Tents: Reviews

REI.com: Based on about a dozen owner-written reviews, the Big Agnes Big House 6 is one of the top-rated family tents here.

Backcountry.com: The Big Agnes Big House 6 is the top-rated family tent at this retail site, based on reviews by half a dozen or so owners, some of whom also answer specific questions about the tent.

Backpacker Magazine: Backpacker magazine doesn't usually review family tents, but this brief article recommends the 10.5-pound Big Agnes Big House 4 for backpacking with two adults and two or three kids.

Outside Magazine: Based on tests by a family of five, this expert review recommends the Big Agnes Big House 4 for family backpacking, but notes that "storing wet gear is a hassle without that add-on vestibule."

Amazon.com: Only a couple of owners review the Big House 6 tent.

Trailspace.com: The few owner-written reviews here agree with others that the tent is extremely windproof (when staked out correctly) and provides plenty of space for a queen-size mattress plus kids' beds.

Moosejaw.com: The handful of owners reviewing the smaller Big Agnes Big House 4 praise it for its easy setup, roominess and storm resistance.

Trailspace.com: The handful of users reviewing the Trailhead 8 tent here confirm that it's easy to set up, even in the pouring rain, provides plenty of space and stays dry.

Moosejaw.com: Just a few owners review the Trailhead 8 at this retailer site, enthusiastically praising its rain and wind resistance -- no sand blowing in -- plus the fact that the ample carrying bag makes it very easy to repack.

Backcountry.com: Most of the owners reviewing the smaller six-person version of The North Face Trailhead praise its wind and rain resistance, but one notes that it can get very hot.

OutdoorReview.com: This long forum discussion about the smaller Trailhead 6 includes comments from a camper who reports that it has excellent ventilation, even with the fly on, stays dry and that the light color helps keep it cool.

ConsumerGuide.com: This brief single-product review praises the smaller Trailhead 6 tent for its sturdy construction, but gives it only an overall rating of "average," judging it relatively heavy and expensive.

Camping Life Magazine: The Eureka Copper Canyon 1610 is one of several tents recommended in this publication devoted to family camping, though no testing is documented.

GearReview.com: This review compares the Eureka Copper Canyon 1610 with another Eureka family tent, the N!ergy 1310, favoring the Copper Canyon as more durable.

Cabelas.com: The half-dozen or so owners reviewing the Eureka Copper Canyon 1610 tent here give it ratings well above average, praising it for fast, easy setup and good wind resistance.

Amazon.com: The few owners reviewing this tent give it the highest possible rating, praising the easy setup, storm resistance and two-room, two-door design.

ConsumerReports.org: We rank this review lower only because it's a little dated and because it covers mostly single-room dome tents.

Backpacker Magazine: Based on rigorous tests of dozens of tents, editors name the Nemo Losi 3P the best all-around three-person tent.

Outside Magazine: Based on extensive field tests, the Nemo Losi 3P earns the Gear of the Year award here.

REI.com: Based on a dozen or so owner-written reviews, many of whom say it's the best tent of many they've tried, the Nemo Losi 3P is one of the top-rated backpacking tents at this big retail site.

Buzzillions.com: More than 20 owner-written reviews and ratings of the Nemo Losi 3P tent are published here, drawn from three different retail sites.

Trailspace.com: The handful of owners reviewing the Nemo Losi 3P here give it high praise.

Backcountry.com: The Nemo Losi 3P and the smaller 2P version earn high praise here from the handful of owners reviewing them here.

Amazon.com: The sole owner-written review posted here gives the Nemo Losi 3P tent the highest possible rating, calling it the best tent he's ever owned -- for car camping and motorcycle camping as well as backpacking.

BackpackingLight.com: This enthusiastic, detailed single-product review by a publication devoted to ultralight backpacking calls the Big Sky Evolution 2P "the lightest, best designed, most user-friendly three-season two-person double-wall freestanding tent available." Despite excellent design and ventilation, the fly can sometimes touch the inner wall, causing condensation, so it's better to add extra stakes and lines to hold the fly taut.

BackpackingLight.com: The Big Sky Evolution 2P earns top ranking based on comparison tests of 18 double-wall backpacking tents, the type less apt to have condensation problems compared with single-wall tents.

Outside Magazine: Based on extensive field tests, editors call the Big Sky Evolution 2P tent a "killer value," praising it for keeping hikers dry even in a snowstorm.

BackpackGearTest.org: The smaller solo version, the Big Sky Evolution 1P, gets very detailed single-product reviews here from three experienced hikers, all of whom provide reports based on long-term use and one of whom reviews both the 2006 and improved 2009 version.

The Gear Junkie: Comparing three ultralight tents, editors find the Big Sky Evolution 2P by far the most comfortable, with excellent ventilation and internal organization.

FiftySense.net: This brief review reports that the Big Sky Evolution 2P is comfortable for two campers, even when one is over 6 feet 4 inches tall.

TheBackpacker.com: The Eureka Timberline is one of the top-rated tents at this site devoted to owner-written reviews and ratings of backpacking tents.

Amazon.com: Half a dozen owners review the Eureka Timberline 2 tent here, giving it a near-perfect average rating.

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

Trailspace.com: The two owner-written reviews of the Timberline tent here give it the highest possible rating, praising it as practical, durable and weatherproof.

BassProShops.com: This detailed single-product review recommends the Eureka Timberline A-frame tent based on actual use, but reads a bit like an advertisement since no drawbacks are noted.