ashenA couple of dominating brands in the outdoor gear industry whose tents are widely used and have a good reputation among campers. These two models in particular are best sellers and most have a hard time deciding between the two. Big Agnes Blacktail vs Marmot Tungsten aims to shed a meaningful light from a buyer’s perspective without being too technical. After all, it’s not just the quality of the material that you consider when purchasing a tent. So which one should you buy? Keep reading to find out.
Big Agnes Blacktail vs Marmot Tungsten: Specs
| Big Agnes Blacktail | Marmot Tungsten | |
| Material | Fly and floor are polyester; tent body is breathable polyester and polyester mesh. Seams taped with waterproof polyurethane tape. Pole material is lightweight Aluminum | 68D polyester taffeta, Floor Fabric: 70D polyester taffeta with 2000mm waterproof coating. Pole material is DAC Pressfit Aluminum |
| Weight | 4 lb. 8 oz. for 2P | 3.57 lb. for 1P |
| Features | Two doors and two vestibules, two fly vents, quick Stash door keeper, reflective guy lines and webbing, mesh pockets, gear lofts | Lampshade pocket, interior pockets, two vestibules. Full coverage and rain fly and mesh panels. Footprint included |
| Water resistance | 1200 mm | 1500 mm |
| Installation | Free Standing | Free Standing |
| Form Factor | Dome/Cabin | Dome |
Specs Review
As you can see, when comparing the Big Agnes Blacktail and the Marmot Tungsten tent series, both offer durable, reliable options for camping and backpacking, but they differ in key areas such as weight, features, and livability. Here’s a breakdown of how they compare:
Considering the weight factor, The Big Agnes Blacktail tents are slightly lighter than the Marmot Tungsten in similar sizes, making them a better choice for those who prioritize weight for backpacking trips. Both the Blacktail and Tungsten features a pre-bent pole architecture that creates steeper walls, offering good headroom and a spacious interior. However note that the Blacktail Hotel models provide additional livable space with an extended vestibule for gear storage. The Marmot Tungsten typically includes a footprint, which adds value but the Blacktail Hotel has an edge with the extended vestibule.
Marmot Tungsten offers better waterproofing with its higher coating, making it more suitable for harsh, wet conditions. The Big Agnes Blacktail offers good weather resistance but may not hold up as well in prolonged heavy rain. Both tents perform well in terms of ventilation, but the Big Agnes Blacktail may offer slightly better airflow due to the extensive use of mesh, valuable in warmer weather. Both tents are easy to set up with color-coded poles and intuitive designs, so there’s little difference in this regard. Finally, in terms of money, both are competitively priced, but the Marmot Tungsten might offer slightly better value for money as it often includes a footprint. As we always say, these are the specs on paper. Now we will see what the customers have to say.
User Feedback
The decision making process isn’t made any easier here because both the tents have excellent customer feedback. Starting off with the Blacktail, users are praising the spaciousness brought out by the vestibule, versatility, ease of setup and how it holds up in the wind and rain. People had taken it car camping, bike packing and kayak camping. However for bike packing, you most likely will not be able to fit the bike inside the tent unless it is laid down. The only other thing users suggested was the addition of more stakes as eight is not enough to complete the setup. Need more stakes for the smaller vestibule and correctly vent the tent by staking out the two walls perpendicularly. One other user’s pole had broken while beach camping. Nonetheless, the original package included an extra pole.
Besides these, some users are even saying that this tent seems like a good alternative to the Copper Spur UL3 Hotel. Same goes for the Marmot, except that it has a foot print which enhances its value. Also the tent weather protection and the poles are relatively stronger. The full-coverage fly and taped seams are highlighted for keeping moisture out effectively. Downside for this tent is mainly the weight, mostly for solo travels. Some users also mentioned that a larger vestibule is preferred for more gear. And that’s about it for both these tents. All things considered, we believe the Marmot offers better price to value over the Big Agnes. Let us know your thoughts.
