The 6 Best Tents That’ll Keep You Cool All Camping Season Long

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Best overall

MSR Habitude 6 Family & Group Camping Tent

Large enough to house families yet lightweight enough to be carried by a backpacker, the MSR Habitude 6 Family & Group Camping Tent is one of the best tents for camping and one of the most versatile options as well. The sides and floor have a waterproof polyurethane coating and the super-sturdy pole geometry protects against strong gusts of wind. Your gear will stay dry in the many storage pockets and hang loops.

One person can tackle setup in a short time thanks to the color-coded poles and easy-to-follow instructions. As an added bonus, there’s a battery-powered integrated porch light to find your tent at night. Now you’ll just need to visit the most scenic campsites in every state.

Pros

• Large and lightweight camping tent
• Waterproof coating
• Integrated porch light
• Sleeps up to six people
• Easy setup
• Available on Backcountry, Amazon, Public Lands and SunnySports

Cons

• Only one vent

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Best budget

Coleman Sundome Camping Tent

The Coleman Sundome Camping Tent comes in multiple sizes (from two to six people), and according to the 34,000 five-star Amazon ratings, it’s perfect for any campsite. You get a weather-resistant tent that withstands heavy rain and winds up to 35 miles per hour, an e-port to charge your electronics, storage pockets and ground vents that push out hot air and enhance circulation.

While the center height tops out at four feet, there’s more than enough space for people to spread out in their sleeping bags. Lastly, even fit an animal crate if you want to camp with dogs. It’s no wonder why this is the best tent on Amazon.

Pros

• Affordable tent option
• Weather-resistant exterior
• Charging port for electronics
• Sets up in under 10 minutes
• Available on Amazon, Walmart and Coleman

Cons

• Not much ground protection
• Charging port needs to connect to an extension cord

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Most waterproof

North Face Stormbreak 2

The appropriately named North Face Stormbreak 2 has a waterproof finish that you can find on most of the best waterproof tents for camping. The fly and floor stop add extra protection for those rough storms, and the steep wall design keeps the elements from entering your tent.

Speaking of entering the tent, this one comes with two doors to allow people to move in and out of the tent without disrupting their campmates. It’s also good for keeping pests and bug bites at bay. At around five pounds, it’s light enough for backpackers who need a weather-resistant tent for extended stays.

Pros

• Waterproof coating
• Two doors and vestibules
• Lightweight at less than six pounds
• Steep walls
• Available on The North Face, Backcountry, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Public Lands

Cons

• Footprint sold separately
• Reviewers say the stakes aren’t the most stable

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Best for couples

Greycliff 2 Tent

The Greycliff 2 Tent comes with double doors and vestibules, so couples have enough room to move around without disturbing each other. There’s also enough floor space for camping games and spreading out at night. Gaze at the stars and nighttime sky through the mesh roof, or attach the weatherproof bomber if the weather isn’t so romantic.

Customer reviewers said this was one of the best camping tents for two thanks to its easy setup, lightweight and durable construction. One user even said it held up against a foot of overnight snowfall. Camping in muggy weather? Check out our picks for bug-repellent clothing.

Pros

• Comfortably fits two people
• Double doors and vestibules
• Lightweight and durable
• Easy setup
• Available at Backcountry, Amazon and Steep and Cheap

Cons

• Short center height

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Best for families or large groups

The North Face Wawona 6-Person Tent

The North Face Wawona 6-Person Tent has a 76-inch center height and a 120-by-96-inch floor space, making it a clear winner for the best tent for family camping. The largest vestibule also protects mountain bikes, gorilla carts or other equipment you don’t want exposed to the elements while still leaving enough room for you. Reviewers say the vents keep everyone cool, even when it was at maximum capacity.

Pros

• Large floor space and center height
• Roomy vestibules
• Easy setup
• Also a great contender for car camping and road trips
• Available at Public Lands, The North Face, Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods

Cons

• Heavier tent at 20 pounds

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Best for winter

Mountain Hardwear Outpost 2

The four-season Mountain Hardwear Outpost 2 is double-walled to keep you warm on winter camping trips and boasts fully-sealed seams on the fly and floor to provide extra protection from rain and snow. The large vestibule keeps camping gear dry, and the mesh panels and doors provide ventilation when the weather heats up again.

Pros

• Four-season tent
• Waterproof fly and floor
• Lightweight
• Large vestibule area
• Adequate ventilation
• Available at Backcountry, Moosejaw and Public Lands

Cons

• Short center height

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What to consider when buying the best tents for camping

Not having a proper tent is a common camping mistake. When buying the best tent for camping, the first thing to consider is how many people are joining you. Most camping tents hold up to six people, though some have vestibules to use as extra sleeping space or to store equipment.

Look for waterproof capabilities and poles that can withstand strong wind gusts. Regardless of what weather you expect to run into, you’ll want some sort of mesh ventilation to promote airflow. If you prefer glamping, look for tents that have enough space for air mattresses and other extras.

How we found the best tents for camping

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.

FAQ

What is the best camping tent to buy?

The MSR Habitude 6 Family & Group Camping Tent is our choice for the best camping tent to buy because it’s large enough for groups and light enough to be carried by one person. It’s also weather resistant with lots of storage space.

Do tents get wet inside when it rains?

Tents get wet inside when it rains if they’re not treated with a waterproof coating or not fully seamed. Purchase a footprint (a special tarp) to keep you and your gear off the ground and away from leaks.

Should you use a tarp under your tent?

It’s up to you, but rocks, sticks and other natural dangers can puncture the bottom of your tent. A tarp adds an extra layer of protection and prevents moisture from seeping in.

How do I keep the inside of my tent dry at night?

As we stated above, a footprint helps keep your tent dry at night by forming a barrier between you and the ground. You can also purchase a fly to put over your tent or look for a tent that’s treated with a waterproof coating.