Finest Tent Manufacturers of 2023

A query I usually get requested by mates, household, and even of us on-line is, “which tent ought to I get?” Different kinds of gear come into query sometimes, however tents and backpacks are typically the highest gear query I obtain. Tents are a difficult one for a lot of people due to the worth tag. The record of the very best tent manufacturers is an extended one, so I narrowed it down to some particular classes; that manner, we had a good evaluation of a number of top-performing tent manufacturers available in the market proper now. 

When selecting the very best tent manufacturers to your wants, I at all times advocate that you simply first determine how the tent might be used and the way incessantly. Should you want a tent for winter expedition tenting, it’s going to look a lot completely different than a tent somebody might select for Overlanding. Understanding the technical necessities of the tent then means that you can slim down your record in keeping with tent options, portability, supplies, guarantee/restore insurance policies, and worth. This record of the very best tent manufacturers might assist you to zero in on a number of particular choices. That manner, you possibly can spend much less time buying and extra time outdoor. 

How We Picked The Finest Tent Manufacturers

When selecting an out of doors product, the very first thing I at all times take a look at is the model or firm. What are their values? Was the corporate began to unravel an issue or just to earn a living? If their values and mission align with mine, then it’s doubtless that I might be serious about their merchandise. 

The larger image of the model itself is what may give you a deeper understanding of how they design their gear, how the merchandise are produced, how they supply their supplies, and the general environmental influence they’ve. After all, product performance and sturdiness are an enormous a part of it too. Nevertheless, I’ve discovered essentially the most sustainable firms usually take advantage of sturdy merchandise as a result of they have in mind the lifespan and repairability of their merchandise. 

In selecting the very best tent tenting manufacturers, I prioritized their guarantee, restore coverage, and general transparency surrounding a sustainability report. I then appeared on the number of tents and their utility, sturdiness, and performance within the discipline, in addition to affordability. All of this info was gathered over years of expertise working with and utilizing out of doors merchandise, interviews with manufacturers, industry-specific data of product manufacturing, and different verified buyer testimonials and experiences with tent manufacturers. 

Finest Tent Manufacturers: Evaluations and Suggestions

Finest for Tenting: Nemo Tools

Key Options

• Finest Vendor: Nemo Dragonfly OSMO
• Our Favourite: Nemo Dagger OSMO
• Value Vary: $$$$
• Finest For: Backpacking, ultralight, bikepacking, automobile tenting, mountaineering
• Guarantee: Lifetime

Professionals

• Excessive-quality merchandise
• Intentional and up to date designs
• Lifetime guarantee and restore coverage
• A number of tent varieties and kinds

Cons

Nemo Tools is our high choose for the very best general tent model and is included in our record of the top-rated backpacking tents. Their dedication to utilizing high-quality and sustainably sourced supplies and the lifetime guarantee put them above many different rivals on our record. They make tents for all events, together with ultralight backpacking tents (Dagger OSMO) and huge household tents (Aurora Highrise). Though they’re on the upper finish of the worth vary for gear, their reliability, performance, and sturdy development make it value the price. 

Whereas Nemo has numerous tents, sleeping baggage, and sleeping pads, they solely provide a number of different tenting equipments. Being extra of a distinct segment sleep system model permits them to spend extra time enhancing and bettering their merchandise. As a model, they’ve received awards for his or her progressive designs, which they replace yearly. Professional tip: When new designs come out, it’s a superb time to get reductions on final season’s colours and kinds and snag the identical high-quality gear at a cheaper price. 

Finest for Backpacking: Huge Agnes

Key Options

Professionals

• Gives a variety of light-weight designs
• Lifetime guarantee
• Time-tested merchandise
• Options focused to backpackers

Cons

One other high contending choice for the very best tent manufacturers is Huge Agnes, which has been round for over 20 years. Among the many most comparable in high quality and design to Nemo Tools, Huge Agnes makes a variety of tent kinds. All of their tents are time-tested and high quality assured, however they received out our class for the very best backpacking tents for his or her light-weight, sturdy path tent designs. Whereas an off-the-cuff camper might not want a tent constructed at this caliber—and should want a extra budget-friendly choice—extra critical backpackers and campers will admire the craftsmanship.

