We’re right here that can assist you discover the right tenting tent in your subsequent frontcountry journey together with your favourite individuals – and pets.
Our group {of professional} gear consultants has spent numerous hours researching and testing over 50 tenting tents from NEMO, REI, Marmot, The North Face, and extra. We’ve spent dozens of nights automobile tenting to slender our listing all the way down to probably the most promising fashions. Primarily based on our hands-on testing, we’re assured you’ll discover a tent right here that’s an amazing match for you: snug, sturdy, weather-resistant, straightforward to arrange, and feature-forward. Should you’re trying to spherical out your tenting expertise, we additionally suggest a high-quality tenting mattress to slip inside that residence away from residence. For lighter-weight pursuits, we’ve additionally examined and reviewed the greatest backpacking tents and ultralight shelters for these headed into the backcountry.
And for more information, try a few of our different in style gear guides:
Fast Picks for Tenting Tents
Try this fast listing of our favourite tenting tents, or proceed scrolling to see our full listing with in-depth opinions.
Finest Tenting Tent Total: NEMO Aurora Highrise 4 ($400)
Finest Luxurious Tenting Tent: REI Wonderland 4 ($499)
Finest Bang for Your Buck: Kelty Wi-fi 6 ($280)
Finest Crossover Selection for Tenting & Backpacking: REI Half Dome SL 3+ ($399)
Finest Low-Profile, Excessive-Quantity Tenting Tent: Marmot Tungsten 4 ($399)
Sturdy & Snug Tent with a Giant Vestibule: The North Face Wawona 6 ($500)
Excessive-High quality & Sturdy Tenting Tent for Two: Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 ($375)
Finest Premium Tenting Tent for Households & Teams: MSR Habitude 6 ($700)
Funds Tenting Tent with a Partial Rainfly: Coleman Sundome 4 ($100)
What’s new
Our group of drugs testers spent night time after night time within the woods testing out these new tents and pitting them in opposition to our trusted favorites:
- The Kelty Wi-fi 6 earns a spot as an economical, colourful, and spacious tent that’s straightforward to make use of and quick to pitch.
- The Marmot Tungsten 4 makes its approach onto the listing for its low profile, easy design, and comparatively low weight.
Tenting Tents Total Testing Scores
NEMO Aurora Highrise 4
Finest Tenting Tent Total
CleverHiker Ranking:
85/100
Worth:
$400
The scale we examined feels:
Luxurious for two, snug for 3 & tight for 4
Weight:
15 lb. 14 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
100 x 90 x 75 in.
Execs
- Excessive-quality poles & supplies
- Two huge doorways with stuff pockets
- Quick & straightforward setup
- Giant livable area
- Wonderful air flow
- Sturdy building
- Comparatively compact when collapsed
Cons
- Solely half door within the again
- Carrying case is tight
The NEMO Aurora Highrise 4 continues to impress us due to its sturdy construct, big inside area, and versatile design. For {couples} or households in search of a tenting shelter that’s each spacious and straightforward to arrange, look no additional than the Highrise 4.
We love the enormous door on the entrance, and that it stuffs away right into a small, non-intrusive pocket. Whereas the rear door is kind of a bit smaller, we’ve discovered it doubles as an extra-large vent to maintain air transferring.
The sturdy white mesh of the Highrise additionally units it aside. It lets you see out of the home windows on all 4 sides, even when it’s raining however nonetheless presents exceptional privateness.
The pole construction of the Highrise is uncommon in comparison with different tents this dimension, so there’s a little bit of a studying curve the primary couple of instances you set it up however it’s a snap to pitch after that. The partitions are steeply inclined, so you possibly can stretch as huge and tall as you need within the morning and never contact the ceiling. And it’s lots sturdy, so it’ll final for a few years if you happen to deal with it with care.
Our important grievance in regards to the Highrise is the carrying case – we like when a tent is straightforward to retailer as soon as it’s rolled up, however the Highrise comes with a smaller stuff sack, and takes some further work to suit all the things in. The Highrise additionally doesn’t embody a footprint.
That mentioned, this mannequin presents an excellent worth contemplating its consolation, dimension, and sturdiness. You may get the 6-Particular person choice for a similar value because the smaller model of comparable tents, so we expect it’s a wonderful worth.
REI Wonderland 4
Finest Luxurious Tenting Tent
CleverHiker Ranking:
83.5/100
Worth:
$429
The scale we examined feels:
Luxurious for two, snug for 3 & tight for 4
Weight:
21 lb. 11 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
120 x 100 x 75 in.
Execs
- Room to face
- Excessive-quality poles & supplies
- 2 massive doorways
- Shade-coded tabs for simple setup
- Tons of pockets
- Giant vestibule
- Sensible vent places scale back condensation
- Awnings over doorways
Cons
- Costly
- Heavy
- Footprint offered individually
- Not as sturdy as others in robust wind
“Luxurious” and “tenting” are two phrases we hardly ever put collectively, however the REI Wonderland 4 bridges the hole. It’s our choose for one of the best luxurious tent due to its cavernous inside, big doorways at each ends and a beneficiant variety of storage pockets to maintain your tent feeling organized and tidy.
The Wonderland boasts a particular pole design, making a spacious rounded tunnel form that makes the tent really feel big. Regardless of its uncommon look, the good color-coding on the tabs, tent, and poles makes setup quick and straightforward – we discover two individuals can pitch the Wonderland in lower than three minutes. Its 75-inch peak peak presents tons of room to face up, dress, and set up gear in an upright posture for most individuals with out ever needing to step outdoors.
