If you can stretch the budget just a llittle or do some sales hunting, consider the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 OR MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 OR Durston X-Mid 2. [11 Best 2-Persons Tent for Camping and Backpacking](https://alaskanarrows.com/11-best-2-person-tent-camping-and-backpacking/) can help with the others.
They’re are all 3-season tents with better fabrics, stronger pole architecture, roomier vestibules and more thoughtful details (doors, vents, zips) than budget models. They’ll be heavier and cost more than the Cloud-Up versions but they’re way more durable and comfortable long term, take it from me, I’ve gone on countless trips with various types of tents so yeah!
If $300 is a hard cap, watch for sales or used tents online, you’ll find something!
Shelter - the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 paired with the Big Agnes Greystone 20°F down bag
Make sure you pair that bag with a high-end insulated sleeping pad like the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT to block the ground too
For the rest of your kit, pack zero cotton! bring a $10 mosquito head net and keep a can of bear spray clipped to your hip at all times as well. These [30 essentials for winter](https://alaskanarrows.com/30-essential-items-for-winter-hiking-and-camping/) could come in handy for the trip as well, cheers
We have four tents:
1. UL minimalist 2P backpacking tent (Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2) for the most strenuous backpacking trips where every ounce matters
2. UL 3P backpacking tent (Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2) our typical backpacking tent with our dog
3. Very cheap 2-3P dome tent for car camping (typical Wal-Mart tent) an extra tent for friends/family just in case
4. Large 4P stand-up tent (Eureka Copper Canyon 4P tent, with queen cot)
For car camping, #4 is so, so nice. Being off the ground where both of us can be standing and getting dressed, etc. at the same time is a huge luxury compared to being on the ground.
That said, we also have a towable 17ft camper that is next level across the board (queen bed, fridge, hot/cold water, toilet, shower, table, etc.
We also sleep in the back of the 4Runner when we arrive at the trailhead late at night for an early morning start.
I just upgraded from my Copper Spur 2p to the same name but bike packing in the 3p. Nothing wrong with my 2p quality wise, just not enough room for me plus all my gear (motocamper so boots, jacket, pants, helmet)
I thought about the UL3, but I'm always alone, so the 2 was fine for me. A big one person tent, then. Plenty of room for just one. And, you're right. They aren't cheap. I got mine on a light sale for $469.95 from $529.95. The best gear never is cheap, but I'm at the age (51) where I can buy the best of the best. So, I do. I don't buy new cars, though I could, or waste money on anything else, but I buy the best gear. That's what I spend my money on. The rest I save so when I hit retirement age, I'll just travel, hike, pack, climb, paddle, ski, bike, kite surf (something new I'm picking up), and whatever else I want without much concern because I'll be geared up for it. I went through enough cheap stuff in my 20's and 30's. I'm good with that.
Wickiup 3 is an awesome tent for 2 adults and a kid, so it should also work for 1 adult and 2 teenagers.. not ultralight but stormproof and plenty of room to sit or half stand in it. You can also get a half inner for it or just use the fly alone. Plus you can pitch it in less than 3 minutes, just put in the 6 pegs, insert the main pole and its ready, inner can bet kept attached to the fly and if you do not expect any storms or heavy rain no more guylines are needed.
Only downside is, it's not freestanding, on wood platforms or rocky terrain I grab my big agnes copper spur 2 hv (if we are only two, for 3 its too small)
Top Camping Tents on Reddit
1
The North Face
Wawona 6
86% positive of 132 users
Spacious vestibule, strong in storms, but rainfly tricky solo.
Alaskanarrowusa
