We聮re getting into the arena of hair-splitting, but the difference is something like this: Most tents that are meant to bridge from fall to winter are labeled 聯convertibles.” Convertibles typically have zip-out panels that you can leave at home in warm weather to expose more mesh or take with you when it聮s chillier. Some also have poles than can be left home. Sierra Designs聮 Alpha ($359; sierradesigns.com) is a good example of such a tent. By leaving parts of it at home, you can trim a pound from the weight of the tent.
Eureka! Alpenlite XT Tent
Alpenlite XT TentBut, if winter camping is your aim, I聮d really just get a tent that聮s well-suited for that purpose. A true four-season tent has pole placement that helps shed snow and just enough ventilation to ensure condensation isn聮t a problem. It should also have a roomy vestibule for keeping gear out of the weather. There are several good tents out there that meet these criteria. REI聮s Arete ASL 2 ($249; rei.com), for instance, sleeps two in a sturdy design that has a large door at the head of the tent for access and gear storage. It weighs just under six pounds. Sierra Designs聮 Omega, a slightly smaller version of the Alpha, can be had at Campmor (campmor.com) currently for $230 (that聮s $70 off regular price).
But I think the all-time bargain for a winter tent is the Eureka! Alpenlite XT ($239; www.eurekatent.com). It is a design that has been around, to be honest, for a decade or more. But that means you聮re not paying for design work聴that was amortized long ago. It has an extremely rugged A-frame design, lots of interior pockets and gear loft attachments, plenty of outside guy-line attachments, and a sturdy polyester fly. It shrugs off wind and snow like a turtle. The only drawback is that the XT is slightly heavy at just over seven pounds. But that聮s not bad for a tent that will keep you snug in just about any storm.
Check out the 2008 Winter 国产吃瓜黑料 Buyer聮s Guide, packed with reviews of more than 300 new gear must-haves. It聮s available on newsstands now.