The Wonderland is absolutely rain-ready with sealed seams, a protected entrance entryway with an efficient awning, and an enormous vestibule for storing moist gear. This mannequin additionally has a scalloped fly with protected home windows, so you possibly can see outdoors and nonetheless get pleasure from loads of air flow even when it’s raining out.
Our major problem with the Wonderland is its weight – at over 21 kilos, this is likely one of the heaviest tents we’ve examined. Nevertheless, we’re not backpacking with it, and regardless of its heft and huge footprint, you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a extra sturdy choice anyplace. The Wonderland could be a problem to pitch in windy circumstances, nevertheless, as soon as it’s up, we realized it could actually face up to 40mph winds.
From its beefy poles and thick material to the double-stitching and excellent pockets, the Wonderland’s weight is value each ounce for a tent that’s constructed to final. As a bonus, it packs all the way down to a really manageable dimension and matches effectively right into a compact case for simple carrying.
The Wonderland is a great, roomy shelter that comfortably matches two to 3 individuals who prioritize consolation and sturdiness for simple, organized summer season tenting.
Kelty Wi-fi 6
Finest Bang for Your Buck
CleverHiker Ranking:
81.3/100
Worth:
$280
The scale we examined feels:
Luxurious for 2-3, snug for 4 & tight for five
Weight:
17 lb. 3 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
118 x 106 x 76 in.
Execs
- Large inside
- Shade-coded tabs for simple setup
- Inexpensive
- Intuitive and quick to pitch
- A number of sizes
- Wonderful carrying case
Cons
- Footprint offered individually
- Only some small inner pockets
- Doesn’t ventilate effectively
The Kelty Wi-fi 6 is a spacious and feature-forward shelter for six individuals, and one in every of our favourite price range choices. In a market the place most tents price effectively over $300, together with a lot smaller-sized choices, the Wi-fi 6 is a cost-effective breath of contemporary air that gives all the things you want and nothing you don’t.
It has a ton of inside room. With a 76-inch peak peak, the Wi-fi presents one of many highest ceilings on this listing, so that you gained’t should stoop whilst you’re inside. The lengthy forehead pole pulls the inside partitions taut and almost vertical, rising the livable area. We discovered there’s greater than sufficient room to suit a household of 4 with out feeling crowded, and for 2 individuals and a canine, it’s downright grand.
We just like the Kelty Wi-fi for its cheerful and colourful aesthetic, however it’s extra than simply pleasing to the attention: the tent is color-coded to make pitching quick and straightforward. One in all our favourite options is the deep pole pockets, which change the necessity to fastidiously place pole suggestions in small grommets throughout setup. Merely nestle the poles within the tall pockets to maintain them securely lodged as you clip the remainder of the tent onto the body.
Weighing in at over 17 kilos, the Wi-fi is likely one of the heavier tents we examined, though we will forgive the burden as a result of it’s pretty sturdy. The seams are taped, the buckles are massive and powerful, and as soon as staked, this tent is safe in any typical summer season storms that roll by.
Our greatest grievance is the shortage of air flow within the Wi-fi. It options solely two vents situated on the downslope of the doorways, and the inside has restricted mesh. It holds warmth for longer than you’ll count on after being pitched within the solar however this may be remedied by preserving the rain fly doorways open and rolled again. We wouldn’t suggest this mannequin for tenting in frequently sizzling, humid, and muggy locations because of condensation buildup – however for many summer season tenting circumstances, we expect it’s an amazing selection.
Should you’re in search of a tent with massive vestibules, a giant residing area, and one of many easiest-to-use carrying instances we’ve seen, the Kelty Wi-fi 6 is an actual discount. Plus, this collection is available in 2-person, 4-person, and 6-person variations, so yow will discover the right dimension in your subsequent automobile tenting journey.
REI Half Dome SL 3+
Finest Crossover Selection for Tenting & Backpacking
CleverHiker Ranking:
80.8/100
Worth:
$399
The scale we examined feels:
Snug for two, tight for 3
Weight:
5 lb. 11.7 oz.with footprint
Dimensions (LxWxH):
90 x 78 x 44 in.
Execs
- Excessive-quality poles & supplies
- Fast & straightforward setup
- Light-weight
- Compact storage
- Two doorways & vestibules
- Easy zippers
- Good air flow
- Good pockets
- Footprint included
Cons
- Low peak peak
- Guylines not pre-attached
- Not sufficient stakes or guylines
We’re huge followers of the REI Half Dome SL tents, and so they’ve ranked on the prime of the listing for years. Should you want the comfort of a low-profile and compact tenting tent, however you continue to need the choice to do some backpacking, the Half Dome collection is a implausible selection.
The Half Dome will not be as spacious as most tenting tents on this listing. Nevertheless, it’s a lot roomier than a mean backpacking tent due to pre-bent poles that create vertical sidewalls. This interprets to a ton of headroom, and many area to sit down up and transfer round when sharing area with a furry pal or a climbing associate.
REI doesn’t minimize corners on the important options – the Half Dome presents just a few well-placed pockets for stashing your cellphone or a headlamp, plenty of ground area, and huge vestibules for any gear you wish to maintain shut and out of the weather. It makes use of a time-tested design and acquainted cross-X setup with a beefy forehead pole, so it’s tremendous quick to pitch and tear down.
Our favourite factor in regards to the Half Dome is its versatility. It’s simply mild sufficient to tackle quick backpacking journeys whereas being spacious sufficient for automobile tenting. Even for the three+, the cut up weight comes out to only below 3 kilos, which is cheap for a backcountry weekend journey.
