Guide to Finding the Best 4 Person Tent

Finding the perfect 4 person tent for my needs took me a while. From ultralight backpacking tents to inflatable models, I had tried them all. Finding a tent that ticks all the boxes is difficult enough when camping on your own, let alone when camping with a group of friends or family.

My tent is my home away from home. It has protected my family, friends, and me on numerous camping trips, forming years of lovely outdoor memories. So, from one outdoor enthusiast to another, I guarantee that a tent is the biggest purchase you can make.

I’ve written a buyer’s guide based on my experience and put together a list of the 8 best 4-person tents to make it easier for you. 

My Top Pick for the Best 4-Person Tent is the Marmot Halo

My Favorite 4 Person Tents

Marmot Limestone 4P/6P Camping Tent

 

Marmot Limestone 4P Tent

Specs:

  • Season: 3-season
  • Wall type: Double-wall
  • Pole material: Aluminum
  • Primary tent materials: 40D Polyester/mesh

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Floor area:

  • 4P: 60 sq ft
  • 6P: 83 sq ft

Center height:

  • 4P: 5 ft
  • 6P: 6 ft 4 in

The Limestone isn’t as fancy as some of its counterparts, but it gets the job done. I’ve tried it out several times and it proved reliable each time. It’s a high-quality, well-built, fully seam-taped model.

I love the front vestibule and the double zippered front door. These features allow you to make a double room by stringing up a divider across the middle. So, you can have the adults on one side and the kids on the other. I also appreciated the roominess (enhanced by the steep walls).

Although the Limestone makes for a solid family tent, I think it is better suited for adventurers who appreciate outstanding durability and weather protection and an extra storage room for dirty shoes and equipment.

The vestibule is big enough to store extra gear. There are also 8 intelligently spread pockets inside the tent: one under each door, one in each bottom corner, and a couple more up high.

Weather-resistance

The rain fly of this 4-person tent offers impressive coverage. To keep everything efficient and taut on the outside, you can tighten the rain fly where it connects to the poles.

Giving you the option to let in more light or just air things out, the upper walls and the ceiling are full mesh. The velcro vents allow you to keep things airy and cool when the rain fly is on.

This 4-person tent comes with quite a few loops for added guylines. You can easily secure it in the wind. The inverted seams and welded corners also enhance the weather resistance of the tent.

Ease of Set-Up

Thanks to the straightforward cross-pole set-up, I could pitch the tent in under 10 minutes. However, I don’t like that the two side-wall poles stick out. When you stretch the rain fly over the tent, it might get hung up on the ends of the poles.

Pros

  • Plenty of storage pockets
  • Easy to set up
  • Multifaceted vestibule
  • Great weather resistance
  • Durable

Cons

  • Fly gets caught up on poles

Coleman Sundome Tent

Coleman Sundome Camping Tent

Specs:

  • Season: 3-season
  • Wall type: Double-wall
  • Pole material: Fiberglass
  • Main tent materials: Polyester mesh 68D
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Floor area:

  • 4P: 63 sq ft
  • 6P: 100 sq ft

Center height:

  • 4P: 4 ft 11 in
  • 6P: 6 ft

When it comes to pocket-friendly models, the Coleman Sundome may indeed be the best 4-person tent. This lightweight tent is all about simplicity and economy. It doesn’t come with many extra features, but it boasts impressive floor dimensions and peak height.

The 4-person version has enough floor space to fit two twin beds. If you are a couple with two small children, this is a great family tent. But if you are a group of 4 adults, I recommend getting the 6-person version of the tent.

Weather Resistance

It features warm materials and a minimal rain fly that works quite well. To help keep things cool in the summer, the Coleman Sundome has an open ceiling and a floor vent.

This Coleman 4-person dome tent holds up surprisingly well in the wind thanks to the included guylines and the low wide profile.

However, I don’t like the use of fiberglass poles and the cheap connection points. If you are considering buying this 4-person tent, I recommend you also get a pole patch kit. Alternatively, you can replace the fiberglass poles with aluminum ones.

Ease of Setup

The Sundome is very easy to pitch due to the no-frills approach to the tent built. It took me just 5 minutes to set everything up. Packing the Sundome back into its bag is also easy.

All in all, the Coleman is an excellent choice for budget shoppers or first-time campers. Privacy, good ventilation, easy setup, and decent weather protection are the high notes of this tent. It’s a bargain snag that will get the job done.

