Elixir 4

Quite like my msr elixir 4 - medium price range, built to last a while and survive weather, bulky though... Nature hike makes decent budget tents, the 2 person is a spaceus 1 person+luggage option if you want cheaper and lighter. Cheapest would be to just get a tarp (and perhaps some tarp poles) and learn how to set it up properly - gives you flexibility, it becomes fun to set up and gives you the most outdoor feeling for your buck as it gives you a dry spot outside of your tent. Also helps with keeping your tent cooler/shaded during the day (leave space between tarp and tent - think James webb telescope)

to summarize what you probably want in a good tent, especially one as versatile as you want: strong pole structure, more solid body than mesh, enough mesh and vents for proper airflow, and portability. increased visibility is also always a plus, especially if you’re camping in wintry climates. generally, for something that will be tested by harsh conditions on a regular basis, it’s good to stick with the established brands rather than rolling the dice with amazon-affiliates: they’ve been around for a long time, and they’re a lot more likely to stand by their product than a shifty company that has never heard of the phrase “quality control”. MSR elixir is great, and usually is cheap. it’s very storm proof, does well in high winds, and can handle both texas heat and colorado blizzards comfortably. it’s a bit heavier than the REI half dome, but i’d wager it probably handles rough conditions far better. with gear, the cloud up 2 design is going to suck. you’re going to probably want two doors/vestibules if you have a lot of gear, and having the entrance like that seems like it would be far more annoying that a standard side entrance for a tent. also, there’s no such thing as a true all-season tent (at least one that can handle alpine conditions without being a sauna/greenhouse any other time of the year), but the elixir is one of the few that can come close to fitting the bill. if you want something that will let you do some serious winter camping (high elevations, high winds, high snow loads, etc.), you will need to go outside of that price range unless you find it used somewhere or it falls off a truck. i wouldn’t trust the onetigris “4 season” tent, since it looks like they’ve equated “4 season” with “no mesh”, allowing them to sell a cheaper tent at a higher price point. as a rule of thumb, i’m generally cautious about onetigris and other brands like them that try to market themselves as tacticool bushcraft warrior tent brands, since that’s usually compensating for shitty equipment. the north face tent you’ve shown might be a good mountaineering tent, but it’s probably overkill (if it’s any good) because you likely won’t be doing any alpine expeditions any time soon. a “treeline” 4 season tent like the MSR access 2 would be a better fit if you want a true 4 season tent, and it occasionally is on sale — i managed to get one used for $100 and it’s been a pretty good tool for camping in harsh wintry conditions. that said, it’s very expensive (for good reason), so you’re probably better off sticking with something like the Elixir, as you’re probably not going to get as lucky as i did any time soon.

i've been running a msr elixir for over a decade in all seasons and it's held up / required almost not repairs (one broken pole section from hastily carelessly setting up (not fully inserting which puts pressure on the meeting point)) It is a fortress in the cold & wet & wind. Its a bit hot in extreme heat though and I keep the doors open for airflow - which is fine until bugs are an issue. I feel like it will be hard to find something that is wind and snow proof but also good in extreme heat.

Nature hike cloud up 2 absolutely fantastic great price has served me many hiking and bike trips packs small weighs nothing, small footprint for wild camping lowish profile (enough to sit up at 5.8) the materials used are indistinguishable from msr elixir, I feel robbed buying that before the cloudup lol could of bought 3 cloud ups. Cant go wrong its perfect I'd never buy any other style of tent

I have MSR Elixir and I think this is suitable. Trekking tents are always a compromise - weight vs space vs strength. We are going to Sarek in February / March. What is your destination...? The more visited trails (Kungsleden, Helags-Sylarna area) have the luxury of retreating to a STF cottage in case of a serious storm or incident.

MSR Elixir has double pole structure and is thus rather sturdy in winds. Double entrance comes handy in blizzards. The setup is reasonably easy. It is not very lightweight though. I have done Abisko-Nikkaluokta three times in winter. Here is some advice: \- Take more time than suggested. 8 days is ideal in my opinion. More than that and you will get bored with the snow. Less than that and you cannot do the interesting side trails. \- Start from Katterjokk or Riksgränsen, not Abisko Tourist station, and spend your first two days in the valley west from Kungsleden, at the border of Norway and Sweden. Why so? Less crowed. No snowmobile track. Much more serene. \- Do a detour to Nallo. Either from Alesjaure (Alesjaure - Vistas - Nallo - Sälka) or from Tjäktja (Tjäktja - Nallo - Sälka). \- Do a detour to Tarfala, from the Kebnekaise base station. \- Explore options to summit Kebnekaise - I have not been at the summit in winter, but it should be possible, the Kebnekaise mountain station would know. \- Spend one night in a STF house with sauna. This is part of the Lappish experience that you cannot get in tents. Unna Allakas, Vistas, Sälka have saunas IIRC. Part of the fun is making the firewood yourself and heating the place up. The main route (Abisko - Singi - Nikkaluokta) has become so popular that skiing on it does not do the neighbourhood proper justice. Side valleys give you the real feeling. No snowmobile tracks, no large guided groups, just you.