Which Is The Best Tent To Buy

Best Tents for Camping

There have been 49 reviews, with an average rating of 4.2 stars. Whether you’re a family vehicle camper, an overlander, or anywhere in between, pull up a chair because your next nylon apartment quest begins right here. This year’s crop of vehicle camping tents demonstrates that there is a suitable home away from home for everyone who want to head out into the great outdoors. The short version is as follows: The fact that you’re vehicle camping means that you don’t have to be concerned about the volume or weight of your stuff.

In addition, such shelters are frequently less complicated to set up than their hiking counterparts, and they are also less expensive.

We put the best tents available at REI through their paces and condensed all of the feedback into the information you’ll find in this guide.

Test Results

Check out the findings of our round-robin below for some quick recommendations, or continue reading for more in-depth assessments.

• Best All-Around Camping Tent: REI Co-op Kingdom 6
• Best Camping Tent for Small Groups: Big Agnes Dog House 4
• Best Camping Tent for People Who Want Just One: Exped Outer Space II
• Best Cartop Tent: Thule Tepui Explorer Ayer 2
• Best Cartop Tent: Thule Tepui Explorer A

Other Top Performers

• REI Co-op Grand Hut 4
• Marmot Limestone 4P
• Kelty Discovery Dome 4
• REI Co-op Grand Hut 4
• REI Co-op Grand Hut

REI Co-op Kingdom 6 Tent

The best all-around camping tent is available at REI Co-op. Winner of the Editors’ Choice Award received $298.93 from REI Co-op.

• Number of doors:2
• Floor area:83.3 sq. ft.
• Vestibule area:29 sq. ft.
• Peak height:75 in. Score:95 Weight when packaged: 21 lbs. 6 oz.

Results of the testing: One tester termed this opulent tent his “party palace,” and we couldn’t agree with him more. Not only is the 75-inch peak height one of the highest in our survey, but this monster provides well over 100 square feet of space between the floor area and vestibule, which is larger than some brick-and-mortar bedrooms. In order to do this, theREI Co-opKingdom 6 is equipped with a divider, allowing campers to divide the rectangular floor layout into two separate chambers, each with its own entrance.

• Upon entering, you will find a vestibule of 29 square feet on the front side, where you may keep boots, backpacks, and damp items.
• Alternatively, you may raise the doors up with a couple of tarp poles and guylines to create a front porch with an awning.
• “It’s similar to our gear garage,” one tester explains.
• On rainy days, we might as well eat under the gazebo.” When properly guyed out, the Kingdom 6 functioned admirably for us in heavy rain and wind, and testers reported no leaks, even when the tent was placed on the lawn when the sprinklers turned off (all in the name of good testing).
• You should choose a tent with a higher aerodynamic profile if you want to camp on exposed territory or in adverse weather conditions.
• The Kingdom 6 may be compressed into a package the size of a child.
• Furthermore, with a tent this large, you will very certainly have assistance similar to that of a barn rising.

Click here to purchase. The bottom line is this: Take advantage of the largest amount of living space available in the Kingdom 6, which offers two rooms that can comfortably accommodate families and individuals wishing to stretch out.

Testing stats:

• Colorado, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington are among the states that have been tested. The best testing story: “Google Maps is the key to successful desert vehicle camping,” one tester (who, yes, is a millennial) comments of his experience. When we drove nearly directly to the edge of a 1,000-foot-deep canyon and set up our camp with a view over the rim, we recognized how important our preparation had been.”

Results of the experiment: Sometimes, simpler is better. The Big Agnes Dog House 4 is an example of a no-frills shelter that accomplishes everything you want it to do and nothing you don’t. Setup is simple and self-explanatory, even for first-time campers, thanks to a logical pole structure and color-coded webbing and buckles. True story: Our tester was able to build the Dog House 4 in a matter of minutes on his first attempt (despite the fact that he didn’t follow the directions, as he points out).

1. The partial fly (which protrudes from the top of the tent like a bucket hat) is constantly connected, thus there is no room for error in the design.
2. The Dog House 4 has a surprising amount of space inside.
3. A big D-door, an adjacent huge window, and two vents in the peak offer enough airflow and make arriving and exiting from the room simple.
4. And, at $250, it’s one of the most affordable of the tents we tested.
5. The bottom line is that the Dog House 4 is a complete package that includes everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Testing stats:

• California, New York, and Washington are among the states that have participated in the testing. The best testing story: During the spring 2020 pandemic, one tester’s Dog House 4 has been transformed into his family’s shelter-in-place backyard weekend retreat. As he points out, “the water resistance to the automated sprinklers was above normal.”

Exped Outer Space II Tent

The best tent for people who just want one is available for $256.93 at REI Co-op.