Pros

  • Super affordable
  • Lightweight
  • Impressive floor dimensions
  • Simple
  • Easy to pitch

Cons

  • Not durable

Coleman Instant Cabin Tent

Coleman Instant Cabin Tent

Specs:

  • Season: 3-season
  • Wall type: Single-wall
  • Pole material: Aluminum
  • Main tent materials: 150D Polyester
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Floor area:

  • 4P: 64 sq ft
  • 6P: 90.7 sq ft

Center height:

  • 4P: 4 ft 11 in
  • 6P: 6 ft 2 in

In terms of ease of assembly, the Coleman Instant Tent is undoubtedly one of the best 4-person tents.

Simple and affordable, this 4-person instant tent doesn’t try to be anything other than incredibly easy to pitch. It takes less than one minute to set it up. All you need to do is take the tent out of the bag and lift it up.

Boasting a living space of 56 square feet, the 4P-version of the tent can accommodate a twin mattress and a full-size mattress. Still, I think it’s best to size up and get the 6P version.

The Coleman Cabin has two storage pockets, two easy access vents in the ceiling, and three large windows.

It fairs well both in cold and warm weather. The tent’s walls have good coverage all the way around. Moreover, they are fully seam-sealed. Both the tent walls and the tub-style floor are made of robust 150D polyester.

Since it is a low-profile tent, the pre-attached guylines and the six stakes will hold it down just fine. The top two vents and the large windows on both sides allow plenty of air to run through.

Keep in mind that this is a super affordable and super simple tent. It’s designed for simple family adventures, not for the toughest outdoor conditions.

Pros

  • Instant setup
  • Budget-friendly
  • Simple design
  • Large windows
  • Solid ventilation

Cons

  • Low peak height

ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 4-Person Tent

ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 4-Person Tent

Specs:

  • Season: 3-season
  • Wall type: Double-wall
  • Pole material: Aluminum
  • Main tent materials: 75-denier coated polyester taffeta
  • Floor area: 64 sq ft
  • Vestibule area: 25 sq ft
  • Center height: 4 ft 3 in

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As far as affordable backpacking models go, I’d say that the Alps Mountaineering Lynx is the best 4-person tent. If you are hiking, or if you just need to carry the tent to the campsite, you can easily split the weight with a friend.

Despite offering only 64 sq ft of space, this 4-person backpacking tent is quite roomy. I think the Lynx is ideal for couples or families with small kids.

There are two adequately-sized vestibule areas where you can put your lightweight backpacks, shoes, and extra gear. The Alps Mountaineering 4-person backpacking tent also features a detachable gear loft and two small interior pockets. I really like the amount of storage space this 4-person tent offers.

I’m not sure how I feel about the side-wall windows. I like wild camping in remote areas, so I appreciate the excellent views these windows offer. But they also allow others to see inside the tent, creating a privacy issue at crowded campgrounds. So, you’ll either love or hate the windows.

Weather Resistance

Although I experienced some condensation when testing out the tent, it held up well to moisture overall. The Lynx is a proper 3-season tent. The floor is pretty solid, but it is still a good idea to buy the Lynx 4P footprint.

Ease of Set-Up

The Lynx backpacking tent is quite easy to set up thanks to its free-standing, two-pole design. The tent body clips to the poles in a crossed pattern. It comes with four pieces of guyline and hook stakes.

I like the cinch straps and the carry handle on the stuff sack. It boasts a fairly small pack size, so it’s also a great tent for car camping.

The heavy polyester fabric wears well. If you store the tent properly and air it out after each use (to prevent interior condensation), the Lynx will last a lifetime. In fact, it even comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly
  • Easy assembly
  • Solid weather protection
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • Gear loft

Cons

  • Lack of privacy

The North Face Wawona Family Camping Tent

The North Face Wawona Family Camping Tent

Specs:

  • Season: 3-season
  • Wall type: Double-wall
  • Pole material: Aluminum
  • Main tent materials: 150D polyester taffeta

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Floor area:

  • 4P: 63 sq ft
  • 6P: 85 sq ft

Center height:

  • 4P: 5 ft 8 in
  • 6P: 6 ft 6 in

Although it is designed to accommodate 6 people, I’ve used the Wawona Six as a 4-person tent on a number of occasions. I consider it to be one of the best 4-person tents for those who require extra room.

It’s a great choice for full-grown campers with plenty of gear or families. The Wawona has one of the best uses of space I’ve ever seen. We had no problem fitting one twin and one full-sized air mattress inside.

