Best Insulated Tents For Winter Camping

The best insulated tents keep you warmer while camping in the winter. But, they are also great at keeping out the light and damping noise, so you sleep better.

These tents are made of more rugged material and are more hard-wearing than their summer camping tents. They have tougher pole structures, more substantial rain flies and canopies, less mesh, and many features designed for winter use. 

Why Buy an Insulated Tent?

  • warmer in the winter
  • cooler in the summer
  • they keep out the light
  • they dampen noise
  • they last longer

Reviews of the Best Insulated Winter Tents

In this part of the article, I’ll take a closer look at the advantages and drawbacks of the market’s five best insulated tents for winter camping.  

1. Crua Outdoors Tri Insulated Tent – Top Pick

Crua Outdoors Tri Insulated Tent

Features: 

  • Breathable but waterproof fabric 
  • R-Value 4 thermal insulation 
  • Lots of space – 80 sq. ft 
  • Extendable porch 
  • Sound insulation
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This tunnel-type single-room tent comes accompanied by 4 sets of poles whose purpose is to support the model’s elongated structure. Offering 80 square feet of floor space, this Crua tent is an excellent choice for a group of three campers. 

Its best feature is undoubtedly the fact that it features thermal and sound insulation. In other words, Crua Outdoors Tri doesn’t only protect campers from the freezing temperatures but also provides them with a quiet sleeping environment. 

I particularly liked the model’s porch, which can be completely closed and used as another (floorless) room whenever needed. It is the same height as the rest of the tent and is extremely easy to set up. 

The overall durability (polycotton fabric + aero-grade aluminum) also deserves praise, as does the premium ventilation system. Namely, Crua Outdoors Tri features two sizable windows with insulated flaps that promote airflow. As such, the model can be used for summertime camping as well. 

Pros:

  • Thermal & sound insulation 
  • Breathable but waterproof 
  • Extendable porch feature

Cons:

  • Expensive

2. Crua Outdoors Culla Insulated Tent 

Crua Outdoors Culla Insulated Tent

Specifications: 

  • Weight: 15.43 lbs 
  • Floor Size: ‎29.9 sq. ft 
  • Dimensions: 85.2” x 51.6” x 46.8”
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Unlike the model reviewed above, this particular Crua winter tent was designed to house two campers – it offers almost 30 square feet of total floor space. This obvious advantage is that it is much lighter and, therefore, easier to transport from one place to another. 

The best thing about Crua Outdoors Culla is how warm it is. With an effective R-value of 9, this model can and will keep you and your camping companion cozy and warm in the harshest winter conditions. The R-value mentioned above is equivalent to temperatures below -40°F. 

Although it’s insulated, Culla is not a waterproof tent. You can, however, protect it from the rain by adding a simple tarp above it. I should also mention that the overall construction is quite breathable and that there’s also some sound insulation as well. 

Crua Outdoor Culla is a fine choice for any mountaineer, fisher, or hunter who is fully freestanding and providing excellent insulation value. It’s a worthwhile investment in every sense of that term. 

Pros:

  • Excellent insulation value 
  • Easy to set up & pack 
  • Breathable fabric

Cons:

  • No pump included

3. Crua Outdoors Loj Insulated Tent 

Crua Outdoors Loj Insulated Tent 

Specifications: 

  • Weight: 202 lbs 
  • Floor Size: 406 sq. ft
  • Dimensions: 288” x 168” x 84”
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Here we have something truly special. This is yet another well-made Crua Outdoors tent, but this time, it provides space for six people at once! This is an ideal option for large families. 

Furthermore, this kind of bulky and heavy (202 pounds! ) structure can be set up only at places with a motorized access. The model’s inner sleeping area has a divider – it can be used as two separate, smaller rooms or one big single room. 

I have only words of praise when it comes to the durability of this large winter tent. It easily handles all types of harsh weather: torrential rain, desert heat, heavy snow, and winds of over 60 MPH. It’s a genuine 4-season tent that you can also use during the winter and the other three seasons.  

Other features worth mentioning are the 4 large windows with mesh screens, 2 side doors with mesh screens, and the large (5ft) extendable porch. If you have a large family that likes winter camping more than anything else, this tent is one of your best choices. 

Pros:

  • Sturdy, durable construction 
  • Extremely spacious 
  • Fully weatherproof

Cons:

  • Very heavy

4. Crua Outdoors Cottage Insulated Tent 

Crua Outdoors Cottage Insulated Tent

Specifications: 

  • Weight: 172 lbs 
  • Floor Size: 188 sq. ft
  • Dimensions: ‎98.4” x 98.4” x 98.4”
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By now, you’ve probably realized that Crua Outdoors is the brand for winter tents. We have yet another of their insulated multi-people tents: the Crua Outdoors Cottage. 

