Big Agnes Blacktail 4 Tent

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A spacious, storm-worthy group shelter that feels far more refined than its price tag suggests.

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 checks every box – lightweight design for backpackers who want a super comfortable tent after a long day on the trail, and excellent value for car campers looking for an easy to set up shelter with a small footprint. 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 and vestibules 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 capable the Blacktail 4 is for its size and price—plenty of space, quick to pitch, and surprisingly weatherproof for something this manageable to carry. It’s a proper four-person tent you won’t dread hauling to camp.

At just over 3.6kg (excluding pegs and bags), it’s heavier for backpacking but ideal for group trips, car camps or basecamps where comfort wins. The pre-bent pole structure and TipLok buckles make pitching easy even in a breeze, and the generous head height (127cm) means everyone can sit up without feeling crammed. Ventilation is solid with a roof and low vents; the two vestibules are more than enough for boots, packs, or wet kits.

What stands out is the interior organisation—two side pockets and four ceiling pockets help keep things tidy, which is no small feat with four people sharing space. The recycled fabric feels tough and has shrugged off wet Scottish evenings without complaint. It doesn’t pack tiny, but I have no real complaints about the liveability and price.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Two doors and two vestibules
• Durable, lightweight aluminum poleset with prebends and high-volume cross pole makes for spacious interior
• Symmetrical pole structure along with color-coded webbing and
  buckles make set up quick and easy
• 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 accessorie
• Ready to pitch; with pre-cut guylines and tensioners attached to fly
• Reflective guy lines and webbing on tent corners

Specifications

UOG Specs:

• Inner tent weighs: 1288g
• Flysheet weighs: 1231g
• Poleset weighs: 1124g
• Total weight: 3643g (excludes pegs and bags)
• 8 x pegs supplied weigh: 113g 

Big Agnes Specs:

• Trail weight (excludes pegs): 3.52kg
• Packed weight: 3.74kg
• Fast fly weight: 2.69kg
• Packed size: 56 x 20cm
• Floor size: 5.6m²
• Floor length: 229cm
• Floor width: 244cm
• Head height: 127cm
• Vestibule area: 1.0m² + 1.0m²
• Pole Set Type: Aluminum Pressfit
• Pole Diameter:12mm 

Material & Construction

• Fabric
  • Rainfly: Recycled 75D polyester taffeta with 1500mm waterproof polyurethane coating and PFAS-free water-repellent 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

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

• Stakes & Storage
  • 2 side pockets, 4 ceiling pockets & 8 x 6.75” Big Agnes Dirt
  Dagger™ UL stakes

Help & advice:

• Big Agnes Tent Guide
• Bikepacking Advice Page
• Choosing a Tent
• Hydrostatic Head
• About Big Agnes
• Solution-Dyed Fabrics