Want to have some outdoor adventure this weekend? Then you need to make sure that you get the best shelter to spend the night. But with plenty of options available on the market, choosing the best tent brand for camping can be overwhelming.
In this article, we’ll dig deep into some of the best tent brands for backpacking. We’ll share with you some of the most reliable shelters for different types of adventures – including backpacking, hiking, and mountaineering.
And in case you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, there’s no need to worry. We’ve got some useful tips for choosing your own shelter. That way, you’ll no longer be confused about the best tent brands around or the best tent brand for your needs. So, are you guys ready? Let’s get started!
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Product Name
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Big Agnes is a brand focused on efforts to encourage more and more outdoor exploration. Since its founding in 2000, the company has spawned some of the best outdoor gear around. Most of them are extremely durable and work well even in harsh conditions. That’s why when it comes to the best tent brand for camping, it’s hard not to include the Big A.
Our pick for this list is the Big Agnes Tiger Wall. It’s an ultralight tent built to last. You can set it up in seconds without spending too much effort. There are plenty of pockets and a gear loft for your essentials. As for ventilation, the doors come with two-way zippers to allow for top venting.
- What We Love:
- An ultralight tent built to last. It can be pitched easily in seconds.
- Pros:
- Sustainable
- Lifetime warranty
- Simple setup
- Ultralight
- Cons:
- Not great for high winds
Mountain Safety Research (MSR)
12
Larry Penberthy is the genius behind the famous Mountain Safety Research, aka MSR. Since starting its business in 1969, the brand has dreamed of providing safer and more reliable outdoor equipment – especially under some demanding situations. That’s why you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that MSR has been included in countless best tent brands for backpacking lists.
One of their most popular products is the MSR Hubba Hubba NX, a two-person tent designed specifically for backpacking trips. It’s not the lightest tent around, but we personally think that the Hubba Hubba offers a great balance between price, weight, and durability. The tent is easy to set up. You probably won’t even need more than two and a half minutes to do it. Apart from that, this shelter is qualified as a three-season tent. It’s made using quality fabric with impressive wind and rain resistance.
And speaking of camping, don’t let the rainy season stop your outdoor adventure! Check out our best tents for heavy rain for some of the most recommended temporary shelters for the rainy season.
- What We Love:
- Offers a great balance between price, weight, and durability
- Pros:
- Xtreme Shield Waterproof coating
- 3-season tent
- 30D ripstop nylon
- Stakes and rainfly included
- Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a footprint
Vango
11
Vango is a Scottish-based brand that was first introduced in 1966. Its name is an anagram of Govan, the area where the main factory is located. But if you go here and there now, you won’t find anything but empty buildings. That’s because they’ve decided to move to Glasgow many years ago.
And whenever the question of what are the best tent pop brands comes up, it’s hard not to recommend the Vango Apollo 500. This massive tent was built to accommodate five people at once. It’s great when you’re traveling with the whole family or a group of friends. This shelter is by no means cheap, but you definitely get what you pay for. It’s easy to pack, which is vital for any backpacker. And in case you need some extra space, there’s a large porch area available.
- What We Love:
- A massive tent designed to fit the whole family. It can accommodate up to five adults.
- Pros:
- All-in-one flysheet
- Waterproof polyester
- Vango Airzone ventilation
- Groundsheet
- Cons:
- No footprints included
The North Face
10
This brand really doesn’t need any introduction. Anyone with a great passion for outdoor activities will instantly recognize the three-curve logo. As for history, The North Face started their business in 1966, when a young climber named Doug Tompkins decided to open a small outdoor gears shop in San Francisco with his partner. Fast forward a few decades, TNF has become synonymous with high-performance gear that supports plenty of top climbers and athletes.
If you love solo backpacking, then The North Face Stormbreak 1 would be ideal. This one-person tent comes with a freestanding design and multiple support poles. They’re a little heavy but should be able to give the tent some extra weight and stability. As for dimensions, you won’t be able to fit Stormbreak in your backpack. However, you should have no trouble attaching it under or on the side. Other than that, this tent is tiny, lightweight, and easy to tear down. If you’re looking for the best tent brand for camping, The North Face is the perfect candidate.
