Best Tent Brands of 2023

Day by day, the Camping world is becoming more and more popular. It’s a great outdoor activity that you can enjoy with your family, friends or even just by yourself. You can decide to go camping near the state, in the woods, on top of a mountain, by the lake or in the countryside.

It doesn’t matter where you go, the one thing that you will always need is a good camping tent for a quality shelter. You need one that is big enough for you as well as for the company. Besides that, the tent should be weather-proof to handle different weather conditions and durable enough to resist repeated usage.

What Are The Best Tent Brands

Making a decision about which tent to get is not a simple task because you have a lot of tent brands and models to choose from. Each tent is unique in its own way. They mostly vary in size, quality, weight, construction, and price. As a result, it’s crucial to think about your requirements before making a final decision.

To make it easier for you, we have collected and researched a ton of data to sort out the “Best Tent Brands” here in this article. Make sure you read till the end because your favorite brand might be the last one we talk about. The top rated tent brands that secured their place in this list are as follows:

• Big Agnes
• MSR
• Coleman
• Nemo Equipment
• Marmot
• The North Face
• Core Equipment
• Alps Mountaineering
• Wenzel
• Ozark Trail
• Kodiak Canvas
• Kelty
• Eureka
• REI
• Black Diamond
• Zpacks

We are not going to rank them as they all have their fair share of quality and amazing features. So, the order we are putting them in doesn’t matter. We are just going to introduce you to the best tent brands mentioned above with its pros and cons, and then share some of their most popular tent models. Hope you will like it.

1# Big Agnes

Big Agnes began their journey in the year 2000 with the goal of creating high-performance camping gear to encourage people to get outside and pursue their aspirations. By producing great-quality gear, they were able to successfully compete in an already crowded market.

You may rest assured that Big Agnes will have your back when camping in the woods. They specifically designed some of the best tents for camping in the wild, and while it is pricey, the quality is well worth the money.

Their ultralight backpacking tents are hugely admired by the users. Those top tents can deal with the harshest environments to ensure a safe camping experience. The living space available inside every tent is also maximized without compromising the quality.

Two doors, dual vestibules, and almost vertical walls are the signature features of Big Agnes tents. Their tent mainly comes with the capacity to accommodate 1 to 8 people.

Some of their most popular tent models are Fly Creek, and Copper Spur.

Pros

• Top-quality and performance guaranteed
• Ultralight tents are their specialty
• Maximum interior space available
• Handles extreme weather like a boss

Cons

• An expensive option

2# MSR

MSR is short for Mountain Safety Research, and it was founded in 1969. Back then they didn’t manufacture tents, it started later in the year 2000 just like Big Agnes. They started manufacturing and selling tents in collaboration with a company named Edgeworks.

Edgeworks was mainly a top-notch tent manufacturing company and after merging them with MSR, their tent sold as the MSR tents. MSR was purchased by Cascade Designs in 2001, a firm that owns several well-known outdoor apparel brands including Platypus and Therm-a-Rest. 

MSR has built a reputation for producing high-quality mountaineering and backpacking tents since then. MSR also sells top-quality hiking stoves, snowshoes, and water filters, among other things. MSR tents are well known for their great quality, durability, and lighter weight.

Just like Big Agnes, they also produce tents for 1 to 8 person tent camping but costs less. Their most popular tent models are Hubba Hubba, MSR Hubba, Hubba nx, Habitude, and Access.

Pros

• Builds good quality lightweight tents
• A great option for adverse weather conditions
• Great for backpacking adventures
• All-season temperature-controlled interior 

Cons

• A little expensive

3# Coleman

Coleman is a familiar name among campers, and you may have already heard about them. They are one of the best tent brands that manufacture everything from camping chairs to tent coolers. 

Established in 1900, Coleman is producing outdoor gear for every type of customer for more than 100 years now. Their priority is making quality affordable tents on the market so that anyone can enjoy them. Coleman is one of the best-selling tent brands on Amazon and on other e-commerce sites too.

They have a wide range of tents from standard dome-style tents to big family cabin-style tents. Coleman has a tent for any type of camping you might want to plan. It’s a name that you can rely on.

The Coleman rain fly is the signature feature of Coleman tents. It provides you shade and saves you from rain and withstands high winds. Coleman cabin is one of their most popular instant tent.

Pros

• Affordable price
• Some great family tent options are available
• Catchy designs
• Weather-resistant
• Rainfly available with each tent
• Best tent brand

Cons

• Not a good option for backpacking
• Not ideal for all seasons

4# Nemo Equipment

Nemo Equipment arrived late to the party, starting their journey in the already crowded outdoor gear market in 2002. But they took the mountaineering tents market by storm in the year 2004 and then there was no stopping them. They earned a name through the quality of their products.

