10 Best Camping Tents in 2021 (Coleman and More)

We considered the following points when choosing 10 camping tents for our list:

• The number of people the tent can hold
• How often you plan to use the tent
  
• Whether you need a portable or larger option
• The weather resistance offered by the tent
• How long the tent takes to set up
• The tent types and which ones will benefit you

For more details on how we researched, go through the Buying Guide at the end for more details.

The 10 tent models below were chosen by considering their sizes, types, and how they hold up in different weather conditions. We also used our buying guide and the customer reviews to see how the tents compare with each other.

As you look for a tent for your next trip, you should think about how many people you plan to bring, the shapes available, and the weather you may face.

The first thing to consider is how many people will need to fit in the tent. Most tents indicate whether they're made for one, two, three, or more people, which is a good starting point. However, if you're taller than average, tend to toss and turn at night, or need extra room for kids or dogs, it's helpful to look at the listed dimensions.

Products will list the length and width of the tent, which will indicate how much sleeping space you'll have. Generally, a space that's 25 inches wide by 80 inches long will be an adequate sleeping space for one person. Don't forget to leave extra room around the perimeter; you don't want to sleep right up against the walls of the tent.

In addition to the length and width, products will also list the peak height, which is the measurement at the tallest point of the tent. This will give you an idea of how much headroom the tent has. Some tents allow enough room to stand, while others are made mostly for sleeping so you'll need to get around on your hands and knees.

Different tent shapes can affect a tent's durability, comfort, and occupancy. Here's what you should know about each type.

Dome-shaped tents have flexible poles that intersect at the top, then bend down and are anchored on the floor to create a rounded shape. Some include an additional pole at the entrance to create a porch area. 

The high ceiling and curved walls give ample headroom inside, making these a good option for families or groups. The dome shape also deflects rain and snow, helping to prevent sagging. 

Traditional tents come in the shape of an A and are also called ridge tents. Their pointed top makes them a good choice in rainy weather. However, the steep sides and lack of headroom mean there's limited living space inside, so these types of tents are best for just one or two people.

These tents work great for the beach since water could splash on it. This means you don't have to worry about water getting caught on top of your tent if it starts to rain, or you get water on your tent.

Cabin tents are the favorite choice for family backpack trips and for camping in groups. They use poles to create a large tent with plenty of standing room that can be split into separate rooms using internal dividers. They often have plenty of windows that offer views and ventilation.

Geodesic tents are another popular shape. They're essentially a dome-shaped tent with more poles, so they're more structurally stable and can handle more stress. Due to this, they're great choices for wilderness and winter camping.

Because larger tents tend to be less stable, geodesic tents are usually on the smaller side, although you can find sizes suitable for up to four people.

The capability of a tent to withstand challenging weather conditions depends on the quality of the tent fabric, the poles, and other items that add to the tent frame, so let's look into these points.

Single-walled tents have a single layer that acts as the tent body and the rainfly. They're light and easy to set up. However, they're not always breathable, so condensation can develop on the inside. To avoid this, look for a tent with good ventilation. Single-walled tents are ideal for daytime excursions in dry, cold environments.

Double-walled tents have two walls and are more protective. They often come with a waterproof rainfly outside the breathable tent body. They are heavy and usually take more time to set up, but offer better protection and ventilation than the single-walled types. Double-walled tents are ideal for wet or humid climates.

Designed for moderate weather conditions during the months of spring, summer, and fall, three-season tents are lightweight and are easy to transport. 

Most come with a mesh panel called "no-see-um mesh" to encourage airflow inside the tent and to keep insects and flies at bay. If used with a rainfly, they can withstand rain, but not harsh storms or violent wind conditions. Although not ideal for winter, they can also withstand light snowfall. 

Despite their name, four-season tents are generally used only in the winter. They're made from heavier fabric and are designed to keep you safe and protected from harsh weather, including snow, ice, and wind. They often have additional poles, a more robust frame, and a dome shape to prevent snow from collecting on top.

Four-season tents minimize the use of mesh but may have vents you can open and close for ventilation. In addition, they often have a longer rainfly to block the elements, as well as additional flaps on the exterior.

Because tent types are constructed differently, some are easier to set up than others. Dome- and A-shaped tents are the easiest since they're generally less complicated and have fewer pieces. You also have pop-up tents designed to pop into shape once you remove them from the bag.

These tents require the least amount of time to set up, but they also have some disadvantages. For example, dome and A-shaped tents may not have as many poles for support so they could collapse or have problems with the wind. Pop-up tents can be a pain to store back into the bag since you need to fold them correctly.

These easy-to-setup tents work great for people focused on setting up their tents as quickly as possible. They also work great for people who go camping occasionally.

Most modern tents come in synthetic nylon measured in denier. The lower the denier, the lighter the tent will be. Some tents have higher denier fabrics on the tent floor to reduce the chances of leakage in the event of rain. 

In addition to the tent itself, most come with a separate or built-in rainfly. A full-coverage rainfly protects the entire tent, whereas a roof-only rainfly offers limited protection from the rain. The former types offer optimum protection from rain and wind. The latter types, however, allow more light inside the tent.

Also, consider ventilation. Go for tents with mesh panels to encourage air circulation inside the tent and to get protection from mosquitoes and other insects. 

Aside from the size, shape, and material of the tent itself, many of them come with design features to make your camping life easier. 

To store away your muddy boots or to keep your essentials and personal items out of the rain, look for vestibules. Most modern tents come with them. Some come with add-on vestibules to add extra storage space. Higher-end tents may come with multiple pockets to store away items like your car keys, flashlight, or personal items. 

If your tent doesn't have enough storage space, consider adding a gear loft that can hold lightweight items. Just hang it on a wall loop or the lantern loop on the ceiling of the tent. 

A footprint is an essential accessory to go for, especially when you're camping with a lightweight tent. These ground cloths are customized to fit the size of your tent and go underneath the floor to protect from abrasion and leaks. They're made of high-quality waterproof material.

For lighting, you can hang a battery-operated lantern on the lantern loop usually found at the center of the tent ceiling. Advanced models come with built-in lights on the roof poles. For those that don't, you can attach lights of your own in the ceiling hooks. 

Whether you're a camping newbie or an experienced backpacker, it never hurts to expand your camping know-how. In this video, Useful Knowledge shares some tips to help you have the best experience, including what to take with you, how to set up a campsite, build a fire, and cook a tasty camp dinner.

Why not have a read about some other items that can make camping more convenient and comfortable? Check out our recommendations for gear that camping trips can benefit from.

Before you hit the trails, make sure you find a water filter to get you some clean water. Alec Sills-Trausch recommends this option, so you should check it out and see how it can improve your camping experience.

Author: Biji Bella Ravindran

Updated by: Garrett Garcia, 11/24/2021

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