• A score of 91 was achieved
• The floor space was 30 square feet, and the vestibule area was 26.9 square feet for the bigger and 7.5 square feet for the smaller
• Peak height is 59 inches. Doors: 2
• Weight in package: 6 lbs 5 oz
• Number of doors:

Testing revealed that life is already difficult enough without needing to purchase specialized tents for car camping and trekking. Make your life easier with the ExpedOuter Space II, a brand-new shelter that can comfortably do both functions. And you’ll feel quite comfortable: A vestibule large enough to accommodate two chairs and a cooler is included with this tent. It makes sense: we go camping in order to spend time outside rather than indoors. The Outer Space II’s 27-square-foot vestibule, which is larger than many hiking tents on its own, has its own pole framework that can be staked down conventionally, but campers may roll back the rainfly from the sides to create a covered patio for dining or lounging in the shade (pictured).

The tent body and fly were separated when a washout appeared imminent, resulting in an enclosed chamber large enough to accommodate a few of damp neighbors from the next campground over.

When lying down, two campers have plenty of shoulder room, as well as enough space to sit up comfortably.

The tent weighs around 3 pounds per person while hiking, and because it is constructed with an outside pole layout, you cannot remove the fly in good weather—but these are minor trade-offs for the most adaptable tent we found in our testing process.

Click here to purchase. The bottom line is this: Make the most of adverse weather with the Outer Space II, which features a big, tent-sized vestibule and is just light enough to serve as a trekking shelter in addition to its primary use as a tent.

Testing stats:

• Testing revealed that life is already difficult enough without needing to purchase specialized tents for car camping and hiking trips. The ExpedOuter Space II is a brand-new shelter that can easily accommodate both of these needs. You’ll feel quite comfortable: The vestibule of this tent is large enough to accommodate two chairs and a cooler. After all, we go camping to spend time outside, not within, which makes perfect sense. The Outer Space II’s 27-square-foot vestibule, which is larger than many hiking tents on its own, has its own pole framework that can be staked down conventionally, but campers may roll back the rainfly from the sides to create a covered patio for dining and lounging in the shade (pictured). We were able to use it as a front-row ticket to Colorado’s spectacular summer storms, which proved to be a great hangout in any circumstance (yes, below the treeline). During a washout, our testers separated the tent body from the fly to create a covered compartment large enough to accommodate a couple of soaking wet neighbors from the next campground up. For those looking for a camping tent with a bit more space, the Outer Space II provides what you’d expect: a large sleeping area with plenty of room for two people. When lying down, two campers have plenty of shoulder area, and they have enough space to sit up comfortably when sitting up is desired. A second (much smaller) vestibule opposite the bigger one, as well as corner pockets, help to keep everything neat and orderly. The tent weighs around 3 pounds per person while hiking, and because it is constructed with an outside pole layout, you cannot remove the fly in good weather—but these are minor trade-offs for the most adaptable tent we found throughout our testing process. Here is where you can purchase it: Overall, it’s important to remember that Create a tent-like vestibule out of the Outer Space II, which has a big, tent-sized vestibule and is just light enough to serve as a hiking shelter in severe weather.

The results of the test were as follows: A roof-top tent is a comfortable and practical home away from home that sits somewhere in the middle of vehicle camping and van lifestyle. The pop-up-style shelter from Thulenests is housed in a spacious, zippered compartment that attaches to your vehicle racks; to use it, simply remove the cover, extend the ladder, and flip open the clamshell floor; to store it, simply remove the cover and place it in a dry place. The learning curve is small, and one tester claims to have reduced her setup time to 30 seconds or less.

• As an alternative to removing it every weekend, we propose installing it once and leaving it there throughout the camping season.
• She could arrive at camp late and just snap open her Ayer 2.
• In the Ayer 2, there is enough space for two individuals to sit upright and play cards comfortably (with a 70-pound husky dozing on the other end), or for three persons to sleep side by side in a comfortable position.
• The Ayer 2 comes equipped with a 2.5-inch-thick foam mattress, which is a significant improvement over the mattresses that college students are used to sleeping on.
• Click here to purchase.

Testing stats:

• California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah are the testing states. There are 26 nights out in all. A tester shares his or her favorite testing story: “While offroading behind Red Rocks National Conservation Area in Nevada, we weren’t sure if we were going to find a manageable campsite, but when we stumbled into an opening bordered by rocky cliffs and desert cacti, we knew it was going to be one of the best campsites of the trip,” one of our testers recalls.

Other Top Performers

TheREI Co-test op’s results have been released. This movable cabin for a small party offers the elegance and room of theKingdom 6 while maintaining the simplicity and affordability of theDog House 4, thereby bridging the gap between the two. Campers taller than 6 feet should be able to stand up and walk around without bumping into sloping walls because of the geometry of the Grand Hut 4. Because the Grand Hut 4 is more cube-like than pyramidal, the entire floor plan is usable, and campers taller than 6 feet should be able to stand up and walk around without bumping into sloping walls.

