Stooping in a lightweight, minimalist backpacking tent while camping out of your car isn鈥檛 much fun. Neither is getting blown over in a flimsy big-box store shelter. With that in mind, we tested 17 tents designed for car campers and families who prioritize spaciousness, convenience, and storm-worthiness over all else. These six options had us lounging in comfort and style no matter what conditions rolled through the campground.

Updated April 2025: After months of additional testing, we added four new tents, including our new top-pick, the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4. We’ve also updated info and pricing on some of our previous picks that we still highly recommend.听

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Easiest Setup:
• Most Durable:
• Best Budget Buy:
• Most Convenient:
• Best for Glamping:
• Other Tents We Tested
• How to Choose Tents
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

Best Overall

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4

Weight: 13.8 lbs
Peak height: 75鈥�
Interior space: 90鈥� x 100鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Easy setup/takedown
鈯� Effective ventilation
鈯� Spacious vestibule
鈯� High ceiling
鈯� Floor gets dirty fast

The Aurora Highrise 4 stood out in our test thanks to its supreme livability. Unlike many other four-person tents out there, this one does, in fact, comfortably house a family of four thanks to its 75-inch peak height, steep sidewalls, and two generous 19.5-square-foot vestibules.

During testing, two families of four remarked on the internal geometry, which maximizes space and freedom of movement. Its steep walls create more headroom above the 62.5-square-foot floor area than other dome tents鈥攁 6-foot-2 tester could easily stand upright and move around freely. Two doors on either side allowed campers to enter and exit the tent without disturbing others and were tall enough that our 6-foot-2 tester didn鈥檛 have to crouch to get in and out.

With just two base poles that set up the main body of the tent and two cross poles that pitch an awning at the top, the Aurora Highrise proved easy enough for first-time campers to set up without having to look up directions. One veteran tester was able to set it up by herself in about 15 minutes. It was just as easy to break down and pack up thanks to its oversized stuff sack.

Testers who camped out in Crescent City, California during a 17-hour rainstorm applauded the tent鈥檚 waterproofing and ventilation. The hearty 68-denier polyester body material and burly 150-denier polyester floor make this freestanding tent a hoss. It proved impervious to 20 mile-per-hour wind gusts without any help from the included guylines. The PU polyester rainfly, rated to 1,2000-millimeters, boasts a structured overhang that extends six inches beyond the mesh windows, which kept the tent dry even with its two windows opened for ventilation

We loved the small details on this tent that made a big difference in comfort and convenience, like a light-diffusing pocket in the canopy for pre-bed rituals, and the slightly opaque mesh on the windows that offered shade on the hottest days but didn鈥檛 spoil views.

Our only dig on this tent is its mostly-white floor, which proved impossible to keep clean鈥攁 problem for anyone bringing kids or pets along for the ride. Overall, the Aurora Highrise 4 is a standout in the car camping category for its balance of comfort and performance at a reasonable price.

Easiest Setup

Big Agnes Big House 4

Weight: 12.6 lbs
Peak height: 70鈥�
Interior space: 90鈥� x 92鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Very easy setup
鈯� High ceiling
鈯� Blew heavily in high winds
鈯� Vestibule sold separately

Testers loved the Big House 4鈥檚 simplicity above all. Though big and boxy, the 90-by-92-inch tent was the easiest to set up across the category. A veteran tester was able to get the Big House 4 up on her own in under ten minutes thanks to its straightforward geometry and color-coded webbing and snaps.

With a 57-square-foot floor area, the Big House 4 is billed as a four-person tent, but testers reported that you鈥檇 need to purchase the vestibule鈥攕old separately ($180)鈥攖o make room for four folks and all their gear, from the stuff you鈥檇 want to keep outside like mud-covered shoes to wet swimsuits.

That said, the generous 70-inch ceiling height meant our six-foot testers could stand upright and move around the interior freely. Testers also appreciated the tent鈥檚 two giant doors鈥攕panning 80 percent of two walls鈥攚hich allowed them to enter and exit the tent without crouching. Eight internal pockets were more than enough for a family of three to stash personal items like toothbrushes, phones, and headlamps.

The Big House 4 also impressed us with its waterproofing and durability. A 75-denier polyester taffeta rain fly with a 1,500mm waterproof polyurethane coating kept the tent body (made from the same material) and the interior perfectly dry through three days of rain in Crescent City, California. That hearty PU coating also appeared to reinforce the durability of the tent鈥攊t showed very little wear and tear after over three months of testing.

Our only gripe: The tent鈥檚 height proved suboptimal in high winds. Even when secured with its guy lines, the tent blew heavily in 25-mile-per-hour winds.

Most Durable

Snow Peak Alpha Breeze

Weight: 24.2 lbs
Peak Height: 73″
Interior Space: 109″ x 102″

Pros and Cons
鈯� Four points of entry
鈯� Excellent ventilation
鈯� Durable
鈯� Heavy

The Alpha Breeze showcases Snowpeak鈥檚 emphasis on designing elegant, simple products with a decidedly luxurious fee. The top-tier materials鈥攊n this case, polyester fabric and duralumin poles鈥攁re strong and functional, and durable enough to stay that way for quite a while.

The extra-thick copper-aluminum poles gave us confidence when a sustained 15 mph wind picked up during an overnight on Camano Island in Washington. The structure barely flinched under the gusts, and the forearm-length Douglas fir boughs they knocked down onto our campsite. The 75-denier, DWR-treated polyester taffeta rain fly and 300-denier polyester tent floor both looked brand-new after two dusty, rocky trips in Montana鈥檚 Bitterroot Mountains.

Besides the fact that it felt indestructible, Seattle-based tester Maeve Axtell loved the boxy tent鈥檚 four doors, with one on each side. 鈥淚t was easy to get in and out without disturbing other people sleeping in the tent, and when it got warm we could get cross-breezes from every direction,鈥� said Axtell. The tent鈥檚 high ceiling and two mesh-covered 鈥渨indows鈥� on opposite walls contributed to the spacious feeling inside that the four doors created, although all those openings only left space for four mesh pockets and 10 loops to stash small essentials inside.

All good things come at a cost, though, and with the Alpha Breeze, the cost is weight. Despite its heft, it鈥檚 not excessively bulky and doesn鈥檛 take up an unreasonable amount of trunk real estate. Another ding? It鈥檚 not especially easy to set up: and the tent鈥檚 6-plus-foot height makes the Breeze a tad unwieldy to pitch. Testers ultimately forgave those shortcomings, since both features made for a rock-solid pitch and roomy, comfortable interior.

Best Budget Buy

Coleman 8-Person Darkroom Skydome

Weight: 21.6 lbs
Peak height: 68鈥�
Interior Space: 12鈥� x 9鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great price
鈯� Blocks sunlight
鈯� Poor wind performance

At $230, the eight-person Darkroom Skydome costs less than half what other popular eight-person tents cost (like The North Face Wawona 8 and Big Agnes Bunk House 8), making it a great entry-level option for families. You don鈥檛 get the same high-performance materials with that price, but for casual frontcountry camp trips in mild temperatures and weather, the Darkroom Skydome gets the job done.

Besides the price and easy setup, the tent鈥檚 light-blocking fabric is what made this tent stand out, especially for folks with little kids. Coleman uses a dark-coated polyester on the rain fly and inner panels of the Skydome to block out 90 percent more light than the brand鈥檚 normal car-camping tents. Besides creating ideal sleeping and napping conditions even when the sun is still up, the dark fabric also helps keep the interior cool during the day.

While inexpensive tents don鈥檛 always have the best track record in terms of durability and weatherproofing, the Darkroom Skydome proved surprisingly robust for a budget option. After over a dozen days in the rain, testers gave its 300-millimeter-rated polyurethane rainfly high scores for waterproofing in spite of the low rating. One tester used it for over 30 nights鈥攊ncluding on three different rafting trips, which are notoriously rough on tents because they鈥檙e exposed to the elements not only when they鈥檙e pitched, but also while being transported on the water. It held up admirably to rain and rough pack jobs until sustained 20 mile-per-hour wind gusts snapped one of the two aluminum poles.

At 68-inches tall, it鈥檚 slightly shorter than the other tents on this list. That made it easier to pitch鈥攕etup was incredibly simple despite its massive footprint鈥攂ut didn鈥檛 offer the same generous standing height. Testers taller than 5鈥�10鈥� had to crouch significantly in the tent. And like many large-capacity tents, this 鈥渆ight person鈥� shelter is stretching it with six occupants.

It鈥檚 not our pick for seasoned campers who head out into the wild no matter the weather, but for families with young kids and the budget-conscious, the Darkroom Skydome is a smart buy.