Ease of Set-Up

The fly system isn’t intuitive, and the whole thing can be a bit difficult to pitch. For the front vestibule to function, you need to fully stake it out.

But, considering that the vestibule area is like a two-car garage, I’d say it’s a fair trade-off. You can fit a bike and a large cooler in the front vestibule.

The latest version of the tent comes with a detached fly, enhanced aluminum poles, and a three-pocket storage wall.

Weather Resistance

Thanks to its excellent double-wall design, this 3-season tent performs well on rainy and windy days as well as hot summer nights.

The robust rain fly, stakes, and guylines are fit to battle the elements. If you’re camping in warm weather, you can simply ditch the fly. To keep air circulating, the Wawona features two top vents.

I must note that the rain fly only covers the top of the tent; it’s not a full fly. However, there is a fully rainproof zipper that covers the back window.

Family-Friendliness

The Wawona could easily be the best 4-person tent for family camping, mostly thanks to its awesome vestibule. Should bad weather come around, it gives you a place to hang out or cook. If the tent is full, you can also use it to change clothes.

Not only is there more than enough room for a family of four in the main area, but it can also accommodate their pets and toys.

Durability

The aluminum poles are super robust and snap together like butter. The floor is made of 68D polyester while the main structure is made of 150D polyester. Both materials are pretty tough. North Face products are known to be very durable, and the Wawona is no exception.

Pros

  • Ideal for a family camping trip
  • High value
  • Durable
  • Great layout
  • Spacious

Cons

  • Not so easy to set up and take down

Nemo Wagontop Car Camping Tent

Specs:

  • Season: 3-season
  • Wall type: Single-wall
  • Pole material: Aluminum
  • Main tent materials: 75D PU-coated polyester

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Floor area:

  • 4P: 69.4 sq ft
  • 6P: 97 sq ft

Center height:

  • 4P: 6 ft 8 in
  • 6P: 6 ft 8 in

When it comes to car camping, the Nemo Wagontop is likely the best 4-person tent on the market. Both the four-person and the six-person versions of the tent offer plenty of space.

The Wagontop car camping tent boasts a self-contained pole hub system, extra-wide panoramic windows, and a sizable vestibule. With a max headroom of 6’ 8″ and near-vertical walls, it’s one of the biggest 4-person tents on the market.

The large vestibule and thick flooring make it a highly animal-friendly tent. The Wagontop is clearly designed for family camping.

But some sacrifices were made to make the Wagontop so family-friendly. The tent takes a while to set up (it gets easier each time, though). And, since it’s nearly a 7-foot-tall cabin style tent, it might not stay on the ground if a strong wind blows.

The wind won’t be a problem if you ground it with additional guylines and open the windows, but then you’ll have no protection from the rain.

Even though I wouldn’t count it among the best 4-person tents for adverse weather, the Wagontop is still quite tough.

The poles are hubbed with 14.5mm-thick aluminum and the tent body is made of tough PU-coated polyester fabric. The 300-denier floor fabric is even more impressive.

And, while it is a bit pricey, this 4-person tent is backed by a lifetime warranty.

All things considered, I’d say that the Wagontop is one of the best car camping tents for those who prefer luxury over utility.

Pros

  • Lifetime warranty
  • Great panoramic windows
  • Roomy
  • Pet-friendly
  • Durable

Cons

  • Not the best weather protection

Marmot Halo

Marmot Halo 4 Person Family Camping Tent

Specs:

  • Season: 3-season
  • Wall type: Double-wall
  • Pole material: Aluminum
  • Main tent materials: 68D polyester ripstop, 40D polyester No-See-Um mesh

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Floor area:

  • 4P: 64 sq ft
  • 6P: 96.7 sq ft

Center height:

  • 4P: 4 ft 10 in
  • 6P: 6 ft 3 in

Offering a great mix of superb workmanship, quality materials, and amazing use of space, the Halo is my go-to four-person tent. Not only is it one of the best 4-person tents, but it’s also one of the best camping tents overall.

This tried and true 4-person dome tent offers plenty of room to move around, thanks to its unique halo support system.

The Marmot features two massive doors and two sizable vestibules for gear storage. Getting in and out of the tent is super easy; you won’t be stumbling over your stuff. If the doors are getting in your way, you can zip them down.

Thanks to the zip coverings, the tent can be fully open or totally concealed. You can get a nice panoramic view or complete privacy.

The tent comes with 8 storage pockets so that you can have your stuff organized and separated. When it comes to usable space, the Halo really nails it.