This tent is extra secure in excessive winds because of its decrease profile and it’s very straightforward to pitch and take down. The Half Dome is a stable tent that feels snug, comes at an amazing value, and performs effectively in any climate.
Extra: Half Dome SL Full Evaluation
Marmot Tungsten 4
Finest Low-Profile, Excessive-Quantity Tenting Tent
CleverHiker Ranking:
80.3/100
Worth:
$399
The scale we examined feels:
Luxurious for two, snug for 3, tight for 4
Weight:
7 lb. 14 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
93 x 82 x 52.8 in.
Execs
- Light-weight
- Quick & straightforward to pitch
- Spacious inside
- Sturdy supplies
- Rainfly doorways roll to facet
- Footprint included
Cons
- Few pockets
- No guylines included
- Not sufficient stakes included
- Low peak peak
Should you’re in search of a low-profile tent that’s straightforward to make use of, quick to arrange, and presents loads of room for 3 individuals (or two individuals and a canine) the Marmot Tungsten 4 hits the candy spot. It’s sturdy, sharp-looking, and can final for years.
The Tungsten is user-friendly and easy to pitch. We discovered two individuals can arrange this tent in only a few minutes, however one particular person may knock out these steps with ease. The hubbed pole construction is color-coordinated and is pre-bent to pressure the tent completely.
The Tungsten is extra spacious inside than it seems. With a ceiling peak of virtually 59 inches, it’s not fairly tall sufficient to face up in for most individuals, however this decrease profile performs higher in howling winds and rain. The Tungsten’s ceiling is about 10 inches taller than the REI Half Dome, which implies extra room to stretch your arms whenever you’re waking up within the morning. Plus, this tent options two forehead poles to maximise headroom whenever you’re sitting up and transferring round.
We just like the L-shape doorways of the rainfly since they are often fully rolled to 1 facet and out of the way in which for simple out and in. The draw back of this design? You sacrifice a little bit of space for storing within the vestibules. There’s nonetheless sufficient room for footwear and a backpack, however it’s much less roomy than comparable tents.
The Tungsten is decrease on our listing as a result of it solely has just a few small inner pockets, so we shortly ran out of area to stash further garments and small objects. And, Marmot doesn’t embody any guylines with this tent. Should you’re planning on tenting on a windy butte in Utah or a fall storm within the excessive Rockies, make sure you choose up your personal guylines and some further stakes to maintain your tent securely hooked up to the bottom.
In terms of automobile tenting, we love a hassle-free, dependable, and well-built tent that packs up small, and the Marmot Tungsten is an effective selection. For many who don’t thoughts spending a bit extra for a high-quality tent that feels huge however packs small, that is the tent for you. And if you happen to’re in search of a smaller dimension, it additionally is available in ultralight (for backpacking) in addition to 1-, 2-, and 3-person variations.
The North Face Wawona 6
Sturdy & Snug Tenting Tent with a Giant Vestibule
CleverHiker Ranking:
80/100
Worth:
$500
The scale we examined feels:
Luxurious for 3-4, snug for five & tight for six
Weight:
21 lb. 14 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
120 x 96 x 76 in.
Execs
- Excessive-quality material & poles
- Large inside area
- Sensible pockets & group
- Many guyline attachment factors
- Tall ceiling
- Huge vestibule
- Efficient vents
Cons
- Heavy
- One door
- Takes time to pitch
- Footprint not included
Should you’re in search of a tent with the biggest vestibule for your loved ones outings, a summer season journey with a bunch of buddies, or adventures with plenty of gear, The North Face Wawona 6 is your tenting fortress. Its vestibule, intelligent inside design, and excellent air flow make for a really snug place to sleep, hang around, and stage your subsequent exercise.
In terms of vestibule dimension, The Wawona is in a category of its personal: the entrance vestibule is a whopping 44 sq. toes on the entrance, creating a complete extra lined area large enough to sleep in.
Not solely are these areas very best for stashing the everyday muddy footwear, moist gear, and hulking objects like backpacks, however the spacious vestibules can accommodate a number of bicycles, bins of drugs, or as much as three tenting chairs and a small desk to loosen up throughout a wet afternoon. Though neither vestibule has a separate display to maintain out bugs, we don’t thoughts an excessive amount of.
We admire the plentiful pockets and different-size storage pouches all through the tent for stuffing all the things from mild jackets and hats to lighters and charging wires. Further options like a lantern loop within the middle ceiling, color-coordinated poles for simple setup, plus an all-mesh door and vent kickstands maintain air transferring and stop condensation from increase on humid nights.
Having mentioned that, we discovered the Wawona a bit tougher than common to pitch so we extremely suggest discovering an additional set of arms to assist pace up the method. The tall peak of the tent makes it susceptible in excessive wind, so realizing find out how to safe it correctly is crucial for wind and storms.
The most important con of the Wawona 6 is its value and weight. This is likely one of the priciest tenting tents we examined – and one of many heaviest as effectively. That mentioned, we don’t carry it too removed from our autos, and it presents excellent worth. The superb use of area and storage, sturdy construct, and versatile, outsized vestibules make it an unmatched basecamp tent for 2 to 5 individuals and a canine.
The beneficiant 76-inch ceiling peak, burly aluminum poles, and large vestibule may make this your go-to tent for years to return. Should you’re the kind of camper who likes to arrange for days at a time (or longer) and satellite tv for pc from that location in your out of doors adventures, this selection is value each penny.
Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3
Excessive-High quality & Sturdy Tenting Tent for Two
CleverHiker Ranking:
79.8/100
Worth:
$375
The scale we examined feels:
Luxurious for 1, snug for two & tight for 3
Weight:
7 lb. 1.2 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
90 x 68 x 48 in.
Execs
- Light-weight
- Simple and intuitive to pitch
- Large doorways with out-of-the-way stuff pocket
- Pre-bent poles create loads of inner room
- Twin zippers on fly with kickstand for air flow
- Fly rolls up midway
- Loads of pockets
- Packs small
Cons
- Decrease peak peak
- All-mesh higher limits privateness with out fly
- Heavy for its dimension
The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 is a dream for summer season tenting. Because of its all-mesh higher, versatile fly design, and large doorways, this high-quality and acquainted tent appears like a fortress for one particular person, or a comfortable shelter for 2.
We love the Mineral King 3’s all-mesh cover and good fly design for its breathability in the summertime. There’s virtually no nylon on the inside partitions so it presents unmatched air flow on heat journeys the place a cool breeze at night time is a precedence. Plus, the tent fly might be rolled up midway to the middle of the ceiling so you possibly can take within the views of the Milky Approach at night time. Or the fly might be shortly rolled again down when moist climate strikes in.
The Mineral King is as livable as 3-person tents come. The pre-bent poles make for a quick and straightforward pitch and the 5 pockets provide all of the storage we wish. Tall twin kickstands and double zippers on the rainfly doorways maintain the rain out whereas permitting for good air flow when circumstances are muggy.
This mannequin presents the widest doorways of any 2- or 3-person tents we’ve examined. They span virtually the complete size of the inside on either side, so accessing gear is a breeze. When open, the mesh doorways stash simply in a neatly positioned pocket to maintain them off the bottom. We like this design and customarily want stuff pockets for door flaps so we’re not consistently twiddling with tabs and loops to maintain the doorways open.
Our greatest gripe with this tent is its low ceiling peak. At 48 inches, it’s one of many lowest peak heights on this listing, so that you’ll wish to maintain trying if standing up inside your shelter is a prime precedence. That mentioned, the Mineral King presents loads of headroom for 2 individuals to sit down up and transfer round with out feeling cramped. Plus, this low profile is advantageous in summer season storms. When driving rain and whipping wind choose up, the Mineral King feels safe and can reliably maintain you and your gear bone dry.
Although the Mineral King 3 is a bit heavy for its dimension, this tent is hard to beat with regards to a well-ventilated, easy-to-use shelter for one or two individuals in search of a 3-season automobile tenting choice. Should you want a shelter that packs small, has loads of storage, and is constructed to final season after season, that is the tent for you.
MSR Habitude 6
Finest Premium Tenting Tent for Households & Teams
CleverHiker Ranking:
787.5/100
Worth:
$700
The scale we examined feels:
Luxurious for 3, snug for 4, tight for five+
Weight:
14 lb.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
95 x 95 x 73 in.
Execs
- Prime-quality construct & supplies
- Tall ceiling peak
- Large vestibule & inside
- Tons of pockets
- Wonderful in moist climate
- Efficient insulation
- Constructed-in “porch” mild
Cons
- Very costly
- Robust to pitch solo
- Just one door
- Small storage bag
The MSR Habitude 6 is the king of stormproof, premium tents. For households and teams who need one of the best of one of the best with regards to 3-season climate safety and group, the Habitude is an excellent basecamp.
This mannequin is impressively spacious, however the easy sq. design of its ground lets it match simply into tighter campsites. We match three huge sleeping pads with no problem, however the Habitude is greater than large enough for 4 or 5 individuals (with regular-size pads) with out feeling cramped. Plus, the height peak is effectively over six toes – loads of room to face as much as change garments.
Our favourite consolation characteristic of the Habitude – in addition to the numerous well-placed pockets – is the built-in “porch mild”, a push-button mild embedded within the aluminum poles of the awning, positioned above the one entryway. This can be a welcome contact throughout moonless evenings, midnight lavatory breaks, and wet early mornings whenever you make it again to your tent.
We predict the Habitude 6 is probably the most weather-resistant, light-weight (for its dimension) 3-season tent available on the market. Tents of this peak – over 6 toes – can really feel like a sail flapping within the wind when climate turns, however the Habitude’s versatile pole construction and powerful supplies make it a dependable shelter in driving rain, intense winds, and summer season storms.
The primary bummer is the value tag. At $700, this is likely one of the most costly tenting tents we’ve ever examined. However, you really get what you pay for with this tent – some of the weather-resistant, high-quality, sturdy, and well-organized shelters on the market. For a much less weather-worthy however extra feature-forward model, try the Habiscape 6.
Coleman Sundome 4
Funds Tenting Tent with a Partial Rainfly
CleverHiker Ranking:
62.3/100
Worth:
$100
The scale we examined feels:
Luxurious for two, snug for 3, tight for 4+
Weight:
10 lb. 3 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
108 x 84 x 59 in.
Execs
- Inexpensive
- Fast & straightforward arrange
- Comparatively light-weight & compact
- Consists of all guylines
- Consists of stakes & doormat
Cons
- Partial fly doesn’t absolutely maintain out rain
- Decrease-quality poles & supplies
- Not absolutely seam-sealed
- Single door
- Door zippers are inclined to snag on mater
- No vestibule
The Coleman Sundome 4 is probably the most reasonably priced tent on this listing. It’s in style as a result of it’s so cheap (and virtually at all times on sale someplace) however remains to be comparatively mild and compact for its dimension. Should you’re in search of a budget-friendly shelter for infrequent tenting on bluebird days and calm nights within the entrance nation, the Sundome could also be all you want.
