If you’re an avid outdoor enthusiast, your tent is one of your most important pieces of gear (and one of your most prized possessions). A good tent can protect you from harsh weather and let you sleep virtually anywhere you want. It can open up a whole new world of outdoor adventures and possibilities.
And you have a lot of options when it comes to picking the tent that’s right for you. Tents come in a number of different materials and there are several different types of tents. Tents can range in complexity from a simple triangular tent to tents that mount to the top of your car. You can find tents that work with most budgets, so where do you start when you’re shopping for a tent?
Knowing what brands of tents are the best can be really helpful. When you shop from a brand that’s known for its quality and attention tot detail, you can feel more confident in your purchasing decisions. When choosing a brand of tent, there are several important factors to consider to ensure you’re selecting a reliable and suitable option for your outdoor adventures. Here’s what to look for in a tent brand and how to make an informed choice:
By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision when choosing a brand of tent that aligns with your outdoor needs, preferences, and values. Conduct thorough research, read reviews, and prioritize quality to ensure a memorable and enjoyable camping experience. For our list, we’ll share the pros and cons of each company, highlight a few of their most popular models and go over their warranty and return policies.
We also know that sustainability is an important value for people who love the outdoors, so we’ll share what these companies are doing to protect the nature that we hold dear. Many of the most popular brands are popular for great reasons, so let’s take a look at the top tent brands and see just what’s so great about them.
Big Agnes is a well-known outdoor gear company that specializes in manufacturing camping equipment, particularly tents and sleeping bags. The company was founded in 2001 by Bill Gamber and his friends, who were passionate about creating innovative and high-quality outdoor gear. The company is named after Big Agnes Peak in Colorado’s Mount Zirkel Wilderness.
Big Agnes is known for its focus on lightweight and functional designs, which cater to backpackers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts looking for durable and reliable equipment. One of their notable innovations is the integration of sleeping pads into their tent designs, which helps save weight and increases comfort. They are also well-known for their ultralight designs and strong commitment to sustainability.
Coleman is a long-established, classic camping brand. Who hasn’t had a Coleman lantern at some point? Coleman tents are popular for their affordability, accessibility, and user-friendly designs. They cater to a broad audience, from casual family campers to weekend warriors.
Coleman offers some of the largest tents on the market– if you’re camping with the extended family at a state park, a Coleman cabin model should be able to hold all of you. However, their tents are often considered entry level, due to the relative quality of the materials and durability.
This Norwegian tent company manufactures its gear to the harsh demands of a Scandinavian winter. Hilleberg tents are often considered top-tier options for serious adventurers, mountaineers, and outdoor professionals who require reliable shelter in challenging environments.
Their fabric is coated in silicone instead of polyurethane, which makes it heavy– but highly weather-resistant. This is another company that makes large tents– if you’re camping with a big group, their yurt models or the massive Stalon 14-person tent can shelter you and everyone you know.
Kelty is known for its sold tent design and user-friendliness. Founded in 1952, Kelty has become well-known for their backpacks, tents, and other camping gear. They are a great option for beginning campers who are looking for tents that work well in many different situations– even though their tents aren’t the most technical, they have plenty of features that make them enjoyable to use. Many of their tents feature stargazing features– they were one of the first companies to adopt roll-back viewing windows so that campers could see the sky.
Like the alpine animal the company is named after, Marmot’s gear is at home in the mountains. Well-regarded for their numerous snow sport offerings, Marmot has gained a reputation for its commitment to producing high-quality and performance-driven gear for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. Their tent designs emphasize performance, and they have many good options for backpackers and ultralight hikers.
Mountain Safety Research didn’t start out as a tent manufacturer. The organization got its start with mountaineering equipment. MSR quickly gained recognition for its groundbreaking products, such as its popular Groundhog tent pegs and camping stoves.
Today, MSR is celebrated as a leader in producing high-quality, technical outdoor gear, including tents, stoves, snowshoes, water treatment systems, and more. Their tents are weather-resistant and well-designed for hiking, mountaineering, and backpacking in challenging conditions.
Founded in 2002, NEMO Equipment is a newer entrant into the world of outdoors manufacturing. NEMO’s focus on lightweight materials, user-friendly designs, and functional innovations, such as their integrated air-beam-supported tents, sets them apart in the outdoor gear industry. They appeal to a range of outdoor enthusiasts seeking high-quality and reliable gear for their adventures. Their targeted options for ultralight hiking and bikepacking are particular innovative, with a clever suite of features.
Seattle institution REI Co-Op has been supplying outdoor enthusiasts with reliable, durable gear at great prices since 1938. The company emphasizes sustainability, outdoor education, and community engagement, and is known for its commitment to offering expert advice, quality products, and fostering a sense of community and good stewardship among outdoor enthusiasts. Its tents are known for their value and durability.
Stone Glacier is primarily a hunting company and makes durable, sustainable gear that can handle any situation. They are known for their lightweight, highly technical gear, as well as a strong commitment to conservation and responsible hunting.
The brand’s gear, including tents, is designed to be durable and capable of enduring harsh conditions. Stone Glacier’s tents and othern products include features specifically tailored to the needs of backcountry hunters and mountaineers, includin gear attachment points and specialized materials.
Thule’s cartop tents might have limited uses compared to the products made by other tent companies on our list– but if you want to use your tent for cartop camping, you want that tent to be made by Thule.
Best known for their roof racks and cargo boxes, Thule has been the company of choice for many outdoor enthusiasts who need to haul their stuff. Their cartop tents are easy to assemble and quite comfortable– so long as you have the right crossbars.
We acknowledge that we didn’t cover every tent brands, and many other brands have fantastic reputations, or minimally, products in their line that are also fantastic. Here we wanted to mention some other great brands we have used and also like:
Simply put, The North Face creates incredible gear, not just tents.
Shop On: Website | Amazon | Backcountry | REI
This is one of our all time favorite budget brands. Our Alps Mountaineering tent has seen heavy use for the past 8 years and still works great!
Shop On: Website | Amazon | REI | Backcountry
In the world of outdoor exploration, the right tent can make all the difference, providing a secure haven amidst nature’s beauty. Whether you’re seeking lightweight backpacking options, four-season shelters for extreme conditions, or family-friendly designs, these top tent brands have proven their dedication to quality, innovation, and fulfilling the diverse needs of adventurers worldwide.
So as you get ready for your next big outdoor adventure, rest assured that the right tent, crafted by these renowned brands, awaits to be your trusty companion in the great outdoors. For more gear reviews and recommendations, check out our gear articles for more information. We have all the guidance you need to get yourself equipped and ready to hit the trail.
Our team has tested dozens of tents. We communicate with guides, friends, read hundreds of tent model reviews, and even spoke workers in stores (like REI) to help determine the best tent brands. Above, we discussed our criteria for choosing the best brands, and in our years of experience testing lots of tents and brands, this is our top list. We haven’t tried every tent that each of these brands offer, that would be impossible, but we have tested enough from each brand that we believe we are just as equipped, if not, more equipped than anyone else to provide recommendations.
This article contains affiliate links, but we do not let this affect any of our recommendations.
