13 best wenzel camping tents

Product description

Great for camping with family or friends, the Wenzel Klondike measures 16-feet by 11-feet. The Klondike sleeps eight, five in its 98 square feet of interior space, with room for sleeping three more in the 60 square foot screen room with its zip up walls. 6.5 feet of head room lets you stand up straight while inside the tent. The attached screen room can also be used as sun shelter, a picnic room, a gear room or a room just to relax in. A full mesh roof and two mesh windows keep bugs out and let the breeze in. In addition a rear mesh vent creates ground breeze. Weather Armor polyester fabric with a polyurethane water resistant coating protects from top to bottom. Double-stitched, lap-felled seams through out the body of the tent provide a shingle effect against water. All threads, zippers and webbing are treated with superior water repellency applications to enforce these critical areas. The Klondike has a fiberglass frame and uses Power Corners that increase the tent's stability in high winds. Included are two hanging pockets that create an area for items needing easy access, a storage duffel and a 10 year warranty against defects. Specifications: • Base: 16 ft. x 11 ft. • Center Height: 78 in. • Eave Height: 61" • Area: 98 sq. ft. + 60 sq. ft. screen room • Door: Inverted "T" style, interior flex style • Floor: welded polyethylene • Frame: fiberglass • Stakes: steel and plastic • Carry Weight: 27.3 lbs. • Sleeps: 8

• Convertible screen room with inverted "T" style door and inside flap zippered windows
• Removable seam-sealed fly
• Mesh roof vents
• 3 zippered side windows with inside flaps
• Shock-corded fiberglass roof frame with steel uprights and corner elbows combined with pin and ring for easy setup

User questions & answers

Product features

Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Family Camping Tent

Set a new standard for family camping! Featuring Weather Armor- fabrics to protect you from rain and wind, room for 2 Queen airbeds, and 6.5 feet of head room, the Klondike family camping tent can house your whole party. A large front screen awning provides you a “camping porch” with sun and weather protection to make your camping experience feel like home. The tent includes convenience pockets and vents in the roof and back for nice hi-low air circulation on warmer days.

Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Family Camping Tent

Set a new standard for family camping! Featuring Weather Armor- fabrics to protect you from rain and wind, room for 2 Queen airbeds, and 6.5 feet of head room, the Klondike family camping tent can house your whole party. A large front screen awning provides you a “camping porch” with sun and weather protection to make your camping experience feel like home. The tent includes convenience pockets and vents in the roof and back for nice hi-low air circulation on warmer days.

Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Family Camping Tent

Set a new standard for family camping! Featuring Weather Armor- fabrics to protect you from rain and wind, room for 2 Queen airbeds, and 6.5 feet of head room, the Klondike family camping tent can house your whole party. A large front screen awning provides you a “camping porch” with sun and weather protection to make your camping experience feel like home. The tent includes convenience pockets and vents in the roof and back for nice hi-low air circulation on warmer days.

Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Family Camping Tent

Set a new standard for family camping! Featuring Weather Armor- fabrics to protect you from rain and wind, room for 2 Queen airbeds, and 6.5 feet of head room, the Klondike family camping tent can house your whole party. A large front screen awning provides you a “camping porch” with sun and weather protection to make your camping experience feel like home. The tent includes convenience pockets and vents in the roof and back for nice hi-low air circulation on warmer days.

Weather Armor

Made with a polyester fabric and a polyurethane water resistant coating, your tent is protected from rain from top to bottom.

Superior Craftsmanship

Double-stitched, lap-felled seams provide a shingle effect against water. All threads, zippers and webbing are treated with water repellency.

Stay Comfortable

Full mesh roof and two mesh windows keep bugs out and lets the breeze in so you can enjoy warm, summer days.

Built to Stand

Shock corded fiberglass roof frame combined with steel upright supports provide stability in any situation.

Accessory Pockets

Stash your small, important items in these easy to reach storage pockets that are sewn into the tent walls.

Spacious Interior

The Klondike boasts enough space for a queen air mattress and plenty of liveable space around it. There’s also enough headroom with a peak height of 6.5 feet!

Hi-Low Ventilation

A vent at the back of the tent and mesh openings at the top provide hi-low air circulation to keep your tent cool.

Screen/Second Room

Entry room has mesh walls to provide great air flow during the heat but can also be zipped up to act as second spacious room.

