Rooftop tents have gained massive traction over the past decade, as they’re fun, comfortable, and convenient. For all of their advantages, however, they can weigh a ton and cost a pretty penny.

That’s where Groenberg comes in. The upstart brand is looking to upend the rooftop tent market with the WEEKEND, which it says is the lightest model on the market. Here’s a sneak peek at the potentially revolutionary rooftop tent.

How Does the Setup Work?

To set up the WEEKEND, first, users inflate the air platform with a manual or battery-powered pump. Next, thread the poles through the tent body, and then attach them to the platform. From there, you lift the tent onto the car, and secure it to the roof with buckles and straps attached to the base of the platform. This setup assumes that the user has already purchased a roof rack.

Groenberg claims that assembly and disassembly take just a matter of minutes, and it’s possible to do the whole setup easily by yourself.

When not in use, the tent packs down to the size of 30 x 19 x 16 inches, small enough that Groenberg says it can easily fit in your closet or cabinet.

Technical Specs

There are two models of the WEEKEND: the classic and the comfort version. The classic weighs 27 pounds, while the comfort clocks in at 30 pounds. Both have a length of 7 feet and a height of about 4 feet.

The comfort includes several bonus features, including a blackout function, sky view opening, and rain-protected entrances. Both tents come with: the air platform, poles, tent body, manual pump, extendable ladder, and a repair kit.

Groenberg is offering deep discounts on the tent during its initial Kickstarter campaign. The classic costs $575 (normally $1,150) and the comfort costs $691 (normally $1,381).

My Take on the WEEKEND

Compared to some of our favorite rooftop tents, the WEEKEND is truly a featherweight. Two of our top picks from 2025, the Thule Approach and iKamper Skycamp Mini 3, weigh 128 and 125 pounds, respectively. And even at full price, the WEEKEND is quite a bit cheaper than traditional rooftop tents, which usually start at $2,000, minimum, and can easily surpass $4,000.

Unlike other rooftop tents, though, any time you want to drive, you’ve got to completely remove the WEEKEND. And unless you’re returning to the site later and can leave the tent on the ground, it’s also got to be disassembled and packed up. Essentially, it’s a ground tent with an inflated platform that you can put on your car. An alternative, similar tent worth considering is the C6 Outoodr Rev rooftop tent.

The Best Rooftop Tents of 2025

We put the best rooftop tents of 2025 to the test. From hardshell options to budget-friendly picks, we've got you covered. Read more…

Once I’m cozy, wrapped up in my sleeping bag like a chubby Chipotle burrito, there aren’t many forces on heaven or earth that will compel me to leave my safe little cocoon. One is the call of nature — but even then, I will go to great lengths to forestall getting up, in hopes I can fall back asleep and wait for the callback.

But shutting off my reading light is one task I simply cannot skirt. Inevitably, as my eyes begin to droop and the siren call of sleep pulls me in, I have to disrupt my nest to kill the lights. Even if it’s just to press a button on my headlamp, a little nighttime chill is sure to scoot in the moment I reach up to flip it off.

I can’t promise that’s precisely the use case COAST envisioned when it brought over its “SpeakEasy” voice control tech from headlamps into the EAL35R lantern. Launched this fall, the EAL35R (ironically, a mouthful) piqued my (and other editors’) interest as perhaps a more useful application of voice-control than would a headlamp, which is always close at hand.

In short: Now that voice-controlled lanterns exist, I’m reluctant to go back to analog buttons alone. COAST’s EAL35R offers a perk that adds minimal cost but significant value — once you become accustomed to it. Beyond novelty, voice control is great for turning off the lights when you’re tucked away and ready for bed. However, despite its ease and reliability, there’s still one glaring area for improvement.

See the top products we’ve tested in our roundup of the Best Camp Lanterns.

COAST EAL35R

Check Price at COAST

8.3

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Brightness
  9.0
• Battery life
  5.8
• Features
  8.5
• Durability
  8.3

Specifications

• Lumens: 1,000 max
• Power source: Li-ion or alkaline
• Burn time: 16 hours max
• Water resistance: IP54 (water- and dust-resistant)
• Weight: 1 lb., 3.8 oz.
• USB port: USB-C x2

Pros

• Voice control works great
• Several modes for color, temp, and brightness
• Lightweight and easy to pack
• Dual power options (rechargeable and alkaline)

Cons

• Max runtime 16 hours
• Voice control shuts off after 15 minutes of inactivity when off

Adam Ruggiero

COAST EAL35R Voice-Control Lantern Review

Before diving into the meat of the review, I want to note that COAST’s voice-control tech debuted last year in the RL35R headlamp, which we reviewed. For the most part, the controls in the EAL35R lantern mirror the functionality found in the headlamp.

However, as editor Sean McCoy noted in that review, voice control in a headlamp — while cool — was a bit of a head scratcher. Headlamps, by design, are virtually always within arm’s reach. Of course, there are presumably times when your hands might be occupied, or perhaps its just cold and you don’t want your frigid digits to leave the comfort of your pockets.

But, as I found over a couple of months of cool, fall weather camping, the utility of voice control becomes far more evident with the humble camp lantern.

Design and Construction

The EAL35R fits the mold of most modern camp lanterns. Gone are the halcyon days of heavy, steel Coleman gas-powered lanterns (although it’s still among our favorites).

The body is mostly plastic with some grippy rubber sections ringing the lower portion, and a stowable pivoting handle. COAST boasts that the diffuser is made of “unbreakable” polycarbonate. Short of smashing it with a rock, I’ve found the general construction pretty durable. I’ve dropped it on the ground and (for science) punched the diffuser with my fist — both survived.

The base has a removable lid to access the alkaline battery compartment, which takes four AA batteries. I have not run the lantern on alkaline, but it’s a smart option to add them as backup if you exceed the built-in lithium-ion battery’s runtime.

Speaking of power, the lantern has two USB-C ports — one IN and one OUT. The lantern’s rechargeable battery doubles as a power bank (more on this below). The EAL35R has been tested to IP54 standards, making it resistant to splashing (not submersion) and protected from dust incursion.

Lastly, this lantern offers five light modes: Warm (low), Cool (medium), White (high), Red, and Red flashing. On White, it maxes out at 1,000 lumens.

Camp Test: Getting Started

I managed a solid 14-plus nights sleeping under the stars in October. The EAL35R helped me navigate while walking around at night, and really shined clipped to the inside roof of my tent.

To be clear, while the voice control was the star of the show, a single-action button offers all the same control over power and modes that your voice will. One short press turns the white light on, cycles through low, medium, and high, and back to off. A long press activates red light mode, and another short press will switch to flashing red, and then back to off.

The lantern comes with a quick-start manual that outlines the voice commands, but these are also printed on the side of the lantern itself, so you always know how to use voice modes. And if those aren’t enough, I’ll put them here, too. All commands begin with the activation word, “COAST”:

• “COAST on” — turns light on warm (low)
• “COAST warm” — low
• “COAST cool” — medium
• “COAST white” — high
• “COAST red” — red
• “COAST flashing” — flashing red
• “COAST off” — turns light off

To use voice mode, you have to activate it via the talk button. This will light up green when it’s on. After 15 minutes of disuse, this feature automatically powers off. Importantly, this means you cannot leave the feature on when you go to sleep. So when you wake up, you will have to manually turn the lantern on.

Testing Results: What I Like

Overall, the EAL35R performed outstandingly. While its battery life specs aren’t anywhere near the high end for this category, I never once had to recharge the lantern over my month of testing. Granted, reading makes me sleepy real fast.

I had no issues with the voice control feature, and every mode responded as intended. As expected, the best aspect of voice control is saying “COAST off” in a puff of warm breath curling through chilly autumn Minnesota air. Once you’re zipped in, it’s no fun having to breach the body heat bundle — and the EAL35R eliminated that little cold-weather inconvenience.

The power bank feature also seemed to work fine, though I didn’t use it much. I will note that as the testing period stretched on, the power bank feature stopped activating, presumably to conserve what little battery life remained. With sufficient charge, the power bank worked fine.

It’s also worth noting that the power bank will work on pass-through power, so if you have one outlet, you can plug in the lantern to charge, and then plug your phone into the lantern to juice up in tandem.

I also appreciated having a variety of light modes. My preferred camp light is red — and next to that, warm light. The fact that the EAL35R had both was awesome for me.

What Could Be Better

I have only one singular complaint, and it’s the primary reason I would ever want voice-controlled lighting. Namely, I would most want to turn a light on when it’s dark — for example, when I wake up in the morning. After all, that’s really the one time you wouldn’t want to be fiddling around in search of an “On” button.

Unfortunately, the EAL35R can’t do that — although I did mention this to COAST. Could it appear in a future model? Maybe. The issue, of course, is the battery. While the brand informed me that the voice feature draws very little juice, letting it run for hours on end, for multiple nights, would likely become a drain issue.

Conclusion: Who’s It For?

If maximum runtime and outlandish brightness aren’t must-haves, then the EAL35R is a great little lantern. It’s got plenty of power, numerous modes and features, and — best of all — you can conserve a little warmth on cool nights with its voice mode.

What’s more, it’s only $40! Kind of wild, when you consider it’s the only lantern like it on the market. It’s not a high-performance option, but it packs in loads of convenience in a lightweight, easy-to-use package. And the cool factor doesn’t hurt either.

Unparalleled Brightness for the Price (With a Catch): COAST XP40R Flashlight Review

I took the 8,000-lumen XP40R flashlight into the dark mountains to see how it would light up the night. Read more…

Treading into the fourth season is no easy feat, and after you’ve slogged waist-deep, you’re going to need a shelter that’s as tough as the weather. The best 4-season tents are the elder shelters of the camping world and are toughened to put up with the worst of it on your next mountaineering, ski-touring, or alpine hunting trip.

After a few seasons spent in the high country, these are the tents I find myself reaching for time and time again. And while many 4-season tents can feel more like single-season tents, I considered shelters from all ends of the spectrum, from shoulder-season welterweights like the REI Co-op Arete ASL 2 that are keen to poke their noses into the alpine to expedition-ready brutes like the Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 Tent that will shoulder a 24-inch storm on Denali with ease.

Our experts are old hands at this and have tested more than 25 different burly shelters over the seasons — lugging them up the stratovolcanoes of the North Cascades and diving headlong with them into the refrigerated high valleys of Colorado. I sought out uncomfortable, persistent, and downright mean conditions to test these tents in and kept an eye out for important functional differences when it came to extreme weather resistance, durability, livability, and overall weight and packed size.

Editor’s Note: We recently updated this guide on November 17, 2025, to add my new favorite 4-season pyramid tarp, the SlingFin Cinder Cone, after testing it in Patagonia and above the Arctic Circle in Alaska. I also added the Hilleberg Nammatj 3, a highly versatile tunnel tent design that has proven its worth on deep expeditions.

Best Overall 4-Season Tent

Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 Tent

Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at REI

8.9

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Weather Resistance
  8.0
• Living Space
  8.0
• Durability
  8.0
• Size & Weight
  6.0

Specifications

• Type: Basecamp and expeditions
• Weight: 11 lbs., 5.1 oz.
• Doors: 2
• Sleeps: 2
• Floor Area: 48 sq. ft.
• Vestibule Area: 15 sq. ft.
• Height: 45"
• Walls: Double

Pros

• Wall-to-wall deep mesh pockets are convenient and add structural strength
• Triple-reinforced window funnels in light and provides a bit of outdoor visibility
• Loops for internal clothesline
• Large vestibule entrance features a double door, so you can enter from either side
• Extra stakes included

Cons

• On the heavier side
• High volume for a regular backpacking trip
• Fewer ventilation ports on the fly compared to other designs

Morgan Tilton

Now a standard-bearer for far-flung and deep expeditions, some iteration of the venerable Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 Tent ($1,050) has been on the ground in places like the Kahiltna Glacier, the Khumbu, and in the Gilgit-Baltistan region since all the way back in 1995. This freestanding shelter is the ideal choice for lengthy, month-long expeditions when you have no idea what Mother Nature will throw at you, and shelter failure isn’t an option.

When you want to talk durable tent architecture, Mountain Hardwear is never far from the conversation, and the Trango is a large part of that reputation. The brainchild of tent designer Martin Zemitis (now of SlingFin Tents), the Trango series features a four-pole main structure that has become nearly archetypal, utilizing multiple intersections to create an extremely sturdy shelter free of the fuss of pole sleeves.

The interior design is also robust and provides ample pockets, which is a stellar feature for extended periods in the field. The entire length of the walls is decorated with a total of 11 high-volume hammocks. For a two-person tent, this layout is generous with ample head, foot, and side space to protect your kit. During a ski mountaineering trip, our team found the setup was easy and intuitive, thanks in part to the color-coded poles, rainfly, and canopy.

The fly can face in either direction across the Trango if you need to swap the orientation to better deal with gusts. And the fly connects to poles via gated clips, which are a bit finicky and not totally straightforward but nice to use when setting up in the wind. The materials are beefy, including the 70-denier nylon-taffeta floor. In fact, nearly everything from the buckles to the zippers is stout enough to withstand burly weather

The guy-out spots are placed 18 to 24 inches above the ground around the entire tent’s perimeter, which is the perfect height for securing guylines over any snow walls you might have to dig in at an advance basecamp — which is pretty much as far as you’ll want to take this shelter up the mountain. At 11+ pounds, we found the build to be excessive in volume and weight for alpine routes where you’ll be camping on-route, but for established camps on popular routes, this tent shines. Still, our favorite way to carry the Trango is in a sled.

Given its history and performance, it’s unsurprising to note that this is one of the most popular tents that guide services opt to equip their high-altitude climbers with. When it comes to an unfailing indifference to the weather, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than the Mountain Hardwear Trango series.

---

Best Budget 4-Season Tent

REI Co-op Arete ASL 2

Check Price at REI

6.6

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Weather Resistance
  7.0
• Living Space
  7.0
• Durability
  6.0
• Size & Weight
  7.0

Specifications

• Type: Mountaineering and shoulder-season backpacking
• Weight: 6 lbs., 5 oz.
• Doors: 1
• Sleeps: 2
• Floor Area: 32.9 sq. ft.
• Vestibule Area: 8.7 sq. ft.
• Height: 43"
• Walls: Double

Pros

• Budget pricing
• Easy to set up
• Comfortable and spacious
• Easy to pack
• Handles winter weather well

Cons

• Smaller vestibule
• Height is a disadvantage in wind
• Fly doesn't drop to the ground quite far enough

Morgan Tilton

Read Review: 4-Season Strength, 3-Season Weight: REI Co-op Arete ASL 2 Tent Review

The ‘ASL’ in the REI Co-op Arete ASL 2 ($449) stands for All Season Light, meaning this shelter is best suited to near treeline, where winds won’t blow as ferociously, but it’s also just as light on your wallet. The pole structure and materials are quite similar to the Trango series — just dialed back a bit to hit the price point. If you’re looking for a tent to try out winter camping, the Arete is the one to do it in.

For half of what our top pick asks, this tent really impressed me in terms of what it could handle. I tested the Arete most extensively in the shoulder seasons of the North Cascades, where precipitation ranges from liquid to solid on a daily basis. The four-pole structure of this tent sets up similarly to other shelters like the Trango or NEMO Chogori, but the fourth pole only reaches mid-panel, making it a bit less storm-worthy.

The tradeoff, however, is in ventilation, which the Arete does quite well. Humidity can range widely when you can’t bet on cold temperatures, and the broad ceiling panel of the Arete unzips when you need to bleed off some moisture-heavy air. The genius of this is that the entire panel can also be closed when you want to hold in more warmth, making this a really versatile design.

There are a few shortcuts taken to hit the budget price here, and they show up in the simple pole clips used, plastic hubs on the poles, and smaller vestibule. You also won’t get snow-specific features such as the skirts seen on the Trango tents, and while the fly on the Arete is well supported with interior Velcro tabs, it doesn’t quite extend down far enough to stop all gusts from reaching inside. Smart site selection can help remedy this.

There are a number of other “all-season” tents on the market, such as the NEMO Kunai, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV2 Expedition, and MSR Access 2, and while each excels a bit more in different niches, none can touch the Arete ASL when it comes to price. This is the tent I reach for on mid-season volcano ascents with steady weather forecasts, and it’s a stellar budget option.

---

Best Bivy-Style 4-Season Tent

SlingFin HotBox

Check Price at SlingFin

8.0

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Weather Resistance
  7.0
• Living Space
  7.0
• Durability
  8.0
• Size & Weight
  9.0

Specifications

• Type: High-altitude mountaineering
• Weight: 4 lbs., 2 oz.
• Doors: 1
• Sleeps: 2
• Floor Area: 26.8 sq. ft.
• Vestibule Area: 11 sq. ft. in side gear storage areas
• Height: 41"
• Walls: Double

Pros

• Bivy-style tent footprint with a full double-wall build
• Impressive resistance to condensation
• Side vestibules accessible through internal vents
• Internal guylines work with external WebTruss pole system for strong support

Cons

• Weight penalty compared to single-skin bivy tents
• Fly design requires smart set-up to avoid going broadside to the wind

Morgan Tilton

Read Review: SlingFin HotBox Review: Finally, a Bivy Tent That Doesn’t Suck!

Bivy-style tents — those you would use while on a long alpine route where you’ll be excavating your tent platform — all seemingly have the same issue: condensation. Thankfully, the SlingFin HotBox ($750) handily side-steps the problem with a double-wall design, as well as a bevy of other smart features that make this the best bivy tent our team has ever tested. It is, as one climber delighted: “Finally, a bivy tent that doesn’t suck!”

Unlike many double-wall shelters, the HotBox can be set up with the fly already attached, making close-quarters pitching on hacked-out bivy spots feasible. The ‘WebTruss’ pole structure, too, is self-supporting and, in tester Christian Black’s experience, proved to be a robust design that stood up to multiple Himalayan tempests.

And while livability isn’t the priority in tents like this, the HotBox has it in spades. Eight internal pockets decorate the interior of the shelter, and twin drawstring ports provide access to the side vestibule areas, which are more gear storage zones but massively useful for tucking away kit in. The 26.8 sq. ft. internal space is about on par with the Black Diamond Firstlight (and even a little roomier than the Mountain Hardwear AC 2), and for trips where we’re glued onto the wall, this is sufficient space.

In scenarios where I know that all of the precipitation I might encounter is going to be frozen (and the on-route time isn’t too long), I still reach for our single-skin shelters, but more often than not, I can find a reason to pivot to the HotBox. For a handful more ounces, the added livability and thoughtful functionality it brings add a measure of civility to our alpine endeavors.

---

Most Versatile 4-Season Tent

Hilleberg Nammatj 3

$1,115 at Feathered Friends

8.7

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Weather Resistance
  8.0
• Living Space
  7.0
• Durability
  8.0
• Size & Weight
  9.0

Specifications

• Type: Basecamp and expeditions
• Weight: 7 lbs., 4 oz.
• Doors: 1
• Sleeps: 3
• Floor area: 36.3 sq. ft.
• Vestibule area: 14 sq. ft.
• Height: 41"
• Walls: Double

Pros

• Highly versatile design isn't too heavy for backpacking
• Very weather-resistant, and can be run with stronger poles
• Super-tough Kerlon 1800 material
• Compact packed size

Cons

• Price
• Only one door
• GT version offers much larger vestibule space, but for extra $260

Morgan Tilton

The Hilleberg Nammatj 3 ($1,115) isn’t the most robust option from the legacy brand (look to the incredible Keron series), or the lightest single-man (the Unna is a great pick), but instead it lands right in the middle, and combines a rock-steady tunnel design with a slightly more trim profile to create a shelter that’ll go across Greenland on skis or light and fast up Denali.

I tested this tent initially on a quick overnight in the Chugach Range of Alaska, where I wasn’t looking to carry a full-on basecamp tent like the Trango 3, but still needed something that could handle a surprise 6″ of snow. The 7.5-pound Nammatj 3 lands right about there and compresses down an impressive amount due to the slick Kerlon 1800 material of the fly. The two poles are 10 mm DAC sticks that are oversized from Hilleberg’s other options, due to the Nammatj being in the brand’s ‘Black Label’ series, which are the most hardened against the weather.

The tunnel design is certainly one of the more space-to-weight efficient when it comes to 4-season-worthy designs, and the two poles of the Nammatj are nicer to carry than the five of the Trango series. That said, the Hilleberg does trim the interior dimensions slightly to keep the weight lower, and you get 36.3 sq. feet of interior space here, compared to the 48 sq. feet in the Mountain Hardwear tent. With three of us, we found the interior dimensions ‘thermally efficient’, and agreed that for two climbers, it’d be quite spacious.

The large vestibule helps offset the more trim sleeping quarters, and it’s a decent size (and quite spacious when dug down into the snow). Setting up on the tundra below Paradise Pass required only four stakes, which is another win for the tunnel tent design. There is a wide range of guyline options on the Nammatj, and it will really dig in against the wind if needed.

For those looking for much more vestibule space, the Nammatj also comes in a ‘GT’ version that extends the space by an additional 31″ (by adding an additional pole and a little under 2 pounds of weight). For snow use exclusively, it’s the way to go, and digging down into the space yields a huge mudroom for expedition use. You’ll pay $260 extra for it, but for some, it’s a necessity. Either version is exceptionally versatile.

