Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. Granted, its made from a PU-coated, heavy-duty 75D polyester, but wed still prefer to have the fly extend all the way around. For starters its big and spacious, and its unique four-pole layout dramatically boosts interior space. Although most folks buying 4 person tents will be shopping for car camping duty alone, there are actually a few options at this size that can handle legit backpacking trips. Got feedback? Kelty included their quick corners system in the Basecamp design, which makes setup about as quick and easy as it gets outside of an instant tent. REI also thought to include the side windows at the floor of the tent, so even in the summer months ventilation is great thanks to the floor-to-ceiling chimney effect this creates. The Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT is what we reach for when harsh weather is in the forecast. Much like its smaller sibling, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 is an excellent backcountry companion. In addition, it takes significantly longer to pitch than a traditional 3-season tent. We also love that the Base Camp includes a surprising amount of interior mesh, and manages to include a window on every wall of the tent. No ads. Throw in the added utility of a standalone vestibule, and youve got a clear winner. With tough DWR-treated 68D polyester fabric in both the canopy, floor, and rainfly, every square inch of the Habitude is built to last. The REI Co-Op Flash Air 2 is one of the weaker models in our fleet for weather resistance. Youre seeing this ad based on the products relevance to your search query. The fabric is durable, and the trapezoidal rainfly stays taut (and quiet) in the wind, which turns out to be a surprisingly rare feature in a tent. Though it is very expensive, its durable construction makes it a long-term value if you use it frequently. The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye is a great option to consider if you like the idea of going ultralight but can't quite bring yourself to ditch the comfort and ease of setup that comes with dedicated poles. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. The NEMO Dragonfly 2 strikes a prime balance between comfort and weight. The massive gear storage pockets are a nice perk as well. ), but whatever it is, it works. We say three because the unique hexagonal layout of the Homestead has plenty of floor space for three adults (not just two adults and a child), and has the truly unique feature of having three doors in a triangle arrangement. Kudos. Its high price tag is justified by its spec sheet. Still, its a useful spot to be able to stand up and change clothes, and a feature taller folks will especially appreciate. Most 4 person tents are primarily intended for car camping, but that doesnt mean they dont mean business when it comes to weather resistance. If youre looking for a family camping tent thats ready to go any time of year, the REI Co-op Base Camp 4 is our top pick for four-season camping. Is it easy to enter and exit, or is climbing over a camping partner in the dark part of the experience? For example, the Habitude 4 uses a single door/single vestibule construction, which keeps setup fast and straightforward, but limits the tents versatility. High ceilings and a big square floor plan make this tunnel/cabin hybrid a joy to hang in. If you feel you need a slightly bigger tent, check out the post we wrote about the 5 person tents, you might find a great compromise there! With double doors, double vestibules, and excellent interior organization, the Base Camp gets the nod for livability. If you value a tent with high ceilings, however, a gear loft might not be the storage solution you need. We tested the models in this review with a focus on comfort, weight, and weather resistance, with some additional attention on ease of setup, durability, and packed size. The added comfort of tall ceilings and a massive floor plan is just icing on the cake. The biggest head-scratcher is the orientation of the zippers on the doors and fly; our testers found that it is just more challenging than it should be to open and enter, especially in the rain. It's a little pricey but comparable to its close competitors. And, if your goal is to pack with as light a load as possible, be sure to check out our reviews of ultralight backpacking gear. Even if your rainfly is 100% waterproof, ambient humidity, moisture from your breath, and any wet gear inside the tent all contribute to condensation. Higher scorers include the REI Half Dome SL 2+, NEMO Dragonfly 2, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2, and NEMO Dagger 2. We will point out that although technically the peak height of this tent is 80, that measurement is taken at the main entry door, so dont expect that height throughout the tent. Because their comparatively compact designs tend to handle wind and rain better than larger models, we pay particularly close attention to the weather features of these tents. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. If we had to choose something, we would point out that the taper at the foot makes it feel a little on the small side. An overhead gear loft, for example, is a go-to storage option for many backpacking tents, because it gets a few crucial items up off the ground, and doubles as an easy spot to hang a headlamp for a little interior lighting as well. In the world of 4 person tents, there are essentially two types of vestibules: The first is your tried-and-true classic vestibule, which keeps bad weather away from the door(s) of your tent and provides a space to store wet/dirty gear outside your living space. Specs: Weight: 14.2 lbs (6.5 kg) Packed size: 27 x 16 x 9 (67cm x 41cm x 24cm) Floor size: 92 x 90 (233cm x 228cm) Peak height: 70 (178cm) Rooms: 1 Shape: Cabin Best for: Three-season car camping Price: $$.

Still, the interior space and livability are as great as ever, and fair-weather campers in particular will appreciate the new fly. The REI Co-Op Flash Air 2 also performed well above average in this metric and could easily be carried by one person, especially if you use trekking poles instead of the included poles. The floor is super durable and waterproof.

