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  • Family Tents

    Hi there!
    I'm Nicole and I'm the mom of three kids. My husband and I are looking for a new family tent.
    We have kind of become obsessed with the Big Agnes Flying Diamond 6. Frankly, if we could actually find one anywhere, we probably would have already purchased one.

    But since they seem to be unavailable, I'm now looking at other options.

    What I love about that tent is a few things. One. It seems to be extremely weather-proof. That is a huge thing for me with small kids.

    Two. The two room thing is pretty cool.

    Three. That vestibule!!! I really want a nice space that we can sit in and store stuff in.

    So. My questions are this. Does anyone know what the deal is and why they seem impossible to find?

    Had anyone had experience with the things g being too big for any sites? (It seems HUGE)

    Any other suggestions for a VERY rainproof tent with a great vestibule?

    Also my husband is 6 feet. Not super tall but he'd like to be able to stand up.

    I'm also kind of interested in the Big Agnes Big House 6 with the vestibule. Anyone like that?

    What else? Lay it on me.

  • #2
    Re: Family Tents

    Hi Nicole and Welcome to the Forum!

    Both the BA Flying Diamond 6P and BA Big House 6P (add the optional vestibule which covers a whopping 44 sq ft!) are made with quality materials and have decent waterproof ratings. Not sure why their availability is limited. I found both available at REI and other online retailers, however, they mostly listed at full retail price. Some website retailers will give you 15-20% off your first item/purchase if you sign up for their free "club"/"email subscribe" etc, but they often exclude Big Agnes items from their discount. You can poke around online and find both of those tents available...not sure you'll score much, if any, of a discount (but it's worth a look).

    As far as suggesting other tents that might suit your needs, check out this recent thread: http://www.campingforums.com/forum/s...an-stand-up-in

    Note that the requirements requested in that thread are different than what you are requesting. In that thread, the OP is looking for a tent he can stand up in (6'2" - 6'3" interior height) but with a smaller size footprint. Although the tent suggestions I made were in the 6P size to meet the interior height requirement, most had footprint sizes of 10x8 to 10x10 or slightly larger (also not including any vestibule). Not sure the OP would consider those smaller size. Also, you'll see I didn't suggest the BA Flying Diamond 6P in that thread...but only because of it's huge footprint---not because it isn't a great tent. All of the tents I listed would meet your "waterproof" and tall interior height and are made by well known brands with top notch materials. However, not all of the tents I listed have the giant BA vestibule you want - all but the Kodiak canvas have a vestibule (and most have two), but you'll have to research each tent to get the overall vestibule sq footage.

    Different posters, different requirements, different suggestions. lol Take a look through those I listed though...it will give you some additional tents for consideration that I think would meet your needs.

    If you have additional questions, just ask. Good luck on your search and let us know what you ultimately purchased and why. And an "after the campout" review is always appreciated. Happy camping!!!
    Last edited by a65hoosier; 06-29-2015, 04:33 PM.
    2020: 7 nights 2019: 5 nights 2018: 20 nights 2017: 19 nights 2016: 20 nights
    Spring->Fall: Marmots: Limestone 6P and 4P, Stormlight 3P, Tungsten 3P; SlumberJack Trail Tent 6P, BA Yahmonite 5P
    Fall->Spring: Cabelas Instinct Alaskan Guide 8P, Field & Stream Cloudpeak 4P, Eastern Mountain Products Torrent 3P
    Every season: Kelty Noah's Tarps- 20, 16, 12; REI Camp Tarp 16; BA Three Forks Shelter

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    • #3
      Re: Family Tents

      A few thoughts and a few questions. What conditions and climate are you going to be camping in? Below 32F, winds, a lot of rain, desert conditions? That will cross some tents off the list and add others.

      I've always thought that two tents make sense rather than one. That provides more options. Your kids may be young now and you'd prefer them close to you now. Very soon they will want some independence and their own tent.

      You said you want a VERY rainproof tent. That means a fly that goes all the way down to the ground. Don't consider any tent whose fly doesn't.

      Your budget also plays into your choice. If I had a family and was looking for a large, bombproof tent with a huge vestibule you can stand up in, I'd select the Cabelas XWT XTreme tent, 12' x 12'. It is also a 4-season tent so you could use it in winter. It's costly but you cry once and enjoy the benefits for a lifetime. It meets all of your wants and desires and is the most bombproof tent I can think of.

      Here is a video about it. There's three parts.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk0WG1VpDqY
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCYio3QLhmM
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSK_YfU56ng

      http://www.cabelas.com/product/Campi..._SEQ_105517980

      Interestingly enough, this tent went on sale earlier in the year and was almost half off. I would have grabbed it just to have it but missed the sale.

      I'd also take a look at Cabelas Alaknak 12' x 12'. A massive vestibule can be purchased separately.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjwiZKYL2s0
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZnEv0xaa_w

      http://www.cabelas.com/product/Campi..._SEQ_104481180

      I would suggest you go to Cabelas website and look through their tents. They make bombproof tents. I have the Alaskan Guide 8 and 6 and can attest to the quality and weather worthiness of it.

      In the end, a tent can look pretty and roomy but if it is not 100% storm worthy then, at some point, you'll regret getting it.
      Moss Big Dipper
      Alaskan Guide 8
      Alaskan Guide 6
      NorthFace Tadpole 23
      ALPS Exteme 3
      Six Moon Designs Lunar Two

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      • #4
        Re: Family Tents

        For giggles, check out the Cabelas Outfitter Series ISQ Tent. It is incredibly unique and you can rest assured no one else camping nearby would have the same tent or set up.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VC1WrjRa8E
        Moss Big Dipper
        Alaskan Guide 8
        Alaskan Guide 6
        NorthFace Tadpole 23
        ALPS Exteme 3
        Six Moon Designs Lunar Two

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        • #5
          Re: Family Tents

          One note on the Big Agnes Big House tents. I almost bought one last year, but unless they changed something from last year's model, the back door doesn't have any mesh. That seemed kind of odd to me. Maybe great if you really need two doors, but absolutely useless for adding to ventilation. I thought it a real shame for an otherwise well made and spacious tent. Turned out for the better for me cuz it was then that I bought the Kodiak and couldn't be more pleased.

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          • #6
            Re: Family Tents

            How old/big are your kids?

            We have a 4, 7, and almost 9 year old and use two tents. The youngest sleeps in a 6-man tent with my partner and I, and the older two sleep in their own 4 man tent. When you look at the capacity of a tent, a good rule is to divide it in half. There's no way we could logistically fit the boys into our six man tent, even if we stored all of our gear in the vestibules. When my youngest gets a little older she will be in the 4-man tent with the boys, but will only fit because the boys have a bunk-bed cot and are stacked on top of each other.
            Camping photos: https://www.instagram.com/adventure_outside_thebox/
            Nights under the stars:
            2013: 8 2014: 6 2015: 12
            2018: 4 2019: 17 2020: 15

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            • #7
              Re: Family Tents

              I agree with wiiawib that two tents might be better than one giant tent. It is easier to fit two smaller tents into most campsites than it is to find room for one BIG tent. Plus, of course, two tents offer more privacy and it is sometimes easier to put up two smaller tents than on big tent

              Keep in mind that your kids will one day move away and that giant tent will be too much.

              In any case, spent money on a good tent. A good tent will last decades and you will amortise the cost of the tent quickly. Even a $500 tent is only the cost of 5 nights in a modest quality motel, but the tent can last half a lifetime.

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