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The Best Tents for Camping in Comfort and Style

Comfortable and sturdy shelters with enough room for the whole gang

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Stooping in a lightweight, minimalist, backpacking tent while camping out of your car isn’t much fun. Neither is getting blown over in a flimsy, big-box-store mega shelter. With that in mind, we tested seven new larger camping tents this past year in a quest to find the most luxurious, well-designed, and storm-worthy camping tents for lounging in style, no matter what the forecast looks like.

Be sure to also check out our picks for the best backpacking tents and our favorite camping cooking gear .

At a Glance

• Best Overall: Big Agnes Bunk House 4 ($433)
• Most Durable: Snowpeak Alpha Breeze ($500)
• Best Bonus Feature: MSR Habiscape 4P ($500)
• For Larger Families: The North Face Wawona 8P ($699)
• For Bad Weather: Mountain Hardwear Bridger 4P ($468)

How to Choose a Camping Tent

How we test, meet our lead testers.

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more .

Best Overall

Big agnes bunk house 4.

$433 at Amazon $600 at Moosejaw

Floor area: 58 sq ft (tent), 15-34 sq ft (vestibules) Weight: 16.2 lbs Packed size: 6″ x 16.5″ x 26.5″

Pros and Cons ⊕ Intuitive set-up ⊕ Packs down fairly small ⊗ No bathtub floor

The Bunk House 4 has almost everything we look for in a car camping tent, without any superfluous features adding unnecessary weight, complexity, or bulk. The 6-foot-tall ceilings were high enough for most people to stand under, and near-vertical wall angles made the simple rectangular layout feel more spacious than its approximately 7-foot by 8-foot proportions would suggest.

Despite its tall ceilings, the Bunk House 4 was easy to set up: Five-foot-four category manager Miyo McGinn had no difficulty pitching it solo. The backpack-style carry straps were convenient while loading and unloading the car, though not quite padded enough to comfortably haul the tent any real distance in its carry-on luggage-sized travel bag.

Two testers and seven friends were able to cram inside the 58-square foot main shelter for a rainy afternoon of card games, but we found that the space most comfortably slept three adults or fewer, particularly if they were using larger camping pads or cots. There was plenty of room to stash packs and extra gear out of the weather in the 15-square foot rear vestibule. A 34-square foot front vestibule can function as a mudroom, additional storage space, or be set up as an awning with two included poles. Inside, 16 interior pockets around the sides and ceiling kept small items organized.

The Bunkhouse 4 held sturdy on a gusty evening at the Washington coast with 20 mph gusts (which can’t be said of all tents this tall and wide), thanks to the well-placed, easy to tension guy-out lines anchoring the rainfly to the ground. The 60-denier waterproof polyurethane-coated polyester rainfly and 60-denier tent body held up just fine to light showers, soggy campsites, and oceanside fog and dew. But the lack of a bathtub-style lip along its base—where the denser floor fabric extends a couple inches up the sides to prevent any pooling water from leaking in through the thinner wall material—makes us reticent to give an unqualified endorsement of its waterproofing. This isn’t a disqualifying design for most campers and climates, but we might think twice before pitching this tent in a rainforest.

Most Durable

Snow peak alpha breeze.

$500 at Amazon $500 at Backcountry

Floor area: 121 sq ft Weight: 24.2 lbs Packed size: 4.9” x 8.1” x 6.1” Footprint: 14.9’ x 8.1’ x 6.1’

Pros and Cons ⊕ Four points of entry ⊕ Excellent ventilation ⊕ Durable ⊗ Heavy

The Alpha Breeze showcases Snowpeak’s emphasis on designing elegant, simple products with a decidedly luxurious fee. The top-tier materials—in this case, polyester fabric and duralumin poles—are strong and functional, and durable enough to stay that way for quite a while.

The extra-thick copper-aluminum poles gave us confidence when a sustained 15 mph wind picked up during an overnight on Camano Island in Washington. The structure barely flinched under the gusts, and the forearm-length Douglas fir boughs they knocked down onto our campsite. The 75-denier, DWR-treated polyester taffeta rain fly and 300-denier polyester tent floor both looked brand-new after two dusty, rocky trips in Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains.

Besides the fact that it felt indestructible, Seattle-based tester Maeve Axtell loved the boxy tent’s four doors, with one on each side. “It was easy to get in and out without disturbing other people sleeping in the tent, and when it got warm we could get cross-breezes from every direction,” said Axtell. The tent’s high ceiling and two mesh-covered “windows” on opposite walls contributed to the spacious feeling inside that the four doors created, although all those openings only left space for four mesh pockets and 10 loops to stash small essentials inside.

All good things come at a cost, though, and with the Alpha Breeze, the cost is weight. Despite its heft, it’s not excessively bulky and doesn’t take up an unreasonable amount of trunk real estate. Another ding? It’s not especially easy to set up: and the tent’s 6-plus-foot height makes the Breeze a tad unwieldy to pitch. Testers ultimately forgave those shortcomings, since both features made for a rock-solid pitch and roomy, comfortable interior.

Best Bonus Feature

Msr habiscape 4p.

$500 at REI $500 at Backcountry

Weight: 12.7 lbs Height: 73 inches Interior space: 62.5 sq. ft. + 23.5 sq. ft. vestibule

Pros and Cons ⊕ Lots of livable space ⊕ Highly weatherproof ⊗ Mediocre ventilation

There’s a lot we liked about the Habiscape, from the generous elbow room (86 square feet including the vestibule) to the ample standing height (73 inches), but it was a dual-sided pocket that hooked us. Next to the door MSR built in something they call a “pass-thru pocket”—a bug mesh-lined portal that’s accessible from both inside and out. Without opening the door, testers could reach through to grab car keys, bug spray or a headlamp. “It seems like a little thing, but the convenience was huge,” says Chris Baikie, a British Columbia-based tester. “There were definitely fewer bugs in the tent because of it.”

Set-up for the Habiscape requires two people, but the asymmetric design and color-coding helped make it quick and easy. The dome structure and low-hanging 68-denier polyester fly stood up to a 20 mile-per-hour windstorm with little flapping. The rest of the tent is equally tough, with the same 68-denier poly on the floor, 40-denier ripstop nylon walls, and 7000 series aluminum tent poles.

We had to duck under the vestibule door to get inside, but it provided enough room for a cooler and gear, and kept drips out of the tent during rainstorms. A second door came in handy for frequent nighttime bathroom excursions. The Habiscape packs down easily, and ends up smaller than many tents of its size, at roughly nine inches by two feet. “It’s almost perfect,” says lead tester Ryan Stuart. “And it’s not even that heavy.”

Best for Families

The north face wawona 8p.

$699 at REI $699 at Amazon

Weight: 18.1 lbs Height: 77 inches Interior space: 112 sq. ft. + 44.7 sq. ft. vestibule

Pros and Cons ⊕ Massive vestibule ⊕ Room divider ⊗ Large footprint makes it hard to fit into some campsites

The Wawona is big all over—and that’s a good thing. In a decade of tent testing for Outside, this might be the biggest tent that tester Ryan Stuart has ever slept in. There’s plenty of room for eight to lay down in the 112 square foot area, though we mostly tested it with smaller groups. Cumberland, B.C.-based tester John Waters used the Wawona like a bunk house at his in-laws’ cabin on British Columbia’s Denman Island. By hanging the optional mesh wall, which splits the tent down the middle, he created two rooms and stuck his two kids on one side, while he and his wife enjoyed a bit of privacy on the other.

The mesh pockets in each corner are big enough to hold a laptop. The expansive, 45-square-foot vestibule alone is nearly the size of a three-person backpacking tent. “You can stand up in it,” remarked Waters. “We had two deck chairs and a small table in there.”

He wasn’t as keen on the door. It opens wide and tall—no stooping or ducking required—but the bathtub floor is 10 inches tall, enough to create a tripping hazard, particularly for fast-moving kids. The complementary high-cut fly, however, left lots of room for venting windows while preventing sideways rain from entering.

Most impressive was the set up. “It’s huge, but I still managed to get it up by myself,” says Stuart. “That’s rare for any car camping tent.” Color-coding and manageable pole lengths were key for raising the roof on this mansion. Ironically for those trying to avoid RV camping areas, the eight-by-eight footprint is so big that it can be hard to fit the Wawona into smaller, tent camping-only campgrounds.

Best for Bad Weather

Mountain hardwear bridger 4p.

$585 at Backcountry $468 at Mountain Hardwear

Weight: 18.6 lbs Height: 66 inches Interior space: 62.5 sq. ft. + 69 sq. ft. vestibule

Pros and Cons ⊕ Bombproof design ⊕ Big vestibule ⊗ Smaller second door

There are two types of car campers in the world: those who cherry-pick sunny weekends, and those who head out no matter the conditions. Mountain Hardwear drew on its mountaineering tent heritage to design the Bridger for the latter.

The thick, 68-denier ripstop polyester on the fly extends right to the ground on all sides—a rarity in this category—to keep rain and backsplash away from the tent. Aluminum tentpoles create a domed main structure, while a separate hoop pole lifts the fly, giving the Bridger both a roomy- and weather-shedding shape. During a thunderstorm in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest, where winds whipped up to 30 miles per hour, testers created a bombproof pitch using adjustable stake-out loops at each of the six pole-tent connection points, as well as guy-out attachments on the fly.

The main vestibule is bigger than the tent itself, with a floor and removable storage panel that has six pockets large enough to fit a bike helmet, and opens far from the interior for drip-free entry. “The vestibule is effectively a mud room,” said tester Adam Sauerwein, a roving Vanlifer. Four more mesh sleeves inside hold smaller items, like headlamps and phones. The storage adds livability to the tent, which Sauerwein says feels roomy for four. Setting it up at camp was simple, he says, with color-coded poles, although packing it back up is a bit awkward, owing to a tight stuff sack.

The premium fabric and extra square footage makes the tent heavy, though not especially bulky for its size. If you plan to car camp in all seasons, the robust build promises years of dependably dry nights.

