Best Camping Tents of 2022

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Table of Contents

REI Skyward 4

BEST CAMPING TENT OVERALL

• SIZES AVAILABLE: 4P & 6P
• THE SIZE WE TESTED FEELS: Luxurious for 2P, comfortable for 3P, and tight for 4P
• PACKED WEIGHT: 13 lbs. 11 oz.
• DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 100 x 87 x 78 in.
• DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 100 x 87 x 78 in.
• PROS: High-quality poles & materials, room to stand, large door & vestibule, quick/easy set up
• CONS: Won’t do well in heavy wind due to height (though staking out all guylines helps), guylines not pre-attached

BOTTOM LINE: The REI Skyward is the latest iteration of our longtime favorite camping tent, the Grand Hut. We like the Skyward tent for its high-quality tent poles and fabrics, spacious interior, and ease of setup. It has near-vertical walls and a six-and-a-half-foot peak height, so you can stand, dress, and move around freely. We preferred the Grand Hut’s full-length rainfly, but the Skyward’s cap-style fly that covers the mesh roof is also pretty convenient. The permanent vestibule off the front is also handy, and we like that there’s an awning over the door for drip-free entry. The Skyward is a well-rounded tent with a sweet balance of simplicity, spaciousness, and relatively compact packed size.

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REI Wonderland 4

BEST LUXURY CAMPING TENT

• SIZES AVAILABLE: 4P & 6P
• THE SIZE WE TESTED FEELS: Luxurious for 2P, comfortable for 3P, and tight for 4P
• PACKED WEIGHT: 21 lbs. 11 oz.
• DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 120 x 100 x 75 in.
• PROS: Room to stand, high-quality poles & materials, 2 large doors, large vestibule, awnings over doors
• CONS: Expensive, won’t do well in heavy wind due to height (though staking out all guylines helps), guylines not pre-attached

BOTTOM LINE: REI’s Wonderland 4 is a redesign of the popular Kingdom Tent. It features a large, open space with a high ceiling, giant doors at both ends, and plenty of convenient storage pockets to keep gear organized. The Wonderland is fully rain-ready with sealed seams, a protected front entryway, and a huge vestibule for storing wet gear. It has a scalloped fly with protected windows all around, so you can see out and have ventilation even if it’s raining. Though this tent is quite large, it’s a manageable weight and fits into a compact case for easy carrying. The Wonderland is a very close second to the REI Skyward on our list, and that’s mostly due to its price. The Wonderland is an excellent and roomy camping tent, and it will last for many years of adventure since it’s built solid with high-quality materials.

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REI Half Dome SL 2+ & 3+

BEST CROSSOVER CHOICE FOR CAMPING & BACKPACKING

• SIZES AVAILABLE: 2 plus & 3 plus
• THE SIZES WE TESTED FEEL: Comfortable for 2P and 3P
• WEIGHT: 4 lbs. 11.5 oz. (2 plus without footprint)
• DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 90 x 54 x 42 in.
• PROS: High-quality poles/materials, quick/easy setup, lightweight, compact, 2 doors/vestibules, smooth zippers, good ventilation, good pockets, footprint included
• CONS: A bit expensive, can’t stand up inside, guylines not pre-attached, not enough stakes/guylines

BOTTOM LINE: If you prefer the convenience of a smaller camping tent and you want the option to do some backpacking, consider the REI Half Dome SL 2+ and 3+. Though the Half Dome is not as spacious as some camping tents and you won’t be able to stand up in it, it’s much roomier than the average backpacking tent and it costs a lot less. These tents are more stable in high winds due to their lower profile, they take up less space in your car, and they’re very easy to pitch and take down. The Half Dome is a solid tent that feels comfortable, comes at a great price, and performs well in any weather.

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Eureka Space Camp 4

COMFY TENT WITH NEARLY VERTICAL WALLS & GREAT VENTILATION

• SIZES AVAILABLE: 4P & 6P
• THE SIZE WE TESTED FEELS: Luxurious for 2P, comfortable for 3P, and tight for 4P
• MIN. TRAIL WEIGHT: 12 lbs. 10 oz.
• DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 96 x 90 x 68 in.
• PROS: Room to stand (under 5’6”), quality poles/materials, 2 large doors/vestibules, smooth zippers, quick/easy setup, includes all guylines & stakes, good ventilation
• CONS: A bit expensive, can’t stand up inside (5’7” or taller), won’t do well in heavy wind due to height (though staking out all guylines helps), guylines not pre-attached

BOTTOM LINE: Eureka’s Space Camp 4 is a welcoming shelter with nearly vertical walls and a versatile rainfly. With the rainfly zipped down, there are two generous vestibules to protect your gear when bad weather hits. Three high kickstand vents provide good ventilation and a low vent in the door promotes airflow. The main downside of the Space Camp 4 is that it isn’t quite tall enough to stand up in if you’re over 5’6”, but the Space Camp 6P has a peak height of 6’4” if more headroom is what you’re looking for. The Space Camp is among the highest-quality affordable camping tent options.

