Tents and Shelters
The best tents and shelters, reviewed and curated by the Trailspace community. The latest review was added on February 17, 2019. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily.
Ready for a night out? Whether you’re an ultralight alpinist, family of backpackers, devoted hanger, or comfort camper, you'll find the best tents, tarps, and hammocks for your outdoor overnights right here.
Check out our top picks below—including price comparisons—to shelter you in any terrain, trip, or season: winter mountaineering, three-season thru-hiking, warm weather car camping, hammock hanging, alpine bivys, tarps, and emergency shelter.
Or you can browse our thousands of independent tent and shelter ratings and reviews by product type, brand, or price. Written by real-world hikers, backpackers, alpinists, climbers, and paddlers, Trailspace community reviews will help you select a dependable, field-tested, outdoor abode just right for your next adventure.
Recent Tent/Shelter Reviews
Eureka! Mountain Pass 2XT
great tent My wife and I used this tent for 199 days on the Appalachian Trail. Eureka tents are the best - I've been camping in Eureka tents for nearly 40 years. Full review
Grand Shelters IceBox
An ingenious system that can be used to build igloos for up to five happy campers. Works as advertised, but using it efficiently requires a lot of experience, especially with difficult snow. I don’t recall when I first heard about the Icebox, but I do recall being pretty interested when an engineering-minded neighbor back in Vermont bought one. He built one igloo up in the fields behind his house, then promptly stashed the Icebox in his garage and more or less forgot about it. When he heard we… Full review
Kelty Grand Mesa 2
After researching 2-3 man tents for a while I stumbled across the Grand Mesa 2. I found it at Academy Sports. It was on sale for $68. I'm guessing it was a returned item. All of the other lightweight tents I have been looking at were between $300-$500. So I thought I would give it a shot. I haven't used it yet, only setting it up in my hotel room before heading offshore for two weeks. It was real simple to set up. Seemed sturdy and has ample room for myself, 6'1" 225 lb. There is also enough room… Full review
My Trail Poncho UL Tarp
For those willing to accept compromises in the pursuit of a low pack weight, the Poncho UL Tarp provides a reasonably durable, value option for rain gear, pack cover, and shelter—with a few important caveats. The Poncho UL Tarp is at its best as rain wear, pack cover, and shelter in more moderate conditions, but high winds or sustained heavy rain can make the user vulnerable to the elements. However, due to its versatility, it is an ideal multi-use item for day packs, emergency bags, etc. What… Full review
REI Half Dome 1 Plus Tent
I got the 2018 version of this tent for Christmas. And have spent 10 nights in it so far. It is a well made three-season tent, with a lot of space for a solo tent. The plus stands for more room. The new version of this tent now has a DAC pole hub and a reconfigured vestibule. The tear drop door opens wide and there is a pocket in the ceiling to stash the door out of your way for great access to the inside of the tent. There is a pocket each side of the door and two ceiling pockets for organization. Full review
Cabela's Alaskan Guide
Pretty much impossible for one person to set up in windy conditions. Too much ventilation for cold weather camping. Full review
ALPS Mountaineering Camp Creek 4-Person
I can walk in and out without bending (5'7"). Easy to set up by one person if you don't get flustered. Easy up. Easily repacked. Door width and height. Don't have to step up way up and over the door jamb. I have not used this particular tent yet, but can't wait. I plan on miles with it this coming spring/summer/fall and will definitely confirm the usability and comfort of this tent. Full review
REI Quarter Dome 3 UL
The Quarter Dome 3 offers headroom, steep walls, and enough space for three at a reasonable weight for one. The double doors, easy draws, and water tight seal make me a satisfied customer. It makes a really nice 2P, with extra room alternative, at 5lb 8oz. 2007 model Setup: The tent is cross pole design. There are only two pole end grommets since two of the four corners have reinforced webbing that the pole ends slip into. The poles have to be inserted through sleeves that run ¾ length of the tent. Full review
Therm-a-Rest Slacker Suspenders Hanging Kit
A quick and easy cinch-buckle hammock suspension system that provides a robust suspension with excellent adjustment capability. While not the lightest suspension out there nor the most complete (you'll still need carabiners or clips), the Slacker Suspenders are a quality option for someone seeking speedy, safe, and convenient suspension system when hanging a hammock, especially for those new to hammocking. What They Are The catchily named Therm-a-Rest Slacker Suspenders are hammock tree straps that… Full review
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What’s the “best” tent or shelter for you? Consider your personal outdoor needs, preferences, and budget:
- Conditions:
First, and most important, in what seasons, conditions, and terrain will you use your tent, tarp, or hammock? Choose a shelter that can handle the conditions you expect to encounter (rain, snow, wind, heat, humidity, biting insects, an energetic scout troop), but don’t buy more tent than you truly need, and don’t expect one tent to do it all. - Capacity:
Tents are typically classified by sleeping capacity (i.e. one-person, two-person, etc). However, a tent's stated sleeping capacity usually does not include much (or any) space for your gear and there’s no sizing standard between tent manufacturers. Some users size up. - Livability:
Will you use the tent as a basecamp or is it an emergency shelter only? To determine if you and your gear will fit, look at the shelter’s dimensions, including floor and vestibule square areas, height and headroom (including at the sides), plus the number and placement of doors, gear lofts, and pockets, to assess personal livability, comfort, and footprint. - Weight and Packed Size:
If you’ll be backpacking, climbing, cycling, or otherwise carrying that shelter, consider its weight, packed size (and your pack it needs to fit in), and its space-to-weight ratio before automatically opting for the bigger tent. Paddlers and car campers have more room to work with, but everyone should consider how the tent and its parts pack up for stowage. - Design:
Tents come in various designs. Freestanding tents can stand alone without stakes or guy lines and can be easily moved or have dirt and other debris shaken out without being disassembled, though they still need to be staked out. Rounded, geodesic domes are stable and able to withstand heavy snow loads and wind. Tunnel tents are narrow and rectangular, and large family cabin tents are best for warm-weather campground outings. - Other features and specs to consider include single versus double-wall, ease of setup, stability, weather resistance, ventilation, , and any noteworthy features.
- Read more in our guide to tents.