Most Convenient

MSR Habiscape 4P

Weight: 12.7 lbs
Peak Height: 73″
Interior Space: 95″ x 95″

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lots of livable space
鈯� Highly weatherproof
鈯� Mediocre ventilation

There鈥檚 a lot we liked about the Habiscape, from the generous elbow room (86 square feet including the vestibule) to the ample standing height (73 inches), but it was a dual-sided pocket that hooked us. Next to the door MSR built in something they call a 鈥減ass-thru pocket鈥濃€攁 bug mesh-lined portal that鈥檚 accessible from both inside and out. Without opening the door, testers could reach through to grab car keys, bug spray or a headlamp. 鈥淚t seems like a little thing, but the convenience was huge,鈥� says Chris Baikie, a British Columbia-based tester. 鈥淭here were definitely fewer bugs in the tent because of it.鈥�

Set-up for the Habiscape requires two people, but the asymmetric design and color-coding helped make it quick and easy. The dome structure and low-hanging 68-denier polyester fly stood up to a 20 mile-per-hour windstorm with little flapping. The rest of the tent is equally tough, with the same 68-denier poly on the floor, 40-denier ripstop nylon walls, and 7000 series aluminum tent poles.

We had to duck under the vestibule door to get inside, but it provided enough room for a cooler and gear, and kept drips out of the tent during rainstorms. A second door came in handy for frequent nighttime bathroom excursions. The Habiscape packs down easily, and ends up smaller than many tents of its size, at roughly nine inches by two feet. 鈥淚t鈥檚 almost perfect,鈥� says lead tester Ryan Stuart. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 not even that heavy.鈥�

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The North Face Wawona 4 Tent: 4-Person 3-Season

Set up more than just a place to sleep鈥攕et up a basecamp for adventure. The North Face Wawona 4 Tent delivers just that with enough room to stand up inside, stash all your gear, and even set up a cozy lounge area. The extended front vestibule keeps gear organized and protected, while large mesh windows and a top vent ensure you stay cool on warm nights. Sturdy DAC poles and a waterproof fly provide confidence in unpredictable weather, and an easy-pitch design means you can pack up in no time.

Best for Glamping

White Duck Outdoors Rover Scout Tent

Weight: 62 lbs
Peak Height: 84鈥�
Interior Space: 8鈥� x 13鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Durable materials
鈯� Very weather-resistant
鈯� Complicated setup
鈯� Heavy

Tester Saylor Fleet, a longtime wall tent lover who used the previous version of the Rover Scout Tent for over a decade, likened this updated model to a sprinter van. 鈥淚t’s big enough to stand up in, sleep in, and cook in,鈥� he said. Heck, this 8-by-13-foot tent is essentially a canvas-sided cabin that easily sleeps six adults. Its size and sturdiness make it ideal for families or hunters looking to set up a basecamp for extended stints in the backcountry.

During testing, we set up a luxury camping situation for two adult testers with individual cots and a small kitchen鈥攊ncluding a Coleman stove, dishware, and a small wash bin on a roll-a-table鈥攁nd still had plenty of space to walk around.

But the Rover Scout isn鈥檛 just for those who like to spread out; it鈥檚 also got performance chops. Testers appreciated how well the Dynatek cotton and recycled polyester canvas held onto heat on a night in the low 40s on the Klamath River in Oregon. On the flip side, they liked that they could easily roll up the two doors and two walls of the tent to dump heat when temps rose into the mid 70s during the day.

Unlike car-camping-oriented tents with traditional pole structures, the Rover Scout necessitates the use of guy-outs to stay upright and storm-worthy. You have to be selective about your site because you have to be able to drive stakes in the ground to firmly secure those guy-outs鈥攜ou鈥檒l have a tough time pitching this tent on loose sand and bedrock.

While it took a while for two testers to hunt down an ideal site鈥攁nd a good 30-minutes to erect鈥攐nce it was up, it wasn鈥檛 going anywhere. Category managerJoe Jackson pitched it on the Klamath River in the fall and left it up for two weeks between camping stints. During that time, it saw four days of rain and wind gusts of over 30 miles-per-hour, yet Jackson returned to find it unscathed and fully dry after his time away.

White Duck鈥檚 canvas not only proved durable, but it avoided the achilles heel of canvas tents: It did not get covered in mildew when it was put away slightly wet. The downside to the Rover Scout鈥檚 design? While the canvas is lighter than that of wall tents we鈥檝e tested in the past, the aluminum and steel frame is heavy: At 62 pounds, it was too heavy for our smaller testers to handle on their own.

That said, it packs down to roughly the size of a couch cushion, compact enough to fit into the back of a Honda Element with room left over for camp supplies.

Other Tents We Tested

• : We used this as a base camp for a raft guide weekend. We loved it as a communal shelter but found it too large and expensive for most campers.
• : This tent really did pop up in under 30-seconds thanks to a two-handled ripcord that erects the tent from the top. Ultimately, it鈥檚 too small for most recreational campers.
• : The Fernweh felt like a member of the Jackson family at the end of three summers of testing because of how comfortably the massive living space accommodated months of family camping. But it takes two adults over an hour to set up properly, even with practice.

How to Choose a Camping Tent

Size and Dimensions

Start with the number of people who will be sleeping in the tent and add at least one. No one ever complained about a little extra elbow room, and ultra-wide camping pads often need extra space. Next, consider packability: If you have limited storage or trunk space, a more packable option will make jamming it between all of the coolers and propane easier. Height is crucial, but comes with a tradeoff: Being able to stand up to get dressed or stretch your legs is nice, but means it will be harder to set up, especially if you鈥檙e doing it solo.

Feature Set

Look for ample pockets for staying organized, big vestibules and/or high bathtub walls that protect the interior from blowing rain, multiple venting options, and roomy doors. Of course, a tent鈥檚 principal job is to protect you from the elements, so weatherproofing should be a primary consideration. A fly that reaches to the ground provides the most coverage, but can also limit venting, making for uncomfortably stuffy conditions when it鈥檚 hot. A tall pole structure is susceptible to high winds, so make sure the tent has plenty of guy-out points for stabilizing and protecting the tent from gusts.

Budget

Price is always important, but try to prioritize value. Spending a bit more for a tent with more durable materials, like higher denier fabrics and burly aluminum poles, will save you money in the long run. You can find a no frills, serviceable four-person summer tent in the $200 range, with waterproofing, durability, and reparability generally improving as you start getting into higher price ranges.

But if you鈥檙e looking for a tent to use three seasons of the year, that you expect to get a lot of use in stormy weather, or that you鈥檇 like to use for the rest of your life, we recommend budgeting between $350 and $600. That鈥檚 the cost of more reliable construction and waterproofing鈥攚hich, as all of our testers who have woken up to puddles inside their tents can tell you, is priceless when you really need it.

How We Test

• Tents tested: 17
• Number of nights camped: 50+
• Number of testers: 17
• States tested in: California, Oregon, Washington

For this test, we mainly considered four- to eight-person, three-season tents because they tend to be the best fit for most car campers who prioritize comfort and space over weight and packability. When all was said and done, our crew of 17 testers tested 17 tents鈥攏ewer options on the market as well as some perennial favorites鈥攖o find the best for frontcountry campers.

We tested these tents in the beaches, rivers, and mountains of California, Oregon, and Washington from September through November. Conditions included everything from sub-freezing temps and sustained rainstorms to blazing hot rafting trips on the Klamath River in Northern California.

After a number of weekend camping trips, testing concluded with a month-long field-testing stint in Crescent City, California, to whittle down the final contenders. Testers included four families with kids ranging in age from two to eleven, and parents in their early thirties to their mid fifties. Some were first-time campers, while others could measure the amount of time they鈥檝e spent in years.

We asked all testers to evaluate tents on their functionality, ease of setup and take-down, standout features, and overall comfort and livability.

Meet Our Testers

Joe Jackson has been professionally testing gear for 国产吃瓜黑料 for over a decade and has pitched and slept in over 90 tents during that time. While he is proud of the breadth of tents he has tested for this publication, his biggest flex is that he lived out of an in Oregon for eight months.

Miyo McGinn is a former assistant editor at 国产吃瓜黑料 based in Bozeman, Montana. She has camped in a dozen different states and four continents, but Washington state, where she grew up, will always be her favorite place to pitch a tent. McGinn got her start reviewing gear as 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 gear editorial assistant in 2021.

