4 person tent options

[Bluegum Mic]

As the family is currently expanding (along with my waistline lol) I am starting to look at options for the family tent for hikes. Most of its life will be around Sydney/blue mountains though as the little ones get older some easier stuff in the snowy mountains is on the cards. I know many say get two two man tents but as the boys are younger (yes I have another boy on board ) id prefer to keep us in the one tent.

My current thoughts are a

tarp tent hogback with extra crossing pole (Franco may be able to help with a question...can you get this with the solid inner??)

Nemo Pentalite with inner wedge

Golite SL5 with nest

Hilleberg Nallo 4 gt

Any feedback on these tents would be greatly appreciated and or any other suggestions.
Cheers

[Moondog55]

I know from experience that as the kids get older they will need their own tent but until they do get the biggest footprint for the weight you can, then add a tarp.
In fact add the biggest tarp you can carry. I found with my 3 it made far more difference to the kids enjoyment than any amount of tent.
I did think you had already decided on the GoLite

[Bluegum Mic]

No decision made yet. I think I just commented when I sold the SL3 that I'll need the bigger version but Im definitely open to other options/suggestions (besides half the fun of buying new gear is the researching . That said I do love the golite tents. Well made etc. But in my researching I must say I really like the shape and design of the pentalite and I would possibly lean towards it if I go with another mid. There's limited reviews on it vs the golite though but that being said the reviews it does have are good.

As for the tarp I agree its a must. I've got a lovely big sil tarp so that will definitely get packed. I figure while young the sproglettes can sleep with us and then down the track I can upgrade to the two mans.
Edit: I think another reason for leaning away from the golite is the bulk of it. I've seen videos of the hogback and pentalite in their stuff sacs and they are compact. Having owned a shangri la and nest they are two fairly bulky bags. Easily split between two parents but my husband doesn't always come along...especially when I pop down the snowies to walk with friends.

[Franco]

Hi Mic
No solid (fabric) inner for the Hogback. it is really meant to be a 3 season shelter that will hold a couple of inches of snow but not a winter tent
(depending on where you are of course...)

"get the biggest footprint for the weight you can"
I would think that "get the most usable space for the weight" would be a better comment.
Pyramid tents do have a large footprint but also a large non usable area.
By non usable I mean the area where you cannot sleep under .
In fact the SL5 is a classic example of that as illustrated here :


note that the bottom left drawing is the mesh inner of the SL5, the fly is bigger than that
The red line is at 8" , the minimum height in the Hogback is 15"
Hogback 51 sq feet, SL5 91 sq feet
Keep in mind that in high winds the SL5 should do better.
The hogback X pole helps to give fabric tension and support for wind and heavy rain

[Bluegum Mic]

Thanks Franco

That's great info. No stress regarding the solid inner. I just thought Id check as its always a nice option for the cooler months. I won't be using this tent for heavy snow loading (but certainly always nice to know a shelter can handle a little if caught out by the weather). Stable in solid winds would be more a priority I guess hence why I was thinking of the extra cross pole (or is that more for snow loading vs wind).

Space is always an issue with the mids. Thankfully my hubby is the only tall-ish one at 6'1. Im only 5'5 and the boys will be on short mats so Im hoping we'd fit most of the 4 mans. Mind you being stuck on a miserable day is always going to be the trouble with small terrors in tow lol

[Rico]

Hi Mic,

Congratulations! I am amazed... In a time where most mums are planning how to decorate the room for the new member of the family, you are already gearing up for your first hiking trip... That's commitment!!

On a fun note, have you thought about a family hammock? We'll stock this new TTTM hammock from the end of February
http://ticketothemoon.com/en/tttm-shop- ... ?size=star
With a size of 6m by 3m you'll have plenty of room for all the family, plus a couple of guests. Not sure if you'll have any sleep, but the kids will have lots of fun for sure!

[Maelgwn]

The nallo gt would be the most practical in bad weather. Space to undress and throw your packs while dealing with it all and connected to the tent. You could almost leave the tarp behind there would be soo much space. Naturally, the footprint would be huge!

Tarptent hogback looks cool. Cheaper and smaller footprint than the nallo gt. lighter and less durable.

I am quite a fan of the golite range but see that other options may perform better . Maybe a sl5 with partial floor and bug skirt mod?

Sounds like it will be lots of fun

[Lizzy]

Congrats Mic!
Tough decisions hey- I went through the same thing. I liked the TT Hogback for space and weight but wanted to to try a mid and had heard good things so we have the SL5. Fits me and hubby (both about 5"8) and two boys (8 & 6 years) well- boys on 3/4 mats when they manage to stay on them! I have the nest and also the seperate floor. We've had it out in some pretty torrential rain and it survived well. Haven't had it out in the snow yet. Will be interested to hear what you end up with.
Cheers
Liz

[roysta]

Nallo about does it.

[Onestepmore]

I'd have no qualms about recommending a Hilleberg Nallo GT.

It's superbly made, the footprint covers the whole vestibule and the whole shabang can be pitched in situ with the footprint, inner and the outer layer as one unit. It has dual openings to the vestibule so has great ventilation, and easy access for the kids when you need it. End-on access for littlies is better as they are less likely to trip over guylines than when using the side entrance. This is better access when it is raining too - keeps muddy shoes away from the inner. The vestibule is HUGE - we have the Nallo 3GT - no problems at all about having a child sleep in the vestibule plus gear.
I just wish the main door on the tunnel vestibule had bug mesh like the Nammatj does (does anyone know if this can be retrofitted??) In bad weather there's always the option of using a bivvy bag, or in summer a suspended bug net (I have them from Gossamer Gear) in the vestibule.
Our Nallo 3 could easily fit 2 extra adults in the vestibule if needed if the circumstances dictated (or 3 kids in good weather), and good space for 3 adults in the inner itself. It's a palace for just us two (we have other smaller/lighter 2 mans for when we need to restrict weight more). The useable area of the inner is great, being a tunnel design, not a pyramidal tent, so no lost space at the perimeter due to sloping angles.
The tent comes with a solid walled inner, with a mesh walled one available separately (which can be pitched independently if you purchase the four little plastic pole feet). It's pretty idiot-proof to set up (except the first time we set it up on a slight slope and didn't realise that heads were in the middle of the tent, not the end. Hmmm, I guess that makes us idiots? lol) We've had no problems with condensation in the inner, and it's been used in pretty humid weather. All closed up the vestibule walls do get condensation, not a problem when more 'flaps' are open.

Ours is drying at the moment, draped artistically over the table on the back verandah. Once the weather clears I'll set it up in the backyard, as I need to swap in the mesh inner anyway - do you want me to take some pics?.
This is the tent we'll be taking to the Snowies at Easter, for 2 adults and one or two older kids. If we end up doing any snow camping I may purchase the snow pegs, and extra set of poles, as you can double pole it for additional strength, though it's classified as a four season tent as it is

PS Congrats on your news! You're very brave hiking and camping with little bubs, made of much sterner stuff than I! Dirty nappies and babies crawling in dirt......
And I'm pretty philosophical about innoculating their immune systems
/huggles

[sherpa]

Hi Mic

We are in the same situation with a growing family, although my expanding waist line
has more to do with bagels.
We had decided on the Nallo 4, or GT version. Large footprint, light weight and Tassie tough.
The weight to usable room is the real drawcard as it will be me that has to carry it.
Good luck.

[Moondog55]

Babies and little kidlings have a natural affinity for dirt. Any holiday with mud is a pre-assured success