They designed some of the most innovative and lightest sleeping pads, sleeping bags that money can buy. The company is based in Dover, New Hampshire, and is well-known for producing other outdoor gear such as tents and shelters.

Their primary focus is on outdoor sleeping equipment and it’s no surprise that they produce high-quality tents for mountaineering, backpacking, and camping. Their tents are both light and sturdy. For using innovative features in their tent, Nemo received multiple awards over the years.

The most popular Nemo tent models are Aurora, Nemo Hornet, and Dagger.

Pros

• Creative tent design
• Freestanding build
• Great lightweight backpacking tent options are available
• Very durable and sturdy 

Cons

• Expensive than other tents of the same range

5# Marmot

The Marmot brand was founded in the year 1971 by two students from U.C. Santa Cruz (Eric Reynolds and David Huntley). This brand is well known for both outdoor gear and clothing. Originally, this brand was named “Marmot Mountain Works”.

Over the years, Marmot tents have earned a high reputation in the tent industry for their perfect combo of build quality, plenty of extra space, and pricing. Some of their car camping and backpacking tents, such as the Limelight and Tungsten, have particularly impressed us. 

When compared to the competition, these models provide dependable and long-lasting structures as well as ample capacity for two adults at extremely affordable prices. They mostly use nylon and polyester for the development of their camping tents.

For various different clothing and additional tent equipment, they use Gore-Tex technology which is waterproof and “breathes” too.

As a lightweight backpacking tent brand, Marmot isn’t as popular as brands like Nemo or Big Agnes. But surely, this is one of the best tent brands available!

Pros

• Top-quality tents at an affordable price
• Uses PFC free waterproofing
• Uses environment-friendly tent material
• Some good options available for different camping needs
• Can be used in all seasons
• Plenty of storage options (pockets)

Cons

• Not a good option for family campers

6# The North Face

The North Face has a long history of mountain travel and outdoor adventures, so it’s no stranger to severe alpine situations. As a result, it’s not surprising that the North Face dome-style tents catch your eye at high-altitude basecamps all over the world. 

For years, the brand’s famed Mountain 25 has been trusted in some of the world’s most inhospitable environments, thanks to its robust double-wall construction, tested design, and superb overall value.

While their tent selection is limited, they’re nonetheless a force to be reckoned with. The design focuses on low-cost tents that are suitable for backpacking and can withstand inclement weather. And they’re really good at it.

So, if you’re searching for good hiking tent brands for a reasonable price, The North Face is an excellent option. Their popular models are Mountain 25 and Wawona.

Pros

• Can handle adverse weather 
• Lifetime warranty from the tent manufacturer
• Very durable and designed to last
• Affordable price tag
• User-friendly interior design
• High-quality tent brand

Cons

• No tent options are available for larger tents groups
• Limited designs

7# Core Equipment

Another top tent brand “CORE Equipment”. It is not a renowned brand but they are quite popular among outdoor enthusiasts. That’s because their tents are easy to set up and carry around due to their compact size. They have a wide range of tent sizes so you will never have to settle for a size that you are not comfortable with.

Core tents are very durable and they last for a long time. They also use high-quality material so that the user gets the best tent for their money. The ventilation process is also great in the tents of this brand.

CORE Cabin-style tents are the most selling backpacking tent from this brand.

Pros

• A wide range of tent sizes is available 
• Long-lasting and durable tents
• A great option for family campers
• Very comfortable interior with great ventilation

Cons

• Can’t handle harsh weather conditions very well

8# Alps Mountaineering

Next on our list of top tent companies is ALPS Mountaineering. ALPS is the short form for “Active Lifestyle Products and Services”. Alps Mountaineering started their journey in the year 1993 and they are producing good quality outdoor equipment ever since. Their tents can be considered as a middle ground between budget and premium designs.

Yes, their tent isn’t the most innovative or lightest tent out there, but they are affordable, sturdy build so very durable and offers good value for beginner backpackers. For more user convenience, they produce other tents related reliable equipment too like camp chairs, bags, etc.

They have a wide variety of tent styles to choose from such as normal tents, family tents, cabin tents, backpacking tents, car camping tents, and more. The tent size range varies from 1 to 7 people. Every tent will provide excellent shelter against bad weather and is very easy to pitch.

Among the most popular tent models of this brand, there is Lynx and Tasmanian truly stand out & favorites among mountaineering enthusiasts.

Pros

• Good mid-budget tents
• Very durable and long-lasting
• Wide range of designs and sizes
• Affordable for everyone
• Good weather protection

Cons

• Average performing tent options

9# Wenzel

Wenzel is the type of brand that will always stand behind its product and ensure that the customers are getting the best products. They produce some cheap tents for budget shoppers but that doesn’t mean that they compromise with the quality.