The REI Co-Op Flash Air 2 is an exception in the fleet. Roomy, durable, well-designed, and reasonably priced. Weight is a crucial consideration as well generally, the lighter, the better. Ease of setup refers to how quick and intuitive it is to pitch a tent. It's a compact tent for sure, but there is still enough headroom to sit up, and the double doors and mesh ensure easy entry and good airflow. Its a simple yet spacious tent thats made from quality materials that should last you for seasons to come with a little love. Weather resistance tests each fly and floors' abilities to protect sleepers from whipping wind and pouring rain. The models in this review generally come in two slightly different flavors. If you want a four person tent that doubles as a legitimate backpacking shelter, theres no better option. Not only does it come in a sweet dome shape, but its also available in some cool-looking prints (cloud camouflage and cactus flowers, to name a few), AND comes with a bottle opener. We are also impressed with the durability of the REI Half Dome SL 2+ and the NEMO Dagger 2. A unique tent that wont break the bank. Year-round usability adds value and versatility. Large vestibules that can fit a pack and shoes and make or break a camping experience. Needless to say the Wagontop was an easy choice for best overall quality. The folks at Kelty are known for making great camping gear for bargain prices, but they may have outdone themselves with the Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4, a new design for this spring. On the flip side, the REI Half Dome SL 2+ is generally higher-performing but scores lower in this metric because of its thick fabric and beefy hardware. Obviously we prefer a stand-up height ceiling whenever we can get it, but its definitely not as important in this category as it would be for dedicated family size camping tents. Specs: Weight: 8.5 lbs (3.9 kg) Packed size: 23 x 6 x 6 (62cm x25cm x 25cm) Floor size: 97 x 79 (246cm x 201cm) Peak height: 58 (147 cm) Rooms: 1 Shape: Dome Best for: 3 season camping on the cheap Price: $. These types of models are all easy to set up. The same goes for the tents guylines, which are pre-attached to the rainfly for easy pitching in less than ideal conditions. Its got all the premium tent essentials like DAC aluminum poles (it comes with DAC stakes as well! Its got a cool shape, comes in cool colors, has three doors, and delivers panoramic views. Inside the Wonderland youll find many of the same features carried over from the Kingdom, including the same big square floor (its literally the exact same size at 100 x 100), the near vertical walls, and the tall peak height (again, the exact same 75 measurement as the outgoing model). Specs: Weight: 5.7 lbs (2.4 kg) Packed size: 22 x 7 x 7 (56cm x 18cm x 18cm) Floor size: 96 x 86 (244cm x 218cm) Peak height: 50 (127cm) Rooms: 1 Shape: Dome Best for: Three-season backpacking Price: $$$. Its heft makes it better suited for biking trips or backpacking adventures where gear weight is not a primary consideration. The Hornet Elite is super lightweight and packs down incredibly small, but the tradeoff is limited headroom. Thats not something you can typically get away with in a four-season model, but the folks at REI were clever with the Base Camps design: With the exception of the mesh ceiling, every mesh panel inside the Base Camp includes a zippable solid backing, which means you get mesh and airflow when you want it, and more warmth when you dont. The Dagger is relatively easy to set up, but the connected branching poles make getting it under a control a little tricky sometimes. And, because the entire rainfly is also pole supported (the tent body itself clips in underneath), you can actually use it all by itself like a high-tech EZ-Up, bringing some portable shade to your next beach outing or backyard BBQ. We consider the quality and type of materials, overall design, and results during field testing. Ultimately youre still getting a ton of space for the money, which means youll have plenty left over to shell out for the (very affordable) Discovery Basecamp footprint, which we highly recommend for longevitys sake Read full test and review of the 6 person model, Specs: Weight: 12.8 lbs (5,4 kg) Packed size: 23 x 9 x 9 (58cm x 23cm x 23cm) Floor size: 95 x 95 (241cm x 241cm) Peak height: 73 (185cm) Rooms: 1 Shape: Dome Best for: Three-season car camping Price: $$$, While many of the best 4 person tents are nice and roomy, most of them arent actually tall enough to stand up in. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. Many of the lighter tents tested here are not designed to endure a ton of abuse. It is best suited for weekend backpacking, canoe trips, and car camping. This plays a huge factor in deciding whether or not a tent is worth the money or just overpriced due to a brand name. Though it comes with an impressive array of storage pockets, they aren't super conveniently located and require a long reach from a lying-down position. The price-to-quality ratio is by far the most attractive aspect of this tent, but affordability isnt the only thing the Discovery Basecamp has going for it. A handful of tents in this review are at or around two pounds, including the NEMO Hornet Elite 2, Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye, and REI Co-Op Flash Air 2. Big Agnes, for example, uses a single piece stake and clip buckle system that acts as both a mounting point for tent poles and a clip-in point for the rainfly. The former offers a pre-bent pole structure that maximizes interior volume. The easiest tents to setup have a freestanding pole design with a tent body that clips onto the poles rather than having to do that awkward