Big Agnes - Salt Creek SL3

If you're planning to keep the new tent for the next 3 decades, then one thing to keep in mind is that the UL Tungsten and Ampex are made of less durable material to be more light weight. I have a Big Agnes Salt Creek SL3 that I think is awesome as a small, easy to setup car camping tent and occasional light backpacking use. A few places have them on sale for $290 if you can stretch your budget a bit. Another option would be a Nemo Aurora 3p, you can get a "Misfit" that has "minor cosmetic blemishes" direct from Nemo for $216.

For good tents I always shop the REI outlet website around major holidays because they always have a coupon for additional savings even off the outlet price. Scored a Big Agnus 3 man tent for a little over a hundred bucks with a retail just over 3 hundred. Good little tent. Honestly this is a great way to get new gear cheap. Before we bought a 23foot RV we use to buy most our gear that way.

I would recommend checking the rei outlet. Since this is a holiday weeekend they will have a members only coupon that can be applied to outlet prices. I bought a great Big Agnes 3 man tent normal price of 300 for about 120. If you are not picky on a specific model it is a great way to get quality gear on the cheap. If you are not a member it's cheap to join and lasts a lifetime.

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