The 6 Best Tent Brands Experienced Campers Trust
Best Tent Brands: Intro
Clearly, some manufacturers of tents are more trustworthy than others. This is why we’ve compiled the complete list of the all-time best tent brands.
Kudos to this couple for having a good time, but seriously. The tent kind of sucks. At least if it were intended to serve any sort of purpose other than stage a photo.
But look no further – here are reviews of the 6 best tend brands.
Best Tent Brands #1: Coleman
Of course. Was there any doubt?
While Coleman doesn’t cater to rough and tough outdoors people, it does cater to the other 95% of the population. Their tents, coolers, and other products are made for household use and camping trips a few times a year.
For must of us, that’s all we need. And if you’re on a budget, you’ll love Coleman’s prices. Somehow Coleman manages to balance perfectly on that thin line between good value and “cheap,” meaning their prices are as low as possible while still performing well for the money.
Our Favorite Coleman Tents:
First, take a glance at the Coleman 8 Person Instant Tent. It’s everything we’ve come to expect from Coleman: great functionality, excellent value for the money, and simple.
But Colemans aren’t always wallflowers.
The Coleman Tenaya Lake 8 Person Lighted Fast Pitch Tent with Closet, Multicolor, for example, really blows up that “plain Jane” image. With an LED lighting system, built-in closet, and a wheeled carry bag, this super high tech instant tent is quite impressive.
Coleman is the Best Tent Brand for:
- Car Camping
- Occasional Use (during the summer season, mostly)
- Campers on a Budget
>>Browse Coleman Tents & Reviews
Best Tent Brands #2: Big Agnes
Big Agnes, the “Mother of Comfort,” specializes in camping equipment, gear, and clothing. Whether you choose an ultralight tent or an ultra-comfy sleeping pad, the Big Agnes gear will be both comfortable and durable.
Our Favorite Big Agnes Tent:
This isn’t the first time you’ve heard us bring up the Big Agnes brand name. If you’re a dedicated backpacker, you know the importance of having the best ultralight tent. And the is just that.
The Big Agnes Fly Creek Ultralight Tent does a good job of highlighting the brand’s excellence. Big Agnes definitely knows their specialty, as this 2.6 lb best 2 person ultralight tent has everything a backpacker could ask for.
Bottom Line:
Whether it’s camping gear, clothing, or a tent you’re after, Big Agnes’ products have withstood the test of time and will give you the most bang for your buck.
Best Tent Brands #3: ALPS Mountaineering
ALPS Mountaineering is another brand of tent that we mention quite often. As long as ALPS Mountaineering has been in business, the company has followed this mission: “To create durable, high-performance performance products without the premium price tag.”
Since their beginning in 1993, ALPS Mountaineering has continuously widened their product range. From the Lynx 1 Lightweight Tent to foam camping mats, there are hundreds of high quality camping products.
Our Favorite ALPS Mountaineering Tent:
It was difficult to choose just one favorite, but we finally settled on the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1. This is a great lightweight tent for one person. It’s less than 4 lbs and is defiant in the face of inclement weather.
Bottom Line:
If you don’t want to spend a fortune on a quality tent, consider an ALPS Mountaineering tent. This brand tends to be a bit more expensive than Coleman, but there’s also an increase in quality.
ALPS Mountaineering is the Best Brand for:
- Car Campers
- Frequent Campers
>>Browse ALPS Mountaineering Tents & Reviews
Best Tent Brands #4: Kelty
Haven’t heard of the brand Kelty? You’re not alone.
But if you’re searching for the best tent brands, make sure to look at Kelty tents. Kelty’s mission is truly inspiring:
When it comes to our brand, we want you to know that we stand for excitement. For adventure. For products that live up and stand up…because your good times depend on it.
Our goal is to deliver up proven gear that’s innovative, uncomplicated and built to last. We’re there for those of you seeking good times, adventure and gear that brings it all together. We hope to empower and inspire you to get outside… create memories and fulfill the passion for adventure that we all have.
Our Favorite Kelty Tent:
While Kelty offers some dope tents, the Kelty Salida 2 is our favorite. It weighs less than 5 lbs, which is pretty damn good for a two person tent. Equally as cool is its idiot-proof color coded clips.
In fact, the Kelty Salida 2 earned itself the winning spot in How to Choose the Best 2 Person Ultralight Tent.
Bottom Line:
In short, Kelty is one of the best tent brands because of its strong, adventure-friendly nature. The relative durability and reasonable prices of Kelty’s tents made this a must for our review of the best tent brands.
Kelty is Best for:
- Frequent Adventurers
- The Mid-Frequency Camper (Between ‘occasional’ and ‘every weekend’)
Best Tent Brands #5: Wenzel
Like Kelty, Wenzel is another lesser known brand. Even though you might not be familiar with the Wenzel name, you can trust it. They’ve been producing tents and gear for 120 years!
Wenzel has an enticing mission statement. In summary, the company’s goal is to provide the best family tents. The tents are easy to set up, and they’re tough enough to keep your family dry and comfortable.
Our Favorite Wenzel Tent:
We’re partial to the Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent. There’s room for (up to) 8 people, and there are two rooms. The cool part about this large family tent is that the second room is like a screened-in porch.
When you need a break from the sun or it’s rainy, the screened-in room is so much fun. Remember to pack cards for the best drinking games!
Bottom Line:
Wenzel is a brand that commands respect, since it’s been growing for 120 years. Since they’re know for providing strong, waterproof family tents, always consider a Wenzel tent.
Wenzel is Best for:
- Families
- Frequent Car Camping
Best Tent Brands #6: Eureka
I can personally vouch for Eureka brand tents. Growing up, my family of 8 used a Eureka tent for summer car camping. It lasted for over 15 years! Then my parents sold it.
Like the other best tent brands in this review, Eureka makes more than just tents. They sell lots of camping gear, like sleeping pads and sleeping bags.
Our Favorite Eureka Tent:
The Eureka Copper Canyon 4 Person Tent is a spacious cabin tent. And because of the large D-shaped door and fabulous circulation, this is a super comfortable tent.
It’s just like the one I grew up with, only it’s upgraded a little. It’ll serve you well, my friends. Have fun picking out a new Eureka tent!
Bottom Line:
Eureka’s Copper Canyon 4 Person Tent is a prime example of Eureka’s high quality products. In comparison with Coleman tents, these are a bit pricier. But the quality is also a little better.
There’s about a 99% chance you’ll find the size and shape tent you want when looking Eureka brand tents.
Eureka is Best for:
- Casual Camping
- Newbies
- Families
The Best Tent Brands: Final Thoughts
Shopping for a tent can be overwhelming, especially when you’re a beginner. Fortunately, we’ve created a tent buying guide, with tips and definitions. (Because who knows what polyurethane is off the top of their head?)
And now that you’re familiar with 6 of the best tent brands, you can save a lot of time by focusing most of your attention to these brands.
Of course we encourage you to explore other options. But it’s likely that you’ll find a tent from one of these 6 best tent brands.
Cheers!
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