Coleman retains the burden of the Sundome down with light-weight fiberglass poles that create a easy and acquainted construction. It’s easy to arrange, and one particular person can pitch the tent in lower than eight minutes, however an additional set of arms is useful. An prolonged forehead pole retains the partial rainfly away from the home windows, and a separate door mat is a welcome place to sit down or stand whereas pulling on footwear or a jacket.
We admire the Sundome for its spacious inside. We simply match three common tenting pads and a canine mattress within the tent and had loads of room to unfold out. The height peak is simply shy of 5 toes, so we couldn’t stand absolutely upright, however the lofty headspace is useful for transferring round.
For such a low value, although, you’ll sacrifice reliability and longevity. The poles and material of the tent should not sturdy in comparison with others on this listing. We realized this when a pole broke and ripped by the material after a handful of makes use of in honest climate.
The budget-friendly value additionally implies that many of the seams should not sealed, so this isn’t the tent to decide on if there may be moisture within the forecast – though it can dry quick after a passing rain cloud. The zippers on each home windows and doorways are clunky and tended to catch on the overlapping material. The partial rainfly attaches loosely to the body with plastic hooks, and a single forehead bar retains the skinny material balanced on prime of the tent. A sustained reasonable wind will unhook the rainfly from its place, so tenting in something however bluebird circumstances might yield some inside moisture.
Nevertheless, if you happen to want a easy and cheap tent for just a few nights of fair-weather tenting right here or there, the Sundome will do a effective job. For many who need a cost-effective tent for an in a single day within the yard with the youngsters, a few delicate weekends of front-country tenting over a vacation weekend, or occasions like a multi-day competition, the Sundome is an honest choice.
How We Take a look at & Methodology
SPACIOUSNESS & COMFORT
Spaciousness and luxury is in regards to the livability of a tent. We have a look at the inside dimensions and the way many individuals can comfortably sleep inside. Peak peak can also be an necessary issue, and we’re certain to evaluate not solely whether or not or not taller of us can sit up or stand, however how a lot room is definitely obtainable at shoulder peak and above. Door dimension and configuration additionally performs a job right here.
EASE OF SETUP
The tents that lead on this class have intuitive and clear directions that streamline and pace up meeting. We scrutinize the burden and packability of the tent, as smaller and lighter fashions are simpler to move and retailer. We search for options like color-coded poles and clips that may simplify setup, in addition to adjustable man traces and tensioners that assist stabilize your tent when the climate turns.
WEATHER RESISTANCE
When climate resistance, we look at the supplies used to assemble the tent, prioritizing probably the most sturdy materials with strong waterproof coatings that repel rain and moisture successfully. We examine seams for his or her high quality and examine their waterproofing since seam-sealed stitching prevents water from seeping into the tent throughout heavy downpours. Moreover, we have a look at the tent’s design, accounting for its form, peak, and geometry, to find out how effectively it handles robust winds and gnarly climate circumstances. We pay attention to options like bolstered man line attachments and durable pole construction, which maintain the tent secure. We additionally look fastidiously at auxiliary options like rain flies and vestibules, which offer added safety for the gear you don’t need in your residing space however nonetheless have to maintain dry.
DURABILITY & QUALITY
Right here, we prioritize the energy and sturdiness of a tent’s supplies – together with poles, material, and {hardware} – to see how they stand as much as the weather and the way they deal with being arrange and brought down a whole bunch of instances over a number of seasons. We look at the standard of sewing and seam sealing to verify there aren’t any leaks in addition to the tent’s structural integrity, since bolstered tent stress factors and heavy-duty zippers assist with sturdiness even in whipping wind.
FEATURES
Some fashions have extra options that go above and past the baseline. We take a look at all of them from the quantity, dimension, and placement of storage pockets to stuff sacks, included footprints, and clothesline techniques.
Why Belief CleverHiker
Our group has collectively spent over 3,000 nights tenting to seek out the top-performing tents. Gear Analyst and lead tester, Ian Krammer, has pitched tents all around the state of Colorado, tenting in virtually each nationwide forest, wilderness space, and 4WD accessible trailhead and basin within the state during the last 15 years. His intensive expertise with tenting tents, in addition to his historical past working in comparative analysis, has refined his means to meticulously consider every tent to establish one of the best options and potential shortcomings. This rigorous testing implies that the tents we suggest are really top-notch.
Evaluation & Outcomes
We consider tents based mostly on 5 standards: consolation, sturdiness, climate resistance, ease of setup, and options. Our comparability beneath highlights the highest performers in every metric.
VALUE
It doesn’t matter what your price range is, we suggest tenting tents at a wide range of value factors to assist get you on the market. For us, worth will not be synonymous with cheap or price range. Although there are definitely many good choices at an inexpensive value, worth is total efficiency relative to cost. So there could also be some glorious choices which might be justifiably costly in addition to cheaper ones that outperform expectations.
The Kelty Wi-fi 6 presents a few of the greatest worth within the tenting tents class. Regardless of being one of many least costly tents that we examined, we discovered it to be manufactured from surprisingly high-quality supplies. The Wi-fi 6 has a sturdy set of options, twin vestibules, color-coded pole masks, and it’s held up effectively to some fairly nasty rain and thunderstorms.