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The post The Best Tents for Camping in Comfort and Style appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Kuiu Mountain Star 2P ($479)

Best Protection

We鈥檙e not saying we love camping in the rain, but the Mountain Star makes it a heck of a lot more enjoyable. This double-walled tent is reinforced against wind via two nine-millimeter-thick aluminum poles (you can get carbon for $20 more) that run the length of the tent. Both of them slot through pole sleeves, granting additional stability. The Mountain Star鈥檚 15-denier nylon fly and mesh canopy come pre-attached, offering the possibility of a dry setup. 鈥淚t drizzled during our first night out, and my tent partner and I were happy not to start the trip with a wet tent floor, thanks to the all-in-one pitch,鈥� our gear editor said after a rainy start to the Panama Editors鈥� Choice trip. Bathtub floors ensure the 29.5-square-foot interior stays dry and dust-free, and the two nine-square-foot vestibules keep packs out of the elements. Caveat: though the 38-inch peak height mitigates wind, it鈥檚 noticeably low for its testing class. 3.7 lbs

Marmot Limelight 3 ($359)

Best Features

Social butterflies, rejoice. The largest three-person tent in our test is full of features that make sleeping as a trio a breeze. An update for 2022 adds two unique interior storage cubbies that jut out, winglike, on each side and serve as internal vestibules. 鈥淓ach can fit a small daypack or dry sack and get everything out of the sleeping area,鈥� said one tester. The update to this two-door tent also adds 2.5 square feet of interior space (for 45 square feet total) and 1.6 square feet of vestibule storage space (now 12.9 total). Designers changed the fly fabric to 50-denier ripstop polyester, which, along with the included groundsheet, improves its durability and weather protection. An optional interior clothesline, gear loft, and four low pockets keep the floor clear, while the three-pole setup is color coded and quick. Be warned: although the update shaves off 1.6 ounces, the Limelight is still bulky and heavy. This shelter is best used as a car-camping tent or for short overnights. 7.2 lbs

Kelty Far Out 2P ($200)

Best Value

Turns out not every backcountry palace needs to cost as much as an actual castle. The double-walled Far Out offers a combination of livability, overnight-worthy weight, and performance at a reasonable price. At 5.5 pounds it鈥檚 not ideal for a weeklong trip, but it鈥檚 perfectly good for weekend missions. Tip: save six ounces and leave the included groundsheet at home; the Far Out鈥檚 68-denier floor is plenty durable. This shelter sets up with three sturdy aluminum poles (two longitudinal, one brow) and offers an acceptable 28 square feet of interior space to go with a best-in-class 43-inch peak height, double doors, and a generous 20 square feet of vestibule space. 鈥淭his is a meat-and-potatoes tent,鈥� one tester said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 easy to set up, roomy enough, and should last a long time thanks to the durable materials.鈥� An all-mesh tent body keeps air moving, reducing condensation, and the 68-denier fly rolls back so you can stargaze without completely taking it off. 5.5 lbs

MSR FreeLite 3 ($480)

Best Space-to-Weight Ratio

Want to max out your sleeping space for a trio without overdoing pack weight? Consider the FreeLite 3. Designers shaved nine ounces off the previous version of this double-walled tent, meaning the update weighs less than 2.5 pounds. Despite cutting weight it maintains 38.5 square feet of floor space, enough to fit three campers comfortably. (Note: the two vestibules dropped to 15 total square feet, but that鈥檚 still enough for packs.) Thanks to a packed size no bigger than a paper towel roll, 鈥淣obody argued over who had to carry the tent,鈥� one tester said after a multi-day outing in Waimea Canyon, Hawaii. (Just treat the 15-denier ripstop nylon canopy and fly carefully.) A three-quarter mesh body scored high marks in ventilation: 鈥淓ven during all-night rain, the tent remained airy and there was no condensation buildup despite having to close the fly door,鈥� our tester said. Setup is easy with the one hubbed aluminum alloy pole and included guy-out lines, which held taut in 20-mile-per-hour winds. 2.4 lbs

Klymit Maxfield 1 ($300)

Most Packable

Not a fan of tent sharing? Camping in tight spaces? The brand-new one-person Maxfield weighs just over 2.5 pounds and mimics the footprint of a bivy, with a long, narrow, rectangular floor plan that enabled us to pitch on small outcroppings and in dense brush. Its livability is drastically better than a bivy鈥檚, however, thanks to its 16-square-foot interior, 6.5 square feet of vestibule space, and an elite-for-its-class peak height of 42 inches. The 15-denier nylon ripstop fly kept us dry in overnight rains, and the 15-denier polyester floor held up to rocks and rough terrain. 鈥淭he small-but-clutch vestibule fit all my essential gear,鈥� our tester reported after a two-day trip in the canyons of Colorado National Monument. In a win for minimalism, the Maxfield packs down to the size of two Nalgenes. Caveat: there鈥檚 only one interior pocket鈥攑lus loops for hanging clothes and sundries鈥攁nd sleepers taller than six foot two will find that their feet hit the back wall. 2.6 lbs

NEMO Dagger Osmo 2 ($480)

Most Livable

We鈥檝e praised the Dagger鈥檚 space-to-weight ratio and innovative materials before, and this version continues the trend. This double-walled, two-door shelter weighs just 3.4 pounds, yet boasts 31 square feet of interior space and a best-in-class 22.8 square feet of storage space across two vestibules. 鈥淭he 42-inch peak height allowed us to sit up and dress comfortably,鈥� said a tester after a trip in Archangel Valley, Alaska. Thoughtful features also deliver top-notch livability, including six pockets and a removable waterproof vestibule tub liner that holds small items beneath the fly doors. What鈥檚 more, the Dagger is now made of 100 percent recycled nylon and polyester yarn, with PFC-free waterproofing that kept us dry all night, even in heavy rain (the mesh canopy reduced condensation). Dialing in a taut pitch is easy, thanks to the single, hubbed aluminum pole with short cross-pole, and a snap-in, slip-free corner anchor system. Ding: the pole swayed when pushed around by 30-mph wind gusts. 3.4 lbs

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We scour the web every day for the best deals on outdoor gear, and we found a lot of worthy steals at , which lasts now through September 7. Here are the five best deals on camping essentials that we think are worth your money.

Big Agnes Daisy Mae 15 Sleeping Bag (Women鈥檚) ($217; 25 Percent Off)

The was a favorite in our 2019 Summer Buyer鈥檚 Guide test. 鈥淐onsider this (and the men鈥檚 Anvil Horn 15) a full sleep system, with a polyester-taffeta lining that鈥檚 so soft it feels like silk, and an attached sleeve that holds a rectangular pad in place,鈥� one tester wrote. It鈥檚 currently 25 percent off.

Marmot Tungsten 4-Person 3-Season Tent ($274; 25 Percent Off)

Tester Ryan Stuart called the best backpacking tent for families. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e camping with your partner and a kid, or two, and maybe the dog, you could bring two tents. But I think piling into one tent is better,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淗alf the reason I camp with the family is to enjoy time together. And with the Tungsten 4, you won鈥檛 be sleeping on top of each other when the bonding stops. At 8.8 pounds it鈥檚 going to feel heavy if you carry it all, but it鈥檚 one of the lightest tents available for its square footage, at just over two pounds per-person.鈥� It鈥檚 currently 25 percent off. Here鈥檚 a look inside:听

Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Sleeping Pad ($262; 25 Percent Off)

The is the most comfortable mattress we鈥檝e used for car camping, hands down. It鈥檚 a 10-centimeter-thick air pad with memory foam insulation. It鈥檚 pricey, but it鈥檚 the closest we鈥檝e come to feeling like we were in our bed at home while camping. 鈥淯nlike air beds, this mattress鈥檚 air chamber is surrounded by memory foam鈥攁n arrangement that makes it more comfortable to sleep on than the Tempurpedic mattress I use on my bed at home,鈥� 飞谤辞迟别听翱耻迟蝉颈诲别听columnist Wes Siler. It鈥檚 currently 25 percent off.

Jetboil MicroMo Stove ($109; 25 Percent Off)

国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 Gear Guy, Joe Jackson, reviewed back in 2016鈥攁nd five years later, we still rely on it as a solid backcountry option for heating up water quickly. 鈥�The MicroMo boils water just as fast and simmers just as smoothly as Jetboil鈥檚 , but in a svelter 27-ounce package,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淓xpect to have water for two cups of coffee ready in about two minutes. It鈥檒l also cook a freeze-dried meal in no time.鈥� It鈥檚 currently 25 percent off.

Nemo Disco 15 Sleeping Bag ($225; 25 Percent Off)

In our听2017 Summer Buyer鈥檚 Guide, we picked the as the best sleeping bag for 鈥渟ide sleepers who like to sprawl.鈥� The bag widens at the shoulders and knees, so you have plenty of room while on your side. We also like the two zippered chest vents that keep you from overheating on warmer nights. 鈥淥n a 55-degree night, our testers opened the gills and left the bag鈥檚 full zip open for maximum venting,鈥� we wrote. It鈥檚 currently 25 percent off.

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The two-person tent is a pillar of my gear arsenal. It鈥檚 a foundational piece of equipment right up there with my mountain bike and go-to daypack. I reach for my two-person tent often, whether I鈥檓 getting set for a backpacking adventure, an impromptu backyard campout, or a car-camping excursion when I don鈥檛 have the space or energy to bust out the massive six-person palace. Two-person tents often top many reviews. I remember the first two-person tent I ever owned: an inexpensive model from the North Face that I picked up at a steep discount at an REI Garage Sale. I spent countless nights in that thing all over the country during my teens and early twenties. I get emotional thinking about it, the same way I get emotional thinking about my first car (a late 1970s model Cadillac). But man, have two-person tents evolved since I bought that original shelter 25 years ago. They are lightweight marvels of engineering and design, and everyone should have one. Here are three of my favorite two-person tents, each designed for a different purpose, and all good enough to anchor your gear closet.

