The Best Camping Tents

The Best Camping Tents


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One of the most important pieces of gear while camping is

your shelter. Yes, your sleeping bag is also vital, but if it’s raining,

the right tent can mean the difference between a nightmarish camping

experience in the cold and a relaxing time spent enjoying nature. 

With this in mind, it’s important to put some serious thought into

what tent you want to invest in. “You don’t want to have to buy a new

one every few years because you skimped the first time around,” says

outdoors freelance writer and photographer Emily Reed. However, Reed

also notes the best tents

 can get expensive fast—think anywhere from $100 to upwards of

$1,500. 

Sometimes that hefty price tag can be worth it, but in most cases you

can get everything you need within the $150 to $400 range. Think about how

you plan to use your tent so you’re not spending extra on unnecessary

upgrades.

The four main categories to consider are car camping, backpacking,

family camping, and winter camping. While there is a lot of overlap, each

of these activities has specific needs that require special tent features.

Regardless of camping style, durability and weather worthiness are the

two golden rules that can make or break a tent. Next, you’ll want to ask

how many people you plan to camp with. Larger tents will generally be

heavier and more expensive than similar smaller tents, but the extra room

for bags or more people can be worth it. Most of the time, a two-person

tent really means just two people. Sometimes there’s space for

a change of clothes and vestibule area (the outside space your rain fly

covers) for a bag, but if you want some extra breathing room, you may want

to size up.

To find out the best tents for every type of activity, we talked to

more than a dozen camping and outdoor experts about their favorite tents,

and these were the ones they loved.

Car Camping

With car camping, you’re driving up to a campsite and setting up

right there, meaning you don’t have to worry as much about the bulk or

weight of your tent. Asia Bradford, the founder of Black Girls

Camp, recommends getting a tent that’s designed to fit more people than

you need. “What I really tell people is that if they’re new to camping

and they know that they want to have an air mattress or what have you,

they’re going to need to at least cut that number in half.”

Technically, all the bubble tent in any of these

categories would work fine for car camping, but these ones specifically

maximize comfort and space for couples or small groups. In this category

you’ll also tend to find a lot of extra features that you may or may not

need or want. Wildlife photographer and Backpackers gear

reviewer Deirdre Denali Rosenberg suggests avoiding “gimmicky

things like built-in lights,” because they drive up the price tag and

often aren’t worth the extra money.

Two-Person Tent

For people camping in pairs, Reed highly recommends REI Co-op’s Half

Dome tent because it has extra wiggle room. While this tent is also light

enough for backpacking, at 4 lbs. and 14 oz., Reed has found it really

shines in “scenarios where weight isn’t a priority.”

“It’s larger than traditional two-person tents to allow space for

your pup or additional gear,” she says. The car tent also features two doors

so you don’t have to climb over your partner to get out, mesh side

pockets for storage, and ripstop nylon fabric for durability, which Reed

notes is a must for any tent. “I’ve had this tent for almost five years,

and it’s my go-to for car camping.”

Four-Person Tent

Outdoor adventurer, expedition guide, and co-owner of Dreamland

Safari Tours Sunny Stroeer recommends Kelty’s Dirt Motel, a tent

that provides a luxury outdoor experience with super-easy assembly and a

cool stargazing rain-fly design. She uses this tent for car camping or

when guiding on truck-based overnight trips.

“I have found that the Kelty Dirt Motel performs better in wind and

is faster to set up than most other brands and models I have used in the

past,” Stroeer tells SELF. Along with standing up to 30-mph-plus winds

and solid waterproofing, the Dirt Motel has two doors and vestibules and

plenty of room inside to move around.

Eight-Person Tent

For everything from large groups to solo car camping, Coleman’s

eight-person Instant Family Tent is one of Bradford’s top picks. She uses

it for comfort camping on her own and on group trips with Black Girls

Camp, an Ohio state-registered nonprofit aimed at bringing more black

women into camping and providing a safe space to learn and enjoy the

outdoors.


The tent sets up in under a minute with snap-in poles that are durable

and easy to use. “It sets up in about 50 seconds, and I’ve used it in

the wind and the rain and have not had any issues with them,” says

Bradford. The only drawback, she says, is that while the instant-pitch

tent is great for convenience, especially after a long drive, it doesn’t

pack down as small and isn’t quite as winter-friendly as some of her

favorite traditional-pitch tents like the Field and Stream Cross Vent 8-

Person Tent ($132, Amazon).

Backpacking

When you’re backpacking, you carry all your gear with you on the

trail, meaning every little bit of weight counts. Michelle Markel, a

long-distance hiker and founder of supportpubliclands.com, says,

“Tent weight is one of the most important considerations, because on a

long-distance hike, every ounce counts.”


