Tiger Wall 2 Carbon

I’ve had my Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 for 7 years now but that’s more geared towards backpacking but it’s been pulling double duty for me. MSR is a brand worth taking a look at. If you have access and to a REI then their half dome tent is worth taking a look at too.

My wife and I have had the 2p versions of the BA Copper Spur, BA Tiger Wall, and Nemo Dragonfly. I didn;t like the Tiger Wall, and the Dragonfly had less head room than the Copper Spur and was heavier (this was an older generation). We still have the CS2P but two years ago we switched to the Hornet 3P w/ Osmo. Love that tent, and I don't see where we'll be switching to anything else. Really spacious, yet quite light for a DW. I've used various 1P Hornet's going back 10 years, and currently have the "Elite" 1P in Osmo. It handles weather really well. Osmo fabric is great. In your shoes, I'd definitely go with the Hornet 3P.

I have the Big Agnes TigerWall 2 person tent. I love it, I tent by myself but I like the extra room and in emergency cases there is still room for 2. It comes a little over 2 pounds. I am older (54). I saw reviewer said he likes the tiger wall because it is side entry. If it was front entry he had a hard time turning around. That’s what sold me on the TigerWall. 😂

We had this same dilemma recently. Before it was just me and my wife and our ACD who is around 35lbs. Our two person tent worked fine for that (Big Agnes Tigerwall 2). Then we got our second dog around 50lbs. So that setups wasn’t going to cut it. We ended up getting the REI Camp Dome 3 and that works out just fine for car camping or kayak camping. However it’s packed down weight is something like 5lbs. While that’s not terrible if the trip is short enough, I wouldn’t want to pack it on a trip longer than an overnighter. So we’re still in the market for a UL 3 person for those longer multi-day trips I guess.

2p tend (Big Agnes Tigerwall) and 2p sleeping bag (Big Agnes Cabin Creek). Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find a lightweight down 2p sleeping bag, but we just sleep much better together

I started with a BA tigerwall 2 I and have a history of using smaller tents. I am very comfortable at setting up anywhere there is flat enough space for my sleeping body. I absolutely missed the place-able versatility of the smaller footprint; made pushing myself past an \~ok spot\~ late in the day less "risky". You can setup the 2P-pro in a lot of wonky areas and in much smaller spaces if you are willing to get creative. Its probably not "storm worthy" but I have set it up without the vestibules pitched, i.e. narrow pitched. I used the silpoly floor, the weight difference did not matter to me. If you already have a tent, you might just use that and buy the Durston once you have a few hundred miles under your belt.

You're probably getting a Durston XMid 2. The downside is a large footprint, which will make some sites a little tricky. If you want freestanding, it's probably a Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2UL or a Nemo Hornet 2p. I think trekking pole shelters are superior in this case -- the (semi)-freestanding options tend to use weaker materials to offset the weight of their poles.

Started with an MSR Hubba NXT (1 person) and went with that till New York. Never let me down and I’m a fan of free standing. Came in handy a few times (one when I realised that sweet smell in the air was the privy. It was not sweet). Picked up the tent and moved it closer to ‘freshness’. Shipped it off in New York to my son who’d join me for the 100 mile wilderness. That saw me with the Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 man tent. Similar weight to the NXT. LOADS of room. Loved it. Never let me down despite some real testing weather. And all but free standing 2. So add both these tents to your list. You’ll get many suggestions, and that’s because they worked for people. So many good tents out there.

Regarding Hyperbead vs OSMO, there’s some big differences but basically Hyperbead claims to be permanently waterproof so if you camp a ton, like 30+ nights a year this might be very useful. OSMO has a very high quality waterproofing and should last many years (probably 10+ for the average camper, but likely less if you camp a ton) but it’s big advantage is that it doesn’t sag or absorb water. Hyperbead is made from nylon so I suspect they’ll be some stretch and water retention. If you’ve ever packed away a soggy tent, this is a pretty easy choice. Both brands should be storm worthy enough assuming you use the 4 season tent in really nasty weather. You do have to be more cautious with the Hornet, it has the lightest materials and there is only a single pole on one end so it’s the least wind resistant. The Tiger Wall has essentially the same design so that applies as well. Personally I feel the extra weight of full free standing tents is worth it for the peace of mind in windy conditions. Plus the option of not needing stakes on blue bell days is nice. With a dog always use caution, these are lightweight tents and should be treated with the same care you’d take with an Airmat. Keep a barrier between the claws and the tent and you’ll be fine. You height won’t be an issue. As you’ve heard the NEMO warranty is the best in the industry. I’m not sure what you mean in your last question about the Hornet body panel. Do you mean the fly scoop? The Dragonfly has this as well. Total non issue for me and a big plus in warm weather. If you hate that design, the new generation coming out next year doesn’t have scoops. Personally if you can get a sale now I wouldn’t wait, the updates are similar to what they did on the Dagger, slightly more head space and no more fly scoops.

Big Agnes, MSR, and Nemo are 3 of the best tent brands available. I ran the warranty desk for an outdoor gear company, and saw the least amount of warranty issues with those brands. They’re not inexpensive, but, you get what you pay for. I have a Big Agnes tent that’s at least 10 years old, we use it regularly and only have to hose the dirt off. It’s amazing. Nemo is awesome too, I know a lot of people with Nemo tents and they love them. I just got an MSR 3 person tent and absolutely love it. Definitely get a 2 person tent. The general rule is to take however many people will be sleeping in the tent, and add 1. So 1 person = 2 person tent, 2 ppl = 3 person tent and so on. A 2 person tent is more comfortable for having your gear inside the tent, changing your clothes, etc. If you don’t plan to go backpacking with it, I’d get a 3-4 person tent just for the space.

Big Agnes Tiger Wall. Get the 3 person if either of you are over 5’7”. My husband and I are both 5’7”-ish and barely fit inside the Tiger Wall 2. I love it though, it has 2 doors, is easy enough to set up and pretty comfortable for an ultralight backpacking tent. I do NOT recommend the Fly Creek, at all. I had one for a good section of my thru hike and it was so uncomfortable to climb in and out of. I hate that overall design.