The Best Tents of 2015
When you join up for Outside+ today, you’ll receive a $50 discount off an eligible $100 purchase at the Outside Shop, where you’ll discover a variety of brand-name goods handpicked by our gear editors. Purchasing a tent is similar to purchasing a new automobile. First and foremost, you must choose what you intend to use it for. If you’re planning a number of multi-day backpacking trips, investing in an ultralight shelter may be a wise decision. However, if you nearly usually park it next to a picnic table, the tight accommodations make it about as useful for a rancher as a Mini would be for a family of four.
For wilderness trekkers, the weight and compactness of a tent are key characteristics to consider when purchasing a tent.
Unlike automobiles, many tents are available in a variety of sizes.
Finally, spend a little more money on extras.
- Ryan Stuart is a writer who lives in the United Kingdom.
- First and foremost, you must choose what you intend to use it for.
- However, if you nearly usually park it next to a picnic table, the tight accommodations make it about as useful for a rancher as a Mini would be for a family of four.
- For wilderness trekkers, the weight and compactness of a tent are key characteristics to consider when purchasing a tent.
- Unlike automobiles, many tents are available in a variety of sizes.
- Finally, spend a little more money on extras.
- Ryan Stuart is a writer who lives in the United Kingdom (Michael Karsh)
Big Agnes Rattlesnake SL3 MtnGlo
The Rattlesnake is a lightweight hiking tent that has all of the user-friendly characteristics we seek for in a lightweight backpacking tent, including easy color-coded setup, large vestibules, and practical storage pockets. It was a tester favorite straight out of the gate. You can read the complete Gear of the Year review by clicking here. 5 out of 10 for livability 4 out of 5 for sturdiness The Rattlesnake is a lightweight hiking tent that has all of the user-friendly characteristics we seek for in a lightweight backpacking tent, including easy color-coded setup, large vestibules, and practical storage pockets.
It was a tester favorite straight out of the gate. You can read the complete Gear of the Year review by clicking here. 5 out of 10 for livability 4 out of 5 for sturdiness (Photo courtesy of Michael Karsh)
NEMO Dagger 2P
For all types of lightweight missions, this is the best choice. The Challenge: We gave the Dagger ($400) to a sea-kayaking guide who was about to embark on a six-week climbing, hiking, and paddling adventure from British Columbia to Baja California. The result: Every time he returned to civilisation, he was gushing with adoration for the people there. “There’s a lot of room, especially in terms of length,” says the Coronado National Forest. “We could stow equipment in the head and feet,” says the team.
- Getting our large drybags and boots to one side of the Green River while still being able to exit was a piece of cake.
- Gear of the Year was very close to being awarded to us.
- The Challenge: We gave the Dagger ($400) to a sea-kayaking guide who was about to embark on a six-week climbing, hiking, and paddling adventure from British Columbia to Baja California.
- “There’s a lot of room, especially in terms of length,” says the Coronado National Forest.
- In his letter from the Grand Canyon, he described the setup as “quick to put up and take down.” “It held up quite well in the wind on the Sea of Cortez.” “The vestibules are enormous,” says the author.
- The Verdict: The weight-to-livability ratio is exceptional.
- 4.5 out of 5 for liveability 4 out of 5 for sturdiness (Photo courtesy of Michael Karsh)
Mountain Hardwear Shifter 2
Most Appropriate For: Budget-conscious travelers on a tight schedule. The Evaluation: This tent ($199) is focused on providing value and simplicity. It takes less than five minutes to set up the two-pole dome, which provides ample space for two people to sit comfortably. Stormy winds of up to 30 miles per hour were met with scarcely a flutter by the burly materials and shape-shifting fly that came almost to the ground. In addition, while the weight won’t earn you any bragging rights, it won’t cause you any physical harm.
- “It’s the tent I’ll be using till it snows,” says a mountaineer who has fallen in love with the product.
- The Verdict: There are no carbon-fiber stakes or glitzy materials here; simply a strong tent at an unbeatable price.
- The Evaluation: This tent ($199) is focused on providing value and simplicity.
- Stormy winds of up to 30 miles per hour were met with scarcely a flutter by the burly materials and shape-shifting fly that came almost to the ground.
- Our only complaint is that, while the two vestibules are spacious, the doors are a little on the tiny side.
“It’s almost perfect,” says the author. The Verdict: There are no carbon-fiber stakes or glitzy materials here; simply a strong tent at an unbeatable price. Mountain Hardwear (4.9 pounds; mountainhardwear.com) 4 out of 5 stars for livability 4.5 out of 5 for toughness (Michael Karsh)
Brooks-Range Mountaineering Tension 30
When it comes to weight, this is the best option. The Test: At first glance, the freestanding, sub-three-poundTension 30($420) appeared to be sacrificing too much in the sake of ultralightness: it’s only big enough for two people, has one vestibule, and is made of virtually translucent textiles. Despite this, it didn’t seem claustrophobic or fragile out in the field. “It’s the little things that make a big impact,” stated one of the testers. The single carbon center pole is supported by two aluminum cross poles and a cord-tension system, which allows for plenty of elbow room and sturdiness, and all stress areas are strengthened to ensure maximum durability.
