Best 3 Season Tent Reviews
Buying 3 Season Family Tents

A 3 season tent is a must in any camper's arsenal.

Discover the best 3 season family dome tents, including REI Base Camp, Kelty Shiro, and Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4

Fond of camping? Unfazed by the different weather conditions outside? Then you probably own a 3 season tent. But if you don't, then it's time you got one.

Why? The answer is simple. A three season tent will hold its own during spring, summer and fall. It will keep you comfortable and cool during hot summers and reasonably dry during downpours.

Why three season tents? Well, if camping is your favorite activity, whether alone or with friends and family, you want to make sure that everyone is comfortable right?

A 3 season tent is different in design and construction. They're meant to be more durable, comfy and spacious than regular camping tents.

Three season tents also typically come with large windows to make sure that you're cool in warm weather. Many tents for three seasons have a rainfly over the openings. A rainfly is like an umbrella over the tent, so it protects the shelter from rain and UV rays.

Best 3 Season Tents for Camping

So, which are the best 3 season tents for camping? Which brands are the best value for money and offer you comfort and safety? Is there a difference between regular tents and dome tents? Is a 3 season tent sufficient for 4 persons?

All your questions will be answered below as Camping Tent Reviews goes over the following tents:

• Best 3 Season Dome Tent - REI Base Camp 6
• Best 3 Season Family Camping Tent - Kelty Shiro 6 Person Tent
• Best 4 Person, 3 Season Camping Tent - Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4

REI Base Camp 6 Tent Reviews
Best 3 Season Dome Tents

Some things in life are actually easy. Setting up the REI Base Camp 6 is one of those things.

It's easy to set up, durable and lightweight, which makes it the perfect choice for a 3 season dome tent.

The ventilation is good, with two doors and meshed windows. This 3 season dome tent is popular with many campers because it combines stylish design with excellent functionality.

REI Base Camp 6 Specifications

• Sleeping capacity: 6 people
• Average minimum weight: 17 lbs, 3 oz.
• Floor area: 87 square feet
• Vestibule area: 24 and 15 square feet
• Tent pole material: Aluminum
• Packed size: 9.5 x 16.5 inches
• Max height: 6 feet, 3 inches
• Doors: 2
• Number of poles: 4+1 vestibule pole

Okay, so the specs look good, right? But specs are specs. Let's go over what the benefits of the REI Base Camp 6 Tent are after analyzing its specifications:

• 2 Doors: Perfect for easy entrance and exit
• Max height allows almost all family members to stand up and roam comfortably
• Dome shape gives plenty of leg room
• Easy to pitchthanks to color coded poles
• Fantastic polyester rainfly for a completely dry camping experience and its clear film window that lets you see the weather conditions outside
• Mesh attic and handy interior pockets so you can stash all your important stuff close at hand

REI Base Camp 6 Tents: Consumer Reviews

Consumers like: Neat and compact design with 2 doors Excellent ventilation thanks to large D shaped doors with mesh outside and nylon inside for good ventilation

Consumers don't like: Bulky design requires 2 people to pitch Has screens that can tear easily

The REI Base Camp 6 is an excellent choice if you're looking for a 3 season dome tent. Its strength, durability and quality are considered a plus point by many who have tested it.

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Kelty Shiro 6 Person Tent
Best 3 Season Family Camping Tents

Camping Life has voted the Kelty Shiro 6 Person tent as the Editor's Choice of 2009. This goes to say quite a bit about what a good tent it is. However, here's Camping Tent Reviews' take on it, so you can be properly armed with the correct info before you invest in one.

The Kelty Shiro 6 person tent is one of the roomiest tents you might come across. This 3 season tent is the perfect family tent for those times when you're in the outdoors camping, cycling or trekking.

Kelty Shiro 6 Person Camping Tent Specifications

• Sleeping capacity: 6
• Average minimum weight: 29lbs, 6 oz.
• Average packaged weight: 30 lbs, 3 oz.
• Floor area: 188 square feet
• Doors: 2
• Number of poles: 4
• Tent pole material: Aluminum
• Packed size: 10 x 28
• Max height: 90 inches

Kelty Shiro 6 Man Tents: Consumer Reviews

Consumer reviews and ratings of camping tents illuminate the greatest strengths and flaws of a shelter.

