Backpacker Magazine – February/March 2013

Gear Review: Big Agnes Seedhouse 3 Tent

A lightweight tent that can handle 30-mph windstorms...and kids.

by: The Backpacker Editors

Tags:
• Gear
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• Tent
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• Utah
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Verdict
During a five-day float trip on Utah’s Green River, the wind kicked up almost every evening, funneling 30-mph gusts through the canyon. I was worried this ultralight shelter would get flattened, but guyed out it held up fine, thanks to the stable hubbed pole structure. The taut pitch also repelled a two-day downpour in Northern California. And the lightweight materials withstood one of the worst kinds of tent abuse: kids (though they put some holes in the wispy stuffsack). Tradeoffs? You only get one door and a smallish vestibule, and space (especially width) is tight for three adults. $400; 3 lbs. 8 oz.; 44-inch peak height, 44-square-foot floor; bigagnes.com

Best For
Hikers who want a castle-size tent for two with no weight penalty

Tester Data
» Dennis Lewon
» Duration Sept. to Dec.
» Locales/conditions UT, CA; Gusty wind, blowing sand, rain; 30°F to 60°F
» “Headroom is spacious all around, thanks to steep walls, and the all-mesh canopy makes the interior feel even more airy.”



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