In the words of one tester, “we moved our pads and sleeping bags to form a living room to one side, then set up the iPad to the other side for an A+ movie-watching arrangement.” Because the rainfly stretches all the way to the ground, according to the same tester, there was no leaking in either vestibule.

• Click here to purchase.
• Results of the tests: Despite the rain, our group of four testers remained dry and comfortable in the Limestone 4P while camping in New York’s Coyle Hill State Forest.
• Even when our crew brought five additional friends over for a game of cards, everyone was able to sit comfortably in a circle with plenty of space in the centre to play.
• Another, smaller door in the back allows you to enter and exit without disturbing your partner without much difficulty.
• The results of the test were as follows: It is not necessary to spend a lot of money to sleep beneath the stars.
• Its basic three-pole frame is obvious and simple to learn, especially for those of us who are new to camping.

Also included are an expansive D-shaped door, inside organizing pockets, and interior loops for tying a light or gear loft to the dome. Click here to purchase. All Car-Camping Tents may be found here.

Buying Advice

Car-camping tents are often larger, more roomy, and more feature-rich than backpacking tents, but they are also significantly heavier than backpacking tents. Obviously, you’d have a problem if you had to transport your entire setup everytime you went, but that’s the beauty of vehicle camping. Weighing less is not a problem when driving to your camping destination. The tents recommended in this list are spacious, well-equipped, and reasonably priced. Although they are not the most portable, there are several crossover tents (such as the Exped Outer Space II) that are light enough to carry on a backpacking trip while being exceptionally comfortable in a front-country campsite environment.

Capacity

Every tent model has a number in its name that, approximately speaking, corresponds to the number of people that can fit inside, lying down shoulder to shoulder, in the tent. The industry does not have a set guideline for how much space each person should have, so think of it as a maximum; four people can sleep well in a four-person tent, but you’ll be more comfortable in a six-person shelter. Before purchasing a tent, be sure to check over the specifications. The floor area may assist you in determining where the sleeping pads should be placed in order to optimize space, and the peak height can inform you of how much headroom you’ll have in your sleeping area.

Vestibules and Doors

Although the room within the main body of the tent is important, it’s not the only place that matters. If you’re dealing with inclement weather or otherwise spending a lot of time inside your tent, you’ll want to get as much items out of it as possible. Vestibules play an important role in this. These indoor-outdoor areas on the opposite side of the entrance are covered and accessible from the interior of the tent, but they do not take up any more floor space in the tent. This is a fantastic place to keep extra equipment and wet clothing.

Everyone can enter and depart without tripping over one another or getting in the line of anybody else’s progress.

Features

It’s also important thinking about elements like organization, ventilation, and even color when designing a space. Extra features tend to raise the price of a shelter, but they might be well worth it in the long run. Interior pockets, gear lofts, and gear loops allow you to keep your sundries off the floor and out of the way, allowing you to save floor room for sleeping and sleeping gear storage. Having the option of designating one pocket for each sleeper is convenient, but it is not required.

If you have numerous people sleeping in a tent, or if you are camping in rain or high humidity, you may want to be able to open the tent vents to promote ventilation and reduce condensation to keep the tent from becoming too hot.

When it’s dreary and murky outside, a brightly colored tent may help to make the inside of the tent feel more cozy and enjoyable. Additionally, it is more apparent from a distance. A tent with a neutral color scheme, on the other hand, will fit in better with its surroundings.

Methodology

The REI Outdoor Store dispatched 22 members (along with their friends, families, and pets) from around the country to vehicle campsites and areas of wide-open public land in the summer and fall of 2019 to review the best shelters available on the REI website. Despite the burning heat, torrential rain, and gale-force winds, they were able to thoroughly inspect everything from leaks to privacy windows. At the end of the day, each tester evaluated each shelter based on its spaciousness, weather protection, durability, features, cost, and utility.

TheREI Co-op Kingdom 6, Big Agnes Dog House 4, Exped Outer Space II, and Thule Tepui Explorer Ayer 2 all performed exceptionally well in most categories; theREI Co-op Grand Hut 4, Marmot Limestone 4P, and Kelty Discovery Dome 4all performed exceptionally well in at least one—but not all—categories.

Related Articles

Article written by Ryan Wichelns about how to choose a camping tent. Ryan works as a freelance journalist and mountaineer in his spare time. His favorite climbs are the strange, unattractive snow- and ice-covered mounds in the middle of nowhere that take a weeklong scree-choked struggle just to get close enough to perhaps climb. Don’t bother asking him why. Since 2017, I’ve been a member of REI.