Weather Resistance

The dome shape ensures a slanted wind path and a wide stance. The tent features two big main aluminum poles and two thin but sturdy halo poles. For extra support, the front vestibule has its own pole.

The single polyester-ripstop offers full coverage. The nice guylines with lockers make it easy to snap the rain fly in place. This 4-person tent is clearly built to withstand tough weather.

The only thing I dislike about this tent is the backpacking tent stake kit. The Halo isn’t exactly a lightweight tent, but, for some reason, it comes with lighter stakes.

Although I would prefer stakes that are designed for big car camping tents, these have served me well so far, so I haven’t replaced them yet.

Ease of Set-Up

It takes between 6 and 7 minutes to pitch the Halo. One time, we even managed to get it in under 6 minutes. The color-coded snaps make things very simple. Packing the tent is just as easy.

Featuring a quality bag, thick fabric, and super strong poles, the Halo is one of the most durable camping tents in its category. The smooth zippers, the ripstop fly, the inverted seams all scream durable.

However, if you plan on pitching this tent on overly firm, rocky ground, I recommend replacing the lightweight tent stakes that are included in the package.

Pros

  • Plenty of gear storage
  • Easy to pitch
  • Great construction
  • The best balance of quality, style, and size
  • Durable

Cons

  • Expensive

Big Agnes Tensleep Station

Big Agnes Tensleep Station

Specs:

  • Season: 3-season
  • Wall type: Double-wall
  • Pole material: Aluminum
  • Main tent materials: Polyester and polyester mesh
  • Floor area: 80 sq ft
  • Vestibule area: 38.5 sq ft
  • Center height: 6 ft 3 in

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Both spacious and tall, the Tensteep is for lots of campers with lots of gear. On top of a large footprint and front vestibule, the Big Agnes also has a rear door with a small vestibule.

It allows you to easily sneak past sleeping pets or kids in the middle of the night. The pre-attached guylines have a reflective thread, so you won’t have to worry about tripping over them in the dark.

The Tensleep Station is one of the best 4-person tents in terms of versatility. On each side of the tent, there are two gigantic storage pockets.

The front vestibule makes for a great cooking area. It’s also great for lounging around, both when open and when closed.

You can open the two side windows to let in some additional light and air when the vestibule is totally enclosed. The rollable fly also helps with ventilation.

This dome tent is designed to tackle both hot and cold weather. The rigged pole structure lends the tent extra stability in windy conditions.

Thanks to the color-coded grommets, poles, and clips, the Big Agnes dome tent is really easy to pitch. However, packing the tent back into its bag can be a bit tricky. You need to fold everything to the right length and width.

The Tensleep is a bit pricey, but the neat perks and overall durability justify the price point. The food is made of thick 1500mm PU-coated polyester and the tent walls are made of polyester ripstop. The poles are strong and thick and every seam is taped with waterproof polyurethane.

Judging from my experience, all the hangers, zippers, and clips function flawlessly. And even though I didn’t like the bag, I must admit that it is quite tough.

Pros

  • Well-built
  • Feature-rich
  • Spacious
  • Great weather-resistance
  • Plenty of gear storage

Cons

  • Difficult to pack up

4 Person Tents Buyer’s Guide

Living Space

Inside a tent

Have you ever been in a tent and said, “Well this is one spacious tent?” No? This is because tent sizes are usually misleading. I used to think that the average 4-person tent is actually big enough to fit four people.

A tent might seem roomy when it’s empty. But when you load your gear and lie down inside the tent, it looks crowded.

Back in the day, I went on a campaign trip with three friends. We wanted to save money as well as save room in the car for the rest of our stuff, so one of us rented a basic 4-person camping tent. We didn’t even try it before heading out.

This was a rookie mistake. As soon as we pitched it at the campsite, we realized that there’s barely enough room for all of us.

Most 4-person models have floor space ranging from 55 sq ft to 65 sq ft. But a single adult person requires between 20 to 25 sq ft of living space inside a tent to be comfy.

This might seem like too much room, but it really isn’t. This ends up giving a person a sleeping area that’s a bit over 6 ft long and 2.5 ft wide. it might be enough for a person of average build and average weight. But you’d feel super confined if you are a bit taller.

Looking back at our camping trip, we would have been much better off with a tent that offers between 80 and 100 square feet of space.

Children and young teens require between 15 and 20 sq ft of tent floor space. But when we went camping as kids we always used a 9 person tent for more space on rainy days. The

If you are a family of four adults or a group of four adults, it might be best to size up and get a 6-person tent.