---

Best Shoulder Season Crossover Tent

MSR Access 2

Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry

7.2

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Weather Resistance
  7.0
• Living Space
  6.0
• Durability
  6.0
• Size & Weight
  8.0

Specifications

• Type: Treeline ski-mountaineering
• Weight: 4 lbs., 1 oz.
• Doors: 2
• Sleeps: 2
• Floor Area: 29 sq. ft.
• Vestibule Area: 17.5 sq. ft.
• Height: 42"
• Walls: Double

Pros

• Minimal pack size that rivals some backpacking tents
• Double wall and two door design bumps up livability
• Impressively sturdy for the weight
• Mostly solid interior fly holds in heat
• Studded with guy-out points

Cons

• Carbon fiber poles aren't the most durable, and need to be treated with care
• No interior room for gear, has to be stored out in vestibules

Morgan Tilton

Read Review: This Shelter Shoulders All Seasons: MSR Access 2 Tent Review

More than perhaps any other tent, the MSR Access 2 Tent ($800) best represents the line between 3- and 4-season tents, and is designed for winter backcountry ski touring where you’ll be camping at the edge of the alpine, and exploring the high-country during the day.

While this tent is best thought of as a “treeline” 4-season tent, I took the Access 2 to the land of very few trees for an alpine hike of the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland. In short, this tent prevailed on the Laugavegur, where winds ripped across the island and buffeted the highlands all day and night, but the Access 2 stood tough.

During my 3-day romp, I found the Access 2 to excel where other 4-season tents would have been dragged down, namely in weight and packability. Bundled up just as small as your leading backpacking tents, the Access 2 unfurls into a proper wall between you and the weather. The fly is slung low and is well guylined to provide good protection from spindrift (be it snow or volcanic pumice), and the added mid-line pole that runs over the doors really sturdies up the entire shelter.

As it’s made for deep winter use, the walls and ceiling are fairly steeply slanted, which provides for good snow sluffing, but it was a little tight quarters for true 4-season conditions. Thankfully, the twin vestibules jut out a good bit, and once you’ve dug some snow wells, your gear has a perfect place to idle. This space-shifting is one of the concessions the Access makes to hit its low weight and bulk numbers, but for the conditions it’s made for, it makes perfect sense.

The carbon fiber poles will have to be treated with care (during my tenure as a mountaineering shop manager, I saw more than a few guides limp home broken carbon poles), but taking your time with them is a low bar to hurdle in the name of tent longevity. 

Similar tents of the same feather include the REI Co-op Arete ASL 2 and the Copper Spur HV2 Expedition, but I found the Access to edge out all of them for the title of best shoulder-season champ. I’m already hatching plans to use the Access 2 during deep splitboard traverses in Washington’s Cascades this winter, and will update my review once this tent has done its time in the chill chest.

---

Best 4-Season Mid

SlingFin Cinder Cone Pyramid Tent

Check Price at SlingFin

8.6

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Weather Resistance
  8.0
• Living Space
  9.0
• Durability
  8.0
• Size & Weight
  9.0

Specifications

• Type: Basecamp and expeditions
• Weight: 2 lbs., 7.4 oz.
• Doors: 1
• Sleeps: 4
• Floor area: 81 sq. ft.
• Vestibule area: N/A
• Height: 72"
• Walls: Single or double

Pros

• Super-versatile setup options
• Many ventilation ports and systems
• Rugged nylon 66 and ALUULA Durlyte construction
• Small packed size

Cons

• Will need to be seam sealed
• No hang loop on the exterior of the tarp

Morgan Tilton

Read Review: Where Most Tents Fail, This Tarp Hunkers Down: SlingFin Cinder Cone Review

After proving itself in Patagonia and Alaska this year, I can confidently say that the SlingFin Cinder Cone ($490) is the best 4-season pyramid tarp available at the moment. This ‘mid has all of the modifications I’ve made to previous tarps that weren’t quite right for year-round use, like corner LineLocs and ample tensioning options, but also novel additions like ventilation portals to keep things cool.

This 4-person mid has the most interior space of any 4-season tent in my recommendations, at 81 square feet, but the catch is that you have to figure out the floor yourself. Thankfully, that makes the Cinder Cone super versatile, and it can be run without the optional inner mesh body in the summer (or winter, when you want to dig out a giant kitchen space), or added on, as I did this July in the Brooks Range when mosquitoes ran rampant.

The entire tarp is supported by a single pole, which you’ll also need to supply yourself. However, this approach is again more versatile: across a year of use, I used my trekking poles lashed together, a purpose-built carbon fiber stick, and my packraft paddle. The Cinder Cone can be set up tall to shuttle breezes under it, or slammed low, making it very resilient to high winds. Outside of Torres del Paine National Park this February, I set the tarp up in 50 mph winds, and while it wouldn’t be a fun night, the tarp stood strong.

The three ventilation portals high on the tarp are key in keeping fresh air moving through the tarp when the sun is really beating (like in a glacier camp), and they can be opened or closed as needed with drawcords. The hem of the tarp can also be drawn up to increase airflow, making this one of the best ventilation mids available.

The cost of versatility is always greater setup complexity, so if you’re not confident in your knots, you may be better served by a more conventional 4-season tent. But if your adventures vary (and you’re still up against rugged conditions), the Cinder Cone is a savvy option to consider.

---

Best Hunting 4-Season Tent

KUIU Storm Star 2 Person Tent

Check Price at KUIU

7.9

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Weather Resistance
  8.0
• Living Space
  7.0
• Durability
  7.0
• Size & Weight
  7.0

Specifications

• Material: Ripstop Nylon
• Weight: 5 lbs., 5.2 oz.
• Claimed Capacity: 2 adults
• Max Height: 45"
• Season: Four season

Pros

• Spacious vestibules at each door
• Eight interior pockets provide space to organize small items
• Adjustable vents help manage condensation
• Dimension-Polyant pole sleeves are rugged

Cons

• Not an ideal construction for warm weather
• Requires muscle to get the clips onto the poles

Morgan Tilton

Read Review: The KUIU Storm Star 2 Tent Shines, Regardless of Weather

For high-alpine elk hunts in the Colorado Rockies and chasing bighorns in Wyoming, the KUIU Storm Star 2 Person Tent ($599) is the right choice for hunkering down while you’re tracking big game. We’ve notched our tags while testing this tent and find it to be the best shelter to use while hunting long into the shoulder seasons.

Why? Well, for one, this tent is burly. We tested this shelter on the top of Berthoud Pass in Colorado during a spring storm, and thanks to the high-tension design and sound engineering, the structure hardly budged under gusts and shed heavy snow well. The fly of the Storm Star uses the same Dimension-Polyant fabric featured in the structure of the Mountain Hardwear AC 2, and it’s obvious why: This tough, non-stretch textile doesn’t budge when gusts tug at it and makes a perfect attachment point for the pole structure to fasten to.

Moving below decks, the durable floor and tub are constructed with 40-denier ripstop nylon and extend a full foot up the side of the shelter for extra protection. The shape of the interior itself is asymmetric, providing extra width at the tent’s head. With a waterproof rating of 3,000 mm for the rainfly and 5,000 mm for the floor, water has little chance of sneaking in. We also appreciate the interior webbing loops that help hang wet gear.

Compared to the Stone Glacier Skyscraper, the extended third vestibule pole of this tent greatly strengthens the design, and we noticed considerably less bowing when the wind was coming across the shelters at a full broadside. Also, because the poles are fastened externally on the Storm Star, you can leave the tent body attached to the fly during setup, meaning no more wet tent interior while you’re hustling to get your shelter built. While the Skyscraper does have it licked in a few metrics (slightly larger floorplan, cheaper), we’d happily trade it all for when things get truly medieval outside.

Our only gripe with this tent? For one, the two interior zippered vents that open up to the outside aren’t guarded by bug netting, which simply won’t fly when confronted with an Alaskan spring. Also, at 29.5 square feet of internal space for a two-person (the Trango 3 has 48 square feet), you’ll certainly be keeping the majority of your kit in the vestibules. Still, the Storm Star has a near-permanent spot in our hunting load-outs and is a true 4-season tent for almost any excursion.

---

Other 4-Season Tents We Trust

The North Face Assault 2 FUTURELIGHT Tent

Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at REI

7.9

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Weather Resistance
  8.0
• Living Space
  7.0
• Durability
  7.0
• Size & Weight
  7.0

Specifications

• Type: High-alpine mountaineering
• Weight: 5 lbs., 7 oz.
• Doors: 1.5
• Sleeps: 2
• Floor area: 26.7 sq. ft.
• Vestibule area: Unpublished
• Height: 42"
• Walls: Single

Pros

• Removable vestibule allows to strip weight while on route
• Tight footprint for setup on small ledges
• Easy to set up body with unique interior pole design
• Large vents and breathable fabric minimize condensation

Cons

• Finicky vestibule setup
• Vent construction causes snow to become trapped
• Heavy compared to true bivy-style tents

Morgan Tilton

Read Review: Where Alpine Bivy Meets Basecamp: The North Face Assault 2 FUTURELIGHT Tent Review

There’s stormworthiness, and then there’s using a shelter made from a 100% waterproof-breathable membrane. The North Face Assault 2 Tent ($800) falls into the latter camp and utilizes the brand’s ultra-breathable FUTURELIGHT textile, found in its high-end hardshell jackets, to keep the worst tempests at bay.

There are only a handful of tents on the market that use this construction (the Samaya 2.5 also does), and we most recently tested the Assault 2 by putting it in the hands of Eli Spitulnik, a mountain guide in Washington State, who used it during a week-long Denali Prep program where he trained climbers on what to expect on the High One. In typical fashion, it snowed near-constantly, and despite the huge pressure of nearly being buried, no moisture made it in.

The bivy-style single-wall tent is set up in the typical fashion with a set of poles crossed on the interior of the shelter. A short brow pole helps to bump out the headspace and covers two of the four vented windows, although it is quite challenging to get into place. The included vestibule is a left turn from most bivy tents and sets up with its own pole. This space is far enough for two climbers, and Spitulnik was able to fit his entire expedition duffel and dig out a well for pulling on boots.

At north of 5 pounds, the Assault 2 can’t quite be lumped in with the true bivy-style tents like the SlingFin HotBox or the Mountain Hardwear AC 2, but it’s also a good bit more snug than other basecamp tents, putting this shelter in a unique place. We see it as a perfect option for folks who are doing long sea-to-summit type expeditions, where needs change constantly and protection is paramount.

---

Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4

$849 at Hyperlite Mountain Gear

7.9

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Weather Resistance
  7.0
• Living Space
  8.0
• Durability
  7.0
• Size & Weight
  8.0

Specifications

• Type: Basecamp and expeditions
• Weight: 1 lb., 11 oz.
• Doors: 1
• Sleeps: 4
• Floor Area: 85 sq. ft.
• Vestibule Area: N/A
• Height: 75"
• Walls: Single

Pros

• Very lightweight at sub-2 pounds
• Versatile with multiple interior accessories
• Four-season utility with correct guying out
• Can use a number of different poles to suspend
• Functions as a sleeping shelter, or group cook tent

Cons

• Doesn't pack down as small as some ultralight tents
• High price point
• No internal organization features

Morgan Tilton

Read Review: A Featherlight Palace: Hyperlite UltaMid 4 Ultralight Tent Review

While a tarp might not scream 4-season worthiness, properly-pitched pyramid shelters can be rock-steady against a serious blow, and the Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4 ($849) is the idea taken to the Nth degree, decked out in space-age Dyneema Composite Fabric which keeps weight staggeringly low, as well as providing a sturdy no-stretch canopy to dig out beneath.

Setting up with either your trekking poles or a separately available carbon fiber unit, the 769-gram shelter (read: 5x lighter than the Mountain Hardwear Trango 3) can provide cover for up to four climbers and packs down as small as a loaf of bread. The impetus is on you to shore up the shelter with things like snow walls, but when using all of the available guy-out points, we’ve seen mids like this weather storms on Denali.

The 85 sq. feet of floor space may seem downright huge, but keep in mind that the angle of the walls will negate some of this space in your final setup. Still, digging down into the snow allows you to build out the shelter to your specs, whether that’s a couple of sleeping platforms and a kitchen area, or a stately pleasure dome to invite the whole crew into. Hyperlite also offers a number of different inner options (mesh no floor, half- and full inserts) but you’ll have to fork over the dough for them, with even the half inner demanding $299.

For some, the high-tech material (and brow-raising price tag) might take the UltaMid out of the running, but an equally burly pyramid shelter can be had in the SlingFin Cinder Cone ($490) and, to a lesser degree, the MSR Front Range Tarp ($380). Both of these mids use a more familiar polyester or ripstop nylon in their canopies. They are going to be heavier, but they will also pack down a bit smaller than the DCF UltaMid.

On long glacier expeditions, overall weight typically takes priority over bulk, and as such, the UltaMid 4 remains one of the go-to options for long stints on the ice.

---

Samaya 2.5 Tent

Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at Black Ovis

8.1

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Weather Resistance
  8.0
• Living Space
  8.0
• Durability
  7.0
• Size & Weight
  9.0

Specifications

• Type: Alpinism and basecamp
• Weight: 3 lbs., 12 oz.
• Doors: 1
• Sleeps: 2-3
• Floor Area: 34.4 sq. ft.
• Vestibule Area: (Optional) 20.5 sq. ft.
• Height: 47"
• Walls: Single

Pros

• Waterproof-breathable Nanovent membrane canopy
• 2.5-person capacity provides plenty of space for kit
• Long and deep storage pockets
• Smart overhead vent system
• Self-equalizing guylines

Cons

• Top-dollar price
• Single door can lead to drips on entry
• Finicky setup
• Included stakes aren't confidence-inspiring

Morgan Tilton

Read Review: Samaya Brings Electro-Spun Tech to Single-Wall Tents: 2.5 ‘Nanovent’ Tent Review

Hewn from an electro-spun and air-permeable membrane, the Samaya 2.5 ($1,200) cranks the dial to the extreme in both overall breathability and weight. The full 2.5-person tent tips the scales at a staggering 3 pounds, 12 ounces, and is the expedition tent du jour if you are treading on the bleeding edge of alpinism and climbing deeper and further than others before.

But let’s start with that membrane. Samaya’s 3-layer polyurethane ‘Nanovent’ variant is a novel answer to the classic trying not to get soaked question, and is an air-permeable single skin that is laid up with a 7D exterior nylon and mated to a Dyneema Composite Fabric floor. This build puts it more so in the “supercar” than the “sedan” side of 4-season tents, and in my testing, it worked admirably.

Moving on to the overall structure, the dome-style design is basecamp-proven, and sets up with three DAC FeatherLite poles in a hexagon shape that sports 34.4 square feet of space. In practice, I found this to be the perfect amount of space for two climbers and their kit inside, or for three close friends in less-desirable conditions.

During testing in the Washington Cascades this summer, I used the Samaya 2.5 to summit some remote glaciated peaks, and found the small packed size to be a huge boon in keeping my pack as small as possible. Some other tents might be smaller, but none provide as much breathability, which is typically where a lot of other bivy-style tents wilt.

Obviously, all of this space-age tech comes with a space-age price, and at $1,200, it’s easily one of the most high-dollar rigs in our line-up today. But considering that oftentimes airfare alone to get into the remote ranges where this tent shines will cost you that, and the caliber of alpinist it’s aimed at, it makes a good bit more sense.

Sure, a tent of this magnitude won’t make sense for most climbers (I recommend the Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 as a much better generalist), but if you’re going far and need to go light, the Samaya 2.5 is a 4-season tent to hang your alpine aspirations on.

---

Mountain Hardwear AC 2

Check Price at REI

7.0

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Weather Resistance
  7.0
• Living Space
  5.0
• Durability
  7.0
• Size & Weight
  8.0

Specifications

• Type: High-alpine mountaineering
• Weight: 3 lbs., 15.9 oz.
• Doors: 1
• Sleeps: 2
• Floor Area: 25.3 sq. ft.
• Vestibule Area: N/A
• Height: 45"
• Walls: Single

Pros

• Tension Arch design holds strong against gales
• Proper 10,000 mm waterproofed canopy
• Bug-net second doors aids in ventilation
• Many guy-out points for securing tent down to ledge
• D-shaped door doesn't lay on floor when opened

Cons

• Very minimal floor plan requires tip-to-tail sleeping arrangements
• Ventilation won't be the best in liquid-precip situations

Morgan Tilton

Ready to be shoehorned into your bivy ledge on the Cassin Ridge, the Mountain Hardwear AC 2 ($750) is one of my top choices for a small footprint on-route shelter that can be deployed near anywhere. Compared to the obviously similar Black Diamond Firstlight, the AC 2 has it just about licked in a number of different facets, and none of them minor — making this tent a much better bivy-style shelter in our opinion. 

For one, the AC 2 makes use of a proper waterproof canopy (speccing out at a waterproof rating of 10,000 mm), whereas the NanoShield fabric of the Firstlight is only water-resistant and not seam-sealed. In ground-truthing, I found the material of the AC 2 to stand tall against the autumn tempests that roil the Pacific Northwest, while the Firstlight could not, leading to our guide pals to grace the later tent with a rather sorry nickname: the ‘FirstWet.’

While it’s true that tents of this stripe are best used in altitudes where any precip you might encounter will be frozen, practice has shown that folks will use them just about anywhere, and having proper waterproofing adds a good amount of versatility. Moving on to the structure, the AC 2 erects with an X-patterned arch system of non-stretch Dimension-Polyant fabric, which serves as a strong backbone to suspend the tent on. I found this much easier to set up over the internal pole system of the Firstlight, and was a good bit sturdier. Another point to the AC 2.

Ventilation is the Achilles heel of any bivy-style tent, and while the AC 2 gained an extra peak vent over its predecessor, the Direkt 2, it still struggles in high moisture-content conditions to really move air around the tent. The second mesh screen door is a big help here (given it’s not actively raining), but in most other situations, you’d better hope it’s cold enough to frost, or deal with it. This is the main reason that I recommend the Slingfin HotBox as a bivy shelter over the AC 2 for most folks.

Granted, there are a few areas I’ll concede to the Firstlight, including a slightly larger floorplan (82” x 48” to the 81” x 45” of the AC 2), as well as a good bit cheaper price. The weight of the AC 2 is also approximately 10 ounces more, and for real ounce-counters, this might make a real difference when everything on route is being accounted for.

Finally, while there are hyper-bivy tents that make use of Dyneema and carbon fiber poles, they demand you fork over two grand for the luxury, and I found the price tag on the AC 2 to be at least palatable for your typical expedition climber. When the route is steep — and the temps will stay low — the AC 2 is a great option.

---

Big Agnes Battle Mountain 3

Check Price at Backcountry

6.7

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Weather Resistance
  7.0
• Living Space
  6.0
• Durability
  6.0
• Size & Weight
  6.0

Specifications

• Type: Mountaineering and expeditions
• Weight: 8 lbs., 13 oz.
• Doors: 2
• Sleeps: 3
• Floor Area: 44 sq. ft.
• Vestibule Area: 13 + 6 sq. ft.
• Height: 44"
• Walls: Double

Pros

• Durable enough to withstand harsh winter conditions
• Lightweight compared to many 4-season tents
• Fast Fly mode allows for faster setup and lighter weight
• Comfortably fits three people and gear
• Self-equalizing guy points make it easy to pull tent taut

Cons

• Heavier than most 3-season tents
• Not super breathable in warmer months
• Other comparable tents have more floor area

Morgan Tilton

Read Review: Big Agnes Battle Mountain 3 Tent Review: Passing Alpine Blizzard Tests With Flying Colors

Another dependable, lightweight, freestanding four-season abode is the Big Agnes Battle Mountain 3 ($900). This construction excels in mountaineering trips and against super-windy conditions, and when we tested the shelter with ascents of both Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier, as well as during ski touring in Colorado’s Gore Range, it was unflinching in its performance.

The tent itself is supported by a set of four DAC NSL poles (in a similar configuration to the Mountain Hardwear Trango 3) that cross over one another in multiple areas to bolster strength. These attach to the tent body with both twist clips and wide-gated hooks, which makes for easy set-up even when wearing gloves. The fly itself requires one additional pole to set up, but gaining the large 13-square-foot landing area makes it all worth it. In deep snow conditions, we dug down into this area to make a perfect footwell for putting on boots and storing gear.

Similar to the design of the Stone Glacier Skyscraper, the Battle Mountain also makes use of internal guylines that can be cinched down to add further rigidity to the structure, in addition to the Velcro tabs on the underside of the fly that affixes it to the pole structure. These small additions really help shore up the Battle Mountain against harsh winds and snow loads.

At 44 square feet of internal space, the Battle Mountain 3 feels a bit snug for 3 climbers and their kit, but two climbers will find it downright palatial. For less weight, you can get more floor area in the Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 — a shelter only designed for 2 people! Because they’re the same price, we tend to lean on the Trango more than the Big Agnes, but as a viable option from a legacy brand, the Battle Mountain makes the grade.

---

NEMO Equipment Kunai 3

Check Price at REI

Specifications

• Type: Backpacking and mountaineering
• Weight: 5 lbs., 3 oz.
• Doors: 1
• Sleeps: 3 adults
• Floor Area: 36.5 sq. ft.
• Vestibule Area: 13 sq. ft.
• Height: 45"
• Walls: Double

Pros

• Nice 3/4 season option for backpackers headed into winter
• Good airflow and moisture management
• Great headroom
• Fairly lightweight compared to other options

Cons

• Too short in length for some folks
• Zippers aren’t all burly and seem a bit cheap
• Only one door can be a drawback for some travelers

Morgan Tilton

The NEMO Kunai 3-4-Season Backpacking Tent ($699) is a solid freestanding choice for a broad range of conditions from hot, humid environments to rain, high wind, or snowy blasts. Setting up the tent was super quick, and it has a number of features that boost the overall livability.