Huge Agnes affords backpacking tents with ultralight designs (Copper Spur HV UL), roomy vestibules (Blacktail Resort), and minimalist ideas to incorporate your trekking poles into the setup (Salt Creek SL3). Since most backpackers are involved concerning the weight of their gear, Huge Agnes is a straightforward promote. Their tent poles are created from aluminum, which is sturdy and light-weight. The tent physique, fly, and ground materials are all a mix of proprietary nylon with a ripstop weave. The denier of every material part varies, however greater put on areas are inclined to have a better denier depend for longer-lasting efficiency.

Finest Ultralight: Six Moon Designs

Key Options

Professionals

• Extremely light-weight
• Some multi-purpose designs
• Glorious restore coverage
• Inexpensive worth for the standard

Cons

• Extra liable to rips and tears as a consequence of its ultralight design

Whereas many different manufacturers merely provide ultralight backpacking tents, Six Moon Designs makes a speciality of it. Each time a model has a centered area of interest, I’ve discovered their product design has a better high quality and a extra focused marketplace for their merchandise. When evaluating them to different tent manufacturers, there are two standout options: reasonably priced costs and dedication to product restore. The whole Six Moon Designs group includes passionate backpackers with hundreds of miles on the path, so all of its shelters and different merchandise are born from firsthand expertise.

Past ultralight shelters, Six Moon Designs additionally makes ultralight backpacks, umbrellas, camp cooking gear, and trekking poles. Should you go to their web site, you’ll discover sources about ultralight shelters and equipment restore. Whereas some tents operate as a conventional shelter, they produce other extra distinctive choices, just like the Gatewood Cape, which is a shelter and rain overlaying to make use of whereas mountain climbing. Should you’ve by no means used an ultralight shelter, this can be a excellent place to begin. Six Moon Designs has excessive buyer satisfaction and is devoted to sharing their ardour and data about backpacking, particularly gear restore.

Finest for Automotive Tenting: Marmot 

Key Options

Professionals

• Sturdy development
• Vast product vary
• Choices that may face up to excessive climate
• Excessive stage of product transparency

Cons

Of all of the nice for tenting tents on the market, Marmot is without doubt one of the greatest—particularly for automobile tenting. With a number of optimum automobile tenting tents, they excel in designing and producing superior shelters. The standard throughout all of their designs is excessive stage and might face up to excessive climate circumstances.

The model is comparatively clear about its supplies and manufacturing practices. It must be clarified on their web site the place their merchandise are produced, however it’s clearly labeled on their merchandise (required by regulation). Most of their merchandise are made in Asian nations like China and Vietnam, and it’s unclear why they aren’t extra clear about that reality, even on their sustainability web page about honest labor.

Regardless, they’re a pacesetter within the out of doors gear area due to their dependable merchandise and sturdiness. They use recycled supplies which are bluesign licensed (which is a seal of sustainability) they usually use PFC-free know-how for waterproofing. Within the realm of product influence, they do an incredible job of being clear, and the supplies are simple to seek out when buying on-line.

Finest for Household Tenting: Eureka!

Key Options

Professionals

• Wide selection of tent choices
• Extra reasonably priced worth
• Respectable sturdiness
• Provide a paid restore service

Cons

• Tent poles and stakes might be improved
• The standard of all tents will not be constant

Eureka! tents are a novel model in that they provide each extra reasonably priced informal tenting tents which are excellent for households or teams and expedition-type tents. The big tents designed for household tenting or teams are first rate high quality, however the high quality of their backpacking and expedition tents appear to be even higher. Particular parts, just like the tent poles, needs to be improved for a good higher tent design, however as a complete, these are glorious tents, particularly for folk who solely get out a number of occasions a yr.