With two kids and two adults, you will likely have enough room for everyone in a four-person tent. But what about all of your gear and personal items? It never hurts to have extra room.

In any case, make sure to look at the actual dimensions of a tent instead of the number of people listed in the description of a tent. You will need 60 sq ft of floor space at the very minimum.

To make it easier for you, I reviewed models that come in different sizes (4P and 6P person).

You should definitely consider upsizing if you or your camping companions:

  • Toss and turn at night
  • Are claustrophobic
  • Are large people
  • Are bringing a small child or a pet
  • Sleep better with more elbow room

However, a tent that offers over 100 sq ft of floor space is probably overkill. Personally, I never see the point of a small tent like the Big Agnes unless I am carrying it while hiking. If I am driving somewhere I will always go for a bigger tent.

Given the complexities of choosing the right tent, we’re here to guide you. If you’re embarking on a wild camping adventure, sizing up is crucial for a comfortable experience. That’s why we’ve put together comprehensive reviews of the best wild camping tents, considering all the factors we’ve discussed above. Whether you’re a group of friends or a family, our reviews can help you make the right choice

Non-Rectangular Tents

Odd shaped tent

Models that have more than four sides offer a unique camping experience, but they also offer reduced sleeping capacity for the amount of floor area.

Some of these tents can only comfortably fit an adult couple, and perhaps a couple of small children as well, even though they may appear large. The secret to enjoying a hexagon or octagon-shaped tent is not to over-occupy it.

If you get such a tent, you’ll most likely have to sleep away from the walls of the tent and use that space as storage space.

Peak Height

Another important consideration for camping comfort is the height of the tent. Kids find crawling around a tent to be part of the fun, but adults may prefer to move around the tent on their feet.

Generally, tent height is proportional to tent size. I’ve put together a chart that should help you get a better feel of the interior space of a tent:

3 feet – sitting height

If your tent is only 3 feet tall, only Harry Houdini will be able to comfortably dress inside it. An average person, on the other hand, is only able to crawl, lie or sit in a 3-foot tall tent, and nothing more.

From my experience, popular campgrounds don’t offer enough privacy to dress outside of the tent, so you are likely better off with a taller tent.

4 feet – kneeling height

If your tent is 4 feet tall, you will be able to crawl, lie, sit, or kneel inside it. You may also be able to dress inside it if you are a young and trim adult camper. If you are a bit older and less fit, I suggest going for a taller tent.

Most 4-person family or backpacking tents are about 4 feet tall. Kneeling-height and sitting-height tents are called low-profile tents.

5 feet – stooping height

If you get a 5-foot tent, you will easily be able to get around inside of the tent and get to your feet to dress. However, you won’t be able to stand up completely upright.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of time in your tent, but just want a place to sleep or dress in privacy, a stooping-height tent is an excellent choice.

More rainfly coverage is available for these tents due to their lower profile. In windy regions, lower-profile models perform better than taller ones.

6 feet – standing height

You will be able to dress comfortably inside a standing-height tent. You will also be able to get to your feet without stopping at the center of the tent.

7 feet – roaming height

If you get a tent that’s 7 feet tall, you probably won’t have to worry about your head hitting the ceiling fabric when you stand up. However, models of this height can take a long time to pitch.

Moreover, they are more affected by winds. If you get a roaming-height tent, make sure it has an exceptionally sturdy frame.

Car Camping

If you are going car camping, and there are four of you who can carry the tent from the car to the campsite if needed, weight is irrelevant to some degree. If you won’t be walking long distances to the campground, you can be more flexible with your options.

There are many 4-person tents that are designed for car camping. These are heavier in packed weight, but lower priced. You should still pay attention to the packed size of the tent. There’s only so much storage room in your vehicle.

Style

Dome

Dome tents offer superior stability and wind-shedding abilities. They offer less living space as their walls have more of a slope, but they perform great in stormy weather.

Cabin

Featuring near-vertical walls, cabin tents maximize living space and headroom. Many cabin tents come with family-friendly features such as vestibule doors and room dividers.

Tunnel

These tents have a uniformed arch design. They are becoming more and more popular, even though they are not yet as common as cabin and dome tents. Tunnel tents offer a lot of living space. But, because of their long and narrow shape, they are more sensitive to wind.

Instant

Instant tents are fairly new. Setting up an instant tent requires no skill or effort. Instant tents are designed to save time, but they often come with tradeoffs.

