Best for Backpacking
Hikers and backpackers who carry their gear.
See rankings → Weekender 3
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Sentiment score50% positive
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Last updated: Apr 15, 2026
Reddit Reviews
10 of 10 reviews
crunch816I 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.
blank_user_name_hereAnything by Alps mountaineering. Really good warrantee, great quality, good pricing.
Blue05DLook into Coleman for decent and affordable. I've been happy with Alps Mountaineering on Amazon. Best suggestions I can offer.
camping_scientistAll the tents from Alps mountaineering have treated me very well in wind and rain. Colemans not so much.
Fun_With_MathYeah the marketing is so bad. There are 3 season tents that are better suited for colder climates but they aren't advertised like that. So weird. In the south, I recommend Kelty tents a lot because their 2 layer tents have almost-full mesh bodies. I notice that people in the northern US swear by Alps Mountaineering tents... their bodies happen to have a lot less mesh in the body. They're like 3.5 season tents, lol (but they'd be bad in the south).
Lefty_LexI have two Alps Mountaineering tents that are longer than most backpacking tents. Idk if it's their standard or what but I like it for storage purposes.
MacksBombleeKelty and Alps Mountaineering have both been good to me. Quality gear at excellent prices. I often reach for my alps gear more than my expensive MSR gear sometimes. Anecdotally, my Kelty Grand Mesa has lasted me almost 20 years. Still waterproof. My Alps Mountaineering tent has withstood several Pacific Northwest storms and many nights of absolutely frigid temps. Hasn’t let me down either. Check out discount websites like Sierra.com and Steep&Cheap for good sales.
matlockpowerslacksSecond 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.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Beginner camping
New campers or those looking for a low-cost, easy-to-use option.
See rankings → Best for Comfort-focused car camping
Families or campers who prioritize living space and comfort over portability.
See rankings → Best for Hot and humid weather camping
Campers in tropical or summer environments.
See rankings → Best for Rain and wind
Campers expecting prolonged rain and sustained wind where shelter stability and weatherproofing are non-negotiable.
See rankings → Best for Snow and wind
Winter and shoulder-season campers who must handle snow loading and strong wind exposure safely.
See rankings → 