The bigger tents are usually not essentially the most reasonably priced household tenting tents in the marketplace, however the high quality of those tents compared to one thing like an Ozark Path or Coleman tent is far greater. If nicely taken care of, these tents can final a number of years of informal use. Even with the 6 to eight individual tents, the setup is comparatively simple, and the tent top is right for adults to face inside. Throughout the board, all of their tents have first rate climate safety, however the expedition-style tents are extra waterproof than their automobile tenting choices.

Finest for Glamping: White Duck Outdoor 

Key Options

Professionals

• Top quality 4-season tent choices
• A number of tent design choices
• Sturdy development
• Tents, poles, and different equipment are offered collectively

Cons

• Bigger and heavier than common automobile tenting tents

From glamping to organising a searching basecamp, White Duck makes tents which are sturdy, long-lasting, and appropriate for all seasons. They’re created from what’s arguably the hardiest canvas, DYNADUCK, which is a 100% double-fill military duck cotton canvas handled with a PFC-free water repellent. This end additionally makes White Duck tents fire-, mold-, and UV-resistant.

With the canvas coating, the tents are field-ready, which means when you get the tent, you possibly can pack it up and get outdoors. Every tent consists of all the things you want, from the tent poles to the bottom fabric—there are not any hidden prices or further purchases obligatory for a package deal deal. Irrespective of the tent design you select from White Duck, it’s evident they care about product design, environmental influence, and a cushty out of doors expertise for all of their prospects.

Finest for Basecamp: Mountain Hardwear 

Key Options

• Finest Vendor: Trango 4 Tent
• Our Favourite: Stronghold Dome Tent
• Value Vary: $$$$
• Finest For: Expeditions, mountaineering, backcountry, excessive altitude basecamp
• Guarantee: Restricted Lifetime Guarantee

Professionals

• Sturdy supplies
• Modern development
• Weatherproof
• 3-season and 4 -season choices

Cons

Should you’re searching for the very best in expedition or high-altitude gear, look no additional than Mountain Hardwear. All their tents are created from Dyneema and Pertrex Y Fuse supplies, doubtlessly essentially the most sturdy and most sturdy supplies for tent development. Dyneema has unbelievable tear and puncture resistance, whereas the Pertrex Y Fuse supplies elevated waterproofing properties.

At the moment, solely two tent choices are specifically designed to be used in a high-altitude basecamp. Nevertheless, Mountain Hardwear has a variety of different tent kinds and fashions that can be utilized for mountaineering. The most important expedition tent they’ve is a 3-person whereas the most important basecamp tent is the Area Station Dome Tent, which may home as much as 20 folks. This tent is right for giant teams or used as a gathering place, gear storage, or eating corridor in a basecamp.

Finest 4-Season: MSR Gear

Key Options

• Finest Vendor: Acces 2
• Our Favourite: Remot 2
• Value Vary: $$$$
• Finest For: Backcountry, mountaineering, backpacking
• Guarantee: 3-Yr Restricted Lifetime Guarantee

Professionals

Cons

MSR Gear is one other top-performing model not just for tents but in addition for tenting gear like camp stoves, trekking poles, water filters, and avalanche kits. As a long-standing model within the out of doors {industry}, it’s no shock that they’re very clear with their shoppers about merchandise, together with manufacturing and firm social duty.

The MSR tents span a variety of out of doors pursuits, from mountaineering and ski touring to automobile tenting and ultralight backpacking. All of their tents are created from aerospace-grade supplies that modify in weight and energy to mirror the tent’s meant goal. Different options that make MSR tents among the greatest embrace waterproof coatings meant to final the tent’s life, ergonomic designs, snag-free zippers, reflective guylines, and strengthened stress factors for an prolonged lifespan.

