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Reliable 4 person tents will serve you well through years of camping and adventures. It is one of the most popular and versatile tent sizes on the market today. But deciding on a specific model can be a rather overwhelming experience for camping newbies. It’s important to consider things like materials, dimensions, and weight when selecting a tent. We rounded our top picks for the best 4 person tents and some things to consider when shopping for one.
As an experienced camper for more than 15 years, I have used and tested my fair share of tents. I’ve also toughed it out in some of the worst storms the Midwest can dish out. This has helped me narrow down what features to look for in a tent that will keep me dry. Some of the other features we look for in quality tents include:
Key Features
Pros
Cons
When it comes to features and functionality, the Marmot offers the best value on the market. The Halo 4 person utilizes a dual door and a vestibule that can also be tipped upwards to serve as an awning. Marmot also added lots of small interior pockets for keeping small valuables organized inside. This tent has an excellent rain fly that covers more of the exterior of the tent than many other options sold today. Subsequently, we can recommend this to anyone who wants something that will stay dry.
While this is technically a three-season tent, we have heard of people using the Marmot well into the winter months. The storage bag for this tent is a little less rugged than we would like, and the price tag of the tent is a little high. However, these are minor complaints for what is otherwise a very rugged and capable tent for serious campers.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
The White Duck Regatta is a four-season tent that is built to handle the worst of nature’s wrath. This tent is built from army duck cotton canvas with a finish to repel water and resist harsh UV rays. We like this tent for hunters who need a warm base camp in the fall and winter. The tent has a five-inch pre-cut stove jack that allows the use of a wood stove to keep the interior toasty and warm. Another feature we like about this tent is the 7’ 5” center height.
The big downside is the 51-pound weight. Markedly, this tent will not be a serious backcountry tent unless you’re riding in on horseback or UTV. This is an expensive tent, but considering the features and materials used in the construction, we feel the price point is fair.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Setup and takedown of tents have gotten easier in recent years thanks to the introduction of “instant” tents. The Coleman cabin utilizes pre-attached poles for fast setup. These types of poles take all the guesswork out of the setup process. Just press a button and extend the pole. Coleman’s cabin style helps campers take full advantage of the entire layout better than some of the other tents on this list.
We recommend some waterproofing spray and seam sealer on this tent before your first trip out. This tent doesn’t do well in heavy rains. Despite that flaw, it is a good choice for beginners or anyone who is on a budget.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Most four-person tents fall into a price range well over $100, but the Core is a notable exception. This tent includes features that you’d expect to find on more expensive tents. Notable here are the adjustable air intake vents and the electrical port access that is perfect for modern campgrounds. Furthermore, Core also includes a small gear loft that hangs from the ceiling. We like this tent for beginner car campers who just want something simple. It is going to be easy to setup, take down, and store when not in use.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Backpacking tents are usually not very roomy, and this makes getting dressed in the morning a real challenge. The Big Agnes Spur HV ultralight 4 is the exception to that rule thanks to a roomy 8’ x 7’ interior and four feet of headroom. This tent is great for larger campers who are tired of not having the space to stretch out. This tent gets rave reviews from users for its ability to seal water out, chiefly because of the tent’s 1,200mm waterproof polyurethane coating. Big Agnes also tapes the seams before this tent ever leaves the factory.
The downside to this tent is the $800 price tag. Big Agnes also sells accessories, like the footprint and tarp poles, separately. At 5 pounds, 11 ounces, it’s a little heavier than we’d like for a backpacking tent. However, it’s also one of the lightest four-person tents out there.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Kelty manufactures solid, affordable camping gear, and the Discovery Basecamp 4 is a great lightweight option at a little over seven pounds. This tent has a simple fiberglass pole design with a smaller footprint. It makes for a solid car camping tent or a simple backpacking tent for an overnighter. There are some reported zipper issues with this tent, and the rain fly can cut off ventilation. This wouldn’t be our top choice for extremely hot weather. However, for $125, this is one of the lightest and most affordable four-person tents being made today.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
The biggest selling point of the Nemo is the extremely durable 150-denier floor that is designed to take a real beating. It’s perfect for families with small children who are rough on tents. Nemo also gave the interior of the floor a pattern that makes it feel just a little bit cozier than a standard tent. Additionally, the high center makes it easier to walk around inside for the taller members of the family. Kelty also gave this tent another unique feature in the form of nightlight pockets that hold a headlamp and diffuse the light.
The biggest reported issue with this tent is that it does not handle high winds very well. The taller design makes the interior roomier but does the tent no favors on resistance. Still, for the price point and functionality of the space, this is a solid choice for smaller families.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
The Eureka Timberline is a classic A-frame tent design that the company has been manufacturing for decades. I’ve owned mine for about 15 years, and it is still going strong to this day. During that time, I subjected the Timberline to rain, wind, mud, and more. Out of all the tents I own, none can match the ease and simplicity of setting this one up. I have gotten to the point where I can have this totally set up in less than five minutes.
There are some downsides to these tents, mainly that they aren’t as durable as they were 35 years ago. Mine is still in good shape, but I have noticed stretching of the shock cording of the poles. I also noticed the same for the cord loops that attach the tent body to the poles. Otherwise, the Timberline has served me extremely well over the years for casual car camping trips of three to five days.
Just like with six and eight-person tents, the term “four-person tent” is something of a misnomer, at least in my opinion. The footprint for most tents of this size is usually better suited to solo campers, couples, or families with very young children. For more than four people, you will need a larger family camping tent. We recommend looking closely at the dimensions of a tent. Take the time to mark out the footprint of the tent on the floor at home because this will help you visualize the size better. However, size isn’t the only factor to consider. The following are equally important considerations when choosing this kind of tent.
Q: Should my tent have a vestibule?
Having camped in tents with and without a vestibule, I personally prefer having one because the vestibule effectively acts as a secondary storage area and a place to put on and take off my shoes or boots. Vestibules help considerably in keeping a tent clean because you aren’t dragging dirt into the main part of the tent with you.
Q: Are expensive tents worth it?
In my experience, expensive tents are usually worth the price tag. Although we do believe there are some good deals to be had on lower-priced tents, expensive tents usually utilize better materials, especially in terms of poles and waterproofing. I camped with friends before who ended up tossing their cheap tents in the nearest dumpster before the trip was over due to flooding. Then they had to make an emergency trip to Wal-Mart for a new one. That’s not a fun experience, and consequently, we recommend buying the best tent you can afford rather than the cheapest.
Q: Should I get a waterproof or water-resistant tent?
You will rarely find a camper who regrets buying a waterproof tent over a water-resistant one. Unless you plan to camp exclusively in dry environments, you will end up with your tent in the rain at some point. In my experience, water-resistant tents are usually much more prone to leaking, but they also come at a lower price point. While water-resistant tents don’t hold out water as well, the water-shedding abilities can be drastically improved using products like Nikwax waterproofing spray, a seam sealer, and adhesive.
The Marmot was an easy choice for best overall because of its value and weatherproof ability. The quality of the poles, rainfly, and weatherproofing on the seams make for a well-designed tent that is incredibly versatile.
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