This process is a lot different from the standard tent where you unfold the tent, snap the poles together, and either attach the poles to the tent or slide them through the fabric channels. I also tested the Bushnell Preserve Series 4 Person Instant Cabin Tent, but the interior poles were too long due to manufacturer errors. My wife and I struggled immensely to get the two side poles in, so much so that one of the poles (which had no flex) snapped during the process. The manufacturer is correcting this issue, so if you do decide to try out this tent, set it up at home first to verify you’ve received the correct poles. Pitch a truck bed tent right in the back of your truck to keep your sleeping bag off the ground and be ready to get up and go whenever you need to.
The T4 Hub is our favorite instant shelter because it’s stable, weatherproof, and full of conveniences. The best thing about this shelter is that it’s completely self-contained so that you can say goodbye to bundles of bungee-connected aluminum poles — no more assembling, crisscrossing, bending, or clipping. Instead, to set up the T4, plop it on the ground, pull on each of the four sidewall handles until the wall pops into place, and then lock in the rooftop with a push.
This thing went up in under 60-seconds and came down nearly as fast. But ease of use isn’t just about setup and tear down — we took one point away here due to its weight being on the heavy side for a small 4-person tent and the struggle required to fit the tent back in the bag. We also hope the mechanisms ozark trail instant cabin that make this tent so quick to set up stay smooth and easy to use over time. But if you’re looking for a camping tent you can toss up after a few beers or in the dark, check this one out. Having the best camping tent is a crucial part of that (in addition to good food and good people).
Since it serves both short backpacking trips and car camping, the value increases. Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.
The Wawona 6 rainfly only covers the side mesh a little bit, allowing for moisture to sneak through in windy situations, but it remains a burly tent in every other way. One of the more surprising tents to score so well in this category is the very tall REI Co-op Wonderland 4. Thanks to a ridiculous amount of stakes and guylines, this tent holds strong in bad weather, and with the large mesh top and large side vents, the tent breaths quite well. We put the Marmot Limestone 4 up against the wicked hot days of the southern California desert and the windy nights of Reno, NV. Its shape held up perfectly to both, and the full-covered rainfly kept everything dry. Two extra poles on the tent’s roof add just enough extra height to feel open without turning it into a flat-walled sail.
Case in point, the Kelty Tallboy 4 will save you money but it also scores lower in every test. Adults as tall as 6-foot-3 can move about this tent standing upright. ozark trail canopy tent With a 44-square-foot vestibule, and 86 square feet of interior living space, the tent has plenty of room to house beds, cribs, gear, pets, and camping furniture.
Starting bright and early, we have you covered with the best camping stoves and a top-rated camping coffee maker to get breakfast cranking to reading by a top-rated lantern in your tent at night. While this review focuses on car camping, we have also tested some of the best backpacking gear for those interested in ditching the car and the crowds. To find more tents, see our review covering the best tents of all kinds. Pop-up tents are meant to be easy, quick and a one-person operation. With a larger tent, like the Core 9-Person, you may need a hand or two, but even the four-person tents, like the Magellan Outdoors Pro SwiftRise 4-Person Hub Tent, only took one person to put up.
The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 is the perfect choice for campsites or occasional short backpacking trips. It’s also great as a solid backup, sitting in the garage ready to toss into the car with a moment’s notice. We pitched it in an impressive 4 min 30 seconds and have improved on that time as we’ve learned the design. This tent has an all-mesh build for fantastic views, and the fly can be configured in multiple ways, allowing for both scenery and quick protection from the weather at any time. Our in-depth reviews also encompass all the camping gear you need to set up the ultimate base camp.