In a similar vein to the Big Agnes Battle Mountain 3, this is another 3/4-season tent from a brand with deep roots in backpacking shelters that have taken what they know there and applied it to the rough and tumble Kunai, a shelter that doesn’t shy away from a poor forecast. For summer and fall backpacking trips into the alpine, this build is light, strong, and a top pick. For a long mountaineering expedition, it’s a friendly weight for carrying up a mountain, but wouldn’t be our first pick for a 2-foot dump or hunkering down in an ongoing blizzard.

Laid out in a familiar manner, the Kunai uses a four-pole set up to bolster the ends of the shelter but stops shy of extending that fourth pole down to the middle of the tent body. This saves a bit of weight, but it does create a slightly less sturdy shelter overall. The Kunai also employs more mesh in the inner design over other tents, opting for two long windows along the sides of the inner. You can’t actually see out of these apertures, but they are great for optimizing venting when condensation might rear its head.

Turning to the interior of the shelter, we were impressed with the six passive vents around the fly, and along the walls, there are seven mesh pockets of varying sizes to help organize accessories. The canopy is a 20-denier nylon ripstop fabric, and the floor is even tougher, with a 30-denier rating. The single door will be a bit of a drag for the full complement of three climbers, but the vestibule does make a good staging area.

Perfect for extending your hiking seasons (or predictable weather on popular mountaineering routes), the Kunai 3 is an adaptable shelter that is lighter on the back but still puts up a good fight. It’s a good bit more out of pocket than our best budget pick, the REI Co-op Arete ASL 2, but if you’re willing to trade more dollars for less weight, it’s a viable option.

---

4-Season Tents Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best 4-Season Tents

Proving the mettle of 4-season tents is no joke. From driving snowstorms to freezing temps — you have to be fully immersed in the conditions that make them expedition-worthy. To create this guide, the GearJunkie team does just that, and every year, we put each model through its paces in brutal conditions — trying to find the limit of these bomb-proof shelters so you don’t have to.

Our Testing Process and Testing Locations

The majority of our testing occurs on Kulshan — also known as Mt. Baker — a 10,786-foot Pacific Northwest volcano that generates its own weather, fueled by moisture-rich storms off the Pacific. From this test bed, we are able to experience all manner of alpine conditions, including 24-hour snowfall measured in feet, gusts that will knock over rock walls, and sometimes, electrical storms.

During testing, we scrutinized each tent with some specific criteria in mind — durability, extreme weather resistance, and livability — to offer a variety of options for different objectives. We also strive to test 4-season shelters in a variety of climates, as the dry and frigid alpine of Colorado is a whole different ball game compared to the tempest-whipped western flanks of the Cascades. Our notes were also compared with the knowledge of experienced AMGA-certified mountain guides to ensure that these are the best 4-season tents available today.

Whether you’re making an assault into the Alaska Range or overlanding into the backcountry on a hunting excursion, we’d feel confident recommending anything on this list for the toughest of adventures.

Out of the field, we also stacked these tents up side by side in a handful of bench tests to get the nitty gritty on specs, and ensure that manufacturers’ claims are accurate. This includes measuring weights in-house, comparing floor area when using standard and wide-width sleeping pads, looking at packed volumes, and comparing the ease of set-up when providing the tent to testers with no instructions.

Our Expert Testers

Our team includes mountaineers, alpine climbers, skiers, splitboarders, and high-country hunters of every stripe, living and recreating in the ice chests of the Rockies, Sierra, and Cascades. Senior snow sports Editor Morgan Tilton grew up in the mountains of Colorado and makes year-round travel into the mountains look easy — living and playing in the hills around Southwest Colorado. Tilton has been putting skis, snowshoes, and mountaineering boots on the ground for this guide since 2021 and began our look into 4-season shelters with a slate of 10 of the best from across the spectrum.

In addition, I, Senior Editor Nick Belcaster, also tied in and punched in my fair share of the route in order to test these tents — climbing and mountaineering in the North Cascades of Washington State and British Columbia. I have several years of experience helping to lead the Equipment arm of one of the country’s larger mountaineering guide operations, the American Alpine Institute.

My experience also extends to having coordinated the equipping of a season of guided Denali ascents for around 100 people, which involved everything from rigging expedition sleds to ensuring it all had a ski plane to fly out on. There’s little space in a turboprop Beaver for sub-par tents — and even less in our closets — which demands a hard look at what really works out on the ice.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a 4-Season Tent

The burliest four-season tents are constructed to withstand brutal winds, shed heavy snowpack or rain, and comfortably store gear in a protected cubby. The tradeoff? These designs can often retain summertime warmth and humidity.

Year-round tents are protective across variable and tough conditions, but they’re not the most airy for hotter days or nights. Also, the high-end construction requires beefier material that sports a bigger bill than most three-season builds.

All options considered, these heavier-set tents are a dependable choice for mountaineers, expeditionists, and other seasoned outdoor travelers who want a dependable structure any day of the year that provides protection in the harshest elements. If you’re looking for something that’ll be better for fairer conditions (and nicer to carry on your back), check out our guides on the Best Backpacking Tents and Best Ultralight Tents. And if you’re having trouble deciding what kind of tent you need, our primer on How to Choose the Best Tent for Camping or Backpacking is illuminating.

Seasonality

Tents are typically built for three-season or four-season conditions. A three-season tent will suffice if you plan on using your tent across the spring, summer, and fall.

The infrastructure of a three-season tent can handle rain and light snow. Usually, these builds are not ideal for heavy snow, super-high winds, or vicious storms — like the blizzard conditions you might face while ski mountaineering. A four-season tent is a better choice for full-on winter, the weight of snow, and strong winds.

Types of 4-Season Tents

A spectrum of designs exists within the four-season tent category. For instance, our lineup here includes year-round tents for vehicles from truck beds to rooftops. Folks often seek four-season tents for backpacking and hunting in inclement weather in the winter, along alpine routes, or during the shoulder seasons.

People need four-season shelters for mountaineering, with or without skis, or winter backcountry trips. Some of these tents are better suited above or below treeline, while others are perfect for polar exploration.

Mountaineering tents are often streamlined and constructed with a single wall to save weight and easily move camp day to day on a long, challenging expedition. In contrast, a basecamp tent is roomier and weighs more.

Basecamp tents are a comfortable choice for a shorter haul to a lower point where adventurers need to spend time acclimating to altitude or waiting for a safe weather window. Most of these designs are double-walled to help enhance ventilation and prevent condensation, and a broad range of capacities exist to house large groups or a ton of gear.

Tunnel tents can withstand brutal wind — think 70 mph — better than dome or wedge-style tents, which can hit a limit of around 50 mph. But tunnel tents are not freestanding.

Capacity & Doors

Folks aiming for lighter-weight four-season tents can invest in a one- or two-person design. Three- and four-person tents are a common choice, too, while some four-season basecamp options are large enough to fit big groups of six or more people.

Your ideal tent capacity depends on the number of campers, their overall size, and how much equipment you need to store inside the tent or vestibule. Brands generally categorize their tents based on the number of people, but the dimensions — length, width, height, and vestibule size — vary from tent to tent.

The tent’s peak height, which is where the tent is the tallest, also differs between each model. It’s nice to have a generous height in a four-season tent when the weather turns south and you really need to hunker down.

Get out your tape measure as you research. If you’re tall or wide, pay extra attention to the width and length of the tent’s dimensions as well as the area of your sleeping pad. And consider how much storage space you’ll want for gear. It’s also a good idea to visit a local retailer where the tent can be set up for you to check out in person.

You’ll want to consider whether one or two doors are more functional for you. Two doors can be helpful for each sleeper to have their own exit and entry or to access gear organized in multiple vestibules. But eliminating a door can cut weight and cost.

Vestibule & Interior Storage

To help protect equipment, four-season tents have one or two zipper-enclosed vestibule doors — but not all vestibules are created equal. They each have a unique volume, height, and shape.

Some vestibule entries include a double door like on the Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 Tent or interior loops to hang items like in the MSR Remote 2. The Remote 2 also features a storm flap along the bottom and a ventilation window along the top, which are strategic additions.

Compare your body and sleeping pad measurements to the tent’s width and length. If your expedition requires a lot of gear, it can be nice — or necessary — to have extra room to bring cargo inside the cabin. Otherwise, the vestibule can be a great spot to leave the pack or boots. The foyer is also a good place to cook over a compact, portable stove if you’re stuck in the tent due to hair-raising weather.

Inside, four-season tents usually have mesh pockets along the wall to store items like a phone or headlamp. Again, these features are not universal. The Remote 2 only has two mesh pockets, while the Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 Tent has more than 10 pouches that line the walls and ceiling.

Generally, lighter tents don’t have as many storage compartments as heavier tent designs. Another nice touch is interior loops for hanging a clothesline, carabiners, or to clip a lantern.

Weight

A dwelling’s weight hinges on the materials, size, and whether the walls are single or double. Most four-season tent specs include a trail or minimal weight and a packaged weight — the former doesn’t include stakes, guylines, or stuff sacks. (We highlight the minimal weight of the products listed in this guide.)

One of the lightest four-season tents on the market is the Hilleberg Akto 1 Tent for a single person, tapping in at 3 pounds, 12 ounces. By comparison, the Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 Tent is 11 pounds, 5 ounces, but significantly more storm-worthy and spacious.

The sizes and weights of the tents in our guide vary widely. The heaviest option is a basecamp tent with room for three adults that weighs close to 9 pounds. Our lightest choice is the Samaya 2.5 Tent, which utilizes Dyneema Composite Fabric and is only 3 pounds 12 ounces. Weight is most crucial if you’ll be hauling your tent for consecutive days and want to minimize the heft of your load.

Regardless of weight, you’ll need to select a tent that delivers the protection and features you need — like two doors, the capacity for three people, or a large vestibule. Generally, the lighter a tent is, the less headroom there is. But cutting ounces isn’t as important as being adequately protected in the conditions where you plan to go.

If you’re picking a four-season rooftop tent that will be stationary, the weight matters less but needs to be within your manufacturer’s roof rack requirements.

Ventilation

The nemesis of four-season tents is the challenge of providing excellent ventilation. While ultralight tents often feature walls constructed of mesh, storm doors that furl back, or no walls at all for airflow, four-season tents don’t. These structures feature minimal windows to optimize structural protection and warmth in wind, rain, and heavy snow.

Walls constructed of mesh decrease the overall temperature inside the tent, so the majority of four-season tent walls are solid fabric. Simultaneously, if you’re posted up inside your tent for a bout of stormy weather, you’ll want good ventilation to minimize indoor frost and moisture.

Well-designed four-season tents have integrated passive ventilation ports or windows in the tent and rainfly. These vents can keep out snow while minimizing condensation, so the inside of the tent doesn’t feel clammy. The MSR Remote 2 fly features four vents with snow flaps, which provide ventilation and help reduce condensation while keeping out spindrift.

Single-Wall vs. Double-Wall Tents

Tents are either single-wall or double-wall designs. Single-wall tents are lighter-weight, nonbreathable, waterproof, and don’t include a rainfly. They typically don’t offer as much storage for gear.

A double-wall tent actually contains two items: a breathable tent paired with a waterproof rainfly. The setup usually offers vestibule space to stash equipment.

The kit weighs more and requires more time to set up compared to a single-wall tent. Single-wall tents are less breathable and produce more condensation but can be worthwhile for light, fast, difficult mountaineering missions where minimal weight is preferred.

Material & Durability

A price tag is usually reflected in the balance of the materials’ durability and weight. Ultralight, strong materials often cost more than heavier fabrics. The KUIU Storm Star 2 Person Tent is constructed with a 40-denier ripstop nylon tub and floor and a 30-denier tent body that has a DWR (durable water-repellent) coating. The tent is 29.5 square feet and weighs 5 pounds, 5.2 ounces.

In contrast, the NEMO Equipment Kunai 3 is 36.5 square feet but only weighs 5 pounds, 3 ounces. The tent is constructed with ultralight waterproof-breathable nylon and a polyurethane-coated floor.

A separate footprint, or groundsheet, isn’t required for an enclosed single-wall tent. Lightweight materials are pretty durable, but they tend to break down if they’re roughly handled. Investing in a lighter-weight bundle means the recreationist should be mindful with gear care.

Bathtub Floor

A bathtub floor means the waterproof fabric comprising the floor extends a few inches off the ground and up the tent walls. Often four-season setups have a bathtub floor for extra protection during a weather event.

Waterproofness

The material used in tent construction is either inherently waterproof or treated with a DWR coating to block precipitation. If the fabric is treated, it’ll eventually need a refresh, depending on the conditions faced, user care, and volume of use.

Tent Setup & Poles

The majority of our top four-season tents are freestanding. This type of skeleton takes more time to assemble because the ground needs to offset the stake just right — especially if it’s windy or rainy out.

In contrast, tunnel tents or ultralightweight tents and shelters are nonfreestanding, meaning they don’t include tent poles to be hoisted. Instead, one or two trekking poles plus stakes are used to elevate three-season tents. And four-season tunnel tents need to be staked down extremely well with rocks in summer or grippy stakes in winter.

Many four-season tents have color-coded poles and pole clips or pockets on the canopy and fly. That addition helps recreationists efficiently put up their shelter when time is crucial and they need to get out of the elements. These year-round designs also feature strategically placed guylines, often with reinforced attachment points, and many loops to stake down the tent.

The poles vary from tent to tent. The KUIU Storm Star 2 Person Tent features DAC NFL poles, which are a super-lightweight aluminum alloy blend that’s extra strong and stiff. The Big Agnes Battle Mountain 3 has the DAC NSL aluminum poles, which are still lightweight yet slightly stronger.

Price & Value

Protection from unkind elements comes at a price, and 4-season tents tend to be some of the more expensive shelters you might spend your money on. That said, there’s a definite range of options available and, based on your needs, a range of prices that its worth spending to get the right shelter for you.

Budget

If you’re more of a backpacker looking to tread into the fourth season or simply aren’t looking at overnight stays in the worst weather out there, there’s good reason to save your bills and spend them somewhere more wisely (such as on a warmer sleeping bag). These tents tend to be of the 3/4-season variety, meaning they utilize structures seen in more storm-worthy shelters but often using lighter materials.

The REI Co-op Arete ASL 2 ($449) is an excellent example and, design-wise, is similar to the battle-hardened Mountain Hardwear Trango series, just in a lighter cut. The KUIU Storm Star 2 Person Tent ($599) is also on the cheap(er) side of things, and the more minimal floor area of >30 sq. ft. is typical of this range of tents.

Mid-Tier

Your bread and butter 4-season tents will likely run you between $600-800, with some reaching a bit higher than that. This is some good coin to drop on a shelter, but you do get a lot in return: Thicker 10mm poles are common, along with more durable 70D+ fly materials that won’t shred under harsh winds. Vestibules will also be larger, meaning you can stash all of your kit outside the sleeping quarters.

The Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 Tent ($1,050) is at the upper end of this range, but we think it’s the best value out there for a tent with a serious lineage. The five pole design is very sturdy against hard blows, and the spacious interior is larger than most other 2-person shelters to accommodate large sleeping bags. You’ll also see more special use-case tents here, like the ski trip-worthy MSR Access 2 Tent ($800), and the on-route bivy style SlingFin HotBox ($750).

Premium

If you need the absolute best in protection, look for brands such as Samaya and Hilleberg. These $1,000+ shelters use cutting-edge materials and designs and are tested at the bitter edge to ensure they last. Hilleberg’s Black Label tents are made with the brand’s Kerlon 1800 fabric, which is coated on both sides with silicone to create an uber-tough fabric, while the Samaya 2.5 Tent ($1,200) uses Dyneema Composite Fabric — a superlight waterproof textile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apparel

The Best Hardshell Jackets of 2025

After months of testing in the harshest of conditions, these are the best hardshell jackets to brave the alpine with in 2025.

Backpacking

The Best Backpacking Tents of 2025

Whether you’re looking to spend 100 nights on the trail or stick to a tight budget, we’ve found the best backpacking tents of 2025.

If you’re going to camp outside, chances are you’ll need a good mobile roof over your head — unless you’re one of those cowboy-camping thru-hiker types. We’ve logged some shut-eye in hundreds of shelters, intensely used more than 40, and winnowed down our gear rooms to the 12 best of the best camping tents out there today.

Our team of experts brings decades of camping experience in every sort of condition imaginable, from national park campgrounds to multiday festivals to long road trips. We weighed them on everything from ease of set-up and headroom to how fun and funky the color schemes are.

Some tents are wilder nests that thrive in a more backcountry-adjacent use, like the Kelty Discovery Basecamp, while others, like my top pick, the REI Co-op Base Camp 6, are downright frontcountry palatial. I’ve also found having a real gear garage like the The North Face Wawona 4 in the stable to be important on equipment-heavy trips, and a front-to-backcountry tent like the REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus to work for a range of different adventures.

Consider these award winners my top six for pretty much any camper, followed by a series of solid shelters for more specific camping weekends.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Camping Tent guide on November 17, 2025, to add additional information on our rating system, which takes experience from both our field and bench testing to compare these tents side-by-side.

Best Overall Camping Tent

REI Co-op Base Camp 6

Check Price at REI

8.9

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Livability
  8.0
• Weather Protection
  9.0
• Durability
  8.0
• Ease of Set Up
  7.0

Specifications

• Floor area: 84 sq. ft. (110" x 110")
• Weight: 20 lbs., 11.5 oz.
• Height: 74"
• Footprint included: No
• Number of doors: Two
• Carry size: 24" x 11" x 11"
• Seasons: 3-4 season
• Best for: All-weather camping where comfort is in high demand

Pros

• Huge vestibule
• Excellent weather resistance
• Easy to set up
• Compatible with other REI tent accessories such as canopies

Cons

• Heavy at 20 pounds
• Expensive

Nick Belcaster

Read Review: Extended Shade, Seamless Shelter: REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent and Vehicle Connector Review

The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 ($569) reigns supreme when it comes to a camping tent tuned to do it all. It may not be the largest, the tallest, or the most affordable, but it does have everything it takes to make camping easy. With 84 square feet of floor space, there’s plenty of room for up to six campers to slumber under the stars.

With a mountaineering-inspired design, the Base Camp 6 employs a durable polyester rainfly that provides full coverage and a sizable vestibule for gear storage, creating 27 square feet of covered space in the front and 17 in the back. Four poles gird the main body and gain strength by intersecting one another, while a final brow pole bumps out the vestibule for added space.

Useful features like pockets, a three-point ventilation system, and reflective trim that shines in the light of a headlamp make this tent the perfect spot to hang out, whether the weather is fair or foul. Large doors at either end make for an easy exit when nature calls, without having to crawl over all of your tentmates.

Colorado camper Meghan LaHatte also tested this tent with the newly released Base Camp Vehicle Connector, an awning specially made to interface with the 4- and 6-person Base Camp tents and connect your living space to the back of your vehicle. This breezeway made a killer spot to park a quartet of camp chairs, and she dug the versatile accessory.

Thanks to the intuitive color-coded poles and attachment points, LaHatte had no trouble erecting the tent in Colorado this spring. For the uninitiated, very clear setup instructions are sewn into the tent’s storage bag. Compared to the similar Mountain Hardwear Bridger, we agreed that the Base Camp is slightly easier to set up.

This tent is freestanding, meaning it can stay up without stakes or guylines. While this is quick and convenient for when you roll up to your campsite in the middle of the night, going the extra mile and using all the included stakes and guylines is well worth the effort. Once fully staked out, the Base Camp 6 is impervious to rain and also stands up well against heavy winds.

The Base Camp 6 is just a hair over 6 feet at its apex, so taller folks won’t be able to stand straight up, and with a packed weight of 20 pounds, it’s limited to car camping. It’s also one of the more expensive models on our list, but if you’re fortunate enough to get out camping a few times a year, this tent is worth every penny.

---

Best Budget Camping Tent

Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4

$110 at AmazonCheck Price at REI

6.8

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Livability
  6.0
• Weather Protection
  6.0
• Durability
  7.0
• Ease of Set Up
  7.0

Specifications

• Floor Area: 53 sq. ft. (97" x 79")
• Weight: 8 lbs., 8 oz.
• Height: 58"
• Footprint Included: No
• Number of Doors: One
• Carry Size: 23" x 6"
• Seasons: 3-season
• Best For: Casual weekends of car camping, festivals, beach camping

Pros

• Easy and intuitive to set up
• Inexpensive
• Pre-attached guylines
• Storage duffel is easy to stuff and unpack

Cons

• Rainfly isn't full protection
• Fiberglass poles

Nick Belcaster

While there is a glut of budget camping tents on the market, too many have gone too far in trimming features and comfort. The Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4 ($120) isn’t one among them, however, and hits all of the bullet points I’m after, without also coming for your wallet. Done up in an instantly recognizable design, this tent doesn’t take many shortcuts.

Set up with a crossed-pole design, the Discovery Basecamp makes raising the roof easier, including ‘Quick Corners’ — which are short pole sleeves to secure the pole ends. From there, modern pole clips suspend the canopy, which, while not my favorite, helps to keep the price down. When testing in Joshua Tree National Park in early spring, I had little issue setting up the tent sans instructions.

Some other budget-minded tents (like the REI Co-op Campwell 4) attempt to shave ounces (and dollar signs) by hemming the rainfly up high and tight, exposing windows to wind-driven rain, but the Discovery Basecamp makes use of a brow pole to set the porch coverage back far and protect the door window. When fully staked and with the rainfly guyed out, this tent does a commendable job keeping its inhabitants dry, especially considering the price.

