GoLite Shangri-La 4+ Shelter 4-5 Person 4-Season - 2008 BCS

After rounds of agonizing research I finally went with this over a Megamid. For 3-4 people this is a great size, and for 2 people it's a palace for less weight than traditional options. If you have dogs, a floorless tent like this is the only way to go. Without the nest, bugs can get in there, but the shape of the tent forces them up to the top so it is rarely an issue.One thing that isn't so obvious from the published specs -- the size is significantly larger than the Megalite (about the same as the original Yellow Megamid, 10 x 10 feet). It also has more tie-outs and straighter walls (BDs bow in a bit), which makes covering a pit in winter easier. My only complaint is that there should be some way to close the roof vents, as they can scoop up a lot of wind. The flip side to that is that you never really get condensation inside, even with a big crew. Eventually, I would like to use a titanium wood stove (like the Titanium Goat) with this by replacing the rear vent with a melt-proof stove jack. Having some way to warm up and dry out a tent in winter would really be an upgrade.

We backpack with our 2 kids. To compincate for the extra gear I have to carry we bought with shelter with the nest. It is much lighter than our last tent, has more space, is easier to pitch, offers great protection, is versatile, and reasonably priced. I want to add the floor for this winter. Kirk