Cold weather tents are a must-have for winter campers, backpackers, and mountaineers. But what are the best tents on the market? We’re here to help you find the right choice.
This article examines what to look for in cold weather tents and seven of the best options. We also rate how durable they are for winter camping.
What to Look for in a Cold Weather Tent
There are five main features to keep in mind when looking for cold weather tents. Let’s take a closer look.
Protection
You’ll want maximum protection when camping in cold weather. First, determine whether you need a three-season or four-season tent.
A three-season is lightweight and breathable for less intense winter conditions. In contrast, a four-season is for camping in snow with high winds.
Materials
A tent’s materials matter when it comes to cold weather camping. Canvas tents are one of the best options for keeping heat inside.
They’re typically made of heavy canvas cotton or synthetic blend woven together tightly. Other good materials that are lighter weight include polyester, and cold-crack tested nylon.
Ease of Setup
The last thing you want to be doing in the frigid temperatures is struggling to set up your tent. When shopping for a cold weather tent, browse through the reviews to see how user-friendly the setup has been for others. We recommend explicitly looking for people who have set it up on their own to learn about their experience.
Interior Space
When looking for a cold weather tent, ensure you have enough space for the number of people needing to sleep inside and your gear. Leaving your gear outside isn’t always an option when winter camping.
In addition, it’s helpful to have enough space to be comfortable inside your tent in case the weather keeps you in for a day or two.
Weight
Four-season tents tend to be heavier than three-season tents. In part, that’s due to the canvas materials. However, if you’re going to be backpacking in cold weather, you may want to consider a lighter-weight option.
Pro Tip: Keep cozy with these 5 Best Cold Weather Sleeping Bags for Staying Warm While Winter Camping.
The 7 Best Cold Weather Tents for Four-Season Camping
We’ve compiled a list of the seven best four-season cold weather tents. These will get you through a night in some of the most frigid wintery weather. Let’s check them out!
1. The North Face Mountain 25
About: The North Face Mountain 25 cold weather tent can sleep two people comfortably. It has a nylon fly with welded reinforcements and a polyurethane port window that’s cold-crack tested to -60 degrees Fahrenheit. The tent is adequately vented and has high-strength, reflective guylines with equalizers.
Best for: Mountaineering
Winter rating: 10/10
2. Eureka Mountain Pass Tent
About: The Eureka Mountain Pass two-person tent is double-walled with polyester material. The four-season tent and its aluminum poles are lightweight and durable. It also has removable side panel vents as well as two doors.
Best for: Hiking
Winter rating: 9/10
3. Alps Mountaineering Tasmanian 2-Person
About: The Alps Mountaineering Tasmanian two-person cold weather tent weighs approximately 7.9 lbs. This lightweight option has a polyester fly that’s water and UV ray resistant. It also has two doors for easy ventilation through the mesh windows.
Best for: Mountaineering
Winter rating: 8/10
- There's no assembly frustration with our Tasmanian Tent series,...
- Polyester fly will resist water and UV rays while adding two...
- Easy entry and great ventilation with two doors, both with...
4. Rab Latok Summit Tent
About: The Rab Latok Summit Tent has a single wall made from a waterproof three-layer DVStorm fabric. It’s a lightweight and durable option for climbers. This cold weather tent has a rear tunnel vent and a breathable shell. And it has glove-friendly guylines and oversized loops, so you stay warm even when setting it up.
Best for: Mountaineering
Winter rating: 10/10
Pro Tip: Want to bring your dog camping with you? Before you do find out Do Dogs Get Cold Camping?
5. MSR Remote 3 Tent
About: The MSR Remote 3 Tent accommodates three people and their gear. Its double walls are ripstop nylon, and the rain fly is made of ripstop polyester. The tent has a spacious vestibule and a snow flap to keep out spindrifts.
Best for: Mountaineering
Winter rating: 9/10
6. GEERTOP 2 Person Tent
About: The Geertop 2 Person Tent has a dome shape and a flysheet with a snow skirt. It’s made of wear and abrasion-resistant polyester. The tent is also waterproof and has a layer of UV protection. Weighing only 6.4 lbs, it’s an excellent lightweight option for hiking.
Best for: Camping and Hiking
Winter rating: 8/10
7. Mountain Hardwear Trango 4 Tent
About: The Mountain Hardwear Trango 4 Tent can sleep four people with additional room for gear. It’s made of ripstop nylon with a waterproof rain fly. And it has a sizable dry-entry vestibule for gear storage with a snow flap to seal out the spindrift.
Best for: Mountaineering
Winter rating: 9/10
Are You Ready to Go Winter Camping?
We hope you choose one of the cold weather tents on our list to ensure you get a warm and restful night’s sleep to keep you adventuring longer. Let us know which one you use and share some of your winter camping adventures!
Do you own a cold weather tent? Drop a comment below!
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