With the total floor space at 188 square feet, this model can easily accommodate 4 people: it’s a perfect choice for families or two couples camping together. There’s the central room, the “Sun” room, two sleeping rooms, and the porch area. 

This tent’s construction is very sturdy and hard-wearing. The fabric is a special poly-cotton mix, providing breathability and much-needed protection from the elements. The insulation in the sleeping area makes spending time in Crua Outdoors Cottage as pleasant as it gets. 

The entire construction is supported by several steel poles, which are quite easy to set up because they’re color-coded. There are also two wall vents, two floor vents, and several windows and entry points. 

Pros:

  • Made out of quality materials 
  • Lots of comfortable rooms 
  • Good ventilation

Cons:

  • Very bulky

5. ArcticOven 12 Person Insulated Tent 

ArcticOven 12 Insulated Tent

Specifications: 

  • Weight: 110 lbs 
  • Floor Size: 226 sq.ft 
  • Dimensions: 148” x 148” x 86”
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Specifications: 

  • Weight: 110 lbs 
  • Floor Size: 226 sq.ft 
  • Dimensions: 148” x 148” x 86” 

Do you want to go really big? If that’s the case, ArcticOven’s 12 Insulated Tent is a mighty fine choice. As its name suggests, this huge winter tent accommodates up to 12 campers together. 

In terms of numbers, this model provides 226 square feet of space and weighs 110 pounds. As such, it can be somewhat difficult to transport from one place to another. Moreover, setting it up can take quite a bit of time. 

But that’s pretty much it when it comes to the disadvantages – the model excels in all other departments. For example, it is made out of weather-resistant material but also breathable and condensation-free. The wind resistance is excellent, as is the ventilation provided by the tent’s two screen windows.  

Other things worth mentioning are the fire resistance of all materials and the integrated oval stove jack for those planning to use a stove in this tent. Overall, ArcticOven 12 is a very good choice for large groups of wintertime hikers who want to sleep under the same roof during their outdoor adventure. 

Pros:

  • Condensation-free & weather-resistant fabric  
  • Very large – accommodates up to 12 people
  • Two screen windows for ventilation

Cons:

  • Takes some time to set up

Other Winter Tents Worth Checking Out 

That’s about it when it comes to insulated winter tents. However, today’s market offers plenty of non-insulated models that still provide phenomenal protection against the cold. Here are five such tents: 

1. MSR Access Winter Tent 

MSR Access Winter Tent

Specifications:

  • Weight: 3.5 lbs 
  • Floor Size: 28 sq.ft 
  • Dimensions: ‎84” x 33” x 41”

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There’s a lot to like about this popular, brightly-colored winter tent. Boasting durable construction and a genuinely functional design, MSR Access is a solid option for folks looking for a decent winter tent for their upcoming trips. 

The poles, made of aerospace composite materials, are sturdy and don’t break that easily in harsh weather conditions. Moreover, they sport a simple hub-style design – pitching MSR Access is as easy as it gets and can be done by pretty much anyone. 

The thing that will protect you from the snow, rain, and cold winds is the 20D ripstop nylon fabric that sports a special waterproof finish (Xtreme Shield). The tent’s extra-steep vaulted ceiling can be a great help when it comes to sloughing off snow, but it also presents a slight concern in windy conditions. 

MSR Access also has rainfly vents, a single door, and 28 square feet of living space (9 sq. ft of vestibule area + 19 sq. ft of the main area). As such, it allows three campers to sleep inside of it at the same time. 

Pros:

  • Exceptionally durable Easton Syclone poles 
  • Xtreme Shield waterproof finish 
  • Easy to pitch

Cons: 

  • Potential wind-related issues with the extra-steep ceiling

2. ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian Winter Tent 

ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian Winter Tent

Specifications:

  • Weight: 7.9 lbs 
  • Floor Size: 47.5 sq.ft 
  • Dimensions: 62” x 92” x 46”

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Low in price but high in value, the Mountaineering Tasmanian Winter Tent from ALPS undoubtedly deserves a spot on this list. The only major drawback of this tent is that it’s somewhat heavy for a 2-person model – everything else is on point. 

The model’s aluminum poles allow fast pitching as they snap together quickly and easily. Moreover, they are sturdy enough to provide much-needed stability in the cold winds. The polyester fabric, on the other hand, resists both UV rays and water thanks to its 1500mm waterproofing coating. 

The total floor size stands at 47.5 sq. ft. There are 34.5 sq. ft in the main portion and the additional 13 sq. ft in the vestibule portion that maximize the gear storage area. And storing the camping equipment and other essentials inside this tent is as easy as it gets – it comes with a set of mesh storage pockets. 