Size and Dimensions

Start with the number of people who will be sleeping in the tent and add at least one. No one ever complained about a little extra elbow room, and ultra-wide camping pads often need extra space. Next, consider packability: If you have limited storage or trunk space, a more packable option will make jamming it between all of the coolers and propane easier. Height is crucial, but comes with a tradeoff: Being able to stand up to get dressed or stretch your legs is nice, but means it will be harder to set up, especially if you’re doing it solo.

Feature Set

Look for ample pockets for staying organized, big vestibules and/or high bathtub walls that protect the interior from blowing rain, multiple venting options, and roomy doors. Of course, a tent’s principal job is to protect you from the elements, so weatherproofing should be a primary consideration. A fly that reaches to the ground provides the most coverage, but can also limit venting, making for uncomfortably stuffy conditions when it’s hot. A tall pole structure is susceptible to high winds, so make sure the tent has plenty of guy-out points for stabilizing and protecting the tent from gusts.

Price is always important, but try to prioritize value. Spending a bit more for a tent with more durable materials, like higher denier fabrics and burly aluminum poles, will save you money in the long run. You can find a no frills, serviceable four-person summer tent in the $200 range, with waterproofing, durability, and reparability generally improving as you start getting into higher price ranges.

But if you’re looking for a tent to use three seasons of the year, that you expect to get a lot of use in stormy weather, or that you’d like to use for the rest of your life, we recommend budgeting between $350 and $600. That’s the cost of more reliable construction and waterproofing—which, as all of our testers who have woken up to puddles inside their tents can tell you, is priceless when you really need it.

• Testers: 14
• Products tested: 7
• States visited: 5
• Tent stakes bent: 3

This year’s batch of seven tents was put through their paces by 14 testers, who ranged in age between 18 months (car camping with a toddler is possible!) and 68 years old. Each tent was used on at least two trips, and the most popular—the Big Agnes Bunk House 4—ended up seeing almost four weeks of use when testers kept coming back to it. The worst weather these tents endured was two June days of non-stop rain in Yellowstone; the best was six straight days of mild blue skies in Washington’s San Juan Islands in August.

Testers rated each tent they used based on durability, weather-proofing, comfort, and ease of use/set-up. They also offered qualitative feedback on design details they loved or hated, what type of camper or setting a tent is best suited to, and, at the end of the day, whether they’d recommend it to a friend. The tents here are the ones that earned the highest praise across the board.

Miyo McGinn is an assistant editor at Outside based in Bozeman, Montana. She has camped in a dozen different states and four continents, but Washington state, where she grew up, will always be her favorite place to pitch a tent. McGinn got her start reviewing gear as Outside ’s gear editorial assistant in 2021.

Ryan Stuart became a freelance writer when he realized he’d never get paid to play doing any of his other passions, possibly because he has too many of them. He’s a pretty good skier, decent paddler, hiker, and runner, and loves to make mountain biking, surfing, and rock climbing look harder than it is. Whenever he can, he practices those activities from a campsite somewhere far from other humans.

• 2024 Summer Gear Guide
• Car Camping
• Three-Season Tents

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Thru-Hikers’ Dream: 7+ Game-Changing Trekking Pole Tents

Written By:

Last Updated:

November 7, 2023

I live with my wife and daughter in Katy, Texas and my local trail is the Lone Star Hiking Trail which is an amazing way to experience the Sam Houston National Park!

Many may feel intimidated by a trekking pole tent as they have no initial structure that poles would typically provide you to set up your tent easily, but this comes with the benefit of dropping weight and making your trekking poles a multi-use gear item.

I felt the same way the first time I purchased my Lanshan 2 tent, but setting it up in the backyard was beyond easy. Don’t get me wrong, there was some learning I had to do prior, but now I would never carry a tent with poles as I don’t want to carry single-use items!

The trekking pole tent can help you quickly reach that sub-2 pound weight for most thru-hikers and make for a much lighter backpack, quickly dropping a pound or more for some learning and setup work.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on our website. In addition, we include many other affiliates’ offers on the site.

Instantaneous Recommendations

Quick Trekking Pole Tent Comparison

My choice for best trekking pole tents for thru-hiking.

Now that you have seen my list of the top thru-hiking trekking pole tents, let’s dig into each and explain why I chose to rate them there and why they may be a perfect match for you and your long-distance hike.

Zpacks Duplex

• for thru-hiking due to its weight and waterproof fabrics. It only weighs 19.4 ounces and is made of Dyneema Composite Fabrics.
• The Duplex has two doors, two vestibules , and needs the use of two trekking poles. Despite its amazing layout and design, the Duplex is a very simple tent to put up and use , which is probably why it’s arguably the most popular tent on trail.

The Duplex is a lightweight, high-strength, highly waterproof fabric that makes it ideal for making tents and shelters since it does not absorb water or stretch at night. The fabric is called Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF), a lightweight, high-strength, highly waterproof fabric that makes it perfect for this use.

While the Duplex is a two-person tent for thru-hikers on the trail this is a one-person with space to spread out on the trail. Having space to layout gear and move around is highly valued when you are truly living on the trail, and just like a house, a little more space is never a bad thing.

This is a single-wall tent which does mean you will face condensation internally and possible water drips overnight if the ceiling should shake more move a lot; some people find this a big downside to a single wall tent and a reason why they don’t purchase a DCF tent as this are very commonly single-wall constructs.

Zpacks Plex Solo

• The Plex Solo is the ideal ultralight tent for single-person and weight-focused hikers , and it’s ideal for taking a rest on any trail or recovering after a long day of hiking.
• The storm doors may be opened and closed independently . Leave one or two doors open in nice weather to provide a breeze and spectacular views.

This light tent is built to accommodate backpackers and trekkers while maintaining a low profile and simple setup. With just one trekking pole, it can be set up quickly .

This tent is spacious, well-ventilated, folds down small, can be set up quickly, and can fit in the tightest of places. With this much room available, thru-hikers won’t discover a lighter tent anywhere else on the market.

The canopy is 4-5 inches (12 cm) above the bathtub floor and screen doors. The screens can be left open in light rain or beneath dripping trees, allowing easy airflow without water droplets on the floor. In most cases, at least one downwind door may be left open for air.

If you don’t want to bring your wet backpack or muddy shoes into the tent, a single closed door provides adequate vestibule space for storing them.

Dan Durston X-Mid 2P

• The FASTEST tent to pitch on the market is my favorite tent for my outdoor trips!
• Incredibly spacious interior due to the unique outer and inner construction being a parallelogram instead of just squared off, allowing much taller people to fit!

The X-Mid 2P pitches with as little as two trekking poles and four stakes this makes it incredibly simple to pitch and get you ready to relax in comfort.

The X-Mid is a robust, roomy, and stormworthy boat, while anything lighter is smaller, less functional, and/or uses less durable materials.

The X-Mid 1 is roomy, simple to set up, and stormworthy for only 2.5 lbs (40oz / 1135 g). It performs well in the rain thanks to a fly-first pitch, full double-wall construction, no-sag poly fabric, large adjustable vents, factory seam taping, a full-coverage fly.

Unlike most trekking pole tents, the X-Mid features a straightforward 4 stake pitch that doesn’t require any guylines, struts, or measuring pole heights. With huge doorways that aren’t obstructed by poles and simple one-handed zipper operation, the user-friendliness continues after setup.

3F UL Gear Lanshan 2P (AKA Meir, AKA Flames Creed, etc)

• that is among the most cost-effective ultralight tents available . The new 2021 version offers increased room to be more comfortable for taller individuals.
• The Lanshan 2 is built to last and is suited for all conditions and activities. It’s specially made for UL hikers.

With enough room for both and a separate entrance and vestibule for each, the Lanshan 2 can easily accommodate two people or one thru-hiker with all their gear inside.

The fly’ bottoms curved, allowing for continuous air circulation and the reduction of moisture buildup, which can be the bane of drying a tent out in the morning.

The tent body is a 5000mm waterproof PU coating over a silicone-treated nylon ripstop. All seams are sealed with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane tape.

TarpTent Aeon Li

The Tarptent Aeon Li is a significant upgrade in design over other half-pyramid shelters. The two most important developments are as follows:

• The vertical back wall of the Tarptent design has a pair of foldable corners from Tarptent’s innovative PitchLoc™ technology to boost the volume and strength of the tent while keeping it small.
• The two front doors can be completely rolled back and the structural awning, together with the PitchLoc™ corners, is used to increase head/shoulder room and establish static equilibrium , allowing both front doors to be fully rolled back without the use of a forward guyline.

Is it possible to make the Aeon Li smaller by stuffing it? The 5 carbon-fiber struts and aluminum cross pole are simple to remove, but I would recommend rolling or folding rather than stuffing to extend the cloth’s life.

The type of camping you intend to do and the conditions you anticipate will determine whether or not you require a groundsheet. Once the ground is clear of sharp objects, the 1-oz Dyneema flooring is durable and does not usually require a separate groundsheet.

TarpTent StratoSpire 2

The Tarptent StratoSpire 2 is a two-person version of the StratoSpire 1 designed for single hikers to have more room.

• For trekking pole users, this shelter is a treasure : save weight and use your poles to establish a secure, wind and snow-resistant foundation.
• The StratoSpire’s unique, patent-pending design provides an enormous living and vestibule space perfect for the extensive gear a thru-hiker brings with them.

This tent is perfect for winter and summer conditions and has quickly become a favorite of the “fast & light” crowd.

The StratoSpire 2 comes with apex guylines preinstalled, which can be used to strengthen the ridgeline. It also includes fly-top pull-outs that may be guyed out in high winds and for snow loads. The tent has withstood severe thunderstorms and pouring rain without fail.

Gossamer Gear “The Two”

• The Two has the capacity to hold two people and is light enough for you to carry without weighing you down. The following are some of the features: pre-sewn seams, bright pull-outs, robust zippers, and fully rigged lines.
• The Two is also lightweight and simple to deploy , strong, roomy, and weighs less than 2 pounds. Both sides include doors for easy access and maximum ventilation.