Finest Rooftop: Thule 

Key Options

Professionals

• A number of choices for automobiles and vans
• Safe and suitable with offroad automobiles
• Hardshell tents are additionally out there
• Free delivery on rooftop tents (restricted time)

Cons

• Value
• Some designs are harder to arrange than others

Previously made and designed by Tepui, our high choose for the very best rooftop tents is now owned by Thule. Thule acquired Tepui, a family-owned tent firm, a number of years in the past. Though it’s below new administration, the tent designs appear to stay related and of the identical high quality. Thule was already acknowledged for its automobile equipment like roof racks and bike racks, so it appears becoming for them to increase their attain within the out of doors {industry} by buying a rooftop tent firm.

Thule rooftop tents provide a cushty and practical setup for a variety of car fashions. From hardshell tents to basic gentle tent setups, it’s simple to discover a tent design that matches not solely your car but in addition your private desire and funds. Most tent designs match two adults comfortably, and the most important dimension presently out there suits 4 folks. The tent setup and weight capability will fluctuate in keeping with your car and the precise tent you select.

Finest Worth: Kelty 

Key Options

• Finest Vendor: Wi-fi 6
• Our Favourite: Late Begin 2
• Value Vary: $$
• Finest For: Automotive tenting, group tenting
• Guarantee: Product Lifetime Guarantee

Professionals

• Inexpensive worth to high quality
• Number of tent sizes and designs
• Sturdy development
• Optimum climate resistance

Cons

• Most tents are heavy for backpacking
• No 4-season choices

Informal campers, weekend warriors, newcomers, and past have trusted the Kelty model for his or her tenting gear for years. They’re well-known and extremely thought to be an reasonably priced but sturdy tenting choice. In comparison with a model like Nemo Tools or MSR Gear, Kelty model tents are less expensive. By way of high quality, they make long-lasting tents with their alternative of supplies and development. Should you evaluate an ultralight two-person tent to a Kelty two-person tent, it’s apparent which one is healthier geared up for a backpacking trek. Kelty tents are typically heavier as a result of materials development, however that’s the similar property that extends the product lifespan.

In case you are searching for a tent that isn’t too costly however holds up higher than a funds choose, that is the model we advocate. They provide a variety of tent choices that may match most people’ wants when tenting, and their merchandise do nicely within the discipline. The one sort of tent they don’t have at the moment is a 4-season tent.

Finest Finances: Coleman

Key Options

Professionals

• Inexpensive worth
• Vary of product choices
• Respectable sturdiness for the worth
• Simple to setup

Cons

In case you are a newbie camper or somebody who’s on a decent funds, Coleman is a good model to get you began. Whereas our primary money-saving advice is to borrow or purchase a used tent, generally the best choice is to begin with a funds discover. Whereas Coleman tents are reasonably priced, they aren’t the most affordable model out there. Manufacturers like Ozark Path could also be barely decrease priced, however additionally they have decrease high quality and sturdiness than even Coleman can provide.

Coleman has over 60 tent choices out there at any given time, making it simple to discover a tent that matches your out of doors journey wants. They might have higher backpacking tent choices, however if you’re automobile tenting or tenting with a gaggle, Coleman is a superb choice. The design of most of their tents is straightforward and efficient, making them simple to arrange and (when arrange accurately) able to withstanding excessive winds and rain.

Take into account Shopping for a Used Tent

Understanding the very best tent manufacturers is the right place to begin when narrowing down the tent you need to spend money on to your out of doors adventures. However must you purchase it new or used?

Relating to gadgets like tents and backpacks, I virtually at all times encourage folks (particularly newcomers) to purchase used gear. Shopping for used gear is a superb strategy to not solely get monetary savings however to divert supplies from the landfill and decrease the influence the manufacturing of that product has on the atmosphere. Whereas shopping for a used tent could also be daunting, as long as the tent is in good situation, it’s value a shot. Some manufacturers, like Nemo, have a lifetime guarantee. 

Many brand-specific retailers like The North Face or REI promote gear that’s gently used, and whether it is broken, it’s repaired earlier than reselling. Some tent manufacturers even have gross sales on final season’s kinds and refurbished or returned gadgets. In order for you a selected model and tent design, test their web site clearance periodically or maintain out for gross sales. 