- What We Love:
- A one-person tent with a freestanding design. Comes with several sturdy support poles.
- Pros:
- Quick pitch
- Comfortable design
- Easy access
- Quality construction
- Cons:
- No tarp included
Black Diamond
9
Black Diamond is perhaps one of the oldest outdoor gear brands out there. Starting from a dinner table talk at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, Utah, in 1957, the BD has now transformed into a multinational company that spans three continents. Their products are known to have high standards and are highly reliable. It’s no surprise that many hikers and backpackers have no qualms about recommending Black Diamond when it comes to the best tent brand for camping.
One of the company’s most popular tents is the Black Diamond Firstlight 2. This two-person tent is built for climbers with strict weight management. It only weighs around 3lbs, which practically makes it one of the lightest shelters on this list. There’s no need to worry about durability, as this tent is double-stitched, and all the seams have been reinforced. Other features worth mentioning include the DAC Featherlite poles, cross ventilation, and two interior mesh pockets.
- What We Love:
- Ultra-lightweight tent with DAC Featherlite pole and reinforced seams
- Pros:
- DAC featherlite poles
- Zippered mesh panels
- Interior mesh pockets
- Vestibules
- Cons:
- The ground cloth is sold separately
Nemo
8
Nemo is the brainchild of Cam Brensinger. The veteran climber had once spent a bad night at the foot of Mount Washington due to a poorly constructed bivvy. Soon after, he decided to start the Nemo Equipment in New Hampshire, and the rest is history. It took no time for the brand to take off. In 2005, Nemo received the ISPO Brand New Award and was once included in the 100 Best Innovations of the Year list.
Our pick for this list is the Nemo Wagontop Group Camping Tent. It’s an impressive tent that’s easy to set up and offers a spacious living area. There’s great airflow, and you can open or close the windows from inside the tent. Apart from that, this tent is also good for dealing with rain. We personally like how you can keep the windows open without getting the interior wet. So in case you’re wondering what is the best tent brand around, don’t hesitate to go with Nemo Equipment.
- What We Love:
- An impressive tent that’s easy to set up and offers a spacious living area
- Pros:
- Perfect for families
- Generous panoramic windows
- Copious vestibule space
- Simple setup
- Cons:
- Need two people for setup
Marmot
7
This California-based brand has garnered some reputation in the outdoor community. Most hikers love how the Marmot is able to strike a great balance between reliability, flexibility, and price. Take Marmot Crane Creek, for example. This three-person tent can be yours for just 302 bucks. That’s almost 100 USD cheaper than other similar products on the market!
Okay, Crane Creek might not be the lightest tent around. However, Marmot makes up for it with its durability and value. We’ve spent almost five days in this tent, and there were barely any problems. That’s even though we had heavy rain and strong winds for the last three days. There were no leaks, no tears, nothing! So when it comes to the best tent brand for camping, Marmot definitely gets our seal of approval!
Planning to get a new tent but don’t want to spend a lot? Then you need to check out our best tents under 100!
- What We Love:
- A three-person tent with impressive durability and flexibility
- Pros:
- Lightweight
- Pre-bend construction
- Color-coded poles
- Durable HD Velocity 7000 poles
- Cons:
- You need to buy a footprint and some additional stakes
Kelty
6
Kelty is one of the best brands for backpacking that you need to check out, especially if you’re a casual camper. The Colorado-based company is known for its super affordable products. Most of their tents are offered between 100 to 300 bucks and target the family segment.
One of their most popular products is the Kelty Rumpus, a freestanding tent made to accommodate up to six people at a time. It provides no less than 60 square feet of space, making it ideal for festivals, family camping, or other events involving large crowds. As for the setup process, you can get it done in less than five minutes. Get yourself comfortable and protected in no time, as the Rumpus is made of 68D polyester fabric and comes with a vented rainfly.