While it only has one door, that door is huge, so access is easy. Each side is lined with a few storage pockets, so you’ll have no problem staying organized and keeping the floor free of knick-knacks. While the Discovery Basecamp takes a more traditional approach, it isn’t the tallest tent, and those looking for more vertical should look to the Eureka Copper Canyon LX — a cabin-styled tent that trades weather protection for comfort.

Available in both a 4- and a 6-person size, the Discovery Basecamp 4 is an easy choice for folks looking for their first camping tent, or even just a beater you aren’t worried about leaving it up on the lawn. Don’t expect it to last forever at $120, but for the money, there are plenty of summers in this tent.

---

Best in Vestibule Storage Space

The North Face Wawona 4

Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry

8.0

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Livability
  8.0
• Weather Protection
  7.0
• Durability
  8.0
• Ease of Set Up
  7.0

Specifications

• Floor Area: 58 sq. ft. (96" x 90")
• Weight: 13 lbs.
• Height:  68"
• Footprint Included: No
• Number of Doors: Two
• Carry Size: 27" x 10" x 10"
• Seasons: 3-season
• Best For: Camping with extra kit to store in the vestibules, or just kicking back beneath the shade

Pros

• Unique second door design
• Plenty of interior storage pocket options
• High interior ceiling
• Relatively lightweight for the space

Cons

• Rainfly isn’t the most intuitive to put on
• Rear door isn’t covered by rainfly

Nick Belcaster

Recently updated, The North Face Wawona 4 ($450) got a second skin, going from a single- to double-wall design, and its poles have been re-engineered for easier setup — both worthy upgrades. The tent did just become $50 more expensive, which blunts the benefits a bit, but I still think it’s a solid shelter.

It’s the small things that make the Wawona (which, if you’re wondering, was the name of a famous giant sequoia in Yosemite National Park) tick. A unique hooped pole design kicks out the large vestibule to a comfy 28 square feet of space and provides plenty of dry room to shuffle gear about.

Then there are the interior features: A smaller rear door doubles as an organizational center, while an interior height of 68 inches allows for easy walking about inside the tent. I greatly appreciated the breathability built into the Wawona on a night camping in Washington’s San Juan Islands, where moisture from the sea can be heavy, and keeping air moving is a priority. 

I struggled with the rainfly the first go around, as it has an unusual shape that goes to the ground at the vestibule and then up to window height along the body of the tent. Once I figured out which way was up, snapping it into place was an (adjustable) breeze. 

The fly also doesn’t cover the rear door, although it does sport a waterproof zipper. My testing hasn’t shown this to be a weak point necessarily, but I have some doubts the tent would keep heavy rain entirely at bay. Because of this, the more weather-resistant REI Co-op Base Camp 6 ranks higher in our lineup.

For more fair weather conditions, however, the Wawona 4 offers a boatload of space for families that bring plenty along on their camping trips. Just consider what the weatherperson has in store for you.

---

Most Livable 4-Person Camping Tent

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P

Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry

8.4

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Livability
  9.0
• Weather Protection
  7.0
• Durability
  8.0
• Ease of Set Up
  8.0

Specifications

• Floor Area: 62.5 sq. ft. (100" x 90")
• Weight: 15 lbs., 14 oz.
• Height: 75"
• Footprint Included: No
• Number of Doors: Two
• Carry Size: 25" x 8.5" x 8.5"
• Seasons: 3-season
• Best For: Camping with the whole family, sleeping on cots, and tall parents

Pros

• Steep side walls bumps up livable space
• Fun print on interior floor
• Both doors stow away completely

Cons

• Rainfly doesn't provide 100% coverage
• A little heavier than comparable tents

Nick Belcaster

Read Review: Sky-High Ceiling, Down-to-Earth Comfort: NEMO Aurora Highrise 4 Tent Review

Forget hunching over — the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P Tent ($400) has got headroom to spare. Sporting a tent pole design that bumps out the exterior walls to near vertical, I had no issues with bumping around inside this tent, and no scrunching was needed. The Aurora Highrise does the most with its footprint, and I think it’s the most livable 4-person tent out there currently.

While the 75-inch peak height isn’t quite the tallest in our testing, this height extends far out from the interior, reports camping veteran Karuna Eberl. This allows for easy maneuvering for setting up a sleeping pad or just squeezing past a tentmate. A cabin-style tent like the Eureka Copper Canyon will have more headroom overall, but will suffer much more with high winds.

Behind the two doors (which can be folded away into what NEMO calls the Door Jamb pocket) is a full 62.5 sq. feet of floor space, which has been printed with a fun argyle pattern to lighten up the tent. It’s the little features like this that really up the livability, and after spending a week in the Aurora this spring in Joshua Tree National Park, we came to love our groovy space.

During testing, Eberl found the dual vestibules to provide plenty of space for storing equipment during the night, though not quite large enough to lounge under shade. The four-person version of this tent was perfectly sized for three testers, though I could easily see a family of four enjoying the space, or even a couple having a luxuriously large camping hideout.

While the large side windows do provide an excellent view (and plenty of ventilation), the rainfly does stop short of providing full coverage over them. While this won’t be an issue in typical rain, wind-driven rain will have the ability to soak into these seams. It’s for this reason that the Aurora Highrise doesn’t find itself higher on our list.

A family-sized tent that’s sized for everyone in the family, the Aurora Highrise is available in both a 4-person and 6-person offering.

---

Best Glamping Tent

White Duck Bell Regatta 13′ Tent

Check Price at White DuckCheck WP Price at REICheck FR Price at REI

8.2

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Livability
  10.0
• Weather Protection
  8.0
• Durability
  9.0
• Ease of Set Up
  5.0

Specifications

• Floor Area: 132 sq. ft.
• Weight: 66 lbs.
• Height: 8'2"
• Footprint Included: Yes
• Number of Doors: One
• Carry Size: 45" x 15" x 10"
• Seasons: 4-season
• Best For: Glamping, long-term set up, hunting camps

Pros

• Huge internal space with room for up to 6 campers
• Can accommodate camp furniture like cots or tables
• Rugged canvas material sheds weather very well
• Available with a stove jack for adding a wood stove

Cons

• Heavy packed size
• Set up requires a few extra hands and some time
• Price

Nick Belcaster

Read Review: White Duck Regatta Bell Tent Review: Gettin’ Dirty, Sleepin’ Luxe

The White Duck Bell 13′ Regatta Tent ($770) is a large and in charge canvas shelter perfect for planting your stakes and entertaining for a long weekend (or two). If glamping is what you’re after, a wall tent like this is just the ticket.

Canvas wall tents aren’t anything new, but White Duck has dialed the Regatta Bell to be the perfect tent for living like you’re at home in the woods. There’s ample room to move around, use cots or chairs, and even set up a small wood stove (on specific fabric models). The overhead height in the 13′ version is 8’2″, meaning no stooping over.

We’ve used the Bell Regatta for almost everything, from Editorial Director Sean McCoy’s 10-day-long elk hunts in Colorado to my impromptu basecamp in Washington State while building a cabin below Mt. Rainier. The 13′ version is large enough to fit four camping cots and still have space for gear. With 132 square feet of internal space, it’s versatile enough to jam in up to six sleeping pads or go ultra-comfy and add some camp furniture (we recommend a camp couch like the Kelty Discovery Low Loveseat Nest).

The Bell Tent stands with only two poles, but they’re up to the task and are placed in the center and over the doorway. Otherwise, the setup is simple: stake out the groundsheet and the walls with the included guylines. Everything on this tent is overbuilt, and the stakes look like rebar. The ‘DYNATEK’ canvas is ultra robust in the hand, and even through a classic Cascades downpour and alpine Colorado storm, it didn’t leak a drop.

To establish this tent, you’ll need a large site and likely some assistance. Even getting the tent to the campsite will require a second set of hands, as it is 70 pounds and carried in a large duffel bag. $770 is also a heavy lift, but for the undeniable durability of this shelter, that investment should pay off over decades of use. If you want to spruce up your family camping nights, we think the Bell Regatta is the tent to do it with.

---

Best Crossover Tent for Camping and Backpacking

REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus

Check Price at REI

8.9

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Livability
  7.0
• Weather Protection
  8.0
• Durability
  7.0
• Ease of Set Up
  8.0

Specifications

• Floor Area: 35.8 sq. ft.
• Weight: 6 lbs., 3.6 oz.
• Height: 42"
• Footprint Included: Yes
• Number of Doors: 2 doors
• Carry Size: 22.2" x 7.5" x 7.5"
• Seasons: 3 season
• Best For: Everything from frontcountry camping to shorter backpacking trips

Pros

• Extremely spacious with lots of headroom for two
• Very straight-forward, user-friendly setup/breakdown
• Well-thought-out interior with numerous pockets
• Footprint is included

Cons

• Somewhat heavy/large for solo backpacking

Nick Belcaster

Read Review: Iconic Tent Gets Retro Redesign: REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus Review

With 45(!) years under its belt, the REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus ($369) design has been around the campsite once or twice. Newly redesigned this year, the 2 Plus version adds extra room to this two-person shelter, and makes it the perfect do-it-most tent.

The Half Dome 2 Plus is sold as a backpacking tent, but after significant use, I think it lands smack dab between being carried in a pack and working as a stellar front country shelter. Editor Will Brendza (and his trusty pup) recently took this tent out into the early spring of Colorado, where it showed what 45 years of design get you.

Setup is a cinch, and the multi-hub pole design means there’s only one to wrangle here and get clipped into the tent body. Three minutes is about all the time Brendza needed to get the rest of the tent up and settled. From here, he admired the recent updates to the structure that bumped out the headspace, making this a true 2+ shelter.

The floor plan of this tent is 4” longer and wider than the 2-person version, and that (along with the extra 2” of height) makes it roomy enough to enjoy while camping. Other highlights included a bevy of internal pockets for organizing gear, as well as the ability to drop the top on the rainfly on dry evenings, which means stargazing is fully on the menu.

The 6-pound weight makes this a heavy backpacking tent, but a super light camping one. The 36 sq. foot floor area may be a bit cramped for really base camping in this tent, and for those looking for a bit more wiggle room, I’d suggest bumping up to the Half Dome 3.

I’ve previously recommended the Mountain Hardware Mineral King series as a backpacking/car camping crossover and still think it’s a solid shelter, but the Half Dome does it slightly better. Tougher materials, a more intuitive pole design, and a cheaper price all combine to put this tent over the top.

---

Other Camping Tents to Bed Down In

There are plenty of camping tents on the market, that’s for sure, and the six I’ve awarded above are the best we’ve encountered in all of our collective time sleeping outdoors. That said, there are several other worthy shelters out there. Consider the line-up below before making your purchase.

Big Agnes Bunk House 4

Check Price at Backcountry

7.9

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Livability
  7.0
• Weather Protection
  8.0
• Durability
  7.0
• Ease of Set Up
  6.0

Specifications

• Floor area: 58 sq. ft. (92" x 90")
• Weight: 16 lbs., 3 oz.
• Height: 72"
• Footprint included: No
• Number of doors: 2
• Carry size: 26.5" x 16.5" x 6"
• Seasons: 3-season
• Best for: Camping during unsure weather forecasts or in exposed campsites, as well as big group basecamps as a hangout spot

Pros

• Fast fly mode creates a stand-alone sun shelter for hanging out under
• Good amount of headroom
• Easy-to-assemble DAC hubbed pole design
• Pass-through doors makes it easy to sneak around tent mates
• Near-vertical walls

Cons

• More expensive than similar 4- and 6-person tent options
• Fast fly mode is a bit hard to set up

Nick Belcaster

Read Review: Patio-Sized Vestibule With Stand-Up Ceiling Height: Big Agnes Bunk House Review

After many summers of using the classic Big House tent, I recently upgraded to the Big Agnes Bunk House 4 Tent ($600), and it was 100% worth it. Compared to the lighter-duty version, the newly updated tent drops the fly to the ground, bumps up the ceiling, and boasts a fully freestanding ‘sun shelter mode’ that greatly ups the versatility.

Available in your standard family sizes of 4-, 6-, and 8-person capacities, I tested the 4-person offering in the summer of 2024 across the Pacific Northwest, and it won over campers left and right. I challenged myself to set up camping tents without instructions on the first go, and besides some added helping hands, I had little issue getting the Bunk House up in about 10 minutes.

The 58-square-foot sleeping area is on par with most 4-person shelters, but the added 2” of headroom over the Big House makes a surprising difference in livability. An additional pole supports the ample vestibule space, which sports enough room to wrangle coolers and chairs, and even rolls out a welcome mat to park your shoes on.

The Bunk House finds itself in good company in this lineup. Other batten-down-the-hatch shelters compare well, though there are a few differences to consider. For true shelter-shaking storms, I found the Base Camp performs better due to its additional crossed poles, and while the vestibule of the Bunk House is spacious, the Bridger is undeniably better suited for hanging out under.

Neither of those tents, however, can set up the fly by itself, and this is the big selling point of the Bunk House. A good canopy tent can act as a mobile dining room or keep tykes out of the sun, and when set up without the inner, the Bunk House accomplishes both and more. Actual setup is a bit finicky (there’s a webbing harness to contend with), but once it’s managed, the canopy rivals even some of our favorite purpose-built options.

At an asking price of $600, the Bunk House 4 is pricier than most similar options, so in my opinion, it comes down to whether you’ll use that fly-only ability. If not, tents like the REI Co-op Base Camp or The North Face Wawona will likely suit you better. But as a two-for-one option, it’s tough to beat the Bunk House.

---

REI Co-op Campwell 4 Tent

Check Price at REI

5.4

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Livability
  6.0
• Weather Protection
  5.0
• Durability
  6.0
• Ease of Set Up
  7.0

Specifications

• Floor Area: 59 square feet
• Weight: 14 lbs.
• Internal Height: 62"
• Footprint Included: No
• Carry Size: 27.5" x 9.5" x 9.5"
• Seasons: 3
• Best For: Car campers on a budget looking to upgrade

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Spacious footprint
• Plenty of headspace
• Quick setup with two people
• Robust tent poles
• Large skylight

Cons

• Minimal protection from driving rain
• Lacking ventilation with the rain cover
• No pull-outs for the broadsides of the tent.
• Drafty in stiff winds

Nick Belcaster

Read Review: Fair-Weather and Fancy-Free Budget Tent for the Masses: REI Co-op Campwell 4 Tent Review

The REI Co-op Campwell 4 ($229) is my recommendation for fair-weather family campers who are new to the outdoors. Designed as a low-barrier-of-entry option, this tent is ideal for campgrounds, car camping, and folks looking to upgrade from their big-box store tents. I still think that the Kelty Discovery Basecamp is a slightly better budget model, but the Campwell does have a leg up on it in a few places.

Best described as a squat cabin-style tent, the Campwell makes full use of its footprint and sports nearly vertical walls to bump out the interior space. That said, overhead height isn’t towering at 62 inches, but I don’t think that’s necessarily a terrible thing: the tent is a bit den-like and cozy to jump into.

Set-up is simple, which is a bonus when introducing folks to the outdoors (little else sucks the fun out of camping like a complicated tent to wrestle). The two fiberglass poles cross at the top of the shelter and are the same length, meaning no shuffling around looking for the right one. After that, simple pole clips support the canopy.

The toupee-style rainfly was never meant to be the most protective, but it is easy to toss on the tent. I’ve weathered light showers and been perfectly dry, but once the winds brew, you begin to wish you had a more storm-worthy shelter. The rear window is particularly vulnerable, as it is only covered by a flap on the interior.

So, if the skies might open up? Look into one of the more weather-ready options we’ve reviewed, like the REI Basecamp or Marmot Limestone. But if you’ve got confidence in the weather forecast? The Campwell 4 is an excellent option.

---

Marmot Limestone 6-Person Tent

Check Price at Backcountry

8.5

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Livability
  7.0
• Weather Protection
  8.0
• Durability
  8.0
• Ease of Set Up
  7.0

Specifications

• Floor Area: 82.9 sq. ft. (120" x 100")
• Weight: 17 lbs.
• Height: 76"
• Footprint Included: No
• Number of Doors: Two
• Carry Size: 24.4" x 10.4"
• Seasons: 3-season
• Best For: Any-weather camping where the forecast looks less than optimal

Pros

• Excellent weather protection
• Lighter weight than similar 6-person shelters
• Redesign adds additional vents to the fly
• Close to vertical wall design

Cons

• Rainfly contacts tent mesh in some spots
• Vestibule isn't the largest

Nick Belcaster

While testing in the Rocky Mountains, our campers experienced sudden high winds and heavy rains. Nearly every tent experienced some damage ranging from broken poles to leaks. The Marmot Limestone 6P ($529) was completely unfazed. It remained sturdy and dry through it all.

It’s not as tall or roomy as some car camping tents, but the sacrifice of space is worth it for excellent weather protection. In 83 square feet of floor space, you can fit six people or spread out and sleep comfortably with just four. Near-vertical walls help to bump up the livability, and while the vestibule is a bit snug, the interior is rightfully cozy.

The large double doors make coming and going easy. Pre-bent poles make for a quick setup. There is a vestibule on one side for holding extra gear, and interior gear pockets keep you organized, and there is plenty of mesh that allows for maximum airflow. Newly redesigned, the Limestone gains a few added rainfly vents with integrated struts for propping them open.

Because the rainfly design is closely related to backpacking tents, there are certain areas of the fly where it can touch the mesh of the inner, which can lead to dribbles in high condensation conditions — a result a few of our testers noted. Properly guying out the shelter can help alleviate this, in conjunction with the newly added vents. For most poor-weather trips, we more often reach for the REI Base Camp.

But if the REI Co-op Base Camp is a bit too rich for your blood, the Limestone 6P is built to withstand storms and is a great choice for anyone camping in unpredictable, inclement weather.

---

Mountain Hardwear Bridger 6

Check Price at Mountain Hardwear

8.9

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Livability
  10.0
• Weather Protection
  9.0
• Durability
  9.0
• Ease of Set Up
  7.0

Specifications

• Floor Area: 89.4 sq. ft. (140" x 92")
• Weight: 23 lbs., 15.4 oz.
• Height: 76"
• Footprint Included: Yes
• Number of Doors: Two
• Carry Size: 28" x 14" x 14"
• Seasons: 3-season
• Best For: Camping with the whole crew, or bringing along the kitchen sink in gear

Pros

• Vestibules are huge, and can fit entire bikes or coolers if needed
• Many pockets inside the sleeping area and vestibules
• Saloon-style doors open up to easily combine areas
• Simple rope-bag style stuff sack

Cons

• Not the easiest to set up single-handed
• Pretty pricey

Nick Belcaster

Borrowing DNA from the brand’s mountaineering roots, the new Mountain Hardwear Bridger 6 Tent ($950) hits all the marks I’m looking for in a group camping tent — and that’s before you even open the door. Twin vestibules boast more square footage than even the sleeping area, making a tent that’s as much about hanging out as it is snoozing in.

Starting from the inside, the Bridger 6 keeps the living large with 89.4 square feet of sleeping quarters, and steep walls that meet at a 76-inch peak height. The tent is supported by a classic two-pole configuration, with an additional ridge pole that props up the peaks of the entry and exits.

A full-coverage rainfly encompasses everything on the exterior and extends 7 feet for the front vestibule. When I initially tested this tent in the spring of 2023, our campers flocked to this spot to kick back and store gear in. It easily accommodates a handful of camp chairs, a cooler, or even a couple of parked bikes — and now with a few seasons under the belt, it’s still the tent to hang in.

The doors also feature a saloon-style zip, meaning the interior can be melded into the hang-out zone. Then there’s the storage: 8 pockets on the interior, as well as 2 organizers that hang inside the vestibule space — each sporting 3 pockets. I found these especially handy during the day, as I didn’t need to enter/exit the tent to snag what I needed.

In terms of set-up, the Bridger does take a few minutes to set up. The extended vestibule is a dream once in place, but it did make single-handed setup a bit of a wrestling match. Breaking down the tent goes smoothly, however, and it packs away into one of the nicest zip-up storage bags I’ve seen in a tent.

Perfect as a camping basecamp for a group, the Bridger Tent brings the party from inside to out, and while it’s nearly the most expensive on this list, it’s amenable to many different camping scenarios and ensures it’ll be around for endless campfires. If the price just won’t fly, consider the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 — a $549 option with more sleeping space, but less room to hang in.

---

Eureka Copper Canyon LX 4-Person Tent

Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Backcountry

6.9

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Livability
  7.0
• Weather Protection
  6.0
• Durability
  7.0
• Ease of Set Up
  6.0

Specifications

• Floor Area: 64 sq. ft. (96" x 96")
• Weight: 20 lbs., 4 oz.
• Height: 84"
• Footprint Included: No
• Number of Doors: One
• Carry Size: 27" x 9" x 9"
• Seasons: 3-season
• Best For: Car camping with a view!

Pros

• Roomy design with plenty of space
• Airy and open with four windows
• Tall internal height
• More budget priced

Cons

• Only one door
• Not great in heavy wind
• Heavier at 20+ pounds

Nick Belcaster

If you’re looking for a family tent that feels like a spacious screened-in porch, the Eureka Copper Canyon LX ($270) is for you. The 7-foot-tall interior height means no more awkward stooping.

And with 64 square feet of floor space, there’s plenty of room to spread out. I found this provided a comfortable amount of space for two adults and two young children. Each wall is lined with pockets, which is great for keeping track of your headlamp and storing other essentials.

The best part about this tent is the airy feel and giant mesh windows. Not only does it keep things breathable, but it also means you can easily enjoy the view in any direction. I spent a week camping outside Moab and loved relaxing in the tent while watching the sunrise.

