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Tent reviews

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Last updated: 16 October 2017

A good tent can make or break your camping trip, so it's worth investing in the right one. We test and review different sized tests for usability and ease of assembly across a range of sizes to help you find the best one.

  • Our tent buying guide helps you decide which type of tent you need.
  • How we test explains our scores and testing rigor.
    • Read more

    Our expert testers give every tent a thorough workout to help find the models that:

    • have the most useable interior space (floor space, head height, separate rooms etc)
    • are easiest to put up and take down
    • are easy to carry (for small tents).

    Our interactive comparison tool helps you find out more about their important specifications and features. 

    Matthew Steen
    By Kim Gilmour
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    Brand

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    List of brands we tested in this review.

      Price

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      Recommended or typical retail price. It's worth looking for end-of-season sales as discounts can be significant.

      enter value/s in increments of 1 between 109 and 1190

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      Tent size

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      What size tent does the product fall into.

        Usability score

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        We rate the tents on how comfortable they are to live in and use, taking into account the usable area of the inner tent and vestibule (height and floor area), access to the tent, the number and size of doors and windows, and ventilation.

        enter value/s in increments of i between 42 and 94

        Ease of assembly score

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        Our tester Peter measures how long it takes to put the tents up and take them down. Times range from 11–25 minutes to put up and 10–22 minutes to pack up. Peter sets up each tent once to get familiar with it, and then times and scores the second attempt. These times are only a guide because they're based on the times of an experienced user putting the tent up in ideal conditions. Times will vary depending on experience, weather and ground conditions.

        enter value/s in increments of i between 55 and 90

        Rain test score

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        We test with an artificial rain system (a water spray driven by a large fan). Tents that have no leaks during this test score 100%. Some don't have a score because we changed the method some time ago and the scores aren't comparable.

        enter value/s in increments of i between 20 and 100

        Specifications

        Number of rooms

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        This is the total number of rooms including bedroom(s) and vestibule.

          Windows

            Pegs

            enter value/s in increments of i between 6 and 48

            Bottom vents

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            Mesh vents along the bottoms of the walls to ventilate the interior – these can help cool the floor area.

            enter value/s in increments of i between 0 and 4

            Features

            Bag with wheels

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            Most tents are at least moderately heavy, so a wheeled carry bag can make it easier to transport them.

              Fly sheet

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              An extra sheet of material over the roof for added rain protection and insulation.

                Waterproof taped seams on floor

                  Waterproof taped seams on fly

                    Skylights

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                    Handy for letting more light in during the day (or perhaps stargazing at night).

                      Related products

                      Availability

                      A Similar model is identical in most aspects except for a few. This means that a majority of its test results are identical so you can reasonably expect to get the same results from the model we tested, but for those aspects which aren't identical, we'll note these as "Not Tested" in the Compare tables.

                      A Tested model refers to a model that is still current and available in the Australian market. You should be able to order this model through your local retailer, or find it online.

                      These models can't be found in retailers or online or are no longer manufactured. You may still find these models on second hand websites, or in second hand dealers. Test methods may change over time, so criteria which can't be directly compared will contain an N/A. 

                      An Identical model is exactly that. Performance characteristics will be identical and the only difference will be something trivial such as colour, which won't have an impact on performance.

                      These are models we haven't yet tested but that are available.

                        Included in this review

                        Members-only access
                        • Recommended
                        • Overall score
                        • Usability score
                        • Ease of assembly score
                        • Rain test score
                        • Ease of carrying score
                        • Peg quality
                        • Good points
                        • Bad points
                        • Brand
                        • Model
                        • Price
                        • Size
                        • Availability
                        • Claimed number of persons
                        • Number of rooms
                        • Tent layout
                        • Number of entrances
                        • Skylights
                        • Internal storage pockets
                        • Other storage
                        • Can front door be turned into an awning?
                        • Power cord access
                        • Hanging hooks / rings
                        • Top air vents
                        • Bottom vents
                        • Windows
                        • Sleeping area dimensions (m, L x W x H)
                        • Vestibule dimensions (m, L x W x H)
                        • Fly sheet
                        • Poles
                        • Pegs
                        • Peg material
                        • Ropes
                        • Literature supplied
                        • Other items
                        • Bag with wheels
                        • Carry bag dimensions (cm, L x W)
                        • Weight (kg)
                        • Waterproof taped seams on fly
                        • Waterproof taped seams on floor
                        • Double-stitching (fly)
                        • Double-stitching (floor)
                        • Warranty (yrs)
                        • Origin
                        • Contact

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