feed the pole through the sleeve thing. We wouldn't hesitate to take this tent out with us on our next adventure. All things considered, the Limestone 4 is an incredibly well-built tent that will last for years, a fact made that much sweeter by its modest price. With three distinct ways to set up this tent, including a traditional double-wall pitch, a single-wall tarp (without the tent body), and a shade shelter (using trekking poles and guy line to prop it up), this shelter offers exceptional versatility. Dimensions are key; is there enough space to get a good night's sleep, or do sleepers end up pressed against a wet wall all night? Youll also note the Wagontop 4s large vestibule, which takes full advantage of the Nemos single wall design, clipping into the main tent frame to offer standup height and then some for entry/exit. Shown here is the Tarptent Double Rainbow. A classic X-pole design (two identical poles that cross at the top and attach to the tent body across diagonal corners) is rarely used anymore in its most straightforward form it just doesn't offer as much stability on its own. Especially when bad weather rolls in. Technically polyester is more water resistant than nylon, but both materials improve more overall resistance as their thickness increases. Its roomy floor plan, generous ceilings, fantastic materials, and reliable weatherproofing all combine to deliver the best camping experience weve seen in this category. We would be pleased to split a three to four-pound tent with our hiking buddy for most typical overnights and backpacking trips. The REI Half Dome SL 2+ doesn't perform quite as well, but it is comparatively inexpensive. Comfort is the hominess of a backpacking tent. Single wall design means the rainfly stays on, Brand name quality at a department store price, Less durable than dedicated camping tents, Extra poles add some extra complexity to setup, No vestibule storage- Not our first choice in serious weather. Your average four person tent is used to sleep two adults comfortably, with or without the addition of a small child or two and/or the family dog. It is also resilient in windy conditions, providing crucial protection when the weather turns grey. Truth be told if you want Nemo quality and features, but dont want to splurge on the Wagontop above, the Aurora Highrise is an absolute home run. The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 also scores well in this metric, offering above-average protection and an adaptable fly setup that can be pitched traditionally but can also convert into an overhead awning when propped up with a couple of trekking poles. As one of the most popular tent sizes available, theres no shortage of 4 person tents on the market today to consider in your hunt for the perfect car camping companion. Ventilation is another high point of the Super Dome thanks to the giant mesh front wall and 360-degree mesh on the ceiling. Although most campers will appreciate the more open feel of the new setup, rain-or-shine campers will likely mourn the outgoing Kingdoms approach to weather protection. From Nepal to the Sierra, we've covered extensive mileage, putting each one to the test. From sleeping bags and pads to backpacks and hiking boots, we've tested hundreds of products to help you find the best. I spend most of my life planning and experiencing epic adventures in the wild. Even without a stand-up height ceiling, this can be an important comfort feature, because it creates more space near the ground where you do things like sleep, sit up and chat, or play a game of cards while you wait on rain to pass. Color-coded poles and webbing is a nice design feature that makes pitching a tent even easier. And although the single vestibule stretches out to a generous 23 square feet of space, it doesnt have any cool tricks up its sleeve like an extendable awning or retractable center, so its limited to standard vestibule duties like keeping your gear out of the weather and the weather out of your tent. This new rainfly translates to a more airy and open feel inside the tent with the fly on, thanks to the open but protected mesh windows along the sides of the tent. If youre looking for a little more headroom, the Nemo Wagontop, North Face Super Dome, and MSR Habitude are all great choices. However, there are times when it's critical to be able to set up camp and dive into your tent in a hurry. Many manufacturers will also include a trail weight in their product specifications; this typically refers to the weight of the minimum pieces required for setup usually tent, fly, and poles. Specs: Weight: 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) Packed size: 20 x 10 x 10 (51cm x 25cm x 25cm) Floor size: 100 x 86 (254cm x 218cm) Peak height: 60 (152 cm) Rooms: 1 Shape: Dome Best for: Four-season car camping Price: $$. Its basically a tent that knows how to party. The sheer volume of storage is the first thing youll want to consider here. Its exceptional design means that six-foot-tall sleepers have enough head-to-toe length when lying down and enough vertical headroom for sitting up. We also have to mention here that the Big Agnes Bunkhouses carry bag is probably our favorite of all time: Its designed to be worn like a backpack, keeping your hands free while hauling the tent to and from camp. It has double side doors, and its high-volume design provides plenty of headroom. Unlike backpacking tents, which tend to use lighter materials to save space and weight, most 4 person tents have the luxury of being exclusively for car camping. Picking the right backpacking tent means checking out a We spent hundreds of days testing 15 of the best Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women of 2022.