At the same time, you also have to balance weight with durability

because you don’t want your shelter to break or tear during a storm or

midway through a weeklong trek. “It doesn’t matter if your tent weighs

less than a pound if it leaks water on the trail,” says Reed. For

durability, look for tents with ripstop nylon material and aluminum poles.

One-Person Tent

The Nemo Hornet tent is Markel’s top choice for her solo trekking

adventures. “It hits virtually all of the important features,” she says.

For Markel, this means it’s ultralight (1 lb. 10 oz.), durable,

freestanding, double-walled, and easy to set up, and has a side door.

With a fully connected foldable-poll system, the Hornet is easy to set

up, and since it’s freestanding, you can pitch it on virtually any flat

area. Once up, the tent provides enough space for one person to snuggle up

on their own, and the side door makes it easy to get in and out. Markel

says the side door “makes the tent feel larger when I have the fly open

to the side as opposed to one end.”

At the same time, if you only have the cash for one tent and you want

to bring a friend sometimes, the owner of Adios Adventure Travel,

Jacquie Whitt, recommends getting a two-person tent. In that case, the

Hornet also has a two-person version ($370, 

REI).

Car camping with family or friends is a summer pastime for many of us.

Whether the campground itself is the main attraction or it's simply

your base camp for nearby activities, this article will help you find the

right camping tent—your home away from home. (Prefer backcountry camping?

See the REI Expert Advice article, Backpacking 

Tents: How to Choose.)

When choosing your tent, first choose a model based on your

group's size and whether or not you might need additional space for

extra friends, gear or dogs. Keep in mind, however, that no industry

standard exists that defines per-person tent dimensions.

When evaluating bubble tent capacity ratings,

our general advice is this: Assume a close fit. If you seek more room,

consider upsizing your tent capacity by 1 person, particularly if you or

your usual tent companion(s):

Tents Seasonality

3-Season Tents

By far the most popular choice of tents, 3-season tents are

lightweight shelters designed for the relatively temperate conditions of

spring, summer and fall. They are usually equipped with ample mesh panels

to boost air flow. Mesh panels keep out insects (but can still let in

powdery blowing sand). Properly pitched with a taut rainfly, 3-season

tents can withstand downpours but are not the best choice for sustained

exposure to harsh storms, violent winds or heavy snow.

3- 4-Season Tents

Extended-season (3+ season) tents are engineered for prolonged 3-

season usage, suitable for summer use but also trips in early spring and

late fall when moderate snow may be encountered. Their goal: offer a

balance of ventilation, strength and warmth-retention.

Typically they include 1 or 2 more poles and fewer mesh panels than

pure 3-season models. This makes them sturdier and warmer than their 3-

season cousins. Extended-season tents are a good choice for those who make

frequent trips to exposed, high-elevation destinations. While very sturdy,

they are not as fully fortified for harsh winter weather as 4-season

tents.

4-Season Tents

Engineered to withstand fierce winds and substantial snow loads,

mountaineering tents can be used in any season. Their chief function,

though, is to stand firm in the face of seriously inhospitable weather,

principally in winter or above treeline.


They use more poles and heavier fabrics than 3-season tents. Their

rounded dome designs eliminate flat roof spaces where snow can collect.

They offer few mesh panels and rainflies that extend close to the ground.

This hinders ventilation and can make them feel warm and stuffy in mild

weather. But when foul winds begin to howl, a 4-season tent provides a

reassuring place of refuge.

Key Tent Features

Peak Height

If you like being able to stand up when changing clothes or enjoy the

airiness of a high ceiling, then look for a car tent with a tall peak height

(listed in the spec charts).

Cabin-style tents feature near-vertical walls to maximize overall

peak height and livable space, (and some models come with family-pleasing

features such as room dividers and an awning, or a vestibule door that can

be staked out as such).


Dome-style tents offer superior strength and wind-shedding

abilities, both of which you'll appreciate on a stormy night. They

stand tall in the center, but their walls have more of a slope which

slightly reduces livable space.

Tent Floor Length

If you’re tall (over 6 feet) or like additional space, consider a

tent with a floor length of 90 inches (rather than the more typical 84–88

inches).

Tent Doors

When choosing your tent, think about the number of doors you need as

well as their shape and orientation. If you're camping with your

family, multiple doors help you avoid climbing over each other for

midnight bathroom breaks. Cabin-style tents tend to shine in this area.

Also note how easy or noisy the doors are to zip open and shut. YKK

zippers on the doors resist snagging and breaking better than others.

