Updated September 2, 2024
If you are a serious mountaineer you need to be ready for conditions that can get extreme with little notice. Or if you would just like to take on a camping adventure during the cold winter months, a 4-season tent can provide you with your best defense against the possibility of harsh weather in the wilderness.
You’ll want a tent that is sturdy, roomy, and lightweight enough to meet your personal needs and the environment you plan to face. Selecting such a model can be daunting with the high volume of 4-season tents on the market. To help in your research, some of the best are presented below as an introduction. There is a comparison table to start, followed by descriptions, key features, photos, videos, and a buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more information on camping gear, please check out these reviews:
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Best 4 Season Tent Reviews
- Black Diamond Firstlight Tent
- Black Diamond Eldorado
- Nemo Chogori 2
- Hilleberg Jannu 2
- ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian
- MSR Access 2
- The North Face Mountain 25
- Black Diamond Beta Light
- Mountain Hardwear Trango 2
- Big Agnes Battle Mountain
4 Season Tent Comparison Table
| Photo | Tent | Capacity | Packed Weight | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Black Diamond Firstlight Tent | 3 | 4 lbs 1 ounce | Floor Area: 33 sq ft Peak Height: 44" | $$ |
  | Black Diamond Eldorado | 2 | 5 lbs 1 ounce | Floor Area: 30.8 sq ft Peak Height: 43" | $$$ |
  | Nemo Chogori 2 | 2 | 7 lbs 8 ounces | Floor Area: 36.3 sq ft Height: 39" | $$$ |
  | Hillegerg Jannu 2 | 2 | 6 lbs 13 ounces | Floor Area: 35.5 sq ft Height: 40" | $$$$ |
  | ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian | 3 | 10 lbs 6 ounces | Floor Area: 43.5 sq ft Height: 54" | $ |
  | MSR Access 2 | 2 | 4 lbs 1 ounce | Floor Area: 29 sq ft Height: 42" | $$ |
  | The North Face Mountain 25 | 2 | 9 lbs 13 ounces | Floor Area: 32.3 sq ft Height: 41" | $$ |
  | Black Diamond Beta Light | 2 | 1 lb 8 ounces | Floor Area: 34.7 sq ft Height: 43.5" | $ |
  | Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 | 2 | 9 lbs 10.2 ounces | Floor Area: 40 sq ft Height: 38" | $$$ |
 | Big Agnes Battle Mountain | 3 | 8 lbs 13 ounces | Floor Area: 44 sq ft Height: 44" | $$$ |
| Photo | Tent | Capacity | Packed Weight | Size | Price |
The Black Diamond Firstlight is an ultralight, freestanding, 3-person tent with a packed weight of around 4 pounds, great for mountain hikes.
It is constructed with sturdy, breathable, water-resistant, single-wall Nanoshield fabric, and a 70D poly floor, with 2 internal cross poles, and steep walls to maximize space.
Easy to set up even from the inside, ventilation is provided by zippered “no-see-um” mesh panels on the door and a small rear window.
There is no vestibule so sheltered storage will have to be on the interior. 2 internal mesh pockets will help with that. If the baggage is excessive, some hikers go with 2 rather than 3 sleepers.
Pricing is reasonable.
- Single-wall of durable water-resistant, breathable, NanoShield fabric, 70D polyester floor
- Double-sewn seams and reinforced stress points
- Zippered mesh panels for ventilation on the door and small rear window
- 2 interior mesh pockets
- Optional ground cloth
- No vestibule
- Sleeping Capacity: 3
- Doors: 1
- Poles: 2 internal DAC Featherlite aluminum
- Peak Height: 44”
- Floor Area: 33 square feet
- Average Packed Weight: 4 pounds 1 ounce
- Packed Size: 7” x 9”
- Color: wasabi
- Warranty: 1-year, check with the manufacturer for details
- Price: $$
The Black Diamond Eldorado at about half a pound heavier than the Firstlight model reviewed above and is a durable all-around 4-season tent.
Comfortably sleeping 2, it is easy to set up and constructed of top quality breathable, water-resistant ToddTex fabric on the wall and floor with 2 internal aluminum poles.
Multiple stake-out loops keep it grounded in windy conditions and vents in the peak, over the door, and at the bottom allow air circulation.
4 mesh pockets are available for stashing gear with a vestibule and gear loft optional.
- Single-wall and floor of durable, water-resistant, breathable ToddTex fabric
- Fully taped seams
- 2 zippered vents at the peak, 1 hooded vent over the door, 1 vent at the bottom
- 4 interior mesh pockets
- Multiple stake-out loops for windy conditions
- Vestibule, gear loft, and footprint sold separately
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
- Doors: 1
- Poles: 2 internal aluminum
- Peak Height: 43”
- Floor Area: 30.8 square feet
- Average Packed Weight: 5 pounds 1 ounce
- Packed Size: 7” x 19”
- Color: yellow
- Warranty: ask for details on the manufacturer’s warranty
- Price: $$$
The Nemo Chogori 2 is roomy with a double wall and external pole structure for easy assembly.