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Coleman Octagon 98

BEST LUXURIOUS BUDGET TENT

• SIZES AVAILABLE: 8P
• THE SIZE WE TESTED FEELS: Luxurious for 4P, comfortable for 5P, and tight for 6P
• PACKED WEIGHT: 49 lbs. 5 oz.
• DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 156 x 156 x 82 in.
• PROS: Affordable, room to stand, durable, 2 doors (1 with a unique screen door hinge), room divider, includes door mats, includes all guylines & stakes
• CONS: Heavy, bulky, no vestibules, storage/organization pockets could be better, no access to vents from inside tent, fairly cumbersome setup & breakdown

BOTTOM LINE: The Coleman Octagon 98 is a unique and affordable shelter with a high ceiling, spacious interior, and window zippers that tie back like curtains for 360° views. A “hinged” front door that swings open makes going in and out of the tent convenient as well. The Octagon is heavier and more cumbersome to set up than some other tents, but it’s not too bad if you have two or more people to help. The structure of the Octagon is solid in the wind if all of its many guy-out points are staked down and secured. All in all, the Octagon is an appealing tent, especially for families or small groups who want to create a luxurious hangout space for a few nights. The Octagon 98 is also available in a less expensive half-fly version.

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REI Trail Hut 4

BEST AFFORDABLE SMALL CAMPING TENT

• SIZES AVAILABLE: 2P & 4P
• THE SIZES WE TESTED FEEL: Comfortable for 2P & 3P
• WEIGHT: 8 lbs. 1.6 oz.
• DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 90 x 88 x 48 in.
• PROS: Affordable, fairly lightweight, compact, quick/easy set up, 2 doors/vestibules, smooth zippers, footprint included
• CONS: Can’t stand up inside, less headroom than some, not enough stakes/guylines included, guylines not pre-attached

BOTTOM LINE: The REI Trail Hut 4 is a great budget tent for individuals or couples who want a practical camping tent that’s easy to pitch. The Trail Hut is very affordable but has some of the same features more expensive tents have, like two wide doors and vestibules, good vents, and a generous amount of living space. Since it’s one of the more compact and lightweight tents on our list, the Trail Hut could also be used on short backpacking trips (though we slightly prefer the Half Dome SL 2+ and 3+ for backpacking). For those on a tight budget who are looking for a do-it-all option, the Trail Hut is a smart choice.

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Marmot Limestone 4P

EASY TO SET UP & MADE WITH HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS

• SIZES AVAILABLE: 4P & 6P
• THE SIZE WE TESTED FEELS: Luxurious for 2P, comfortable for 3P, and tight for 4P
• PACKED WEIGHT: 11 lbs. 11 oz.
• DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 100 x 86 x 61 in.
• PROS: High-quality poles/materials, 2 large doors/vestibules, smooth zippers, quick/easy setup, compact
• CONS: A big expensive, can’t stand up inside, slightly limited ventilation, not enough stakes/guylines included

BOTTOM LINE: The Marmot Limestone 4P is a solid storm-ready shelter made with quality materials and extra-thick aluminum poles that are color-coded for fast and easy pitching. It has large doors on either side and a mesh ceiling for great views and ventilation when the rainfly is off. Airflow is a bit limited with the rainfly on since the two kickstand vents are pretty small relative to the size of the tent. The Limestone 4P and the Eureka Space Camp 4 have very similar designs, but we slightly prefer the Space Camp since it’s 7 inches taller, has more vents, and is cheaper. The Limestone 6P is 15 inches taller for those who want more room to stand up, but it’s quite a bit more expensive than the 4P.