Tent Seasonality

3-Season

Designed for relatively temperate conditions of fall, summer, and spring, 3-season tents are by far the most popular choice of 4-person tents. The average 3-season tent comes with ample mesh panels. They help keep out the insects in addition to boosting airflow.

A 3-season family tent can withstand downpours when properly pitched with a taut rainfly. However, a 3-season camping tent is not the best choice for sustained exposure to heavy snow, violent winds, and harsh storms.

But if you need a tent that will provide privacy, shield you from bugs, and keep you dry during light snow or rain, a 3-season family camping tent is a solid choice. A great alternative is a fully insulated tent. These tents are great for keeping warm, reducing noise, and keeping the tent dark inside during early mornings.

3+ Season (extended season)

These tents are designed for prolonged 3-season use. They are suitable for late snow and early spring camping trips, when moderate snowfall is expected, as well as for summer use. Extended-season models offer a balance of insulation, strength, and ventilation.

Generally, extended-season models have fewer mesh panels than standard three-season tends. But they include more poles.

If you plan to camp in exposed, high-elevation destinations often, an extended-season camping tent can be a great choice. While they are not fully fortified for tough winter conditions, extended-season tents are still very sturdy.

4-Season

Four-season models can be used throughout the whole year as they are designed to withstand substantial snowfall and strong winds. A 4-season tent should be able to stand firm above the treeline or in seriously inhospitable weather.

Most four-season models are dome-style tents. This design prevents snow from collecting on top of the roof. Compared to three-season tents, four-season tents use heavier fabrics and more poles.

The average 4-season tent has a rain fly that extends close to the ground. This can hinder airflow.

Tent Poles

How easy or difficult it is to pitch a tent largely depends on the structure of the tent poles. Most 4-person tents (and family tents in general) are freestanding. In other words, you don’t need to use stakes (but I still recommend anchoring your tent).

Fewer poles translate to faster assembly. Tents that use pole clips are generally easier to set up than tents that have pole sleeves. To balance ease of assembly, ventilation, and strength, many tents use both short pole sleeves and clips.

The pole material also plays an important role as it affects the structure and strength of the tent. The three main pole materials are:

  • Carbon Fiber: Carbon fiber is the pole of choice for high-end tents. Tents that have carbon fiber poles come with a hefty price tag. Carbon fiber poles are lightweight and can withstand strong forces without breaking. They are the pole of choice for long-distance hikers.
  • Aluminum Alloy: Robust, flexible, lightweight, and affordable, aluminum is the most common pole material on the market. It’s best to go with poles made of aircraft-grade aluminum in the 7-series.
  • Fiberglass: Tent manufacturers are using fiberglass less and less because it is heavy and breaks easily. It’s mostly found in budget-friendly tents. A tent that comes with fiberglass poles can still be a good choice, but I recommend that you replace them with aluminum alloy poles.

Weather-resistance

Tent in a rain

No matter when and where you are going camping, I recommend buying a 4-person tent that is waterproof enough to withstand a sudden downpour.

So, how can you tell whether a tent is waterproof or not? Check its Hydrostatic head rating. If it is above 1,500 mm, the tent is waterproof.

But, as someone who often goes camping in the wettest part of Europe, my home country of Scotland, I would never settle for a tent that has a hydrostatic head rating under 3,000 mm.

If your tent doesn’t have a built-in waterproof groundsheet, you will need to buy one. It will prevent moisture from seeping in from the ground.

I also recommend choosing a model with inverted seams and plenty of guylines. The guylines will help keep the tent stable in the wind. If you plan on camping in a particularly windy area, it’s best to go with a 4-person dome tent.

For summer camping, you’d want to have a tent with a mesh roof or other ventilation options. Sleeping in an extremely hot and humid can be just as unbearable as sleeping in a wet sleeping bag.

Single-Wall vs Double-Wall Construction

Most quality 4-person tents are double-walled. A double-wall tent consists of the tent body (made from a breathable material) and a waterproof outer rain fly. This design prevents condensation from building up inside the tent and enhances weather resistance at the same time.

Single-wall tents, on the other hand, are significantly lighter than double-wall tents. But unless you are a group of ultra-light campers exploring high alpine environments, it’s best to get a double-wall 4 person tent.

Related:

Takeaway

I’ve had the Marmot Halo for several years now. It held up very well to wind, rain, light snow, cold weather, hot weather, and even animals. Of all the tents I tested, The Marmot Halo offers the best balance of style, quality, and size.

Aside from the light stakes, I have no complaints. If you are looking for a rock-solid tent, this is my number one recommendation.