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
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)
For southern Utah, I use my Copper Spur HV UL2 and it works well when I need to camp on slab; its been pretty storm worthy at the same time (*although I can't say its survived 75+ mp*h). It does go on sale pretty often if you look around (i.e., using a 20% off coupon from REI will drop it under $500 before tax). The footprint is a separate purchase (*definitely overpriced at $90*) and something to consider in total cost.
Also, depending on if you ever plan on using it as a true 2-person tent, you may want to look at the UL2 XL version ($50 more) that isn't tapered from top to bottom and gives more length, width, and head height; as it fits two 25" pads for a few ounces more.
Good luck!
For southern Utah, I use my Copper Spur HV UL2 and it works well when I need to camp on slab; its been pretty storm worthy at the same time (*although I can't say its survived 75+ mp*h). It does go on sale pretty often if you look around (i.e., using a 20% off coupon from REI will drop it under $500 before tax). The footprint is a separate purchase (*definitely overpriced at $90*) and something to consider in total cost.
Also, depending on if you ever plan on using it as a true 2-person tent, you may want to look at the UL2 XL version ($50 more) that isn't tapered from top to bottom and gives more length, width, and head height; as it fits two 25" pads for a few ounces more.
Good luck!
Alaskanarrowusa