The Two is lightweight, with full protection from rain and bugs, factory-taped seams and the main body and floor have 1800mm waterproof UTS coating.

It also features great headroom (and shoulder room) and is built to fit tall people while providing a big vestibule with great protection and easy side entry.

How to Choose a Tent for Your Thru-Hike

When you are deciding on what tent will work best for your thru-hike you have many things to consider all before making your important purchase, each item can be a make or break for you and your enjoyment while out on the trail.

This is all why you want to understand all the factors and which ones will be the most important to you and your choice. Let’s jump into each and give you some information on what they are and why they would matter.

There are three main types of tents that someone will have, freestanding, semi-freestanding, and trekking pole tents. Each of these has some pros and cons them but people are typically more comfortable with one of the three.

Freestanding – These tents require no tent stakes with the tent body and the rainfly ending along the tent body or the tent poles, there are not many options available in this type for backpacking use. Can be adjusted easily as you can pick up and move the entire tent without removing tent stakes for optimum camp placing.

Semi-Freestanding – Very similar to the above tents but that you have tent stakes which are used to tighten up the rainfly and give full protection to the tent and vestibule area . This can be easier to move around the camp area for best placement unlike the next option below.

Trekking Pole – This tent uses your trekking poles to stand upright, it has no ability to remain upright without the framework the trekking poles provide. This also makes re-adjusting and moving the tent a full breakdown and re-setup as the entirety of the tent is staked out to maintain shape.

Seasonality

As to seasonality, this will depend on when your majority of trips occur, there are a few options which are three-season, three-plus season, and four-season. Choosing which will fit your needs and the weather you will expect will change the way it holds heat and breathes.

Three Season

This style of tent will often feature a rainfly made of solid material and an inner tent material which will be made from a no-see-um mesh, this allows you the most airflow possible which is very important when camping in warmer temperatures.

Three-Plus Season

Similar to the above tent but the walls will typically be a mix of solid material to block out some airflow but the rest are made from no-see-um mesh to allow some airflow to continue through.

Four Season

This tent style will have solid walls both inside and outside, this will block out nearly all breezes and will help conserve warmth non-stop in all weather. This can be critical in winter but also if you hike up high into mountains where severe cold is typical, not always just snow or inclement weather.

Livable AKA Internal Living Space and Capacity

While you live out on the trail you will want to have a space you can retreat to for some peace and quiet at times, for some people this space can be near cocoon-like and small and cramped, for others they need the biggest space they are willing to carry.

Key Specs To Think About:

• Floor Dimensions  – The length and width measurements give a general indication of the floor surface size. Many tents do not have completely rectangular floors, so you may see measurements like 85″ x 51″ / 43″ (L x W head/foot). A tapered floor provides shoulder and arm room while also saving weight by having a smaller foot.
• Floor Area  – This figure measures the total floor space in square feet. While this number is useful for comparing tents, it isn’t a reliable metric when measuring how well the area is utilized.
• Peak Height – When you sit up, no one wants to bang their head. However, peak height is measured at a single point, so don’t rely on this metric alone to assess overall clearance. Your personal test pitch and validation is a far superior method of determining overall space.
• Wall Angles and Shape  – This is a far more significant aspect of tent livability than peak height. The higher the walls are, the more open the interior of the tent will feel. If you can’t go to a store to test pitch tents, look at the pitch of a tent’s walls in online photos.

Tent Weight

The weight of your tent is important as part of the big three it is one of your core areas to drop weight from your overall base weight . So you will want to look into the specific keys below as to tent specs that you should see how you align with and are willing to carry.

Understanding Tent Specs:

• Minimum trail weight – The total weight of the tent body, rainfly, and poles (the bare necessities). You will probably add more tent-related items like stakes, and a footprint, but this is the best spec level for an overall comparison.
• Packaged weight – This is the total weight of all the components included in a purchase: body, rainfly, poles, stakes, stuff sack pole sack, instructions, and other items. The combined weight you’ll carry on the trek will be between this and the minimum trail weight listed above.
• Packed size – The amount of room a tent takes up in your backpack also has to do with how easy it is to manage in a pack. For couples, you can look to decrease the amount of space needed by separating components and having your spouse take only the poles and rainfly, for example.

There are many materials used to make tents, some provide more water resistance, others provide better costs. Let’s take a few minutes and discuss the three most common materials used in making tents:

• Dyneema or DCF – First discvered on sailboats this fabric has amazing abilities like the ability to withstand water, incredibly lightweight, and pretty durable which makes it good for tents but it comes at a solid premium in the costs.
• Sil-Nylon – The most common fabric used for backpacking tents, solid and dependable, the only large downside is that it abosorbs water over time and due to this it can sag and need to be tightened up after initial setup.
• Sil-Poly – Very similar to Sil-Nylon above but doesn’t absorb water so once setup you won’t have to worry about sagging from water absorbtion, though from my understanding this fabric is a little more expensive it is near in-line with Sil-Nylon.

How the Tent Fits in Your Backpack

This may be fairly small to some but how you want to load your backpack is important and some tents can be very tall when in their sack. This can be an issue if you prefer to put your tent horizontally, as is my preference, as this allows for a simple stacking of gear.

Common Tent Thru-Hiker Issues

Faq about tents for thru-hiking.

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Tent N Trek - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Best Camping Tents of 2024

When you’re camping, your tent is your bedroom, your changing room, your rain shelter, the kids’ playroom, and, when conditions outside force you to stay inside, your kitchen, dining room, and your shelter, as well. While weight and packability are top-of-mind issues with backpacking tents, for our purposes here today we’re discussing the best camping tents for use when you can park your vehicle nearby and set up your tent at a relatively prepared campsite. Thus, we are focused more on comfort, convenience, and special features than on packed size or pounds.

Camping tents come in all different shapes and sizes and with a vast array of features that might make one camping tent an ideal choice for one group of campers, while a different tent is the best choice for other users. We’ll break it all down for you below, with tents picked based on direct first-hand experience, input from outdoor gear experts, extensive research, and a close read of dozens of reviews left by confirmed buyers of each of these camping tents.

Table of Contents

• Best Camping Tents
• Things To Consider When Buying
• How We Chose

The North Face Wawona 6 Tent  »

Large interior and vestibule

6’4” peak height

Multiple internal pockets

Color-coded tent poles

Bulky when packed

The North Face’s Wawona 6 Tent goes big in every way. It has a generous 86 square feet, it has a huge 44.7 square foot covered vestibule, and its nearly vertical walls stretch up to a ceiling with a peak height of 76 inches, also known as six feet, four inches. Large enough for six campers but ideally shared by four people, this is a spacious tent packed with thoughtful features. These included multiple pockets set at varied heights, with the overhead pockets ideal for holding a lantern or headlamp that brightens the interior. A hanging loop at the peak can also support lighting.

The tent has two doors and multiple windows, so easy entry and cross-breeze ventilation are at hand. And just outside the tent, the massive vestibule can seat four people at the same time or can be used to store large pieces of gear like bicycles. It’s a pricey tent and it’s on the heavy and bulky side when packed down, but set up, this is a weather-resistant, spacious, and well-made tent that should last for years of regular use. And with a bit of practice, it’s surprisingly easy to set up despite its large size.

Coleman 3-Person Sundome Camping Tent  »

Great price point

Large mesh windows

E-port for electric cords

Leaks in heavy rain

Windows can’t be zipped shut

The Coleman 3-Person Sundome Camping Tent costs under $75 but can still boast more than 46,000 reviews on Amazon with a 4.6-star overall rating. It’s an affordable tent, but by most accounts, it doesn’t feel cheap at all. For a pair of campers to share, this basic, easy-to-set-up tent is a great choice for fair-weather camping. We say fair weather because many users report the tent does start to leak after an hour or so of heavy rain and because the large mesh windows don’t have fabric panels that zip shut, so it can get quite cold within. But those same large windows allow for excellent airflow and cooling in mild to warmer weather.

Most competent campers will have this tent set up in well under 10 minutes even if they’re working alone, and once it’s up, you can enjoy features like built-in hanging mesh pockets and the E-port, a small opening at one corner that allows for an electric cord to be passed into the tent. The 49 square feet of interior space is ideal for two sleepers and their gear, and the large door makes it easy to enter and exit the tent even with a pack on or your arms full of gear.

Mountain Hardware Mineral King 3 Tent  »

Lightweight and packable

Footprint included

Dual vestibules

Door is difficult to unzip

Included stuff sack tears easily

The Mountain Hardware Mineral King 3 Tent bridges the gap between a backpacking tent and a car camping tent, being light enough to bring along on moderate treks yet still plenty spacious enough for two adults. If you break up the poles, tent, rainfly, and the included footprint, sharing the weight between two people, this is a great backpacking tent. The 42.5 square foot interior is spacious enough for two people and their gear, and the twin exits, each with a vestibule, add convenience and additional storage space.

The Mineral King 3 is ready for rough weather, with taped seams and a raised bathtub floor. The rainfly helps shed water and resists condensation build-up within, while the aforementioned footprint helps prevent water from seeping up into the tent. The door has quite an angle to it and it’s almost impossible to unzip it using one hand, which can be annoying, and the included stuff sack is poorly made, but you will likely leave that behind if you’re backpacking anyway. Hub-connected poles make it easy to pop this tent up fast, and it packs down small enough to go into or to sling under a pack when it’s time to move out.

Coleman Skydome 6-Person Screen Room Tent  »

Large screened-in vestibule

“Dark Room” fabric blocks light, heat

Easy setup with pre-attached poles

Rainfly leaks in heavy downpour

The Coleman Skydome 6-Person Screen Room Tent is perfect for families partially because of its capacious main room, which measures a massive 125 square feet, but it’s the vestibule that sells this tent to parents. That’s because it’s a fully screened-in vestibule that offers 40 square feet of bug-free space that mom and dad can share while the kids are asleep within the tent. The vestibule is large enough for an adult to sleep in should he or she want some fresh air, and it’s perfect for gear storage when not being used as a hangout or sleeping spot.