Product description

For a shady bug-free zone, cool off in the shade and Escape pesky bugs at your next outdoor gathering with the Wenzel magnetic screen house. The sturdy steel and fiberglass frame sets up easily and can fit over a picnic table. Magnetic front and back doors provide hands-free entry with automatic closure to make going in and out with kids, pets or food easy. Floor Material - Polyethylene

• LET’S GO CAMPING: Make the Wenzel Magnetic Screen House an essential part of your summer picnics and parties! Cool off in the shade and escape pesky bugs at your next outdoor gathering. With a peak height of 7.5 feet, it’s also large enough to fit over a picnic table. Magnetic strips line the large “I” style doors for automatic closure and hands-free entry/exit, making going in and out with kids, pets or food a breeze!
• SPECS: Tent Floor: 11 FT x 9 FT, Inside Area: 99 SQ FT, Peak Height: 90 inches, Packed Weight: 17 lbs 7 oz, Packed Size: 26.5 inches x 8.5 inches x 8.5 inches, Material: 68D Polyester Taffeta and 68D Mesh, 2 Doors
• INCLUDED: Stuff Sack/Storage Bag, Screen House, Steel and Fiberglass Poles
• THE WENZEL PROMISE: With a 10 Year Warranty, we want to guarantee our customers satisfaction. We stand behind our products. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our wonderful Customer Service team for prompt service.
• ABOUT WENZEL: Since 1887 – From Chuck Wagons to Stations Wagons, Wenzel has created outdoor gear for not only first time campers but also seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. Our mission is to help more people experience the outdoors by providing them with quality, functional, and affordable equipment – for your family or group camping. With easy to set-up tents and comfy-and-cozy sleeping bags, let us help you reconnect with the outdoors. Let’s go camping!

User questions & answers

Product features

Wenzel Magnetic Screen House

Make the Wenzel Magnetic Screen House an essential part of your summer picnics and parties! Cool off in the shade and escape pesky bugs at your next outdoor gathering. With a peak height of 7.5 feet, it’s also large enough to fit over a picnic table. Magnetic strips line the large “I” style doors for automatic closure and hands-free entry/exit, making going in and out with kids, pets or food a breeze!

Wenzel Magnetic Screen House

Make the Wenzel Magnetic Screen House an essential part of your summer picnics and parties! Cool off in the shade and escape pesky bugs at your next outdoor gathering. With a peak height of 7.5 feet, it’s also large enough to fit over a picnic table. Magnetic strips line the large “I” style doors for automatic closure and hands-free entry/exit, making going in and out with kids, pets or food a breeze!

Wenzel Magnetic Screen House

Make the Wenzel Magnetic Screen House an essential part of your summer picnics and parties! Cool off in the shade and escape pesky bugs at your next outdoor gathering. With a peak height of 7.5 feet, it’s also large enough to fit over a picnic table. Magnetic strips line the large “I” style doors for automatic closure and hands-free entry/exit, making going in and out with kids, pets or food a breeze!

Wenzel Magnetic Screen House

Make the Wenzel Magnetic Screen House an essential part of your summer picnics and parties! Cool off in the shade and escape pesky bugs at your next outdoor gathering. With a peak height of 7.5 feet, it’s also large enough to fit over a picnic table. Magnetic strips line the large “I” style doors for automatic closure and hands-free entry/exit, making going in and out with kids, pets or food a breeze!

Spacious Interior

With a peak height of 7.5 feet, you and your party will never have to worry about head space!

Magnetic Door

Front and back magnetic doors provide easy, hands-free entry and exit with automatic closure.

Stay Comfortable

Large mesh walls keep bugs out and lets the breeze in so you can enjoy warm, summer days.

Quick and Easy Setup

PE perimeter floor eases set up and allows for placement over a picnic table.

Product description

Lightweight, easy to set up and take down, the Wenzel Alpine 3-pole pentadome tent is a great choice for a camping adventure. It features a single room that measures 8 by 8.5 feet with the third pole creating a vestibule, giving an area for storing gear and weather protection. It will sleep up to 3 people. This tent has a D-style door with mesh window, and closeable mesh windows for great cross ventilation. A gear loft and hanging gear pocket are included as well as an integrated mud mat with a drainage strip. The shockcorded fiberglass frame and pole pockets make set up quick. The Weather Armor polyester with a polyurethane coating protects from top to bottom while the sonic sealed polyethylene tub-style floor combats water seepage. Seams are Double-stitched, lap-felled to provide a shingle effect against water and all threads, zippers and webbing are treated with superior water repellency applications. Duffle bag is included for storage. Specifications: • Base: 8.5 ft. x 8 ft. • Center Height: 48 in. • Area: 49 sq. ft. (vestibule 7 sq. ft.) • Door: Dutch "D" style • Floor: welded polyethylene • Frame: fiberglass • Stakes: steel • Carry Weight: 8 lbs • Sleeps: 3

