Big Agnes Big House 4

$299

by Sam Moulton

Mark Wiens

BARGAIN BASE CAMPER

We packed a family of five into this spacious dome, and no one had to jostle for room. Its 65 square feet of floor space and five-foot eight-inch ceiling height feel castlelike if you're used to Lilliputian backpacking tents. Two huge doors and 12 organizing pockets make for easy group living, and the three-pole design pitched quickly even when Dad had to do it alone. As sold the Big House doesn't have a traditional vestibule—which saves weight and bulk should you want to schlep it to a base camp—but makes it best suited to mild weather (even so, we slept through a deluge in southern Utah and had no complaints). Add an optional, enormous vestibule (52 square feet, $100) for extended foul weather. 11.3 lbs; bigagnes.com

Bonus: A welcome mat adds a touch of unexpected civility. Bummer: Storing wet gear is a hassle without that add-on vestibule.

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Vaude Hogan Ultralight 1	$265
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Kelty Sage 2	$160
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