Best 4 Person Tent – Buying Guide
Seasoned campers and backpackers know the importance of having the right tent for the job. It's the only protection from the cold, wind, rain and bugs. If you're not yet sure which one to choose, we've prepared a useful guide to show you the best 4 person tent and why they are the most popular choice. We explain why a 4-person tent is the best choice for one to three persons and which features you should look for. You'll also find our best 4-person tent review that gives examples of the different brands and models with a range of features. We point out the pros and cons of each to give you all the information you need in one convenient place
Characteristics of 4 Person Tent for Camping
The main purpose of a tent is to give you shelter from the elements. Safety is first, followed by comfort. The best 4-person tents are made from high-quality materials that will keep out the wind and cold without becoming stuffy, and they will be strong enough to hold up to the wind. The tent should be waterproof to keep you and your belongings dry in rainy weather. It should be light enough to carry and easy to set up and take down. Finally, the best 4-person tent will include the features that you will find the most useful. Everyone is different and what is important to one person may not be another. This is why we've included several different options for your consideration.
4 Person Tent Comparison Table
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ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 4 Person Tent |
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Coleman Instant Tent 4 Person
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Coleman 4-Person Evanston Tent |
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EUREKA! Copper Canyon 4-Person Tent |
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Coleman Sundome 4 Person Tent
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Mountain Trails South Bend 4 Person Tent
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Slumberjack Trail tent
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NTK INDY GT 4 to 5 Person Tent
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ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 4 Person Tent
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Coleman Hooligan Tent
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Top 10 Best 4 Person Tent Reviews
The ALPS Taurus is the solution when you want to stay dry and warm. The rain fly keeps out moisture and the added air vents prevent stuffiness inside with continuous ventilation. Additional large zippers make it easy to get in and out of the convenient 2 door entry and exits. This hassle-free tent is easy to set up and tears down quickly. Nothing will come through the bottom thanks to the factory sealed floor seams offering the best protection from crawling bugs and unwanted moisture.
Features & Benefits
Pros
Cons
Set-up your camping shelter in 60 seconds with pre-attached poles that makes pitching this tent fast and easy. Roomy and spacious comfort with protection from the elements.
Features & Benefits
Pros
Cons
Enjoy the comfort of a spacious tent that easily fits one queen airbed for maximum sleeping comfort. The Evanston keeps you warm and dry with protection from the wind and rain.
Features & Benefits
Pros
Cons
Enjoy the roominess of a cabin style tent with straight walls. The wind won't be a problem thanks to the unique materials in the sturdy frame that holds up in foul weather. You'll be warm and comfortable with just the right amount of airflow to prevent a stuffy environment.
Features & Benefits
Pros
Cons
If you're tired of a wet tent in rainy weather, the Coleman Sundome is the answer to your problems. The WeatherTec system keeps you and your gear dry even in rainy conditions. Enjoy the coleman 4 person tent with the comfort of a dome style tent that is spacious and easy to setup or breaks down when it's time to go.
Features & Benefits
Pros
Cons
Enjoy spacious protection in the Mountain Trail South Bend Sport Dome Tent that offers 63 square feet of interior space. Stay warm and dry when it's cold and windy outside .
Features & Benefits
Pros
Cons
Fast and easy setup with the Slumberjack Trail Tent. Great for hikers or backpackers who are one the move. Stay warm and dry on your next backpacking trip.
Features & Benefits
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Cons
Enjoy the comfort of a roomy tent that is guaranteed to be waterproof. The INDY GT features a European design that is easy to setup for an instant shelter that keeps out the wind, rain and insects.
Features & Benefits
Pros
Cons
A freestanding 4-person tent that protects from the wind and rain. An instant shelter when you need it with fast and easy setup of a durable shelter with roomy spaciousness.
Features & Benefits
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Cons
Camp in greater comfort with Coleman's Hooligan backpacking tent. It keeps the water out and lets the fresh air in. Stay warmer and dryer with this easy setup tent that goes up in just ten minutes.
Features & Benefits
Pros
Cons
How to Choose Best 4 Person Tent?
Cost: If you're on a budget and $100 is the limit , you're doing fine. You can still find a 4-person tent that will meet your needs while offering good quality. The most expensive isn't necessarily the best option anyway. First, begin your search for the ideal tent with a top price that is not over $100. Here are the things that you should look for to find the best 4-person tent in your price range.
Protection: The amount and type of protection that you'll need depend on the type of camping you're doing. If you're camping in the summer season , you could get by with a tent that is rated for this season. These are more lightweight and are not intended for use when temperatures are likely to be colder, but you will want to make sure that there is adequate ventilation. In colder weather, thicker walls are important to help keep the cold out and the heat inside. These are tents with either a 3 or 4 season rating.
