The fly isn’t particularly difficult to set up, but because it uses its own pole and needs to be staked/guyed out to function properly, it does add another step to the process over comparable models such as the Nemo Aurora Highrise. The Wawona definitely wasn’t the only tent in our test with a pole supported vestibule though, and considering it’s probably our favorite vestibule of the bunch, it’s hard to fault it here. Our first setup took about 15 minutes total (learning process included), and we were able to shave it down to about 10 after a little practice. Standout weather protection meets outstanding livability: Massive interior, stand-up height ceilings, and a big gear garage to protect your stuff from weather. See Review There are some truly impressive tents in the list above, but as you’ve read, some of them deliver the goods for considerably less money. At the end of the day, value will always be subjective both to your budget and your intended use, but we have a few “bare minimum” value requirements for a tent to make the cut. Exterior vestibules like those found on the North Face Wawona 6 are great for storage, but they have other uses as well. Downsides here are minimal, as we felt the Bunk House 4 was absolutely worth its asking price, but we did note two things that kept this shelter from landing the coveted “best camping tent” title. The first was that Big Agnes’ pole system put a little more stress on the tent’s door zippers than we’d like, and although we didn’t’ experience any issues here, it could become a durability concern a year or so down the road. The second is that everything about this tent is VERY red, including any person, place, or thing that steps inside it while the rainfly is in place. Minor concerns overall for an otherwise exceptionally well made and highly capable shelter. Read our full test and review… Pros:

The North Face Wawona took top honors in our most recent camping tent field test. There’s a lot to love here.

Top 16 Product Ratings

Speaking of vestibules, we also love the two-door, two-vestibule design, which makes the Spur ideal for sharing with another hiker. Big Agnes also went a step further by engineering both vestibules to function as pole-supported awnings (trekking poles, that is), which boosts living space and ventilation in sunny weather or even light rain. You can either have it set up as one big room or use a central divider wall to separate the tent into two areas – great if you want to put the kids to bed early. There are four doors giving lots of options for ventilation in warm weather and plenty of room inside for four adults (or dogs!). So what makes any waterproof tent worth buying? Here are the criteria we use when evaluating a shelter. Space and Comfort SPACIOUS DESIGN. This family tent features a large front vestibule that can be used to store gear or as an additional seating area. Massive interior height makes maneuvering around a breeze.

A spacious car camping tent with windows that can be left open in the rain. Outstanding materials, interior space, and external storage. See Review A close up of the vents on the Marmot Tungsten 4: These large ports give hot air somewhere to escape at the top of the tent, which reduces condensation while also pulling cooler air inside from the bottom. As long as it’s 20 lb. 15 oz. weight is not an issue for you, there’s not much wrong with this tent. In reality, it is very hard to find a lighter 6-person tent out there, but the Big Agnes Big House 6-Person tent is slightly lighter. A close-up of the seam stitching on the Mountain Hardwear Trango, which expands when wet to firm an even tighter seal. The tent is smaller than the other 6-person tents we’ve looked at, and unless you’re on the short side, you‘ll struggle to stand up inside.With a maximum height of 7 feet, even the tallest camper will be able to stand upright and walk around in the Alps Mountaineering Camp Creek 6-person tent. Easy to pitch and nails all the essentials. A well-made tent from a well-established brand at department store prices. See Review Even the 4P version of the Nemo Aurora Highrise includes standup height ceilings, which adds a ton of livability in any camping tent. Excellent interior space, reliable weather protection, and an impressive “gear garage” vestibule. Premium tent quality at an affordable price point. See Review