the winter tent
When choosing a winter tent, it's important to consider the weather conditions you'll be facing, the size and weight of the tent, and the features that matter most to you.
Look for a tent with a sturdy frame, super durable materials, and plenty of space for you and your gear, and make sure it can handle heavy snow loads and strong winds.
The tent's size and weight are also important factors to consider, since winter camping gear is always bulkier and heavier than summer gear. Many winter campers want a tent that's roomy enough to hold multiple people and their gear, but still compact and lightweight enough to carry easily.
Your tent size needs to stay small to manage in-tent temperatures and keep the carrying weight down. So if you have a 4 person group, take two smaller tents, not one large one.
The exception to this rule is if you're using a pulks (sled) you can afford a heavier tent in your weight budget.
Good winter tents have high-quality construction, durability, and ability to withstand harsh winter weather. They're made with sturdy materials that can handle heavy snow loads and strong winds, and some of them have extra vestibules for storing gear or cooking in bad weather. Some also have snow flaps to prevent snow from blowing into the tent.
Another thing you want to consider is setup because setting up your tent during a full-on snowstorm is an epic pain if it's not designed with easy setup in mind.
With the right winter tent, you can stay warm, dry, and reasonably comfortable in even the most extreme winter conditions.
winter tent reviews
ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian
This 4-season tent deserves the rave reviews for it's well-built design to withstand wind, snow, ice and heavy rain - as well as good ventilation in every season. It is on the heavier side, making it less ideal for ultralight backpacking. The one-color Tasmanian tent is available in 2 or 3-person sizes.
The 2-person tent covers a floor area of 34.5 square feet (3.2 square meters), has a center height of 46 inches (117 cm), and packs down to 21 inches long x 6.5 inches diameter (52 cm long x 16.5 cm diameter). It weighs 7 pounds 15 ounces (3.6 kg).
A 3-person Tasmanian covers a floor are of 43.5 square feet (4 square meters), has a center height of 54 inches (137 cm), and packs down to 23 inches long x 7 inches diameter (58 cm long x 18 cm diameter). It weighs 9 pounds 10 ounces (4.35 kg).
A 75D 185T polyester full coverage fly, weatherproof shock-cord aluminum poles, 5000mm coating on the polyester-taffeta tent floor, fully closable vents, and weatherproof fly buckles provide maximum weather protection. This tent flattens in the wind, keeps everything inside the tent dry during heavy rains or flash floods and withstands snowfall.
Two doors have zippered mesh windows for easy entry and great ventilation. You can close the fly vents and just open one of the roof vents for sleeping without condensation buildup. Two vestibules provide weather protection and extra storage. The interior space is ample for two people with mesh storage pockets and a gear loft.
Set up is fast. Pole clips snap over color-coded tent poles and the fly buckles on. The rain fly poles run through sleeves on the inside of the fly, which can cause a lot of swearing. Once you're set, you quickly forget about that annoyance however. The tent does best staked, so be sure your campground isn't pure rock.
The packed size of the tent might be a concern if you have limited space in your pack. I can assure you, the tent stuffs into the bag without being rolled properly just fine. The weight trade-off and pack size are worth it if you want to go backpacking in cold, windy, snowy weather.
Check out the 2-person Tasmanian tent or the 3-person Tasmanian tent on Amazon.com
MSR Access Mountaineering
This lightweight, robustly constructed 4-season tent boasts fast setup for ski touring, backpacking, snowboarding, mountaineering and camping in less severe conditions, such as those near tree-line. It holds up in snow as much as 16 inches (40 cm) and when half buried by driving snow. The one-color Access tent is available in 1, 2 and 3-person sizes.
We're recommending the Access Mountaineering tent over the Remote Mountaineering tent because of the weight. The Access Mountaineering tent is about 3 pounds (1.36 kg) lighter.
The interior of the 2-person tent is somewhat limited, especially if you're both wearing bulky winter gear, and the vestibule area is smaller than desired. A gear loft is a must in winter. Seriously consider getting the 3-person model for two people.
The 2-person tent covers a floor area of 29 square feet (2.7 square meters), has a head height of 42 inches (101 cm), and packs down to 18 x 6 inches (46 x 15 cm). It weighs 4 pounds 1 ounce (1.86 kg).
