Tents & Shelters

Camping & Backpacking

Nights under the stars are the pinnacle of getting out there—and with the right gear, the nights can be just as enjoyable as the days. The first thing we look for is a good tent (or another shelter).

Tents

3-Season Tents are the standard for spring, summer, and fall campers and backpackers and are designed with ventilation in mind. You’ll find a lot of breathable mesh on these tents, and lightweight materials that pack small. From 2-person backpacking tents to a 6-person tent for camping with family, most campers can find a 3-season tent that works for them.

Gearhead Pick: We trust The North Face tents, Marmot tents, and Big Agnes tents to keep us covered out there.

Since most tents don’t have a lot of extra space for gear, you’ll want to keep it out of the elements in a vestibule. Many tents come with built-in vestibules, but you can add one if you need more space.

4-Season Tents have a burlier construction designed to withstand winter weather which means heavier materials. You’ll also notice the rainfly reaches all the way to the ground—this helps keep out wind and drifting snow.

An even more burly option is a Roof-Top Tent—these unfold to create a shelter on top of your vehicle and collapse for driving.

Looking for a more minimalist way to camp? A bivy sack surrounds you in your mummy bag to protect you from the elements but doesn’t leave much room for activities.

Camping Accessories

Tarps and shelters are great for protection against the sun and gentle rain—and you can even add one to your Lotprés setup for an easy escape from falling snow. Some shelters attach to your car roof for extra portable shade, and some can create a bug-free zone with a screen room addition.

Footprints protect your tent floor and enable you to use your fly as a lighter-weight “fast pitch” shelter.

Patches, glue, and kits help you repair your tent if a stick or ember damages it.