You might be nervous {that a} used tent received’t work in addition to a brand new tent, and there could also be harm. That is true, however you may also use this as a time to learn to restore out of doors gear. Study the used tent for any important indicators of injury, like massive holes or rips, unfastened stitching in seams, or damaged zippers. Most of these items are repairable, however it’s as much as you and the period of time you need to spend reviving the tent. 

Most used tents have to have a waterproofing answer reapplied. Re-waterproofing gear is a straightforward process with the proper answer. We advocate trying out Nikwax or Gear Help for straightforward wash-in waterproof options and sprays for tents and different merchandise. 

If a used tent is one thing you have an interest in shopping for, listed below are some locations to begin wanting: 

Different glorious issues to do is to be looking out for cut price bins at native gear outlets, take note of outfitters and equipment rental outlets and after they promote their used gear, and think about asking family and friends like get pleasure from tenting. You might be stunned how many individuals have outdated out of doors gear they now not use and are keen to present it to somebody they know will get pleasure from it.

Issues to Take into account Earlier than Shopping for a Tent

Meant Use

The primary query you at all times ask needs to be, “How do I plan to make use of this merchandise?” In case you are changing a well-loved tent, you doubtless have an concept. Or possibly you’re moving into a brand new sort of tenting, so as an alternative of the usual automobile tenting tent, you’re searching for one thing lighter for backpacking. Figuring out your want and the kind of tent will assist you to select not solely the very best tent model however the very best tent design for you. 

Your frequency of use can also be a consideration. As an example, for those who solely take one or two tenting journeys a yr, shopping for the most costly tent might not make sense. Nevertheless, if in case you have children and pets, investing in a extra sturdy and higher high quality tent could also be the only option. 

Sort of Tent

Every tent model usually sells a number of kinds of tents, every greatest suited to a selected utility or use. Nobody tent sort is essentially higher than the opposite, and there might be some design variation inside every tent sort. 

Frequent tenting tent varieties: 

• Dome: One of the vital widespread tent varieties due to the spacious inside and straightforward setup. A dome form is created by two poles crossing within the center and creating semi-circles on the perimeters, forming a curved construction. These use a rainfly for climate safety and to create vestibule area for extra gear storage. 

• A-Body: A basic survival shelter design, an A-frame tent (or a ridge tent) has one pole or ridge that goes down the center with the tent material draping down both facet. Not many tents use this form anymore as a result of it doesn’t present as a lot inside area. Nevertheless, these are widespread when constructing shelters utilizing tarps as a result of they require minimal supplies and are efficient in survival conditions. 

• Backpacking: Among the many most sensible tent designs, backpacking tents are compact and moveable tent design. These tents vary in dimension, form, design, and weight. Some backpacking tents are ultralight, which permits them to be carried for lengthy distances with out concern. A backpacking or ultralight tent intends to offer a shelter to sleep in at night time. They’re small, so that they don’t provide a lot area however they supply the mandatory safety and shelter throughout numerous climate circumstances. 

• Multi-Room: Finest for giant teams or households, these might be created from numerous supplies. Some might seem like extra conventional automobile tenting tents, whereas others could also be created from canvas supplies. Typically referred to as pod tents, these multi-room tents normally are tall sufficient for the common grownup to face comfortably inside. They use further material contained in the tent to create rooms for privateness when sharing the tent with a number of folks. Multi-room tents can undertake numerous tent designs however most frequently use dome or tunnel options. 

• Inflatable: Much less generally used for tenting, however some designs have been popping up for automobile tenting. An inflatable tent inflates with an air pump. It doesn’t use poles and stays erect whereas inflated like an air mattress or a child’s bounce home. Inflatable tents for tenting are inclined to have a excessive price ticket, they usually have an elevated danger of needing repairs as a consequence of punctures. 

• Tunnel: One other good choice for folk wanting a bigger or roomier tent. Bigger tunnel tents usually have a variety of area to hang around in throughout rain or a mesh space to maintain out bugs. Small tunnel tents can also provide extra room within the vestibules for gear storage.