That said, the benefits of this tent are also its downfall. The tall height and large windows can be problematic in stormy weather. High winds will challenge any tent, and that’s especially true of a tent that’s 7 feet tall. Like other cabin-style tents (such as the Eureka Copper Canyon LX we also tested), fair-weather camping is more the vibe for this tent.

The window zip closed, and the included rainfly protects from rainfall. However, in heavy storms, it is possible to experience slight leaking. I also would have preferred a second door.

For mild summer conditions, though, the Copper Canyon 4 is a winner for family camping. It offers plenty of standing room and is a decent value to boot. We were also pleased with how easily it packed back into the storage bag.

---

Coleman Skydome Darkroom 6-Person Tent

$170 at AmazonCheck Price at REI

6.5

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Livability
  7.0
• Weather Protection
  5.0
• Durability
  6.0
• Ease of Set Up
  6.0

Specifications

• Floor Area: 85 sq. ft. (120" x 102")
• Weight: 18 lbs.
• Height: 72"
• Footprint Included: No
• Number of Doors: One
• Carry Size: 25.7" x 9"
• Seasons: 3-season
• Best For: Car camping in the desert or busy campgrounds

Pros

• Budget pricing
• Near-vertical walls
• Black-out fly blocks out ambient light

Cons

• Pre-attached poles are good in theory, annoying in practice
• Front vestibule has poor coverage of door
• Fly only goes half-way down tent body

Nick Belcaster

You didn’t think I’d leave out a classic Coleman, did you? The Coleman Skydome Darkroom 6-Person Tent ($200) certainly is classic and brings a good bit to the table for the price. There are also some shortfalls to contend with, but the big draw here is the ‘Darkroom’ aspect of this tent — a blackout rainfly that can help block out late-night campground neighbors.

Compared to a traditional dome-style Coleman, the Skydome series bumps out the headroom by putting a kink in each of the poles, making for nearly vertical walls. And while those poles are aluminum and an upgrade from my budget pick, the Kelty Discovery Basecamp, they are pre-attached to the tent — a good idea in theory, but in practice, it was a bit fussy to manage.

The tent fly is, as promised, quite dark, and it is pretty easy to get situated on the tent itself. This is, however, one of the more skimpy coverage flies in our review (only the toupee-style fly of the Eureka Copper Canyon LX is smaller), and only comes down to about half the height of the tent walls. And while the brow pole does a good job of covering the door from rain from above, it was no match for wind-driven rain in my testing.

Campgrounds these days can be pretty crowded, and if you end up next to the all-night ragers, it can be tough to get some shut-eye with other tents. That’s where I think the Skydome Darkroom shines, even despite the shortcomings. Stuffing the tent away isn’t the easiest — we cycled through multiple campers before concluding that the tent wasn’t going back into the bag quietly — but it can be made to work.

Available in 4-, 6-, and even an 8-person size, the Skydome Darkroom Tent was made for weekends at the campground.

---

Camping Tent Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Camping Tents

All of our outdoor addicts know that not only do you need something sturdy and reliable, but it also needs to be set up easily and packed well. I went online for a deep dive into the research. After hours of research, I narrowed it down to the top tents for a head-to-head test. This involved extensive camping and various testers, and to date, our estimated time spent testing numbers are in the hundreds of hours.

1. Field testing: Our camping tent testing relies most on real-world field testing, where we spend the nights and examine everything from setup to tear-down and storage.
2. Instruction-less setup challenge: We begin our tent testing with a timed setup, in which our testers go in completely blind — no instructions are allowed. We’ve found this to be the ideal challenge of how intuitive a tent’s structure is.
3. Waterproofing hose test: Each tent is left up in a simulated rain shower for 30 minutes at a time and inspected for leaks or wicking water. We use a rotating sprinkler system to ensure that no odd corner of a tent goes untouched, and we pay close attention to window openings and how the rainfly covers the shelter. Rain ingress can be a trip-killer, and we identify weak spots in tent construction to address them.
4. Our camping tent rating system:
   • Livability: 30% weighted. We consider both the internal floor space and overhead height, as well as the amount of space or protection the vestibules provide. Livability also considers thoughtful elements, such as well-placed internal pockets or tabs for hanging your lantern.
   • Weather Protection: 30% weighted. The design of the rain fly is the most significant factor in determining a tent’s weather protection. We also consider the design and placement of windows, the height of bathtub floors, and how well the pole structure protects the tent in the wind.
   • Durability: 20% weighted. We test camping tents for at least an entire summer to determine their durability. We inspect for material wear, the effectiveness of any original DWR finishes, the ease of use of zipper pulls, and whether the poles and stakes are still in good working order.
   • Ease of Set Up: 20% weighted. To achieve a good rating in this metric, we look for a straightforward pole structure (color-coded ends are particularly helpful), rain flies that are easily set up, doors that open and store well, and a storage bag that organizes the tent away.

Our Expert Testers

Guide author Mallory Paige has spent hundreds of nights sleeping under the stars, and she knows firsthand the importance of a good shelter. She kicked off our search for the most worthy camping shelters in 2021 with an initial 12 tents, and set out a detailed testing regimen that included tests against the elements, timing how quickly we could erect each tent, and the classic garden hose rain shower test.

Since then, our testing team has added contributor Ryan Baker, who started backpacking and car camping as a child. He has also lived in tents ranging from lightweight tarps for extended thru-hikes to heavy-duty base camps to withstand extreme conditions. He is intimately experienced in the joys and pitfalls of only having a thin piece of synthetic fabric between the elements and a dry night’s sleep.

Finally, I, Senior Editor Nick Belcaster, have enjoyed more than my fair share of evenings staring up at the canopy of a tent, waiting out a rainstorm. As a veteran of the Pacific Crest Trail, I have perfected the setup and tear-down of my tents to mere minutes, and now travel the West, testing camping tents for this guide on a rolling basis.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Camping Tent

To help you decide what tent is best for you, I considered five categories: weather resistance, comfort, ease of setup, extra features, and value. Each of these is more important to certain campers than others. Consider when, where, and with whom you plan to use your tent.

We have another guide for the Best Backpacking Tents that focuses on lighter and less bulky tents for your backcountry adventures, as well as a primer article on the Basics of Camping and Backpacking Tents. Here, I focus more on car and family camping tents for adventures where the car is within reach and the weight of a tent is less important. If you like the appeal of leaving your tent pre-rigged wherever you may roam, the ease of a Rooftop Tent might be up your alley.

Camping Tent Breakdown

Ready to set up camp? Here’s the lowdown on what makes a good camping tent, and what I think are important features you shouldn’t miss out on.

Tent Body

Think of the tent body as your four walls at home. Most frequently, the tent body works in tandem with a rainfly to protect campers from adverse weather (although we often tuck it away for some stargazing). Tent bodies, on the other hand, provide protection from both the ground below and from flying insects through a mix of windows and mesh panels.

Of course, tents that incorporate a larger amount of mesh will be more ventilated and better suited to summertime camping when conditions are fair and breezes are frequent. Alternatively, designs with solid panels block cold breezes better and can be camped in further into the shoulder seasons. Zippered windows can be a great compromise and can be opened or closed based on conditions.

The bathtub floor of your tent is the ground floor of your setup. It will sport raised sides to protect your living space from creeping water. These floors are frequently made of a tougher material than the rest of the tent to safeguard against wear and tear. If you’re camping frequently (or camp where spiny plants thrive), using a tent groundsheet or tarp can extend the life of your investment.

Rainfly

The next step in getting your camping tent up and rolling is securing the rainfly. This topside cover stretches over the mesh canopy of your tent and provides weather protection and some warmth — a hot tip for hedging your bets against a chilly night.

Rainflies on many camping tents provide coverage for your average rainstorm, preventing top-down rain from ruining your night. The NEMO Aurora Highrise is a prime example of this, with a rainfly that extends out over the two side windows but doesn’t fully encapsulate them. At the far end of the spectrum is the Kelty Discovery Basecamp tent, which sports a rainfly that just covers the door of the tent. This makes for easier use and access but lower overall weatherproofing.

On the protective end of the equation, tents like the REI Co-op Base Camp borrow from the world of mountaineering-style tents and drop the rainfly all the way to the ground, ensuring that sneaky breezes or sideways rain have no way of entering. If you live in a place where surprise storms are common or want to camp further into the shoulder seasons, invest in a tent like this.

Doors and Vestibules

Of course, you’ll need a way to get into and out of your tent. We prefer two-door designs for camping tents simply because tumbling over your tentmate in the middle of the night is no fun. Tents like the REI Co-op Base Camp and NEMO Aurora Highrise boast full-size second doors, while more budget-minded tents like the Kelty Discovery Basecamp make do with one door.

A final mention here for specialty doors, such as those found on The North Face Wawona, where a half-size door at the rear of the tent adds a unique spot for loading gear or catching a cross breeze.

Vestibules are the garages of tents, and make excellent spots to stash kit that you want to keep close — coolers, chairs, shoes — but likely don’t want to share sleeping space with. Some tents sport an ample vestibule or two that will wrangle an average amount of kit, while others are built around the vestibule experience and become full-on second rooms.

Poles and Stakes

Here’s the backbone of your tent. Tent poles are most often segmented aluminum affairs that snap together and slide through pole sleeves or clip to the tent body to support it.

Pole structures can take several different forms. Dome-style tents like the REI Co-op Base Camp or Half Dome 2 Plus are classic and easy to erect. They provide more weather protection in exchange for overall headroom.

Cabin-style tents like the Eureka Copper Canyon LX raise the roof and bump the walls out to be more vertical, but they struggle more in stiff winds. A final type of structure, tunnel tents, falls between the two styles.

Tent stakes are your anchors, and even if you don’t expect overnight wind, it’s wise to plant a few to keep your wilderness home from becoming mobile. Most tents will include basic stakes in a number that will keep your tent from flying away, but if you’re going to be using guylines (or expect high winds), it’s wise to invest in a few more stakes, or even stronger versions. A stake hammer can be a useful tool in getting your pegs in place, and I think that the MSR Stake Hammer is tough to beat.

Storage and Organization

Keeping your camping kit organized is essential for maintaining your sanity, and built-in organizing solutions, such as pockets, sleeves, and gear lofts, can help you organize your loose items. Some, like the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P, place a handful of high pockets along the ceiling for stashing items such as headlamps or phones, while others, like the North Face Wawona 4, integrate large mesh panels that can store bulkier kit.

Your tent can also benefit from some organization. It will come packed away in a stuff sack that should carry all of the essentials to get you set up. Thankfully, many tent manufacturers have moved away from the traditional ‘stuff sack’ style storage bag and now offer zippered or wide-mouth-style bags that open wide to accommodate packing the tent inside. The wide bag that the Wawona packs into is easy to fill, but some aren’t as nice to use, and even my top pick, the REI Base Camp, had points deducted for its old-school stuff sack style bags.

Weather Resistance and Ventilation

If you plan to camp during storms, it’s worth it to save up and buy a sturdier tent. Premium tents have stronger poles, full rain covers, and sealed seams. It’s things like this that seem less important — until you find yourself riding out an epic storm from the confines of your tent.

While testing, we experienced a major thunderstorm complete with high winds and heavy rain. Each of the tents had been properly staked out, but many of them experienced damage. The Marmot Limestone 4P performed incredibly well, with no leaking or broken poles. The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 is also well equipped for inclement weather thanks to its rainfly and many tie-down points.

Ventilation is also key to camping livability, and windows are your best friend here. I place a high value on windows that can be opened from the interior of the tent, such as those on the NEMO Aurora Highrise. Some rainflys will also incorporate rigid stays, such as seen in the North Face Wawona, which holds open a ventilation port when the weather is good, and can be closed when storms brew.

Seasonality Ratings

Often, manufacturers refer to its tents with a season rating, which helps convey the types of conditions for which they’ve been designed. While not a hard and fast rule, knowing where you are planning on camping, the weather you may encounter, and what your tent is rated for can greatly hedge your bets against spending a night in a flattened tent.

• 3-Season Tents: 3-season tents (meaning spring, summer, and fall) are your lightest-duty tents, and will employ lightweight materials in order to keep overall bulk down, as well as improve ventilation. Typically, the tent body will be nearly or entirely mesh and mated to a bathtub floor. These designs are less aerodynamic and more prone to bending under gusts of wind. Finally, most 3-season tents will use a rainfly that isn’t full coverage, and may only extend over windows and doors, instead of all the way to the ground.
• 3/4-Season Tents: Bulking up on weather resistance, 3/4 or 3.5-season tents are similar to 3-season tents material-wise, but in design, they often are more weather-ready, usually employing dome shapes. Rain flies will also go all the way to the ground, forming vestibules where you might store your backpacks during an overnight rain.
• 4-Season Tents: This is the realm of winter, mountaineering, and hunting tents, where weather resistance is in high demand and a tough structure is needed. Four-season tents are almost exclusively double-wall designs, and often shaped in domes or tunnels to better survive the wind. They will also sport many guylines to adequately support the tent, and thicker tent poles and materials to resist wind-driven rain and snow.

Capacity and Floor Area

Every tent worth its salt today will provide a capacity number for the number of campers it was designed to sleep. Many tent models are also available in multiple versions, with 4, 6, and 8-person capacities being the most common for camping tents. This number is derived from the number of regular sleeping mattresses that can be laid side-by-side in the sleeping area, but take note: this often only accommodates 20-inch sleeping pads.

The floor area number will also give you a good idea of the sleeping area space in any one tent, and is generally given in square feet. For 4-person tents, this typically comes in at around 60 sq. ft. For example, the Marmot Limestone 4-Person Tent slides in squarely at 60, while the more comfort-minded Mountain Hardwear Bridger 4 squeezes in a bit more at 62.5.

When it comes to 6-person models, the number jumps up to around 85 square feet, with the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 being the standard-bearer at 84 square feet, and the budget Kelty Discovery Element 6 surprisingly besting it at 89! It’s important to note here that the Kelty tent has less steep walls, and thus floor area isn’t the end-all when it comes to understanding overall livability.

Construction Materials

The weather resistance of a tent depends largely on the materials from which it is constructed. Nylon and polyester are very common materials used in car camping tents.

Nylon is stronger, more resistant to abrasion, and can stretch considerably. Unfortunately, it absorbs water, causing your tent to sag in storms or high humidity.

Polyester has less stretch than nylon, so it is more likely to tear. This rigidity is a benefit in wet conditions because it will sag less and absorb less water, but it also makes polyester more fragile.

Other Considerations and Taking Care of Your Tent

First and foremost, never put your tent away wet. Remember when I mentioned hydrolysis earlier regarding PU coatings? Water is a major culprit in speeding up that process. Fungi, molds, and mildews love to grow in your dark closet, on your wet tent, at room temperature. These organisms destroy the fibers of your tent and make it smell terrible.

When you get home, set your tent back up and let it air out. This simple chore will pay off later when you are still able to use your tent. If you have no yard or nowhere dry to set it up, your living room makes a great space for this. Check all the seams, especially the floor and fly, before packing it away.

Price & Value

A good camping tent can be one of the bigger purchases when putting together a good summer kit, so it’s important to know what you’re getting for those dollar signs. With a range from just north of a hundo to more than a grand, there’s a lot of territory to cover, and most of it will come down to three important metrics: the number of people the tent will sleep, the weather protection it provides, and the amount of accessories tucked away inside.

Budget

Camping is for everyone, and if you’ve only got a few frontcountry forays on the books for the summer, going to something with a little lower overhead can make a lot of sense. Budget camping tents are generally offered beginning at the $100 mark, and head up to around $200 from there.

A tent like the Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4 ($120) is a fine example. It’s not uncommon for tents in this realm to offer rain flies with less coverage over the body of the tent and often only incorporate a single door as an entrance into the tent. The REI Co-op Campwell 4 ($229) is another spend-wise tent I’d recommend to those looking to get further outdoors, but with an eye on the weather, as the tent shines best when the sun does.

Mid-Tier

Understanding the limitations of budget tents will safeguard against overextending them in harsh conditions, but for fair-weather campground camping, many do an admirable job. Beyond the $200 to about $500 mark, camping tents begin to feature hardier materials, full-coverage rainflies, and vestibules, with added niceties like internal storage options and windows. 

You’ll also notice a price difference when looking at tents of different occupancies. For example, the REI Co-op Base Camp 4 is $489, while the 6-person version will run you $569. This nearly $100 difference between a 4-person and a 6-person tent isn’t uncommon, and many other manufacturers replicate this.

Premium

Beyond about $600 are high-end tents, which jam in the features to offer true frontcountry luxury. The $770 White Duck Bell Regatta is a chunk of change, but the premium build and material quality make up for it. This is a tent you’ll have for a decade plus if you take care of it well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best tents for family camping?

The best family camping tent depends on your outdoor goals. In general, most families appreciate having more room and the ability to stand comfortably.

The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 has earned high marks from our family camping testers. If you regularly camp in adverse weather (hello, spring in Colorado), it’s worth considering a slightly smaller and more durable tent.

What is the best camping tent brand?

The best camping tent brand depends largely on your personal needs and budget.

For a premium tent that can withstand the weather, the REI Co-op consistently delivers. If you’re looking for maximum space and flexibility, the Eureka Copper Canyon is a favorite with families. And for a budget-friendly option that is built to last, check out Kelty.

Are expensive tents worth it?

If you plan to camp regularly, it is worth it to invest in a higher-quality tent. The extra expense means sturdier poles, waterproof seams, and generally an easier setup. If budget is a major concern, don’t let that stop you from getting outside.

We’ve consistently been impressed with the budget-friendly options from Kelty. The Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4 costs just $120 and offers plenty of room.

Should you put a tarp over your tent?

Quality tents are waterproof. But if you find yourself camping in an absolute downpour, hanging a tarp can provide extra protection and comfort.

It’s important to tie it up well so the wind isn’t a concern and to be sure that it isn’t touching the tent. In addition to creating an extra tent porch, a tarp is great for protecting your camp kitchen.

What shape of tent is most popular?

While there are many different styles of tents available today, each has a better use profile and ideal adventure to use them on. When it comes to camping tents, the most popular shape is a dome-style tent. This is because of ease of use, as well as the trade-off in canopy headroom to the overall complexity.

Other tents still, like the Eureka Copper Canyon 4 Tent or Decathlon Quechua 2 Second Tent, employ a collapsible style of integrated poles that forms a rigid structure once assembled. These tents are often among the easiest to use, but also the weakest overall, as any strong force against their poles could collapse them.

Camping

The Best Camping Mattresses of 2025

From packable sleeping pads to ultracomfortable air beds, we tested and found the best camping mattresses and sleeping pads to fit every adventure and budget.

Camping

The Best Camping Sleeping Bags of 2025

From versatile camping bags to wallet-friendly picks, we’ve found the best sleeping bags for every use and budget.

Why not make your car camping trip luxurious? For a backpacker like me, squeezing into a small space was just part of the deal when it came to camping. But growing your family can also mean growing your expectations for what adventure looks like. Spreading out and taking space is necessary for us these days, and the Big Agnes Bunk House 4 makes it easy. 

Midwest camping can range from extreme heat to unpredictable storms to freezing cold — or sometimes all three in quick succession. Having gear that can withstand the test and provide a space for everyone to safely shelter and stay entertained is an essential part of family camping, and the Bunk House delivers.

We decided to check out a HipCamp on a local farm to test out the Bunk House. We set up on a private campsite by a creek, and weathered some high winds and mild rains over the course of the weekend while the Bunk House stood tall.

In short: The Big Agnes Bunk House 4 ($600) is a spacious family car-camping tent. It can be set up in two modes, standard and “Fast-Fly” (which is fly-only). The vestibule area is patio-sized, and you can stand fully upright inside the tent. While it would be a squeeze to sleep four people inside this shelter, for three (and a dog), there was ample space, and everyone was comfortable. This is a luxury car camping companion.

Compare the Big Agnes Bunk House 4 to other tents on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Camping Tents.

Big Agnes Bunk House 4

Check Price at Backcountry

7.9

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Livability
  7.0
• Weather Protection
  8.0
• Durability
  7.0
• Ease of Set Up
  6.0

Specifications

• Floor area: 58 sq. ft. (92" x 90")
• Weight: 16 lbs., 3 oz.
• Height: 72"
• Footprint included: No
• Number of doors: 2
• Carry size: 26.5" x 16.5" x 6"
• Seasons: 3-season
• Best for: Camping during unsure weather forecasts or in exposed campsites, as well as big group basecamps as a hangout spot

Pros

• Fast fly mode creates a stand-alone sun shelter for hanging out under
• Good amount of headroom
• Easy-to-assemble DAC hubbed pole design
• Pass-through doors makes it easy to sneak around tent mates
• Near-vertical walls

Cons

• More expensive than similar 4- and 6-person tent options
• Fast fly mode is a bit hard to set up

Aubrey Byron

Big Agnes Bunk House 4 Review

Ample Room in an Adventurous Package

With large vestibules and a tall pitch, the Bunk House allows campers to spread out into their surroundings. That’s a key feature for a family like mine, consisting of two adults, a toddler, and a large-breed dog.

The double-zip front vestibule rolls up to create almost a second room. It’s a perfect staging area for shoes, gear, and wiping paws. A second door and vestibule provide another large footprint space for covering gear without having to sleep on it.

The interior allowed my 6’2” partner to stand fully in the middle (if just so), something he’d yet to experience in a tent since childhood. At 5’8”, I stood comfortably throughout, making it easy to change clothes and blow up sleeping pads out of the rain.

When the rain picked up, the space was wide enough for the baby to crawl back and forth inside the tent and vestibule, keeping him cozy without feeling cooped up — something our other tents would not have allowed.

