Best Tents for Winter Camping
Browse through our selection of the best winter tents for camping.
Although winter is not the most common season for camping, the snows and the silence of nature can make it a unique and unforgettable experience.
However, if you are not well prepared it can be dangerous, you can read the winter camping guide first if you don’t have any experience.
To conquer the frozen weather, you must equip yourself with proper gear.
A winter tent is a crucial part of your camping journey, it shelters you from the cold wilderness and keeps you warm and cozy.
In the article we carefully picked the best tents for winter camping with their pros and cons. We hope it will help to make your journey much easier.
Best Tents for Winter Camping Compared
| Model | ALPs | Geertop | Ace Hiking |
| How many people? | 2 Person | 2 Person | 4 Person |
| Weight | 7.9 lbs | 7 lbs | 9.5 lbs |
| Waterproof? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 2-Person Tent
This is a 2 person winter tent. It has a quick setup design with a free-standing pole system. It should be easy to put it up alone in minutes. The poles are made of aluminum and it is light and durable.
It also has a water-resistant fly made of polyester that provides more protection against bad weather conditions. The fly makes it possible to add two more vestibules at both the front and rear of the tent.
You can store your gears in those places. Plus, the fly forms the first layer of insulation with the tent itself, the two layers give the inner space more warmth.
The total weight is 7.9 Pounds, it is pretty portable and you can even take it for your hiking trip.
Two doors located both front and back, with mesh windows that provide great ventilation. You can enter freely on both sides. This is very convenient.
There are a lot of mesh pockets located inside the wall of the tent. You can store your glasses or cell phones inside, without worrying about scattering them on the ground.
The fly has a waterproof rating of 1500 mm and the floor has a rating of 5000 mm, which is not bad when compared to other tents on the market.
Overall, this is a great tent and we recommend you to select it, especially if you are new to winter camping.
Pros:
- Double layer with the fly
- 2 vestibules for additional storage
- Waterproof
- Wall pockets
- portable
Cons:
- Not budget friendly
GEERTOP 2 Person Tent
This is a great choice with reasonable prices. It is four season and is capable of winter camping.
The tent has a double layer design so it can hold more warmth than a single layered one. It has a quick setup design which is great for beginners. even a child can set up the tent with the double wall in 5-8 minutes.
The fly has a water-proof rating of 3000 mm and also provides additional UV protections. Unlike the ALPS tent, the fly can create two vestibules on the side of the tent, not before the doors.
This makes it easy to get in and out, however, it is not good for keeping warmth because the door and mesh windows are open to the outside directly.
There is a lantern hook on top of the tent, and several wall pockets for your storage. Those are convenient designs that we can find on other tents.
It has a total weight of 7 pounds and it is portable. You can take it for both camping and backpacking.
The air flow is good due to the front and end door with mesh windows. The poles are made of aluminum and it is durable, and can withstand winds. It also has reflective guy lines that makes it very recognizable at night.
This is a good tent with great features at reasonable prices.
Pros:
- Double layer design
- 2 vestibules
- Waterproof
- Wall pockets and lantern hook
- Portable
- Reasonable price
Cons:
- Doors are not protected by the fly
AceHiking Pop Up Tent 4 Person Camping Tent
This is a great choice if you have a tight budget. It is also bigger compared to the other tent we recommend. The official declared capacity is 4p, which is doubled as other 2p tents. However, you can only put 3 big sleeping bags inside, for maximum comfortability you’d better camping with no more than 3 adults. This is a great choice for a small family with two parents and one or two children.
As the ALPS we described before, this tent also has a fly protecting the front and end door of the tent that forms two vestibules. It is an additional place to store your gears.you can leave your muddy shoes and outer clothing in the vestibule without bringing dirt into the main tent. It also diverts the rain and snow away, keeping the inner tent dry and cozy.
The fabric is water-resistant with a rating of 5000 mm, there is a removable top rainfly that prevents water gathering on the top.
However, with big spaces it is a little heavier compared to other tents. It has a total weight of 9.5lb. Still not too much and it is possible for backpacking.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Big space
- 2 vestibules for additional storage
- Waterproof
- portable
Cons:
- Fibreglass poles
What to Look for in Tents for Winter Camping
Pay attention to the following points when it comes to choosing the right tent for your needs.
Capability to Keep You Warm
A good winter tent often has thick fabric that can hold warmth, sometimes it has two or three layers that provide even more insulation. You should take a closer look at what the material the manufacturer is using when choosing one.
Many vendors will claim their tent to be a 4 season one if they are capable for winter camping, however, that is a rough estimation, you should take your consideration of the lowest temperature you are in and pick the right one accordingly.
If you want to camp in extreme cold weather, here is a list of insulated tents you should take a look at.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation will give you good sleep and keep the oxygen level near normal, however, big windows will always make the heat lose too fast and is not a good idea, you should pick a tent with proper ventilation that makes it possible to keep a minimum air flow while still keeping the warmth inside.
Ease of Setup
For many people the setup process can be tough, especially in the cold weather.
A tent with easy setup design should be a good choice, you can always put it up in minutes. Saving more time and energy to enjoy more of the beautiful nature.
Conclusion – The Best Tents for Winter Camping
As our recommendation, the ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 2-Person Tent is the best overall tent. It has good designs with a solid quality.
Check out the best of British camping equipment
However, if you have a tight budget or want a winter tent for your family then the AceHiking Pop Up Tent 4 Person Camping Tent should be a good choice. It is affordable with a lot of features.
Keep in mind that all those three tents are great for different scenarios, you can pick the right one based on your own needs.
