A camping tent is an essential item for all outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you are setting up base camping for a major hiking expedition, backpacking through Europe, or planning a weekend trip away with the family, having somewhere safe and secure to sleep and chill out can make all the difference to your camping adventure.
Like a sleeping bag, a camping tent is an important investment.
However, there are lots of different types of tents for you to buy. Camping tents can range in price. You may have a tight budget, and of course, the price is important. However, to choose the perfect tent for multiple camping trips that will fit your lifestyle, there are some very important specifications to consider.
The 6 Best Camping Tents
- ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Tent
- TETON Sports Mountain Ultra Tent
- Toogh Camping Tent
- Coleman Octagon Tent
- Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Tent (Our Top Pick)
- NTK Laredo GT Camping Tent
Our Top Pick for the Best Camping Tent
Our top pick for the best camping tent is the Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Tent. Whether you are camping with your fishing or hunting buddies or with your family, the Kodiak Canvas tent can easily accommodate 4 people.
With its heavy-duty construction, it is built to withstand tough outdoor conditions. So you will stay warm in winter and cool in summer. One of the highlights of the Kodiak is its extra high 6’6″ ceiling. And as there is plenty of room inside for sleeping and for chilling out, this is the perfect tent for any outdoor adventure.
Check the price on AmazonHow To Choose the Best Camping Tent
Common Tent Styles
Tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, the most common types of tents are A-frame, Hoop-style, Cabin-style, and Free-standing Dome tents.
– Traditional A-Frame Tents
A-frame tents get their name from their basic structure. The 2 poles at each end of the tent form an apex with a single ridge-pole running down the center. They have a dual wall construction, with an inner lightweight wall and also an added tarp or rainfly for extra weather protection.
Also, they make a simple structure, but they do not have a lot of room inside due to the sloping sides. They are also not very sturdy in strong winds.
– Modified A-Frame Tents
The main difference between a traditional and a modified A-Frame tent is that the modified version has curved poles instead of straight poles. These types of tents provide more stability and also improved head and interior space. They have a full rainfly that covers the whole tent. The traditional and modified A-frame is quickly being superseded by the Hoop and Dome-style tents.
– Hoop Tents
Hoop tents have 3 arched frames that give you a lot of internal space and headroom. They have curved poles at either end to help to retain the shape and stability of the tent. They also have long guy ropes that need to be attached with pegs to metal stakes that are driven into the ground, which helps to keep the tent secure in high winds.
The benefit of the hoop shape is that any snow and water can simply slide off instead of gathering on top of the tent. Hoop tents are very lightweight and also compact. They can also be packed away with minimal effort.
– Dome Tents
Dome tents are the most popular types of free-standing tents as they are easy to pitch. You can move them around once they are erected, which is very handy when the weather or wind direction changes. They have 2 or 3 poles that pass each other across the center of the roof. And they have sloping walls and a rainfly that covers most of the tent.
Depending on whether they are designed to fit 2 people or 8-10, they can give you adequate room to move about comfortably and offer you some storage space and a high ceiling.
They may come with a detachable wall separator so that you can have 2 separate rooms. One room for sleeping and the other to store gear or just a chill-out space for the kids.
Cabin-Style Tents
Some tents look like a small cabin with vertical walls and a flat roof, and they have a large awning. These types of tents give you a lot of room to move inside and have a high ceiling. Even though their roof is flatter, their walls and roof are made from durable canvas that allows water vapor to escape, which helps to minimize condensation, humidity, and mugginess.
Seasonal Tents
In addition to the style of tent, you also have to consider the type of weather that best suits the tent. Tents can be classified as 3-season, 3-4 season, or 4-season tents.
– 3-Season Tents
Three-season tents are a popular choice. They are lightweight tents that are designed for mild weather conditions in spring, summer, and fall. And they can also provide you with privacy and have large roll-up “no-see-um” mesh windows to give you extra ventilation and to keep out insects.
