Quick answer
Start by laying out the tent body on a clean, level spot, then assemble the color-coded poles and thread them through the sleeves or clips before staking down the corners.
Why the Blacktail 3 is easy to pitch
The Blacktail 3 uses a single set of two poles with a hub design, so there's no confusion about which pole goes where. The color-coded clips and sleeves match the pole ends, making alignment straightforward even in low light.
The tent's symmetrical shape means you can set it up with the fly on or off, and the recycled fabric is durable enough to handle repeated setups without stretching or tearing.
Step-by-step Blacktail 3 tent setup
- 1. Choose your site and lay out the tent body: Find a flat, clear area free of rocks and sticks. Unfold the tent body and spread it out with the door facing your preferred direction. Stake down the four corners first to keep the floor from shifting. Common mistake: staking corners after inserting poles, which makes it harder to tension the fabric evenly.
- 2. Assemble and insert the poles: Connect the two pole sections at the center hub. Insert one end into the grommet at a corner, then feed the pole through the sleeve or clip it into the color-matched clips along the tent body. Repeat for the opposite corner to create the main arch. Check that each clip is fully snapped before moving to the next—partially clipped poles can pop out in wind.
- 3. Stake out the vestibule and guylines: Once the poles are in place, stake out the vestibule corners and any guylines provided. Pull the tent taut by adjusting the stake positions. If using the rainfly, drape it over the poles and attach the corner buckles before staking the fly's own guylines. Leave the fly's corner buckles loose until the fly is centered; tightening too early can misalign the zippers.
- 4. Adjust tension and check stability: Walk around the tent and tighten any slack guylines or stake loops. The fly should be drum-tight without pulling the poles out of their grommets. Verify that the door zippers move freely and the floor lies flat. If the floor ripples, loosen a corner stake and reposition it outward, then re-tighten—don't fight wrinkles in the middle of the floor.
Product facts
-
Blacktail 3 - Vetiver: Blacktail tents are a tried and true Big Agnes classic - light enough for the backcountry, and strong enough for the front country. This versatility means the setup process works equally well on dirt, grass, or gravel, so you don't need a perfect campsite to get a taut pitch.
Blacktail 3 - Vetiver