• Geodesic: An optimized model of a dome tent, geodesic or semi-geodesic tents are nice for top winds and excessive climate. The poles crisscross excessive to create triangles or hexagon shapes and create an entire dome. From the skin, the poles usually make the tent appear like the dome jungle gyms at playgrounds. Geodesic or semi-geodesic tents are sometimes used for mountaineering and excessive climate expeditions. 

• Wall: Whereas there are extra moveable variations of canvas tents, historically, these massive tents require heavy parts. Canvas tents work nicely for automobile tenting or when organising a base camp or spike camp whereas searching. They provide a roomy inside area and the supplies are strong and well-insulated, which permits them for use year-round and in virtually all climate circumstances. 

• Rooftop: Used for long-distance journey, fast automobile tenting journeys, and overlanding, rooftop or automobile high tents are tents saved on high of a car or truck mattress. They pop as much as kind a tent and include a platform to assist the burden of individuals sleeping. The model of rooftop tent varies and should embrace a easy rectangular design that cranks as much as expose the mattress to extra sophisticated designs which have a number of beds and a decrease stage shelter to offer an area to alter your garments or cook dinner out of the rain. 

• Suspended: A much less widespread tent design, however very cool nonetheless. Suspended tents make the most of bushes to raise the tent ground off of the bottom, just like a hammock. Discovering a spot to correctly pitch a suspended tent might be tough, however as soon as it’s arrange, it’s a distinctive tenting expertise. 

Design and Supplies

The development, design, and supplies of a tent decide the sturdiness and performance within the discipline. Many tent manufacturers use the identical supplies and designs throughout a number of tent choices, so understanding the very best tent manufacturers is a superb place to begin when searching for not solely a practical and efficient tent however one that’s long-lasting and sturdy. 

The tent supplies of the physique, ground, and rainfly typically are artificial except you’re looking at a canvas tent; in that case, it could use a cotton polyester mix. Supplies like polyester, nylon, and Dyneema are widespread in establishing tents for tenting. Whereas every tent part might use the identical base supplies or a mix of supplies, the denier is the principle distinction between every a part of the tent. 

When a tent physique is labeled as created from nylon ripstop material 70 denier, the denier speaks particularly concerning the thickness of the fibers that comprise every thread. The upper the quantity, the thicker and stronger the material weave needs to be. Greater denier material can also be typically a better worth as a result of greater stage of sturdiness with a stronger woven material. 

Tent poles, stakes, and guylines can also come into query. The stakes and guylines are simple to interchange and shouldn’t be an enormous concern when making the preliminary buy. The tent poles are essential, particularly if you wish to use the tent for backpacking. Tent poles are typically created from both fiberglass, carbon fiber, or aluminum alloy. Metal tent poles could also be used for wall or canvas tents however are unusual as a result of weight of different tenting tents. In order for you a light-weight and sturdy tent pole, search for poles created from both aluminum alloy or carbon fiber. These will come at a better worth however are extra practical within the discipline and are much less prone to break as shortly as fiberglass. 

FAQ

Ultimate Ideas on Tent Manufacturers

The very best tent manufacturers are those we have now trusted for years. Whereas a few of our picks could also be unfamiliar model names to you, we selected manufacturers based mostly on their dedication to buyer satisfaction, producing the absolute best out of doors merchandise, and their transparency surrounding product manufacturing. Some manufacturers carried out higher than others in every level of analysis, however throughout the board, all of the manufacturers listed have time-tested efficiency that out of doors lovers in all places belief. 

Why Belief Us

For greater than 125 years, Area & Stream has been offering readers with trustworthy and genuine protection of out of doors gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outside, and that keenness comes via in our product opinions. You possibly can depend on F&S to maintain you updated on the very best new gear. And once we write a couple of product—whether or not it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cowl the nice and the dangerous, so you already know precisely what to anticipate earlier than you determine to make a purchase order.