Lightweight tents for three.

[Mr. Clean]

Anyone have any ideas on some good lightweight shelters for my two young boys and myself? I'd like it to have netting to keep the bugs out, and a floor would probably be a good idea. I've been using a cheapy 4 man dome tent, but at 11 lbs, we can't go very far. We'd like to start doing more, next year, in the mtns instead of the backyard.
I suppose a light 3 season would be my ideal tent, but am willing to look at most anything.

[Mountain Wildman]

Tarptent Rainshadow 2 will accomodate 3 and weighs 40 ounces (2.5 lbs.)
MSR Carbon Reflex 3 is also a 3 person tent, It's free standing and weighs 4 lbs. 13oz. It is much more expensive at $599.00 retail, you could probably find it cheaper on sale.
The Rainshadow 2 is $265.00.
http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/tents/fast-and-light-tents/carbon-reflex-3/product

http://www.tarptent.com/products.html

These are the first 2 that come to mind.

[Mountain Wildman]

Big Agnes has the Copper Spur UL3 which is 4lbs.12oz. around $500
http://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/CopperSpurUL3

Sierra Designs has the Lightning XT3 which is 5lbs. 10oz. around $350
http://www.sierradesigns.com/p-126-lightning-xt-3.aspx


These are all that come to mind, I'm sure others will have some more ideas for you.
The Rainshadow 2 is obviously the lightest but it is Silnylon single wall and the other 3 tents I listed are the traditional double wall tents with the inner wall and rainfly as the outer wall. With the Rainshadow 2 you can use your trekking poles or buy the optional tent poles if you don't use trekking poles.

[Moose2001]

I like the REI 3 person Quarterdome

[mykl]

Big Agnes Seedhouse 3SL is just under 4 pounds and seems roomy, though I never was in one. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___27745
Or
Big Agnes Seedhouse 3. A little heavier (5 pounds 6 ounces), seems to have more room and a bigger vestibule. http://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/Seedhouse3
Both are freestanding, in a way.

[FamilyGuy]

I'd look at the Nemo Equipment Espri 3p. Very large, double walled, excellent headroom because of the pole configuration, and three different vestibule configurations to choose from. They have one that sets up with a trekking pole and adds over 25 additional sq feet. Awesome.

[skinewmexico]

Catch the REI Quarterdome T3 on sale.

[TheYoungOne]

Big Agnes Fairview 3 is 6lb and on sale at REI outlet for $179
http://www.rei.com/product/801350

Also like mention by mykl the seedhouse 3SL is even lighter and on sale for $309
http://www.rei.com/product/734067

[mister krabs]

Alps Mountaineering Zephyr 3 5.5 lbs 120$ (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&safe=off&client=opera&hs=LfG&rls=en&q=alps+zephyr+3&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=10079424051508039938&ei=uoafTMj2CYG8lQecrMHoCg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBwQ8wIwAA#) Compare it's features for yourself.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Sierra Trading Post has a Marmot Titan 3 person for 159.95, but if you sign up for their email deals you can likely knock another 20% to 30% off that and sometimes get free shipping. I'm thinking about buying one for just over $100 witha 30% off and free shipping offer. Not the lightest at 6 lbs, but a decent tent.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,88636_Marmot-Titan-Backpacking-Tent-3-Person-3-Season.html

[LIhikers]

My wife and I have 2 different 3 person tents I can recommend whole heartedly. The first is the Tarptent Rainshadow 2 that others have mentiond. The other is the Sierra Designs Sirius 3, you can see it here (http://www.campmor.com/sierra-designs-sirius-3-tent-2009.shtml)

[bigcranky]

+1 on the Tarptent Rainshadow. We hiked with two adults and a teenager and it had plenty of room, easy to set up, and good weather protection.

[Franco]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNf837Dl1B0
(just promoting my video clip)
Franco

[Mr. Clean]

Thanks everyone. I'll be checking them all out. How does the hub pole design hold up, and is it easy to set up?
I've been using my Hennessey for about ten years and have been away from tents for awhile.

[Mountain Wildman]

Thanks everyone. I'll be checking them all out. How does the hub pole design hold up, and is it easy to set up?
I've been using my Hennessey for about ten years and have been away from tents for awhile.

I had originally bought a Mountain Hardwear Viperine 3 because of room, It has the hub design, I had a heck of a time when I first set it up, I had to put so much pressure on the poles I thought they would fail, I eventually got it up but ended up returning it when I found WhiteBlaze.net and learned about all of the lightweight options. The Viperine 3 was 7 lbs.
I now have a Nemo Meta 2P which is an awesome tent but still a little heavy for one person at 3.4 lbs. and 11 ounces for the footprint. I would definitely recommend the Nemo for 2 people. The tent I have chosen to Thru-Hike with next year is a Gossamer Gear "The One" 16.2 ounces, 21.1 ounces total with stuff sack, extra line, ground sheet and 8 MSR Needle stakes. The titanium stakes are about an ounce lighter but no where as strong as the Needle stakes.
There are many people who do use the Hub Design, I have read many favorable reviews on it.

[Mr. Clean]

I'm narrowing it down somewhat. I see a Sirius 3 for sale on Whiteblaze...

In anyones opinion, would the tarptent Rainshadow II work well in the Whites for three-season use?
Thanx

[mykl]

I'm narrowing it down somewhat. I see a Sirius 3 for sale on Whiteblaze...

In anyones opinion, would the tarptent Rainshadow II work well in the Whites for three-season use?
Thanx
Keep in mind that the Sirius 3 is only 7' long. If your over 6'2" you might be hitting the walls, especially with the way it angles.

[LIhikers]

Keep in mind that the Sirius 3 is only 7' long. If your over 6'2" you might be hitting the walls, especially with the way it angles.

The walls of the head and foot end of the Sirius III are pretty much vertical down near the floor, so you get the full length as useful space.

My wife and I have used our Rainshadow II in the Whites the last 2 summers. On most, but not all, nights we were on a tent platform at one of the AMC campsites. Occasionally a little creative line tieing was required but it hasn't been any problem really.

[scott bonder]

We have the Nemo Espri 3. Really like it.