Winter is coming, and I’m looking to upgrade my trekking gear—specifically my tent. Here’s some background: I’ve hiked extensively across North and South America and the Alps, summiting up to 5000m. During summer, I rely on my tarp and hammock, so this tent will mainly be for winter and harsh weather conditions. I love challenging weather, so it needs to handle prolonged rain and snow effectively. Price isn’t an issue, but I value durability and reliability above all.
I’d appreciate any recommendations or warnings about what to avoid. Thanks!
Hilleberg is the gold standard. Their materials and specs, like hydrostatic head, are top-notch. They’re lightweight for their size and incredibly durable. Plus, with the inner tent hanging inside the outer fly, you can pitch it in awful weather and still have a dry interior.
Lior said: @Dara
I have two Hillebergs (Nallo 2 and Nallo 4 GT), and they’re fantastic. Durable, spacious, and lightweight for the size. Highly recommend them.
I’ve got a Nallo 3 and used to have a Keron 4 GT. That Keron was like a palace—a dream tent for sure.
I second Hilleberg. I mostly use an ultralight setup for three-season camping, but whenever it rains heavily, I switch to the Hilleberg. It’s like sleeping in a fortress. The setup and teardown are simple, even in bad weather.
KUIU’s Storm Star 2P is one of the best two-person four-season tents on the market right now. The downside is that extras like the gear loft and footprint cost more, but the tent itself is phenomenal.
Iman said:
KUIU’s Storm Star 2P is one of the best two-person four-season tents on the market right now. The downside is that extras like the gear loft and footprint cost more, but the tent itself is phenomenal.
It looks amazing, but I can only seem to find it on their website.
I use a Black Diamond Hilight 2P for solo winter camping and love it. Just a heads-up—it’s a bit short, so if you’re over 6 feet tall, you might want to look at other options.
I’ve used the Snugpak Scorpion 3 and The Cave in northern winters and even during a flash flood. The Scorpion is great for solo trips since it’s smaller and easier to manage, while The Cave is better for group camping.
For less extreme conditions, consider 3+ season tents like the Durston X-Mid Solid, Tarptent Solid, Marmot Fortress, or Vapor. Look for options with mostly fabric inner layers for better warmth.
Hilleberg tents are amazing, but not everyone can drop $1,000+ on a tent. If you’re unsure about committing, consider renting from places like REI to try out different options.
I’ve been using the HMG Ultamid 4 for about 10 years now, and it’s excellent for four-season camping. You can even safely cook inside it. Other great options I’ve used in the past include the Bibler Eldorado (now made by Black Diamond), TNF Westwind, and various four-season Moss tents (now made by MSR). While Hilleberg is top-tier, plenty of other brands make high-quality tents that are suitable for most conditions.
Black Diamond offers some fantastic four-season tents. On a recent trip to Mt. Rainier, I saw lots of Marmot Thor tents in use. They seemed popular and well-liked, though I don’t have firsthand experience with them.