It has quality DAC aluminum poles with a silicone-treated fly and PU nylon floor for strong water resistance.
A vestibule and multiple internal pockets along with 2 for lights provide ample storage options, and good air circulation is facilitated with several vents.
The center height is not especially tall at 39 inches but the 36.3 square footage of the inner floor not counting the vestibule is substantial.
If you are looking for more space or would like to comfortably add another person, a 3-person version is available, or you can connect 2 tents together.
In addition, a footprint is included in the package and the design includes a snow skirt to keep snow from going under the floor.
- Silicone ripstop nylon rainfly, PU nylon floor, ripstop nylon canopy
- Multiple vents
- 2 light pockets, 6 large internal pockets
- Snow skirt
- Vestibule with a window for views of the outside
- Include stakes, guy-out cord, and dry bag
- Footprint included
- 2 Chigori tents can be linked for a connected shelter
- Sleeping Capacity: 2 (also available in a 3-person version)
- Doors: 1 zippered door
- Poles: 5 external aluminum DAC Featherlite NSL
- Peak Height: 39”
- Floor Area: 36.3 square feet
- Average Packed Weight: 7 pounds 8 ounces
- Packed Size: 8.5” x 18”
- Color: skyburst
- Warranty: lifetime against defects in workmanship and materials
- Price: $$$
The Hillegerg Jannu 2 is an exceptionally stable, streamlined, freestanding tent with sturdy waterproof ripstop nylon fabric and a floor bolstered by a triple PU coating.
The 3 crossing aircraft-grade external aluminum DAC Featherlite NSL poles stand up well to conditions with guylines available when winds are strong.
Good internal air circulation is facilitated by covered roof vents and a large mesh door.
The sizable vestibule, several internal pockets, and a 35.5-square-foot floor space provide substantial storage opportunities for your backpack and hiking gear.
It’s easy to set up and works well in a limited space.
The pricing is high but it does come with a lifetime warranty
- Kerlon 1200 30D ripstop nylon, 30D nylon ripstop triple-coated PU floor
- Inner and outer fabrics are linked but separable for simultaneous pitching
- Freestanding dome construction with a short sleeve and clip pole system for easy setup
- Vestibule requires staking
- Multiple guylines for added stability
- Inner and outer roof vents
- Several large internal storage pockets
- A footprint for the tent and vestibule is optional
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
- Doors: 1 with top and bottom zippers and inner mesh
- Poles: 3 external aluminum DAC Featherlite NSL
- Peak Height: 40”
- Floor Area: 35.5 square feet
- Average Packed Weight: 6 pounds 13 ounces
- Packed Size: 6” x 19”
- Color: green, red, sand
- Warranty: lifetime against defects in craftsmanship and materials
- Price: $$$$
This is the ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 3-person tent (a 2-person model is also available), which is fairly durable and high performing, especially considering the budget price tag.
It has a sturdy double-wall 75D polyester construction with 7075 aluminum shock-corded poles in a freestanding design.
There are 2 vestibules, a comfortable 43.5 square foot floor area, and a 54” peak height for the room to stretch out, with closable vents and mesh windows on the doors for air circulation.
To get some of your gear off the floor there are also large pockets and a gear loft to stow it in.
It’s a nice package with the only major drawback being the weight of 10 pounds 6 ounces.
ALPS includes a limited lifetime warranty to round it out.
- 75D polyester rainfly with 1500mm coating for UV and water resistance, 75D polyester taffeta floor with 5000mm coating
- Factory-sealed seams
- 2 vestibules with poles for extra stability in the weather
- Mesh pockets and gear loft for storage
- 7075 aluminum stakes and guylines included
- Zippered top vents
- Several large internal storage pockets
- Sleeping Capacity: 3 (also available a smaller 2-person version)
- Doors: 2 with zippered mesh windows
- Poles: 2-hubbed pole set of 7000 series aluminum poles with shock cord
- Peak Height: 54”
- Floor Area: 43.5 square feet
- Average Packed Weight: 10 pounds 6 ounces
- Packed Size: 7” x 20”
- Color: orange/grey, copper/rust
- Warranty: lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship and materials
- Price: $
The MSR Access 2 is an ultra-light treeline class of tent for use in wind and snow.
It has a double-wall construction with durable 20D ripstop nylon that is waterproof and UV-resistant.
With sturdy and flexible composite poles with a swivel hub, set up is fairly easy and takes an individual 6 to 8 minutes.
Floor space is augmented by 2 vestibules totaling an additional 8.75 square feet of space.
The design includes 2 mesh doors and rainfly vents for air circulation and 2 internal pockets to stow gear.
