Over the years I’ve come across some AMAZING tents.
We are not talking about Indoor Tents here. These tents are bound to keep you sheltered from the rain without leaking, while withstanding heavy winds.
I have reviewed hundreds of products over the years, and the ones that have stood out to me are what you’ll find inside this article.
Enjoy!
1. Snugpak Ionosphere 1 Person Tent
The Snugpak is lightweight for the price and performs marvelously in the rain (it does not leak).
The small design makes air go up and over top, which is why it does a great job in the strong winds.
It does not have a vestibule, however, it has more than enough space for one person and their equipment.
Go to the Snugpak >>>
2. ALPS Mountaineering Mystique 1.0 Tent
The Mountaineering Mystique 1.0 Tent is classed as a 3-season tent but can actually withstand some minor winter conditions too.
It keeps the rain and wind out with ease, and surprisingly some minor snow fall!
It is much taller than the Snugpak, so a better alternative if you love your space in the outdoors.
Go to the Mystique >>>
3. Eureka Alpenlite 2XT Tent
The Eureka Alpenlite may be a little more expensive, however, that’s because it has a bunch of great features.
It offers 2 vestibule areas, as it houses 2 people.
One vestibule sits at the front while the other is located at the rear.
It is extremely tough and durable, and will last many years if looked after properly!
Go to the Alpenlite >>>
4. Mountain Hardwear Direkt 2
The Direkt 2 is for 2 people – although it is more like a solo tent since it doesn’t offer a vestibule.
Apart from that small con, this tent really does stand up against high winds like a beast!
It is so waterproof – it doesn’t even leak in torrential rain and provides great air flow.
You can keep warm in the cold, or “cool” in warmer climates.
Go to the Direkt >>>
5. Eureka Assault Outfitter 4 Tent
Well this is HANDS DOWN my favorite 4-person tent to date!
It was initially built for the military but has recently come available for the public.
It is just so well built!
It will not budge in high winds, it doesn’t leak even in the toughest rain storms, and so tough it can handle almost ANYTHING.
Go to the Assault >>>
6. Kelty Gunnison 4.3
When I first reviewed this tent i classed it as “almost flawless”.
To this day I still haven’t changed my decision.
It is one of those tents that is so well-made and designed extremely well, that it exceeds expectations by a long shot.
The biggest con is the heavy weight, however, split the weight up between 3-4 people and wipe that con away completely.
Go to the Gunnison >>>
7. Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Tent
Moving up to the more bigger tents, the Kelty Trail Ridge is easily the most durable and top quality 6-person tent I’ve reviewed thus far.
It stuck out to me because it has a unique and sleek design/appearance, and keeps you bone dry even in a storm.
It has many great features that ANY camper – whether it be seasonal or all-year-round – will enjoy without fail!
Even the stakes are heavy-duty!
Go to the Trail Ridge >>>
8. CORE 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent
The CORE 6 is one of my top-sellers, and there’s a very good reason why.
It’s just so easy to use, setup and take down, and performs like a boss in the summertime.
People love and enjoy their time in the outdoors with this tent.
It keeps you cool during hot days and does a really good job in strong winds considering it’s only a 3-season tent.
Furthermore, the CORE H20 Block Technology and active bead technology gives it the best water run-off possible.
Go to the CORE >>>
9. Coleman Steel Creek 6 Person Tent
So this is easily my favorite 6-person 3-season tent for the summertime.
The outdoor porch area makes for an extraordinary camp out, as you can relax “outside” while being protected from mosquitoes.
Furthermore, it does a pretty decent job in the rain and wind.
I haven’t seen any complaints about the weatherproofing abilities yet!
Go to the Steel Creek >>>
10. Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Tent
The Kodiak Canvas tent is incredibly STRONG, durable and warm.
It is a 4-season tent that houses a total of 8 people, and has no trouble doing so.
It is on this list for the simple reason that it can withstand a torrential downpour for days, heavy snow and brutal winds.
Over the years it has received and continued to hold a solid 5-star rating, and that’s no accident my friend.
It is a lot stronger than it looks. The pictures don’t do it justice.
Go to the Kodiak Canvas >>>
Final Opinion
The tents mentioned in this article all hold out the rain really well. I would not have mentioned them otherwise.
They do an amazing job in strong winds too.
The 4-season tents stand up to snow without a problem, even the Mystique can (although it’s only a 3-season tent!).
I’m in love with all these tents, however, my final winner IS the Eureka Assault Outfitter 4 Tent.
It is just so strong in the wind and doesn’t leak even in days of heavy rain. I’m a huge fan and only recommend it for you as well.
Well thanks for reading.
As time goes on and I keep reviewing tents, this article will get updated as I find ones that REALLY stand out to me.
Leave your comments, questions and thoughts in the comments below!