Tent Poles

A tent's pole structure helps determines how easy or hard it is to

pitch. Virtually all family tents these days are freestanding. This means

they do not require stakes to set up. The big advantage of this is that

you can pick the tent up and move it to a different location prior to

staking. You can also easily shake dirt out of it before taking it down.

Fewer poles allow faster setups. It's also easier to attach poles

to clips than it is to thread them through long pole sleeves. Many tents

use both clips and short pole sleeves in an effort to balance strength,

ventilation and setup ease. Color-coded corners and pole clips also make

setup faster. Aluminum poles are stronger and more durable than

fiberglass.


Rainfly

A rainfly is a separate waterproof cover designed to fit over the roof

of your great

tent. Use it whenever rain or dew is expected, or any time you want

to retain a little extra warmth. Two rainfly types are common. Roof-only

rainflies allow more light and views while offering fair rain protection.

Full-coverage rainflies offer maximum protection from wind and rain.


Tent Materials

Vestibules / Garage

Shelters or awnings attach to your tent for the purpose of storing or

sheltering your muddy or dusty boots or keeping your packs out of the

rain. They can be an integral part of the rainfly or add-on items that are

sold separately.

Ventilation


Mesh panels are often used in the ceiling, doors and windows of tents.

This allows views and enhances cross-ventilation to help manage

condensation. For hot, humid climates, seek out larger mesh panels.


Interior Loops and Pockets

A lantern loop is often placed at the top-center of a tent's

ceiling for hanging a lantern. Loops on interior tent walls can be used to

attach a mesh shelf (called a gear loft, sold separately) to keep small

items off of the tent floor. Similarly, interior pockets help keep your

tent organized.

Guyout Loops

Higher-quality tents will include loops on the outside of the tent

body for attaching guy lines. Guy lines allow you to batten down the

hatches—no flapping fabric—during high winds.

Optional Tent Accessories

Footprint

This is a custom-fitted groundcloth (usually sold separately) that

goes under your tent floor. Tent floors can be tough, but rocks, twigs and

dirt eventually take a toll. A footprint costs far less to replace than a

tent. For family tents that get a lot of in/out foot traffic, this is

especially useful. Also, footprints are sized to fit your tent shape

exactly, so they won't catch water like a generic groundcloth that

sticks out beyond the floor edges. Water caught that way flows underneath

your tent and can seep through the floor fabric.

Gear Loft

Most tents come with an integral pocket or two to let you keep small

items off of the tent floor. A gear loft is an optional interior

mesh shelf that can tuck greater volumes of gear out of the way.

When my sister-in-law bought my kids a giant inflatable Little

Tikes Jump ’n slide residential inflatable

bouncer for Christmas, my wife and I reacted with a mix of

incredulity and mild annoyance. “This looks like a gigantic pain in the

ass,” I thought. I was wrong. While we’ve been stuck at home during the

coronavirus pandemic, the bounce house has proven to be a godsend.

My kids, 4 and 2, have been cooped up at home with no school,

playgrounds, or friends for nearly three months. They are crawling out of

their skin. Having a safe-ish space for them to soar and stomp and spring

with an exhilaration both joyful and mildly violent has been tremendously

necessary during this endless, homebound spring.

Sometimes they just bounce with joy. Sometimes they wrestle. Sometimes

the bounce house becomes the buoyant backdrop for intricate games of

make-believe. (Ours has played the role of a boat, a birthday party, an

airplane, a bus, and a marriage—don’t ask.) But without fail, they

gigglingly bounce themselves to the brink of exhaustion.

When my sister-in-law bought my kids a giant inflatable Little

Tikes Jump ’n Slide commercial inflatable

bouncer for Christmas, my wife and I reacted with a mix of

incredulity and mild annoyance. “This looks like a gigantic pain in the

ass,” I thought. I was wrong. While we’ve been stuck at home during the

coronavirus pandemic, the bounce house has proven to be a godsend.

My kids, 4 and 2, have been cooped up at home with no school,

playgrounds, or friends for nearly three months. They are crawling out of

their skin. Having a safe-ish space for them to soar and stomp and spring

with an exhilaration both joyful and mildly violent has been tremendously

necessary during this endless, homebound spring.

Sometimes they just bounce with joy. Sometimes they wrestle. Sometimes

the bounce house becomes the buoyant backdrop for intricate games of

make-believe. (Ours has played the role of a boat, a birthday party, an

airplane, a bus, and a marriage—don’t ask.) But without fail, they

gigglingly bounce themselves to the brink of exhaustion.

