ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 3P vs Night Cat 3P Pop-Up Cabin
Quick verdict
Choose by your trip
- ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 3P: Two adults with gear, or three people on pads.
- Night Cat 3P Pop-Up Cabin: Car campers who want a fast pitch and a covered porch for gear.
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ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 3P review
Best for: Two adults with gear, or three people on pads
A roomy, light 3-person dome with two doors, two vestibules, aluminum poles and a full fly; the 48 in center height means sitting, not standing.
The Lynx 3 has a 90 x 84 in floor (52 sq ft) and a 48 in center height on two 9.5 mm aluminum poles with clips. Two doors open onto two vestibules with 20 sq ft of storage, and the 75D polyester fly has a 1500 mm coating. Minimum weight is 6 lb 8 oz (7 lb 3 oz total) and it packs to 6 x 23 in.
Good
- 90 x 84 in floor (52 sq ft) with two doors and two vestibules
- Freestanding two-pole aluminum frame with clips
- Full-coverage fly with a 1500 mm coating
Watch for
- 48 in center height: you sit up to change, you don't stand
Specs from ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 3 product page and Amazon.com listing, checked Oct 26. We compare published specs and design; we have not tested it ourselves.
Check price on AmazonNight Cat 3P Pop-Up Cabin review
Best for: Car campers who want a fast pitch and a covered porch for gear
A spring-frame pop-up cabin with a big vestibule and room for a queen airbed; it is heavy at 14.3 lb, and the listing's dimensions do not all agree.
A double-layer, freestanding pop-up with a spring mechanism and fiberglass poles; Night Cat claims about 5 minutes to set up and under 3 to take down. The 210D Oxford fabric is treated to 3,000 mm, and the vestibule is listed at 30 sq ft. Night Cat says a queen or king airbed fits. The spec table gives an 82.6 x 82.7 in floor and 63 in height; a chart on the same page says 7.2 x 6.8 x 6.1 ft.
Good
- Spring pop-up frame: Night Cat claims about 5 minutes up, under 3 down
- Vestibule listed at 30 sq ft keeps boots and gear out of the sleeping area
- Night Cat says a queen or king airbed fits inside
Watch for
- 14.3 lb with fiberglass poles: a heavy, bulky carry
- Listing dimensions conflict; confirm floor size before counting on airbed fit
Specs from Amazon.com listing, checked Oct 26. We compare published specs and design; we have not tested it ourselves.
Check price on AmazonSide-by-side
| Spec | ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 3-Person Tent | Night Cat 3-Person Pop-Up Cabin Tent with Vestibule |
|---|---|---|
| Price (typical) | $160 | $112 |
| Capacity | 3-person | 3-person |
| Weather rating | 3-season+ | 3-season+ |
| Floor | 90 x 84 in, 52 sq ft | 82.6 x 82.7 in, 47.4 sq ft |
| Peak height | 48 in | 63 in |
| Weight | 6.5 lb trail | 14.3 lb |
| Doors | 2 | 1 |
| Vestibules | 2 | 1 |
| Poles | aluminum | fiberglass |
| Setup | clips | instant pop-up (spring frame) |
| Rain fly | full coverage | not listed |
| Packed size | 6 x 23 in | not listed |
Green marks the better figure where more (or less) is plainly better. Weights and ice claims are the makers’ own figures.
Common questions
Which one should I buy?
The ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 3P leads on floor, doors and vestibules; the Night Cat 3P Pop-Up Cabin leads on price and peak height. The two are even on weather rating. Choose by which of those matter on your trips. ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 3P: A roomy, light 3-person dome with two doors, two vestibules, aluminum poles and a full fly; the 48 in center height means sitting, not standing. Night Cat 3P Pop-Up Cabin: A spring-frame pop-up cabin with a big vestibule and room for a queen airbed; it is heavy at 14.3 lb, and the listing's dimensions do not all agree.
Where do these specs come from?
From each maker’s product page and retailer spec sheets, linked under each review. We compare published specs and design; we have not tested these products. Check the listing for the exact version you are buying.
Where do these prices come from?
These are recorded Amazon prices. Check the listings for current price and availability.
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