For the Bikepacker: Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 ($380)

Weight is a legitimate concern when packing for a backcountry adventure, but so is the actual size of your gear. Even if a tent is light, if it鈥檚 not compact, it could take up too much room in your pack. The bikepacking-specific is both light (2.1 pounds) and compact, thanks to the Shortstik pole system, designed to keep the overall package of the tent small enough to fit on the bars of a bike. I鈥檝e used this tent on numerous gravel and singletrack bikepacking trips over the past two years, and it鈥檚 become my favorite shelter. Most of the tent is mesh, which helps cut down on weight and creates a breezy experience on warm nights, while the fly and floor are made from nylon ripstop with a waterproof coating. I鈥檝e never had an issue with durability. And it鈥檚 a legitimate two-person tent鈥�52 inches wide and 86 inches long鈥攚ith a vestibule that鈥檚 just big enough for shoes and a pack. One detail that I think is smart, even if you鈥檙e not a cyclist, are the daisy chains on the outside of the tent fly, which allow you to secure and dry dirty, wet clothes like socks or shirts. A couple of things to consider, though: the fly doesn鈥檛 have a hood vent, and some people have complained about condensation (though that hasn鈥檛 been an issue for me). Also, there鈥檚 only one door, so if you鈥檙e going to use this tent with a partner, be prepared to crawl over that person in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.

For the Budding Outdoorsperson: REI Groundbreaker ($75)

No, that price tag is not a typo. The actually costs less than a trip to Whole Foods. This two-person tent was designed specifically for first-time backpackers who have never pitched a tent before. It鈥檚 meant to be affordable and easy to use鈥攌udos to REI for the concept and the execution. I had my 12-year-old son use it on a campout with one of his friends recently. He put it up entirely on his own in less than five minutes, which is impressive because (a) he鈥檇 never pitched a tent before and (b) he refuses to read directions. This tent does have its drawbacks, however: it weighs听4.8 pounds, and it doesn鈥檛 have a lot of design innovations that help separate modern tents from previous iterations. For instance, the Groundbreaker has ample floor space (31.8 square feet), but because of the pole design, there isn鈥檛 a ton of vertical space, so it feels smaller than it actually is. That said, it does offer storage pockets and gear loops, which are hard to find on some tents three times the price. The only thing that truly bugs me about this tent is the size of it when it鈥檚 packed into the stuffsack. It鈥檚 huge (22 inches by 7.5 inches), which might be a bigger turnoff than its weight. So, no, the Groundbreaker won鈥檛 satisfy ounce counters and seasoned backpackers, but if you鈥檙e looking for an easy tent to break into overnight adventures, this is it.

For the Backpacker: Sea to Summit Alto TR2 ($449)

There are a lot of two-person tents on the market that are really only big enough for an adult and a small puppy, but the isn鈥檛 one of them. With 25 square feet of floor space (84.5 inches by 53 inches at its widest) and an innovative design that maximizes vertical space, there鈥檚 plenty of room for two people in this featherweight shelter. And at 2.5 pounds, it鈥檚 approaching ultralight territory but includes some features you wouldn鈥檛 expect for a tent in that category, like two big doors, double vestibules to match, and storage pockets to keep all your camp accessories from getting lost in the middle of the night. And the vestibules are spacious, so you can stick any wet, smelly, bulky gear outside the tent while still protecting it from the rain. The Alto TR2 doesn鈥檛 pack down as small as the Fly Creek, but it comes with separate sacks for the poles, tent body, and fly, so two people can easily divvy up the weight. A single-pole design keeps things simple from an instruction standpoint (just match the colors of the poles with the colors of the tabs on the tent), but that can also be a bit overwhelming, as that single pole has many of arms to manage (imagine wrangling a stiff octopus). Yet the effort is worth it, because the tension ridge pole at the top of the tent adds vertical space, while the matching venting system on the rain fly adds airflow, even in a storm. It鈥檚 probably one of the more 鈥渓ivable鈥� two-person ultralight tents on the market, so if comfort鈥檚 a premium, think of this as your new home away from home.

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Terry Breaux can trace the idea for the MSR Access, the first true four-season tent in both name and design, back to a day on Mount Rainier. In 2012, a couple听MSR employees were topping out on the 14,410-foot backdrop to the company鈥檚 Seattle-area headquarters. 鈥淎nd there was this guy camped on the summit in a Hubba Hubba,鈥� recalls Breaux, MSR鈥檚 lead tent designer. 鈥淲e knew he didn鈥檛 want to be up there in that tent.鈥�

The is MSR鈥檚 most popular backpacking tent, but its all-mesh walls and spindly architecture make it ideal for lightweight, summer backpacking, not the high winds, cold temperatures, and potential snow of the alpine. On the other hand, on a weekend trip with a good forecast, that guy probably didn鈥檛 want to lug an eight-pound mountaineering tent to the top of Rainier. At the time, those were his only options.

鈥淪ix or seven years ago, almost听no one was applying the new technology and materials we were using in three-season backpacking tents to make four-season tents lighter,鈥� Breaux says.

Today, material advances and the growing interest in backcountry skiing and snowshoeing are making the niche attractive.听In the past couple years, at least six new tents landed from as many different brands, claiming to be worthy for every season. They鈥檙e just tough enough for winter camping听and just light enough鈥攖ypically under six pounds鈥攆or summer backpacking.听They鈥檙e true year-round tents.

But questions remain. Does anyone actually need one of these tents? Are they really a quiver killer? And what makes for the .听 To find out, I collated more than a decade of tent testing, including testing all six of these new tents in, well, all four seasons, talked to several of the designers, and interviewed three tent experts.

3-Season vs. 4-Season

Set up and ready for sleeping, the differences between a three- and four-season tent may not be obvious to the casual observer. But look closer听and the finer points start standing out.

Let鈥檚 begin听with architecture. Four-season tents use stiffer materials, and single poles create A-frame shapes to discourage snow loading, sagging, flapping, and bending in the wind. For three-season tents, designers cleverly use bows and bends in the minimalist pole structure to build more boxlike tent shapes that optimize the ratio of interior space to weight.

Four-season tents use nylon fabric instead of mesh to seal in warmth and prevent drafts and drifting snow from seeping into the interior cocoon. They also tend to have more guy-out points, higher-denier materials, and more venting options than their three-season brethren.

Do I Need a 4-Season Tent?

鈥淸Four-season] tents are a unique option for someone with a range of pursuits in mind,鈥� says Emma Hunter,听a gear specialist at Backcountry.com. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e adequate for summer or winter use, and they really prove their worth when you hit early season snowfall or mixed weather conditions at higher elevations. Plus, they鈥檙e a real value proposition for someone looking to purchase only one tent.鈥� Buying one of these instead of both a three-season and a mountaineering tent could save upwards of $500听and a bit of room in the gear closet.听Even as a dedicated winter camping tent, four-seasons make a better choice for most people.听No, they can鈥檛 handle blizzards or feet of snow. 鈥淏ut most expedition tents are overengineered鈥� for most users, says Will McElwain, lead tent designer at Big Agnes. 鈥淵ou need that in extreme conditions, but for typical winter camping situations in the lower 48, you really don鈥檛.鈥� When I think of almost all my winter camping trips, it鈥檚 true. Whether I was ski touring or snowshoeing, I camped in sheltered spots, where the weight (and cost) of an expedition tent would have been excessive.听The nylon walls of a four-season were nice when beach and desert camping, blocking blowing sand from getting into my bed.

But like anything that tries to be everything, year-round tents demand听sacrifices. They weigh about the same as three-season tents did a decade ago鈥攁round four to five pounds. That means听for a July backpack trip, you鈥檙e adding听a couple pounds over leading three-season tents. The nylon walls that do a great job of holding in warmth on chilly nights also lock in heat on summer evenings. The extra vents help听but can鈥檛 compete with all mesh.

There are also downsides in winter. All-season tents aren鈥檛 tough enough for brutal storms and high elevations, and they鈥檙e not as roomy as mountaineering tents. With all the extra layers and insulation needed for winter temps, they can feel crowded. 鈥淚f someone really intends to backpack in warmer months, they鈥檙e best off sticking with a traditional backpacking tent,鈥� Hunter says. 鈥淸Four-season] tents also aren鈥檛 the strongest. So, if you鈥檙e planning multiple alpine summits in harsh conditions, go with something more rugged.鈥�

Bottom line: the four-season tent is a compelling option, but it鈥檚 not ideal for every situation. If the idea of subfreezing temperatures has you booking a room at the closest Holiday Inn, a three-season tent is plenty. Those on a budget won鈥檛 like the premium price of the tough and light components that come with year-round models. For anyone eyeing up Arctic or high-elevation expeditions, though, a four-season won鈥檛 cut it鈥攂uy a true mountaineering or expedition tent. If you do lots of summer camping, an all-season tent is going to feel cramped and sweaty. And if winter camping is only a once-a-year (or less) occasion, you鈥檙e听better off borrowing or renting.