The tent’s walls and ceiling use proprietary “Dark Room” technology that blocks out excess sunlight, keeping the interior of the tent darker and cooler, which promotes better sleep. The Skydome sets up fast thanks to pre-attached poles that take out almost all of the guesswork, and once it’s set up you’ll enjoy details like interior pockets and a gear loft, a power cord pass-through, and plenty of headroom, as the peak height is six feet tall.

MSR Habiscape 4 Tent  »

Wind- and rain-resistant

10 interior pockets

Bug-proof pass-through pocket

Hard-to-use stuff sack

Bad weather can make for a very bad experience out there in the woods or mountains, but when you camp in an MSR Habiscape 4 Tent you can count on the rain, wind, and even some snow load to be kept at bay. This tent’s water-repellent walls and bathtub-style floor keep things dry from below while the 68-denier taffeta polyester rainfly sheds even heavy downpours reliably, keeping you dry at all times. The tent has a symmetrical design that makes setup intuitive, and it has 10 pockets within that offer ample storage and organization space. There is also a pass-through pocket that can be reached from inside or outside the tent, but that has a flap over it that keeps insects out.

The tent has two doors and 23.5 square feet of vestibule space, and it has a peak height of 73 inches. It’s a pricey tent, but you get what you pay for in terms of weather resistance and durability. The included stuff sack is a letdown given the price, with the tent hard to work back into its bag, but you’ll manage. And at least that sack is designed to clip into the interior of the tent and offer even more storage space.

Moon Lence Instant Pop Up Tent  »

Sets up fast

Low price point

Attached guy ropes add stability

Leaks in rain

Weak tent poles

If you want a tent you can have pitched in less than a minute flat, the Moon Lence Instant Pop Up Tent is a perfect pick. It pops up to its domed shape in about three seconds, and then you extend and lock each leg, a process that requires another 15 or 20 seconds at most. Then you simply fold a flap of attached material over the top of the tent, effectively closing it in, and you’re done. That is unless you want to further secure the tent using the attached guy lines and included stakes. This tent, which can accommodate four people but is best used by two or three, really is about as easy as it gets for set up.

This is not the best tent to set up in conditions that might see heavy rain or high winds. A single-walled tent, it’s prone to leaking in downpours and will experience a lot of condensation buildup even in lighter rains, and the poles are on the flimsier side, so they may buckle in intense gusts. That said, this tent is a great value considering it costs less than $100, and it’s a fine choice for casual camping, for use as a beach or concert shelter, or as a play space for the kids in the backyard.

Dream House Canvas Bell Tent  »

Massive interior space

Sleeps seven in comfort

Can be set up as a canopy

Bulky and heavy when packed

Very involved setup

The massive Dream House Canvas Bell Tent is less like a tent and more like a room that just happens to be set up outside. A modern take on the classic yurt, this tent has a 19-foot diameter and a spacious 283.5-square-foot interior. The Canvas Bell Tent can sleep seven people in comfort, six of them sharing queen-sized mattresses. It has an 11.48-foot peak height and most of the floor space is under a ceiling high enough for an upright adult. Multiple windows can let in light and fresh air and the entire wall of the tent can be removed, leaving just the large canopy, if wanted.

This is a huge tent so it’s little surprise that it weighs more than a hundred pounds and will take up lots of room when packed down. It’s also rather onerous to set up, needing 12 long guy lines pulled taught and a heavy center pole and door frame properly placed. But once this bell tent is pitched, it will create the ultimate glamping spot. It’s big enough to serve as a home away from home for extended stays or even as a unique guest lodging on your property. You can fit plenty of campers in it, but you could also move in a regular bed frame, furniture, and other everyday creature comforts.

The Bottom Line

The North Face’s Wawona 6 Tent is our pick for the best camping tent overall because it has a tall, spacious interior, a huge covered vestibule, and plentiful interior storage features. But based on your group’s size, the conditions where you camp, and your tent budget, another of the camping tents we have covered may be your best choice, so be sure to consider each one closely before making a purchase.

Things To Consider When Buying the Best Camping Tents

Tent Capacity: A tent’s stated capacity accounts for average-sized adults lying flat on single-person sleeping pads. “Tents are sized to fit the number of sleepers advertised with little room left over, so two people in a two-person tent is a cozy fit,” says avid camper and backpacker Alissa Bell. For comfort and a bit of personal space, it’s always best to get a tent rated for at least one more person than will be sleeping in the tent. And when possible, size up even more – a six-person tent is ideal for a group of four.

Weight and Packed Size: As noted, the tents featured here are primarily intended for use by car campers, not for hikers carrying their gear on their backs. Thus, tent weight is not much of an issue, but packed size still can be, as large tents are bulky even when properly broken down and folded away. We feature packed sizes so you can consider how the tent will fit into your vehicle and how and where you might store it at home.

Seasonality: Most camping tents are rated for three-season use, these seasons being spring, summer, and fall. Winter camping, where temperatures will plunge and snow load may be an issue, requires much more robust (and expensive) tents than most campers need, thus we have exclusively featured three-season tents here. “As long as you don't plan to camp in snowy winter conditions, a three-season tent is fine and can even handle a light dusting of snow,” says Bell. If you will be camping primarily in warm weather, consider the ventilation options a given tent offers with as much rigor as you consider rain resistance.

Ease of Setup: Many tents “are extremely easy to set up and break down, [so] you can throw the tent up before rains blow in,” says outdoorswoman Claire Ramsdell. But she reminds tent shoppers to note that where you will set the tent up can be as relevant as how a given tent sets up. “A semi-freestanding tent [means] setup is not a problem if the ground is too hard to drive stakes in,” but if you’ll face heavy winds, then a tent secured by lines and stakes can be key. Yes, that’s a more involved setup, but it creates a more reliable shelter.

Weather Resistance: If you think you will be facing rain, biting wind, or even light snowfall, look for features like a double-walled tent, sealed seams, raised floor sides, stabilizing guy lines, and other features specifically designed to keep inclement weather at bay. And remember, the weather can affect your tent from below, as well. “Ideally [your tent] comes with a footprint, which I advise using for all tents,” says professional outdoor guide Joe Bassett. Ventilation: Ventilation can come thanks to tent windows and doors equipped with mesh panels from which solid fabric panels can be zipped away. Look for tents with mesh paneling on opposite sides of one another so that a proper cross-breeze can be created. Look for windows and doors that can be sealed shut to keep warmth in and keep rain out.

Internal Storage Options: Many of the best camping tents have clever internal storage features such as mesh pockets, hanging loops (which are ideal for lanterns), and gear lofts, which are like suspended shelves. Covered vestibules can be used for larger items like a hiking pack or a cooler, as well as for soiled items like muddy boots. Consider what gear you need close at hand, such as a phone or flashlight, then study each tent’s internal storage options.

How We Chose the Best Camping Tents

As tents can be pricey and as there are a lot of details to take in, we have broken things down for you based on the most important metrics to consider, such as tent capacity, dimensions, storage features, and more. We arrived at these considerations and chose the tents covered here based on years of first-hand camping experience, input from multiple camping and outdoor gear experts, as well as research and reading of reviews left by verified camping tent customers.

Among the experts to whom we spoke were Alissa Bell of Exploring Wild , Claire Ramsdell of The Detour Effect , and Joe Bassett of Valiant Outfitters. Bell, Ramsdell, and Bassett each had specific brand and product recommendations as well as multiple tips on what to consider when you are shopping for a tent.

With expert input and personal experience in mind, our contributor Steven John began the process of researching the best camping tents. He assembled an initial list that was more than a dozen products long, and then he began more closely studying each tent on that list, factoring in reviews and ratings left by confirmed customers of each option. The result of this multi-step process is the review you find here today.

WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US

As mentioned, contributor Steven John has been an avid camper for many years and has used many different camping tents – he currently owns seven different tents, including two featured on this list. In addition to his love of camping, hiking, and the outdoors in general, John also has more than 13 years of experience testing and reviewing products for numerous national publications. In addition to his work with U.S. News & World Report, John also writes for Insider, Dad Gear Review, Architectural Digest, The Daily Beast, NY Magazine, and other outlets.

Your first consideration when choosing a camping tent has to be capacity, as you need a tent that can accommodate the number of people who will use it. But when considering capacity, think beyond floor space alone; high-quality tents have relatively upright walls that provide more usable interior space, for example. And they offer interior features like storage pockets, adjustable windows, and vestibules that make camping more comfortable. Also consider weather-resistant materials, ease of setup, and durability.

Make sure your tent has a reliable rainfly if you will be using it in potentially rainy conditions, and make sure the tent features guy lines and stakes if you might be using it in windy locations, such as the mountains, open desert, grassland, or near coastlines. And remember, even the best tents can use a helping hand if you want them to be truly water-resistant. “I re-apply DWR [durable water repellent] and seam sealant to all of my tents at least once per season,” says Bassett.

As a general rule of thumb, always size up by at least one camper. That means a group of five needs a tent rated for at least six people, a group of three needs a four-person tent, and so forth. But also think beyond bodies alone. If you are camping somewhere that may require you to keep lots of gear in your tent based on bad weather or theft concerns, your packs, food, and other gear may add up to the equivalent of another body, so factor that in.

The easiest way to ensure a tent is easy for you to set up and break down is simply to do it, so if you are sold on a tent based on its capacity, features, and looks, go ahead and order it – just check the return policy first. Once the tent arrives, promptly set it up in favorable conditions, such as in your backyard or at a local park. Try setting up and breaking down the tent several times in these predictable conditions; if it’s routinely easy to pitch and pack down, you’re all set. If you have trouble with the tent when the weather is fair and shelter is not a necessity, then return the tent, as you will truly struggle with it when trying to set it up in trying backwoods conditions.

