We then rotated the tents looking for structural weaknesses, and we tested their guy lines and tabs to see which tents had the best and most intuitive design for withstanding wind. You can also set up the tent without the fly while retaining some privacy, since the tent body has a high polyester wall on one side. Some models include a sidewall or two, while others have attachment points for sidewalls that can be purchased separately. Camping pop-up canopies, which look similar to camping tents, often have bug netting on the sides, so campers can eat or rest free from pests. While most pop-up canopies are either square or rectangular, some models come in unusual shapes like hexagons or octagons.
For example, on a sunny day, users can choose to have two sidewalls on the backside to provide extra shade. They were all set up outdoors in inclement weather, namely ozark trail instant cabin Pacific Northwest rain showers and wind. We also put their functionality to use by carrying them along to real-life events like camping and backyard parties.
But unlike the Mineral King 3 and the Tungsten 4, the mesh on each Base Camp tent starts high on the walls—more than 4 feet from the ground. This design is a big plus for people who regularly camp in crowded campgrounds and don’t like to get naked in front of strangers. And you can unzip the front door, remove it, and neatly stash it into one of the tent’s internal pockets—a useful feature if you’re feeling sociable. Most canopies, even lightweight models made of polyester or nylon, can withstand light 5 to 10-mile-an-hour winds without a problem.
Pull the frame and cover outward, then lock each leg in place when it pulls taut. Adjust the legs to the desired height and secure the legs with stakes or weighted bags. You may need to treat polyester with waterproofing sprays to maintain their resilience.
Car campers who plan to brave miserable weather will appreciate the extra strength and protection of the REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent. The main bodies of our other picks are structured with two main poles with added support from smaller brow poles. The Base Camp, by contrast, has four full-size aluminum struts woven throughout it, somewhat like a basket, plus an additional brow pole that frames the front entrance and supports the larger of the two vestibules. The Base Camp also offers more privacy compared with our other picks—with or without the rain fly.