For those who听do more winter camping, a four-season is a great second tent. Made for ski and snowshoe camping, they鈥檙e also ideal for mountaineering in summer, when snow, wind, and cold are possible. For both situations, an all-season tent will be less expensive and lighter than a mountaineering or expedition tent听while still offering sufficient protection.

If camping in the mountains year-round is your jam, then a four-season might be the only tent you need. The extra insulation won鈥檛 be an issue in summer, and the added protection could come in handy anytime. These tents also have a compelling money- and space-saving angle: no other niche offers as much versatility.

What to Look For

The models I听tested are beefed-up versions of three-season tents, rather than watered-down expedition shelters. All have fabric walls in place of mesh, more and tougher poles to bolster strength, extra guy-out points for stabilizing the fly, and mitt-friendly touch points, like oversized clips and loops. Each has unique features as well.

MSR Access 2听($600)

The , an 国产吃瓜黑料 Gear of the Year winner in 2017, was the first tent to use Easton鈥檚 Syclone poles. Made from a secret sauce of carbon and ballistic fibers originally developed for military armor, the poles are 13 percent stronger and 250 times more flexible than carbon alone听and about half the weight of aluminum. This makes for the ideal mix of weight savings听while still being able to shrug off snow and bounce back from hammering winds. MSR鈥檚 Breaux describes the Access as a weekend mountaineering tent, because it鈥檚 not as roomy as a typical expedition tent, which would usually have extra space for bulky winter gear. The interior is quite tall but narrow, with the two main poles crossing over the center. The two-person tent has 29 square feet of interior space鈥攁bout the same as a Hubba Hubba鈥攂ut four feet less than MSR鈥檚 mountaineering-specific . The weight savings are dramatic: the Access weighs a paltry 4.1听pounds versus听the two-person Hubba Hubba鈥檚 3.9, while the burly Remote tips the scales at nearly seven pounds. The Access鈥檚 light weight, minimal pack size, and tough design make it the best option for longer trips or when packability is key. Just be prepared to fork out cash for the privilege of carrying less.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV2 Expedition听($500)

This 听was adapted听from the award-winning Copper Spur line of听three-season tents that includes everything from ultralight to high-volume designs. For the Expedition model, Big Agnes听took its higher-volume frame and added fabric walls, larger-diameter aluminum poles, interior guylines for stabilization, and easy-to-grip zipper pulls. The burlier features add up to 5.3听pounds compared to the lightest-weight 2.6听pounds and the three-season , which has similar dimensions at just over three pounds.

The HV architecture on the Expedition means the 29-square-foot floor area feels roomy. However, the tent鈥檚 not as good at sloughing off heavy snow loads or deflecting gusts of wind. This makes the Expedition a better choice for cold鈥攂ut not snowy鈥攍ocations.

This item is currently out of stock.听

Sierra Designs Convert 2听($500)

Sierra Designs听made听 to be a quiver of one. It has the stability to withstand wintry conditions and a solid poly fabric tent body to keep out the elements. At 5.6 pounds, it鈥檚 not light, but it鈥檚 reasonable enough to lug long distances, even in summer. And it鈥檚 pretty roomy: 30 square feet and 43 inches high. What sets it apart from the other four-season tents is its adaptability. Cut more than two pounds for rain-free summer trips by ditching the entire fly and vestibule; if you鈥檙e more risk averse, you can also zip off just the vestibule. Ramp up venting by zipping down the double-layer front door to expose the mesh.听Like the Copper Spur, the Convert is not the most rigid tent. The semi-freestanding design听(three hoops with a ridgepole)听necessitates careful staking, and it sagged under a foot of snow and bent in high winds. But for one tent in听all seasons and conditions, $500 is pretty compelling.

Nemo Kunai 2 ($500)

The 听was听already an听impressive entry in the four-season tent category before Nemo tinkered with it for 2020. The company听steepened听the profile, creating a more tapered shape that shakes off snow and slips through wind. The single door and vestibule are bigger, making them easier to maneuver through. And Nemo听increased the mesh surface area in the two windows and door. All three are double-walled鈥攝ip them down and the tent body goes from all fabric to mostly mesh.

The simple and quick-to-pitch pole architecture remains the same: two main poles and a cross pole over the door. Nemo says it鈥檚 designed to disperse loads vertically and horizontally across the entire tent. Four guy-out lines attached to the poles help with this. And sailcloth reinforcements in the fly and tent seams resist听tearing and wear better than typical nylon or polyester. It felt strong and stable in snow and wind.

The Kunai is the smallest of the four-season tents, at only 26 square feet. Steep walls help with elbow room, but it鈥檚 definitely cozy inside. The听plus side is that its compact shape makes pitching easier in places where听finding flat ground is tough. And听the abundance of mesh makes it the most summer-worthy. At 4.3 pounds, it鈥檚 a great choice for alpine climbers.

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国产吃瓜黑料 has reviewed backpacking tents for 40 years, and during that time we鈥檝e tested a lot of well-designed models. But if we had to choose the best all-around tent to take backpacking right now, we鈥檇 buy听the . We love the Flash 2 FL because it鈥檚 fast and simple to set up, easy to get in and out of, weighs less than two pounds per-person, packs up compact, and has held up to years of use听from out testers. To find out more about why we'd recommend听the Flash 2 FL, and gain some useful tips for how to find your own perfect tent, read on.

What Should You Know Before Buying a Backpacking Tent?

Imagine a spectrum of tents lined up according to size and weight. On one end you鈥檇 have ultralight shelters. These fragile and minimalist abodes are like rain jackets for your sleeping bag. They鈥檙e designed to shave ounces, usually at the expense of comfort, and are popular with folks like thru-hikers who want to travel light. Spending a night in one means getting intimate with your tent mate. At the other end of the spectrum are car camping tents. Heading toward palatial, these mobile homes focus more on interior space and comfort. They鈥檙e too heavy to carry more than a 100 yards, hog serious backpack real estate, and often require teamwork to set up.

A good backpacking tent should fall somewhere in the middle. They鈥檙e compact enough to carry on your back for miles, but are made of tougher fabrics than an ultralight tent, have more square footage and elbow room. And they also come with small luxuries like pockets. Compared to car camping mansions, backpacking tents are smaller, lighter and easier to set up. They鈥檙e versatile tents designed for adventure.

Of course, there are several types of backpacking tents.听We recommend a double-wall style. Typically, these include an internal tent body made from bug-proof mesh or lightweight nylon, and an external, waterproof fly. The gap between the body and fly encourages airflow听to prevent moisture buildup inside. And if any condensation does collects on the inside of the fly, the gap keeps your sleeping bags and clothing from getting wet. All of our top-choice tents listed below are a double-wall style.

In a single-wall tent, the body and fly are the same thing. Eliminating the mesh cuts weight, but single-wall tents tend to be hot, and condensation can be an issue. This style of tent is usually reserved for mountaineering. A third style combines the two into a hybrid design. Taking the best of both can create excellent tents, like our favorite backpacking tent the Sierra Designs Flash 2.

How Should You Choose a Tent?

Tent Capacity

One of the first questions to ask before buying a tent is, how many people do you need to house? We used to recommend spacing up, or buying a three-person tent if there were two of you, and so on. But nowadays, tent designers have found unique ways to add extra elbow room without adding weight, so now we recommend buying a two-person tent for two people.

The exception is when you鈥檙e solo camping, or camping with kids and dogs. Solo campers could buy a one-person tent, but we often prefer a lightweight two-person shelter for the extra space and minimal weight gain. Campers who have kids, and or dogs, should consider that smaller body a full-size adult body to ensure enough space. Two adults with a kid, or two adults with a dog, should buy a three-person tent. Two adults with a dog and a kid, or two adults with two kids, should buy a four-person tent. Larger groups should consider dividing into smaller tents.

The best way to measure whether you鈥檒l fit comfortably in a particular tent is to climb in a demo model. If that鈥檚 not an option, there are a few things you need to know about the ways manufacturers describe tents. First, your standard two-person tent should have听about 30 square feet of internal floor space. Some tents will be a little longer; a good choice if you鈥檙e well over six feet tall. And a newer category of tents called 鈥減lus size鈥� or high volume, add extra floor space and headroom听to give a roomier feel without much weight penalty. Peak roof heights average around 42 inches. That鈥檚 enough for most people to sit up without brushing their heads. Other things to look for: pole structures that create vertical walls, particularly cross poles, multiple hubs, and pre-bent or 鈥渒need鈥� poles that create vertical walls, and high peak heights and large vestibules for storing gear outside of the tent.

