So I am sitting here in front of my computer, trying to figure out which large tent would serve you best. With less knowledge in large tents, I decided to make my in-depth research on the subject. I hope that with my help, you will find the one which suits you best!
After some long readings, I came up with the results. To choose the best large tent, you should make sure it features a proper – structure, ventilation, water resistance, and weight. Moreover, it is essential to take into account personal comfort. For that, your tent should have some privacy, and it should be easy to assemble. Let me help you pick up the best large tent for camping on the market!
Later on, I will expand on these subjects. Also, my research brought up some suggestion of tents you may be interested in. I will show you why you should get these specifics, and what it is essential for you to consider.
What is the optimal structure for a large tent?
The structure of your tent should provide some basics.
First, its center should be tall. A right center height would be around 85-87’’ tall. Your tent should feel like home, even when far away. At home, you don’t bend over while walking around, neither you should while camping.
Second, it is recommended that your tent provides storage pockets. Let’s say you are planning to camp for a few nights. You must have brought a lot of stuff to do so in your backpack. Accordingly, you should be able to organize your belongings – just like you do at home. Did you know that some tents provide shelves for that exact purpose? It’s amazing!
Let’s proceed to electricity. If you bought a large tent, that means you are planning to stay for a while. What could be more comfortable to have some heat or even a television inside your tent?
To do so, you should get a generator, and that generator must have a cable. The cable comes from the outside, as the generator is located pretty far away from you. Hence, a proper tent should include electrical cord access.
And what about the tents poles? Did you know that material matters?
The highest quality tents would include fiberglass poles. Their advantages are incredible. First, they are incredibly flexible and robust. For that reason, they allow your tent to handle the strongest wind without falling apart. If that is not enough, they are also cheap, lightweight and durable.
How much should it weigh?
Weight is a crucial factor when it comes to camping, and a large camping tent usually weighs more than usual. But what if I told you some tents provide all the required functions, but are still easy to carry?
High-quality tents, which were made from the right materials, should be as such. A proper weight should be around 25 pounds. The bigger the canvas – the higher it weighs. However, as I will show you, some maintain a decent ratio.
Water Resistance – Tent’s Floor and Body
So what can be that important with a floor? Two main factors – durability and water resistance. I will start with the 150D oxford floor. The Oxford weave was instructed to produce better strength and durability than standard everyday patterns.
That particular kind of fabric will allow your tent floor to endure higher weighs. It absolutely waterproofs, and provides with high resistance to UV.
COLEMAN® WEATHERTEC™ is another powerful system, which makes your tent durable to simulated weather conditions. With that technology, you can be sure your tent would stay dry in any possible direction.
Some tents come with Taped fly seams. Imagine that as two light coats put up together to becomes sealed. With that technology, you need no additional waterproofing.
What would make the assembly easier?
For some of you, that would be your first tent building. Well even if you are experienced, assembling a large camping tent can be challenging. For that reason, I was looking for a way to make your life easier. Some tents come with a Fast-Pitch design.
For example, they may come with pre-attached poles so that it would take just a couple of minutes to erect your tent or on the contrary – break it down. With these and the snag-free Insta-Clip suspension, you may shorten your assembly by 55%!
How to ensure proper ventilation?
Proper ventilation is undoubtedly essential, especially if you are sharing a tent with many other people. Some tents allow it with reverse-angled windows. These will let in the light and air but not water. Some are equipped with an advanced venting system.
These adjustable vents will draw fresh air from the ground and push hot air out through a large mesh ceiling. Other tents feature windows or ground vents based on the same concept. I chose to bring you tents which combine these qualities in different variations.
What about privacy?
Camping doesn’t mean giving up on your primary need for privacy. If you are camping with your family – you might want a minute or two with your partner.
That need is more evident if you are camping with friends or neighbors. Well, some tents do offer privacy. For that purpose, some of them include two or more room designs. With these tents, you can build your own house in nature!
Recommendations
After understanding better what matters, now it is time for some actual products. For your comfort, I have gathered all the pros and cons I could find to help you make the right decision.
1. Browning Camping Big Horn Two-Room Tent
PROS:
- Fiberglass poles
- Extra tall center
- Wall divider for two rooms
- Ultimate ventilation
- Storage pockets
- Waterproof
CONS:
- Zipper area may leak a bit
- Heavier than other tents
- Maximum capacity – 8 Person
- Weight – 34.75 lbs
- Dimensions – 120 x 180 x 87 in
The Browning Camping Big Horn may resemble a few tents in one. It features two large doors, six windows, and a mesh roof to ensure ultimate ventilation. Also, it is equipped with a protective awning over each door and factory-sealed fly and floor seams to provide the best weather protection. This tent is divided into two to maximize room and ensure optimal privacy.
2. CORE 11 Person Cabin Tent with Screen Room – 17′ x 12′
PROS:
- Tall Center Height
- Full tent floor coverage
- Adjustable ground vents
- Waterproof
- List Item
- Gear loft with lantern hook and pockets
- Electrical Access Port
CONS:
- Slow Pitch
- Could use more doors
- Maximum capacity – 11 Person
- Weight – 42.5 lbs
- Dimensions – 204 x 144 x 86.4 in
The CORE 11 Person Cabin features an excellent choice for multiple travelers. With the possibility to room 11 persons, it sure does feel like home. When the front room is not needed for sleeping, you may unzip the large front windows and enjoy the panoramic view.
To keep you cool on hot weather, the tent is equipped with adjustable vents which draw cold air in and pushes hot air out through the ceiling mesh. Moreover, this tent is entirely waterproof with the doors and windows made of water-resistant fabric.