They may have a rainfly that stretches over the tent, which can protect the tent from an occasional downpour and light snow. However, they are not designed to sustain prolonged exposure to harsh storms, violent winds, or heavy snow.
– 3-4-Season Tents
Three-4 season tents are designed for spring, summer, and fall. They can also handle moderate amounts of snow in early spring and late fall.
Also, they offer a nice balance of ventilation, strength, and warmth retention. They have large windows and may have fewer mesh panels than 3-season models. These types of extended-season tents are a very good choice for those hikers who make frequent trips in moderate weather conditions.
– 4-Season Tents
If you are a seasoned hiker or an adventurer who likes to go out into the wild in the heart of winter, then a 4-season tent is your ideal traveling buddy. Four-season tents have extra strong and heavier material than 3-season tents. Their thicker poles are specially designed to handle rough weather and terrain. They can withstand fierce winds and substantial snow loads.
They will also have an extended rainfly that comes down to the ground for extra protection. So when the bitter wind howls around your tent and the rain and snow cascades down, a 4-season tent will keep you safe, snug, and warm.
Tent Sleeping Capacity
The best camping tent should give you more than just a place to sleep. It should suit your individual camping needs. Whether you are just camping on the weekend with family or friends or embarking on a major expedition, you need some extra space to read, play board games, and escape from harsh weather.
A tent’s sleeping capacity usually means that the tent has enough room for people to sleep in. However, it may not provide enough room to move around or stand up. If you need a tent for 2 people, and you would like some extra room to move about in, look for a tent that has a sleeping capacity for 3.
Some tents may offer a larger capacity for 8 to 10 people, which will have a spacious interior.
However, this will depend on whether you will be sharing the tent with 8-10 adults or whether children will be included in this headcount.
One way to get the best use out of the tent’s space, especially if you are planning a holiday with a lot of people, is to purchase 2 tents so that you can have extra room to chill out in as well as just using the tent to sleep in.
Weatherproofing
Waterproofing is another very important feature to consider. Camping can be a lot of fun and have a lot of health benefits, getting back to nature and breathing in the pure, fresh air. However, heavy dew and rain can spoil your weekend and you can end up with a wet floor and camping gear.
The best waterproof tent should repel rain and dew from the outside. It should be made out of material that allows the tent to breathe so that the interior does not feel muggy in the morning. There are a few ways a tent can be fully waterproof. It should have a rainfly or tarp, strong material, and leak-resistant flooring, an extra footprint, and also guy ropes or cables.
– Rainfly
A rainfly is a separate waterproof cover designed to fit over the roof of your tent. It helps to protect your tent from rain or dew, or when you need extra warmth. Some tents have a rainfly that only covers the roof, which allows more light and exterior views while still offering your tent a good level of rain protection.
Other tents may have a rainfly that gives you full coverage, which provides extra protection from the wind and rain.
– Material
Tents that are made from canvas (cotton) are very long-lasting and are waterproof. However, they can become very heavy when the water is absorbed. Nylon/Polyester is also durable and waterproof, but it can deteriorate in sunlight over time.
Nylon/Polyester tents are lightweight, but you need to check that their seams have been sealed to ensure they are fully waterproof.
– Flooring and Footprint Sheet
A good seamless floor will keep out moisture and prevent leaks. If your tent is going to experience a lot of foot traffic, then you need a heavy-duty floor, and it is a good idea to use a footprint. A footprint is a groundsheet that goes underneath the tent to protect it from sharp objects and general wear and tear.
– Guy Ropes or Cables
A high-quality tent will include sturdy loops on the outside of the tent body for attaching guy ropes or cables. Guy ropes allow you to batten down the hatches and secure the tent to the hooks that are placed into the ground, which also stops any fabric from flapping around in high winds.
– Heavy-Duty Zips
Make sure you consider the quality of the zips on the doors and windows of the tent.
Zips should open the mesh window and doors easily without catching on the fabric. No one wants to be struggling with unruly zippers in the middle of the night while the rain is pouring and you need to access the toilet. Being able to get in and out of the tent with minimal fuss is paramount.