However, none of this data alone tells you what it鈥檚 like to hang out, play cards, or even put on a pair of pants in a tent. To understand that requires the hard-to-measure variable of useable volume: aka elbow room. NEMO, Marmot, Sierra Designs, and SlingFin have all taken a stab at measuring and displaying this (NEMO does it best), but we still stand by our recommendation to get in your tent if possible.

Tent Weight

Weight is often the most talked about variable. It鈥檚 easy to quantify, and you鈥檒l feel it every step of the trip. But there鈥檚 actually not much of a weight spread in today鈥檚 tents. The lightest backpacking tents usually weigh just under two pounds per-person, while the most budget-friendly tents usually weigh less than three pounds per person. That鈥檚 less than one fuel bottle or the difference between an empty and half-full water bottle. It鈥檚 not a lot.

Heads up: when you鈥檙e comparing weights make sure it鈥檚 apples to apples. Tentmakers will often list more than one weight per-tent. For instance, they鈥檒l list minimum, packaged, pack, trail, maximum, etc. All these weights are measured slightly differently. For your reference, all the weights we list on our recommended tents were recorded using our own Park Tools bike scale, and those weights include the tent, fly, stuff sacks, and eight pegs.

Tent Price

We think the sweet spot for backpacking tents in the $200 to $500 range. Tents under $200 tend to be heavy, not very durable, often lack a full fly (so there aren鈥檛 any vestibules), and come with suspect waterproofing. Above $500, the law of diminishing returns tends to apply. With a few exceptions, these pricey tents use expensive fabrics and materials that won鈥檛 significantly impact your backpacking experience.

In that听range, you鈥檙e going to notice differences in weight, quality of materials, and quantity of features. Up at $500, the tents will have lots of pockets, vents, multiple peg out points, top-notch construction, vertical walls, two doors and two vestibules, and they鈥檒l still weigh in around two pounds per-person. Down at $200, the tents will be heavier or more fragile, will come with fewer features and less elbow room, and will probably only have one door.

Tent Packability

All tents are bulky, but the smaller they pack down, the more chocolate and Scotch you can bring. Or, with a well-packed tent, maybe you can carry a lower volume pack, which cuts weight. Tents vary in size, but most two-person tents should pack into a cylinder about 20-inches long and six inches in diameter.

Tent Durability

Higher quality materials make a tent last longer. But higher quality materials also drive up the price. Fabric and poles are the two easiest to understand in terms of toughness. Tent makers use lots of different nylons, mesh, and polyesters on the body and fly. In general, the higher the denier (a weight based on 9,000 meters of yarn), the stronger the fabric. But you should only make denier comparisons between the same types of fabrics since each fabric performs differently.

Most backpacking tents use aluminum poles, typically made by DAC or Easton. Sometimes the quality of the aluminum is also listed鈥攆requently it鈥檚 6,000 or the slightly stronger 7,000. Some high-end tents use carbon fiber poles. These poles are lighter, thinner and tougher, but harder to repair if they break.

Three other metrics to watch for: stitch count, and the quality of zippers and webbing.

Ease of Setup

Nothing鈥檚 more frustrating at the end of a long day than wrestling tent poles into position or even worse, setting a tent up wrong and having to start again. Things that make set up faster and easier include: color-coded poles, grommets and webbing, symmetrical designs, simple pole structures, and poles that attach to the vestibule rather than the tent.

The easiest tents are domes or A-frames. With only two or three straight poles, they鈥檙e simple but the compromise is elbow room. Multiple hubs and pre-bent pole structures, on the other hand, are often confusing the first time you set them up, but get you more room.

How poles attach to the tent matters, too. Few tents use sleeves anymore because pushing and pulling the poles through the tubes of fabric often results in snags or the poles coming apart. Instead, clips are now the standard and what we recommend because they鈥檙e fast and secure. The binding, where the poles attach to the tent, can vary from a simple ring to a ball and socket system that snaps together. The latter are nice, especially for solo setups, because the pole won鈥檛 pop out unexpectedly.

Free-standing tents are the best: once they鈥檙e set up they stand on their own without the need for pegs and ropes. They鈥檙e easy to set up, even by yourself, and can be picked up and moved. Non-freestanding tents need to be pegged and use ropes to tension at least some, if not all the walls. With fewer poles, they tend to be less expensive and lighter weight, but require more fiddling and sometimes help from another person.

Tent Features

Tents tend to be fairly basic, but there are some with built-in lighting like the Big Agnes Rattlesnake SL3 Mtnglo, and the Big Agnes Krumholtz UL2 MtnGlo comes with its own lighting, solar power, battery bank, and fan. Keep in mind that features like these tend to increase the price, so consider which conveniences you really need. We think it鈥檚 worth extra to pay for two doors, two vestibules, multiple pockets, two-way zippers, and vents in the fly to help with air flow. We鈥檙e also fans of extra guy-out points that all you to attach ropes to your fly to tighten it for better performance in the wind and rain. Tip: reflective guy-out lines prevent tripping in the dark.

And finally, you have footprints. These are ground sheets that go under the tent and protect your tent floor from dirt and tears. They鈥檙e usually an add-on, and we don鈥檛 find them necessary. However, they will extend the life of a tent.

How We Picked the Best Tent for Backpacking

My name is Ryan Stuart and I directed this entire review. I鈥檝e been backpacking for the last 25 years and have also worked as a backcountry guide where I spend months on end living out of tent. At 国产吃瓜黑料, I review 20 to 30 tents each year for the summer Buyer鈥檚 Guides and have probably tested over 100听tents total.

For the Buyer's Guides, I听set up every tent myself and run each one through a series of tests in my yard. I spray them with a hose, expose them to storms and rain, climb in and out, and even work on my laptop from inside. Each tent also goes camping for a real-world test. I take most of them, but also seed some out to other testers who take them on family canoe trips and multi-week expeditions. At the end of the test period, I gather all the feedback and compare specs. Then, I pass my findings by 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 editors, who also live the life and test gear all the time. Together we pick the best tents of each year.

Afterwards, the testing continues. I want to see how our favorite tents stand up to years of use and abuse, different environments, and the constant pace of innovation. I also look at what other people are saying. By reading online comments, reviews from at Backcountry.com, REI.com and other sites and talking with retail staff and other professional gear reviewers, I see how my picks stack up.

When I review tents for the magazine, I'm looking at the latest releases so I can stay on top of new developments.听For the review you鈥檙e reading right now, I picked the top-performing tents for specific categories (two-person, one person, rainy climates, etc.) without worrying about whether the tent was new. What I鈥檓 suggesting here are the best tents, period. Even if they鈥檙e a couple years old, I think these tents still out-perform the newer competitors. 听

To ensure my reviews were fresh, I went back to my notes, but also tracked down all the suggested tents and slept in each one again. I also left them up in the rain and wind, sprayed them with a hose once again, and set up a couple air mats and sleeping bags and played cards with my daughter to gauge roominess. Then I packed them all up, checked in with my editor,听and started writing.

Our Favorite Backpacking Tents, Ranked

Best Overall Backpacking Tent: Sierra Designs Flash 2 FL ($400)

I have a lot of tents in my basement, but for the last five years, my favorite go-to has been the . The biggest reason: its unique design. The tent and fly are integrated, and to pitch the tent, you just clip the poles to the outside of the fly and the tent rises in one step instead of two like most other tents. This makes the Flash 2 quick to pitch and it also means the inside of the tent is never exposed to rain. On a backpacking trip with friends, we all started setting up our tents at the same time. I was inside in almost half the time and my tent was dry while everyone else had a damp floor.

The pole structure can be confusing to the uninitiated: it鈥檚 a dizzying single pole, three-hubbed hoop system. But it鈥檚 actually pretty simple. It creates vertical walls at either door and a 43-inch peak that runs from one door right across to the other, rather than one high point, creating a nice airy feeling.

The most unique feature is a lack of vestibules at the doors. Instead, the fly overhangs the weatherproof door, sort of like a foot-long awning. In anything but sideways rain, the overhang keeps the rain off the door. When the wind is whipping, the door keeps everything dry inside. The point听was to create a super easy entry and exit and eliminate clunky vestibules that can be hard to crawl through.

Don鈥檛 fret, though, because the tent still had plenty of outside gear storage. Two 鈥済ear lockers,鈥� or mini vestibules hang off the sides and will store your pack. They鈥檙e accessed through zippers on the inside of the tent.

Our other preconceived concern鈥攃ondensation with the hybrid wall鈥攖urned out to be a non-issue too. With plenty of mesh on the doors and over the center, air moves freely and condensation never collected in a place that it could contact a sleeping bag.

The FL is a lighter weight version, ditching a pound for about $100. I think it鈥檚 worth the extra money, but if you can鈥檛 afford the splurge, you still get all the same design features in the regular Flash 2.