Best Tents for Campers, Backpackers, and Families

Camping is a lot of work! No, I’m not kidding. If you’re planning on going camping, you’ll almost certainly need a tent. If you’re a fan of sleeping beneath the stars, you might disagree (we’re in the midst of testing several hammocks), but we like doing so when the weather permits. However, locating and providing suitable shelter for yourself, your family, or your pets is a non-negotiable step toward being comfortable in the great outdoors the vast majority of the time. There are as many different types of tents as there are different methods to go camping, and they are available in a wide variety of prices and features.

1. Check out our other shopping recommendations, such as theBest Rain Jackets and theBest Barefoot Shoes, for more information.
2. Sea to Summit Alto TR1 has been added, and price and connections have been updated throughout the board.
3. Access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if desired) is included as part of your subscription.
4. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link in one of our stories, we may get a commission.

This contributes to the financial support of our journalism. Please also consider becoming a subscriber to WIRED.

The 17 Best Camping Tents, According to Outdoor Experts

As a hiking guide for Outdoor Adventure Club, Heather Landeros suggests the Kingdom 6 for families or anyone want to glamp in the woods. “It’s quite simple to put together, has two doors, and is tall enough that you can stand up in it,” Landeros explains. “My husband and I can put our queen-size air mattress in our tent with plenty of room left over for our stuff, a washing basket, and a tent heater for chilly mornings.” ” Tent for ten people Bradford like Coleman’s 10-person WeatherMaster for family camping because it can be divided into two rooms, allowing for enough of space for both children and adults to play and relax.

The tent has enough space to accommodate three queen-size airbeds, or two queen-size airbeds with additional space for baggage or hanging out.

This tent features two entrances, one of which is a hinged door, which makes getting in and out of the tent quite simple.

Coleman WeatherMaster 10-Person Outdoor Tent

Tent for Eight People Coleman’s eight-person Instant Family Tent is one of Bradford’s top recommendations for a variety of uses, including big gatherings of people and single vehicle campers. In addition to comfort camping on her own, she uses it on group excursions with Black Girls Camp, an Ohio state-registered charity dedicated to increasing the number of black women who go camping and providing a safe environment for them to learn about and enjoy being in the great outdoors. The tent can be set up in less than a minute thanks to the snap-in poles, which are both robust and simple to use.

However, she points out that while the instant-pitch tent is convenient, especially after a long drive, it does not pack down as small and is not quite as winter-friendly as some of her favorite traditional pitch tents, such as the Field and Stream Cross Vent 8-Person Tent from Field & Stream Outdoors.

Coleman Instant Family Tent

As a result, when backpacking, you must carry all of your belongings with you on the trail, making even the smallest amount of weight matter. The ideal hiking equipment should be lightweight, multipurpose, and long-lasting. Michelle Markel, a long-distance hiker and the creator of supportpubliclands.com, says that when it comes to backpacking tents, “tent weight is one of the most critical concerns, since on a long-distance trek, every ounce matters.” However, you must strike a balance between weight and durability since you do not want your shelter to crumble or rip during a storm or in the middle of a weeklong walk.

In the words of Reed, “It doesn’t matter whether your tent weighs less than one pound as long as it leaks water on the route.” Tents made of ripstop fabric and metal poles are the most durable option for outdoor use.

“When going light means really, very light (or if you’re headed somewhere with warm weather), don’t rule it out,” she advises.

For summer camping, they also allow for more ventilation, and they’re reasonably easy to get by almost everywhere you go to buy groceries.

It will also be easier to use a tarp if you know where you’re going to camp ahead of time—somewhere with plenty of space to set up your tent poles and that isn’t too windy would be excellent for this.

The Best Outdoor Tents on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers

The whole family will have a good time. Photograph courtesy of H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStoc/Getty Images. If you’re equipped with the proper equipment, there’s nothing more fortifying than a vacation to the big outdoors. Having a malfunctioning flashlight or a leaking tent may rapidly transform a nice, relaxed vacation into a complete nightmare. And, while we’ve previously reviewed camping stoves, hammocks, and cots, we’ve discovered the greatest outdoor tents, as rated by the most enthusiastic Amazon reviewers.

“With the use of bright, complementing colors and a dome form, you too may become the envy of your temporary neighbors.” Performance-wise, it was brought to Michigan’s Electric Forest Festival by an EDM enthusiast while it was “very windy and raining buckets.

I examined the Guinness World Records website but couldn’t discover anything pertaining to pitching a tent in a short period of time, so I mailed my entry.

If I had paid hundreds of dollars for it, I would have given it four stars without hesitation.

This item “performs better than any 1-person tent I’ve ever leased or borrowed,” according to another reviewer, “and it seems like it should cost around $400.” Utilize the money you’ve saved to get a nicer sleeping bag or air core, as here is where the most comfort is found at night.” “By far the most straightforward aspect of the entire procedure was erecting the tent itself.