Also remember that most tents have 2-way zips, one for the mesh window. Another for the extra layer of material on the inside of the window or door.
– Vestibule
In addition to having a spacious interior, a good tent should have an extra shelter or awning, which is also called a vestibule. You can attach a vestibule just outside the door of the tent. It is very handy for storing your muddy or dusty boots or for keeping your backpack out of the rain. Some tents have large vestibules that you can sit under.
– Extras: Interior Pockets, Lantern Loops, and Gear Loft
Interior pockets that are included inside the tent give you extra storage space for cell phones or flashlights that you might need to access in an emergency. Lantern loops are often placed at the center of a tent’s ceiling for hanging a lantern or a flashlight to give you extra illumination.
Some tents have loops on the interior walls that can be used to attach a mesh shelf (also called a gear loft), which you can use to keep small items off the tent floor.
6 Best Camping Tents – Reviews
1. ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Tent
The ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Tent is very good value for money and it is ideal for backpacking and short camping trips. It is a lightweight free-standing tent with a simple 2 Pole Design and it is very easy to set-up.
Once you lay out the polyester material that has adjustable fly buckles, the pole clips can be quickly attached to the sturdy aluminum poles, and once you secure the guy ropes, your set-up is complete.
The half mesh walls give you that much-needed ventilation in the hot summer months and the quality sealed 75D 185T waterproof polyester resists UV damage and stays taut and will provide you with extra protection in harsh weather conditions. There is a good amount of space to get a restful night’s sleep and also store a 65-liter pack.
The 32” vestibule allows for extra storage or for somewhere to leave your boots and there are extra storage pockets. The tent has large zippers on the door and vestibule that are easy to open and close.
Pros
- Relatively lightweight
- Ideal for backpacking
- Great in most weather conditions
- Strong design
- Great value for money
- Easy to set-up
Cons
- Heavy
- Will fit just one person
- Not a lot of headspace
2. TETON Sports Mountain Ultra Tent
The TETON Sports Mountain Ultra Tent is a very good value tent and can easily fit 2 people. With a wide ceiling and vestibule, there is adequate room for the average-sized person to move around in and it can fit a queen-size bed.
If you decide to share the tent, there are 2 doors so that you go to the toilet during the night without disturbing your camping buddy.
TETON Sports has specifically designed the Sports Mountain tent with micro-mesh material to keep you warm in chilly weather. The cut-away vents in the rainfly keep away condensation, while also keeping you cool in hot weather. The extra high walls and the durable 150D Oxford canvas bathtub floor helps to prevent water from entering the tent even in the most severe storms.
Whether you camp in windy weather or if there are light snow falls at night, the TETON will keep you secure as all the seams and anchor points are reinforced and heat taped.
The lightweight but sturdy aluminum poles are longer lasting than carbon-fiber varieties. And the strong acetate buckles will keep the tent’s material and rainfly’s loops attached securely to the guy ropes so that you can stake out your tent in windy weather.
You can choose to have an interrupted 360° view of your campsite. However, if you would prefer a little more privacy or weather protection, just snap on the provided rainfly. The rainfly also gives you an extra vestibule area to stow your gear from the elements. The mesh gear pockets allow you to store your cell phone or tablet for easy access during the night.
TETON Sports’ innovative 3-pole design means that the tent is very easy to set-up and pack away into its own handy bag. And as it is very lightweight at 5.5 pounds, it will not weigh you down if you need to take it with you on the trail. TETON Sports also supplies a footprint with the tent.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Ideal for 3-4 seasons
- Solid construction
- Ideal for 1 or 2 people
- Sturdy
- Durable material
- Compact and portable
- Very easy to set-up
Cons
- Does not sit well on uneven terrain
- Not ideal for extreme weather conditions
3. Toogh Camping Tent
For backpackers or couples who want to get away for the weekend, the Toogh Camping Tent is a great choice. This flexible and durable 2-3-person tent features a new and improved design which makes it a solid and hard-wearing tent that is very easy to set-up.
