The tent itself has just two poles that cross like a dome tent, although it feels more like a cabin tent. It comes with a rainfly that has a bit of an overhang at the entrance to keep rain and bugs out. To tear it down again, you simply remove those stakes, then push the buttons attached to the red pulls.
This process is a lot different from the standard tent where you unfold the tent, snap the poles together, and either attach the poles to the tent or slide them through the fabric channels. I also tested the Bushnell Preserve Series 4 Person Instant Cabin Tent, but the interior poles were too long due to manufacturer errors. My wife and I struggled immensely to get the two side poles in, so much so that one of the poles (which had no flex) snapped during the process. The manufacturer is correcting this issue, so if you do decide to try out this tent, set it up at home first to verify you’ve received the correct poles. Pitch a truck bed tent right in the back of your truck to keep your sleeping bag off the ground and be ready to get up and go whenever you need to.
Just remember not to ask your kids to take the fly off, as the locking mechanism requires some serious force to get out. It begs the question, how useful is the tent for a small group? Will it fit two dogs and a friend or three and still be comfortable? Though some of these aspects fall under other categories, we felt it was important to our readers to look at them again but with this viewpoint in mind. Several other tents scored among the best in the weather resistance category.
Weighing just 7 pounds, the tent is light enough to double for backpacking trips, especially if you divide the pieces among hikers. ozark trail canopy tent Shoppaypay is a timeless culmination of refined luxury – fresh. Browse Ozark Trail’s top-rated tents and shelters and more.
An avid hiker, camper, and long-haul road-tripper, Claire Wilcox has slept in (and occasionally improvised) tents in 11 states. She covers outdoor gear for Wirecutter and worked on the most recent update of this guide, testing couples’ tents and family tents. The Wawona 6 is a long-standing champ in our review for many reasons, not least of which is how well it has withstood the test of time. The main tent is made out of 150D polyester taffeta, the floor out of 68D polyester, and the poles are DAC MX — strong and light. And, of course, all seams are seam-sealed with a tub-style floor. Memorial Day is just around the corner, but there’s still time to organize a summer kickoff to remember.
The interior square footage is small, but dual vestibules help to keep everything you don’t need for sleeping separate. And while very lightweight, you’ll sacrifice headroom in the tradeoff. Overall, this tent is small but mighty and a great addition to any campers toolbox, depending on your needs. The REI Co-op Skyward 4 is the perfect amount of features, space, and ease of use for the money.
The Wawona 6 rainfly only covers the side mesh a little bit, allowing for moisture to sneak through in windy situations, but it remains a burly tent in every other way. One of the more surprising tents to score so well in this category is the very tall REI Co-op Wonderland 4. Thanks to a ridiculous amount of stakes and guylines, this tent holds strong in bad weather, and with the large mesh ozark trail instant cabin top and large side vents, the tent breaths quite well. We put the Marmot Limestone 4 up against the wicked hot days of the southern California desert and the windy nights of Reno, NV. Its shape held up perfectly to both, and the full-covered rainfly kept everything dry. Two extra poles on the tent’s roof add just enough extra height to feel open without turning it into a flat-walled sail.
The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 not only went up fast but also was a snap to tear down and get back into the bag. Add to that the simple fly deploy, perfectly sized bag, and intuitive center clip, and you have a hassle-free tent. While not our ozark trail instant cabin favorite, the hub also allows for easy solo pitching. It’s the only 3-person tent in our lineup and weighs in at only 7.1 pounds for the full package with a trail weight of 6.2 pounds — this tent is light enough to trek a few miles into the wild.
We took this experience, coupled with a rigorous and detailed testing plan, and got to work finding a diverse set of tents for consideration. And unless you have a camping fan you plan on using, you’ll want a tent that circulates airflow, especially at night. Look for tents that feature windows, multiple doors, and multiple mesh screens to circulate air so you don’t sweat through your sleeping bag. After all, fresh air is why you came camping in the first place. You shouldn’t have to trade convenience for solid construction. Some high-end instant tents, and even some affordable ones, feature materials that are waterproof, UV-resistant, and strong enough to outlast bad weather.