“It took me longer to figure out how to set up my sleep pad and inflate it.” Because it’s so simple, I performed it totally in the dark with a little flashlight.

The fact that this tent is simple to set up does not imply that it is unstable.

It is easy to set up and can also stand on hard ground without the need for tent stakes, which is why I chose it after a long day of riding,” explains one reviewer, who also describes the Teton as “a highly recommended tent at a reasonable price that saves a great deal of time and is extremely convenient.” Several reviews have stated that this two-person tent is both incredibly robust and relatively compact, making it an excellent choice for people looking to travel light.

1. A proponent of the “real two person tent” notes that “if correctly put up, it can sleep two people on conventional sized mats, but that is all it is capable of.” (Alternatively, numerous reviewers have described it as a roomy one-person tent that they use for oneself).
2. This type, on the other hand, is constructed of SILnylon, a lightweight and durable fabric that, according to the reviews, has greater stretch than traditional polyurethane-coated tents.
3. One camper who spent a week in the Minnesota Northwoods claims that this tent “withstood up to 40 mph winds off the lake, and a heavy rain bombardment” during their stay.
4. According to a reviewer who has taken the model on nine excursions, “the majority of which were backwoods primitive kayak camping outings,” the model is also lightweight enough to be transported in a kayak.

The size, weight, and waterproofing were the three characteristics I was seeking for in a tent, and this guy has exceeded my expectations in all three areas.” And it does it at a very affordable price.” According to a third reviewer, who used it to camp in 10 different parks over the course of 12 nights, the setup was “wicked easy,” and cleaning was “very straightforward.” Following usage, remove the outer shell, draw up the stakes, open the tent entrance, and shake the entire tent to remove any dirt.

• The tent poles will remain in place, maintaining their form, and you can simply turn the entire tent upside down.
• “I’m in love with this tent!” “I’ve used this tent on two separate backpacking excursions,” says a reviewer who is also an eager traveler.
• The tent did an excellent job of protecting us.
• The zippers performed well.
• Every stitch appeared to be flawless.
• Everything on the tub (the tent’s floor) was taped and sealed quite nicely.
• “My 8-year-olds are able to set it up.” In the words of one reviewer, “The tents are incredibly easy to put up and have enough of space.” Another adds, “The tents work well in the rain as well as with wind.” The aluminum poles are quite durable.

The footprint will be included, so you won’t have to purchase it separately.

Several customers have stated that this is “possibly the finest value I’ve ever gotten on Amazon.” “My partner and I went on a hiking trip through Zion National Park, and we wanted a lightweight tent that we could carry in our packs.

However, it completed the task while being far lighter than the competition’s tent.” Another reviewer took this tent on two hiking excursions and had no problems with it, despite the fact that the weather was terrible at the time.

“Even with that, there were no tears.” Furthermore, another reviewer claims that they have “used this in heavy rain in Hawaii, while camping in the Drakensberg, and on the beaches of Costa Rica.” If you’re looking for a low-cost option for lightweight backpacking, you may as well get this.

That means your tent will remain cool, and you will be able to sleep in past daylight.

“When you sleep in this tent, you have the impression that you have crossed into another realm.

” “If it is darkness within a tent that one desires in the morning, then this is the tent for you,” adds another critic.

“I’ve learnt to refrain from arguing.” The Mobihome tent, which is entirely waterproof, will keep you warm and dry if your camping vacation happens to coincide with inclement weather, according to its reviews.

When we got this tent set up, we went to sleep on the brink of a river only to have a dam suddenly open up, causing us to wake up on what was referred to as “a ‘waterbed.'” Do you want to know what’s the finest part?

However, it is an excellent option for children and families who want to stage a fictitious camping trip in their own backyard.

“It’s always been like this,” says one reviewer.

As a result, I searched and searched till I came upon this tent.

Much more spacious, it is equipped with mosquito netting and zippers, and he may use it both in the backyard and in his room.

“This tent is intended for one person to use when trekking or hiking in the wilderness.

The screened-in front porch section of this tent has received hundreds of positive reviews (but many have expressed concern that it would not remain dry during rainstorms).

When the bugs are bad, it’s great for sitting and keeping the zip closed,” writes one reviewer of the product.

When you’re ready to depart, you’ll be able to clean it considerably more quickly because of this.

Our electric pump, driven by my car outside, allowed us to really fill the mattress to capacity and then squeeze it through the doors completely inflated.

I set it up and took it down by myself.

I had it up in under a minute and it was just easy to take down!” Many reviewers love that this tent can easily fit a family of four or more — like one reviewer in the Midwest who “fit four sleeping bags, two children, two adults and a 109-pound golden retriever very comfortably,” or the “single dad and four kids under 14” who spent seven nights in Yellowstone, or the “two adults, four young kids, and 120-pound dog” who “easily had two queen mattresses in it and still had room to move.” Lots of campers like this tent’s height: “Super-spacious, and I can stand up straight throughout most of the tent (I am six feet tall) (I am six feet tall).