After every camping trip, inspect your tent for damage and patch up any punctures or tears you see. Get dirt, leaves, and other debris out of your tent by turning it inside out and giving it a shake, and wipe off any mud or other soiling with a gentle cloth, using a mild detergent and cool water if needed. Most important of all is to ensure your tent is 100% dry before you pack it away. If need be, re-pitch the tent at home to let it dry after a damp camping experience, and then pack it up only when it has fully dried out, as a moist tent will soon be a moldy and potentially deteriorating tent. Finally, store your tent in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

About Our Team

Steven John

Contributor

Jeff Kinney

Senior Editor

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

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Beach camping at ECR - Tent N Trek

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I was excited for my first camping experience to Yelagiri but was bit apprehensive on how it would... read more

Tent n trek is a safe choice if we plan to travel solo specially for women travellers who would... read more

Beach camping at ECR

It was an awesome beach camping experience with Tent n Trek! The management was friendly and flawless, creating a wonderful environment full of fun, enjoyment and safety at the same time. Really had a great time!!

I went for beach camping for 2 days in ECR, Chennai with Tent N Trek. It was really awesome experience. Moreover our trip manager Fenny is really good manager.

Very good place to spend your weekend, trekking and adventure games are awesome enjoyed a lot in paintball... Best place to play paintball with ur best buddies... Pros: Games, Campfire, Barbeque, Organisers... Cons: Too costly, Need to improve in food, Maintenance in restrooms. Thanks to phany, Sharik and team ..

I loved the way the overall event was organised!! Happy to Get to know new people.. Awesoms food!! Clean environment and it was a memorable day 😍❤️

Hi, And this is my second trip with the trek and tent team and I must say Iam definitely gonna continue my future trips only with them because they have made me feel so easy and comfortable. My first trip with them was to Gokarna and I really really had super fun and I absolutely dint feel like traveling with new people. Trek and tent made all of us feel that v were like already bonded somehow :) And about the oraganisers FENNY, NAVAZ and JIA they were always there to take care or if we need something and they are so nice that they constantly keep checking on you to know if v r feeling comfortable. Organisers are the plus to trek and tent I must say :) For all those wondering should you take a trip with them I will definitely recommend you,because it's worth your money, time and I bet you definitely will enjoy your time even during traveling. Thankyou :)

Fantastic experience. Had a great time with friends. Would recommend for people who doesn't need luxury place to stay instead be in Harmony with nature

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Hiking the W Trek in Patagonia Self-Guided: The Complete Details

When you think of Patagonia, it’s hard not to imagine the picture of its most famous pristine peaks. Many avid hikers and outdoor enthusiasts dream of one day visiting Chile and Argentina to explore the Patagonia region. One of the most famous hikes in Patagonia is the W Trek.

This is the smaller version of the O-trek, but even though it’s shorter, it still offers the adventure of a lifetime. These hikes are located in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.

My dream finally came true in December 2024 when I visited Patagonia for the first time. There were beautiful landscapes everywhere, and I couldn’t stop staring at them.

In this guide, I’ll go over everything you need to know (and there’s a lot) about hiking the W Trek in Patagonia self-guided.

Table of Contents

What is the W Trek in Patagonia and Why You Should Hike it

What makes this hike unique is how well the trails are maintained, the excellent refugios, the people, and, of course, the views.

When traveling throughout Patagonia, it’s funny and cool to notice the same people repeatedly. Most people stick to a very similar itinerary.

There are options for individuals who want to camp and have gear, don’t have gear, or want to go all out and sleep in beds.

Where is the W Trek in Patagonia?

The W Trek is a four- to five-day hike in Torres del Paine National Park. Patagonia is located in Chile and Argentina , offering something different.

Most people who plan to visit Torres del Paine National Park stay in Puerto Natales . This town is easily accessible by bus if you’re coming from Calafate, where the famous Minitrekking on Perito Moreno Glacier is done.

We stopped by here shortly on our way south, where we decided to see Penguins in Punta Arenas before returning for the trek!

How to Get to Torres del Paines National Park

Getting to Torres del Paines National Park is relatively easy. We were one group of the many individuals who got to this park to do the W Trek alone, self-guided.

What does this mean? It means there’s a lot of bus options. I liked using Busbud to find bus times while traveling in Chile and Argentina.

This website didn’t have all the buses possible for every town, but it gave me a good idea of the times.

Bus From Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park

Depending on your path, either East to West or West to East, will determine which bus ticket you need to buy.

No matter what, you’ll stop and get off the bus at Laguna Amarga . This is the Entrance to the park and you’ll have to show your entrance ticket. More on that later.

After finding the bus ticket on Busbud, I always visit the bus company’s website. In this case, it’s Bus Sur .

If you’re starting from West to East like us, you’ll first need a bus ticket from Puerto Natales to Puedeto . When we got to the entrance, we showed our tickets, grabbed our bags, and switched buses.

Our bus driver took a break before taking us another 25 minutes up the road to the Pudeto dock. Keep asking the drivers as everyone seemed confused about what was happening.

If you’re going from East to West, the first ticket you’ll need is one to Laguna Amarga . To find these tickets, go to Bus Sur’s website and type in the destination of Torres del Paine.

In the description will be either Laguna Amarga or Pudeto. You’ll need one of each, but you will determine which you need first and last, depending on where you start.

A side note : YOU MUST PRINT OR SCREENSHOT YOUR TICKETS

Wi-fi is scarce or non-existent inside the park.

Bus Schedule

This might be confusing at first but it’ll all become clear soon. I suggest starting a notes page on your phone with your itinerary and all the needed documents in there.

Below is the bus schedule for Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia.

Puerto Natales to Laguna Amarga & Pudeto

Current Prices (one-way): ~12,000 Chilean Pesos

Laguna Amarga to Puerto Natales

Pudeto to puerto natales.

I get it if you don’t want to take a bus and would rather drive yourself! I suggest renting a car outside of Puerto Natales as the prices will be more expensive there.

I’m unsure about driving inside the park and to which miradors are possible, but there’s a parking lot behind the Welcome Center. This is next to Refugio Torre Norte.

Things to Know When Planning the W Trek in Patagonia

The W Trek in Patagonia is a long hike and Torres del Paine doesn’t make the information easy to find.

Below will be a plethora of extra details you need to complete the self-guided hike of the W Trek!

Overview: My Itinerary (West to East)

• Take the bus from Puerto Natales to the Park Entrance (Laguna Amarga)
• Switch buses to go to Puedeto
• Take the ferry to Paine Grande ($25,000)
• Hike to Grey (11km) and hike back to Paine Grande (11km)
• Hike from Paine Grande to Mirador Britanico (13km)
• From Mirador Britanico, hike to Cuernos (10km)
• Hike from Cuernos to Chileno
• Wake up early hike from Chileno to Mirador Torres del Paine
• After spending time at the mirador, hike down to Torres Central and the Welcome Center
• Purchase a ticket back to the park entrance ($5,000)
• Take the bus back to Puerto Natales

Things to Bring

Patagonia is known for its huge mood swings of weather, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. It’s what makes this area unique. But it’s a good idea to come prepared.

During the peak season, between December and February, there will be warm, cold, and rainy weather. Here are some things I suggest bringing.

• Hiking Boots
• Grayl Water Filter
• Insect Rep ellent
• Patagonia Down Sweater

Do I have to Purchase a Camping Spot in Torres Del Paine?

Unfortunately, you can’t simply show up in Torres del Paine and expect to camp for free if you have your own gear. I’ve heard many stories of other travelers not doing their research and showing up with no purchased camping spot.

A few companies own these camping spots on the W Trek in Patagonia.

• For tents/camping spots/beds at Paine Grande, you must book a spot through Vertice Travel .
• If you’re looking to stay the night at Cuernos, Torres Central/Norte, or Chileno, you must book through Las Torres .

How Far in Advance to Book?

Hiking in Torres del Paine National Park is one of Chile’s most popular activities. This might seem obvious to some but what isn’t so obvious is how early you must book your reservation.

From experience, my girlfriend and I tried booking in early October for late November. There were spots, but many were limited, and not everything was available in three straight days.

We ended up booking our reservations for the park for the middle of December. I’d suggest booking your reservations for Torres del Paine at least two months in advance, if not further.

You don’t need to purchase the ferry ticket in advance as this can only be bought in person with cash.

Entrance Fee

Unlike when doing hikes like Laguna de los Tres in El Chalten , there is an entrance fee for Torres del Paine National Park.

You can purchase the entrance tickets here . They are currently $12,000 for a 3-day or more pass.

You must download the QR code before getting on the bus, as there will be no signal once you get to the park.

How Many Days Does it Take to Hike the W Trek in Patagonia?

The days it takes to hike the W Trek in Patagonia will depend on your fitness level and if you want to take your time.

We did this trek in 3 nights and 4 days. This is the shortest time I’d ever suggest, even if you’re a fantastic hiker.

My suggestion would be to do 4 nights and 5 days. This will give you ample time to relax at the beautiful refugios and take it all in without feeling rushed.

Camping vs. Refugios

The amazing thing about this trek is that you have multiple options for your sleeping arrangements, depending on your budget.

We rented a tent and slept in the Refugio. On night one, we rented a tent with a mat, and it was honestly more comfortable than I thought it’d be!

For night two, we slept in a dorm room at the Refugio. This wasn’t too bad, but the price was almost triple that of renting a tent the previous night.

We were exhausted and wanted a good night’s sleep. We got that.

For the third night, we slept in another tent but it was large and elevated. I loved these! These were at Chileno Refuge next to Mirador Torres.

The main pros & cons for renting a tent or sleeping in the Refugio are money and if you can’t sleep well in a tent.

I’ll go over the prices of everything next.

How Much Does the W Trek Cost?

Hiking the W Trek in Torres del Paine is expensive. Especially when compared to other places in Patagonia like Bariloche and El Chalten .

But there’s ways to make this experience cheaper like bringing our own food and camping gear.

Overview (per person) : Our Costs

• This price includes mats & sleeping pads for both nights we camped.
• This price is mainly from buying dinner on nights 2 & 3. We packed our food for every breakfast and lunch.
• Tickets (Bus + Ferry + Entrance) : 61,000 Chilean Pesos or $62 USD
• Total Cost Per Person : $537 USD

Food Costs :

• Breakfast = $25
• Lunch/Box Lunch = $25
• Dinner = $40
• Full Board = $80
• Breakfast = $28
• Box Lunch = $30
• Lunch = $50
• Dinner = $50
• Full Board (Breakfast/Box Lunch/Dinner) = $100
• Half Board (Breakfast & Dinner) = $70
• Same price as Cuernos because they are the same company.