It generally gets high marks from users though some have indicated it may not be suitable for the most extreme conditions.
The pricing is reasonable and it is backed by a 3-year limited warranty.
- Rainfly of 20D ripstop nylon 1200mm Durashield PU & silicone for UV and water-resistance
- Canopy of 20D ripstop nylon & DWR
- Floor of 30D ripstop nylon 3000mm Durashield PU & DWR for water-resistance
- Rainfly vents
- 2 internal pockets
- 2 vestibules with an area of 8.75 square feet
- Sleeping Capacity: 2 (also available 1 and 3-person versions)
- Doors: 2 with zippered mesh windows
- Poles: 3 flexible, sturdy Easton Syclone composite poles with a swivel-pole hub
- Peak Height: 42”
- Floor Area: 29 square feet
- Average Packed Weight: 4 pounds 1 ounce
- Packed Size: 6” x 18”
- Color: orange
- Warranty: manufacturer’s 3-year limited warranty
- Price: $$
The North Face Mountain 25 is a rugged double-walled tent of durable ripstop nylon construction with strong weather resistance.
It’s well-vented with numerous storage pockets and 2 vestibules one of which offers dual entry for easy entries and exits.
The footprint is included in the package and it has color-coded glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls for convenience.
The setup is pretty straightforward (check out the video below) with sturdy DAC aluminum poles, pole sleeves, and clips.
It is not as lightweight as some models but comes at a reasonable price.
- Ripstop nylon fabric with PU and silicone coating on the rainfly for UV and water resistance, fully taped bucket floor with PU coating for water-resistance
- Welded reinforcement to the rainfly
- Multiple venting options high and low
- 8 internal pockets and numerous hanger loops
- 2 vestibules with a total area of 11 square feet
- Dual-entry poled front vestibule
- 1 small window
- Color-coded, glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls
- Reflective no-stretch Kevlar guylines
- Footprint included
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
- Doors: 2
- Poles: 4 DAC aluminum
- Peak Height: 41”
- Floor Area: 32.3 square feet
- Average Packed Weight: 9 pounds 13 ounces
- Packed Size: 7” x 22”
- Color: summit gold
- Warranty: ask for details of the lifetime guarantee
- Price: $$
The Black Diamond Beta Lite is a single-wall floorless tent with a minimalist design that requires you to provide two of your own ski or trekking poles for easy setup.
Ultralight at a pound and a half, it’s made of durable silnylon and packs into a 4” x 6” bag that fits so easily inside your backpack that you won’t even know it’s there.
It needs to have the seams sealed and if you want a floor and bug-netting, they are optional.
There is plenty of room to sleep or shelter 2 adults and their gear.
The pricing is so low you’ll want to keep one in your backpack for shelter if a storm blows in.
- Durable ultra-light 30D silnylon fabric
- Needs to be seam-sealed (seam sealer sold separately)
- Optional floor and bug netting
- Includes stakes
- 4 internal loops for hanging items
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
- Doors: 1
- Poles: none (requires 2 trekking or ski poles)
- Peak Height: 43.5”
- Usable Floor Area: 34.7 square feet
- Average Packed Weight: 1 pound 8 ounces
- Packed Size: 4” x 6”
- Color: blue
- Warranty: ask for details about the lifetime warranty
- Price: $
The Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 is a durable, double-walled, free-standing tent with a symmetrical design great for use as a basecamp tent.
It is spacious and high-volume to comfortably fit 2 with sturdy water-resistant nylon construction and a fly that connects to the DAC aluminum poles as well as the body of the tent for additional security in windy conditions.
2 vestibules and internal tension shelves provide substantial storage options and there is a zippered mesh vent in the upper canopy for air circulation to keep condensation low.
Easy to set up and with great reviews from users regarding weather resistance, it is heavier than most in the class but has a large floor space and quality features to compensate.
- Ripstop nylon canopy, waterproof nylon taffeta rainfly, and a bathtub-style floor
- Zippered, mesh canopy vent
- 2 vestibules, 1 large entry dry vestibule with an area of 12 square feet, 1 small rear vestibule
- Light diffuser pocket
- Internal tension shelves for storage
- 1 triple-reinforced UVX window
- Guy-out lines with line tensioners, DAC aluminum stakes included
- Footprint optional
- Sleeping Capacity: 2 (available in 3 and 4-person models)
- Doors: 2 D-shaped, front and rear
- Poles: 5 DAC aluminum
- Peak Height: 38”
- Floor Area: 40 square feet
- Average Packed Weight: 9 pounds 10.2 ounces
- Packed Size: 8” x 24”
- Color: state orange-842
- Warranty: ask the seller for details of the warranty
- Price: $$$
View More From Mountain Hardwear
The Big Agnes Battle Mountain is a rugged, large, and comfortable tent for 3 that will serve well in a base camp in harsh backcountry and alpine conditions.
