Good tent for moderate wind conditions.

[oranges]

Firstly, hello. I signed up because I have a question. My husband and I got a Coleman River Gorge 6-person dome tent (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...ontent=Default) earlier this summer. We just used it last night at a campground on Lake Ontario. Well, we were quite nervous at how much the tent poled were bowing in gusts of wind up to 20mph. It was really just a breeze, but lesson learned. We can't go with a cheapie tent if we'll be camping around here, which we plan to do a lot of. Granted, the dome shape is known to fare better in mild to moderate wind conditions. The River Gorge was a dome shape, but we paid like $80 for it at Dick's and you get what you pay for!

We're looking for a 6-8 person family tent that can hold up to the wind that comes off the Great Lakes. Let's say it should withstand 40-50 mph gusts. I'm not looking for something that can survive a night on Mt. Everest and we'll only be camping May-September-ish. We also don't want to pay much more than $600 on the tent.

Thanks in advance!

[a65hoosier]

Re: Good tent for moderate wind conditions.

Hi Oranges and Welcome to the Forum! Selecting a tent threads abound here! lol. Mainly because there are so many different variables and needs/wants in selecting a tent. With $600, you do have many options. Search through some of the threads for ideas. You can research all of the major tent brands for ideas. Be aware that "#" of man rated capacity is side by side, generally no gear space, etc. I use half the rating plus one for my own guide.

If you are going to experience high winds/storms perhaps off the lakes, look for tents that have thicker aluminum poles for strength, a multiple pole structure (more than 2), decent waterproof ratings, a full coverage rain fly, and multiple tieouts/stakedowns. Invest in decent stakes if the tent maker does not supply decent stakes. Look at the tent body...good ventilation available? Can you adjust/zipper the ventilation panels...from inside? Vestibules are also a nice feature for weather protected but outside the tent storage for muddy shoes/gear. Also, the lower the tent height, the less affected by wind (but less headroom inside). Depending on your size & makeup of your camping party...rather than getting 1 large, taller 8 man dome tent, maybe get two smaller 4-6 man dome tents. Their smaller silhouettes present less resistance to the wind and give you good set-up options at the campsite due to their smaller footprints. Lots of choices out there. Good Luck!!!

[hwc1954]

Re: Good tent for moderate wind conditions.

One tent that I would strongly recommend for your conditions and budget would be the Marmot Halo 6. I use the Halo 4. It's a very strong 3-season tent design with a very substantial pole structure (DAC 12mm aluminum poles). Use the four guy out points and good solid stakes (I use the MSR groundhogs for firm rocky soil) and this tent will handle weather very well:

http://marmot.com/products/details/halo-6p

Campmor has it on sale for $430, although if you aren't in a hurry, you can probably find it for under $400 this fall/winter.

These guys shot a video setting one up for the first time and weathering a pretty heavy storm. They had a few of the cheapo factory stakes pull out of the soft wet lawn but that's it.

To get something stronger, you've have to go to a true dome configuration with four criss-crossing poles that all go to the ground. This will be a lot smaller than the Halo configuration, which is a true 10' x 10' square footprint with nearly vertical walls. Something like this Cabelas Alaskan Guide Tent might be an option.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Campi...3Bcat105590880

There aren't a lot of these "4-season" designs in larger sizes because, by definition, large tents are going to be less suited to high wind and snow. The really big ones get very pricey, like this $2000 beauty:

http://marmot.com/products/details/lair-8p

[gatordude]

Re: Good tent for moderate wind conditions.

We use an REI Kingdom 6. It withstood rain and and 30mph winds with no problems. Easy up and down. $450.00 +/-. A great tent.

[tplife]

Re: Good tent for moderate wind conditions.

Our Sierra Designs tents have provided comfortable sleeping in winds up to 55 MPH (desert windstorms). My daughter is sleeping inside this Base Camp 4 model here at sunrise. She did not wake up until I roused her to pack up and go home. Ocotillo Wells, CA:

[wiiawiwb]

Re: Good tent for moderate wind conditions.

I'll second the Cabelas Alaskan Guide tent. I have the 6-person version and it is a monster. You'd want the 8-person tent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PylrnSDprIM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDDRnmX7EkA

If you have tremendous wind you might also consider the Cabelas XWT Xtreme tent. It is unbelievable and stronger than any other tent I know of. It withstood a sustained 75-mpg wind test from a jet engine. Also, Cabelas has it is on sale right now at a $250 discount so the price is less than the Alaskan Guide 8-person tent. I would have snagged the XWT tent if it were on sale when I was buying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk0WG1VpDqY - Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCYio3QLhmM - Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcBXLWPn6CI