Here's what actual owners had to say about the Kelty Shiro 6, 3 season family tent.

Consumers like: Removable sleeping compartments A middle unit for storing bikes and camping equipment Attachable carport Spacious interiors Good protection from insects High roof

Consumers don't like: Kelty Shiro 6 Person tent isn't waterproof

Summary

Despite the fact that the Kelty Shiro 6 man shelter isn't 100% waterproof, this 3 season family tent is still very popular.

Like many other Kelty tents, it's best for families that like to travel extensively and wouldn't mind taking their home away from home with them.

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Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 Tent
Best 4 Person, 3 Season Camping Tent

What are your chances of finding a family tent that weighs only 7 lbs? Nearly impossible, right? Wrong.

You only have to look at the winner of the Editor's Choice of Backpacker Magazine in April 2009 to know that it's perfectly possible.

The Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 Tent is a remarkable backpacking and camping tent that has wowed everyone in the outdoor world with its unique tunnel shaped design and extreme light weight.

Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 Tent Specifications

• Sleeping capacity: 4 people
• Average minimum weight - 6 lbs, 13oz.
• Average packaged weight: 7 lbs, 6 oz.
• Floor area: 57.5 square feet
• Doors: 2
• Number of poles: 4
• Tent Pole Material: Aluminum DAC Featherlight
• Max height: 4 feet, 1 inch

Sierra Designs Lightning Tents: Advantages

There are many advantages to the Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 tent.

These many advantages help make it one of the best 4 man, 3 season tents ever made.

Here are the benefits:

• Incredibly lightweight
• Its tunnel dome shape creates roomy interiors that can comfortably accommodate 4 persons
• Mosquito proof
• Waterproof - Rain doesn't come inside the tent
• Durability - The mesh and rainfly are both extremely durable

Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 Tents: Disadvantages

Frankly, the only drawback of this 3 season tent is price. But then again, you get what you pay for.

How many 4 man, 3 season camping tents weigh less than 8 pounds and are comfortable? Zero.

Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 Tent: Consumer Reviews

Consumers like: Lightweight Unique design Waterproof

Consumers don't like: Price

Summary

The Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 Tent is probably the best, 4 person 3 season tent that you might come across in your quest for the perfect camping gear.

Due to its feather-like light weight and durability, this 4 man, 3 season tent is one of the best backpacking or family car camping tents.

While pricey, its versatility means you can backpack, car camp, or pitch it in the backyard for your kids to play in while you and your loved one enjoy a quiet house.

Each of the three tents reviewed in this article have their own plus points, be it space, durability or weight.

However, you need to consider your needs and requirements carefully before making your choice.

Whether you're a regular camper or not, you should also remember that camping gear, especially a three season tent is an investment that you should make wisely as it will affect the camping experiences of your family for a long time.

Compare Prices of the Lightning XT 4:

Amazon.com

Backcountry.com

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Have you used the Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 Person Tent? Share your tents for camping review and let us know how it worked for you!

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Before moving on--if you're looking for a great 2 person, 3 season tent then check out the Marmot Aeolos 2P

More Camping Tent Reviews and Ratings

Best 4 Season Tent - Reviews and Ratings of Four Season Tents - Expert advice on the best 4 season tent for camping. Learn what makes an ultralight, four season tent and compare North Face, Marmot, and REI 4 season tents.

Best 4 Man Tent Reviews - Top 4 Person Tents for Camping - Need unbiased 4 man tent reviews? Experts rate the best 4 person tents for family camping and backpacking, including Big Agnes, Sierra Design, and Coleman four man tents.

10 Person Tent Reviews - Best 10 Man Tents for Family Camping - Is bigger always better? Read 10 person tent reviews of the worst and best 10 person tents, including Eureka and Coleman ten man, family camping tents

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