- What We Love:
- A freestanding tent for 4-6 people with extra-large shade awning on exterior
- Pros:
- Spacious
- 68D polyester
- Built to last
- Two vestibules
- Cons:
- We’re still working on that!
Coleman
5
If you don’t want to spend too much on your new temporary shelter and are wondering what is the best brand for camping to get, then Coleman is your answer. The Chicago company has produced some of the most affordable tents over the years. They’re ideal when you’re camping under fair conditions or just want to have a little outdoor fun in your backyard.
One of the most popular is Coleman Sundome. This two-person tent is constructed of weatherproof 75D polyester taffeta for protection against the elements. It’s wind and rain tested and is able to remain stable under winds of 35+ mph. As for ventilation, there are large windows and a ground vent for optimal airflow. If you need to charge your device, there’s an E-port available.
- What We Love:
- A two-person tent made of weatherproof 75D polyester taffeta
- Pros:
- Weatherproof
- Wind and rain tested
- Easy setup
- Great vents
- Cons:
- You need to get better stakes
Alps Mountaineering
4
Alps Mountaineering isn’t exactly the most innovative brand around. Nevertheless, their products are available at affordable prices, which is why the Missouri-based company is becoming so popular among outdoor enthusiasts. Their tents don’t come with out-of-the-box designs or boast state-of-the-art technology. Even so, they’re decently robust and offer a simple setup process, which is great for novice campers.
As far as the best tent brands for backpacking go, the Alps Mountaineering Lynx is the most sought after. This two-person tent features a freestanding design with a stress-free setup process. It utilizes two aluminum poles as supports, which allow for a smooth pitch. For protection against the elements, there’s a waterproof and UV-resistant polyester fly included. And thanks to its two large vestibules, you get plenty of extra space for your gear and essentials.
- What We Love:
- A two-person tent featuring a freestanding design with a stress-free setup
- Pros:
- Freestanding
- Polyester fly
- Storage pockets
- Two doorways
- Cons:
- The rainfly is sometimes hard to unzip
Eureka
3
If you don’t think Coleman is good enough for you, take a step up with the tents from Eureka. The Binghamton brand provides mid-level temporary shelters at price levels that won’t force you to break the bank. While they won’t allow you to spend the night comfortably in the wildest mountains, Eureka’s tents will work well in most scenarios.
And in case you’re wondering what are the best tent brands for your next group camping trip, look no further than the Eureka Copper Canyon LX. This three-season tent comes with a massive living area. It’s claimed to be able to accommodate up to eight people, providing a home away from home. As far as the setup process goes, this temporary shelter is a breeze to pitch in. It comes with color-coded poles and a full-standing height design. Meanwhile, the frames are made of steel and fiberglass for greater durability. For easy access, Copper Canyon provides two massive doors on the front and back.
Want to up your camping game? Check out our best tents for high winds for some of the toughest temporary shelters money can buy!
- What We Love:
- Able to accommodate up to eight people and provides a massive living area
- Pros:
- Three-season camping tent
- Fiberglass frame
- Steep walls
- Large mesh windows
- Cons:
- You need to bring your own tarp
Core
2
In terms of design, Core shares many similarities with Coleman. This is quite normal since both brands focus their efforts on providing large tents for car campers. But when it comes to quality, Core is often considered a step above Coleman. Their tents are offered at a higher price but with greater overall durability and resistance.
One of Core’s best offers that you shouldn’t miss is the Core Equipment Instant Dome. This four-person tent offers a spacious 108 x 84-inch living area, with the central height measured at 54 inches. You can easily fit a queen-sized mattress in it. Furthermore, this temporary shelter is made of 100 polyesters to ensure greater durability. The setup process takes less than 30 seconds, as the tent pops up instantly. Frequently featured on lists of best tent brands for backpacking, Core Equipment Instant Dome is now available on Amazon for only about $128.