Lightweight, easy to set up, and versatile, the Wenzel Alpine three-person dome tent is a great choice for all types of camping and conditions. The Alpine includes such features as a three-pole pentadome design that creates a vestibule for gear storage and weather protection, a shock-corded fiberglass frame (with pole pockets) that sets up and disassembles quickly, and an integrated mud mat with a drainage strip to keep the tent clean. Campers will also appreciate the Weather Armor polyester fabric and sonic-sealed polyethylene tub-style floor, which are reliably rugged and resist leaks of all kinds. The closeable mesh windows and D-style front door, meanwhile, do a nice job of ventilating the tent and controlling morning moisture. Additional details include double-stitched seams, a gear loft for smaller items, a hanging pocket, and a duffel bag for storage.

Specifications

• Base: 8.5 by 8 feet
• Center height: 48 inches
• Interior space: 49 square feet
• Sleeps: 3
• Windows 2
• Door: Dutch D-style
• Floor: Welded polyethylene
• Frame: Fiberglass
• Carrying weight: 8 pounds

Amazon.com Tent Guide

Selecting a Tent

Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Expect the Worst

In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all-purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in. If you're a backpacker, alpine climber, or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to buy something designed to handle more adversity.

Three- and Four-Season Tents

For summer, early fall, and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three-season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are specifically designed for summer backpacking or other activities. Many premium tents will also feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain fly for enhanced waterproofing.

For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four-season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.

Domes and Tunnels

Tents are broadly categorized into two types: freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and tents that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floorplan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being lighter. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.

Size Matters

Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.

Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

• 3-person, 3-pole pentadome tent with removable fly
• Shock-corded fiberglass frame for quick and easy setup
• Integrated mud mat with drainage strip to keep tent clean
• 2 mesh windows and D-style front door for ventilation

User questions & answers

Product description

The Vacation Lodge Family Tent creates a literal home away from home, with a comfortable walk-in, 2-room, high-ceiling design. The tent is well ventilated with an over 7 foot center height, back-to-back, double Dutch "D" doors, 6 closable windows, and a fully vented roof. In wet weather the Vacation Lodges' rainfly and welded polyethylene floor provides the protection you need to stay dry. Amazingly easy to set up for such a large and stable tent, the Kodiak features central hubs that connect the roof to steel uprights and a simple-to-use fast-feet system. What's more, when you are just going out for the day to picnic, you can bring just the poles and rainfly and create a free-standing sun shelter. Essentially you can buy a tent and a sun shade at the same time with the Vacation Lodge. In tent form, the Vacation Lodge is equipped with two hanging pockets, making it easy to keep larger groups organized. Additional details include a E-port to make it easy to run electrical cords out of the tent, steel stakes for secure placement, and a convenient travel and storage duffel.

• Floor Area: 117 square feet
• Peak Height: 85 inches
• Weight: 32 pounds, 3 ounces
• Number of Doors: 2
• Number of Windows: 6

User questions & answers

Product description

Wenzel dome tent fits up to 5 people perfect for your next camping adventure. Easy to set up x frame design with fly hoop pole. Side and rear mesh tent walls for great ventilation. Removable rain fly with 600 mm waterproofing and seam tape. Storage bag included.

• 5 person tent perfect for your next camping adventure easy to set up "x frame" design with fly hoop pole
• Side and rear mesh tent walls for great ventilation
• Removable rain fly with 600 mm waterproofing and seam tape
• Storage bag included
• Dimensions: 10 ft. X 8 ft. / 80 Square Feet

User questions & answers

Product description

Comfortably sleeping six people, the Wenzel Tamarack 6 Person Dome Tent is designed for a quick and hassle-free setup using a shock-corded fiberglass frame. The setup includes a removable seam-sealed rain fly with the ability to open and roll back or guy out for ventilation on those hot days. A “D” style door also makes make getting in and out of the tent easy, and there is plenty of internal storage for everyone with six convenience pockets. An awning over the door helps further protect against the elements, while mud mats help keep everything clean and tidy. Lastly, if the wind picks up, the pre-attached guy ropes will help keep everything stable as can be.