Should you can stretch your price range, you possibly can improve to a higher-quality tent, such because the NEMO Aurora Highrise which presents glorious worth. Whereas its value level is increased thanif you some others, the NEMO Aurora Highrise will get excessive marks for combining high-end options with unbelievable sturdiness. Should you’re in search of a tent that may final yr after yr, this one is a standout selection for consolation and comfort in a 4-person and 6-person mannequin. This one has a tall ceiling, tons of inside area, and premium supplies making it very sturdy in wild climate.
The Mountain {Hardware} Mineral King 3 additionally presents a remarkably good worth for a tent that can be utilized for each entrance nation tenting and likewise as a backpacking tent in a pinch. Whereas bigger than most backpacking tents obtainable available on the market, it’s considerably smaller than the tents listed above when all packed up. Regardless that it’s small and comparatively cheap, it nonetheless has numerous the options that you just’ll discover within the tents on the remainder of our listing. The Mineral King 3 will get bonus factors as a result of it truly comes with a footprint at no added price.
Lastly, in case you are in search of one thing with a ton of area, options, top-of-the-line supplies, and an exceptionally well-rounded design there may be numerous worth to be discovered within the North Face Wawona 6. The Wawona 6 tops the listing of our favourite tents this yr and worth is a giant a part of that designation.
COMFORT
The North Face Wawona 6 is outstanding for area and luxury with its excessive peak peak and expansive ground space, providing a ton of room for 4 or extra campers to maneuver round comfortably. It options the biggest entrance vestibule on our listing – in addition to a big rear vestibule – that dramatically extends the livable area of the tent. This vestibule simply serves as storage for cumbersome tools like chairs, mountain bikes, or perhaps a small desk. It presents double doorways for simple entry and the near-vertical partitions and huge mesh home windows make this some of the livable tents we’ve examined.
The Kelty Wi-fi 6 can also be on the prime of our listing for its beneficiant area and luxury. With a big footprint and a spacious inside that simply accommodates a household of 4 to 5 individuals, its tall ceiling permits for standing room, its twin vestibules – though smaller than the Wawona – present loads of extra space for storing for gear. Two doorways provide handy entry and exit, and the mesh partitions present glorious visibility outdoors when the fly is again.
Should you’re in search of some of the premium choices on the market the MSR Habitude 6 Is hard to beat. Though the ceiling peak is a number of inches shorter than the Wi-fi or the Wawona, it nonetheless feels cavernous, and there’s tons of room to unfold out as wanted. The massive ground plan accommodates 4 individuals with no drawback, and the Habitude has loads of room and well-placed, outsized pockets for further gear. We additionally love the big doorways for simple entry and exit.
The REI Wonderland 4 is likely one of the heaviest tents we checked out – however it additionally has one of many largest interiors. In terms of livability, this one is a superb choice due to its dome-style design that maximizes inside quantity and headroom. It offers ample area for 3 or extra campers, with two massive doorways for simple out and in. The massive storage pockets, inner gear loops, high-quality supplies, and considerate design particulars make this one of many comfiest for tenting in a bunch.
DURABILITY
Should you’re in search of a tent that may final for an extremely very long time, the MSR Habitude 6 takes the highest spot. MSR presents excellent sturdiness and high quality with this mannequin, together with top-tier supplies like ripstop nylon material and DAC aluminum poles to make sure long-lasting efficiency season after season. Its meticulous consideration to element, together with bolstered stitching, precision-engineered elements, and a burly storage bag make it some of the dependable selections available on the market for prolonged out of doors adventures.
We additionally love The North Face Wawona 6 for its sturdiness and high quality building. It boasts rugged supplies like hearty polyester and durable aluminum poles that may face up to years of repeated use from spring till fall. Its strong design, together with absolutely taped seams and heavy-duty zippers, make for superior climate resistance and longevity. This tent is one in every of our trusted shelters in all types of circumstances yr after yr.
The NEMO Aurora Highrise 4 is one other ultra-premium choice that excels in sturdiness, dependability, and high quality. It makes use of one of the best of one of the best supplies like polyester material and DAC Featherlite NSL aluminum poles. Its meticulous craftsmanship, together with precision seam sealing and bolstered stress factors, ensures long-term reliability and efficiency.
Additionally, take an in depth have a look at the REI Half Dome SL 3+. For years, this tent has stood out in opposition to the competitors for its sturdiness and distinctive construct high quality. The Half Dome’s considerate building particulars, together with welded corners and color-coded pole clips, exaggerate its structural integrity and enhance its climate resistance, making this one a trusted companion for years and years of tenting adventures.
WEATHER RESISTANCE
The MSR Habitude 6 is excellent with regards to climate resistance. Whereas taller tents just like the Habitude typically don’t do effectively in excessive winds and driving rain, the strong pole construction and full-coverage rainfly all however assure stability when the storms roll in. The tent’s high-performance supplies like thick, waterproof material and bolstered seams, and burly man out traces and bolstered attachment factors make it able to withstanding intense climate circumstances with out sacrificing area.
As one of many lowest-profile tents on our listing, the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 is constructed to face up to harsh climate. Its absolutely seam-taped rainfly and bathtub-style ground present glorious safety in opposition to gnarly thunderstorms. We belief this one as some of the secure and sturdy tents available on the market, excellent for top winds and surprising summer season storms. However, that is one in every of our prime selections for when the storms cross, too, because the inside tent partitions and ceiling are all mesh, making for some of the breathable tents we’ve reviewed.
Much like the Mineral King, the REI Half Dome SL 3+ is one other pretty low-profile choice with superior climate resistance. Its full-coverage rainfly and strong pole structure lend superior stability and safety in windy circumstances. The tent’s sturdy material and bolstered corners guarantee it could actually deal with heavy rain and snow and the man out traces will lock the tent to the bottom, preserving you dry and safe throughout inclement climate.
