The 6 Best Camping Tents for 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter

These include sidewalls, weight bags, and a host of other great add-ons that can really increase the use and versatility of the canopy tent. Perhaps our two favorites are camping tent additions that connect to the frame of the shelter and leverage the stability of the 10×10 frame to support a camping tent ozark trail instant cabin structure. The weight of this Ozark Trail is lighter than most of the same size alternative steel frame canopy tents, coming in right about 29 lbs. From a positive perspective, the lightweight design increases portability which is certainly important in carrying the tent to its intended location.

It has an interior footprint of 87 square feet, which sleeps four adults on single pads, or two adults and two or three children, and can accommodate a crib. That wasn’t the tallest we encountered—the Eureka Copper Canyon LX 6 and the Alps Mountaineering Camp Creek 6 each topped out at 7 feet—but it’s enough space for most adults to maneuver standing up. The tent comes with a full rain fly that adds two vestibules for storage (each 14 square feet), totaling 115 square feet of livable space—which is fairly generous yet still practical for most campsites. A classic polyester dome tent, the Mineral King 3 uses two high-quality pre-bent aluminum poles, which maximize head and shoulder space, making this tent feel less cramped than other dome tents we tested. Two large doors provide easy entry and exit, and a vestibule—that’s camping speak for “mudroom”—outside each door adds significant sheltered storage.

Some air mattresses we’ve tested, like Coleman’s 4-N-1, can stack to serve as a taller Twin or lay out as a low-profile King. Over the years, we’ve seen taller air mattresses become the norm, especially those with built-in pumps. This past year, we put seven new air mattress contenders through a series ozark trail instant cabin of rigorous Lab tests and consumer tests to find the best of the best, using standardized testing methods and other industry standards. Quality sleep is essential, even if it’s “only for a few days.” Beyond feeling comfortable, a good air mattress needs to last, without leaking air overnight.

ozark trail canopy tent

You can secure the fly to the poles with Velcro ties underneath the fly, so that the extra lines anchored the whole tent, not just the thin protective fabric, but we only needed to do so in very windy conditions. When the fly is fully deployed, the tent has two vestibules, which provide additional gear storage and also help ventilate the tent in inclement weather. And in a stroke of design brilliance, a small loop sewn into the top of the fly makes it possible to roll up one half of the fly, exposing the full mesh canopy while still providing shade and privacy. It’s natural to focus on the quality of a tent’s rain fly—you need that piece to work when the skies open up.

Being protected from the suns harmful UVB rays is probably why you wanted a canopy tent in the first place, and this Ozark Trail tent meets all criteria in this department. The one complaint we have is that there is no vents in the fabric at the peak to release the build up of hot air under the canopy. Most new tents incorporate this ventilated canopy design to increase airflow and reduce the trapping of hot air, helping to keep those in the shade cooler and more comfortable. She’s a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and oversaw recent air mattress testing. Prior to joining GH, Grace earned a Master of Engineering in materials science and engineering and a B.S.

Another two hanging pockets plus loops for a ceiling hammock provide simple yet effective interior storage. This best-selling air mattress from Intex still has all the bells and whistles. It’s available in multiple heights, from a portable 13 inches to a whopping 22 inches, and it’s relatively quick to set up.