The founder Hermann Wenzel started this company in 1887 under the name “H. Wenzel Tent & Duck Company”. After a few struggling years, in the beginning, their tents and tarpaulins started to climb their way up in the market. The company is now owned and operated by another company “Exxel Outdoors”.

They manufacture tents for regular campers as well as for seasonal people. Wenzel tents are weatherproof, feature-packed, and very affordable. The setup procedure for each of their tent is a breeze. They specialize in summer tents and that offers great value for those who love stargazing.

Wenzel doesn’t have any model that stands out for its popularity rather it just focuses on single products.

Pros

• Great customer service
• Good value for money
• Easy to setup
• Good weather protection
• Affordable tent price
• Especially made for summer camping trips

Cons

• Some users complained about the zipper being low quality

10# Ozark Trail

Ozark Trail tents are designed for budget-conscious tent shoppers. This is a great tent brand and the majority of their tent models are around $200, including spacious 10-person cabin style tents, while you can some smaller models under $100. Then there is the massive 5-room 14-person Cabin style Base Camp Tent that can be found for around $300.

Those are extremely low rates for such huge tents, and Ozark tents are normally of mid-range quality. Ozark tents are primarily for occasional campers who go out once in a while. Those who like to go on camping trips all the time will not enjoy their tent as the tents are not designed for that.

Ozark Trail tents are known for their huge interior space that can accommodate up to 20 people. Their most popular tents are those huge cabin-style family tents.

Pros

• A great option for budget shoppers
• Offers a wide variety of tents
• Good for seasonal campers
• Offers some amazing family tents

Cons

• Not the best quality tent out there

11# Kodiak Canvas

Kodiak Canvas is a relatively new best budget tent brand in the tent industry starting its journey around 10 years ago. Though their business experience timeline is short that didn’t stop them to climb the ladder of reputation. They manufactured some of the best backpacking tents for camping enthusiasts.

Reliability is the first thing you can be sure of about Kodiak tents. Then there is the comfort part. Their tents provide enough headroom that you can put your pants on by standing straight. You will get so much air inside the tent that it will never feel muggy inside.

Kodiak Canvas tent puts on a great performance when there is a strong wind or rain or even during snow. Their tents are as sturdy as they can get in this budget.

Their most popular tent model is the Kodiak Flex-Bow.

Pros

• Very reliable quality
• Sturdy and durable
• More headroom available
• The floor space is solid

Cons

• Most of their tents are not freestanding tents

12# Kelty

Kelty was formed in 1952 and produces outdoor recreation equipment as well as mountain activities equipment. Asher Kelty founded the company, which now maintains its headquarters in Boulder, Colorado.

The company is currently well-known for producing backpacks as well as camping tents. Polyester tent fabrics and lightweight aluminum poles are the most commonly used materials for their tents.

Kelty tents are ideal for traveling and camping. They are generally less expensive than most of the tents from the brands we listed above, but they are also heavier weight and less weather resistant. 

Kelty tent’s capacity ranges from one to six people and is quite versatile. Kelty also sells a variety of tent accessories, such as footprints, large vestibules, and stakes.

Their most popular tent models are Dirt Motel and Late Start.

Pros

• Good quality tent with an affordable price tag
• Good for backpacking
• Sturdy and durable
• Easy setup procedure
• Quallity fabrics and lightweight tent poles

Cons

• Overall performance is not very high compared to other brands

13# Eureka

Eureka is not a premium brand like Coleman or Big Agnes. It produces entry-level as well as mid-range tents to target the budget shoppers of the market. Their tents are budget-friendly but have some great functionalities to attract more seasonal campers.

Their good tents can suffice in most moderate weather conditions but not in harsh conditions. The price tag is the reason why. They can’t offer all the best functionalities within that cheap price tag.

Eureka offers tent finder options on their website where you can search for tents according to your preferred activity. They also offer a 60-day trial period and return policy.

Their most popular models are Midori and Copper Canyon.

Pros

• Budget-friendly tent options 
• Good for mild weather
• Great for beginner campers
• Easy to set up
• Full mesh roof

Cons

• Performance won’t be as good as other brand tents

14# REI

Recreational Equipment, Inc. REI Co-op is a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts all throughout the country, and with good reason. REI’s in-house tent assortment is known for being cost-effective, and it frequently undercuts the competition without losing much in terms of quality and performance. They’re also consistently first in their class when it comes to livable space.

REI has recently made a shift toward lighter and more expensive designs to shake things up from their traditional heavier tents than the competitors. Their budget camping tents, on the other hand, form the backbone of their legacy. They also provide some excellent entry-level options for first-time travelers.