The Jump ’n Slide Bouncer is the only bounce house I’ve

owned. I can’t say it’s the best one out there. I know only that it’s

the one I have, and it is very good. (Customer ratings and

reviews are also, by and large, very positive.) Bounce houses seem to

be a hot commodity right now, judging from how many have gone out of

stock. Little Tikes carries a number of similar models that may

be available if the Jump ’n Slide isn’t.

My two biggest reservations about the Jump ’n Slide house were bulk (

“Look at how big this monstrosity is!”) and labor (“Inflating,

deflating, and storing this thing will be a total drag.”). I was wrong on

both counts.

When my sister-in-law bought my kids a giant 



inflatable obstacle course Little Tikes Jump ’n Slide

Bouncer for Christmas, my wife and I reacted with a mix of

incredulity and mild annoyance. “This looks like a gigantic pain in the

ass,” I thought. I was wrong. While we’ve been stuck at home during the

coronavirus pandemic, the bounce house has proven to be a godsend.

My kids, 4 and 2, have been cooped up at home with no school,

playgrounds, or friends for nearly three months. They are crawling out of

their skin. Having a safe-ish space for them to soar and stomp and spring

with an exhilaration both joyful and mildly violent has been tremendously

necessary during this endless, homebound spring.

Sometimes they just bounce with joy. Sometimes they wrestle. Sometimes

the bounce house becomes the buoyant backdrop for intricate games of

make-believe. (Ours has played the role of a boat, a birthday party, an

airplane, a bus, and a marriage—don’t ask.) But without fail, they

gigglingly bounce themselves to the brink of exhaustion.

The Jump ’n Slide Bouncer is the only bounce house I’ve

owned. I can’t say it’s the best one out there. I know only that it’s

the one I have, and it is very good. (Customer ratings and

reviews are also, by and large, very positive.) Bounce houses seem to

be a hot commodity right now, judging from how many have gone out of

stock. Little Tikes carries a number of similar models that may

be available if the Jump ’n Slide isn’t.

My two biggest reservations about the Jump ’n Slide house were bulk (

“Look at how big this monstrosity is!”) and labor (“Inflating,

deflating, and storing this thing will be a total drag.”). I was wrong on

both counts.

Setup is a breeze. You lay the deflated bounce house flat (we do this

on the grass in our backyard, but we’ve also done it in my in-laws’

spacious basement in Toledo, Ohio), plug in the included blower (the

built-in extension cord easily reaches our garage some 15 feet away),

connect it to the bounce house via a yellow fabric tube, and let ’er rip.

The whole setup takes maybe two minutes.

And while our bounce house is indeed big when inflated—it has a

footprint of roughly 12 feet by 9 feet on the grass, with a height of 6

feet—it’s pretty extraordinary how small and light it is when broken

down. When the fun’s over, you simply turn off the blower, and the bounce

house deflates and collapses in just a minute or two. From there it’s

very easy to pack up. I am a lazy and sloppy bounce-house folder, and even

I can get it to a size that is barely bigger than a carry-on suitcase and

probably weighs less than 10 pounds or so (without the blower).

There are downsides to a bounce house. I have gasped in alarm more

than a dozen times when my daughter has ruthlessly clotheslined her little

brother, or when I see their craniums flying toward each other at full

speed, a double concussion surely just a second away, before they whiz

past each other harmlessly. So far, we’ve been lucky enough to avoid

major injuries. But it’s not hard to imagine how multiple kids vigorously

jouncing around could smash into each other, cracking teeth, breaking

bones, or piercing skin. Please, if you buy a bounce house, set some

ground rules. Our kids know that all hard and sharp toys are banned from

the bounce house. But on a colleague’s suggestion, I’m now thinking of

adding another safety rule: If someone starts crying, everyone has to get

out of the bounce house, at least for a minute. (This way, everyone is

incentivized to stay safe for fear that playtime could be cut short.)

I also don’t anticipate that a bounce house will last forever. We’ve

used ours several dozen times. And while it’s still in great shape, there

are a handful of spots where I can already hear the whispering wheeze of a

tiny leak. For now, these miniscule apertures are no match for the

powerful blower that runs the entire time the bounce house is in use. But

one day, hopefully still years away, I imagine one of my kids will carom

off a wall with such joyful intensity as to puncture or tear the bounce

house beyond repair.

I’m okay with that. These toys may be pricey (ours retails for about

$270), and will inevitably wear out. But the fun of a bounce house is its

invitation to gambol and twirl and flip and romp with the pure zeal for

fun that only children can truly muster. Even if it lasts only a few more

seasons, if it gets us through this pandemic, it will have been worth it.