Campsite/Refugio

• Campsite (with own equipment) = $13
• Simple Bed = $65
• Bed w/ Bedding = $100
• Premium Campsite w/ Everything = $190 single/$220 double
• Single Bed = $144
• Premium Tent = $200 single/$288 double

Which Direction is the Best for the W Trek?

This is one of the most asked questions about the W Trek in Patagonia. For me, it was quite simple.

I wanted to end this amazing adventure at the best view in the park, Mirador Torres.

Going from East to West might make more sense if you want to explore Lago Grey and do activities such as kayaking and ice trekking.

I personally loved going from West to East, and I’ll tell everyone to do this same route every time.

W Trek Patagonia Map

Credit goes to the Torres del Paine Website . There’s a lot of maps out there if you want something better.

How to Make Campsite/Refugio Bookings in Torres del Paine

I mentioned this earlier, but there are two separate websites you must book your accommodation through before arriving.

If you plan on taking the same route we did and going from West to East, you’ll stay at Paine Grande, Cuernos, and finally, Chileno.

Below are the websites to book each night’s stay.

• Paine Gr a nde

W Trek vs O-Trek in Patagonia

You will hear many people humbly bragging about completing the O-trek, and as they should. It’s definitely difficult, even compared to the W Trek!

The O-trek is much longer and less commercialized in the upper sections. You create a strong bond with everyone who completes it with you.

We did the W Trek because we were short on time and didn’t have our own gear. This meant the trip would be more expensive than we could budget.

Is the W Trek Difficult?

Some might not agree, but the W Trek is difficult. You should only attempt it if you’re in decent hiking shape.

If you’re flying into Santiago first before completing this, there’s a hike called Cerro Manquehue . It’s one of the best views in all of Santiago!

W Trek in Patagonia Hiking Details

• Distance:  This hike is a 45.5-mile point-to-point.
• Duration: On average, it will take people 4 days to go up and back down. This depends on your fitness level and which route you take.
• Difficulty:  I’d rank this hike as hard because of the amount of time it takes and the elevation gain.
• Incline : The elevation for this hike is around 9,917 feet or 3022 meters.
• Hiking Guide:  A guide is not needed for this hike and is easily accessible by the public

Best Places to Stay in Puerto Natales

• Yogan House : This is the hostel we stayed at but it felt more like a really nice B&B. The rooms were amazing and it was by far the best breakfast I’ve ever had in South America.
• Vinnhaus : If you’re looking for a stunning, centrally located hotel, this is it. There’s nothing bad I can say about this place. It honestly should cost more.
• Hostal Boutique Factoria Patagonia : Looking for a cabin like experience in Puerto Natales? Then look no further than this spectacular Boutique hotel!

My Experience Hiking the W Trek in Patagonia

Hiking the W Trek was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I met new people and made new friends, all while taking in some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. It was priceless.

The first day was honestly one of the longest, if not the longest. We started by waking up at 6 a.m. and getting a ride to the bus station.

We took the earliest bus because we knew the day would be long. It was quite relaxing, actually, and most of the people on the bus slept.

Things started getting confusing when we arrived at the entrance two hours later. We were told to switch buses but different people kept telling us different buses.

Eventually, we found the right bus, and we were headed another 30 minutes to Pudeto.

We arrived at the dock, bought a cafe late, and waited for the ferry to arrive. You’ll pay the ferry in cash (25,000 CLP).

Once we arrived at Paine Grande, we unpacked, ate lunch and headed to see Lago Grey! We should have stayed the night here and then hiked in the morning because it was already late and we’ve been moving for quite some time now.

You can stop in different spots; you don’t have to go the entire way.

When we finally returned to Paine Grande, we cooked our dinner and immediately went to sleep.

The next day was another long one. All of these days were going to be quite long but the first two were the longest.

We woke up, ate breakfast and hit the trail. Our first goal was to reach Mirador Britanico and then end at Cuernos.

The hike up to this mirador is steep and adds on a lot of mileage. I don’t think going all the way to the top is worth it. Instead, you can go halfway where the views are better and go back down. It’s stunning.

There’s a refugio here, and you can leave your bags at the bottom to hike up since you’ll be coming back down.

From here, we headed to Cuernos, where we then enjoyed a nice salmon meal and a couple of beers and relaxed.

Along this trail to Cuernos, you’ll go along a beach with black and white pebbles. It was raining and the feeling was surreal.

This was the shorter day and I was excited for that. We woke up, ate breakfast, and once again got on the trail early.

The trail was relatively flat for the early section until you met back up with the trail to Chileno from Torres Central.

This part became very steep but once we reached the top, you could see the refugio. We arrived early enough to have a couple beers, take a nap, shower, all before dinner.

After dinner, we washed up and went to bed early because the next day was going to be the best of them all.

Day 4: The Final Day

This was it. This is what we’ve been waiting for. We woke up around 6am, ate a quick breakfast, and got on the trail.

We were actually late to the party as a lot of people who stay at Chileno end up going there for sunrise. I think there was more people there for sunrise then when we arrived around 9am.

The trail was easy at first but became steep and sometimes hard to follow. But once you make it, you’ll know.

I couldn’t stop staring at her. Torres was something from a storytale, and I didn’t want to leave.

We spent around an hour here taking photos and eating snacks before we headed down. As we started to descend, large groups were going up.

After resting at Chileno, we headed back towards Torres Central and the Welcome Center. We bought a shuttle ticket back to the entrance and that was it.

Just like that, it was over.

Final Thoughts

I’ll be back. I told myself I needed to complete the O-trek, and I will. This hike wasn’t only about reaching Torres but everything in between, from making new friends to exploring a totally different part of the world. Patagonia is magical, and everyone should be able to explore this area one day.

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How To Choose a Tent for Camping

No matter what type of camping you’re doing, let’s review everything you need to know, from size and quality to our best Camping World tents for any occasion.

Best Couples Camping Tent: Camper’s Choice 3-Person Tent

The Camper’s Choice is one of the most affordable Camping World tents for novice camping couples. It features a rainfly to keep the interior dry, and it has lightweight fiberglass poles that are easy to set up and take down. The mesh walls let in cool air, and the large entry door allows quick and easy inside access. 

Best Tent for Car Camping: Venture Forward 5-Person Cabin Tent

The Venture Forward Cabin Tent is one of our must-have Camping World tents for car camping. The vertical walls provide enough headroom for even the tallest campers, allowing most to stand inside comfortably. The seams are taped for maximum water resistance, and the x-frame design makes for a fast and easy setup. 

Best Family Tent: North Shore 8-Person Cabin Tent

The North Shore Cabin Tent is one of the most spacious and comfortable Camping World tents for the whole family. The included rainfly and taped seams ensure you stay dry in inclement weather. It also has plenty of windows and a screened-in porch for ventilation when the weather is nice. When it’s time to get some shuteye, you’ll be happily secluded in your own section thanks to the built-in dividers. 

How Do I Know What Tent to Buy?

Learning how to choose a tent can be overwhelming. Many things must be considered to ensure the right fit, such as size, season, material, and durability. Let’s review in more detail.

Should I Buy a Bigger Tent?

A larger tent generally offers more headroom, elbow room, and space for your gear. However, with more space, you have trade-offs such as increased weight, larger pack size, and a more challenging setup.

Most manufacturers refer to tent sizes by the number of people they can sleep (i.e., one-person, two-person, etc.). However, we recommend sizing up one size for added comfort, as most manufacturers’ ratings are on the smaller side. 

You can also determine your ideal tent size by dividing the interior square footage by the number of people sleeping inside. This estimates how much space each person will have.

Remember that you may need extra room in one of our Camping World tents for backpacks, lanterns , and other camp tools . If you’re camping with kids, a tent with a divider is especially nice. It allows you to separate your sleeping space from the kids for more privacy and a better night’s sleep. 

Vestibule Space

A vestibule is the covered space outside the tent’s main body. Some tents have one or multiple vestibules that can protect shoes, backpacks , and other gear from overnight weather. 

Vestibules keep your gear covered without it taking up valuable space inside your tent. If you’re backpacking, vestibule space for your pack is essential. Vestibule space is less important for car and RV camping because you can store excess gear in your vehicle overnight. 

Camping tents are primarily designed for sleeping. But if you get stuck inside on a rainy day, having more headroom increases comfort. Regarding headroom, there are two tent shapes to consider: cabin-style and dome-style.

• Cabin-style tents offer the most headroom and overall living space. They generally feature vertical walls; some offer room dividers to accommodate multiple private sleeping areas.  
• Dome-style tents offer more durability and wind resistance. Some are still quite tall in the center, but the walls slope away to help with wind shedding, decreasing the living space inside. 

Cabin-style Camping World tents are better for family camping because of their expandable living spaces. But dome-style tents are recommended if you’ll be camping in less-than-ideal weather conditions.  

What Waterproof Rating Should a Tent Be?

A tent’s weather resistance has much to do with the rainfly construction. A tent with a rainfly is essential if you’re camping with any possibility of inclement weather. You can always remove the rainfly if you’re camping in nice weather and want to enjoy stargazing once you lie down. 

You’ll typically find tents with a full-coverage or roof-only rainfly. Full-coverage rainflys provide maximum protection from wind and rain and some additional insulation.

Roof-only rainflies offer some rain protection but are designed for fair-weather camping. 

Another feature to look for when choosing a weather-resistant tent is the construction of the tent’s seams. Tent seams are the most likely locations for leaks to develop. Tents with sealed or taped seams offer more leak protection than those without. 

Some tent manufacturers finish their fabrics with a durable water-repellent coating. This provides additional weatherproofing if you tend to camp in areas with a higher likelihood of precipitation. 

You can also determine whether tent manufacturers have labeled their tents for 3-season, 3-4 season, or 4-season use. 

