Blacktail 3

Three season, freestanding, backpacking tent

The Blacktail 3, 3 person tent is light enough for the backcountry backpacking and strong enough for the front country camping. A tried and true shelter with excellent value for backpackers who want a super comfortable tent after a long day on the trail. The Blacktail 3 tent offers spacious sleeping areas with easy access through two, side-entry doors and vestibules, making early morning entry and exit with a tent-mate more stealth when nature calls.

Features Specs Materials Reviews Care

Tent and Footprint Cleaning and Care Instructions:

Storage:

Always make sure your tent is dry and free of debris before storing. Fold and roll your tent a different way each time to avoid permanent creases. Store in a cool, dry place. Never leave your tent in hot temperatures (such as a car trunk or attic space) for long periods of time, as it will damage the material coatings. Storing your tent damp can result in mildew growth, which may cause your tent to smell, leak, or delaminate. Mildew damage is not covered under warranty.

Cleaning:

For light cleaning, sponge the product with warm water (not hot).

For more thorough cleaning you will need:
-Wash basin (or bath tub)-Warm water (not hot)
-Waterproof Gear Cleaner (we recommend products like Nikwax Tech Wash)
-Sponge

1. Submerge your gear in warm, clean water. Gently agitate with hands. Empty dirty water. Repeat until most of the excess dirt/grime is removed and water is mostly clear.
2. Apply waterproof gear specific wash and gently work into fabric with sponge.
3. Rinse gear thoroughly.
4. Hang it up to dry.
5. Triple check that your gear is completely dry before storage or use.

*Do not dry clean or machine-wash. Detergents and dry cleaning solvents will damage the fabric and ruin waterproofing.
*Never use hot water, bleach, liquid detergents, or dishwashing liquids.
*Allow to dry COMPLETELY before storage or use.
*Avoid prolonged direct sunlight as UV exposure can compromise waterproofing.

Seam Sealing:

Big Agnes tents are seam sealed as part of our manufacturing process! This seam tape alone is durable enough to prevent water leakage. Any seams that have been taped do not need to be seam sealed with a liquid sealer unless you want extra protection. Make sure the seam-sealer is completely dry before re-packing your tent. Damage caused by misapplication may void warranty.

Zippers:

Keeping your zippers clean will help keep the coils and sliders from wearing out. If filled with dirt, vacuum or brush zippers before storing tent. We recommend Gear Aid Zipper Cleaner and Lubricant.

Repairs and Warranty:

All Big Agnes tents are guaranteed against manufacturing or material defect. We do not warranty products damaged from normal wear and tear, alteration made by owner, misuse, accidents or damages caused by uses other than intended. Damage due to misuse, normal wear and tear, or improper care may be repaired, at the discretion of Big Agnes, at a reasonable charge. Tents returned for repair must be clean and free of debris.

Questions? Call us or open a support case:
877.554.8975 | support.bigagnes.com

Setup

BLACKTAIL SET UP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Remove contents from stuff sack. Spread out the tent body.
2. Stake out the corners of the tent body.
3. Assemble the three poles: two long poles and one short cross pole. Be careful to insert each pole section by hand, instead of allowing the shock cord to snap them together to ensure each pole section is fully seated.
4. Run the two long poles diagonally across the tent body crossing at the center. Insert the pole tips into the grommets at the four corners of the tent.
5. Attach all of the plastic clips on the tent body to the corresponding poles.
6. Place the cross pole across the top of the two long poles and insert the tips of the cross pole into the webbing pockets, located above the doors on each side of the tent.
7. Drape the fly over the tent body and match the colors of the webbing on the fly with the webbing on the body.
8. Insert the tips of the crossover pole into the small pockets located on the underside of the fly.
9. Make sure the webbing at the corners of the fly is completely slackened. Attach the buckles on the fly to those on the tent body.
10. Tighten the webbing on each buckle as needed to keep the fly taut.
11. Stake out all remaining guylines.
12. Low Vent Set Up: For increased ventilation, hook the cord located at the bottom of the vestibule door to the toggle at the top of the zipper located on the underside of the fly.

Separate 6” length pole segment included for emergency field repair. Slide repair pole over the break to act as a splint. Secure splint in place with tape.

FAST FLY SET UP INSTRUCTIONS:

If you purchase the optional Big Agnes footprint for your tent, it will enable you to pitch a shelter while leaving the tent body behind. The Fast Fly configuration requires the footprint, fly, poles, and stakes.

1. Lay the footprint on the ground and stake out.
2. Assemble the three poles: two long poles and one short cross pole. Be careful to insert each pole section by hand, instead of allowing the shock cord to snap them together to ensure each pole section is fully seated.
3. Run the two long poles diagonally across the footprint crossing at the center. Insert the pole tips into the grommets at the four corners of the footprint.
4. Insert the tips of the cross pole into the small pockets located on the underside of the fly.
5. With the cross pole now attached to the fly drape the fly over the pole frame.
6. Match the webbing colors on the fly with the matching colors of webbing on the footprint.
7. Make sure the webbing at the corners of the fly is completely slackened. Attach the buckles on the fly to those on the footprint.
8. Tighten the webbing on each buckle as needed to keep the fly taut.
9. Stake out all remaining guylines.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR TENT SET UP

Our tents are easy to set up, but we suggest you practice once at home before using them for the first time to avoid late night bickering with tent mates while fumbling around in the dark.
Before pitching tent, clear campsite of debris that may pierce tent floor.
We recommend staking out all corners, vestibules and guylines to increase space and ventilation. Securely staking out your tent and all guylines is crucial to maintaining the structural integrity of your tent.
Hang onto your stuff sacks or they’ll blow away and create backcountry litter.
Pull on the pole sleeve fabric when inserting poles to avoid any bunching in the material.
Push rather than pull poles through pole sleeves.

Thanks for choosing a Big Agnes tent!
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.
support.bigagnes.com | 877.554.8975

Download Setup Instructions

What's in a Name?

Blacktail Mountain is known as an elk calving ground in the winter. Named for a strip of dark evergreen timber down one side which resembles the tail of a mule deer. Tremendous hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping opportunities exist between Blacktail Mountain and the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area downstream in South Routt County.