As spacious as it felt to us, the space would be pretty tight for four people. We found that only three sleeping pads could reasonably fit in the floor space. That left some room in between to allow for getting out without crawling over others. If four people were crammed in here, they’d have to be very good friends.

Pockets & Transport

A small but key feature is the ample pocket space inside. Multiple pockets provide space for storing packed bags without them hanging over your head (as in our backpacking tents). I could organize items like contact cases, Kindle, headlamp, and baby wipes to be accessible and easy to find.

With a large space comes a large package, but the smartly designed tent bag can be carried in backpack or duffle mode. That makes it easy to carry even for walk-in camping sites. At 15 pounds, it’s a heavy tent. But that’s fairly standard for car camping tents of this size.

Fast Setup for Two

The magnetic poles and classic Big Agnes color-coated corners made for a fast setup for two people. The fly is side-specific and requires paying attention to those colored poles (if you tend to ignore instructions like me). A lone setup may take practice, but it is probably doable with patience.

Setting up in fly-mode is a little trickier, but once up, this tent gives substantial coverage. As we tried to put the fly on the poles, it acted as a sail in the wind and blew over often. Once erected, it similarly required stakes to hold its shape.

It is important to note that the footprint, which is sold separately, is required for fly-only mode to function properly.

The setup is slower than a traditional canopy. However, the two-in-one option offers cost savings. For city dwellers like myself, it’s also an important space-saving option for gear storage.

Durable Shelter in a Storm

The full ceiling-to-floor walls provide exemplary rain coverage, shielding us from the unpredictable Midwest storms and offering protection from sideways rain and wind chill. The wind picked up on our second night, allowing us to test the hold of the stakes. Nothing flew away, and we emerged from the storm fully intact.

For a three-season tent, I think the double-walled panel could help you extend the third season into the fall and early spring. As both a parent and a naturalist, knowing the 2025 version has been reconfigured to be PFAS-free is an underrated benefit.

The downside of the fly mode feature is the limited ventilation. We found the dew buildup under the fly took some time to dry out before the tent could be packed away.

Big Agnes Bunk House 4: The Bottom Line

As storms become more unpredictable and extreme, having a tent that can withstand the rain and wind is paramount. I would trust the Bunk House in one of our Midwest out-of-nowhere rainstorms.

While it’s not a necessity, the fly-mode feature is a “nice-to-have” that could offer space savings by eliminating the need for another expensive piece of gear. Besides, the vestibule space and ability to stand up inside add a lot of value, in my opinion.

This is a great tent for families who car camp or anyone who enjoys some extra tent space at the campsite. The Bunkn House itself is on the larger side, which may not be ideal if storage space is at a premium, and it’s probably overbuilt for individuals or couples. At 15 pounds, it is not for anyone who prefers ultralight gear. But for car camping with groups of three to four, it’s a great (big) shelter.

The Big Agnes Bunk House 4 packs a lot of coverage into a grab-and-go car camping tent.

The Best Camping Tents of 2025

We make finding the right camping tent easier for you by bringing you the best camping tents of 2025. Check out our top picks from REI Co-op, Kelty, NEMO, and more. Read more…

Backpacking stoves are one of my favorite things to write about because I covet them. I first started using an MSR Dragonfly when I was 15 years old. Around 17, wanting to get away from liquid gas, I switched to an MSR Pocket Rocket, which used gas canisters. Then, at 20, my girlfriend gave me the original Jetboil stove system, and it became my go-to backpacking cooking system for the last 2 decades.

Since that time, I have gone back and forth between those three stoves even though I’ve gotten to test many more. Anything else I came across just didn’t offer any benefit over them, so I moved on. Then, one day, wandering around REI, I bought myself an MSR Switch Stove System.

Aptly named, the Switch is a viable option for my personal backpacking cooking needs. But it also allows me to cook efficiently for my kids or anyone else tagging along on an adventure. What’s more is that it does all of this while maintaining that uber-desirable integrated canister backpacking stove system design that Jetboil pioneered years ago.

However, this stove is similar to a Jetboil only in form. Functionally, the two are worlds apart.

In short: ​The MSR Switch Stove ($140) is a versatile little camp cooking system. Its cooking design allows you to use the included pot, or any other camp pot, pan, or mug that’s safe to cook with. The spherical base of the pot helps heat contents more evenly (although it takes significantly longer to boil water than with a flash boil system). It uses more gas than a Jetboil or Pocket Rocket, but it makes up for that through sheer versatility.

Compare the MSR Switch Stove System to others on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Backpacking Stoves.

MSR Switch Stove System

check price at reicheck price at backcountry

7.5

How we rate products ⓘ

Specifications

• Weight: 14 oz. (1 lb., 5 oz. w/ recommended 3.9 oz. MSR IsoPro gas canister)
• Dimensions: 7.1" x 4.77" x 4.5"
• Fuel type: Isobutane canister
• BTU output: 7,100
• Burn time: Approx. 41 min. per 4 oz. canister; approximately 84.5 min. per 8 oz. canister
• Boil time (1 L): 5 min.

Pros

• Hybrid cooking ability
• Packable
• Lightweight

Cons

• Not as efficient as other integrated canister stoves
• Cooks slower
• The gas canister stabilizer can be a pain to store

Nick LeFort

MSR Switch Review

MSR Switch: What It Is & What It Isn’t

The Switch looks like a Jetboil Flash, or, more accurately, MSR’s own WindBurner Personal Stove. All three stoves utilize a heat exchanger to shield against wind and direct heat for efficient cooking and responsible gas consumption.

However, their burner types are very different. Where the Jetboil uses controlled conduction and the WindBurner uses radiant heat to achieve the fastest boil possible, the Switch uses an open flame burner and therefore can “switch” between boiling water and cooking food in a frying pan or larger pot.

Additionally, the Switch’s 1L canister does not lock into its burner. Instead, it sits on a ring attached to the burner. This design allows it to function as a “hybrid” of sorts. It could be considered less efficient because it allows more wind and air to pass through. To adjust for this, the bottom of the canister is spherical. This allows the flame to surround the contents, achieving a rolling boil — though not at a record-setting pace.

When using a frying pan or pot with this configuration, you will burn through more fuel. That might throw folks for a loop who are used to the efficiency of an integrated canister backpacking stove system.

Safety & Stability

I prefer canisters that lock onto the burner for efficiency (and safety). However, the fact that the Switch lacks this feature allows it to adapt to a frying pan or pot. It does this through integrated fins that fold out from the burner frame. This plays a role in both stability and safety.

The Switch comes with a stretchy silicone canister stand. That keeps the gas canister and burner upright if the stove gets bumped. At the most, you might lose your soup or whatever you’re frying if you’re in “trail gourmet” mode. If you’re cooking on leaves or grass, this becomes a safety feature, as the open flame on the burner can start a fire if tipped over.

Weight

I am by no means an ounce counter when it comes to my gear. However, when I first picked up the box containing the Switch, I thought it was empty. At 14 ounces, it’s notably light. You’ll make up for that in adding a gas canister or two to your pack, but it’s still worth noting for a stove that can cook for just you or your whole party.

Gas Consumption

In testing, I was able to get nine rolling boils of 16 ounces of water from a single 3.9-oz. MSR IsoPro canister. If you’re focused on freeze-dried meals, that could be as few as nine meals or upward of 18. I would say that’s a solid amount. I did the same test with my Jetboil and was able to eke out 11 rolling boils of 16 ounces of water.

Both of those tests were done in my kitchen for the closest apples-to-apples comparison.

When it came to switching over to cooking in a pan or pot, I expected to burn through a lot of gas prepping some chicken fajitas. However, I did not. I sliced the peppers, chicken breast, and mushrooms, and set everything outside on a windy fall day. Once the pan got hot, I was able to easily roll the olive oil around, so I got to cooking.

My total cook time was 12 minutes. I cooked enough for two solid fajitas and only burned through 1 ounce of IsoPro. To be honest, I was a bit surprised that the Switch was this efficient in this setting. Under optimal conditions, I could probably get three full pan-cooked meals out of this stove.

Editor’s note: Other GearJunkie testers who used this stove did not share my experience with gas efficiency. Camp editor Will Brendza found that this stove absolutely drained his gas canisters. He could barely get three rolling boils out of a single small canister before running empty. However, when he approached MSR, the brand suggested it could have been a defect with his early testing sample. I didn’t experience the same inefficiency.

In the Field

I am happy I decided to test the Switch out both in my kitchen and in the outdoors. Near-freezing temperatures require a little more fuel. Still, the stove didn’t perform out of the ordinary, even when it had to work a little harder.

That said, if you’re going to be out and about for a few days, bring an extra can of fuel with you. Consider bringing two extra canisters if you plan on eating more gourmet meals.

As someone who splits his time between backpacking alone and with his kids, the benefit of this stove is in the fact that it’s all integrated. I can easily switch between the two cooking styles. However, there are a few other advantages of the Switch worth pointing out.

Cup Handles

These handles, in conjunction with the cork wrapping, keep your hands away from the hot canister and reduce the risk of burns.

Cooldown Time

From the point of turning off the fuel to the point where you can comfortably handle the canister, wipe it down, and put it away is less than 5 minutes.

Pot & Pan Stability

I was assuming there would be a bit of a trade-off here. Even with the burner fins extended, its diameter remains relatively small. However, I had no issues using a pot or pan on top of it. This is also partly due to the canister stand that provides a wide footprint for added stability on most surfaces.

PackTowel Cleaning Cloth

It’s the little things that catch your attention. In this case, the included PackTowel cleaning cloth makes wiping down the included pot a breeze. It also protects the pot’s interior from getting scratched by the burner during storage and transport. There is also a diagram of how to nest the items inside, which we sometimes all need after a long day of roaming around.

MSR Switch Stove: Overall

Though the Switch isn’t setting any time records in boiling water, I am not sure it really needs to. It’s still on par in terms of efficiency when compared to other top backpacking stoves. Even when using a frying pan or boiling a larger pot of water, it’s efficient enough in both terms of time and gas usage to get from start to finish.

If you’re a serious backpacker who relies on a stove that can boil water fast, then you might consider MSR’s WindBurner Personal Stove or a Jetboil Flash. Both of those stoves will be better suited to your needs. However, if you’re someone who could benefit from both a more versatile (although slower) cooking setup, MSR has done an incredible job of providing that with the Switch.

Nothing beats a home-cooked meal that requires a knife and fork out on the trail. Even if just for one night, as a reward for bagging a peak, the ability to do that is a “nice to have” that I won’t soon be able to walk away from.

The Best Backpacking Stoves of 2025

The right stove makes life on the trail better. From ultralight canisters to four-season and multifuel options, we've found and tested the best backpacking stoves. Read more…

Whether you’re headed to the beach or a backyard barbecue, finding the best cooler means balancing ice retention, durability, and price. Lucky for you, we’ve tested dozens of coolers in real-world scenarios to help you find the right pick.

We’ve put coolers through the wringer: loading them with ice and drinks, hauling them on camping trips, stashing them in hot cars, and dragging them along to swimming holes. Standouts include the indomitable YETI Tundra 45, which continues to set the standard for durability and multiday performance, and the new Igloo Recool, a compostable cooler made from recycled paper pulp that offers a sustainable alternative for shorter outings.

Every cooler we field test also goes through a standardized ice retention test, giving us objective results to compare alongside our real-world use. From premium hard-sided builds to lightweight, eco-friendly options, we dig into cooling performance and accessories to help you choose the right one for your next adventure.

Editor’s note: As of November 6, 2025, we’ve added the Bote Kula 5 Magnepod, a multipurpose cooler designed to act as a seat, a rod holder, and a cooler. As with all other products included, we put this cooler through our rigorous ice retention test to see how it stacks up against the rest.

Best Overall Cooler

YETI Tundra 45

check price at rei$325 at Amazon

9.4

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Ice Retention
  9.5
• Build Quality
  9.5
• Portability
  9.0
• Capacity and Organization
  9.0

Specifications

• Capacity: 37 quarts
• Materials: Rotomolded polyethylene/urethane foam insulation
• Dimensions: 25.75" x 16.125" x 15.4"
• Weight: 23 lbs.

Pros

• Rotomolded design
• Retained ice for the full 10 days of testing
• Dry goods basket included
• IGBC-certified

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy

Heather Balogh Rochfort

Read Review: 14 Years Old and Still the King of Coolers: YETI Tundra 45 Review

YETI has long since made a name for itself in the cooler world, and the Tundra 45 ($325) is popular for good reason. This mid-sized cooler is the perfect companion for a family weekend getaway, is a reliable road trip companion, and is definitely built to last. With superior insulation qualities and a robust design, this cooler is our top pick with the only downside being the hefty price tag.  

The Tundra 45 actually only has a 32.9L capacity. This size will hold 28 cans, and plenty of ice, and is designed to fit long-neck bottles. It will not fit a 750mL wine bottle standing upright, however. A dry-goods rack keeps items you don’t want to get soggy lifted above the ice, and this cooler’s extra thick walls will retain ice for days.

A rotomolded polyurethane construction, a freezer-quality gasket, burly haul handles, tie-down slots, a drain plug, and a certification of bear resistance from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee all help to explain the $325 price tag. 

YETI is the brand that pioneered the rotational molding or “rotomolding” technique which has become the gold standard in premium cooler construction today. This design process ensures perfectly uniform thickness, extra durability, and superior ice retention. The cooler walls are filled with polyurethane foam, which is superior to the lighter-weight styrofoam used in more basic coolers, and 2 inches of insulation make YETI coolers the best at retaining cold air.  

So, the big question: How did this cooler measure up when GearJunkie contributor Miya Tsudome put it through our ice retention test? Well, the Tundra 45 retained ice for the full 10 days we tested it, to no surprise. Some ice melt occurred, of course, but plenty of cubed ice remained, attesting to YETI’s gold standard of ice retention. 

---

Best Budget Cooler

Igloo ECOCOOL

check price at rei$58 at Amazon

6.2

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Ice Retention
  8.0
• Build Quality
  5.5
• Portability
  8.0
• Capacity and Organization
  7.0

Specifications

• Capacity: 52 quarts
• Materials: Recycled post-consumer resin
• Dimensions: 24.95" x 14.58" x 15.21”
• Weight: 9.84 lbs

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Ultra lightweight
• Made with post-consumer plastic

Cons

• Lower quality insulation
• No drain plug
• Low durability

Heather Balogh Rochfort

Some folks out there aren’t looking for the latest and greatest, most expensive cooler on the market. That’s why something like the Igloo ECOCOOL ($60) is the perfect budget pick for those who use a cooler for the occasional day trip, keeping groceries cold, or going on an overnight camping trip.

This cooler is not roto-molded like many of the others in our lineup and instead has a plastic frame injected with an insulated foam layer. The ECOCOOL is extremely lightweight at 9.84 pounds., which is over 75% lighter than many of the other coolers we tested. This also makes it a good choice for someone who might not want to throw out their back picking up a fully loaded 30-pound cooler. 

This cooler is not the most durable we tested, and while we used all the others as a step stool and a seat, we wouldn’t want to do the same with this one. The lid flexes considerably when weighted, making us wary of its strength.

The plastic handles are also flimsy and don’t inspire confidence when lifting the cooler fully loaded. This ample cooler also doesn’t come with a drain plug. This is typical of smaller coolers, but for a 52-quart cooler with inferior insulation properties, there is going to be a lot of water to drain. 

Despite these setbacks, one of the biggest selling points of this cooler in our tester’s opinion is that it is made with recycled post-consumer resin, and its foam layer is made in such a way that decreases CO2 and VOC emissions. Surprisingly, it retained some ice at the end of our 10-day ice retention test. This was especially surprising because at 48 hours in it had the highest interior temperature of all the coolers at 34.6 degrees F.

While this might not be the best-performing cooler, nor is it as high-quality as our top pick, the ECOCOOL remains a great choice for the occasional cooler user who wants something to keep items cold for a day or two, and doesn’t want to break the bank. 

---

Best Wheeled Cooler

RovR RollR 45 Wheeled Cooler

check price at rei$234 at Amazon

8.7

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Ice Retention
  8.0
• Build Quality
  8.5
• Portability
  9.5
• Capacity and Organization
  8.0

Specifications

• Capacity: 45 quarts
• Materials: Plastic/polyeurethane foam
• Dimensions: 22.5” x 21” x 20.5”
• Weight: 37 lbs.

Pros

• Big, sturdy wheels for easy transport
• Comes with removable dry bin
• Compact but still has decent capacity

Cons

• Expensive
• Very heavy
• Ice doesn’t last as long because there is less room for ice

Heather Balogh Rochfort

Read Review: Review: RovR 45 Cooler With All-Terrain Wheels

The RovR RollR 45 ($275) is nothing if not an impressive-looking specimen. With beefy, all-terrain wheels, a bear-resistant, roto-molded body, several different places to attach accessories, and a deep main compartment with a dry bin, this roller makes the most of being a medium-sized cooler. 

The first thing that struck GearJunkie tester Alex Kirk is the almost comically large wheels. While they may look overbuilt for a medium-sized cooler, they performed impressively over rocky and sandy terrain on a desert camping trip in the Alabama Hills of California, and make transport overall a much easier affair. Getting from point A to point B lugging a heavy cooler can be the least enjoyable part of a camping trip. But the RovR couldn’t make it easier to roll your perishables to wherever you need them to be. 

Another noticeable feature of this cooler is that it ditches the typical rectangular shape typical of most models in favor of a taller, cubic one. This makes it convenient to pack into the trunk of a car because it takes up less space and is also easier to handle as one person. 

The interior is deep and spacious with a 42L capacity and has a removable dry bin that makes organizing food and drinks much easier. With the bin inserted, however, there is only enough room to fit 16 lbs of ice. The ice in this cooler lasted 6 days compared to YETI’s 10. 

The telescoping handle is also noticeably lacking in quality compared to the rest of the cooler. It isn’t very smooth to deploy, and feels flimsy, especially considering the price tag. While the Bullseye latches work just fine, our testers preferred wider rubberized pull tabs that you can grab and pull with your whole hand, rather than just using one or two fingers.

It is also one of the heaviest coolers we tested, at 37 pounds. Despite these setbacks, the outer rim of the cooler has attachment points for accessories such as a prep board, cup holders, and an umbrella rod holder, making this cooler the most customizable out of any other in our lineup. If you are looking for a cooler that can really go places, the RovR is our top pick for its ease of transport. 

---

Best Recyclable Cooler

Igloo Recool 16 Qt. Cooler

Check Price at Ace Hardware

7.7

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Ice Retention
  5.0
• Build Quality
  5.0
• Portability
  9.5
• Capacity and Organization
  8.0

Specifications

• Capacity: 16 quarts
• Materials: Recycled paper and AKD (alkyl kitene dimer)
• Dimensions: 15" x 11" x 11.38"
• Weight: 1.6 lbs.

Pros

• Compostable and biodegradable materials
• Ultra-lightweight
• Far more durable than expected
• Delightfully affordable

Cons

• Decent ice retention but still limited compared to pricier, hard-sided options
• Holds fewer cans than reported

Heather Balogh Rochfort

Read Review: Igloo Recool Review: A $10 Biodegradable Cooler Worth Trusting

The Igloo Recool Cooler ($10) stands out in today’s gear market for what it isn’t: another hunk of styrofoam destined to live forever in a landfill. Instead, this 16-quart cooler is made from recycled paper pulp and a plant-based binder, making it fully compostable and biodegradable after use. While that might suggest “single use,” in testing, the Recool proved surprisingly sturdy.

To test whether it would collapse faster than a house of cards, GearJunkie contributor Heather Balogh Rochfort loaded a 50-pound dumbbell into the Igloo Recool and carried it around her house. Surprisingly, the hardest part was the carrying itself; it didn’t crack, bend, or even warp. Honestly, she could have gone heavier, which is not what she expected from a recyclable paper cooler.

At just 1.6 pounds, the Recool is ultralight and incredibly easy to carry when it’s not loaded with gym equipment (or cans, too). It’s also delightfully affordable, making it a great grab-and-go option for casual daytime adventures or last-minute picnics. The lid features four built-in cup holders and doesn’t squeak, crumble, or leak water all over your car.

Of course, there are always some trade-offs with a $10 cooler. Ice retention is moderate — you can easily get a half day — but it can’t compete with pricier hard-sided coolers. And while Igloo advertises space for 20 cans plus ice, we found the real-world capacity to be closer to a dozen cans. Still, for single-day outings and laid-back affairs where you don’t want to lug around a behemoth, the Igloo Recool Cooler is an easy win.

---

Best Lightweight Cooler

RTIC Ultra-Light Hard Cooler

$206 at Amazoncheck price at rtic

8.0

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Ice Retention
  8.0
• Build Quality
  8.0
• Portability
  8.0
• Capacity and Organization
  8.0

Specifications

• Capacity: 52 quarts
• Materials: Injection-molded plastic
• Dimensions: 27.01” x 17.28” x 16.54”
• Weight: 31 lbs

Pros

• Lightweight
• Affordable
• Two drain plugs
• Good ice retention

Cons

• Still less ice retention than the rotomolded Yeti or Orca
• Injection-molded therefore less durable than rotomolded models

Heather Balogh Rochfort

Tired of dragging a fully loaded cooler that could weigh up to 50 pounds in and out of the back of your car? Enter the RTIC Ultra-Light Hard Cooler ($219) — a premium cooler that is 30% lighter than other coolers of the same capacity.

