Tents
Don't let frigid temps keep you inside. Here are five tips for deluxe winter camping.
Who wants a mountain tent that buckles under pressure? Not us–so we subjected four to a powerful series of tests.
We took durability testing to the extremes, so you would know which gear lasts–and why.
Find a tent to fit your needs–basecamp, solo, bargain, ultralight, etc.–with these seven options.
Your complete guide to choosing, fitting, and using essential winter gear.
This two-person, single-wall REI tent is tough, versatile, and $300.
This two-person NEMO tent is versatile and comes with a Condensation Curtain.
This solo Mountain Hardwear tent is great when the temperature dips.
This three-person, all-season L.L.Bean tent costs less than $350.
This 2 lbs. 5 oz. update to Black Diamond's Megamid promises to be a new classic.
This four-season tent palace isn't just spacious inside, it has a 26-foot vestibule.
From ultralight solo shelters to all-conditions mountain tents, here are 10 models that will survive the worst weather so you can enjoy the best night out.
This tent stands up to rough conditions, assembles in minutes, and has room for the whole family.
True to product description, this tent gives you more for the money.
Spacious for two, the "bow frame" geometry of this tent stands up to the toughest conditions.
weighing in at 2 lbs. 6 oz, this ultralight tent fits two with room to spare.
Unmatched in weather-worthiness, this solo tent earned top honors among testers.
Looking to cut shelter weight in half this summer? A featherweight tent is just
the ticket.
How many miles, and how heavy a pack, can your kid handle? Plus, big tents, first aid, and newbie adults.
87 tips for making your next family trip easy, fun, and comfortable
A realistic, hassle-free handbook for taking kids outdoors
This two-person palace isn't ultralight, but it is ultracomfortable.
Our restless guinea pig snooze-tested the latest science and gear to bring you a simple plan that's guaranteed to improve your backcountry ZZZ's.
thanks to a durable, polyurethane-coated nylon ground layer and more, this balanced bivy has all the right elements.
We want your stories! Your photos! Your best trips and tips and all-time favorite gear! For this special edition of our Readers' Choice Awards, we're using your best stuff to create our January 2010 issue.
Tent leak like a sieve? Boots stink like a compost pile? Don't worry. Class is now in session. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, this in your one-stop, do-it-all user's guide.
The best new gear. That's what earns our seal of approval, and only after months of hardcore testing. This year, we subjected dozens of products to heinous trail conditions from Alaska to Wales. In the end, 18 survived to take our top honor.
Mend a broken pole, fix leaky seams, and get rid of that musty smell.
Our top ultralight tarp ensures versatility with no weight.
This tarp offers the fastest setup, with tons of cooking room.
This tarp is best for groups of campers.
Big and versatile, the gigantic Kaitum is in a class all by itself.
Our best all-around 3-person tent combines the best of space, weight, and weatherproofing.
This top ultralight stood up to fierce winds in Alaska, and is a snap to set up.
This light, large, and affordable tent will appeal to almost any three-season camper.
Roomy, rugged, and light-as-a-feather--that's why the Fly Creek is this year's pick for best all-around solo tent.
This is one of the lightest, toughest four-season tent on the market.
Want to get a winter tent without breaking the bank? The Cirque is the tent for you.
This winter tent is long, lean, and livable.
Black Diamond's Stormtrack will keep even giants warm in the mountains.
Adequate space, bomber construction, and light weight make the String Ridge our pick for this year's best mountaineering tent.
The Minibus is just like its namesake: Roomy, big, and heavy.
Space and price align in the Zeta 3.
If you're taller than tall, the Marmot Crib could be for you.
The Ajanta feels bigger than you'd ever expect, and comes at a sweet price
Not even the strongest winds can faze the roomy Black Diamond Oasis.
Rain making your fly droop? Adjust your tent from the inside with this pricey tent.
This extra-large tent dwarfs all other "big-guy" tents.
Tarptent's innovative tent creates an ultralight solution for big campers.
The Hoodoo isn't exactly ultralight, but it provides plush quarters for a great price.
This eco-friendly single-wall tent doesn't skimp on quality features.
Want double walls but low weight? Try the Carbon Reflex 2.
The Taurine tackles both light-and-fast summer jaunts and heavy winter expeditions.
This all-conditions champ can handle any weather in any season.
This tent matches ultralight values with tough design.
The lightest solo tent tested is also--surprise--the biggest.
The Nemo Gogo works great for tall hikers--provided you don't mind not sitting up.
This huge, livable solo tent is also a killer deal.
Perfect for stargazers, the MontBell Crescent offers 180-degree views of the night sky.
This high-and-wide tent is meant for one, but can fit two, provided they're under six feet tall.
"Habitat for humanity" gets a new meaning with this eco-friendly tent.
Four is not a crowd in this family-size featherweight.
How do manufacturers make your trusty tent poles better for the environment? We discovered the magic formula right here.
