’s got a nice vestibule on both sides. This year I was looking at the outlet again, and saw that the outlet had an ALPS Mountaineering 3 person backpacking tent. Seemed to be the same materials used in the bigger 4 person dome tent that I was already very happy with, so once again for a great price I ordered the Chaos 3 for the dog and I on a trail. Again, very happy with my purchase, and I’m extremely picky. I usually buy top quality stuff and love the phrase “buy once, cry once”, but I didn’t shed a single tear over these two. My NEMO Dagger 2 was very expensive but pretty worth it. So, I’d say pick a different tent, even though the price is enticing. All it takes is one bad camping experience for people to not want to go again.

Ur tent is for sleeping on a sleeping pad in a sleeping bag. All other activities are meant for outside ur tent. If you have more gear than you can fit under ur fly vestibule, ur not camping, you’re partying. 2-3p tent for 2-3 people. It’s rated that way for a reason. My partner and I camp with our 3 large dogs. We have 2x 3p tents we’ll use depending on conditions. We use a The North Face Rock 32 if we want a bit of extra space, and a 3p ALPs Mountaineering one for a slightly smaller footprint. If ur on a budget, I’d go ALPS. If you’ve got some extra dough, go with TNF. I’ve had mine for 15 years. If ur just looking for a trash tent that you’ll store in the garage for 10 years until you eventually throw it away, get a Coleman or Ozark Trail.

I originally bought the Timberline 2 for backpacking in rugged terrain during Fall/Winter seasons in northern VT and NY. The simple A-frame style is superior to most designs in high wind or snowy conditions, but most folks today demand more space and comfort. As a retiree, with creaky bones, who can no longer manage hiking, I now normally use an Alps 3-man dome tent or a Core 4 cabin-walled tent. These two are not as rugged as the Timberline, but are spacious and inexpensive. I drive an F150 with a full 8' canopy so I keep the Timberline is case of full-storm weather. The Pacific coast can have wicked winds and sheeting rain during the colder months.

And we use them for our scout troop. ( the 3 man stand alone) very tough tents. At a reasonable price.

Anything by Alps mountaineering. Really good warrantee, great quality, good pricing.

All the tents from Alps mountaineering have treated me very well in wind and rain. Colemans not so much.

I have never used an Ozark Trail tent, but I have used other store brand tents. My experience is the difference between a cheap tent and a half decent tent is waking up with a puddle in your tent. I recommend an Alps Mountaineering tent, but they will run you 100-150.

I love my Alps tent and they’re not too expensive.

Second on the Alps, and I also own a Nemo dragonfly osmo. Some people will say they aren't necessary, but I disagree 100 percent, especially in your use case. Get. a. ground cloth/footprint. Even if it's a $4 dollar general blue tarp. If somebody in the troop has access to tyvek housewrap, even better. You can run that through a wash and dry cycle and make it a lot less crinkly if you want. Unless you plan on camping on carpeting, there will inevitably be a stick, rock, piece of broken glass or debris that will scratch or puncture your floor. As far as purchasing, also keep an eye on the REI Garage Sale. I've seen some really good deals on things that were returned after a couple uses or missing an item that could be easily replaced.

No. Just get an Alps Mountaneering and save yourself a lot of aggravation.