It comfortably slept me, my wife, and five young kids.” In short, parents love it: “This is a great family tent — being able to show up at our site and know I’ve got everything I need (no poles to go missing!) and know I can have shelter up with a minimum of cursing within a few minutes of arrival takes so much stress out of the trip!” The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape.

Some of our latest conquests include the bestwomen’s jeans,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,ultraflattering pants, andbath towels.

Every editorial product is hand-picked by a team of editors. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of our affiliate links, New York may receive a commission. According to Amazon reviewers, these are the best outdoor tents available.

The 9 Best Camping Tents Have You Covered For Any Outdoor Adventure

If you spend a lot of time outside, it’s easy to fall into the trap of amassing an excessive amount of equipment. There’s everything from the required recreational clothes to camping gear and family camping supplies to choose from. And make no mistake about it: it can add up quickly. For example, the two of us have a total of 12 tents between us. But you don’t have to have a garage full of enclosures to be prepared for anything the outdoors throws at you; if you invest in one of the finest camping tents, you can be ready for anything the outdoors throws at you without having to become a camping packrat.

• getty Which tent is, in reality, the most appropriate for your needs.
• Stringbean (Joseph McConaughy) owns the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail Fastest Known Time (FKT) records for the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail.
• Also agreeing with Derek Temple, a category merchant manager with REI, who offered some recommendations for finest four-season tents as well as the best tents for solitary camping.
• No matter where your travels take you—to the top of a 14er on your own or to a weekend in the wilderness with the whole family—we’ve compiled a list of nine of the finest camping tents to help you make the most of your time outdoors.

• The REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent is the best camping tent for most people. The Coleman Carlsbad 6P Dark Room Tent is the best camping tent for families. The Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL Ultralight Tent is the best camping tent for solo adventurers. The REI Co-op Base Camp Tent is the best camping tent for car camping. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 is the best lightweight camping tent. The REI Co-op A

Best Camping Tent For Most People

We understand that there are a plethora of possibilities and that making a decision might be difficult. Consider the REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent to be a multi-purpose shelter. Its dome form is intended to be a solid and durable construction that also provides ample inside room for people to walk about freely. It also just weighs a little more than 16 pounds, which makes it a manageable lift for a tent that can accommodate up to four individuals (and can be used all four seasons). Even if you aren’t a frequent visitor to the great outdoors, it is straightforward to put up, so you won’t have to re-learn how to set up your tent every time you go.

Get a 25% discount in August 2021 |

Best Camping Tent For Families

In terms of camping with the family, size is important to take into consideration. McConaughy recommends that while planning a family camping vacation, “don’t be concerned about weight; instead, be concerned about durability.” And not from elements, but from children.” Because Steven has spent a couple dozen trips to the woods sleeping in this tent with his children, including a couple of nights when there were heavy rains, he can tell you from personal experience that the Coleman Carlsbad tent is a great choice for holding up against both children and Mother Nature.

In addition, it is jam-packed with innovative features that make camping with children less stressful.

This (possibly) allows the family to sleep in a little later after sunrise and may even allow you to put the kids to bed earlier than usual.

The windows may be opened to allow for additional circulation, and a loop at the top of the dome can be used to hang a lamp or fan.

Two side pockets are provided for storing phones, flashlights, toiletries, and other small items. Furthermore, despite the fact that the tent is enormous on the inside, it can be set up in under 10 minutes if you’ve done it a few times.

Best Camping Tent For Solo Adventurers

When folded, this tent weighs only two pounds and measures five and a half inches by seventeen and a half inches, making it small enough to slip inside or strap onto any backpack of reasonable size. The footprint is large enough to comfortably fit you, a dog (or even two smaller ones), and your sleeping bag, while yet being tall enough to allow even a larger camper to sit completely upright for comfort while sleeping. Not having enough floor room for your suitcase is not a concern since there is a 3D bin at the foot that allows for elevated storage of your belongings (there are also oversized media and ceiling pockets, as well as internal hang points).

We particularly appreciate the fact that the side door can be raised up with a pair of trekking poles to create an awning, providing a little amount of additional covered room.

Best Camping Tent For Car Camping

As described by Temple, the Base Camp is a “strong all-around camping tent that’s easy to put up with a stable construction.” According to Temple, the Base Camp is a favorite among customers and staff at REI. The manufacturer says that “it also comes with a complete rain fly, which will keep you cozy and comfy when the weather turns unpredictable.” At over 21 pounds, it is clearly on the heavy side, but that is in line with McConaughy’s advise, who notes that for vehicle camping, when you may arrive late at night—and maybe even in the rain—you want a tent that is easy to set up and that is resistant to rain.