Best Affordable Backpacking Tent: REI CoOp Half Dome 2 ($200)

With you the you get an ultra-dependable, two-person, five-pound tent that packs down reasonably well for $200. That pricing is thanks to REI鈥檚 power as the nation鈥檚 largest outdoor retailer. Don鈥檛 expect anything fancy or innovative or cutting edge in this long-time REI favorite, but you will love the performance.

All the Half Dome 2s I鈥檝e tested were made from durable nylons that stood up to abuse without a leak or tear. The hubbed aluminum pole set up is simple to pitch solo, and the symmetric design means there鈥檚 no confusion about how to lay out the fly. A friend who hadn鈥檛 set up a tent in years figured the Half Dome out in minutes without instructions.

The pole system lifts the tent to a 40-inch peak and creates 32 square-feet of floor area鈥攂oth of which are average for the category鈥攚hile a cross pole at the peak pushes the side walls close to vertical. On a drizzly evening I hung out in here with two friends without feeling claustrophobic. (If you want more room check out the 鈥減lus鈥� version, which adds more space in every department.)

There are other 鈥渂udget鈥� tents that have similar stats, but the Half Dome stands apart because it鈥檚 more feature rich. At this price point we expect minimalism, but the Half Dome has several pockets and hang loops for organizing the interior. Guylines in all key areas on the fly help snug up the pitch. Each of the two oval doors opens into an eight-square-foot vestibule. The fly rolls up for star gazing and then quickly flips back into place if the weather changes. You can bring the fly, poles, and the optional footprint for a super light set up. And, you can choose from six different fly colors, a rare customizable option in tent buying.

If you backpack a lot, you might look elsewhere for a lighter tent. But if you just head out a couple times each year, there鈥檚 no better tent for the money.

Best One-Person Backpacking Tent: Nemo Hornet 2 ($370)

As the 鈥�2鈥� suggests in the names, this is a two-person tent, but I think it makes more sense as a roomy The single pole structure creates an A-frame feel, which makes things cramped for two people. Let鈥檚 just say you鈥檇 want to be intimate鈥攐r hoping to鈥攚ith a tent mate: two adults couldn't sit up at the same time without touching noggins. But solo this ultralight tent feels palatial without weighing you down.

At about 2.4 pounds, and 19 inches by 5 inches when packed into its cylinder case, it was no burden on a Canadian Rocky Mountains backpacking trip. Nemo achieved the impressive weight by using the lightest aluminum available for the poles and small gauge nylon on the fly (10-denier), floor (15-denier) and canopy (20-denier). Those are pretty standard deniers for an ultralight tent, but the materials听need to be treated gently to make them last. And by that I mean you shouldn't worry too much about everyday use, but you don't want to drag any of them against a tree.

The one-pole design is semi-freestanding; once the tent is clipped in place with the poles it stands on its own but still needs pegging to get the full area spread out. It鈥檚 easy to set up solo with a few pegs. The fly reaches to the ground for total coverage of the all-mesh body. During a windy storm at an exposed camp, not a bead made it inside. A tester reported the steep walls and a few well-positioned guy-out points dumped the deluge away from the tent.

The two vestibules are small and slightly difficult to climb through, but that鈥檚 typical for small tents. Once inside, there鈥檚 plenty of room for a bed down the middle and space on both sides for stuff sacks and gear. One of the pockets held my headlamp and book. The other, a beanie. I stored my pack in one of the eight-square-foot vestibules, leaving the other unencumbered for an entrance.听

Best Backpacking Tent for Families: Marmot Tungsten 4P ($340)

When you鈥檙e camping with your partner and a kid, or two, and maybe the dog, you could bring two tents. But I think piling into one tent is better. Half the reason I camp with the family is to enjoy time together. And with the , you won鈥檛 be sleeping on top of each other听when the bonding stops. At 8.8 pounds it鈥檚 going to feel heavy if you carry it all, but it鈥檚 one of the lightest tents available for its square footage, at just over two pounds per-person. Two main poles, running diagonally corner to corner, are bent to create more volume at the head and feet. Two cross poles push the door walls towards vertical.

You get 53 square-feet of space and a 52-inch peak. That鈥檚 enough area for four, 22-inch wide sleeping pads with a couple extra inches on all sides, and enough height for kids to stand and adults to kneel. There鈥檚 also enough elbow room for two adults and two kids to sit up and play cards without banging heads. Add two vestibules with a combined area of 18 square feet and the Tungsten felt just right for a family of four.

A few nice touches make it even more livable. The poles, clips, and fly are color coded. I still needed help wrestling the long poles into place, but at least the symmetric design was simple and quick to set up. The footprint is included, adding longevity to the floor鈥攁 big bonus with kids that often forget to take their shoes off before climbing in. There are a few organizing pockets for keeping books, headlamps, and other essentials handy. And the lampshade pocket near the peak is designed to hold a headlamp and spread out the light. It created a nice ambient setting for cards before everyone crashed out for the night.

Best Backpacking Tent for Rainy Climates: MSR Access 2 ($600)

I awarded the Gear of the Year in 国产吃瓜黑料 2017 Buyer鈥檚 Guide because it鈥檚 a storm-worthy shelter that weighs the same as a lightweight backpacking tent. In fact, the Access 2 is the only tent that made our favorites list that I鈥檇 take winter camping. And, while most four-season tents push four pounds per-person, this one weighs about four pounds total. At $600 it is pricey, but if you plan to camp above treeline, push three seasons of use, or live in a particularly stormy part of the country, I think the price is worth it. And in some ways, you might save money by not having to buy a lightweight summer tent and a winter-worthy shelter.

The robust performance comes from the pole structure and tent body. The two poles are Easton Syclones and made from composite materials that are stronger, stiffer, and lighter than aluminum. The main pole, double-hubbed and symmetric, runs front to back and props the tent upright. The second pole is a single hoop over the center that鈥檚 pre-bent to push the walls vertical. The poles do a good job of simultaneously lifting the tent to its 42-inch peak height, creating a strong structure that will stand up to several inches of snow, and slanting the front and back enough to shed rain and snow. In a 20-hour torrential PNW rainstorm, testers stayed cozy and didn't notice the river flowing under the tent until they emerged to pee. And at an alpine camp, 40-mile-per-hour gusts shook the tent but didn't ruin my sleep. The fly includes generous vestibules (17 square-feet total) in front of both D-shaped doors for plenty of outside storage. Unlike the rest of the tents here, the body is not mesh, but a light ripstop nylon that blocks chilly winds. Inside, you get 28 square-feet of floor area. With the vertical walls and a couple of pockets for each person, it feels roomy and easily accommodates two adults and all their winter clothing.听

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There are two kinds of car-camping tents. The first is affordable and made for quick weekend jaunts with the family or drunken festivals in the woods. The second is more expensive, better constructed, and preferable for trips across the country where you鈥檒l be camping in everything from scorching heat to torrential rain. Here are options in both categories.

Ozark Trail 10-Person ($110)

Best For: Party camping

Two river-guide friends and I lived in an older version of for an entire summer. Thanks to its three doors, we could each come and go as we pleased without having to step over one another. It was also nice to space ourselves out听in case someone needed to, say, fart. The tent is听overkill for a family of four听but perfect as a festival base camp for a group of friends. Tip: if听you鈥檙e using it in the Pacific Northwest, hang a tarp overhead as an added layer of protection, as the fly is subpar.听

REI Kingdom 6 ($440)

Best For: Extended trips

Yes, is expensive, but here鈥檚 why I听recommend it. My friend Ryan Allred, who owns , traded in his tow-behind trailer for the Kingdom because he finds it just as comfortable. The ceiling is more than six feet high, and you get听83 square feet of floor space. It鈥檚 also easy to set up听and, unlike the Walmart tent, will fend off the nastiest weather and lots of abuse. Allred鈥檚 entire family of five has lived in it for three summers now, and they鈥檝e never had any complaints about the durability.

Coleman 6-Person Instant Cabin ($220)

Best For: Families

This, thanks to its well-designed poles. That鈥檚 a major bonus听when you have small kids running around and don鈥檛 want to spend a lot of time making camp. It can also be nice if you arrive late听and need to avoid a lot of futzing in the dark. Inside, there鈥檚 plenty of room for a family of four and a couple of dogs. It鈥檚 not as well-built as the Kingdom 6, but it'll stand up just fine to a few trips every听summer, and听it鈥檚 better in rain than the Ozark.听Think of this tent as the perfect middle-of-the-road option for weekend trips.

Kodiak Canvas 8-Person听($570)

Best For: Base camp

If you look at 听as a tent, it鈥檚 an expensive. If you look at it as a听poor man鈥檚 RV, it鈥檚 positively cheap. The RV comparison makes sense because this tent is better than anything else here at keeping the elements at bay. The duck-canvas walls fight the heat if you want to use it as a beach base camp听on a surf trip in Baja, or you can put a small heater inside and take it winter camping. The spring-loaded steel听rods are designed to stand up to Everest-like winds.