The last feature worth mentioning is the practical ventilation system, which allows campers to stay warm and cozy without having to deal with excessive condensation buildup. 

Pros:

  • Incredibly easy to pitch 
  • Durable poles & fabric 
  • Gear storage pockets

Cons:

  • Heavy for a 2-person winter tent

3. Nemo Kunai Winter Tent

Nemo Kunai Winter Tent

Specifications:

  • Weight: 5.62 lbs 
  • Floor Size: 56.4 sq.ft
  • Dimensions: 84” x 70” x 45”

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Nemo Kunai definitely deserves a closer look, a well-made tent that can be used for midsummer desert camping trips and backcountry adventures in the dead of winter. It’s a durable and versatile option for all those who like camping in all 4 seasons. 

Nemo Kunai provides an ideal combo of livability and rigidity in the wind with its genuinely well-engineered internal frame. The design of its poles makes pitching quick and easy and allows setting up a steep-roof construction – this can come in very handy when camping during heavy snowfall. 

The tub floor construction, on the other hand, provides campers with a dry sleeping environment. There are 56.4 square feet of space in total: 43.4 square feet in the main area and 13 square feet in the vestibule area. Nemo Kunai easily accommodates two campers. 

In addition to the fact that this is a surprisingly lightweight 2-person winter tent, it is also worth pointing out that Nemo Kunai comes accompanied by a well-made divvy stuff sack. 

Pros:

  • The tub floor construction ensures dryness 
  • Well-engineered internal frame 
  • Divvy stuff sack included

Cons:

  • Comes with only 6 attachment hooks (you’ll need 8)

4. Big Agnes Guard Station Winter Tent

Big Agnes Guard Station Winter Tent

Specifications: 

  • Weight: 13.69 lbs 
  • Floor Size: 94 sq.ft 
  • Dimensions: 108” x 108” x 65”

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Big Agnes is a well-known name in the outdoor equipment industry. Let’s take a closer look at one of the brand’s best-selling winter tents, the Guard Station. 

Ample rigidity is ensured by the presence of a crisscrossing pole pattern. The DAC exoskeleton pole system of this Big Agnes dome-style tent also gives it above-average stability – you’ll have nothing to worry about when it comes to using this tent in windy weather. 

On the other hand, breathability, UV resistance, and waterproofing are ensured by the presence of Dominico polyester ripstop fabric, which is also very durable and tear-resistant. There are also two sizable windows here and a few pockets for organizing your outdoor equipment. 

This Big Agnes winter tent’s basecamp-ready design makes it an ideal option for summit-seekers, climbers, and mountaineers. However, as the model has very easy windows to open and close, it can also be used for summertime camping.

5. MSR Remote Winter Tent

MSR Remote Winter Tent

Specifications: 

  • Weight: 8.12 lbs 
  • Floor Size: 55 sq.ft 
  • Dimensions: 87” x 55” x 44”

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The last winter tent I’ll be taking a look at is yet another model from MSR. This time, it’s a 3-person tent that comes at a competitive price, offers lots of room, and can be set up in a matter of minutes. 

The total amount of usable space stands at 55 square feet – 33 in the primary area and 22 in the vestibule area. The tent comes equipped with rainfly vents; as you can already guess, these do a great job of reducing condensation. 

I have only words of praise when it comes to the overall durability. The central support frame of MSR Remote consists of Easton Syclone poles, which are quite rugged and give the whole tent much-needed stability in the wind. The 40D ripstop nylon, on the other hand, is waterproof-treated and provides the best possible weather resistance. 

Where this particular model really shines, however, is in its ease of setup. The whole pitching process is greatly simplified by the presence of color codes on the Syclone poles. 

Pros:

  • Easy-to-assemble color-coded poles
  • Excellent weather resistance  
  • Durable frame & fabric

Cons:

  • Low center height

The Takeaway 

Man in a winter tent

So, there you have it: the market’s best insulated (as well as a couple of non-insulated) winter tents provide outstanding comfort and excellent protection from the cold. 

As I stated above, the best of the best is Crua Outdoors Tri Insulated Tent – it’s as protective and comfortable as a product of this type. However, it is quite pricey, so if you’re on a budget, check out the other winter tents reviewed in this article. 

FAQs

What is the Most Insulated Tent You Can Buy?

Crua makes the best insulated tents in results from overnight heat tests. Overall their tents stayed warmer over a 24 hour period.

Is there such thing as an insulated tent?

There are insulated tents, and they are great at keeping warm for winter camping. They also block noise and light for a better night’s sleep.

How much does an insulated tent cost?

Insulated tents are more expensive than summer or more lightweight tents. The cost of insulated tents start at around $300 and can be as high as $1,500 for tents that have a 12 person capacity.

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