Big Agnes Blacktail 3 Hotel Tent

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A smart, spacious tent with a brilliant extended porch that makes bad weather far more manageable.

Big Agnes says: 

Blacktail tents are a tried and true Big Agnes classic – light enough for the backcountry, and strong enough for the front country.

The Blacktail Hotel is ideal for those who need some extra room, without the weight and bulk of a car camping specific tent. Designed with a generous oversized vestibule on one side of the tent – perfect for storing large packs, sheltering four-legged friends, or simply for hanging out in on rainy days. Burly recycled fabric means that you won’t have to sacrifice durability for weight savings or sustainability – you get it all! Spacious sleeping areas and easy access through two side-entry doors make early morning entry and exit with a tentmate a breeze when nature calls.

No matter where your adventure takes you, camp comfy in a Blacktail!

Our Verdict

I’m genuinely impressed by how much tent Big Agnes delivers here. The Blacktail 3 Hotel adds versatility without pushing the weight into car-camping territory.

At just over 3.1kg (excluding pegs and bags), it’s not something I’d take on high-mileage solo trips, but for two people who want a bit more breathing room, it’s a brilliant option. The extended porch is fantastic—roomy enough to cook under, stash larger packs, or stretch out with a damp dog—but it comes into its own when bikepacking. I would prefer slightly shorter poles to make pannier storage easier, but once it’s strapped to the bike, the extra weight from the porch becomes a non-issue. Having the space to store your bike out of the elements is a real bonus.

The rest of the tent is much like the standard Blacktail 3: roomy interior, simple pitch with TipLok buckles, and solid ventilation with both high and low vents working well to keep condensation down. Two side pockets and two ceiling pockets help keep things organised inside, and the recycled fabric has stood up well to wind and steady rain. It doesn’t pack tiny, but for the comfort and functionality on offer, I’ve had no regrets throwing it in my bag.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Hotel Fly features one extended, pole-supported, side-entry vestibule, and one quick-access vestibule
• Tent body with symmetrical pole structure along with color-cod-ed webbing and buckles make set up quick and easy
• Lightweight aluminum poleset with prebends and cross pole makes for spacious interior
• Proprietary TipLok™ Tent Buckle streamlines tent set up by combining three functions: secure pole-tip capture, rainfly
  attachment and tensioner, and stake-out loop
• Two supported roof vents increase air circulation
• Low Vent feature on the vestibule doors increases air flow while still providing vestibule coverage
• Dual-zipper doors with easy-grip zipper pulls. Use only one zipper for quick, reach-through access
• Quick Stash door keeper on tent body makes stowing unzipped door quick and easy
• Interior storage includes side pockets, ceiling pockets, and media pockets
• Multiple interior loops for attaching gear lofts, accessories, or mtnGLO® Tent & Camp Lights
• Ready to pitch; with pre-cut guylines and tensioners attached to fly
• Reflective guy lines and webbing on tent corners
• Includes Big Agnes Dirt Dagger™ UL Stakes

Specifications

UOG Specs:

• Inner tent weighs: 1013g
• Flysheet weighs: 1228g
• Poleset weighs: 883g
• Total weight: 3124g (excludes pegs and bags)
• 10 x pegs supplied weigh:142g 

Big Agnes Specs:

• Trail weight (excludes pegs): 3.09kg
• Packed weight: 3.35kg
• Fast fly weight: 2.14kg
• Packed size: 56 x 18cm
• Floor size: 4.1m²
• Floor length: 229cm
• Floor width: 178cm
• Head height: 112cm
• Vestibule area: 2.6m² + 0.8m²
• Pole Set Type: Aluminum Pressfit
• Pole Diameter:9.5mm 

Material & Construction

• Fabric
  • Rainfly: Recycled 75D polyester taffeta with 1500mm water proof polyurethane coating and PFAS-free water- epellent finish
  • Tent body: Recycled breathable 75D polyester taffeta and polyester mesh
  • Floor: Recycled 75D polyester taffeta with 1500mm waterproof polyurethane coating and PFAS-free water-repellent finish
  • Footprint: Recycled 75D polyester taffeta with 1500mm water proof polyurethane coating and PFAS-free water-repellent finish
  • All seams taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane tape (No PVC or VOC’s)

• Poles/Buckles
  • Lightweight aluminum poleset with prebends
  • Plastic clips attach tent body to pole frame

• Stakes & Storage
  • 2 side pockets, 2 ceiling pockets & 8 x 6.75” Big Agnes Dirt
  Dagger™ UL stakes

Help & advice:

• Big Agnes Tent Guide
• Bikepacking Advice Page
• The Ultimate Guide to Ultralight Tents
• Time-Saver Guide to Choosing a Tent
• When pegs go bad – Everything you need to know about tent pegs
• Are Tent Footprints Worth It?
• About Big Agnes
• Solution-Dyed Fabrics