Tents: Reviews

Updated March 2008

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Best family dome tent

*Est. $250 Compare Prices

Reviews say this sturdy single-room, four-person family tent weathers storms well, and the ventilation and full-coverage fly keep it dry from condensation as well as in rain. It is quick to set up, and two vestibules… (like porches) add space. A six-person version, the L.L.Bean Vector XL 6 Dome tent (*est. $300), adds extra floor space and raises the ceiling from 69 to 80 inches.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: This review covers a similar L.L.Bean dome tent, comparing it with 23 other tents of various sizes based on ratings for ease of ...

OutdoorReview.com: About a dozen owners review different sizes of the L.L.Bean Vector Dome tents here. Most are satisfied, but a few complain of ...

LLBean.com: Only a handful of owners review the L.L.Bean Vector 4 dome tent here, confirming that it stays dry and is roomy for two people ...

Epinions.com: Just a few owners review the L.L.Bean Vector Dome tent here, giving it high ratings with no significant complaints.

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Three-room cabin tent

The North Face Trailhead 8

*Est. $500 Compare Prices

A multi-room tent is more comfortable for families, but they obviously cost more. The well-built The North Face tent is praised for its combination of excellent ventilation with full-coverage rainfly. Well-protected… vestibules cover both doors and add space for gear. Owners say it withstands high winds and driving rain, and is easy to pitch and later pack up again.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

REI.com: At the time of our report, high owner-written ratings made The North Face Trailhead 8 the top-ranked family tent here, but it's ...

Trailspace.com: The two families reviewing the Trailhead 8 tent here confirm that it's fast to set up, even in the pouring rain, provides plenty ...

Backcountry.com: This owner-written review praises the smaller Trailhead 6 for fast, easy setup and excellent construction. The reviewer, who ...

OutdoorReview.com: This long forum discussion about the smaller Trailhead 6 includes comments from a camper who reports that it has excellent ...

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Best backpacking tent

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3

*Est. $500 Compare Prices

Backpacking tents emphasize light weight over features so you can carry it with you for backcountry camping. This modified A-frame tent provides plenty of space and reviews say the expensive Big Agnes tent is also easy to… set up. At about four pounds, it's also remarkably light for a three-person tent. Unlike some tents, tests show no condensation problems and two doors plus two vestibules add convenience. The downside is its high cost.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Backpacker.com: Based on thorough field tests of 35 new tents, editors at Backpacker magazine give the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 an Editors' ...

Outside Magazine: Outside magazine also field-tests quite a few new tents every year, so this review of the two-person version of the Big Agnes ...

Wired Magazine: This brief review of four tents ranks the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 second to the REI Quarter Dome T3, which weighs the same. The ...

Backcountry.com: Half a dozen owners review the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 here with high enthusiasm. One says it "held up well for the 16 straight ...

REI.com: A couple of owners review the two-person version of the Big Agnes Copper Spur here, reporting that it's easy to set up, has ...

Amazon.com: The sole review here reports that even without the footprint, the floor is durable if treated gently, and the tent holds up well ...

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Budget A-frame backpacking tent

Eureka Timberline 2

*Est. $110 Compare Prices

This classic two-person backpacking tent earns praise for its sturdy construction. At almost six pounds, it's heavier than some competing two-person backpacking tents, but many campers will be willing to accept a bit more… weight to save money over lighter models. The Eureka Timberline is a free-standing tent with shock-corded poles for easy setup, plus interior storage pockets and loops for hanging a flashlight and clothesline. It has one vestibule and one door.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Amazon.com: Half a dozen owners review the Eureka Timberlne 2 tent here, giving it a near-perfect average rating. One owner notes that the ...

: Over half a dozen owners review the Eureka Timberline 2 A-frame tent here, with most giving it the highest possible rating. One ...

BassPro.com: This detailed single-product review recommends the Eureka Timberline A-frame tent based on actual use, but reads a bit like an ...

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