Until next time…
-Brandon
Wanted to tell you How much I LOVE your blog. I hope you keep it up! I have learned so much here. Thank you !
Wow, thank YOU for the kind comment! I’m glad you enjoy my articles, because let me tell you this; I definitely am NOT going anywhere anytime soon 😀
Give us a bell if you need a hand for anything.
Really awesome site! I am not big on outdoor activities, however, you actually inspire me to try it out! Your posts are very informative and easy to follow. I can feel your passion for camping through your site and if anyone ever asks if I know a great place to go to for tents and all things camping, I will surely send them here.
Wow, Juanita. Your kinds words mean a lot so thank you very much!
Hi Brandon,
I actually like camping quite a bit and bought a tent from Army & Navy..never put it up though! I went to the Brecon Jazz Festival in Wales with 2 other friends by car. The car was jam-packed with camping gear. We got there at 10.00pm at night and rigged the 2 tents up. Not sure what brand of tents they were but the rain didn’t come in. We camped for 3 days and were the last ones to leave the camp site.
In your post, I saw the Alpenlite…nice and roomy. All in all a very good site with lots of helpful information. The Army and Navy store is still open. Might just ask for it…the Alpenlite tent that is.
Thanks for sharing your story, Stella.
The Alpenlite tent is incredible and offers many good features along with durability. You can’t go wrong if you decide to get one for your outdoor missions.
Thank you for creating this site and offering lots of good info! It’s very helpful.
My husband and I are casual campers and looking to replace some gear, including our tent and sleeping bags. After too many decades of crawling in and out of tents, we’re now looking for a taller one.
Not a problem at all Jane. I’ve actually created an article on tall tents. They all have a 6-foot center height or higher!
I’m guessing you’re after tall sleeping bags too? Those can be found here 😀
Good luck my friend!
love the way this information gives the different types of tents this will definitely provide others with the information they are looking for without looking else where, I am not so much of an out door fan but I really love this post I gives insights of how the out door really work when it comes on to camping and choosing the right tent.
Thank you Michael, that means a lot.
Hey Brandon,
My son and I are planning a trip to hike part of the Appalachian Trail next year (we’re in Virginia) and you’ve given me some inspiration to update my gear. I agree that the Eureka Assault is a top choice…checks a lot of boxes.
I really appreciate all the research you put into your articles. I always feel that you are looking out for your readers in wanting to give them the straight scoop so they can make educated decisions.
Thanks again for the awesome job! Tim
Thank you Tim, and that is definitely what I focus on, providing the best content possible so campers can make a more informed decision on what they’re purchasing.
Cheers.
Hey Brandon,
Very cool post man. I am a fan of outdoors, and reading your post, I learned a lot about the waterproof and windproof tents. I really like that you selected 10 tents to talk about, because there’s lots to choose ?. Thanks for the info Brandon.
Țill next time,
Best wishes!
Hello George.
No worries at all. I will be updating this list as I see fit once I see more tents that I REALLY love.
Cheers for the comment!
I am heading camping in 3 weeks for hunting season and these tents are perfect! I love the Kelty Gunnison 4.3 – it’s size is perfect as I don’t need room for 6 people. The weight can be daunting for some, but I never camp alone so others can pack the food/gear while I haul the tent!
Awesome idea just hauling the tent while everyone else takes the food and gear! That is how a lot of backpackers trek into the wilderness without making it a struggle for everyone.
Just share the tent with other campers instead of having solo tents that take up more space and weight.
Great article..myself and my dancing team were looking to camp in December but we were clueless, thanks to this site now we will be set to go. I will bookmark for future reference
Your dancing team will fall in love with the bigger tents in this list, as they are all good and even the CORE 6 Instant Tent has a mesh ceiling for stargazing the night sky! That’ll get your team really excited for their camping trip.
Thanks for the comment Thabo.
I just left a comment on a post you did in 2012 for the Core instant 12 person tent. Thanks. You made me feel much better about my rather random choice of a tent to live in for a while. So then I thought I’d check out your blog to see if you were still around. Glad to see that you are. So, backpacking tents. I did 800 miles on the PCT a few years ago and this tent, Zpaks Plexamid Tent https://zpacks.com/products/plexamid-tent Performed like a trooper. Rain, snow, wind gusts up to 90mph, through all of it, this little tent kept me warm and dry and on the trail. As I did that hike to celebrate my 70th year on the planet, I wasn’t wanting to carry a lot of stuff, including a tent that weighed over a pound. I saw a lot of people with a lot of tents on the trail but believe me, the happiest people were those who had Zpacks tents. And of course Zpacks sleeping bags. Yes, pricey. In this case, you get what you pay for and if you’re an old lady, it’s worth every penny to shave ounces and get really great equipment.