REI Co-Op Half Dome 2 Plus ($220)

Best For: A one-quiver solution

I included the because it鈥檚 relatively affordable and can double as both a car-camping and backpacking tent (as long as it鈥檚 just the two of you and a dog). We鈥檝e long recommended the Half Dome: it鈥檚 quick to set up听and comes with all the features you鈥檇 want, including听two vestibules, a bombproof rain fly, lots of pockets and organizers inside, and big vents.听

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There are lots of tents on the market, which makes choosing the right one tricky. Big ones, little ones, models for car camping and thru-hiking. We鈥檝e put together this simple guide to help you buy the right tent.

Decide on Use

It鈥檚 best to be brutally honest with yourself here. Do you really need that ultralightweight tent, or can you get away with something a little heavier (and thus less expensive) because you鈥檒l just be out for overnight and weekend trips? Will you have time to go backpacking, or should you just buy a simple car-camping tent?

Decide on Size

Rule of thumb: If you鈥檙e car camping, buy a giant tent. Bigger than you need. Be obnoxious. You鈥檒l appreciate the extra space to roll around in, and you鈥檒l have plenty of room for dogs and kids. If you鈥檙e backpacking, buy a tent that鈥檚 one person bigger than you need. Just you and your partner? Go for a three-person tent. Again, you鈥檒l have more room to store gear, and the weight penalty isn鈥檛 huge.

Pay Attention to Weight

If you鈥檒l be huffing a tent on your back, buy a backpacking-specific model, which will likely be made from lightweight materials. Sometimes people ask me about nonfreestanding tents with guylines rather than dedicated tent poles. They鈥檙e great if you鈥檙e thru-hiking because they鈥檙e ultralightweight, but for regular users, freestanding tents are much easier to set up and still pretty packable. If you鈥檙e car camping, weight isn鈥檛 an issue.

Know What Kind of Weather You鈥檒l Be Camping In

Backpacking on the Olympic Peninsula? You鈥檒l need a good three-season tent with a bomber fly and a good vestibule to store gear out of the rain. Car camping in the Southwest? You can get away with a two-season tent鈥攋ust make sure it can protect you from the sun and has lots of vents to keep air flowing when temps rise. You鈥檒l need a four-season tent only if you鈥檙e winter camping in high-alpine environments.

Pay Attention to Packability

Weight is the most important consideration, but you still need to make sure your tent fits in your backpack or easily straps to the outside of it. Once you buy, practice packing the tent in its stuff sack, and think about the best way to distribute the load among multiple packs.

Pitch Before You Buy

It鈥檚 one thing to read about dimensions and occupant capacity and another to actually get inside a tent to test its roominess for yourself. One three-person tent design might feel bigger than another three-person tent, so try to visit a camping store that has your tent pitched before pulling the trigger.

Research Durability

This isn鈥檛 as much of an issue for car-camping tents, but definitely read reviews for backpacking tents. Most shelters these days are pretty well made, but see what users are saying online before you plop down a couple hundred bucks.

Research Ease of Use

This is another online search or, better yet, a conversation with a camping store employee. Most tents these days are pretty intuitive, but some are easier than other to set up in a gale-force wind or in the pitch dark. Tip: Always practice setting up your tent in your backyard before you go camping.

All set? Here are some buying recommendations.

Ultralight Backpacking

These are the tents you鈥檒l use to set speed records or for thru-hikes on the Pacific Crest, Appalachian, or Continental Divide trails.

What to Buy: We love everything we鈥檝e used in the Hyperlite Mountain Gear line, particularly the , which will keep you safe from both rain and bugs yet weighs just over half a pound.

Backpacking

These are the tents you鈥檒l want for weekend or weeklong backpacking trips when speed isn鈥檛 an issue.

What to Buy: are a general favorite that I鈥檝e used for years. They鈥檙e easy to use, fairly light, and affordable.

Car Camping

These are the tents you鈥檒l use at established sites or as a base camp when you鈥檙e parked off a forest road.

What to Buy: I gave my brother and his family a because it鈥檚 easy to assemble, thanks to color-coordinated poles.

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Yes, tents are an institution in the gear shed, but (gasp!) they鈥檙e not always the best option. Dozens of alternatives exist, many of which weigh less, are more comfortable, or simply work better in certain conditions. With camping season now in full swing, it may be time to try something new and leave the pitching to baseball.

Sea to Summit Escapist Tarp Shelter ($199)

Pros: Hikers obsessed with ultra-light options (and Boy Scouts) caught onto this secret a long time ago: With a good roof, you don鈥檛 need a floor. A tarp is lighter, easier to set up, and can be used in most bad weather situations.

听would surely get the Boy Scout seal of approval, weighing in at just nine ounces. It鈥檚 waterproof and has eight tie points to ensure stability even in windy conditions. It can be pitched with hiking poles or without, and the company offers a few minimalist mesh shelters that fit under the tarp if you need protection from mosquitoes.听

Cons: In a severe rainstorm, you’re going to get wet.听

Therm-a-Rest LuxuryLite UltraLite Cot ($219)

Pros: Sleeping under the stars is the most romantic part of camping. But you’ll need good weather, the right campsite, a killer view鈥攁nd the proper bedding.听

While sleeping on the ground is always an option, cots add a level of comfort that turns a good starry night into a great one. But temporary beds are typically clunky and they鈥檙e rarely portable鈥攐r durable鈥攅nough for backcountry travel.

Therm-a-Rest aims to reconcile cot complications of the past with its , which is easy to set up, sturdy, and light enough to toss in a backpack. The low-profile cots can hold up to 325 pounds and will keep you four inches above the ground.

Cons: The LuxuryLite UltraLite still weighs about as much as a plush inflatable pad. And you鈥檙e going to need great weather if you plan to use the cot without additional shelter over your head.

Black Diamond Spotlight Bivy ($219)

Pros: There鈥檚 something inherently adventurous about the ability to throw down your sleeping bag, whip out your bivy sack, and crash just about anywhere. On the side of a mountain? Sure. Suspended on a big wall? No problem. Bivy sacks are one of the most versatile shelters you can buy.听

solves the traditional bivy problems (condensation on the inside and no headroom) with a single hoop pole that keeps the shell material from rubbing on your head and dousing you with raindrops. There鈥檚 also a large mesh panel with a zip-over awning for increased ventilation.

Cons: Bivy sacks are small and will limit movement. If you toss and turn in your sleep, you might find feel a tad confined.听

Clark Vertex Hammock ($599)

Pros: Like ultra-light backpacking, duck hunting, and coffee brewing, hammock camping has its own fanatics. And for good reason. Hammocks are light, easy to set up, and comfortable. And in recent years, there鈥檚 been a big movement to improve the classic design.

has risen to the challenge, designing innovative two-person, four-season hanging shelters that resemble bunkers more than hammocks. Features include insulating pockets, a waterproof rainfly, mosquito netting, and an integrated hanging system that can hold more than 300 pounds.

Cons: Some people don鈥檛 sleep well in the curve of a hammock. And, no matter what, you鈥檙e going to have trouble hanging one of these things in the desert.

Sylvansport GO Trailer ($8,495)

Pros: Tent trailers sit on the lavish end of the blue-collar-camping-equipment spectrum. Yes, they offer some comforts you won鈥檛 get in a tent, but they鈥檙e typically utilitarian, not luxurious.

But听. The company has revamped the tent camper, ditching the usual hard-shelled, canvas-walled pop-ups. The GO features a fold-out aluminum frame and a rip-stop polyester shell. When not in use, the tent folds neatly on itself and the trailer can be used to haul gear.

Cons: Though the GO has 13 inches of clearance, you won’t get too far off the beaten path towing one of these trailers. And the price tag may have you running for shelter in your much more affordable tent.

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If you鈥檝e ever wanted a tent to channel your inner Peter Pan, then Tentsile鈥檚 Vista Tree Tent is right up your alley. Utilizing a unique three-point suspension system, the Vista lofts you over terra firma to watch all the little people below.

Tentsile鈥檚 鈥減ortable tree house鈥� is a three-person tent held above the ground with industry-grade ratchets and straps. You enter through the center of a 110-square-foot floor made of a nylon-polyester composite reinforced with seatbelt. And while you鈥檇 only want you and two friends inside, you can purchase additional floors to create an airborne apartment complex.

Once you get over the fact that you鈥檙e in the air, the Vista acts like any other tent. Tear-resistant insect mesh keeps out the bugs, and a removable fly keeps out the rain. Because of its construction, the Tree Tent isn鈥檛 fully sealed, and therefore shouldn鈥檛 be used during nasty weather. But in clear weather, Tentsile鈥檚 Vista has a view that will make you never want to grow up.

$595,

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