- What We Love:
- A four-person tent with a spacious 108×84 inch living area. Made from 100 percent polyester to ensure greater durability.
- Pros:
- 100% polyester
- Instant 30-second setup
- Core H20 block technology
- Electrical cord port
- Cons:
- It takes a little more effort to tear down
Wenzel
1
Years in the industry have led Wenzel to amass some reputation among the backpacking and mountaineering community. Apart from being ultralight and roomy, their tents are built to last. If you’re looking forward to going on a camping trip with a group of friends or the whole family, you really can’t go wrong with Wenzel’s tents.
One we recommend the most is the Wenzel Ridgeline, a three-person tent made of pure polyester. It has a removable seam-sealed fly and meshes roof vents for protection against the elements. To ensure optimal airflow, there’s a zippered rear window with an inner flap. Thanks to the multi-diameter fiberglass pole, you’ll get more space to work with. And if you need extra space to store your gear and essentials, the Ridgeline comes with a fly ridge pole for an awning in the front door. So the next time someone asks you what are the best tent brands around, don’t hesitate to say that Wenzel is one of them!
- What We Love:
- A three-person tent with complete protection against the elements. Provides a front awning for your gears and essentials.
- Pros:
- Polyester
- Removable seam
- Zippered rear window
- Multi-diameter fiberglass poles
- Cons:
- It’s a little heavy
How to Choose The Best Tent Brand for Camping
With tons of alternatives on the market, choosing the best tent brand for camping is tricky. You need to ask some serious questions before making any decisions. That includes: ‘What are you going to use it for?’, ‘What kind of conditions are you in?’, ‘How often are you going to go camping?’, and so on. In this way, you’ll end up with the best tent brands for backpacking that are truly quality.
With all of that in mind, here are the three most crucial factors you should consider when choosing a tent brand. Hopefully, this short guide will help you answer your doubts about the best tent brands for your needs or the best brand on a budget. Let’s check them out!
Fabric
Fabric is the most crucial thing in choosing the best tent brand for camping. It’s like the only thing separating you and the elements, your ultimate protection, the walls that prevent you from freezing or being toasted! Most cheap tents choose to use thin nylon, which is actually quite flexible but can tear easily. If you have more budget, we recommend getting a tent with thicker nylon. They’re harder to tear and have fantastic water resistance.
Poles
Next, think about the poles. They’re like small parts, which are then put together to form the whole structure of the tent. When it comes to the best tent brands for backpacking, aluminum poles are more recommended. They’re stronger, tougher, and (in theory) more reliable under various rough conditions. But if weight is your main concern, you may want to opt for carbon or fiberglass. Both are significantly lighter and only slightly less strong than aluminum.
And while you’re here, why don’t you check out our best tents for family camping? They offer a spacious living space, which is great for having fun with the whole family.
Design
Last but not least, think about the design. Whenever you ask what are the best tent brands around, you need to know how practical they’re. See if the shelters have decent storage pockets. Check if they’re easy enough to carry around. And in case you want to camp in the summer and are thinking about what is the best tent brand to get, look for shelters that have proper ventilation. See if they have enough mesh walls to allow air in and out.
Who Makes the Best Quality Tents?
Well, there are plenty of brands for you to consider. Names like MSR, Coleman and Big Agnes have been known to produce some of the most quality tents over the years. Luckily, you can find more about them and other great manufacturers on our list!
Do Tents Lose Their Waterproofing?
Sadly, yes. The more you use your tent, especially during the rainy season, the more waterproofing will decrease over time. When that happens, you may want to get a new tent or try some of the waterproofing solutions out there.
Speaking of camping, protection against the elements is crucial when you decide to spend the night in the wild. Therefore, you might want to check out our best tent waterproofing sprays.
Will Scotchgard Waterproof a Tent?
Well, yes. You can also use it to make other equipment like backpacks and boots waterproof. Most backpackers love to use Scotchgard as their waterproofing solution since it’s affordable and non-toxic.