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Caddis Rapid 6

SIMPLE CAMPING TENT WITH QUICK & EASY SET UP

• SIZES AVAILABLE: 6P
• THE SIZE WE TESTED FEELS: Luxurious for 2P, comfortable for 4P, and tight for 5+P
• DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 120 x 120 x 80 in.
• PROS: Quick/easy set up, room to stand, gear loft, includes all guylines & stakes
• CONS: A bit expensive, bulky, heavy, only 1 door, no vestibule, won’t do well in heavy wind due to height (though staking out all guylines helps), zipper snags at times

BOTTOM LINE: The Caddis Rapid 6 has a high ceiling, near vertical sidewalls, and screened windows on all sides for a cabin-like feel. The Rapid differentiates itself by having pre-attached poles, making set up very fast and easy. Simply unfold the tent, extend the legs, and raise the structure. The Rapid looks a bit frumpy if it’s not staked out, but it’s much tidier once it’s pulled taut. Overall, we found this tent to be sturdy and weatherproof, and the rainfly provides more coverage than many cabin tents. For those whose top priority is easy set up and lots of headroom, the Rapid is a good choice. If you’re looking to expand your bug-free living space, pick up the Rapid Screenhouse Shelter.

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REI Groundbreaker 2

AFFORDABLE CAMPING TENT FOR BEGINNERS & OCCASIONAL CAMPERS

• SIZES AVAILABLE: 2P
• PACKED WEIGHT: 4 lbs. 13 oz.
• DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 88 x 52 x 40 in.
• PROS: Affordable, quick/easy set up, relatively lightweight, compact
• CONS: Can’t stand up inside, limited interior space, limited ventilation, only 1 door, no vestibule, lower-quality materials

BOTTOM LINE: The REI Groundbreaker 2 is a basic affordable camping tent that’s simple to set up. Realistically, it’s a little tight for two, but it’s spacious for one person and their gear. The Groundbreaker doesn’t have vestibules and the walls lean inward a bit, so it’s probably going to feel a bit too cramped for two people to hang out in for long if you have to wait out a storm. That said, if you’re looking for a simple inexpensive tent to sleep in occasionally, the Groundbreaker is a great option.

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Coleman Sundome 4

SIMPLE BUDGET TENT WITH A PARTIAL RAINFLY

• SIZES AVAILABLE: 2P, 3P, 4P & 6P
• THE SIZE WE TESTED FEELS: Comfortable for 2P and tight for 3P or more
• PACKED WEIGHT: 10 lbs. 3 oz.
• DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 108 x 84 x 59 in.
• PROS: Affordable, quick/easy set up, relatively lightweight & compact, includes all guylines, stakes & a door mat
• CONS: Low-quality poles/materials, not fully seam-taped, can’t stand up inside, limited ventilation, single door, zipper snags at times, no vestibule, weak carrying case

BOTTOM LINE: The Coleman Sundome 4 is a very affordable tent that’s relatively light and compact, and comes in a variety of sizes. It’s popular because it’s so inexpensive (and almost always on sale), but it’s poles and materials are much lower quality than the other tents on this list. If you just need a simple and cheap tent for a few nights of fair weather camping here or there, the Sundome will do a fine job.

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Critical Camping Tent Considerations

CHOOSING A SIZE FOR A TENT – Capacity ratings can overestimate the number that can be accommodated (and sleep pads) that can fit into the tent, so it’s not recommended to depend on the number unless you’re a fan of sleeping like the sardines. The most effective guideline is to increase the size by at minimum 1 or two people to ensure comfort. If you’re large, cramped, or sharing the tent with pets or children A little elbow space can make your camping experience more enjoyable. Consider the possibility of using multiple smaller tents instead of one big tent to make room for groups. Children who are old enough are likely to be thrilled with their tent. If you’re not sure which size is best with your particular group take a look the The Tent Size Guidelines.

Peak Height – If you’re planning to camp for a long period of time and intend to spend a substantial amount of time inside your camper, you’ll need to pick one that’s large enough to be able to sit and move within. Tents with high peaks or close to vertical walls offer the greatest usable space however, they can also cause difficulties in windy weather. Make sure you use proper stakes as well as guylines to keep larger tents in place and prevent problems.

NUMBER OF DOORS – Having multiple doors is a must for group camping. Being able to enter, exit, and access gear in the vestibules without disturbing each other makes camping trips far more enjoyable. Adequate doorway and vestibule space are key when it’s rainy and everyone wants to clamber into the tent and get out of their wet or dirty clothes as quickly as possible.

VESTIBULES & AWNINGS – Vestibules are covered areas meant for protecting and storing gear or shoes outside of your tent. If you plan to camp in places where it rains often, make sure your tent has one or more good vestibules, so you won’t have to bring wet or muddy gear inside your sleeping area. Some vestibules can also be converted into awnings for shade using pole accessories (not included). Some campers bring a separate shade or screen house that can be set up centrally, away from their tent, while others prefer to use an awning directly attached to their tent like a porch.

EASY TO SETUP The process of setting up a tent for the first time may be difficult but it will become more comfortable with time. Most tents are made to be simple and easy to pitch using color-coded straps for buckles, as well as straightforward instructions. Make sure to pick one that is a manageable size and weight to manage easily, particularly when you’ll be pitching it on your own. Big tents can be fantastic But don’t select one that is so complicated that it takes enjoyment out of camping.