Lastly, and considerably surprisingly, we discovered The North Face Wawona 6 to carry up surprisingly effectively to some actually wild climate. We had been capable of pitch our Wawona six on a reasonably uncovered mountaintop simply earlier than a really gnarly Colorado monsoon blew by. The tent held robust even in 40-50 mile per hour winds. It was a bit noisy however by no means felt prefer it was going to break down on up.
Taller tents such because the REI Wonderland suffered a bit in excessive winds however nonetheless remained surprisingly waterproof. The Kelty Wi-fi 6 labored effectively in each excessive winds and heavy rain however we did discover some seepage by the ground after a few days of rain.
EASE OF SETUP
The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 is exceptionally straightforward to arrange due to its color-coded pole system and light-weight design, which permit for fast and intuitive meeting. As one of many lightest choices on our listing, and with a decrease ceiling and profile, this one is easy for one particular person to arrange. Its easy, freestanding construction and pre-bent poles make it a dream to pitch with minimal effort.
Equally, the REI Half Dome SL 3+ could be very light-weight in comparison with many of the larger tents on this listing. Its hubbed pole system and color-coded clips streamline the setup course of for a speedy pitch. The tent’s freestanding design, mixed with its ethereal supplies, permits for simple solo setup even when the wind is howling or the rain is rolling in.
The NEMO Aurora Highrise 4 additionally stands out for its ease of setup, with a easy pole design and intuitive setup directions that make it potential for one particular person to arrange the tent pretty shortly. This mannequin’s lengthy pole sleeves, acquainted construction, and snap-on pole clips make for a really environment friendly and hassle-free setup.
Different tents just like the North Face Wawona 6 and REI Wonderland 4 are a bit extra difficult to arrange because of their massive dimension and extra advanced designs. They will nonetheless be arrange by one human however having a associate wouldn’t be a foul thought.
FEATURES
The North Face Wawona 6 stands out for its completely huge vestibule. It has the biggest vestibule space of any tent on our listing, in some instances two to 3 instances larger than others we’ve checked out. This uniquely outsized area offers a completely separate sheltered space to function a lounge when the climate turns or a big storage space for outsized gear like backpacks or bikes. It additionally has extra inner pockets than our different prime contenders just like the REI Wonderland 4 and the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4.
The MSR Habitude 6 is the boss with regards to lighting. This one shines with its built-in “porch” mild, a push-button mild above the door for added visibility at night time. This is a superb design selection that makes it straightforward to see the gear in your vestibule with out lighting up the inside of the tent.
Methods to Select a Tenting Tent
SPACE & CHOOSING A TENT SIZE
Capability rankings often overstate the variety of individuals (and sleeping pads) that slot in a tent, so don’t depend on that quantity except you get pleasure from sleeping like sardines. A superb rule of thumb is to go up in dimension by one or two individuals for added area and extra consolation. Should you’re tall, claustrophobic, otherwise you share a tent with kids or pets, a bit further elbow room will make your journey way more gratifying. You can additionally think about using a number of small tents rather than one massive tent to accommodate teams. In our expertise, youngsters are usually stoked to have their very own tent. Should you’re not sure what dimension will work greatest in your group, try our Tent Measurement Information.
PEAK HEIGHT
Should you’re tenting for a number of days, spend a major period of time hanging out in your tent, or use it loads in a season, select one which’s tall sufficient to face and transfer round in. Tents with excessive peaks and close to vertical partitions have probably the most usable area, however they’re extra inclined in windy and stormy circumstances. Be sure you use the suitable stakes and guylines to assist assist bigger tents and keep away from points.
NUMBER OF DOORS
We predict a number of doorways is a should for group tenting. The liberty to enter, exit, and entry gear within the vestibules with out disturbing your tenting crew makes in a single day adventures way more gratifying. Ample doorway and vestibule area are important when it’s wet and everybody desires to clamber into the tent to get out of their moist or soiled garments as shortly as potential.
VENTILATION
Good air flow is necessary for controlling inner condensation. Search for tents designed with sufficient roof vents that enable contemporary air to flow into, rain or shine. It’s not a lot enjoyable being cooped up in a muggy tent with out useful vents when the climate turns foul or the temperatures fluctuate. Some tents have zippers that mean you can entry prime vents with kickstands from the inside of the tent, which turns out to be useful when excessive roofs are exhausting to succeed in on the surface. Be sure you stake out the edges of your rainfly for higher air circulation.
EASE OF SETUP
Organising any tent for the primary time could be a problem, however it at all times will get simpler with observe. Many tents are designed to be intuitive and fast to pitch with color-coding poles, buckle clips, and easy, user-friendly instructions. Be sure you select a tent that’s a manageable dimension and weight so that you can deal with simply, particularly if you happen to’ll be pitching it alone. Giant tents might be superior, however don’t select one which’s so advanced that it takes all of the enjoyable out of tenting, or requires a number of arms to pitch.
WATERPROOFING
Most high-quality tents come absolutely seam-sealed to stop water from penetrating the place the material has been stitched. If the directions inform you to seal all of the seams to extend climate safety, meaning the tent isn’t storm-proof – but.Seam sealing isn’t tough, however it may be time-consuming and considerably tedious, particularly on a big tent. In case your tent was as soon as seam-taped, however you’ve seen it beginning to leak, it is likely to be time to do some upkeep to increase the lifetime of the tent by waterproofing it correctly, together with sealing the seams, changing a peeling polyurethane coating, and refreshing the DWR coating on the rainfly.