• HASSLE-FREE ENTRANCE AND EXIT: "D" style door with inside flap zippered window allows you to get in and out easily and view the outdoors
• QUICK SETUP: Shock corded fiberglass frame with pin and ring attachment allow for easy and quick tent set up
• WEATHER PROTECTION: Removable seam-sealed fly included to keep the weather out
• VENTILATION: Vertical zipper on the back of the fly can be opened and rolled back for additional ventilation
• AIR CIRCULATION: Guy out vent at the back of the tent provides hi-low air circulation

Product description

9 - Person Wenzel Kodiak tent redefines home away from home. When Wenzel started making camping gear in 1887, America was a very different place. No TV, no video games, no cell phones. Of course, a lot's changed in 120+ years, but Wenzel's commitment to making family-friendly gear at a budget-friendly price hasn't budged an inch. The legacy lives on with the family-ready Kodiak tent. Surprisingly affordable for the size, with spacious comfort for up to 9 happy campers. And while other tents of this magnitude require an engineering degree to assemble, the Kodiak's steel pin-and-ring set-up makes set-up a less time-consuming, less infuriating endeavor. Of course, it's all brought to you at a hugely affordable price, true to Wenzel form. Base measures 14 x 14-Feet, plenty of room for 9, Center height is a generous 7-Feet 2-Inch, with a 6-Feet 3-Inch eave height, Pin-and-ring system / connecting hubs make set-up surprisingly painless. Mesh dutch D-style door, 2 bay windows, 2 picture windows and roof for visibility and nice cross breeze; Sonic-sealed welded polyethylene floor for toughness and sure dryness. Sewn-in room divider creates 2 separate rooms. Straight sidewalls and full coverage fly for added weather protection. Additional rear lockers / vents add ground breeze and extra storage. Includes steel and plastic stakes, 2 gear lofts, 2 hanging pockets, mud mat, and storage duffel.

The Kodiak Family Cabin Tent creates a literal home away from home, with a comfortable walk-in, 2-room, straight-walled, high-ceiling design. With 168 square feet of area, the Kodiak sleeps up to 9 people comfortably--or provides sleep and indoor living space for smaller groups. The tent is well ventilated with an over 7 foot center height, a large mesh Dutch "D" door, two bay and two picture windows, and a fully vented roof. In wet weather the Kodiak's full-coverage rainfly and welded polyethylene floor provides the protection you need to stay dry. In clear weather, roll the fly back and enjoy stargazing from the insect-protected interior. Amazingly easy to set up for such a large and stable tent, the Kodiak features central hubs that connect the roof to steel uprights and a simple-to-use pin and ring system. Equipped with rear lockers, two gear lofts, and two hanging pockets, the Kodiak makes it easy to keep larger groups organized. Additional details include a mud mat to keep the floor clean and ground level venting for increased airflow. The Kodiak comes complete with steel stakes for secure placement and a convenient travel and storage duffel.

Specifications:

• Sleep capacity: 9
• Center height: 7.17 feet, 86 inches
• Eave height: 5.42 feet, 65 inches
• Footprint: 14 x 14 feet
• Area: 162 square feet
• Mesh Dutch "D" style doors
• Two bay windows, two picture windows
• Fully vented roof
• Sewn in room divider
• Full coverage rainfly
• Steel frame and stakes
• Central hubs and pin ring set up system

What's in the Box?

Tent body, steel frame, rainfly, steel stakes, gear lofts, hanging pockets, mud mat, storage duffel

About Wenzel:

Wenzel has been bringing families together and creating lasting memories in the outdoors for the last 120 years. When the sun rose on the first family campers in America, Wenzel was there. Wenzel has built a company around the basic human need to escape, recharge, and connect with the outdoors. Wenzel creates the modern tools that families require to experience the outdoors in comfort. To do this, they run each product through a very specialized filter--their own families. New features for family camping are easy to talk about in boardrooms with power point presentations, but are a whole different story in the middle of the woods. Wenzel knows what family camping is like, which is why they make the tents easy to set up, take down and pack away for next time.