• 3-season tents are made for spring, summer, and fall. They offer privacy and shelter from bugs and mild weather. 
• 3-4 season tents are suitable for early spring through late fall. They are generally sturdier and warmer than 3-season tents. 
• 4-season tents are primarily designed for inhospitable winter weather, including high winds, colder temperatures, and substantial snow loads. They usually feature rounded dome roofs to eliminate the possibility of snow collection and guy lines to provide added wind resistance. Because they are warmer than three-season models, a four-season tent is usually not well suited for summer use.

For most campers, a three-season tent will do the trick. But once you gain experience and want to avoid crowds in early spring, late fall, or winter, you may need to upgrade to a more weather-resistant camping tent. 

Is It Warmer to Sleep in a Tent or Car?

I spent many cold nights lying in my tent, wondering if it would be warmer in my car. This is a very common question regarding tent and car camping. The answer is not as straightforward as you think. 

Yes, car camping is typically warmer than tent camping. However, this is only true for the first few hours or so. This is because your car has more insulation and does a better job of trapping heat. Once your car has been sitting long enough and you have opened the door a few times, it will likely be at or slightly above the temperature inside a tent.

However, tent camping has other benefits. Generally speaking, you’ll have more space to stretch out and roll around in a tent than in a vehicle. You’ll also typically have a flatter surface to sleep on as most cars, even if the seats lay flat, are not completely level. 

Unlike car camping, you also have many more choices for placing your tent. Some parks can even restrict car camping. 

We can say for sure that RV camping is warmer than tent camping and car camping. That’s because most modern RVs have a gas, electric, or hydronic heating system .

How Can You Tell If a Tent is a Good Quality?

The most common camping tent fabrics are nylon, polyester, and cotton canvas. However, different fabrics can be used for various tent components, such as the body, the floor, and the rainfly. 

When it comes to evaluating tent materials, most manufacturers use denier count to denote the thickness of the individual fiber threads or filaments used to create the fabric. Tents with higher-denier fabrics generally offer more durability than tents with lower-denier fabrics. 

Additionally, most camping tents have mesh panels that provide ventilation, which is critical when camping in hot climates. No-see-um mesh is a variety with thinner holes that restrict the entry of smaller pesky flying insects. 

A tent with larger mesh panels will provide more ventilation to prevent condensation inside the tent. Larger mesh panels will also offer better views from the tent when you open a vestibule. 

Pole Construction

Poles are another critical component of a tent’s construction. Tent poles often determine how difficult it is to set up a tent and play a role in its durability. You’ll most commonly find tent poles made of aluminum or fiberglass, but some tents offer poles made of carbon fiber, steel, or composite materials. 

Aluminum tent poles are stronger and more durable than fiberglass. They are common in lightweight backpacking tents. 

Fiberglass tent poles are common in the most affordable car camping and cabin-style tents. They are heavier and fairly flexible but more likely to crack or split when stressed.

Carbon fiber tent poles are stronger and lighter than aluminum. But they are more expensive, which makes them less common in family camping tents and more common in backpacking or mountaineering tents.

Steel tent poles are heavy but strong, rigid, and cost-effective. They are generally found on heavy cabin-style or tunnel canvas tents. 

Composite tent poles are more flexible than aluminum. They flex under stress without breaking and can return to their original shape. In terms of weight and price, composite poles are comparable to aluminum poles. 

While less common, there are also inflatable camping tents. These tents utilize air beams to retain their structure and come with an air pump for easier inflation during setup and breakdown.   

What are the Tent’s Interior Features?

Interior features like room dividers go a long way when camping with multiple people in one large tent. But other features, such as interior loops, phone storage pockets, and the number of doors, improve your tent camping experience as well. 

The number of doors is a feature that often gets overlooked. But if you’re sleeping in a large tent with a single door, multiple people could climb over you when nature calls in the middle of the night. In that case, having multiple doors is the difference between a rejuvenating rest and waking up groggy and sore. 

In addition, storage pockets, loops for clipping carabiners, and a loft to store gear will help you keep your tent organized during your camping trip. Especially after the first night, phones, keys, and other small items can easily get lost amidst the sea of sleeping bags in family tents. Organizing these items in their dedicated pockets will make camp life much easier. 

How To Put Up a Tent

To put up a tent, you must first understand the differences between freestanding and non-freestanding tents. Freestanding tents will generally support their own structure whether or not you install the tent stakes. 

Nonfreestanding tents require the stakes to be secured in the ground to keep the corners taut and provide the structure for the tent poles. There are various standard and proprietary tent pole designs out there, but most manufacturers categorize their tents as freestanding or not. 

If you’re new to tent camping , freestanding tents are the easiest to set up and break down. If you have enough inside the tent and it’s a relatively windless day, you may also get away without securing the tent stakes, which saves you a step in setup and breakdown. 

Once you set up a freestanding tent, you can also move it to your ideal location before packing your sleeping bag and camping pillow . However, nonfreestanding tents are more popular for experienced backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts because they are generally lighter and more compact for carrying long distances. Some of them use trekking poles to support an even more compact footprint.

What Tent Accessories Do You Need?

Some camping tents include additional accessories, but some do not. Here’s a short list of tent accessories to look for when you’re shopping for camping tents: 

• Tent footprint/ground cloth: Goes under your tent to protect the tent floor and provide additional moisture protection. 
• Extra stakes/anchors: Different campsites may require more heavy-duty stakes or tent anchors than others. 
• Tent repair kit: Stay prepared for broken tent poles, torn mesh, and other potential tent maintenance needs. 
• Indoor-outdoor floor mat: Gives you a place to wipe your feet and leave shoes to minimize tracking dust and dirt inside the tent. 
• Seam sealer: Reseal your tent seams if you start to notice leakage. 

Rechargeable fan : Keep cool when camping in hot weather.  

Are You Ready to Upgrade from a Tent to an RV?

If you’re new to camping, starting with a tent is a good idea. It allows you to explore sleeping outdoors and exploring nature while saving money and enjoying a comfortable place to sleep at night. 

But a natural progression leads many tent campers to upgrade to an RV . How do you know when you’re ready to make that jump?

Here are a few reasons to consider shopping for a new or used RV:  

• You’re tired of sleeping on an air mattress or thin camping pad .
• You’re tired of packing up a wet tent in the morning.
• You’re tired of unpredictable water pressure at campground showers. 
• You’re sick of the questionable sanitation of campground bathroom facilities.  
• You want a weatherproof cooking space . 
• You want added protection from wildlife and the elements. 
• You want a climate-controlled space for four-season camping.
• You want the ability to tune into your favorite movies or shows on rainy days. 

If you’re ready to make the transition, here are some useful buying tips to find your perfect RV: 

• RVs You Can Tow with your SUV
• What is the Best Small RV?
• Tips for Buying a Used RV
• Which Teardrop Camper is Right For You?
• 7 Things To Do on Your RV Rental Trip if You’re Thinking of Buying

What do you look for in a camping tent? Share your experience in the comments below!

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These Are The 23 Best Deals In REI’s Sale Section Right Now

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If you’ve got spring hikes and summer camping trips on the brain, REI is a one-stop shop for just about anything you might need. Even better, REI’s sale section is currently stocked with thousands of deals from major brands like Cotopaxi , Hoka and Fjallraven —not to mention its popular in-house brand .

REI's sale section is stocked with thousands of deals from brands like Fjallraven, Cotopaxi, ... [+] Allbirds and more right now.

The REI sale section isn’t just a great place to find discounts on camping and hiking gear—it’s also full of deals on past seasons’ apparel and shoes. So whether you’re in the process of revamping your gear for the warmer months ahead or looking to taking advantage of winter clearance markdowns, you’re sure to find some enticing offers. Here are the best deals available right now.

The 12 Best Outdoor Sectionals That Are Perfect For Lounging

The best pruning shears to tame all types of greenery, the best deals from rei’s sale section at a glance:.

• Fjallraven Vardag Pile Fleece Jacket (Women) : Now $82, Was $165 (50% Off)
• Cotopaxi Del Dia Luzon Pack (18 Liter) : Now $45, Was $60 (25% Off)
• REI Co-op Trailmade Pants : Now $35, Was $70 (50% Off)
• Nemo Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair : Now $194, Was $300 (35% Off)
• Outdoor Research Aspire II Gore-Tex Jacket (Women's) : Now $112, Was $225 (50% Off)
• Hoka Arahi 6 Sneakers (Men) : Now $113, Was $140 (19% Off)
• The North Face Wawona 6 Tent : Now $350, Was $500 (30% Off)
• Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Crew Base Layer Top (Women) : Now $80, Was $115 (30% Off)
• Allbirds Tree Runner Shoes (Men) : $49, Was $98 (50% Off)

Best REI Deals On Apparel:

A popular down jacket, cotopaxi capa hooded insulated jacket (women's).

Cotopaxi is known for its well-made, colorful designs. This insulated jacket is lightweight, water-repellent and has a scuba hood that helps keep the cold out. This deal price is currently only available in the pictured colorway—but it’s the best price you can find for the jacket online right now.

Some Versatile Pants

Rei co-op trailmade pants (men's).

These lightweight, durable pants are tear-resistant and made with UPF 50+ fabric—perfect for your next big adventure. This deal price is available in three colors for an impressive 50% discount.

A Pair Of Best-Selling Shorts

Prana 8-inch zion shorts ii (men's).

Durable and attractive, these Prana shorts will comfortably take you from a hike to happy hour. They’re stretchy, moisture-wicking and rated UPF 50+ to protect you from the sun’s rays. At over half off, this deal matches the best price you can find for these shorts, but it’s limited to the sepia shade.

A Classic Base Layer

Smartwool thermal base layer (women's).

Smartwool makes some of the best base layers on the market, and this one is a bestseller. At $80, it’s certainly still an investment, but this top will keep you warm, comfortable and dry regardless of the conditions you’re venturing out in.

An Insulated Coat For Rainy Spring Weather

Fjallraven kiruna padded insulated parka (women).

If you’re looking for a coat that will keep you dry and toasty warm during rainy spring walks, this Fjallraven parka is a great option. The coat is warm and water resistant, and this deal is the best price you can find online right now.