The sturdy 210 TPU fabric is strong and the enlarged rainfly vented roof has a waterproof coating to protect you from unexpected light rain. The high-density B3 mesh inner layer keeps you warm in cold weather, and the strong aluminum poles keep the tent secure.
You do not have to worry about waking up with a wet floor from a heavy dew because the leak-free seamless groundsheet provides better waterproof performance on wet grass.
The overhead rainfly can also be used as a pavilion or awning when you need extra shade while you are having a few drinks with friends or family.
With all the pieces together, the tent weighs 7.72 pounds so it is quite compact and will not take up too much storage space in your vehicle. The Toogh tent comes in a variety of colors: army brown, brick, dark red, dark brown, dark green, gray red, and sky blue.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Durable material
- Waterproof
- Ideal for 2 adults
- Affordable price
- Very good ventilation
- Good headroom
- Easy to set-up
Cons
- Not ideal for harsh weather
4. Coleman Octagon Tent
If you are looking for a sturdy and manageable tent that has plenty of room for your next family camping vacation or a music festival, the Coleman Octagon Tent is the perfect choice for you.
This high-quality 3-season dome-style tent is made from durable polyester that can withstand most weather conditions. The polyurethane-coated flysheet doubles as a bug-proof screen cover that keeps out annoying flying, biting insects that can make your camping adventure a misery.
Setting up the Coleman tent is quick and easy because it comes with color-coded steel poles and all the ground pegs you need. Reflective strips on the door and the zippers and tabs increase the tent’s visibility during the night. A sturdy wheeled bag makes it so easy to transport the tent to and from the campsite.
Although this spacious tent is for 6-8 people, it can be a bit of a squeeze with 8.
However, you can use the removable partition curtain tent to divide the single living room into 2 sleeping areas or use one for a games room. An extra tall ceiling gives you extra maneuverability because you can move around inside the tent. The tent’s octagon shape provides a 360° view of your surroundings.
This tent is absolutely waterproof and Coleman’s special Weather Tec system that includes fully tapered seams and a sewn-in groundsheet will keep you nice and dry regardless of the weather.
You will stay cool in summer as 6 of the 8 sides open up completely, allowing lots of air and light into the tent, and the inner mesh roof also provides maximum air circulation. Coleman’s patented zippered hinged door swings open and shut just like a real door, which makes it so easy to enter and leave the tent.
Coleman offers the camping tent in 4 attractive designs: green/blackout, green/grey, black/red, and orange/grey. If you choose the green/blackout tent, its blackout fabric blocks 99% of daylight from the bedroom so you will be sure to get a great night’s sleep, and black fabric also makes the tent cooler during the day.
Pros
- Great family tent
- Very good quality
- Sturdy and durable
- Easy to set-up
- Waterproof
- Spacious
- Flysheet doubles as a bug-proof screen
- You can split it into 2 rooms
- Hinged door opens and closes like a real door
- Design allows for maximum air circulation
- Blackout fabric blocks 99% of light and makes the tent cooler during the day
Cons
- Expensive
- Might be a bit tight with 8 adults
5. Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Tent
The Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Tent is built for tough outdoor conditions. Its premium grade material and high-quality construction will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Whatever kind of outdoor adventure fits your fantasy, whether it is a camping trip with friends or on a hunting trip, the Kodiak features a host of innovative design features.
The tent is made from super strong Hydra-Shield, 100% duck canvas. It has a 16-ounce polyester-reinforced vinyl flooring with welded seams and the innovative Flex-Bow frame that is made from 1-inch thick galvanized steel tubing. The 3/8-inch solid spring steel Flex-Bow rods will keep the tent taut and solid as a rock even in high winds and rain.
There is plenty of room inside for 6 people, and the super high 6’6″ ceiling provides extra comfort. The Kodiak has 4 sizable “no-see-um” mesh windows that allow for that much-needed ventilation on hot days, as well as 2 funnel-flow vents that allow for maximum airflow and temperature management.