• Large, 2-room family cabin tent comes with steel stakes, gear lofts, hanging pockets, mud mat, and storage duffel
• Straight sidewalls maximizes interior space; full coverage fly and welded polyethylene floor for weather protection
• Mesh Dutch "D" style door, bay windows, picture windows, and screened roof for visibility and cross breeze
• Ultra-sturdy steel frame with hub connections and pin and ring system for easy set-up
• Sleep capacity: 9; footprint: 14 x 14 feet; center ceiling height: 7.17 feet,Eave height: 5.42 feet, 65 inches

User questions & answers

Product features

Home Away From Home

9 - Person Wenzel Kodiak tent redefines home away from home. When Wenzel started making camping gear in 1887, America was a very different place. No TV, no video games, no cell phones. Of course, a lot's changed in 120+ years, but Wenzel's commitment to making family-friendly gear at a budget-friendly price hasn't budged an inch. The legacy lives on with the family-ready Kodiak tent. Surprisingly affordable for the size, with spacious comfort for up to 9 happy campers. And while other tents of this magnitude require an engineering degree to assemble, the Kodiak's steel pin-and-ring set-up makes set-up a less time-consuming, less infuriating endeavor. Of course, it's all brought to you at a hugely affordable price, true to Wenzel form. Base measures 14 x 14-Feet, plenty of room for 9, Center height is a generous 7-Feet 2-Inch, with a 6-Feet 3-Inch eave height, Pin-and-ring system / connecting hubs make set-up surprisingly painless. Mesh dutch D-style door, 2 bay windows, 2 picture windows and roof for visibility and nice cross breeze; Sonic-sealed welded polyethylene floor for toughness and sure dryness. Sewn-in room divider creates 2 separate rooms. Straight sidewalls and full coverage fly for added weather protection. Additional rear lockers / vents add ground breeze and extra storage. Includes steel and plastic stakes, 2 gear lofts, 2 hanging pockets, mud mat, and storage duffel.

Product description

Wenzel Timber Ridge 10 Person Tent

• Floor Area: 160 square feet
• Peak Height: 93 inches
• Weight: 32 pounds, 7 ounces
• Number of Doors: 2
• Number of Windows: 6
• Floor Area: 160 square feet
• Weight: 32 pounds, 7 ounces

User questions & answers

Product features

Removable seam-sealed fly provides excellent protection from the rain.

Multi-diameter Pole Technology allows increased interior tent space without extra poles.

Front and back 'D' style doors with inside flap zippered windows.

E-Port for electrical cord access.

Fast Foot - one of the many features making the Timber Ridge easy to set-up.

Mesh roof provides improved ventilation.

Product description

One of our largest, spacious tents if your looking for extra room. The Great Basin base is 18 ft. x 10 ft. x 76" center height. With Back to back dutch "D" style doors, two mesh windows and roof vents for ventilation. Constructed with welded polyethylene floor and fiberglass frame, with steel and plastic stakes to secure this portable home. Shockcorded fiberglass poles with pin and ring system for easy set-up and take down. Hooped fly over the front door and rear window for weather protection.

• Crafted from the highest quality material
• Perfect for outdoor and even indoor Use
• Made in Bangladesh

User questions & answers

Product description

Portable and lightweight the Wenzel Ridgeline offers room enough for three campers in an area of 49 square feet. It sets up easily in minutes with a shockcorded fiberglass frame and pin and ring system. The Dutch "D" style door gives you easy entry and exit. This tent has a mesh window, door and roof for great cross ventilation. The fabric is rugged, weather-repellent Weather Armor polyester with a polyurethane coating for reliability, helping it keep water out and warmth in. A hooped fly increases weather protection. The sonic sealed polyethylene tub-style floor is welded not sewn eliminating needle holes that create a potential area for water seepage. Double-stitched, lap-felled seams through out the body of the tent provide a shingle effect against water. All threads, zippers and webbing are treated with superior water repellency applications to enforce these critical areas. A gear loft and hanging pockets provide areas for items that need easy access. A storage duffel is included for transportation and storage. Specifications: • Base: 7 ft. x 7 ft. • Center Height: 50 in. • Area: 49 sq. ft. • Door: Dutch "D" style • Floor: welded polyethylene • Frame: fiberglass • Stakes: steel • Carry Weight: 7.3 lbs • Sleeps: 3

Keep your load limber during long hikes and extended cycling excursions with the Wenzel Ridgeline dome tent. Large enough to sleep three people at once yet compact enough to fit conveniently on a backpack or saddle bags, the tent is ideal for all types of camping and conditions. The Ridgeline includes such features as a Dutch D-style door for easy entry, along with a shock-corded fiberglass frame and pin-and-ring system that for quick and easy setup. Campers will also appreciate the Weather Armor polyester fabric, polyurethane coating, and sonic-sealed tub-style floor, all of which are reliably rugged and resist leaks of all kinds. The window, door, and roof vents, meanwhile, do a nice job of ventilating the tent and controlling morning moisture.