Our tester spent 18 days climbing, camping, and evaluating gear on America's highest, coldest peak. If his picks made it there, they can make it anywhere.
At right around two pounds per person, these three-season, double-occupancy shelters do everything but weigh you down.
I'm organizing my first group trip. Can I rent gear for newbies who may not be ready to buy?
The latest word from our testers. This month, we test the Marmot Cauldro jacket, Gregory Z65 pack, Exped Andromeda, tents, Danner Formation boots, and more.
Got a family to shelter or just want castle-like living space? Go light or go big with these two standouts.
Does your pack smell like last summer's cheddar? Here's how to clean up.
These versatile sanctuaries do more than just keep you dry. ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: See our video review of the latest bivys and hammocks.
The green truth behind bamboo, a hyper-efficient cookpot, and a bargain three-person tent.
The year's best packs, boots, tents, jackets, and sleeping bags. Period. Plus, a never-die headlamp, a life-saving beacon, a back-saving ultralight chair, and more innovative, trail-tested gear.
We know. You meant to scrub and scour your gear last fall. But...[insert excuse here]. Now, set aside one weekend afternoon to get your gear back into action and promise to be better next year.
The best gear in the world can be worthless in the wrong conditions. That's where Backpacker's Perfect System comes in.
You can test-drive a car, but not a tent. So our crew did the shakedown for you, logging 600-plus nights under stars and storms. Here's what we liked.
From your tent, to your bivy sack, to yourself, learn how to stay dry and comfortable.
There's a bewildering array of tent options available, including hundreds of three-season tents and specialized models built for hot deserts, Arctic summits, and steamy rain forests.
Before shopping for gear it's important to plan a budget, do your research, and prioritize.
Clothing is gear that's just as important as a tent or sleeping bag. We'll help you choose wisely.
It's important to consider loading, capacity, and pockets when choosing which pack to buy.
Pick the boot that's right for you with this guide.
Learn what you can and can't fix yourself on a sleeping bag.
On your next camping trip, be sure to heed these 10 tips for sleeping like a log
Keep your sleeping bag up to fluff with proper care and handling, including storing, washing/drying, and special considertations.
Impress your friends–and understand any salesperson–by learning all sorts of sleeping bag lingo.
Five questions to ask yourself before you buy a sleeping bag
Make sure you don't forget a thing with our comprehensive gear checklists for pretty much any trip occasion. Plus, learn how to pick the perfect piece of gear.
Backpacker's Ultimate Fix-It Guide
Salvage a few more years out of your favorite jacket with these zipper fixes.
A NOLS veteran offers tips on balancing comfort, safety, and Leave No Trace principles.
These lightweight tents can house three campers in comfort or two in splendor.
An atypical hoop tent that's cleverly spacious.
The lightest freestanding double-wall tent in the universe.
A weather- and bug-proof tent of negligible weight.
A traditional tent with ample room for one.
A spacious ultralight tent that stays dry.
Keep from tripping over your partner with this tent made for two
Slash weight, not weather protection, with this year's top new ultralight tents.
Three tents that'll save you money, weight, your friendship, and your head
An affordable two-person tent that holds up in any weather, spring through fall
If solitude is your thing, dish out the extra green for this spacious, sturdy solo tent.
This upgrade suits the fastpacker's need for a roomy, bugproof tent during hot and humid nights.
New Zealand is pretty to look at, but harsh on gear--making it just what we needed for our Kiwi challenge.
Meet the new benchmark in lightweight, three-season shelter
Carry less, enjoy the cold months more with the latest four-season tents, gloves, hats, and gaiters.
Testers give the Jannu two thumbs up, despite wanting more space
Give that old tent a new waterproof coating without shelling out big bucks.
We went to outdoor educators and gear retailers to uncover the most common questions asked about staying dry in the backcountry. Here are the top 6.
How do you know that your gear is crying out for help? Consult our handy list of signs and solutions.
A complete guide to buying gear that will keep you dry--no matter what
Tackle your tent pole problems with this quick tip.
To stay dry in a downpour, carry the right wet-weather gear and know how to use it.
Quick tips to set your tent with the right rainfly.
Tarp tips for the tactical hiker.
What's the best way to treat bug bites? Don't get bit in the first place.
How and where you should set up your winter tent for maximum comfort and shelter longevity.
Protect your tent from rain by building a rain dam.
Hard-won tips for pitching tepee tents on any terrain
Tent pole problems? Here's an easy fix.
Not all shelters are created equal, as anyone with a cheap tent will tell you after a bad storm. Follow these 10 essentials when buying your next tent.
Quick Tip: Preserving tent poles
QuickTip: How to stake tents on hard ground.
Mildew. Torn mesh. Broken zippers and poles. Is it worth fixing your home away from home? Find out for yourself.
Setting up a tarp? Follow these techniques depending on the situation.
What can and can't be fixed on your tent.
Learn how to weatherproof your tent -- before it rains.
