Big Agnes - Tiger Wall UL3 Solution-Dyed

I have the tiger wall UL3 for my 2p backpacking trips. I found the fabric very delicate and needing of a ground sheet, more so than my other backpacking tents. It’s not a perfect tent, but it’s a great tent. I personally don’t like trekking pole tents, and I tend to feel more claustrophobic in them.

The Elixir is a great tent - is pretty tough while still being on the lighter side compared to standard or cheap tents. I’ve had one for 5+ years and taken it on portage trips and car camping trips and it holds up well. The 2 is a good size for one person and some gear, and I bought a 3 to camp with my gf. My only reason for changing tents was weight. I recently sold both of them and upgraded to a Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 3, a much lighter tent to make portaging and backpacking easier. They are a bit more delicate feeling than the elixir, so I am more gentle with them. The Elixir is the kind of tent people live in while tree planting for many seasons in a row. The single zipper door design on the Elixir is nicer / smoother to operate than the Tiger Wall. The fly also opens closer to the door, so it’s easier to get in and out, whereas the Tiger Wall you have to lean out pretty far to close or open the fly. My friend who is also a gear head bought the nature hike tent - he’s had it many years and it’s worked well. Basically an MSR quality tent without the brand name. Just make sure it’s not “used” and being sold as “new” - hold the fly up to the sky and loom through it to check the waterproof coating / pour water on it before your first trip to make sure. Use your footprint and it will last many years! TLDR; the Elixir is a great tent - buy it!

Also dad of a 7 and 10 year old. The tigerwall UL 3 is a spacious tent for 2 25-inch pads and a good tent for 3 20-inch pads. It’s a snug fit, but bumping up another size incurred a size/weight penalty that wasn’t worth it to me. I also have the copper spur 5 for when mom comes.  I have 3 of the previous model insulated nemo tensor, 20-inch, rectangular. The tigerwall fits those.

Always sharing. I have a three person tiger wall for me and a kid (or both kids). I have 3 20 inch pads (last model Nemo tensors) when it’s both kids. For one kid, we use two wide REI helix pads (25 inch). If all 4 of us go, then I bring a 5 person copper spur, and then it’s 2 helix and 2 tensors. I use a quilt, but my wife and kids are all in sleeping bags. Solo, I mostly stick to my plex solo (with wide helix and quilt).  I carry most of the gear under any group configuration. The 5 person tent is tough. I like the copper spur, but any tent that fits 4 is going to be a pain in the ass. The tiger wall 3UL is not too bad, poles and all. Be mindful of usable space. If you share a 2 person tent, it may limit your pad selection. 

Hey Dan, happy holidays. I just sold my Xmid solid tent as I'm a bit frustrated pitching them on soft soil/sand. I went back using BA Tiger Wall UL3 while I'm waiting for your free standing 2p dome tent. Just want to know if 2x regular wide thermarests (64cm Width) will fit inside? Just making sure otherwise we'll continue to use our current tent perfect for 2 people. Thanks mate

I use a Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL3 when backpacking with my gf. It isn't the lightest tent option, but it's basically a palace. It can be setup fly first if needed and isn't that complicated. Has enough space inside for 2 wide mats and all of our gear.

Don't go for a dual sleeping bag! Especially if one of you likes to hog blankets. After some trial and error we landed on: Individual bags/quilts and pads. We went with a Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL3 tent and it is perfect for backpacking. Semi free standing so you can almost always make it work. I'd like to try hammocks at some point, but that's another decent investment to do it right. Plus, sometimes hammocks won't work at sites; especially alpine sites.

I actually have both the Tiger Wall 3p and the X-Mid 2p, and use both regularly. If you use trekking poles, the X-Mid is the pick. If you don't the Tiger Wall is the pick. I like the vestibules on the X-Mid a bit more, but appreciate the semi-freestanding nature of the Tiger Wall. Both are storm worthy. All that said: for me, the deciding factor is the trekking poles.

I have a nature hike monger 2p. It’s a great beginner tent, weighs just under 5lbs. Thought for the price point the quality was really good. I used it for 3 years, then finally upgraded to the Big Agnes Tiger Wall 3p.

I almost bought this one but went with the UL Tigerwall instead. Definitely the right call.

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.