Three inches of foam insulation and an O-ring gasket for the lid keep your items cold despite the lighter weight. However, this cooler is injection-molded instead of rotomolded, and therefore, its ice retention will be a bit less overall than that of heavier, rotomolded models. 

The ice retention of the ultra-light RTIC cooler ended up actually being pretty comparable to its rotomolded counterpart. This, however, could be due to the fact that it was filled with more ice because of its larger size, and the more ice a cooler can hold, the longer it will retain that ice. But with 8 solid days of ice retention, the RTIC Ultra-Light Hard Cooler really measured up.  

Having a large cooler that is easy to carry around may also be very advantageous for some. This cooler additionally has many of the same features as its rotomolded counterpart, the RTIC 45, with secure rubber latches, two drain plugs, non-skid rubber feet, tie-down slots, molded in side handles, as well as marine-grade nylon rope handles on either side. It also comes in a smaller 32-quart size, as well as 52-quart and 72-quart wheeled versions.

---

Best Small Cooler

YETI Roadie 24 2.0

Check Price at Backcountry

8.1

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Ice Retention
  8.5
• Build Quality
  9.5
• Portability
  8.0
• Capacity and Organization
  7.5

Specifications

• Capacity: 24 quarts
• Materials: Rotomolded polyethylene and pressure-injected polyurethane foam
• Dimensions: 17.4" x 16.6" x 14.1"
• Weight: 13 lbs., 1.6 oz.

Pros

• Great insulation
• Solid ice retention that superseded Yeti's claims
• New carrying strap makes the 2.0 much easier to tote around
• New drain plug is a huge upgrade

Cons

• Pricey, especially for its size

Heather Balogh Rochfort

The YETI Roadie 24 2.0 ($250) may look familiar, but this isn’t the same cooler that launched in 2020. For 2025, YETI gave its beloved mid-size hard cooler a small but critical upgrade. Not only did the brand add a much-needed drain plug (the main knock on the OG version), but it also added a carrying strap in place of the old handle. These two changes may sound minor, but they make the Roadie 24 virtually unstoppable.

At 24 quarts, the Roadie is perfectly sized for one or two people for a weekend trip. It fits a standard bottle of wine upright, holds more than two dozen cans and ice, and slides neatly behind a car seat (Note: This only works if you’re short. GearJunkie contributor Heather Balogh Rochfort had no problem driving the car with the Roadie behind her, but her 6-foot-tall husband couldn’t make it work in their Subaru Outback).

The real change, however, is how you carry it. The old rigid handle made it feel like you were hauling a bucket full of ice. Not only was this awkward and uncomfortable when fully loaded, but it was also really heavy. The new strap design makes a world of difference, distributing weight more evenly and making transport far more comfortable.

Another long-overdue upgrade: a drain plug. Previously, you had to tip the whole cooler to empty melted ice water, a task that was both messy and cumbersome. Now, the new BestDam Drain Plug allows quick, easy drainage without sacrificing performance. Balogh Rochfort tested the updated cooler with our ice retention test (see below), assuming the new port might compromise insulation. Yeti claims that the Roadie 24 can stay cold enough for food (roughly 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower) for around 3.5 days, and she found that to be accurate. After 72 hours, the inside temperature was measuring at 33 degrees Fahrenheit and about half of the ice had melted. After four days, it was all liquid.

Like all YETI hard-sided coolers, the Roadie 24 2.0 features rotomolded polyurethane construction, a freezer-quality gasket, and burly T-latches designed to withstand years of abuse. With these upgrades, it’s practically perfect for a small cooler….but yes, you’re still going to pay for it.

---

More Coolers, Field Tested

The following coolers didn’t make the top of our list, but we’ve included them for their unique features or superior ice retention, and a few are great budget alternatives.

BOTE Kula 5 Magnepod Cooler

$269 at BOTECheck Price at Backcountry

7.6

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Ice Retention
  7.0
• Build Quality
  8.5
• Portability
  7.0
• Capacity and Organization
  8.0

Specifications

• Capacity: 20 quarts
• Materials: Rotomolded plastic
• Dimensions: 16.75″ W × 14.25″ H
• Weight: 13 lbs.

Pros

• Highly versatile since it's built to also be a seat, can hold a fishing rod, etc.
• Tons of useful features
• Rotomolded construction is quite durable

Cons

• Ice retention isn't as good as other premium coolers
• Slightly awkward to carry

Heather Balogh Rochfort

The Bote 5 Kula Magnepod ($299) isn’t your typical boxy cooler. With its round shape and five-gallon capacity, this roto-molded cooler is as comfortable sitting on as it is tossing in the back of a Jeep. GearJunkie contributor Heather Balogh Rochfort tested it throughout Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley on everything from dusty 4×4 roads to mellow day hikes, and came away impressed pleased by the variety of thoughtful features.

The Kula’s EVA foam lid pad doubles as a low-key comfortable seat. No, it’s not like your bed at home but the thought is nice. The built-in bottle opener and rod holder nod to BOTE’s paddleboard roots, while sticky rubber feet keep it from sliding around, even if you’re standing on it to reach your rooftop rack (As us how we know this…) We’ve all experienced coolers that have the drain just a tick too high on the wall, making it cumbersome to actually drain the water. But not the Kula. Thanks to a centrally located drain in the bottom, the whole process is easy peasy.

Performance-wise, the Kula 5 held its own but didn’t quite match up to other premium coolers (like the Yeti Roadi 24 2.0) in the ice retention test. It maintained a steady 32 degrees Fahrenheit after 24 hours, but had crept up to 34 degrees Fahrenheit by 48 hours. At 72 hours, the proverbial wheels fell off; it hit 37.9 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s more than solid for single-day adventures, but extended weekend trips will push its limits — which is unfortunate for a pricey cooler. Balogh Rochfort also found it slightly awkward to carry as it continually banged into your legs.

All that said, the Kula 5 does a decent job and has plenty of nice-to-have features that will appeal to a lot of folks. If you’re a paddleboarder or angler, we can see this cooler being a great pick.

---

Ninja FrostVault Cooler (30 Qt.)

Check Price at Ninja

8.0

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Ice Retention
  8.0
• Build Quality
  7.5
• Portability
  7.5
• Capacity and Organization
  8.5

Specifications

• External dimensions: 23.94" L x 17.07" W x 18.78" H
• Internal dimensions: 13.3" L x 11.57" W x 9.7" H
• Drawer dimensions: 9.8" L x 10.8" W x 3" H
• Capacity: 48 12-oz. cans (only); 28 cans w/15 lbs. ice
• Weight: ~20 lbs.

Pros

• Dry Zone storage helps separate and protect food items
• Perfect size for single-day events
• Competitive ice retention performance

Cons

• Do not forget items left in drawer
• Cleaning drawer is a necessity
• Higher end price

Heather Balogh Rochfort

Read Review: Cooler With Built-In Lunchbox: Ninja FrostVault Review

Ninja — yes, of blender fame — brings a novel feature to its cooler, at a nice price. The Ninja FrostVault ($200) has a bottom drawer that lets you store anything from produce to deviled eggs, so your chow doesn’t get wet from ice in the main compartment while it stays cool. Though it doesn’t insulate quite as well as its roto-molded competitors, its performance is respectable, especially considering it’s $100 less than a Yeti Tundra 45.

The single latch design and the lack of an air-tight seal impair the overall insulation performance, but don’t write off the FrostVault just yet. The single latch is durable and keeps the lid closed just fine, and a little air leakage prevents a vacuum so that the lid won’t get stuck. It’s a compromise, but if you’re using your cooler for a day trip or an overnight, the FrostVault will suffice.

The unique sliding drawer on the bottom, known as the DryZone, is about 10x11x3 inches. It keeps food dry and Ice-free. It also protects fragile food items like strawberries, pie, or the aforementioned deviled eggs from getting smashed during transit. A latch keeps the drawer from opening unexpectedly, and the drawer can be completely removed for easy cleaning. Don’t forget to empty the drawer. GearJunkie editor-in-chief Adam Ruggiero found out the hard way that it’s easy to forget about the drawer after emptying the main compartment; he was left with a pretty smelly mess a few days later. 

The FrostVault is not a heavy-duty grizzly-proof cooler, and we’re willing to bet plenty of folks looking for a good cooler aren’t going to be in bear country. Leave this one at home for multi-day rafting or fishing trips. For a few days on the road or at a drive-in campsite, the Ninja FrostVault will serve you well. And if you dig the design and would like more space, you can get the 50-quart version for about $50 more.

---

Canyon Coolers Outfitter 55

$240 at Amazon

7.9

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Ice Retention
  8.5
• Build Quality
  7.5
• Portability
  7.0
• Capacity and Organization
  8.0

Specifications

• Capacity: 55 quarts
• Materials: Rotomolded kayak plastic with pressure-injected foam insulation
• Dimensions: 28.5 x 15.5 x 16.75
• Weight: 26 lbs

Pros

• Rotomolded construction
• Easy-to-use latches
• Light for its size

Cons

• Hard to carry for one person when fully loaded
• Easy-to-use latches don’t seal in air as well as other coolers we tested
• Not IGBC certified

Heather Balogh Rochfort

A robust, family-friendly cooler, the new Canyon Coolers Outfitter 55 ($300) offers a blend of convenience, performance, and durability in its V2 design. Its robust, rotomolded body ensures quality ice retention and durability, making it a solid companion for outdoor adventures. The easy-to-use latches provide effortless access, while its straight-edged shape allows for efficient packing in your vehicle without consuming unnecessary space.

We put the Outfitter 55 to the test in the scorching summer heat, subjecting it to extensive evaluations in comparison to our lineup of the best coolers of 2025. This Arizona-made cooler did very well in our testing metrics, including size, volume, weight, ease of transport, durability, and ice retention.

During our ice retention test, the cooler maintained usable ice for four days under extreme conditions of 100-degree heat, suggesting it could perform even better in more typical outdoor environments.

Our lead tester, Miya, took this cooler camping with us on a weekend trip to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park and found it hard to handle as just one person due to its size, width, and weight when fully loaded. It would be nice to have a cooler of this size with wheels to make it even more convenient.

But it is also unlikely that you would buy this cooler for just one person, therefore you’ll be sure to have a helping hand for loading and unloading on your next vacation. 

Overall, the Canyon Coolers Outfitter 55 stands out as a family-friendly cooler with a spacious 55-quart capacity, ideal for weekend trips or longer excursions for two to four people. It is lightweight for its size, weighing only 26 pounds while the Yeti Tundra 45 weighs 23 pounds with only a true 37-quart capacity.

Its latches are its standout feature, though they don’t quite suction in air as much as the thick rubber latches found on Yeti and other premium coolers. But this cooler’s performance and usability make it a great value for your next family excursion. 

---

Xspec Pro 60 Quart Cooler

$230 at Amazon

7.5

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Ice Retention
  8.5
• Build Quality
  7.5
• Portability
  7.0
• Capacity and Organization
  8.0

Specifications

• Capacity: 60 quarts
• Materials: Rotomolded body and polyurethane insulation
• Dimensions: 28.2" x 17.9" x 18.2"
• Weight: 31 lbs.

Pros

• Lots of features
• Drain plug with tether
• Rotomolded design

Cons

• Not IGBC-rated
• Heavy
• Latches not as airtight as other brands

Heather Balogh Rochfort

The Xspec Pro 60 Quart Cooler ($230) is nothing if not impressive and is the most feature-filled cooler we tested. A heavy-duty, rotomolded construction with a reasonable price, this 31-pound cooler gives some other more expensive models a run for their money.

This 60-quart cooler actually has 60 quarts of usable space, unlike other brands which end up having less capacity than they claim due to their thick, insulated walls. It faired quite well in our ice retention test as well, holding usable ice for a total of 6 days while outside in a mix of shade and direct sunlight. 

The Xspec is dry ice compatible for even longer periods of cold retention. It also features a drain plug with a tether for safe-keeping, heavy-duty grab handles, a molded ruler on the lid, a built-in compass, bottle opener, non-slip feet, and molded tie-down slots — making this a burly cooler for overlanders and other adventurers.

And, this cooler is the only one in our lineup to have an air release knob as well, so you’ll never have to worry about your lid getting suctioned to the cooler body while you’re just trying to grab a cold one. No one likes that. 

While the Xspec is a worthy competitor in the world of rotomolded coolers, it’s worth mentioning that while its plastic latches are infinitely easier to open and close than the thick rubber ones you have to use two hands to pull down to secure, they don’t keep the cooler quite as airtight.

With the thick rubber latches found on the Yeti Tundra 45, you can feel the air being suctioned out of them as you pull down the latches to essentially “engage” the rubber gasket on the inside of the lid. 

While many of these premium brands hold a certification from the International Grizzly Bear Committee, the Xspec does not. Although it does have stainless steel locking plates to keep the cooler secure, we don’t know if it would withstand a curious grizzly. 

All in all, this feature-laden, rotomolded cooler has decent ice retention and a spacious capacity for a pretty affordable price. So, if you’re looking for a larger cooler that has some more bells and whistles than your average ice box, you may love the Xspec Pro 60. 

---

Coleman 316 Series Chest Cooler

$130 at Amazoncheck price at coleman

7.0

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Ice retention
  8.5
• Build Quality
  7.0
• Portability
  5.0
• Capacity and Organization
  7.5

Specifications

• Capacity: 120 quarts
• Materials: Injection-molded plastic
• Dimensions: 37.9” x 19” x 17.95”
• Weight: 20.7 lbs.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Large capacity
• Lightweight

Cons

• No wheels
• Requires two people to carry when loaded
• Cheap materials

Heather Balogh Rochfort

Sometimes a standard cooler just isn’t big enough. Enter the Coleman 316 Series Chest Cooler ($110). 120 quarts of space at only 20.7 pounds, this oversized ice box is great for birthday parties, barbecues, sporting events, and the like. 

Built-in cup holders and a lid that can double as a seat and support up to 250 pounds make this cooler more versatile than it seems. While the injection-molded design and relatively thin walls make multiday ice retention less viable than more expensive models, the Coleman 316 is a great choice for single-day events. 

While we think that any cooler of this size should come with a pair of wheels for easier transport, the Coleman 316 is, unfortunately, wheel-less. Its plastic side handles are also not the most confidence-inspiring, and the size of the cooler, when fully loaded, necessitates another person to lend a helping hand.

For only $6 more, you can get the slightly smaller, 100-quart Coleman 316 Series Insulated Portable Cooler with Heavy Duty Wheels, which solves the wheels issue though sacrifices 20 quarts of space. 

This cooler did quite well in the ice retention test, lasting the full 10 days with ice. This, however, is partially due to the sheer quantity of ice we filled the cooler with. The more ice, the longer a cooler will stay cold. But we were quite pleased with its performance regardless. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, large cooler for the occasional event, it’s hard to beat the Coleman 316.

---

Blue Coolers 60 Quart Ice Vault With Wheels

Buy Now At Blue Coolers

8.0

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Ice Rention
  8.5
• Build Quality
  8.0
• Portability
  8.0
• Capacity and Organization
  7.5

Specifications

• Collapsible Grab-N-Go Handle:
• All-terrain wheels:
• Airtight gaskets and seals:
• Tie-down slots:
• Utility port:
• Dry ice compatible:
• Chrome-plated lockable lid system with built-in bottle opener:
• Non-skid feet:
• Rapid drain system:
• Dry basket & divider-ready design:

Pros

• Keeps ice just as long (if not longer) than competition
• Easy to move around, even when full
• Latches securely
• Nice chrome-plated corner details
• Release port for draining while closed

Cons

• Plug not attached
• Latches get in the way of closing

Heather Balogh Rochfort

Read Review: Lighter, Cheaper, Roomier: Blue Coolers Ice Vault Review

The Blue Coolers Ice Vault ($350) is a quality rotomolded cooler, that lends itself to comparison with (you guessed it) the all-might Yeti. Is it better than the closest YETI equivalent, the Tundra Haul? In some ways, yes.

In terms of capacity, the Ice Vault has an additional 8 quarts over the Tundra haul, despite having a smaller exterior size. What’s going on here? Well, the Yeti has a thicker roto-molded shell, which definitely gives it an advantage in terms of insulation. But if you value space savings in your tightly packed vehicle, the Ice Vault may work better for you.

This cooler doesn’t have any bear-proof certifications or locking points, so the YETI is a better choice if you’re in bear country and don’t have proper food storage options. Again, there are plenty of places to go camping in the lower 48 where you’re never going to run into a bear. The latches are a hard plastic that lever the lid into an air-tight seal. Using them isn’t less difficult than the Yeti’s rubber latches, just different.

The only real gripe that GearJunkie editor Rachelle Schrute had with this cooler is the drain plug cover. It isn’t leashed to the cooler and could easily get lost, rendering a $350 cooler much less effective. You chalk that up to user error, but still. All in all, this is a solid cooler that has a very similar performance to a YETI or an ORCA. Though its name may not reference a majestic sea creature or a beloved cryptid, it’s about $100 less than those coolers.

---

Igloo 25-Quart Picnic Cooler

Check Price at IGLOO

7.0

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Ice Retention
  6.5
• Build Quality
  7.0
• Portability
  9.0
• Capacity and Organization
  8.0

Specifications

• Capacity: 25 quarts
• Materials: Injection-molded plastic
• Dimensions: 13" x 20" x 13"
• Weight: 5.5 lbs.

Pros

• Super-portable
• Budget-friendly

Cons

• Short ice retention due to small size

Heather Balogh Rochfort

This cooler has no drain plug, but the smaller yet capable 25-quart size makes that OK. This Igloo Picnic cooler ($55) is not only a decades-old classic (now out in new “retro” colors), but it’s also a great size for day-trip outings like excursions to the park, city trailhead, beaches, or your favorite lake.

At a park picnic, we were able to fit bottles, cans, and flasks, as well as boxes, bins, and bags of snacks galore. If you aren’t packing food for snacking, it can hold 36 cans.

We used it for day trips and car camping and liked its size (it can fit in your passenger seat area), capacity, and convenience for a few days’ worth of food and drinks.

In testing, this cooler kept contents cold for 3 full days, and this was with us periodically opening it on occasion to check ice retention. (Igloo claims retention for this cooler at 1-3 days.)

Given all that, we give this cooler an A+ for not only living up to specs but also being a perfect, portable, budget-friendly option for shorter-length trips outdoors.

---

Cooler Comparison Chart

How We Tested Coolers

Our expert gear testers have been reviewing coolers since 2014, meticulously researching dozens of the best coolers on the market to continuously update this review. This is an extensive look at seven of the best coolers you can find today.

Our Expert Testers & Testing Grounds

Contributor Heather Balogh Rochfort is an avid outdoor enthusiast based in Colorado who spends most of her waking hours hiking, biking, camping, trail running, or skiing. Coincidentally, she also loves food so toting a cooler along on all of her adventures is a given.

Miya Tsudome brings over 3 years of gear reviewing experience combined with over a decade of being a serious outdoor enthusiast to help bring this current review to life. Having spent many months living out of her car in pursuit of rock climbing adventures all over the country, she knows that having a good cooler during the hot summer months can make a world of difference. 

Our Testing Process

Each product was tested over several weeks, and taken out on different occasions for real-world applications — overnight camping trips, backyard barbecues, and day trips to the local swimming hole. The most recent lineup of coolers was tested in October in the high desert of Bishop, Calif. The average temperature was in the high 70s to low 80s for the majority of the month.

Each cooler was rated based on its performance in our ice retention test, its insulation and materials, durability, extra features, weight, ease of transport, and ease of maintenance and cleaning. The coolers that ranked the highest in specific categories were assigned an award in our top picks. 

Also, we did not include soft coolers, backpack coolers, or electric coolers in this test.

Ice Retention Test

For our ice retention test, we filled each cooler up 85% of the way with the same type of bagged, cubed ice. Each cooler stayed indoors before the test, to ensure that their starting temperatures were all about the same. It’s recommended to pre-chill a cooler for the best ice retention, we did not prechill any of the coolers to best mimic how we would actually use them.

For the actual test, we stored the coolers outside in an area that was mostly shaded during the day, with a few hours of direct sun exposure and temperatures that varied from 35 degrees overnight to 100 degrees in direct sun. This was also our idea of the best imitation of how these coolers would typically be stored outdoors. 

Variables that can affect ice retention include the ice quantity, outside environment and temp, exposure and amount of sunlight, type of ice (crushed, block, cube, dry), airspace, and more. In order to find the best of the best coolers, it was crucial for us to do a direct comparison. 

We checked each cooler’s ice retention/melt rate once a day and recorded the time and temp for each one. We also noted the time once each cooler’s ice was fully melted. The YETI Tundra 45 and the YETI Roadie 24 2.0 took first place, both retaining ice for the full 10 days.

The RTIC Ultra-Light came in next, retaining useable ice for 8 days with interior temperatures 48 hours in at 29.2 degrees F and 31.2 degrees F.

While the Igloo ECOCOOL had an interior temperature of 34.6 degrees F at the 48-hour mark, it surprisingly still had some ice left inside after 10 days. The RovR RollR 45 only lasted 6 days with useable ice, but it also had the least amount of ice inside out of all the coolers due to the useable space.

In contrast, the Coleman 316 still held a large quantity of ice after 10 days. This is more so due to the amount of ice that it holds in its 120-quart interior rather than due to its insulation properties. More ice = more ice retention. 

This test was not meant to be purely scientific, but rather to reflect the realistic use of a cooler outdoors and accurately compare cooler performance. To keep it fair, we made sure that all coolers were subjected to the same variables and criteria as much as possible.

It is worth mentioning that this test was not performed in the height of summer, but rather during a time when overnight temperatures dipped fairly low, causing the ice to melt much slower than if this test was done in July.