VESTIBULES & AWNINGS
Vestibules are lined areas outdoors your tent doorways meant for shielding and storing gear like backpacks and footwear – so you retain the majority and mess outdoors of your sleeping space. Should you plan to camp in locations the place it rains usually, ensure your tent has a number of huge vestibules so that you gained’t should deliver moist or muddy gear inside your sleeping space. Some vestibules will also be transformed into awnings for shade utilizing pole equipment (not included). Different campers deliver a separate shade or display home that may be arrange away from their tent, whereas others want to make use of an awning straight hooked up to their tent like a porch.
PACKED SIZE
The packed dimension of your tent is important for backpacking, however it’s not as necessary for automobile tenting. Nonetheless, it’s good to think about how a lot area you’ll have in your gear in your automobile and at residence. A compact tent might be far much less cumbersome to maneuver.
SEASON RATINGS
3-Season Tents
3-Season tents are the commonest sort of tent and are usually meant for use in the course of the summer season months when the climate is honest. These tents are inclined to have good air flow and can shield you from rain and bugs, however they might not be strong sufficient to face up to intense storms with heavy rain or excessive winds.
3-4 Season Tents
Some 3-season tents can be utilized from early spring by late fall, the place the indicators of winter are nonetheless apparent. They’re designed with extra climate safety in thoughts and search to supply a steadiness of air flow, energy, and warmth retention. These tents are sometimes dome-shaped to shed rain and lightweight snow with barely extra strong poles to provide the construction rigidity to face up to winds. The rain fly will often be extra full-coverage and prolong virtually to the bottom with a number of vestibules to maintain gear and footwear dry.
4-Season Tents
4-season tents are greatest for many who plan to camp in snow and inclement climate, however they’re overkill for many 3-season automobile campers since they’re typically way more heavy and hulking. They have an inclination to have lower-profiles and are dome-shaped to shed snow and excessive winds. The most important draw back of 4-season tents is that they have a lot much less air flow, which might make the residing space too heat and stuffy in heat circumstances. Save the 4-season tents for winter tenting or prolonged journeys in heavy rains when it’s essential to have a heat, protected shelter.
PACKAGED WEIGHT VS. MINIMUM TRAIL WEIGHT
Totally different web sites listing totally different specs for tent weight, and it may be complicated if you happen to’re not sure of the terminology. Sadly, there’s no set customary for measuring the burden of tents throughout the business – so your confusion is warranted – however we’ve received just a few suggestions that can assist you navigate measurements:
Packaged Weight – That is the quantity we use to measure complete tent weight on this information. Packaged weight represents the burden of all components of your tent plus included equipment on the time of buy. That is probably the most correct measurement because it consists of all the things you’ll have to pitch your tent.
Minimal Path Weight – This spec represents the minimal elements you’ll want to remain dry in a storm. It often consists of the tent physique, rainfly, and poles, however is dependent upon the tent mannequin and what the producer deems “minimal” or “essential”, so this measurement is much less dependable than Packaged Weight. This spec leaves out the burden of the stuff sacks, man traces, and tent stakes (except your tent is semi-freestanding).
FOOTPRINT
Should you’re spending a major amount of cash to purchase a high quality tent, it’s effectively value investing in a footprint to increase the lifetime of the material. The footprint is a light-weight materials that provides only a bit of additional materials to extend the sturdiness of your tent ground and add a little bit of an additional buffer between your private home within the woods and poky branches, sharp rocks, or rogue thorns. If a selected footprint isn’t obtainable in your tent mannequin, a generic one will do. Simply ensure the footprint you get is the fitting dimension – a footprint that’s too massive can acquire water and trigger it to pool below your tent, and a footprint that’s too small gained’t present sufficient protection. Try our publish Do You Actually Want a Footprint? for extra data.
STAKES & GUYLINES
Absolutely staking out a tent maximizes inside area and makes the tent extra sturdy. Taking just a few further minutes to fully stake down and guy-out your tent may imply the distinction between your tent lasting for years, or rolling away within the wind and ripping to shreds. In case your guylines didn’t come pre-attached, one of the best ways to connect them to the rainfly is with a bowline knot.
In case your tent has numerous man traces and stake-out factors, take into account bringing a small mallet to make the staking course of faster and simpler. Many tenting tents don’t include sufficient stakes and guylines for all the guy-out factors, so it’s a good suggestion to select up some further man traces and tent stakes on the time of buy or instantly afterward.
Honorable Mentions
These tenting tents have numerous good issues going for them and one in every of them is likely to be simply best for you and your loved ones:
This tent is a superb household choice that boasts a ton of inside area. We love the simple setup, the big vestibule with a door that rolls fully out of the way in which, and the good pocket places. Because of intelligent vent placement and ethereal materials, the Base Camp is nice at condensation administration and feels cool and ethereal on even the warmest days.
The reasonably priced choice is a stellar price range tent for people or {couples} who desire a sensible tenting tent that’s straightforward to pitch. The Path Hut could be very reasonably priced however has a few of the identical options as costlier tents like two huge doorways, double vestibules, and good vents. It’s light-weight and compact sufficient that it could possibly be used for backpacking journeys.
Conclusion
Selecting the best tent is essential for a snug and gratifying time tenting, and having. With so many choices available on the market, discovering the fitting mix of options, area, climate resistance, dimension, and ease of setup is not any small job, however we hope this information helps you discover the right choice in your subsequent journey. Completely happy trails!