Laura and I are currently using the Mont Dragonfly tent. It’s a spacious two-person tent that can endure four-season conditions as it has a high wind speed capability, tough pole design, heavy-duty fabrics, and full nylon inner.
We’ve found it to be great in warm conditions as we can open the full nylon panels and reveal an extensive amount of mesh for additional airflow.
We’ve broken a few metal zippers on ours (we carry replacements), but we’ve been told they’re now using larger zippers to prevent them from bending.
In a tent, we are always looking for:
- A freestanding design as we pitch in all kinds of places, including inside buildings.
- A durable waterproof floor with a very high water column to cope with the pressure from sitting, kneeling, and sleeping.
- Two doors, as it’s annoying clambering over another person.
- Nylon panels that peel back for 3-4 season temperatures.
The closest alternative is the Exped Orion II UL. It ticks every one of our boxes but is a touch heavier (2.9kg vs. 2.65kg), a bit narrower (1.30m vs 1.40m), and with a lower water column for the floor (10,000mm vs 25,000mm). There is an “Extreme” version too that uses more durable and waterproof fabrics, and tougher poles, however, it also adds a further 500 grams.
Hilleberg and Terra Nova have the best reputations but are usually heavier and less versatile – check out the Hilleberg Allak 2 and Terra Nova Southern Cross 2. Easier tents to find in stores (or discounted!) will be the Vaude Mark UL3, MSR Access 2, or MSR Remote 2.
Make sure to read all the reviews you can, as I don’t have any personal experience with any of the models I’ve mentioned. But they’re all top of my list if I feel the need for a change.