$280

by Frederick Reimers

Shana Novak

"Big enough for comfy car camping but light enough for backpacking." That tester comment pretty much sums up the Gore Pass. Although our team praised its four gear pockets, huge doors, and generous 33-square-foot floor plan, our favorite detail was the dual-zippered vestibule door. Using your trekking poles as additional supports, you can prop it up to make a cool sunshade or larger rain shelter for fume-free stove operation. True gearheads should check out BA's nearly identical Slide Mountain ($500), which has an integrated BOA ratcheting system that allows you to tension the fly from inside the tent. The device is nifty and works well enough, but the consensus was that it isn't worth the hefty price tag. 5.9 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

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