Are you planning on cold weather camping with your family? Then getting the right tent is essential. Staying warm in your tent during cold weather will take some preparation. But when everything is ready, you and your family will be set up for a great camping adventure. With the right knowledge, it’ll be easy to choose the right tent that will serve you well.
It can get a little tricky when it comes to choosing the best cold weather tent. There are many choices and features to consider. You have to be mindful of the setting in which you’ll be camping so you can choose the best cold weather family tent. In this article, I’ll guide you through the key things you should pay attention to. And finally, I’ll share my top 10 cold weather tents to check out.
Cold weather camping – what tents are suitable?
Cold weather camping – what tents are suitable?
When looking for a cold weather tent, you’ll come across different terms. While most of them represent very similar if not identical types of tents, there can be a few differences.
4-season tents
This is one of the most common terms you’ll come across. It is used to represent tents that are made of thicker materials that prevent heat transfer. Usually, a 4-season tent design allows you to close any vents, windows, and entrances in order to keep the heat inside. Depending on the outdoor conditions, you can expect it to be about 5-10 degrees F warmer inside the 4-season tent.
Winter tents
Winter camping tents are made to endure everything that comes with a proper winter – cold, wind, and snow. They are well-insulated tents and strong enough to help you get through the cold weather. In general, they are the same as 4-season tents.
Cold weather tents
Cold weather tents are designed to keep you warm and comfortable. They’ll have most of the 4-season and winter tent features, but they won’t necessarily have the sturdiness to withstand heavy snowfall.
Extreme cold weather tents
These are heavy-duty tents designed to withstand harsh winter conditions. They usually have a lower profile to avoid strong winds and steep sides to allow snow to fall off. They’re made from durable materials with sturdy construction and double walls for insulation. Some extreme cold weather tent designs allow using a tent stove inside.
Cold weather family tent features
Apart from determining the type of cold weather tent you’ll need, you should also know about some features to look out for.
Double-wall tent: Many cold-weather tents have a double-layer structure. This means that the tent consists of two layers of fabric – typically tent body and rainfly. This ensures breathability and insulation. Double wall tents are heavier than single-wall tents.
Tent fabric thickness: A thicker tent fabric usually means a warmer tent. It is measured in “denier” or “D” ratings. However, some manufacturers don’t specify fabric thickness. E.g. 20D fabric will be less thick and sturdy than 30D fabric.
Pole type: In general, for winter camping you should look for a tent that doesn’t have fiberglass poles. They tend to become fragile as the temperature decreases. Instead, look for carbon or quality aluminum poles.
Fabric coating: Winter tents are waterproofed with special fabric coatings. Most tents will have a polyurethane (PU) or silicone waterproof coating. PU coating is more affordable but usually not as long-lasting as silicone-treated nylon.
Considering the necessary tent characteristics for comfortable cold weather camping with your family, I’ve handpicked the best cold weather family tents. They are all designed to keep you warm and protected from the elements. All of these tents are spacious enough for 4 or more people.
Before I get to the list, note that when it comes to cold weather family tents, they’re all different. So even though I’ve listed them sequentially, that doesn’t mean that one is better than the other. Each of the following winter camping tents has its own advantages as well as disadvantages compared to others.
With that in mind, let’s begin!
Top 6 best cold weather family tents
The following 6 tents are my favorites when it comes to cold weather family camping.
- Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Canvas Tent Deluxe – 4,6, or 8 person
- Marmot Tungsten – 4 person
- REI Base Camp – 4, or 6-person
- Snow Peak Amenity Dome Tent – 5 person
- Whiteduck Regatta Canvas Tent – 3, 4, or 5 person
- Alps Mountaineering Taurus Outfitter – 4, or 5 person
These tents will keep you and your family warm so that you can enjoy a nice and comfortable camping trip.
1. Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Canvas Tent Deluxe – 4,6, or 8 person
Canvas tents such as this one are great for use in winter because of their insulating properties. They can stay cool in summer and warm in winter. That, and the fact that Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow tent is very sturdy makes this tent a great choice even for harsh winter weather.
The downside of this tent is its impressive weight. The 4-person model weighs 55 pounds. It weighs more than many other winter tents due to its 1-inch steel frame. However, it is exactly why it can stand up to the elements so well. The tight weave cotton with a silicone finish ensures great breathability and waterproofness.
Another thing that I love about this tent is that it’s tall enough for you to stand in it. Its steep walls ensure that there’s enough head and floor space for all of the family without any discomfort. You can choose either 4, 6, or 8-person models on the official Kodiak site.
Specifications (4 person)
Weight: 57.8 lbs
Dimensions: 96″ L x 108″ W x 72″ H
Color: Green
Wall material: Canvas (Hydra-Shield canvas)
Floor material: Polyester-reinforced vinyl with welded seams
Pole material: Steel
Pros
- Available in 4-person, 6-person, or 8-person tent size
- Reinforced corners for added strength
- Highly breathable
- Sealable windows
- Features pocket organizers and gear loft
- Large awning
- Roof vents
- Double stitched seams
- Freestanding
Cons
- Heavy
- On the expensive side
2. Marmot Tungsten – 4 person
Marmot is a well-known manufacturer praised for the quality of their items. Their Tungsten 3-season tent is ideal for a family of four looking to camp in autumn, winter, or spring. Unlike 4-season tents, this tent is not ideal for heavy snowfall. That being said, it is sturdy and warm enough to provide good weather protection.
