Very Functional Big Agnes Bunk House 4 Person Camping Tent

Big Agnes Bunk House 4 Person Camping Tent is very functional with its two large vestibules and two doors, and with its smart shelter configuration.

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Key features & benefits

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What type of tent is this Bunk House 4

This is the smaller tent in a new series this brand launched recently. It is in this orange color which Big Agnes is using in several of their new or reshaped existing series.

The picture below shows it without the fly and in this configuration it is fully freestanding. As you realize, the walls are very steep so it provides lots of volume inside. It is also quite tall for its size, with a peak height of 70 inches (178 cm).

The tent looks completely different when the fly is on, in this setup it offers two large vestibules and it is definitely not freestanding. The vestibules must be staked to be functional. The inner doors are identical but the two vestibules are completely different, the back vestibule with its single central zipper is shown below:

Note also that the two vestibules are different regarding the covered area, the difference is by more than a factor 2. The picture below shows the main front vestibule and as you see it has one extra pole that supports it. Here you have two parallel zippers and the flap can be raised to create an awning with the help of trekking poles.

With such a functional main vestibule you can create several different configurations. You see below how it can be used:

Shelter mode configuration

The tent has some great and unique features and this shelter mode is one of them. They have added what they call a webbing harness that keeps the poles from spreading. You can see this in the picture below. All the fly configurations mentioned above can be used in this shelter mode setup as well. So this would be an ultralight fast-fly variant.

The usual fast-fly variant is also possible but you have to buy the footprint separately. It can be ordered here. The pictures above show both of these options.

Pack-style carry bag

In the pictures below you see what this is about. The carry bag is with several compartments and with a peripheral zipper. So you can close it as the pictures below show. It is equipped with a harness and the straps are adjustable so you can carry it as a pack.

Ventilation

The inner tent has plenty of mesh but it also has a large area with taffeta. This all looks like a nice 3-season-use design.

But what bothers me is the absence of vents. The massive fly has no openings of any kind. So vapor from breathing has no way to escape and it may be difficult to deal with condensation if you have to keep vestibules zipped. I find this design strange, to say the least.

Please check also this video for more:

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Who is it for

Regarding the protected space, the declared capacity is 4 people, but as usual, it is best to check the numbers. You have 58 ft² (5.39 m²) of the floor area and this means 14.5 ft² (1.34 m²) per person.

This may not look much and this is indeed so, but there are two vestibules that provide 33 + 14 ft² (3.1 + 1.3 m²), so the total protected area is 105 ft² (9.8 m²). Now, per person, this gives very generous 26 ft² (2.4 m²) of the protected space.

Regarding seasons & climate, no doubt this is a true 3-season tent. You have seen its features above, you will be protected no matter where you use this tent. But bear in mind possible issues with condensation.

Regarding the weight, with 15 lb 8 oz (7.03 kg) of weight, this is a car camping tent, you would not want to carry it anywhere. Short distances are OK, you have seen its carry bag. But note also that the packed size is not so great, it measures 26.5 x 16 x 9.5 inches (67 x 41 x 24 cm). I have added it to my list of best 4-person car camping tents.

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Materials

The poles & stakes

There are 4 aluminum poles here and this is a top-quality stuff, the DAC DA17, with a diameter of 11, 12, and 13 millimeters. You also have a full set of 16 lightweight aluminum stakes.

The fabric

Both the fly and the floor are polyester with a 1500 mm waterproof polyurethane coating. The canopy is a breathable polyester, coated polyester, and a nylon mesh. All seams are taped with a waterproof polyurethane tape.

Other features

• Quick Stash door keeper on the tent body.
• 2 Removable corner bin pockets, and 4 interior mesh pockets.
• Extra-large welcome mat.
• Color-coded webbing and buckles.
• Pole-securement points located on the interior of the rainfly.
• Pre-cut guylines and tensioners attached to fly.
• Reflective guylines and reflective webbing.
• Plastic clips and sleeves attach tent body to pole frame.
• Multiple interior loops for attaching gear lofts, accessories and mtnGLO Tent & Camp Lights.

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Specifications

• Declared capacity: 4 people.
• Trail weight: 14 lb 4 oz (6.46 kg).
• Packed weight: 15 lb 8 oz (7.03 kg).
• Fast fly weight: 10 lb 10 oz (4.82 kg).
• Floor area: 58 ft² (5.39 m²).
• Floor area per person: 14.5 ft² (1.34 m²).
• Vestibules area: 33 + 14 ft² (3.1 + 1.3 m²).
• Total protected area: 105 ft² (9.8 m²).
• Total protected area per person: 26 ft² (2.4 m²).
• Peak height: 70 in (178 cm).
• Packed size: 26.5 x 16 x 9.5 in (67 x 41 x 24 cm).
• Footprint weight: 15 oz (425 g) (sold separately)

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Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons

If you need more options in this size range, please check under the group of 4-person tents here in the site. Check this Kelty Wireless 4 if you need something more affordable, or this KAZOO Family Camping Tent 4 Person Saturn if you want an instant setup tent.

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