REI is serving people for over 82 years now and that’s a long time for any brand to stay in the business. REI successfully did it with its top-quality gear and apparel.

The most popular REI Co-op backpacking tent models are Grand Hut, Kingdom, and Half Dome.

Pros

• Provides great value for money
• High-quality materials used for tents
• Roomy tent interior in every tent
• Has budget and premium picks
• Offer co-op membership for additional support and coupons

Cons 

• Generally heavier than other tents

15# Black Diamond

Another best tent brand “Black Diamond”, started its journey from the Wasatch Mountains of Utah in 1957 and now expanded its business to three continents. That’s a milestone that everyone can’t achieve because you have to do something extraordinary for that. That’s exactly what Black Diamond did.

Black Diamond has created a name for itself by producing some of the greatest climbing equipment available today. They also create the accompanying gear, which includes some fantastic backpacking tents.

Their tents are made specifically for backpacking and alpine climbing. They are designed to be extremely light while still being able to withstand the harshest environments. As a result, they are extremely high-performing but also very pricey.

The majority of Black Diamond tents are single-wall tent style for cold weather (winter camping), although they do offer several double-wall tents that are suitable for 3-season tent backpacking. They don’t manufacture family tents, and the largest one they make is a 4-person tent.

Their popular tent models are Eldorado and Firstlight

Pros

• A wide variety of designs is available
• Build quality is great
• Deals well with extreme weather conditions
• Good for backpacking
• Designed specifically for alpine camping

Cons

• No family tents are available
• Expensive option

16# Zpacks

The last one on our best camping tent brands list is the Zpacks.

Joe Valesko, the founder of Zpacks, started this company when he couldn’t find the perfect gear options he wanted for his thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. Zpacks started its journey in 2005 with the desire to find the optimal best mix between weight and functionality in hiking gear that could fulfill hiker’s needs.

In just 16 years, Zpacks is a well-known name among hikers and backpackers who love the combination of feathery yet sturdy tents and shelters. Zpacks is now a big player in the ultralight tent market thanks to Dyneema, a high-tech fabric that Zpacks use in all their products. That fabric is known for its ratio of strength-to-weight and hydrophobic qualities.

Some hugely admired Zpacks tent models are Free Duo, Duplex, and Plexamid.

Pros

• Best ultralight tent on the market
• Perfect for thru-hikers and backpackers
• Very sturdy and highly durable build
• Can handle bad weather

Cons

• A little expensive
• The designs lack widespread appeal

How To Choose The Best Tent Brands

Tents come in many different brands, sizes, and shapes. Choosing the right one may seem a little overwhelming. With so much variety, it’s important to consider your needs, how many people will be sleeping in the tent with you, and the duration of the camping trip. Once you’ve determined these parameters, you can get down to the fun part of imagining all the possibilities.

Size:

The first thing you need to do is determine the number of people you will be camping with. The size will vary according to this. If you are going with your family you can go for the Coleman family tents. They are spacious enough to give your family a good camping experience.

Budget:

An enjoyable camping trip requires spending a good amount of money. However, you must also consider the value for money of a tent when purchasing one. 

Decide on a budget and start choosing a tent. If you can’t afford the best one with your budget, then go for the second best option. 

REI tent brands provide great value for money. If you are on a tight budget you can pick any of their low-priced models.

Weight:

Considering weight is also important as moving with a heavy tent becomes difficult on camping. Choose a lightweight tent that you can easily carry. However, lightweight tents are expensive. If you want to compromise on the budget, you have to carry a little extra weight.

Conclusion

So which one is the best tent brand for you?

Alps Mountaineering should be your preferred brand if you’re seeking the right tent that can do it all. They make high-quality, budget-friendly tents for any event.

When it comes to extreme weather performance and warmth, MSR, Black Diamond, and Big Agnes are the brands to look for. Each of them specializes in producing ultralight tents that can withstand the harshest alpine conditions.

If you want to get a good backpacking tent within a little budget, Kelty and Marmot are the best backpacking tent brands to go with. It’s a little less pricey, but it’s still quite practical and long-lasting.

If you want to go camping trip with your family and have a good time, Coleman is the brand to go with. They’ve always been the family camper’s go-to brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a tent brand exceptional?

The mark of an exceptional tent brand is the industry-leading design, quality materials, and structure designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. A tent brand must also provide good service and have seamlessly integrated online ordering.

Are the best tent brands worth buying? 

Hell yes! If you are looking for a tent, then you should definitely check out the best tent brands on the market. A large part of choosing a good tent is to meet your camping needs. Good tent brands usually do an excellent job of meeting your needs.

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