The models we’ve picked could handle rain and wind and offered some perks we hadn’t expected. The Wireless 6 goes up easily, using the same kind of intuitive pole and clip method as our couples’ pick. The fly is equally simple to attach and orient with color-coded clips. This type of pole tends to be less flexible and bulkier than pricier aluminum, and it can be a pain to handle.
Generally, we like clip-on designs better, since those are easier to put together, but in the case of the Base Camp models, the sleeves add extra tension and stability throughout the tent fabric. There are also two poles that arch over each doorway and down the sides of the tent to add extra shape and support; these attach to the tent body with clips. The rain fly has an additional tent pole, too, to support the vestibule.
These can be as strong, or even more so, than aluminum poles (especially cheap ones), but they’re always bulkier, heavier, and not as nice to handle. However, the Wireless 6’s poles were the ozark trail instant cabin best fiberglass ones we tested—they left no splinters, unlike those on the Camp Creek 6 or the Copper Canyon LX 6. To compare tent fabrics, you also need to know their overall rip strength.
That mesh also keeps the tent feeling airy and cool in hot climates. Measuring 10 by 10 feet, the Sundome covers an area larger than that of our family-tent top pick though its lower roof leaves it with less headroom. But it’s one of the least expensive tents we found that had no significant drawbacks and will truly cover your bases for three-season camping. The tent also comes with its own footprint, a groundsheet that protects the tent from abrasion, which we recommend that you have. Even so, you should, ideally, stake down each corner securely; in some crowded campgrounds, however, finding a flat spot with soil soft enough to do that can be difficult. A tent that requires staking to stand up—especially a larger, six-person tent—is unwieldy, and it’ll be impossible to set up on a hard surface such as blacktop or on raised wooden tent decks.
After first removing the models that failed the structural tests, we slept, watched the stars, and ate our meals in all of the tents, as well as planned hikes from them. It is also important to consider the way in which the tent poles attach to the tent. Many of our picks use grommet attachments, which are more secure and simple to repair than key attachments if anything should break. The mesh covers all sides, so bugs stay out, and sidewalls that attach with hook-and-loop closures are available for purchase for some privacy or wind protection. We also liked that one person can collapse the canopy without trouble.
A wheeled roller bag, stakes, and tie-downs come as part of the package. This model includes a sturdy (though not heavy-duty) rust-resistant frame and UV-resistant cover. The cover had a noticeable odor that dissipated slightly but not completely with time. The size is 10 feet long by 10 feet ozark trail canopy tent wide by 8 feet to 8.5 feet deep, and it’s 48.5 inches long when collapsed into the roller bag. We tested this canopy on a mountain camping trip where it rained and blew for 24 hours. The canopy protected the cooking area and stayed in place with the help of the included stakes and tie-downs.
Others are shaped like an umbrella with tie-downs and stakes to secure them. Some models resemble half-dome tents that provide shade without view obstruction. Polyester is water-resistant and provides some UV protection, though not as much as polyethylene, polyurethane, or vinyl. This lightweight material, which is relatively durable, easily packs down to transport in a trunk.
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. The Kelty Wireless 6 is a spacious tent that is easy to pitch, and it offers solid weather protection and durability for a reasonable price. Like the Mineral King 3, it has a simple, dome-style design that maximizes livability and minimize headaches. (As its name indicates, it’s meant to house six people, but we wouldn’t recommend that.) The Wireless 6 has two large doors and a full rain fly.