The large, 72×78-inch awning gives you room to chill out with friends and family. There are 2 large doors with a D-shape, one in the front and one in the back. They both have durable zippers that will not catch on the tent’s material.
If you need extra storage space, the Kodiak has organizer pockets, a customizable gear loft, and also a strap-and-cinch storage bag to pack the tent away.
The tent comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Although the Kodiak is an extremely durable all-season tent that can withstand strong winds, driving rain, and even moderate snowfalls, it is not suitable for extreme winter mountaineering or heavy snow accumulations. As it weighs 68 pounds when it is fully packed up, it is not suitable for backpacking.
Even though the Kodiak is made from a superior construction, the awning or zipper ropes can fray after a few months. However, a heat shrink wire wrap can easily fix this.
Pros
- Very good for the money
- Superior construction
- High quality, waterproof material
- Four-season tent
- Spacious
- High ceiling
- Two-windows
- Durable
- Can use for summer and winter
- Strong awning
- Easy to set-up
Cons
- Heavy
- Not ideal for backpacking
- Need extra drying time before packing
- Gear loft can get in the way
6. NTK Laredo GT Camping Tent
The NTK Laredo GT Camping Tent is a great choice for large family getaways. It is made from a strong material, has a sturdy construction, a spacious interior that fits 8-9 people, 1 large D-style door, a large window, and a 6.2′ ceiling height.
NTK is a Brazilian company that designs its range of Gran Turismo tents to survive the wild Amazon weather. So whether the weather is hot or cold or stormy you will be safe and secure inside this 3-season tent. The tent’s outer covering is made from heavy-duty polyester, which is covered by a double layer polyester laminated waterproof polyurethane rainfly that fully covers the tent and gives you extra protection from sun and rain.
The bathtub flooring is made from seamless anti-fungus polyethylene with an inner silver coated layer that resists any leaks and can withstand the heaviest of foot traffic.
If the wind rages around your tent, the NANO-FLEX fiberglass poles are thick and sturdy and all the metal components are gold plated to resist corrosion. The strong guy ropes and the aluminum pin-and-ring system can help you to set the tent up quickly and firmly into the ground.
For that much-needed ventilation, the tent gives you very good airflow with extended ultra-thin polyester NO-SEE-UM micro-mesh on the window, which helps the tent to breathe, while also keeping any biting or stinging insects out of your tent.
This camping tent gives you plenty of space for a large family camping trip and great flexibility to change the interior of the tent to suit your camping needs. Inside of setting up 2 tents, the Laredo fits 3 double mattresses, plus 2 twin mattresses.
In addition to the generous floor space, there is heaps of room for all your storage needs, with roomy utility pockets, gear loops for your camping gear, and even an O-ring that you can use to hang a lantern from the ceiling. You can be assured of complete safety as the NTK Laredo tent meets CPAI-84 flammability requirements.
The tent also comes with a heavy-duty carry bag with compression straps. An ID label on the bag helps you to keep track of your tent. NTK offers a 6 months limited warranty on the camping tent.
Pros
- High-quality construction
- Great value for money
- Tough fabric
- Sturdy and durable tent
- Waterproof
- Spacious
- Ideal for a large family
- Large windows
- Versatile
Cons
- Not ideal for extreme weather conditions
- Only 1 door and 1 window
- Window does not have a cover so the rainfly has to be left on
Our Top Pick for the Best Camping Tent
Our top pick for the best camping tent is the Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Tent. Whether you are camping with your fishing or hunting buddies or with your family, the Kodiak Canvas tent can easily accommodate 4 people.
With its heavy-duty construction, it is built to withstand tough outdoor conditions. So you will stay warm in winter and cool in summer. One of the highlights of the Kodiak is its extra high 6’6″ ceiling. And as there is plenty of room inside for sleeping and for chilling out, this is the perfect tent for any outdoor adventure.
Check the price on Amazon