Find the perfect Size & Weight:
If you're backpacking or hiking , size and weight matter a great deal. For this type of activity, find a tent that is compact in size and light in weight for easy carrying. If you are car camping, then the weight won't matter as much, but you do want to pay attention to the interior size.
Weather Resistance
Your tent should be rated to stand up against the toughest possible weather that you will encounter on your trip. The 4 person tent will be resistant to wind, UV rays and moisture. Only a waterproof tent will keep you dry when it's raining out. Also, a tent that has been wind tested and found to hold up in breezy conditions is recommended. Finally, the materials should be resistant to UV rays, so it will hold up longer as UV rays tend to cause deterioration of most untreated materials.
Capacity: The capacity of the tent is the number of people that can comfortably fit inside. When you consider that bedding, gear and other items will be stored inside, a tent that is labeled as a 4-person tent is only adequate for 1 or 2 people, possibly 3 if they are small in size. It is rare that a 4-person tent is actually large enough for 4 people.
Doors: Many of the newer tents come with two large doors for easy entry and exits, but one door models are still available. This is strictly a matter of preference, but having two doors is a convenient way for more than one person to get in and out of a tent without disturbing others who may still be asleep.
Wall Construction & design elements
A light single layer wall construction is suitable for light camping in fair weather, but it won't keep you warm when it's cold . Double layer wall construction or the use of heavier materials are best for keeping the cold outside and the warmth in. These are important design elements that will impact your level of comfort when the temperatures reach extremes in either cold or heat.
Interior Space and Peak Height
Pay attention to the size specifications. Before you buy, make sure that there will be enough interior space when fully setup for the number of people who will be using the tent. If you're using air mats or cots, you may need extra room for these as well as space for the storage of gear.
Ventilation: Without adequate ventilation, the inside of a tent will get stuffy and sometimes hot. Condensation also forms more quickly, so ventilation is a must. Make sure the tent you choose has built-in air vents or mesh construction that allows you to open and close them at will.
Footprint: Using a tent footprint is important for protecting the bottom of the tent from abrasions, wear and other kinds of damage. You can either purchase one or make your own using a sturdy tarp that will cover the underside of the tent and provide a buffer from contact with the ground.
Durability and Quality
Choose a tent that has high marks for being made of quality materials that hold up under frequent use. Cheap materials and shoddy workmanship can leave you in a miserable, even perhaps dangerous situation if your tent fails. Since it will be your protection from the elements, make sure that it's made of quality materials with a decent design. User reviews are a great resource for gauging quality and durability.
How Many People Fit in These Tents?
The honest truth of the matter is that four people do not easily fit into a 4-person tent. You could probably pack four small persons into one, but it would be cramped and uncomfortable for everyone. The interior space is more suitable for 2 or 3 at the maximum.
Determine your camping Seasons
One of the most important things you should do is to determine the camping seasons you'll be using your tent for. A one season tent is meant for use in the summertime when temperatures are hot or warm. They won't protect you well enough from the cold. Three season tents are good for the temperature fluctuations that happen from spring and fall to summer. They are designed to offer greater comfort in hot, chilly and moderate conditions. 4 season tents cover the other three seasons with the addition of the extreme cold of winter time.
Why Use A 4 Person Tent Instead of a Smaller One?
A four-person tent is recommended even for a single person or couple who will need shelter. They offer enough room for more comfortable sleeping and the addition of air mats or cots into the tent. Also, there is plenty of room to keep clothing and other gear or equipment dry and protected from the elements. Smaller tents may be lighter and more compact, but they don't offer the range of features or the space that is needed to comfortably move around inside.
FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions
Q#1: I bought a 4-person tent but later discovered that it could not fit the four of us. Why is that?
A: Four-person tents only have room to provide shelter for four people. They are not large enough to offer comfortable sleeping and gear space for this many people.
Q#2: What is the major difference between a 4-season tent and 3-season tent?
A: A three-season tent is designed to protect occupants from the type of weather conditions and temperatures that typically occur in Spring, Summer and Fall. A 4-season tent also offers the additional protection from the extreme cold, ice and snow that can happen in the Winter months.
Q#3: How can I tell the model name of my family tent?
A: There are a few different ways. There is usually a tag that is sewn into a seam of the interior of the tent that has the brand and model name, or number of the tent printed on it. If you have the instruction manual that came with the tent, this will also contain the model name inside.
Q#4: What can I expect to be the life span of my family tent on average usage?
A: This depends on how well you take care of maintenance your tent. A high-quality tent that is made of durable materials will last for several years when properly cared for.
Some Useful Tips & Tricks
Final Words
There are quite a few tents on the market today and the large assortment can make finding the best 4 person tent seem overwhelming. This guide offers tips on what to look for to more quickly and easily find the one that will suit your needs the best. Our reviews give you details about the top ten choices out there. We've included useful features along with the benefits and possible disadvantages for each, to make your selection process more precise and convenient.
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