NatureHike Opalus 3 person vs Marmot Trailfin 3
I'm looking for a backpacking tent for my wife and I, and our two young kids (2&5). I know both are considered heavy for backpacking (Opalus 6.6lbs, Trailfin 6.3lbs), but I'll adjust my pack accordingly. I don't want to have to wait to introduce the kids to backcountry camping until they're old enough for their own tents and packs.
We won't be going far with a 2 year old. Maybe a km or two into the woods max.
The naturehike is much cheaper, and features a massive double door vestibule that I like, which would be good for cooking when the weather gets nasty, ample gear storage, and for just hanging out in when the weather gets crappy. It's got glowing reviews, that specifically mention how well made and durable it is.
The trailfin has a much smaller footprint, but weighs about the same. I know Marmot is a trusted brand and is known to make robust gear for adventurers. It hardly has any vestibule space at all though. Enough to cram a couple of big packs in. It costs almost double after taxes, but I know the quality will be worth the added cost. I can easily string up a tarp or two to accomplish what the naturehike's vestibule offers..
So what would you do? Try your luck with the cheaper but well received tent from the online brand? Or buy once, cry once, and pony up for the Marmot or a similar tent by another respected brand?
Or is there another tent you would recommend in the entry level budget for backpacking with a young family?
54 comments · 86% upvoted · source · other discussions
I think both are too small already for the whole family. But the nature hike tunnel tent will be your best option. You’ll need the large vestibule to store 2 packs, 4 pairs of shoes, the jackets.
I would also cook in there, but I’m from Europe where there are no bears. Would that be wise for you to do in Canada? (I have no idea, when and where you have to be mindfull of bears and smells)
Response-Cheap [OP] 2 points · May 2026
I know where you're coming from, but even at home, our kids often both wake up and come to our bed in the middle of the night. We end up sleeping in a dog pile on a queen sized bed. If nobody is awake to shoo him out, our 105 lb coonhound hops up there to sleep too. (He won't be joining us in the tent lol). So we're used to close quarters.
It'll be fairweather camping when they're this young though, lol so we won't be doing much in the tent besides sleeping unless a freak storm rolls in..
We already have a big 6 person tent for car camping, I just want to bring them on a short hike into nearby public land, and set up a campsite in the bush once they're more used to car camping and camping out in the yard. Be a good start to get them interested in backpacking early. I just want to have gear that works for a short hike to nearby woods, as well as a big trek into Algonquin park when they're a little older.
bennylarue 4 points · May 2026
That might work today. but at some point very soon, they're going to need more space. Tents generally only fit one fewer camping pad than the description suggests. So, a 3-person tent like that Opalus is really only suitable for 2 people. At 75 inches at its widest point and narrowing to 64 inches at the feet, you'd regret this purchase quickly. The vestibule is great though - I guess you could sleep one person out there in the short term, if you can manage around bugs.
Consider getting two lighter 2-person tents and each of you take a kid. That's going to be the best way to future-proof this. Eventually, they can have a tent to themselves. You can have the doors face each other and put a tarp over that section for hang-out space.