10 Best Tents 2024 in the United States

With people's dependence on (some would say, addiction to) technology, nothing would be more satisfying to most people than to get away from it all and go to a perfectly natural setting. That's why camping is more and more popular over the years. But that doesn't mean that campers have to “rough it” and give up all basic comforts. Tents nowadays are equipped to protect against all the elements: blazing sun, rain, wind, and snow. You'll need some sort of way of figuring out what type of tent is best, for which weather conditions. Here is a guide to some of the best tents on the market.

You can see tents classified by their size, or by the number of layers of material, or walls.

By size: Outfitter and lightweight tents set up very easily, with a minimal protection against the wind and rain. Backpacking tents accommodate 2 or more people. Camping tents are cabin-style tents, that can fit a whole family or group of friends.

By walls: Tents can be either single wall, or single wall with a flysheet (an extra sheet of material that can be extended over the tent), or double wall. You can usually separate the layers in a double wall tent to convert them to single wall with a flysheet.

Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:

• Size and sleeping capacity: Clearly you'll be interested to know how many people you can put up in the tent. The floor space should allow 25 inches ( = 63.5 cm) of width and 90 inches ( = 2.29 m) of length per person.

• Seasonality: People usually have more leisure in the summer, so some tents are only for the summer. But for those who want to get through rugged conditions, they'll want a tent that's good for 2 seasons, 3 seasons, or year-round use. A four-season tent is designed especially for snowstorms and strong winds (winter having the most severe weather).

• Ventilation: The mesh of the tent is to allow for air to flow in and out of the tent—but mesh is not as durable as tent canvas. You'll want the mesh to have bigger holes if you'll be camping in a hot, humid climate. If the mesh tears or the holes are too big, it won't be so effective in preventing insects from entering.

• Protection from the elements: The number of layers, or walls, to the tent will tell you how well it protects from wind and rain. The outer wall is also called the “tent fly”: it is another layer of tent material which is added to keep out rain or sun. When the weather is mild, you can remove the tent fly, and suffice with one layer.

• Peak height is the total height of the tent. There will also be a spec telling you where the peak of the tent is located (it isn't always in the center of the tent).

• Protection from insects: Tents will have a special mesh on the window and roof vents to protect from insects. Some are even supplied with a repellent coating to keep away insects.

• Number of doors and windows: If the tent accommodates more than one person, you might want more than one door, so it's easier to go in and out. The number and size of the windows will be set according to the seasonality of the tent. Tents for winter will have fewer and smaller windows.

• Poles and pole material: The number of poles in a tent is an indication of how difficult the tent will be to set up and take down. Aluminum poles are considered a more sturdy choice than fiberglass poles.

• Weight: The tent weight is a big consideration if you want to carry your tent along with you while hiking. Allow 2.5 pounds of tent material per person—so an 18-pound tent would accommodate 7 people. (But then seven people can split the weight of carrying the tent among them.)

• Compartments: Some tents have a “vestibule”, which is a separate covered area outside the tent for storing your boots, maps and other gear from the elements, without cluttering up the tent's sleeping space. Also, some tents have a “footprint” or “groundsheet”, which is an extra layer to go underneath the tent floor. It protects you as well as the tent (it is easier to replace the “footprint” than repairing a tear in the tent). 

Coleman-- is an American company started by W.C. Coleman in 1905 in Brockton, Alabama. He originally started manufacturing gas lamps, but soon expanded to outdoor gas stoves, and then eventually to an entire line of outdoor recreation products: tents, sleeping bags, camping furniture, backpacks, and more.

Wenzel—Founded in the 1890s and presently located in Boulder, Colorado, Wenzel has a full line of family camping products: sleeping bags, camp pads, and tents. Their products try to bring 21st century comforts when staying in the great outdoors.

Ozark Trail—Ozark Trail is the name of Walmart's division for tents and camping gear. They are well-known for selling a quality line of tents in a range of sizes, at a relatively low cost.

ALPS Mountaineering—Alps Mountaineering is a company based in rural Missouri that was started by Dennis Brune in 1993, after he had worked in marketing outdoors equipment for other manufacturers. The company focuses on making durable packs, tents, and sleeping bags for family camping.