A combination of sturdy water-resistant nylon and polyester fabrics with PU-taped seams keep you dry, and a hubbed DAC aluminum pole system with color-coding makes for a quick and easy setup.
There is plenty of ventilation through mesh doors, windows, vents, and heaps of storage options in the 2 vestibules totaling 19 square feet, and in 3-D and mesh ceiling and wall pockets.
Reasonably lightweight for a 3-person tent, it has the durability to last for years under extreme conditions.
- Waterproof ripstop polyester rainfly, canopy of ripstop nylon and polyester mesh, nylon taffeta floor with waterproof PU coating
- Seams sealed with PU tape for water-resistance
- 2 mesh closable fly vents
- 2 dual-zipper windows
- Two 3-D wall pockets, 6 mesh wall pockets, 2 oversized mesh ceiling pockets
- 13 DAC aluminum J stakes
- Heavy-duty reflective webbing, guylines, and tensioners attached to the fly
- 2 vestibules with a total area of 19 square feet
- Footprint and gear loft optional
- Sleeping Capacity: 3 (also available in a 2-person model)
- Doors: 2 dual-zipper doors
- Poles: 3 DAC aluminum poles in a hubbed-pole design with color-coded webbing and poles for easy setup
- Peak Height: 44”
- Floor Area: 44 square feet
- Average Packed Weight: 8 pounds 13 ounces
- Packed Size: 8” x 22”
- Color: orange/red
- Warranty: manufacturer’s guarantee against manufacturing or material defects
- Price: $$$
4 Season Tent Buying Guide
4 Season Tents, as a category, are designed to handle the most extreme winds and weather. That doesn’t mean that they can’t perform well in more hospitable environments but it does mean they tend to be heavier, more robust, and sturdier than comparably sized 3-season tents. They have features to assure the prevention of rain or snow from entry, adequate storage and ventilation, enough room to sleep and socialize a bit, and the strength to hold up to strong winds.
Fabrics
Many 4 season tents used for backpacking employ some version of nylon or polyester as the fabric for the rainfly, canopy, and tent floor. In some cases, the manufacturer employs a proprietary fabric blend specific to the brand. Nylon is lighter than polyester but tends to tear more easily unless it is “ripstop” nylon which is more expensive.
Fabrics are often treated with polyurethane (PU) or silicone for waterproofing, especially on the rainfly and floor.
Sealed and welded seams also help assure water resistance.
Tent Poles
With the need to perform well in strong winds and heavy weather, tent poles for 4-season tents are flexible and durable. Fiberglass and aluminum are most often employed, both being strong and lightweight. Carbon is the most lightweight and is best for durability but much more expensive. Look for poles with long connector joints for greater torsional strength.
Ventilation
4 season tents are designed to be warm. When you’re hunkered down inside your sleeping bag it is beneficial to have some fresh air circulating to eliminate CO2 and mitigate air condensation which can cause water beads on tent walls that can fall on you and your gear potentially causing sogginess making you cold. Good ventilation can be achieved by having a tent design with vents, doors, and windows that can be left open for this purpose.
Vestibules and Storage
Floor space is often minimal in 4-season tents, making storage off the main tent floor especially useful. Pockets, gear lofts, and loops for hanging items or stringing lines between them can free up a lot of space.
A Vestibule is a covered area just outside the door of the tent that can act as a separate room that provides a level of insulation from the weather and conditions outside. It can be utilized for storage of boots, backpacks, gear, etc. and if large enough, a place to do some cooking. Some vestibules are smaller, often the second one on a tent, offering little more than a spot to put a modicum of gear. Many tents for mountain camping are designed without vestibules in the interest of keeping the weight down.
Weight and Packed Size
Compared to 3-season tents, 4-season tents are designed with heavier fabrics and components to hold up in extreme environments and cold weather. The most lightweight materials are accompanied by higher pricing. How lightweight and small a packed size you choose involves some trade-offs. Will you be going for long, rigorous hikes? How extreme are the conditions?
4-Season Tent Types
4-season tents are often identified by 3 different categories which can serve as a guideline for selection: basecamp, mountaineering, and treeline.
- Basecamp tents are heavier and more comfortable, often with double walls and more features. You will likely spend more time in this tent with less hiking.
- Mountaineering tents are lighter in weight, often single-walled with smaller floor space and lower peak height, and built for hiking in high-alpine environments.
- Treeline tents are the lightest in weight of the 3 classes, built for winter camping but not for the most extreme conditions that the other 2 classes can endure. You can think of these tents as being a little more rugged version of a 3-season tent.
How to Choose a Backpacking Tent
For more information on camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Backpacking Tents Backpacking Backpack Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents SUV Tents Truck Tents 4 Person Tents Beach Tents
Feedback and Comments
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