Marmot - Limelight 4P

I’ve turned the corner on cabin style after dome tenting for a decade in a Marmot Limelight 4p. Standing up to change or just move around is very nice plus my SO appreciates it too just walking out the door. Nicer for guests like you’ll have instead of everyone crouching inside. Sure there is more material but camping is work and it’s worth it. Use guy lines and a well made tent will stand up to wind. Blackout is nice or just wear an eye mask. Will keep the tent a little cooler in the mornings if you sleep late but will still get hot in full sun. There is no escaping that. You can double up with a tarp or solar tarp in very sunny hot weather. Learning the Prussic knot, bowline, and taught line hitch are extremely valuable or buy cheater devices to tie out your tarp. I always look for a full fly on any tent for a few reasons. Best rain protection. Also, in the colder/cooler months it’ll keep your heat from escaping and lower the heat envelope if you use a Mr buddy heater. Meaning you’ll feel the heat lower near the floor instead of maybe just at your shoulders. You can use a little fan to mix up the air and a full rain fly will keep it all in. I always laugh seeing the little cap of a rainfly many brands use.

I was a guide for 10 years and slept in a tent ~150 nights a year. The only tent I owned that entire time was a Marmot Limelight 2p. I think I broke one pole the entire time ( a non-necessary pole that gives you more headroom) and marmot was able to send me a replacement. It's a good middle ground tent, not heavy, but not ultralight. Reasonably priced. Rugged enough to keep up with the elements (used through many severe mountain storms). I have backpacked with it, but it's a bit too heavy to use it for that solo. I longer guide, but my family's tent is now a Limelight 4p (which is huge IMO). On the other hand. If you want true BIFL, don't care about weight, and are willing to spend a bit of money for the last tent you will ever buy, get a canvas wall tent as others have mentioned (Springbar or Kodiak).

I have an old Limelight (like 3 generations old) and it’s a great car camping tent. Got one of the newer versions (non-UL) and didn’t like the vestibule access. Ended up returning it and getting a Sea to Summit Telos TR3. Would definitely recommend the tent. Maybe a hair shy of a UL, but not by much

I have an old Limelight (like 3 generations old) and it’s a great car camping tent. Got one of the newer versions (non-UL) and didn’t like the vestibule access. Ended up returning it and getting a Sea to Summit Telos TR3. Would definitely recommend the tent. Maybe a hair shy of a UL, but not by much

I spend a lot of time camping on the coast of North Carolina where winds go from 10-45+ mph on a normal weekend. I use a full fly dome, with a lower profile with long sand stakes. Usually I use a Marmot Limelight pointed into the wind (helps with bugs). This year I moved up to a MSR Habitude for more room, but has a similar design.

That tent is cheaper direct from Marmot (https://www.marmot.com/equipment/tents/3-person/limelight-3-person-tent/AFS\_195115053215.html). I have a Marmot car camping tent which has been great but I'd not recommend the Limelight at 6lbs as there are far better options for backpacking. Durston XMid or XDome are very popular options in this price range for example.

I'd add marmot to that list too for the 3-season and backup the canvas with stove for freezing weather.