- After all is said and done, a couple extra guy-out points would be good.
- Brooks Range (2.7 pounds; brooks-range.com) 3 out of 5 stars for livability 4 out of 5 for sturdiness When it comes to weight, this is the best option.
- Despite this, it didn’t seem claustrophobic or fragile out in the field.
- The single carbon center pole is supported by two aluminum cross poles and a cord-tension system, which allows for plenty of elbow room and sturdiness, and all stress areas are strengthened to ensure maximum durability.
- After all is said and done, a couple extra guy-out points would be good.
- Brooks Range (2.7 pounds; brooks-range.com) 3 out of 5 stars for livability 4 out of 5 for sturdiness (Photo courtesy of Michael Karsh)
Marmot Force 2P
Best for: Backpacking in the wilderness, especially with your sweetheart. The Proving Ground: If I want my wife to accompany me on a hiking trip, I must carry the tent. With the three-poundForce 2P($389), this isn’t much of a problem. In comparison to a summer sleeping bag, it is less than half the weight of a winter tent and packs down to a smaller size. Two entrances with spacious vestibules provide a sense of unity. The interior square footage is adequate, but the pole construction elevates the head and foot walls above the vertical plane, giving the space a more wide impression.
- The Verdict: The footprint is a little tight for a pair of large fellas, but it can squeeze into tight campsites that few other two-vestibule tents can fit into.
- The Proving Ground: If I want my wife to accompany me on a hiking trip, I must carry the tent.
- In comparison to a summer sleeping bag, it is less than half the weight of a winter tent and packs down to a smaller size.
- The interior square footage is adequate, but the pole construction elevates the head and foot walls above the vertical plane, giving the space a more wide impression.
The Verdict: The footprint is a little tight for a pair of large fellas, but it can squeeze into tight campsites that few other two-vestibule tents can fit into. 3 pounds; marmot.com 3.5 out of 5 for livability 4.5 out of 5 for toughness (Michael Karsh)
Mountainsmith Mountain Dome 3
Ideal for: a one-of-a-kind tent experience. Putting it to the Test: The three-pole dome appears to be difficult to assemble from the outside. It is not the case. Fortunately, Mountainsmith color-coded everything, so even on our first trip with the tent, as we raced against the clock to beat dusk and battled wind gusts of 20 miles per hour, theDome 3($270) was a snap to put up. Interior features plenty of space for three people, as well as convenient pockets for lights and books, and enough headroom that a five-footer could nearly dress standing up.
- The Verdict: This is a versatile product.
- I’m sure you get the image.
- Putting it to the Test: The three-pole dome appears to be difficult to assemble from the outside.
- Fortunately, Mountainsmith color-coded everything, so even on our first trip with the tent, as we raced against the clock to beat dusk and battled wind gusts of 20 miles per hour, theDome 3($270) was a snap to put up.
- With enough of guy-outs in place, we didn’t see a drop of rain, and the poly-ripstop walls helped to keep the wind at away, even while the storm howled.
- We wouldn’t be afraid to bring this along for calm winter camping, car camping, canoeing, or backpacking trips, for example.
- 6.5 pounds; mountainsmith.com 4 out of 5 stars for livability 4.5 out of 5 for toughness (Michael Karsh)
Coleman Longs Peak Fast Pitch 4P Dome
Car camping is the best option. The Test: In a word, it was straightforward. With enough of space for four people, storage pockets, and a large door, this is an easy place to live. It’s not too hard on the wallet ($110). Furthermore, as the name implies, it is quite simple to set up. The four half-poles, which are permanently attached at the apex of the tent, slip into a massive junction box and are then snapped into big connection points at the corners of the tent. It’s one of the simplest installations we’ve seen, and it was completed in minutes by a pair of ten-year-olds.
A partial fly over the top, extremely water-resistant walls, and a reinforced floor ensured that everyone remained dry even during a downpour.
Coleman.com weighs 9.7 pounds.
The Test: In a word, it was straightforward.
It’s not too hard on the wallet ($110).
The four half-poles, which are permanently attached at the apex of the tent, slip into a massive junction box and are then snapped into big connection points at the corners of the tent.
Sure, it’s a little hefty, and there isn’t a vestibule, but it does its most important duty well.
The Verdict: This is proof that you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg on camping equipment. Coleman.com weighs 9.7 pounds. 4.5 out of 5 for liveability 3 out of 5 for sturdiness (Michael Karsh)