Additional details include double-stitched, lap-felled seams that provide a shingle effect against water; water-repellent threads, zippers, and webbing; a hooked fly that increases weather protection; a gear loft and hanging pockets for easy-access item; and a handy storage duffel. The Ridgeline caries a 10-year limited warranty.

Specifications:

• Base: 7 by 7 feet
• Center height: 50 inches
• Interior space: 49 square feet
• Sleeps: 3
• Door: Dutch D-style
• Floor: Welded polyethylene
• Frame: Fiberglass
• Pegs: Steel
• Carrying weight: 7.3 pounds

Amazon.com Tent Guide

Selecting a Tent

Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Expect the Worst

In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all-purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in. If you're a backpacker, alpine climber, or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to buy something designed to handle more adversity.

Three- and Four-Season Tents

For summer, early fall, and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three-season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are specifically designed for summer backpacking or other activities. Many premium tents will also feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain fly for enhanced waterproofing.

For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four-season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.

Domes and Tunnels

Tents are broadly categorized into two types: freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and tents that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floorplan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being lighter. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.

Size Matters

Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.

Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

• polyester
• Made in the USA or Imported
• Easy to use
• High quality product
• One door tent
• Manufactured in China

User questions & answers

Product features

Sleeps 3 And Offers Lite Reflect

Perfect for car camping or backpacking, the bestselling Ridgeline 3 is an easy-to-set up and highly durable 3-person tent that’s loaded with useful features. Now with the revolutionary Lite Reflect system, you can create an even (and super useful) glow of light by placing a headlamp or flashlight in the gear loft and aiming it at a built-in reflective panel. There’s also a zippered rear window with a privacy flap and mesh roof vents for airflow. So you’ll have a great experience no matter where you set up camp.

Removable Seam Sealed Fly

Gear Loft And Convenience Pocket

Shock Corded Fiberglass Poles With Fast Feet For Easy Set Up

3 Person Capacity

• 8-person, 3-season family camping tent with screen room
• Large front awning provides you a "camping porch" with sun protection and weather protection to make your camp feel like home
• Removable seam-sealed fly
• Fiberglass frame with steel and plastic stakes
• Mesh roof vents and ground-level vents

Product description

Made for weekend warriors and trend setters alike! The shenanigan 5 is here to spruce up the camp vibes with two cool new patterns without compromising functionality. Easy 1 pole setup with fast feet make for a quick set up so you never miss a beat. 3 roll back window flaps and a hi-low ventilation system with roof vents that will keep the air flowing on after a night of summer fun.

• Easy 1 pole setup with fast feet
• 3 roll back window flaps
• Hi-low ventilation system with roof vents
• Spruce up the camp vibes
• Polyester canopy material and welded polyethlene flooring

User questions & answers

Product description

Keep bugs at bay! Enjoying the great outdoors is even greater with the sturdy Wenzel Smartshade Screen House to keep pesky bugs at bay. Perfect for picnics or BBQs, it comes with removable screen walls that deflect insects, and has a frame built of steel with quick-release buttons so you can easily adjust height in an instant. It really only takes minutes!

• Easy release buttons ensure quick and easy pinch free height adjustment
• Sturdy steel frame with powder coating for enhanced durability
• Guy out points and guy lines at all four comers for added stability
• Versatile deck feet with anchor points for stakes or screws
• Sport type: Camping & Hiking
• Care instructions: Hand Wash

User questions & answers

Product features

Keep Bugs At Bay

Enjoying the great outdoors is even greater with the sturdy Smartshade Screen House to keep pesky bugs at bay. Perfect for picnics or BBQs, it comes with removable screen walls that deflect insects, and has a frame built of steel with quick-release buttons so you can easily adjust height in an instant.

Sturdy Steel Frame With Powder Coating For Enhanced Durability

Includes Removable Corner Mesh Storage Loft

Easy Release Buttons Ensure Quick And Easy Pinch Free Height Adjustment