$400

by Frederick Reimers

Terry Heffernan

LOTS OF COMFORT, LITTLE WEIGHT

Big Agnes took last year's already light Gear of the Year–winning Emerald Mountain tent and sliced off nearly a pound, while apparently sacrificing nothing. How'd they do it? An even smarter design, smaller-gauge zippers, and a featherweight body and 15-denier nylon fly that, because its fibers are double-twisted for added strength, is much tougher than it looks. It's an impressive feat, especially considering that the tent is roomy enough—29 square feet, with a respectable 42-inch peak height—for two six-foot testers to sleep comfortably and is packed with features like reflective guylines and self-propping vents on the fly. The only catch? The fancy materials bump up the cost. 3.5 lbs; bigagnes.com

• The Goods: Hiking
• Women's Essentials: Hiking Gear
• Five Tips: Backpacking
• Tents Explained
• Taking Care of Your Tent

2009 Summer Buyer's Guide Camping Tents Reviews

Nemo Losi 3P Gear of the Year	$395
Big Agnes Gore Pass 2 Killer Value	$280
Marmot Abode 2P	$319
Ground Ajanta 2	$279
Hilleberg Kaitum 2 GT	$845
The North Face Minibus 23	$389
Sierra Designs Vapor Light 2	$329

2008 Summer Buyer's Guide Camping Tents Reviews

Marmot Aura Gear of the Year	$300
Mountain Hardwear Sojourn 2 Killer Value	$235
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2	$400
Sierra Designs Electron RC 2	$260
MSR Mo Room 3	$500
REI Quarter Dome T3	$290
GoLite Valhalla 2+	$525

2007 Buyer's Guide Camping Tents Reviews

Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL 2 Gear of the Year	$349
Black Diamond Mesa Killer Value	$299
Big Agnes Big House 4	$299
Big Sky International Evolution 2P	$300
Nemo Equipment Losi	$325
Sierra Designs Tengu 3	$299
MontBell Thunder Dome 2	$299
The North Face Vario 23	$279
Mountain Hardwear Viperine 2	$225
Marmot Zonda	$295

2006 Buyer's Guide Camping Tents Reviews

Black Diamond Skylight Gear of the Year	$430
Big Sky Evolution 2P Killer Value	$260
Marmot Aeolos 2P	$365
Sierra Designs Baku 3	$359
Hilleberg Kaitum	$595
Nemo Morpho AST	$565
Outdoor Research NightHaven	$159
Big Agnes Seedhouse Superlight 3	$349
The North Face Spectrum 23	$259
Mountain Hardware Spire 2	$425

2005 Buyer's Guide Camping Tents Reviews

Sierra Designs Reverse Combi Gear of the Year	$240
Mountain Hardwear Alcove 2	$220
Kelty Aztec 2	$180
REI Sub-Alpine UL	$239

2004 Buyer's Guide Camping Tents Reviews

Mountain Hardwear AirJet 2 Gear of the Year	$285
The North Face Talus 23 Killer Value	$179
Sierra Designs Delta	$200
Marmot Equinox	$259
Vaude Hogan Ultralight 1	$265
MSR Hubba Hubba	$280
Black Diamond Lighthouse	$369
L.L. Bean Microlight Solo	$119
REI Quarter Dome UL	$229
Kelty Sage 2	$160
Big Agnes Seedhouse 2	$199
Exped Venus II Extreme	$324

Related Gear Features

• Outdoor Retailer 2005 Outside Online

  The gear world's global Big Tent returns to Salt Lake, and things get dirty. The Gear Guy reports.

• Friendly Confines Outside Magazine September 2004

  The solo tent has become a roomy palace of personal space

• Mobile Homes Outside Magazine August 2002

  Thanks to smart design and engineering, today's tents deliver high-altitude performance at a low-elevation price

The Gear Guy on Camping Tents

• Who makes the best three-season one-person condensation-free tent?
• I'm looking for the lightest breatheable bivy sack out there, any suggestions?
• What is the lightest two-person three-season tent?
• What tent do I need for camping in the Andes?
• How can I repair a huge tear in my tent?

The Gear Blog on Camping Tents

• Nemo Hypno EX Tent
• Kelty Pavilion 6 Tent