Big Agnes - Blacktail 4

I ended up ordering a Big Agnes Blacktail 4p tent with footprint. I'm also looking at picking up a tarp or blanket to line the inner of the tent. The Blacktail has got a much roomier interior (including 50" peak height) and tougher/heavier materials (75-denier floor and fly) than the ultralight 1p and 2p backpacking tent I'm used to using, but is still more lightweight and compact than a full-sized family car camping tent. I almost went with the Blacktail 3p but the 50" peak height on the 4p really sealed the deal for me. Other boxes it checks for me are good ventilation (two peak vents in the fly plus low vent configurations for the fly doors), generous vestibules, and minimally curved door zippers on the inner. With the footprint I think I can also do a fly first pitch in wet weather to keep the tent inner a bit more dry. I'm hoping it hits that sweet spot between giving my dog and I plenty of room to spread out and maybe even set up a (very low) chair for hanging out inside if it's rainy/buggy, toughness to withstand extra wear and tear from my dog, but also not being so huge that it's a struggle to set up solo or takes up tons of space in my car or stored in my house. Plus it's a size that I could still use for actual backpacking if split between 2-3 people, or even carry it solo for short distance, walk-in campsites. The lower profile versus the high rise style tents will hopefully help keep it from getting damaged or blown away if the wind picks up, something I've read about in a number of reviews for tents like the Aurora Highrise or the Wawona.

I have two Blacktail tents from Big Agnes that I use for car and canoe camping that have been great. We were just out in the BWCA last week and stayed dry in a 24 hour rain that included ~3 inches of rain with an inch of it coming down in about an hour. They are more expensive, but have held up very well over the six or so years we’ve owed them.

My Big Agnes Blacktail has half mesh walls. Not sure if that's helpful.

The Big Agnes Blacktail (or Blacktail Hotel) is cheaper (and heavier) than the Copper Spur.  My 3p Hotel has been a perfectly reasonable and durable backpacking tent.  The absurdly large vestibule is worth the weight penalty, IMO, as long as there's space to pitch.

I have a copper spur 2 person that I’ve taken both my kids in on separate occasions. I didn’t want anything too fragile so stayed away from the platinum models. I’ve since picked up a xmid 1p and obviously use that for solo outings. We are now at the point where we need two 2p shelters and I’m looking to add a xmid 2p+ at some point. We have a 4 person big Agnes tent but it’s a bit heavy and 4 people in a 4 person tent is a little rough when they get older. The best part of the copper spur is pairing it with a two person pad and two person quilt. The entire floor becomes a bed and is very comfortable. The two person quilt keeps the jimmy legs in without having to carry two sleeping bags, so for the person carrying it saves a good bit of weight. If I had to start over I’d probably make the same decisions. A freestanding tent is a bit easier if you aren’t used to trekking pole tents. My first outing with my xmid was on hard packed ground in the desert where it was really difficult to get stakes in the ground. The tent blew over during a thunderstorm that evening. If I were going on the same trip again I’d probably just take the copper spur. So for me it was about having some flexibility and diversity of functions when building out my gear closet.

Go with a four person tent if you are car camping. Especially if you want to be able to stand up. It's only me camping. I got a 4 person Big Agnes on sale. And I have a large size Teton cot. The tent is ok for one cot, with room for gear and space to stand. Two large cots, would fit. But no room to stand. Two normal size mats and gear would be fine. As others have said, err on the big side. Unless weight is a major factor.

I had a bad experience with the north face 6 person tent, 2nd time using it and the bug netting on the doors started ripping at the seams. I had to send it in and they did fix it but beware. It’s a shame cause my other tents from them lasted at least a decade before starting to fall apart. We also have a Big Agnes 4 person tent since 2018 and it’s been flawless.

I’m so glad this was mentioned. I went colder weather camping with my sons a bit ago. Initially, I bought a big giant tent with an added screen room. This sub pointed us in the right direction. I returned the behemoth and went with my Big Agnes 2p and bought the boys their own 4p to use with their friend. OP, I did buy a propane heater. I would warm up my tent when I was getting ready to go to sleep and then again in the morning g before getting out of my sleeping bag. In the tiny tent, it was hot in there within minutes!

We really love our big agnes. It's durable, huge and comfy without being too heavy. it's about 4lbs so my husband and I split the weight. It's really thoughtfully desiged, and has so many pockets to stash stuff. super roomy footprint. It's like the Taj Mahal of tents

I got my wife into camping and backpacking, but I screwed up initially on the backpacking and am really lucky she’ll do it with me—I chose a trail I hadn’t done before and it turned out to be steep, crowded, hot, and covered with horse poop. Also, I brought the wrong fuel bottle for our camp stove and so there was no hot dinner once we got to (an admittedly pretty lovely) campsite by the lake. That meant I had to improvise a mini fire, which ruined her camp pots. We both still laugh at the pic I snapped of her at the top of the pass on that first trip, sweaty and dirty and panting and furious. Don’t be like me. ;) I did better getting her into cool weather camping and kayak camping—invested in good equipment, a nice thick comfy exped camp mat, zero degree down bag that zips to mine, silk sleeping bag liner, battery-heated vest, good food that we often make ahead and enjoy at camp, and an excellent pair of tents (large family-style marmot for car camping, and a Big Agnes for backpacking). I also try to bring along fancy chocolates and bust them out around the fire with a nice hot beverage. In short: take her comfort and safety seriously. Turns out all that makes my camping experience better, too.