Aurora 3P

My girlfriend and I recently bought a marmot tungsten 4p tent and love it. It weighs around 9lbs which is the heaviest tent we would like to carry up there. The walls are pretty vertical and at 6ft tall I can stand up enough to change clothes. We used to use a Nemo aurora 3p which was fantastic and lightweight too, 6lbs ish, but we still felt a bit cramped in it, and I could not stand up in it, not even close. We definitely noticed it was harder to find a good tent pad going from 3p to 4p, but we like the space and would never bring anything up there that is bigger than a 4p tent. A lot of people, including some outfitters, recommend two 3p tents for 4 people before ever suggesting a 6p tent because it gets very hard to find a good spot to pitch it. Finding the that much flat ground in one chunk is almost impossible out there, and is almost always easier to find two flat spots for two smaller tents. If you plan on eventually getting a second tent anyways, you should really consider just going for two 3p tents that weigh 6-8 lbs each. Another plus is two 3p tents is more flexible for different group sizes, even if you go solo. If you get a 4p right now I love my marmot tungsten 4p. My only negative about it is not a ton of pockets inside, but that’s far from a dealbreaker. The marmot tungsten also is made in a 3person. Check it out! I personally would never bring a 6p tent up there. Good luck!!! Happy tent hunting

I also take 2 kids camping with portages in Canada (Ontario) and looked into this. We already had a Nemo Aurora 3p (which I had used as a 2p before, so went with that at first. It was OK, but a bit cramped. This year, the kids are 7 and 9, so I just said forget the big tent and went for a 2 tent setup. (In my imagination it was me in one tent and the kids in another; in reality, the 9 year old luxuriating in her own tent, while the 7yo and I share the other.) This works really well. And I figure as they get older this will make even more sense. FWIW I got the Durston X-Dome 2. It's awesome (and Canadian!), but pricey and definitely overkill for canoe camping. But damn, that thing is tiny and light packed up. Which I appreciated given all the extra crap I am carrying as the kids get bigger.

If you have an REI membership and one nearby their used gear is usually pretty bomber. Picked up a Nemo Aurora 3P for like $130 ($360 new). They were cool with me putting up the tent in-store and looking for any holes or tears so I knew before I left what I was buying.

Quality of life. If you’re an REI member their re-supply used goods area usually has good tents at a discount. I got my Nemo Aurora 3p for $140. I personally wouldn’t buy either of these because the rainfly isn’t going to protect you from hardly anything. Buy once, cry once when it comes to camping gear lol

Can only answer the exped question, def agree with getting two separate ones for the two of you, and also, I do put foam under just to protect a little from punctures from below. Has it ever happened to me yet? Nope, but a small yoga mat doesn't take up that much space lol. I personally have a Nemo Aurora 3p tent for myself and it's great. Got it on sale, was maybe 150$. That might have been a fluke since I think they were transitioning to an updated one. But Marmot Tungston 3p was the one I was looking at otherwise and seemed pretty comparable. But I also was in a cheap Coleman for years and was fine, it just got to be a hassle to put up alone while disabled.

If you want one tent that can do mostly car camping but still be backpackable occasionally, you’re basically choosing between “comfort/durability” and “weight/pack size.” Under $250, the sweet spot is usually a durable 3p that’s a little heavier than ultralight, but still reasonable for a short backpacking trip. How your list stacks up for your priorities marmot tungsten 3p Probably the best “buy once” pick on your list. It’s durable, very forgiving in weather, easy to pitch, and the pole structure gives decent livability. It’s not light, but it’s manageable for occasional backpacking if you split parts between two people. marmot catalyst 3p Good value, but it’s more “budget build” than tungsten. Still fine, but if you’re truly trying to buy once, tungsten is the more proven step up. nemo aurora 3p Awesome comfort and super easy setup, but it leans car-camping. It tends to be heavier and bulkier. If “comfortable and roomy” is the main goal and backpacking is rare, it’s a great choice. If you really mean occasional backpacking, it’s the one I’d most likely skip because of pack size/weight. kelty far out 3p Good value and beginner-friendly. Generally easy to pitch and decent space. Not as “refined” as Marmot/Nemo in materials and details, but it can be a solid under-$250 pick if you find it on sale. mountain hardwear meridian Not as commonly discussed/owned as the others, so you’ll get fewer real-world reports. Not necessarily bad, just less “known quantity.” My short recommendation * best all-around “buy once” in your list: marmot tungsten 3p * best comfort-first car camping choice: nemo aurora 3p * best budget/value if you find a deal: kelty far out 3p A couple things to double-check before you buy (these matter with 2 people + a dog) * floor dimensions: many 3p tents fit 2 pads nicely, but the dog ends up on top of gear unless the floor is wide enough * vestibule space: with a dog, having a vestibule for muddy shoes/pack matters a lot * full-coverage rainfly: nicer for real rain and shoulder seasons Other tents worth watching in this range (often under $250 when on sale) * rei half dome sl 3+ (great balance of durable + roomy + still backpackable) * msr elixir 3 (durable, simple, common “first real tent” choice, but watch sale prices) If you tell me how often you realistically think you’ll backpack (like once a year vs once a month) and what weather you’ll camp in (lots of rain? mostly fair weather?), I can steer you to the best match from that shortlist.