3. CORE 10 Person Straight Wall Cabin Tent – 14′ x 10′
PROS:
- Waterproof
- Adjustable ground vents
- Room divider
- Gear loft with lantern hook
- Electrical cord access port
CONS:
- Could use a few more interior pockets
- Tarp is required to protect the floor
- Maximum capacity – 10 Person
- Weight – 35.5 lbs
- Dimensions – 168 x 120 x 86.4 in
The great CORE 10 Person Straight Wall Cabin tent got some straight walls to allow you to stand tall and move around freely. It features an advanced venting system to cool you down on a hot day by removing hit from the ceiling mesh. Moreover, the tent is entirely waterproof given the CORE H20 Block Technology and contains an electrical access port as a sweet addition.
4. Coleman Tenaya Lake Fast Pitch 8-Person Camping Cabin Tent with Built-in Closet
PROS:
- Built-in closet with shelves
- Electric port
- Room divider included
- WeatherTec system
CONS:
- No floor vents
- Not for harsh weather conditions
- Maximum capacity – 10 Person
- Weight – 34.06 lbs
- Dimensions – 156 x 108 x 72
Coleman Tenaya Lake Fast Pitch 8-Person Cabin Tent with Closet Will make you feel at home. It includes a built-in-closet with shelves and a hanger bar, making it easy to organized your gear. The pre-attached, color-coded top poles and hub and snag-free Insta-Clip suspension make it easy and fast to assemble.
Besides, it features the WeatherTec system with patented welded floors and inverted seams to keep it perfectly dry inside. Moreover, it comes with a room divider – so you can enjoy some extra privacy!
5. Coleman Montana 8-Person Tent
PROS:
- Water Resistance
- Extended door to keep shoes dry
- Quick setup
- High center height
- LED tent light
CONS:
- Hind door may not align with its velcro
- Maximum capacity – 8 Person
- Weight – 24.5 lbs
- Dimensions – 192 x 84 x 74 in
Coleman Elite Montana 8-Person Lighted Tent features a cabin-like design with a variety of outdoor technologies. When it gets dark, you may turn on the six built-in CPX LED lights that provide 100 lumens of illumination. Also, this 8-person tent is designed with the WeatherTec system to provide absolute water resistance.
Thanks to its snag-free continuous poles sleeves, a patented pin-and-ring system, and snag-free Insta-Clip suspension, building this tent would take approximately 15 minutes.
6. CORE 9 Person Extended Dome Tent – 16′ x 9′
PROS:
- Adjustable ground vent
- Lantern hook and pockets
- Electrical cord access
- Waterproof
CONS:
- No privacy
- Maximum capacity – 9 Person
- Weight – 18.25 lbs
- Dimensions – 168 x 108 x 72 in
The great CORE 9 features the CORE H2O Block Technology to ensure absolute waterproofness. You will also find an advanced venting system that allows hot air to escape through and cold air in. Through the mesh ceiling, you will be able to see the beautiful panoramic view of the sky. When it starts to rain, the waterproof roof comes into play and allow you to stay safe and dry.
7. Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent
PROS:
- Sun protection
- Weather protection
- Mesh roof vents
CONS:
- Heavy to carry
- Plastic pins may loosen at night
- Maximum capacity – 8 Person
- Weight – 27.3 lbs
- Dimensions – 192 x 132 x 78 in
The Wenzel Klondike features an attached screen room that can be used as a picnic room, a gear room, a sun shelter or just a place to relax in. The meshed windows were designed to keep the bugs out and let a cool, airy breeze in. In addition to that, you will find some ground vents for extra ventilation. The Weather Armor polyester fabric with polyurethane water-resistant coating will ensure you stay dry in a pouring day.
Frequently Asked
- Q: What is the Largest tent you can buy?
- A: That would be a 16 person tent as the Tahoe Gear Ozark 3-Season or the Wenzel Mammoth 16-Person Family Dome. These tents are huge, but may also be more substantial and more difficult to assembly. Therefore, it is essential you pick the exact size you need – it would be roomy enough.
- Q: What is the best tent for family camping?
- A: Well, the answer to that depends on different factors. There is no one best tent because it differs according to your personal needs. You should take into account the weather conditions and the number of travelers. As I mentioned before, your tent should be waterproof and easy to assembly. The tents discussed above are among the top rated on the market and answer most of the needed features.
- Q: What is the best tent brand?
- A: The best tent brand could be described in a whole different article. There is a lot to consider, but I will try to base a short answer based on ongoing trends. The top rated brands for tents, as it is, for now, would be Coleman, CORE, and Wenzel.
- Q: What is a cabin tent?
- A: That is the description of a tent featuring near-vertical walls, resembling a cabin.
- Q: How do you take care of a tent?
- A: Make sure you clean the tents poles with a soft dry cloth. The zippers should be cleaned by dipping them quickly in water and leaving them to dry. Moreover, it is essential to pick a plane ground to camp on. Try removing rocks and broken branches; they may tear your tent, no matter how high quality it is.
- Q: Can I put the tent in a washing machine?
- A: Absolutely not! Tents are made of nylon which would be ruined by washing with a machine. Try cleaning your tent as described above, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Conclusions
To sum up, it is imperative your tent stands with some crucial features. It should have a proper design structure, water resistance, ventilation, and privacy. It is also better to have a lightweight tent which is not too difficult to assemble.
I hope you now understand better what is important to consider in your tent purchase. I’ve learned, a lot, I sure hope you did too.
Let me know how your purchase went, or maybe some of your consideration – by leaving a comment below!
Sources
- What are Tent Fabric Specifications and Coatings? Intentsoutdoors, 2017
- COLEMAN® WEATHERTEC™ SYSTEM – Coleman, 2018
- Family Camping Tent Technology – Vango, 2017
- How to Waterproof a Tent – Rei, 2018
