During our testing, our Base Camp shrugged off both a rainstorm and a desert windstorm as if they were nothing. Overall, these poles-all of them aluminum-contribute to a particularly sturdy structure, with or without the rain fly. The rain fly has an additional tent pole, too, to support the vestibule. There are also two poles that arch over each doorway and down the sides of the tent to add extra shape and support these attach to the tent body with clips. Generally, we like clip-on designs better, since those are easier to put together, but in the case of the Base Camp models, the sleeves add extra tension and stability throughout the tent fabric. It has two main that thread through sleeves, stretching between the four corners of the tent. The geodesic structure of the Base Camp tents is built to withstand wind and rain. A footprint for each model is sold separately. With almost 45 feet of vestibule space and four stability-enhancing criss-crossing poles, the next size up of REI’s Base Camp, the Base Camp 6 Tent, offers the best combination of space and features among the six tents we tested that fit those criteria. Our other favorite features are the tent’s two wide doors, which you can open halfway from either direction or open fully (you can tuck the doors into “roof pockets” to keep them out of the way), turning the tent into a useful beach tent or sun shade.įamilies who regularly pitch their tent in rainy locales need a wind-fighting tent with a good-size vestibule for storing wet shoes and gear, as well as a full rain fly for added weather protection. The Base Camp also offers more privacy compared with our other picks-with or without the rain fly. The Base Camp, by contrast, has four full-size aluminum struts woven throughout it, somewhat like a basket, plus an additional brow pole that frames the front entrance and supports the larger of the two vestibules. The main bodies of our other picks are structured with two main poles with added support from smaller brow poles. Like the Mineral King 3, this tent comes with a footprint.Ĭar campers who plan to brave miserable weather will appreciate the extra strength and protection of the REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent. You can also set up the tent without the fly while retaining some privacy, since the tent body has a high polyester wall on one side. The Tungsten 4’s poles are bent at a more acute angle and closer to the ground, which, we discovered, can cause the tent to collapse in windy conditions if you don’t attach the poles to the fly using the Velcro tabs running under the seams. With pentagonal doors and a fly scaffolded by two brow poles-as opposed to the Mineral King 3’s single one-this tent provides excellent shielding from multidirectional wind and rain, providing you follow the setup instructions faithfully. Like the Mineral King 3, the Tungsten has aluminum poles that are connected at the top (for lightning-quick pitching) and pre-bent, which increases the dome tent’s headroom. A full rain fly with easy-attach color-coded clips covers the tent body and adds two large vestibules. Though the Marmot Tungsten 4-Person Tent lacks the Mineral King 3’s adaptable fly, which makes access and protection from the elements such a breeze, the Tungsten 4 provides more living space and equal protection against the elements. As with most six-person tents we’ve seen, this tent’s footprint is sold separately. (We did notice that the fly took longer to dry than others we tested don’t put it away while it’s still damp, or it’ll mildew.) It packs into a duffle with a handy shoulder strap and weighs about 17 pounds-manageable for most people across short distances. Unlike the competition, this tent is functional, durable, and a joy to inhabit in most weather conditions. Like most tents we saw in its price range, the Wireless 6 uses cheaper materials: Its poles (two, plus a “brow” pole that supports the two vestibules) are fiberglass, and its stakes are too light for their size (two bent during testing). (As its name indicates, it’s meant to house six people, but we wouldn’t recommend that.) The Wireless 6 has two large doors and a full rain fly. With 87 square feet of interior space, plus 28 square feet of vestibule space, the polyester tent fits four adults comfortably, or two adults with two or three children, with plenty of room to store gear and muddy boots. Like the Mineral King 3, it has a simple, dome-style design that maximizes livability and minimize headaches. The Kelty Wireless 6 is a spacious tent that is easy to pitch, and it offers solid weather protection and durability for a reasonable price.
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