WEIGHT- The weight of your camping tent isn’t super critical, but you’ll want to make sure it’s easy enough to tote around without hurting your back. Tents under four pounds are more ideal for backpacking; check out our Best Backpacking Tents list to see our favorites.

PACKED SIZE – The packed size of your tent is much more important for backpacking, but it’s smart to consider how much space you’ll have for your camping gear in your car and storage space at home. A compact tent will be far less cumbersome to maneuver.

SEASON RATINGS

• 3-Season Tents – 3-Season tents are the most common type of tent and are typically meant to be used during the summer months when the weather is fair. These tents tend to have good ventilation and will protect you from rain and insects, but they may not be robust enough to withstand storms with heavy rain or high winds.
• 3-4 Season Tents – Some 3-season tents can be used from early spring through late fall. They’re designed with more weather protection in mind and seek to offer a balance of ventilation, strength, and heat retention. These tents are often dome-shaped to shed rain and light snow with slightly more robust poles to give the structure rigidity to withstand winds. The rain fly will usually be more full-coverage and extend almost to ground with one or more vestibules to keep gear and shoes dry.
• 4-Season Tents – 4-season tents are best for those who plan to camp in snow and inclement weather, but they’re overkill for most 3-season car campers since they’re generally much more heavy and bulky. They tend to have lower-profiles and are more dome-shaped to shed snow and high winds. One downside to 4-season tents is that they have a lot less ventilation, which can make the living area too warm and stuffy in summer conditions. 4-season tents are best reserved for winter camping or extended trips in heavy rains when it’s crucial to have a warm, safe shelter.

Getting the Most Out of Your Tent

FOOTPRINT – If you’re spending a significant amount of money to buy a quality tent, it’s well worth investing in a footprint to extend the life of the fabric. If a specific footprint isn’t available for your tent model, a generic one will do. Just make sure the footprint you get is the right size – a footprint that’s too large can collect water and cause it to pool under your tent. For more information, check out out Do You Really Need a Footprint? post.

USE STAKES & GUYLINES – Fully staking out a tent maximizes interior space, looks much sleeker, and is far sturdier. Spending a few minutes to completely stake down and guy-out your tent could mean the difference between your tent lasting for years, or ripping to shreds in the wind. Guylines also help support the structure and make it far less susceptible to wind damage. If your guylines did not come pre-attached, the best way to attach them to the rainfly is with a bowline knot. If your tent has a lot of guylines and stake-out points, consider bringing a small mallet to make the staking process quicker and easier. Many camping tents don’t come with enough stakes and guylines for all of the guy-out points, so it’s a good idea to pick up some extra guylines and steel tent stakes.

WATERPROOFING – Most high-quality tents come fully seam-taped or sealed to stop water from penetrating where the fabric has been stitched. If the instructions tell you to seal all the seams to increase weather protection, that means the tent isn’t storm-proof off the shelf. Seam sealing isn’t difficult, but it can be time-consuming and somewhat tedious on a large tent. If your tent was once seam-taped, but you’ve noticed it starting to leak, it might be time to do some maintenance to extend the life of the tent by sealing the seams, replacing a peeling polyurethane coating, and refreshing the DWR coating on the rainfly.

Looking for a Different type of tent?

Check out these other CleverHiker Gear Guide tent lists:

• 10 Best Backpacking Tents – tents for backcountry travelers
• 10 Best Camping Tents (this list) – for those who need a tent primarily for car camping
• 6 Best Budget Tents – for those looking for a solid budget-friendly tent
• 10 Best Ultralight Tents – for those who want to save every ounce possible
• 10 Best Backpacking Hammocks – for those who like to do things a little differently

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Why Should You Trust Us?

We are aware of how difficult finding reliable information on gear, which is one of the primary motives behind the creation of CleverHiker. We are passionate about outdoor adventures We consider these guides to be extremely important. Here are a few reasons to put our trust in us:

• Our decisions are entirely independent and are based on personal experiences.
• We’ve traveled more than 10,000 miles of trails and tried out outdoor gear to earn the money.
• We have field tested and owned every product we suggest however this is not the usual.
• We visit trade shows in the industry to find out about the latest innovations in product development.
• Our guides are updated regularly whenever new products come out.
• We consider our suggestions like they were recommendations for our friends and family members.
• We’re always learning and are always willing to hear constructive criticism. If you believe we’ve misjudged the mark or did something wrong, we’d like to get your comments. comments.

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