And don’t be concerned about using a larger tent because weight isn’t a consideration here.” When camping with a big company, the broad mouth is a great feature since it eliminates the need to crawl over (and risk waking up) tent mates when making late-night potty excursions.

REI Coupons |

Best Lightweight Camping Tent

Backcountry

Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 Shelter

Before you attempt to pitch this tent in the wilderness, you should practice setting it up at least a half-dozen times in the comfort of your own yard or living room. This is because there is a distinct learning curve to Hyperlite Mountain Gear tents. However, the greater complexity of setup results in such a decrease in gear weight that, if you’re trekking on a multi-day expedition or climbing a mountain, the work and the additional cost are well worth it. The weight of this tent is just less than 19 ounces, making it lighter than most water bottles, yet it is capable of keeping you warm, dry, and safe even in the most extreme Alpine circumstances.

are certainly more complex to set up” than other types of tents.

Best Camping Tent For All Seasons

If you’re looking for a tent that will keep you secure and comfortable all year long, the REI Co-op Arete ASL 2 Tent is a great option. In other words, it’s the tent version of a triple-threat: Rugged enough to withstand anything the elements throw at it, spacious enough to comfortably accommodate two people, and lightweight enough to be portable (it weighs slightly more than six pounds).

The four-pole design provides more structural stability, while a large vestibule provides ample storage space for all of your belongings and equipment. And, thanks to Dead End pole sleeves and color labeling, setup is quick and simple, which is especially beneficial when it’s raining or snowing.

Best Camping Tent For Backpacking

When weight is not a consideration, conventional camping wisdom suggests that a larger tent should always be chosen. A three-person tent can comfortably accommodate two campers, a four-person tent can accommodate three campers, and so on. When walking overland, though, you must strike a balance between the weight of your gear and the comfort of your sleeping bag at night. Furthermore, if two people will be sharing a tent at night, two individuals can divide the weight of the tent gear on the path by dividing the tent’s hardware in half.

According to McConaughy, this places it exactly at the sweet spot.

Dual entrances and vestibules make it simple to get in and out of the tent, and some additional gear storage space helps to keep the interior of the tent dry.

Best Camping Tent For Four People

Whether you’re looking for a four-person tent for a camping trip with friends, family, or a pack of dogs, one of the most crucial considerations to make is the amount of room available. In fact, the North Face Sequoia 4 is spacious enough that most people can stand comfortably within it, allowing for enough of room for the crew and their various pieces of equipment. As an added bonus, the vestibule is spacious enough for you to set up camp chairs, which makes it an ideal area for enjoying a cup of coffee or reading without disturbing your tent mates if you’re the first one to wake up in the morning.

Best Low Cost Camping Tent

A camping tent that comes to mind when you shut your eyes is probably something like the Coleman Sundome, which is now one of the most popular tents available for purchase. And the reason behind this isn’t difficult to figure out. When it comes to casual camping, this tent is a good choice since it is easy to set up, can withstand mild rain and wind, and is available in a variety of sizes to accommodate two, three, four, and six people. And, of course, the extremely low price tag completes the package.

How to buy the best camping tent, according to experts

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to advise against non-essential travel for unvaccinated persons, a camping trip may be a socially detached and environmentally responsible way to spend a weekend in the great outdoors. Summer weather can bring rainier days, which means that having a good tent to protect you from the elements might be critical to having a stress-free vacation. Camping tents can be a significant financial commitment — with most costing anywhere from $100 to upwards of $2,500 — and investing in a high-quality tent can help you avoid having to replace it every couple of years.

The ideal camping tent for you will be determined by your level of adventure as well as the features, size, and fabric of the tent.

How to shop for a camping tent

According to the experts, there are a few key characteristics to look for when selecting the best tent for your vacation.

• Durability: Because tents are continually exposed to adverse weather conditions, heavy-duty fabrics that are both water- and weather-resistant, such as canvas, polyester, and ripstop nylon, are the best choice. Tents might be among the heaviest pieces of camping equipment you’ll ever own. Maintain as much lightness as possible in order to lessen the amount of tension placed on your body, and If you’re camping with a buddy or your entire family, a comfortable and large tent will provide you with more storage and comfort. For a more luxurious camping experience, Tessa McCrackin, the chief marketing officer of Campspot, recommends renting a “glamping” tent at a private campsite that doesn’t require you to set up camp yourself.

Best camping tents to consider this year

No matter if you’re hiking into the wilderness or car camping with a group of friends, we’ve put together a list of the finest camping tents available in a variety of pricing ranges to suit your needs on your trip.