If you’re tired of ice and ok spending more money for an actual portable refrigerator, check out GearJunkie’s guide to the best Electric Coolers.

Our Cooler Rating System

When comparing coolers side by side, we break our evaluations into four key categories. This system provides a balanced look at performance, usability, and design, all while helping us determine which coolers stand out — and which ones melt under pressure.

Ice Retention

Ice retention is the most important measure of a cooler’s performance. We evaluate how long each model keeps ice solid in real-world conditions, including during road trips, camping weekends, and multi-day tests in fluctuating temperatures. Coolers that maintain low internal temps for several days (even when opened frequently) earn top marks here. For this metric, please reference our ice retention test (above).

Build Quality

A cooler’s durability often determines how long it will last. We look closely at construction methods (rotomolded or injection-molded) along with hinge strength, latch reliability, and gasket design. We also consider overall sturdiness, resistance to dents or warping, and how well the cooler stands up to heavy use in the field. A cooler earns bonus points for quality and durability if it is bear proof but that isn’t a requirement, nor is it always worth your hard-earned cash.

Portability

From quick tailgates to long hauls across camp, portability can make or break a cooler’s usability. We assess handle design, strap comfort, weight when fully loaded, and balance while carrying. Coolers that feel awkward or strain our arms lose points here, while those with ergonomic grips or smart strap systems get high marks.

Capacity and Organization

A cooler’s capacity isn’t just about volume; it’s about usable space. We look at how efficiently each model stores cans, bottles, and ice, and whether its internal layout makes access easy. Features like baskets, dividers, and wine-bottle-friendly heights earn extra credit for improving real-world organization and versatility.

Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Cooler

Cooling Performance

Insulation & Materials

Coolers have a long and storied history. From a humble beginning as a wooden box with an interior tin chamber invented by Thomas Moore Jr. in 1802, to the decently insulating styrofoam boxes that came from the World War II era, to the plastic exterior coolers we know today pioneered by the Coleman company, coolers have come a long way.

Historically, coolers have been made with interior and exterior shells of plastic, with hard foam in between. Many basic coolers are still made this way today, such as the Igloo ECOCOOL and the Coleman 316. 

In 2006, two brothers named Roy and Ryan Seiders revolutionized the cooler market with their rotational molding or “rotomolding” design. This involves a heated plastic mold that is rotated continuously while powdered polyethylene is added to it to create a uniform thickness. They also pioneered the use of polyurethane instead of styrofoam as insulation, which created superior ice retention.

YETI was the company born from its design and is considered the gold standard in coolers today. Many companies have since adopted the rotomolding technique for their coolers. Now, a majority of premium coolers like the YETI Tundra 45 and the YETI Roadie 24 2.0 are rotomolded.

Coolers use a few different sorts of foam or petroleum-based insulation, typically double-walled. YETI employs its pressure-injected polyurethane foam, while Igloo uses its proprietary THERMECOOL insulating foam.

While rotomolded coolers offer the best ice retention and durability by far, they are also considerably more heavy and expensive. The trade-off for lighter, less expensive coolers, however, will be in their performance and durability. 

More recently, manufacturers have introduced coolers made from recyclable or compostable materials. These models, such as the Igloo Recool Cooler, are built from molded paper pulp with plant-based binders instead of petroleum-derived foams. Their insulation is modest compared to plastic or rotomolded designs, but they offer a sustainable alternative to disposable Styrofoam chests. Best suited for short-term use like picnics, concerts, or day trips, compostable coolers trade multi-day ice retention for environmental responsibility.

Seals

The highest-performing coolers in our lineup all have heavy-duty rubber gaskets that work to seal their lids airtight. In order to keep your cooler as consistently cold as possible, you need to be able to trap that cold air inside and keep it closed.

The best coolers will implement the same materials and mechanisms as deep freezers will, with rubber gaskets that create airtight seals, and sturdy, thick latches that pull the lids tight. The Igloo ECOCOOL, the Igloo Recool and the Coleman 316 are the only coolers in our lineup that do not implement this feature.

Exterior Color

Another thing to consider if you want the absolute best-performing cooler you can buy is the color you choose. When measuring the outside temperature of each cooler during our ice retention test, the lighter-colored coolers consistently had lower exterior temperatures. So although that dark grey cooler might be more your style, the white one might be the better choice. Options like the Bote Kula 5 are nice because they offer a wide variety of fun colors, so you can choose one that fits your personality and stays cool on hot days.

Size & Volume

The sweet spot volume of all the coolers we tested was a 40- to 45-quart cooler. This medium size is the most convenient, providing enough space for 3-5 days’ worth of food for one or two people, plenty of room for a few six-packs of cold drinks for a backyard barbecue.

In terms of the different sizes that each brand offers, 30- and 60-quart capacities are also popular. The largest cooler we tested was the Coleman 316. It can serve a purpose for large events or gatherings and is a good value for its size. On the flipside, the smallest cooler we tested is the Igloo Recool 16qt Cooler that is best suited for day-long activities like picnics or small gatherings with friends.

You’ll want to consider not only how much cooler space you may want for different adventures, but also consider a cooler’s dimensions. You don’t want to buy the perfect cooler only to find out that it doesn’t fit in your car when packed, or in a spot on your storage shelf. Most coolers are rectangular in shape, and can be easy to slide into car trunks and stack other things on top of.

Some coolers have wheels, like the RovR RollR 45, which, while making transport easier, can take up more room in a trunk or on a shelf. It’s also a good idea to think about the items you’ll be keeping cool and make sure those (maybe wine bottles or a coffee press for camping) fit the internal dimensions as well.

Weight

Weight is also an important consideration when choosing a cooler. Rotomolded coolers with their thick, 2 inches of insulation and durable outer plastic layer will be the heaviest cooler you can buy. Coolers like the YETI Tundra 45 all weigh between 23 and 30 pounds alone. The RovR RollR 45 weighs a whopping 37 pounds. Granted, it has wheels, which means transportation won’t be as difficult an affair. 

The RTIC Ultra-Light Hard Cooler is a great innovation from RTIC that uses injection molding to create a lighter, midsized cooler. At 31 pounds, the 52-quart model is around the same weight as its 45-quart, rotomolded counterpart, resulting in a higher capacity for less weight.

The Igloo ECOCOOL weighs in at only 9.84 pounds, putting it on the lighter side for a hard-sided cooler (None of these coolers weigh less than the Igloo Recool Cooler at a featherweight 1.6 pounds). However, its lightness is attributed to its injection molding, thin walls, and noninsulated lid. Though lightweight, the ECOCOOL is not a premium cooler for the serious consumer but is a great budget pick or option for someone who has more trouble carrying heavier loads.

Ease of Transport

Handles or Wheels?

Some would say this is personal preference, but in our opinion, it all comes down to your cooler volume and what you’re hauling. So, if you are leaning toward a 20- to 40-quart cooler, you probably don’t need wheels.

These coolers aren’t so wide that it’s difficult to carry them on your own, and typically come with molded indentations as well as sturdy rope handles on either side. Our testers loved the YETI Tundra 45 with its military-grade nylon rope handles and comfortable, rubber grips.

If you are going to invest in a cooler with a capacity of 60, 70, or 100+ quarts, definitely consider one with wheels, or at least one with a few different carry options (tow handles, grips, two-person carry, etc). This is a flaw in the Coleman 316 we tested, which at a 120-quart capacity and 37.9-inch width does not come with wheels and pretty much requires two people to carry it fully loaded.

The RovR RollR 45 Wheeled Cooler, however, comes with beefy all-terrain plastic tires that can handle sand, gravel, and rough terrain with ease, making it the best of its class for ease of transport.

If you are frequently loading up on ice and filling that bad boy with cans, you may want something with wheels. Or maybe not, if you plan on rolling that cooler over rugged terrain. But, if you know you’ll be hauling your cooler around with family or friends, a two-handled one may work just fine.

Durability & Build Quality

It’s also worth considering the durability and build quality of a cooler, especially when you start shelling out some more cash. A cooler can be an expensive investment, and if you are planning on using one a lot, it’s nice to know that it will hold up to years of use.

Rotomolded Coolers

Rotomolded coolers take the cake in this category again, with their continuous molding design creating a noticeably thick and robust exterior. This method creates a uniform thickness all around. These coolers have superior ice retention and can be a seat or footstool, not to mention withstand attempts at forced entry by grizzly bears. 

Yes, you read that correctly. Coolers such as the YETI Tundra 45 and RovR RollR 45 hold certifications from the International Grizzly Bear Committee that state that they successfully withstood attempts at entry from actual grizzly bears.

Not only is this a testament to their durability, but it also allows you to have peace of mind if you do any camping in areas where bears might be of concern.

Injection-Molded Coolers

Injection-molded coolers create two separate shells, fused together by insulated foam. They are lighter than their rotomolded counterparts. Yet they are more likely to crack or separate, causing their durability to be called more into question over time.

While you can sit on the lids of the Igloo ECOCOOL and the Coleman 316, the noticeable flex of their plastic will make you want to be more careful handling these coolers.

Recyclable & Compostable Coolers

Recyclable coolers (like Igloo’s Recool) take a completely different construction approach, using molded paper pulp rather than plastic shells. While they aren’t built to last for years like rotomolded or injection-molded coolers they’re sturdier than disposable Styrofoam chests and can handle the weight of food, drinks, and ice for a day. Their durability is best suited for occasional use, festivals, or day use where ruggedness isn’t the main priority.

Maintenance & Cleaning

After purchasing a new cooler, it’s important to keep up with some basic cleaning and maintenance to ensure its lifespan is as long as it can be. After use, you’ll always want to leave the lid open to let the cooler air dry. This ensures no moisture gets trapped inside, causing mildew or bacterial growth. It’s a great idea to wash the interior with some warm, soapy water, and then let air dry.

You do not want to leave a cooler with food and water in it for days, as this will ensure bacterial growth (and in coolers like the Igloo Recool, may cause disintegration). Most of the coolers in our lineup are relatively easy to clean. The lighter coolers, such as the Igloo ECOCOOL and the Coleman 316, can tip over easily when empty and the lid is open. This makes them a little more cumbersome as the lid can flop close on you while giving the scrub down.

Price & Value

The best coolers are not cheap, but if you know what you need, it’s easier to find a model that can fit your budget and your food storage needs.

Budget

In general, the less expensive cooler will be smaller and have injection-molded plastic shell with some sort of foam insulation. They have thinner walls and don’t insulate as well as more expensive models. If you’re only going to use your cooler for day trips or brief overnight, then it’s totally possible to make an inexpensive cooler work for you!

The most affordable cooler in this guide is the Igloo Recool 16qt Cooler ($10), a recyclable and reusable featherweight. It’s quite different than all the other coolers listed here because it’s made of recycled paper and is not built for the long haul. Still, it does a great job of keeping drinks chilled for a day when portability is the priority.

The Igloo ECOCOOL ($60) gets you 52 quarts of storage for food and ice is lightweight, and even had a little ice left at the end of our 10-day retention tests. Its handles are a bit flimsy, it isn’t bear-proof, and there is no drain plug, but if keeping your food fresh for a day or so is all you need, it will absolutely do the trick. If you need even more space without breaking the bank, check out the Coleman 316 Series Chest Cooler ($110)

Mid-tier

The Xspec Pro 60-Quart Cooler ($230) sits smack in the middle of price and performance and is a great option if you need a cooler to last a week. Or, for a few more dollars, you can snag the YETI Roadie 24 2.0 ($250), a rotomolded option with fantastic ice retention and a newly-added drain plug.

Premium

The YETI Tundra 45 ($325) is our top pick and one of the more expensive coolers on our list. The Tundra is THE cooler that set off the roto-molded cooler wars and has pushed the competition to really up their game. The Tundra 45 is IGBC-certified (bearproof), has high-quality polyurethane foam insulation, and easily held ice for over ten days.

The Canyon Coolers Outfitter 55 ($300) isn’t bearproof, but does have better storage capacity, and the RovR RollR 45 Wheeled Cooler ($350) is easier to move around. The Bote 5 Kula ($299) is the smallest of the higher-end options, but it does come with some nice-to-have features. All are excellent insulators, but it’s best to check the specs to make sure you’re getting exactly what you’re looking for if you’re going to pay top dollar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Outdoor

The Best Soft Coolers of 2025

We tested the best soft coolers with styles for every budget and adventure. Top picks include YETI, RTIC, Hydro Flask, and more.

Packs

The Best Backpack Coolers of 2025

We tested the best backpack coolers with styles for every budget and trip. Top picks include ICEMULE, Hydro Flask, and more.

Some years ago, in a pandemic-fueled frenzy, I dragged out my pyramid tarp shelter for some surgery. I wasn’t happy with a few aspects, but the main ask was for adjustable tensioners at the corners and mid-panel tie-outs for stiff winds. I’m no seamster, but the final product wasn’t half bad — at the expense of my sanity.

I now know that I should have saved my fingertips (and brain) the pain of fighting the sewing machine: When the new SlingFin Cinder Cone Pyramid Tent arrived, it was everything I had made my old tarp into and much more. 

I’ve now used the Cinder Cone as a basecamp shelter in Patagonia, a bikepacking refuge on a few island trips, and a deep backcountry haven above the Arctic Circle on a packrafting circuit. In all three locations, the versatility of this pyramid tarp impressed me.

In short: The SlingFin Cinder Cone may be the best pyramid shelter I’ve used of this style yet. It is generously sized, ventilates exceptionally well, and is hardened against the style of storms that brew over the Kahiltna glacier basecamp or Southern Patagonian icefield. It’s not a quiver-killer, but it does do a lot of things quite well.

Looking for a new shelter to weather all storms? Check out how the Cinder Cone compares to other tents in GearJunkie’s Best 4-Season Tents Buyer’s Guide.

SlingFin Cinder Cone Pyramid Tent

Check Price at SlingFin

8.6

How we rate products ⓘ

Rating Details

• Weather Resistance
  8.0
• Living Space
  9.0
• Durability
  8.0
• Size & Weight
  9.0

Specifications

• Type: Basecamp and expeditions
• Weight: 2 lbs., 7.4 oz.
• Doors: 1
• Sleeps: 4
• Floor area: 81 sq. ft.
• Vestibule area: N/A
• Height: 72"
• Walls: Single or double

Pros

• Super-versatile setup options
• Many ventilation ports and systems
• Rugged nylon 66 and ALUULA Durlyte construction
• Small packed size

Cons

• Will need to be seam sealed
• No hang loop on the exterior of the tarp

Nick Belcaster

SlingFin Cinder Cone Pyramid Tent: Review

Pyramid tarp shelters are some of the most versatile backcountry options out there. You can run these shelters with or without an inner floor, elevate them to clear awkward humps in tight sites, and pitch them four different ways into the wind. SlingFin seems to have brewed up the Cinder Cone after serious meditation on what the ideal ‘mid would look like.

The brand has made a name for itself in the world of four-season mountaineering-styled shelters, but also has bled over into lightweight shelters that thru-hikers, bikepackers, and paddlers have taken up and relied on as a tougher-than-normal option. The Cinder Cone is certainly in this camp.

I aimed to test this shelter on its versatility, and hit it with the spread of harsh weather you might foreseeably take it out in. From 50 mph wind and midsummer snowstorms in Patagonia to soaked tundra camping in Alaska, it didn’t wilt all year.

I also tested the optional Mesh Body for the Cinder Cone ($260), which was a nice addition and the same packed size as the tarp itself. I’d likely leave it behind on summer mountaineering trips in the Pacific Northwest, but the bug protection it provided ranged from handy to necessary on the trips I used it on.

A Burly Build

SlingFin doesn’t half-bake any of its designs, and the Cinder Cone only drives that point home. They also are huge textile nerds, it appears. 

The 10D sil-nylon 66 used in the tarp’s body is top-notch stuff that keeps the bulk down (a Dyneema Composite Fiber Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 4 is about double the volume of the Cinder Cone when packed), but it’s the ALUULA textile in the tarp’s top cap that makes it different.

ALUULA’s Durlyte is some bleeding-edge stuff that’s further down the continuum from Dyneema Composite Fabric and Challenge Ultra materials on the durability scale (the ultralight industry is in an arms race toward light-and-tough, with new woven Dyneema textiles debuting earlier this summer).

Its use in the top cap of the tarp is a perfect application, as it’s the single point of contact for the tarp’s structure, and making it robust allows you to use unconventional means, such as a kayak paddle.

Otherwise, all of the trim I added to my old pyramid tarp is present on the Cinder Cone. The brand tacks seven guyline loops onto it, plus Linelocs on all of the perimeter pull-out loops. There’s also a two-way YKK VISLON Aquaguard zipper for the entry (plus two preinstalled sliders for spares) and something called Radial Seam Tape, which is a hem of webbing along the bottom edge that limits stretch.

Across all my uses, the Cinder Cone showed up when I needed it with the reinforcements in the places I’d expect wear to accumulate.

Set Up for Any Situation

The Cinder Cone’s ability to set up in rugged or unfavorable terrain is a huge boon, and after an 18-hour day in Alaska — crossing two soaked mountain passes — it was easy to throw down the tarp on some sorta-level tundra and make it work. 

SlingFin doesn’t include the pole you’ll need to set up the tarp, and there’s a good reason — you’ve probably already got it. Whether that’s lashing together a few trekking poles, using a packraft paddle, or finding a solid stick, there are plenty of options. For space-limited sports (like bikepacking), SlingFin now sells a carbon collapsible pole as well.

Setting up a pyramid shelter can sometimes create awkward tension lines if you don’t nail the footprint. The Cinder Cone tacks on another little ingenious mod here in a Quick Pitch Cord that connects opposite corners of the tarp. The perfect distance is always maintained, and setup goes smoothly. That’s smart.

When an oddball snowstorm in Patagonia dropped heavy snow this February, the mid-panel guy lines were easy to tack down. In Alaska, I was able to adjust the Linelocs to drop the windward edge of the tarp to the river bar to keep a stiff wind off us.

In fact, the only time the design was really challenged was when a river rose quickly and flooded us out. Even still, since there’s only a single pole, we packed bags (in the dry tarp), pulled stakes, and moved to higher ground. In minutes, we were back under the tarp.

A Featherlight Palace: Hyperlite UltaMid 4 Ultralight Tent Review

The Hyperlite UltaMid 4 Ultralight Tent is an extremely spacious, versatile, and even luxurious ultralight four-season tent with a variety of accessories that make it a true quiver killer. Read more…

Toss Open the Windows

The ventilation on the Cinder Cone is unreal. Many pyramid shelters turn into ovens when set up on a sun-baked glacier, but this tarp is the exception. The unique trio of portals set high on the walls can be thrown open when temperatures rise or adjusted individually to shuttle breezes in. 

In Patagonia, we had to set up the tarp on the exposed shores of a lake just outside of Torres del Paine National Park, where a 50 mph wind was buffeting us relentlessly. Opening the through-vents here made for just enough pressure relief to get the tarp up, and while it was a wildly noisy night, the Cinder Cone stood strong while the winds died down.

The ventilation options don’t stop there, either. A simple cord system can lift the tarp’s hems to sneak breezes under it, and there’s one on every wall but the door. 

The Cinder Cone breathes much better compared to the Black Diamond Mega Snow 4P Mid — frequently used as a cook tent on routes like the West Buttress of Denali. As a single-wall shelter, you’ll always need to manage moisture in this tarp, but the ventilation options make it simple and effective. 

Room for Improvement

While the Cinder Cone answered nearly all my pyramid shelter wishes, I can always find something to grumble about. The second night in Alaska was a wet one, with the rain really beginning to drive around 1 a.m., followed by some drips coming in from the peak of the tarp.

It appeared that only seams under tension weeped, so once I returned from the trip, I hit these areas with some Gear Aid Tent Seam Sealant. The patch job was deemed successful after curing and testing it with the hose. It’s not a tough process, and anyone running the Cinder Cone should do the same.

The materials used on the Cinder Cone and the mesh inner are also not indestructible. On the last night of the trip, I tore the floor of the shelter while moving the kayak paddle around. It’s nothing a little Tenacious Tape can’t fix, but it’s also important to keep in mind.

Finally, a single-line-item wish list: After we had flown out of the backcountry in Alaska, we stayed in a bush plane hangar for the night and used the mesh inner to keep the mosquitoes at bay. With no way to set up a pole inside and stake it out and no hang loop on the peak, we had to get creative to get it set up. A simple hang loop would be greatly appreciated and an easy addition. I may just break out the sewing machine myself.

SlingFin Cinder Cone Pyramid Tent: Conclusion

The pyramid tarp space is a surprisingly vibrant corner of the backcountry shelter market, with serious competition like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 4, Black Diamond Mega Snow, and cottage industry options like the Mountain Laurel Designs Supermid. However, I think that the SlingFin Cinder Cone bests them all. 

It’s cheaper and packs down twice as small as the Ultamid, has much better ventilation and features than the Mega Snow, and is more widely available than the Supermid. At $435 (without the inner), it’s nearly half the price of the Ultamid, which highlights the impressive shelter you can get out of some high-quality materials (that aren’t exclusively the lightest).

This winter, I’m looking forward to using the Cinder Cone as a ski overnight and traverse shelter here in the North Cascades. It’s the perfect blend of compact when packed and roomy when deployed, and digging down into the snow should yield a wild amount of space. I’m not saying it’s a quiver killer, but it has replaced my old doctored-up mid outright. No sewing required.

The Best 4-Season Tents of 2025

Our experts tested the best 4-season tents of 2025 for every budget and use case. Top picks include Mountain Hardwear, MSR, and more. Read more…