“A nylon tent is much stretchier,” he said, “and can absorb a lot more shock,” which can be an advantage in the backcountry, where your only option in a windstorm is to ride it out inside your tent. But in sudden, violent storms, car campers always have the easy (if perhaps pathetic) option of collapsing their tents and retreating to their cars. Whether you’re thinking of hitting the road or staying close to home for your next car-camping adventure, you and your loved ones will need a comfortable place to sleep. The one exception to the rule here is for the larger cabin-style tents, especially those with an “instant tent” design that uses pre-attached poles. These shelters tend to be much heavier and bulkier when packed up due to the frame design, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve got room to transport them in your vehicle and store them in your home before buying.
It’s the perfect choice for three-season multipurpose camping. Constructed using a ripstop polyester canvas, be ready for family camping or hunting trips, disaster relief, and everything in between. The durable steel frame has extra guy line support to withstand wind and snow. Ease of setup (how easy it is to pitch and take down a tent) is pretty much always a high mark for Ozark Trail tents. These tents are built for first-time and/or fairweather campers, so Ozark Trail puts a lot of effort into making them easy to use. Shape wise most Ozark Trail tents either come in a cabin or dome shape.
Yes, it can feel more humid, but if you can get some kind of a breeze blowing through, you can regulate the temperature without any AC. Don’t think it won’t be hot, though; all tents get hot in the sun, but the cotton canvas is just better than synthetic materials, in our opinion. On a recent trip, we tested a friend’s 16 x 20 ft Alpha wall tent, and it slept eight people with a stove, loads of gear, and two dogs. The tent will easily sleep 14 or more people on camping cots without a stove and maybe around 12 people with a stove.
For campers looking for a bit more space, the Marmot Tungsten 4-Person Tent is another good choice for two people. A full rain fly with easy-attach color-coded clips protects a half-mesh, half-polyester tent body and adds two large vestibules. With pentagonal doors and an overhanging dome scaffolded by two brow poles—rather than a single one—the fly provides excellent shielding from multidirectional wind and rain, providing you follow the setup instructions faithfully. Like the Mineral King 3, this tent comes with its own anti-abrasion footprint. The Marmot Tungsten 4 is our second favorite tent for two people.
I really liked the way it looked and the space but will not be able to use it due to the leaks. When something says “waterproof” it does not mean it will not leak. It is simply a way to keep you from direct weather contact. And as with any experienced camper, we all know that tents are not waterproof, even if it says money back guaruntee. That’s why you buy a tarp to put over and a tarp for under.
Or these slightly more expensive stakes will serve you well in any car-camping terrain. But it’s one of the least expensive tents we found that will truly cover all the bases for three-season car-camping in most conditions you’re likely to encounter. Less expensive options exist but have a number ozark trail tents of drawbacks. The Mineral King 3 also comes with its own footprint, a groundsheet that protects the tent from abrasion, which many outfitters sell separately—and which we recommend that you have. One night during testing, for example, clouds loomed in the distance with clear skies overhead.