The North Face Wawona 6-Person Tent

The North Face’s 6-person tent, which measures 86 square feet, is large enough for campers to stand up comfortably while still accommodating basic equipment such as chairs and a small table. Color-coded poles and trimmings make assembly easier, while huge mesh pockets on the interior maximize the amount of storage space available. With a weight of more than 20 pounds, this tent is definitely on the heavy side, though it does pack up neatly into a North Face duffel bag— and setting it up will most likely require the assistance of several people.

Marmot Tungsten 2-Person Tent with Footprint

This lightweight alternative from Marmotis a 2-person camping tent that comes equipped with an inside mesh wall to keep bugs at bay and to provide excellent ventilation. With it, you’ll get a robust polyester rainfly, which is the outermost layer of cloth that protects the tent from rain and moisture, as well as vents for a more breathable living environment. It also features a footprint — which is normally sold separately — which may be used to protect the tent floor from abrasive materials such as twigs, pebbles, and tree roots by placing it beneath the tent.

Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent

In this lightweight alternative from Marmot, a 2-person camping tent is included, as is an internal mesh wall to keep bugs out and allow for proper ventilation. It comes with a sturdy polyester rainfly, which is the outermost layer of fabric that protects the tent from rain and humidity, as well as vents to allow for a more ventilated living environment within the tent. The tent also comes with an optional footprint that may be used to protect the tent floor from abrasive things such as twigs, pebbles, and tree roots.

Thule Tepui Explorer Kukenam 3-Person Tent

Designed to fit on the roof of most vehicles equipped with a roof rack, this 3-person rooftop tent comfortably accommodates three people. A four-season tent implies that its polyester and cotton mix, as well as its water-resistant ripstop fabric, are both sturdy and long-lasting enough to weather harsh winters. It also features a foam mattress and a ladder for easy access to the upper level. The tent is folded when it is being transported on top of your vehicle, but it quickly unfolds when it is time to set up.

REI Co-op Kingdom 6-Person Tent

If having enough headroom is important to you, the Kingdom tent series from REI is a good alternative for family camping outings. The 6-person tent has a peak height of 75 inches, which provides enough space for most people to stand comfortably inside, while its 83-square-foot floor area is large enough to accommodate an inflatable mattress as well as baggage. As an added bonus, it has a zipped divider in the middle that can be used to form two distinct chambers for further privacy, as well as two entrances for easy access from both the front and rear of the tent.

Besides the 6-person Kingdom tent, REI also has 4-person and 8-person options, which are ideal for bigger families.

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2-Person Tent

Big Agnes’ camping tent, which weighs only 2 pounds, 8 ounces, is an ultra-lightweight solution for lengthy trekking expeditions. Easy to put up, with reflective guylines and color-coded webbing for nighttime set-up, and constructed of solution-dyed cloth that will maintain its color for a longer period of time and will not fade when exposed to UV radiation. It’s a three-season tent, which means that its ripstop nylon/polyester mesh fabric won’t always stand up in colder weather, but it’s still a robust and spacious alternative for backpacking newbies looking for a more affordable option.

Core 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent

According to the manufacturer, this cabin-style tent is designed to accommodate big groups of up to nine people with sleeping bags while on a glamping excursion. Those looking for more room and fewer campers will appreciate the 14-by-9-inch floor design, which can accommodate two queen air beds as well as numerous items of baggage. It is 78 inches in height, is water-resistant, and is available in two colors: olive green and red wine. Additionally, when the rainfly is not in use, the mesh ceiling allows for air to circulate around the tent, making it more breathable throughout the hot spring and summer months.

Common types of camping trips

A wide variety of tents are available on the market today in a variety of forms, sizes, and designs. Fortunately, there are three major sorts of camping excursions that can help you narrow down your options this season: backpacking, car camping, and family camping. Backpacking, car camping, and family camping are the three primary types of camping adventures. In most cases, a backpackingtent is a dome-shaped tent that is lightweight and robust enough to withstand the weather, making it an excellent choice for anybody wanting to trek in the wilderness.

So, when car camping, consider the following factors: Romero recommended purchasing a large tent that will allow for easy mobility and storage of an inflatable mattress, a small table, and baggage, among other things.

Rooftop tents are a great option if you’re always on the road and don’t want to deal with setting up and taking down a tent.

The added convenience of a rooftop tent, as well as the inclusion of additional amenities such as a ladder and a built-in mattress, causes them to be more expensive than other types of tents.

This sort of camping is sometimes confused with automobile camping, and many of the same considerations apply.

It is critical to practice setting up your tent at home before traveling out, according to Campspot’s Tessa McCrackin, regardless of the style of tent you pick.

If you’re planning on camping, she advised setting up your tent as soon as you arrive.

Romero suggested that you constantly shake out your tent before packing it back up, avoid placing it near a cooking area, and maintain all of the pieces together, including the poles and stakes, to ensure that your tent lasts for years.

Check out Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, technology and tools, wellness and more by following us onFacebook, Instagram, and Twitter to keep up with the latest news.