It has a traditional construction of three poles featuring a large gear storage space as it has 2 vestibules. While being spacious, the Tungsten tent is also lightweight (9 lbs.), making it ideal for winter backpacking trips with your family.
Specifications
Weight: 9.24 lbs
Dimensions: 93″ L x 82″ W x 52″ H
Color: Green
Wall material: Polyester
Floor material: Polyester taffeta
Pole material: Aluminum
Waterproofness rating: 1500 mm fly and 2000 mm floor
Pros
- Lightweight (considering that its a 4-person tent)
- Easy set-up
- Large gear storage space
- Freestanding
- Has gear storage pockets
Cons
- Not tall enough to stand in
- Zippers are not heavy-duty
3. REI Base Camp – 4, or 6-person
There are many praising reviews of the REI Base Camp tent – and for a good reason. While it’s not the most technically advanced tent model, its design is innovative and very practical. It has a typical X-type pole structure reinforced with 2 more crossing poles on all sides, ensuring high stability.It is a double wall tent ideal for usage in all 4 seasons. The dome shape gives enough height so that you can stand up inside. What I love most about this tent is that you’ll never run out of gear storage space as it features lots of storage pockets and a front vestibule. Moreover, its inner tent is far enough from the outer layer to avoid any condensation.
Specifications (6-person)
Weight: 20.62 lbs
Dimensions: 110″ L x 110″ W x 74″ H
Color: Orange
Wall material: Polyester
Floor material: Polyester
Pros
- Fast set-up with color-coded poles
- Has a vestibule
- Lots of storage space (14 internal pockets)
Cons
- Sloped interior walls that reduce liveable space
4. Snow Peak Amenity Dome Tent – 5 person
Snow Peak’s Amenity Dome is a dome-shaped winter tent that’s renowned for its durability and versatility. With 3 crossing poles, it’s a freestanding tent with high stability. It features 2 vestibules and a side and front door. The design is asymmetric due to the side door.
The tent’s design is closed off on all sides and you can close an additional triangular section on the ceiling to preserve the warmth. With a good ventilation system for warm weather and good insulating abilities for cooler weather, this is a true 4-season tent. Both inner doors feature mesh panels allowing sufficient airflow. Overall, it is a reliable and spacious winter tent.
The main disadvantage of this ten is its peak height. At its highest, it’s only 65 inches (165 cm). This low height is limiting the inner space, but it is also more suitable for windy conditions.
Specifications
Weight: 10.80 lbs
Dimensions: 216″ L x 120″ W x 65″ H
Color: Beige
Wall material: Polyester
Floor material: Polyester
Pole material: Aluminium
Waterproofness rating: 1800 mm fly and floor
Pros
- Two vestibules
- Freestanding
- Side door
Cons
- Low peak height
5. Whiteduck Regatta Canvas Tent – 3, 4, or 5 person
Made from breathable canvas material, the Whiteduck Regatta tent has great insulation abilities. It’ll keep cool in summer and warm in winter. What I like about this yurt-shaped tent most is its shape and the possibility to use a stove inside. You can choose a size for up to 5 people. This model features a stove jack made from retardant material for safe use. So you can use a wood-burning tent stove and keep your family warm regardless of the weather conditions.
Whiteduck Regatta features 2 layered windows and doors with additional mesh to keep the bugs out. The ventilation is great both due to the natural material and several ventilation openings. Its yurt-style structure and canvas material are also the reason for its increased weight.
Specifications (4 person)
Weight: 51 lbs
Dimensions: 156″ L x 156″ W x 98″ H
Color: Beige, brown, or olive
Wall material: Canvas
Floor material: Vinyl
Pole material: Steel
Pros
- E-cable port
- Stove jack
- Large floor space
- Tall tent
Cons
- Not freestanding
- Tall
- Heavy
6. Alps Mountaineering Taurus Outfitter – 4, or 5 person
Alps Mountaineering Taurus tent comes with a pleasant number of great features for the price. While it’s not exactly in the budget category, this tent is one of the most affordable ones on this list. Compared to many other cold-weather camping tents, Taurus has smaller mesh ventilation panels, thus keeping the warmth inside. Moreover, you can zip shut the mesh vented door windows for an added insulation effect.
Another thing worthy of mentioning is that this tent has an upgrade compared to previous versions – a thicker tub floor. This adds to the weight but also allows safe use on harsh grounds. With 2 medium-sized vestibules and several gear storage pockets as well as a gear loft, you shouldn’t run out of space.
Specifications (4 person)
Weight: 10 lbs
Dimensions: 90″ L x 102″ W x 52″ H
Color: Olive
Wall material: Polyester
Floor material: Nylon
Pole material: Aluminium
Waterproofness rating: 1500 mm floor
Pros
- Freestanding
- Sturdy floor
- Great insulation
- Good price
Cons
- Materials are not of the premium grade
Final thoughts
Choosing a cold-weather tent for family camping is not an easy task. Given that each tent is different, it’s hard to say that one tent is better than another. That, of course, will depend on your individual needs. However, I’ve included versatile tents in this list so I hope that my selection of the best cold weather family tents has guided you towards a choice that’ll fit your needs.
Remember that there are additional activities you can do so that your tent is even warmer and cozier for the whole family. Have fun and thank you for sticking with me until now!
