My Alps Meramac 3 \[not available\] was ridiculously priced at $109 plus about $35 for a footprint so on a whim I looked at the ratings from several sources and found that buyers liked the tent. It's an economy model for Alps, They have more expensive models with heavier fabric and aluminum poles, but the Meramac is a solid product and has served me well for 3 seasons on the PNW coast.
I had been looking at tents in the $300 range and half expected to return the Meramac, but it's a conventional design and well-made.
Three years ago, seeking a tent with more space, I bought a cheap Alps Mountaineering Meramac 3 \[with a footprint $145\]. It's a solid - conventional dome tent, and has held up well. The only issue I had with the Meramac is that the tent fly doesn't fully cover the entries, and since it rains in sheets on the PNW coast, I bought an Alps Taurus 4 \[full tent fly/aluminum poles\].
The Meramac with excellent ventilation is for Spring/Summer, the Taurus with less ventilation is for Fall/Winter.
Alps has several 6-man tents that you might like. I'd take a look at the Lynx 6 person. Between value and price, Alps has hit a sweet spot.
In my summer tents the inner tent is mostly mesh. This is great for ventilation and to keep cool, but in winter the coastal Pacific winds blow into the tent. I have 4-season sleeping gear but wind chill inside the tent seems foolish so when looking for something more rugged and less exposed I found the Alps Mountaineering Taurus 4 \[Outfitter Series\]. The Outfitter series also has a Taurus 5.
I've had excellent luck with the Alps tents, and the Taurus is an obvious upgrade from my Alps Meramac 3 which was only $145 USD \[with footprint\]. The fabric is much heavier, the zippers are rugged, it has a full fly, and the aluminum poles are stiffer than the fiberglass one on the Meramac. The Taurus does have good ventilation but most of the inner tent is not mesh. I've seen the Taurus 5 Outfitter for just under $300 USD \[with footprint\].
[Taurus 5-Person Outfitter | ALPS Mountaineering](https://alpsmountaineering.com/taurus-5-person-outfitter.html)
Three years ago I tried an inexpensive tent from Alps Mountaineering for spring/summer camping. The Meramac 3-person tent was only $109 but has held up well through 3 camping seasons which included spring rain storms \[PNW\]. It's a conventional design with a rain fly that covers about 85% of the tent. The Meramac 4-person is about $145.
Alps also makes a Taurus 4-person tent that has a full fly and 2 vestibules for about $170. Good luck.
For easy summer camping, you might want to look at the Alps Mountaineering Meramac 4-person dome tent \[$143 plus $40 for footprint\]. It's a conventional 2-pole tent with 1 pole for the door openings.
I've used the Meramac 3-person \[not available\] for 3 seasons on the PNW coast and it has withstood some heavy summer squalls without problems. These tents are simple to pitch and a very good value for the price.
I was so impressed with the inexpensive Meramac I bought the Alps Taurus Expedition 4-person \[heavy duty\] for the harsh storms of coastal PNW during winter. Good luck.
I use 3 tents. Two are for summer - fair weather camping but my best tent is the Alps Mountaineering Taurus Outfitter 4-person tent. It is ruggedly built, has aluminum poles, a full fly, and easily manages rainy/windy coastal PNW camping. I consider it a 3.5 season tent.
For more headroom, Alps makes a 5-person version of the Taurus Outfitter that might fit your needs.
[ALPS Mountaineering Taurus Outfitter 5 Tent 5 : Target](https://www.target.com/p/alps-mountaineering-taurus-outfitter-5-tent-5/-/A-1010270911#lnk=sametab)
I don't know how Alps does it. 4 years ago, when my Eureka Timberline 2 faded, I bought the Alps Meramac 3 for $109. My Eureka was more than twice that 15 yrs. ago, but the Meramac has already lasted for 4 years and is in perfect condition.
I have a Core Cabin Wall 4-person for glamping but when I bought the Taurus 4 Outfitter I didn't know that the 5-person had stand-up headroom. 3 tents is more than enough but I regret that I didn't buy the Taurus 5 Outfitter.
I would at least take a look at the Alps Mountaineering Lynx 6-person tent \[with a footprint about $300\]. It's a conventional dome-style tent \[6' center height\] has a full rain fly, and is easy to set up.
Three years ago, I gambled that the Alps Meramac 3, for only $140 w/footprint, was too inexpensive to last, but it's held up well in some rough PNW coastal weather. The Lynx tents are a grade better with heavier fabric and aluminum poles.
At a leisurely pace, I can set up my Meramac 3 in less than 15 minutes. The Alps are modestly priced but a good value.
[ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 6-Person Tent Review – Outdoor Overnights](https://outdoorovernights.com/tents/alps-mountaineering-lynx-6-person-tent-review/)
I highly recommend Alps Mountaineering. Their 3 person tents range from $220-$300. They have a 4 season option.
But if you want a super cheap option Academy has the Tellico 3 person tent for $30.
Personally I have two Gazelle knock offs that are just absolute chefs kiss. Unfortunately that company sucks and they don’t make them anymore.
I would be hesitant to buy an Ozark Trail tent, but I do have a $30 tent from Academy that I use for outdoor storage and it stays surprisingly dry.
I love my Alps tent, and I think it was Eric on YouTube that did a budget trip and the Featherstone tent he really liked.
I've spent a lot of time in my Alps Mountaineering tent. It's not the best quality, or lightest, or cheapest, but it's the best of all 3. Great quality, not too bad on the price, and very easy to set up.
The kingdom tents from REI are great. the tubeshape and features are quite nice so are the extras.... but if you want easy to put up an down the instant tents from Ozark Trail I used with my family when kids were young in cub scouts for 5+ years. I the integrated poles made for putting it up and down very quick and easy even by myself, and I could stand up and had 4 cots in them. The may be cheaper than others but there are a few brands that make the instant tents with integrated poles. I was surprised how well my ozark held up. also
check out the alps brands, they are built well, but heavy.
kaz1030