A 3-person tent covers a floor area of 41 square feet (3.8 square meters), has a head height of 47 inches (119 cm), and packs down to 21 x 7 inches (53 x 18 cm). It weighs 5 pounds 1 ounce (2.3 kg).
Xtreme Shield waterproof coating provides long-term protection in the wettest weather. Limited mesh on the tent body keeps in warmth on cold nights. Rain fly vents reduce condensation. The poles are made with advanced composites to resist breaking in the most challenging winter conditions. That can't be said for the plastic pole inserts, however. They are prone to break in colder weather.
The tent has two doors, two internal mesh pockets big enough for storing small items (phone, headlamp, etc.) and multiple guy points. While the bottom of the tent feels flimsy, it's durable and rugged on rocky surfaces. A central-support frame optimizes interior space and resists snow loading.
Ventilation receives almost equally mixed reviews. The tent is designed to be warmer than a backpacking tent without added weight. Less experienced campers struggle with condensation, especially when they pull the fly fully down. More experienced campers have zero issues. Pay attention to the relative humidity and what you're pitching on. Vent high and low - adjust your fly tension to make sure air is circulating.
Where MSR's Access Mountaineering tent shines is in the setup with its unified hubbed poles. When you're cold and wearing mittens or gloves, it goes up in no time. No manual dexterity required! Plus, the wide-mouthed stuff sack has very clear pictures showing setup.
Eureka! El Capitan+ Outfitter
For a budget-friendly, family-sized camping adventure, this tent is perfect. These tents are 4-season, roomy, durable, well ventilated and quick to set up. As a backpacking tent, it's on the heavy side and less suitable for long-distance hiking. It doesn't hold up in extreme weather like camping above the treeline. The El Capitan+ Outfitter is offered in 2, 3 and 4-person sizes and a choice of 4 colors exotically named Bok Choy, Dark Ivy, Aspen Gold, or Botanical Garden.
The 2-person tent covers a floor area of 35 square feet (3.2 square meters), has head height of 43 inches (109 cm), and packs down to 7 x 20 inches (18 x 51 cm). It weighs 6 pounds 15 ounces (3.1 kg) without the footprint.
A 3-person tent covers a floor area of 51 square feet (4.7 square meters), has a head height of 50 inches (127 cm), and packs down to 8 x 24 inches (20 x 61 cm). It weighs 8 pounds 13 ounces (4 kg).
The El Capitan+ Outfitter 4-person tent covers a floor area of 69 square feet (6.4 square meters), has a head height of 56 inches (142 cm), and packs down to 9 x 26 inches (23 x 66 cm). It weighs 11 pounds (5 kg).
The done-shaped tent body is made from breathable 75D 190T polyester taffeta, and the 150D polyester oxford floor is coated with a 5000mm waterproof finish. The rain fly is made from 75D 190T polyester ripstop with a 2000mm waterproof coating. Sturdy aluminum poles and oversized, YKK brand zippers provide long-term durability.
This tent is roomy. There is ample interior space for multiple occupants and gear, making it great for group or family camping. A full-coverage rain fly offers weather protection and 2 vestibules for keeping wet shoes and clothes outside both doors. There are 4 storage pockets and loops for a gear loft, but no hook for a lantern.
The zippered fabric panels behind the mesh on both the doors and walls permit high/low venting for excellent ventilation control. Make sure the tent is set up for the weather you're camping in. It endures typical camping weather (sun, wind, rain and snow) when pitched adequately and vented properly. Avoid condensation by leaving the zipper open a small area at the top of the tent in cold weather.
Setup is quick and hassle-free, especially with helpers. Note, if you follow the rain fly set-up directions exactly, it is near impossible to get the pole ends into the protected sleeves of the rain fly. We recommend you put the pole ends in the sleeves before clipping the pole to the main tent frame.
The tent packs away fairly easily into its own heavy-duty carry bag (with shoulder strap). Fold the tent and rain fly to match the length of the poles before you roll up the tent. Otherwise, you will struggle to get it back in the bag.
GOT FEEDBACK?
If you've used one of the winter tents I reviewed and you have something to add, I'd love to hear it.
Same, if you have a tent you love (or hate) that's not reviewed here, tell me about it and I'll check it out.