This Cozy Fleece For Cool Nights

Fjallraven vardag pile fleece jacket (women's).

This basic fleece is a great transitional piece, and it’s currently half off in all sizes of the black and brown shades. Keep in mind that this style has been discontinued, so this may be one of your last opportunities to snag it.

This Waterproof Rain Jacket

Outdoor research aspire ii gore-tex jacket (women's).

Windproof and waterproof, this Outdoor Research jacket will keep you comfortable in inclement weather. It has zippered pockets, an adjustable hood and is currently on sale in three colorways. Sizing is limited, though.

Some Casual Shorts

Vuori vintage ripstop shorts (women's).

Reviewers say these will become your go-to shorts this summer. You can pull them on for a trip to the beach, a hike or an afternoon of errands. They’re on sale in three colors, but you’ll find the most sizes available in the charcoal color above.

An All-Weather Jacket

Fjallraven high coast hydratic jacket (men's).

Here’s a windproof and rainproof option for guys. It’s half off in black, green and orange—at least for now. We expect this jacket to sell out fast at this price.

This Breezy Workout Dress

Outdoor voices doing things dress.

This Outdoor Voices exercise dress was originally $108, but right now you can pick it up for only $32. It’s made of cooling fabric and has built-in shorts with pockets, so it’s great for low-impact workouts and casual wear.

Best REI Deals On Outdoor & Travel Gear:

A one-of-a-kind cotopaxi pack, cotopaxi del dia luzon pack (18 liter).

Cotopaxi’s bags are made from 100% repurposed fabric, so each bag is unique. This simple bag cinches at the top and can hold 18 liters of gear. It also has a front pocket and an internal hydration sleeve (though you’ll need to provide your own water pack). This 25% off deal is the best price you can find for the streamlined pack online.

A Cult-Favorite Camping Blanket

Rumpl original puffy recycled blanket.

The Rumpl blanket is made of the same material as a classic puffer jacket, so it’ll keep you nice and warm. It’s also conveniently machine washable. Versions of this blanket are often on sale, but this discount matches the best price you can typically score for this size.

A Reliable Headlamp

Black diamond onsight 375 headlamp.

A headlamp is great for everything from navigating a dark campsite to an evening walk around the block. The model is a dual-beam design that emits up to 375 lumens at up to 88 meters. It also offers a sturdy IPX7 rating against dust and water. Black Diamond has a red version of this headlamp available for a few bucks less, but $33 is the best price online for the black and white options.

This Versatile Camp Towel

Nomadix original towel.

If you’re a Douglas Adams fan, then you know a towel is the most important tool an intersteller hitchhiker can have. Even if you’re sticking planetside, a great towel will keep you dry and can double as a blanket (or even a yoga mat, in the case of this slip-resistant design). Pick it up for 30% off right now.

This Luxe Camp Chair

Nemo stargaze reclining camp chair.

This Nemo chair improves upon the classic camp chair with padded arms, an adjustable headrest, suspending rocking and an auto recline, so you can truly sit back and relax by the fire. While this may seem pricey for a camp chair, this is the best price you can find for the luxury Nemo online right now.

This Family-Ready Tent

The north face wawona 6 tent.

A larger version of our top pick for the best camping tent overall, the six-person Wawona is a double-walled, three-season design. It has lots of pockets for internal organization and a shaded vestibule for storing extra gear or lounging away from the sun’s rays. Right now you can get it for $350 instead of the full $500.

Best REI Deals On Footwear:

A pair of best-selling sneakers, hoka arahi 6 sneakers (men's).

Great for walking and running, these breathable sneakers offer extra support without superfluous weight. While 19% might not feel like a huge discount, you’re unlikely to see these sneakers on sale for much lower anytime soon.

These Insulated Hiking Boots

Merrell thermo chill mid waterproof boots (women's).

If you do a lot of winter hiking, check out these Merrell boots. They’re lightweight, insulated and have removable contoured insoles to keep you supported throughout your trek. Psst, they’re also on sale for 50% off at the moment.

A Lightweight Sneaker For Summer

Allbirds tree runner shoes (men's).

Lightweight and breathable, these casual Allbirds are great for every day wear—especially as the weather warms. You can also machine wash the insoles as needed to keep them fresh. This deal matches the best price we’ve seen for these sneakers, but it’s only available in two colorways at the moment.

A Solid Everyday Sneaker

Hoka bondi 8 road-running shoes (men's).

These Hoka sneakers are another great everyday shoe. Their lightweight, supportive foam can handle casual runs and long days on your feet. This deal is currently only available in one colorway, but it matches the best price we’ve seen for the Bondi 8.

These Cozy Slippers

Manitobah shearling cabin loafers (men's).

These cozy loafers are perfect for shuffling around the house, but their rubble outsole makes them durable enough to join you on that quick errand. Although you can technically find this slipper on sale for $2 less straight from Manitobah, it’s only available in sizes 6 and 7. REI has sizes 8, 9, 10 and 13 in stock for $62.

Some Strappy Chacos

Chaco z/2 classic sandals (men's).

If you’re looking for a simple, comfortable sandal, you can’t go wrong with a pair of Chacos. This style features adjustable straps, podiatrist-certified footbeds and a grippy outsole so you won’t slip around. This deal is by far the best price you can find a pair of Z/2s online right now.

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Life of the Nenets Reindeer Herders in the Russian North

No comments · Posted by Sergei Rzhevsky in People , Photos , Regions

Of the indigenous peoples of the Russian North, the Nenets are the most numerous. According to the 2010 census, the total number of the Nenets people living in Russia was 44,640, of which 29,772 were living in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District , part of the Tyumen region .

Let’s look at some scenes from their life in winter, when the temperature ranges from minus 20 to minus 40 degrees Celsius. Photos by: Petr Ushanov .

The traditional dwelling of the Nenets is a conical tent (chum).

The traditional occupation of the Nenets is large-scale reindeer herding. On the Yamal Peninsula, there are several thousands of the Nenets reindeer herders leading the nomadic way of life and having about 500,000 reindeer.

Reindeer for the Nenets are everything (transport, clothing, building materials, and food).

Tags:  Tyumen oblast · Yamalo-Nenets okrug

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Tesla Cybertruck

Tesla starts shipping $3,000 cybertruck tent, looks nothing like what was unveiled.

Tesla has started shipping its ‘Basecamp’, a $3,000 tent designed for the back of the Cybertruck. It’s a bit of a disappointment as it looks nothing like what was originally unveiled.

Accessories are big with trucks. Their form factor open up a bunch of interesting possibilities with the bed, but the Cybertruck’s specific design with the angle on the bed makes it more difficult to use some off-the-shelves accessories.

To address that, Tesla has planned a series of accessories designed specifically for the Cybertruck.

One of them is Basecamp, a tent that fits in the back of the electric pickup truck. It was first announced with the original unveiling of the Cybertruck in 2019:

This looked like an interesting design with seemingly a rigid bottom half that matched the design of the truck.

The product became ‘Basecamp’ and was released for sale shortly after Tesla revealed the production version of the truck last year. It already seemed to be a lot less attractive design at that point:

Now, Tesla has started shipping, or rather installing, the Basecamp for early Cybertruck owners.

I say “installing” because you need your first installation to happen at a Tesla Service Center to attach the tent’s brakets, which support the base of the tent, to the Cybertruck’s vault side rails.

A Cybertruck owner going by ‘TownBiz’ on Cybertruck Owners Club received one of the very first Basecamp and gave a first impression review of the tent system:

‘Although Tesla is requiring SCs to do the initial install, in reality both install and removal of the tent from the bed (aka “vault”) is straightforward as long as you can deadlift 90lbs and/or have a buddy to help lift. Basecamp comes with 6 brackets that attach to the vault’s side rails and have specific spacing. Attaching these brackets is simple: same as how you attach your bottle opener or tie down points that come with Foundation Series trucks. Assuming Tesla is requiring the SC to do it just because of potential liability issues w/ people not putting the brackets in the right positions. That said, the manual provides install instructions for anyone to put these brackets in, so I suspect that one day Tesla may direct ship to customers. The trickiest parts of initial install are setting the stowed Basecamp in the right slot (need to put it in at a slight angle closest to the bed of the truck) and aligning the two T25 bolts that secure Basecamp’s frame to the truck. The manual recommends using a flashlight so you can align the holes and that really does make it pretty easy. Unfortunately the SC installer had some difficulty with this initially and scratched one of my brackets and may have also slightly messed up the threading on that bracket because it’s a little loose – not a show stopper, and theoretically a replaceable part. Once you remove those two T25 bolts, you can take the zipped up Basecamp with frame out of the truck and store it at home. This is welcome news because it definitely cuts into the length of your bed/vault (a bit more than 1/3 closest to the cab of the truck) if you like to transport adult sized mountain bikes using a tailgate pad. Otherwise, as mentioned the design is great because you can store gear under the stowed Basecamp.’

Here’s what the production version of the Basecamp looks like on the Cybertruck:

Obviously, it looks nothing like the original render and arguably, it doesn’t look as good. To be fair, it should look better with the awning out, but they haven’t installed it in this case.

Here’s the inside:

The owner has noted a few issues with the installation, packing, and unpacking process. He is not sure if he can recommend it for $3,000:

Because the rainy weather hasn’t allowed me to do a full setup + takedown more than once, I still can’t definitively say whether or not I recommend the $3K Basecamp. On one hand, I think that much of the thoughtful and unique design elements might warrant the cost: it’s fairly lightweight + easy to install/remove the stowed tent from the truck, stays out of the way (unless you want to transport multiple bikes in the bed), doesn’t reduce range due to decreased aerodynamics, and has intuitive pieces that make setup + takedown a breeze. On the other hand, there are some unpolished areas that stick out because of all those great elements I mentioned already: removing + re-installing the “Aeroflap” and the frustration of fitting and zipping up the stowed Basecamp in softcover after you finish using the tent. The three minor damaged pieces (the scuffed + potentially thread damaged middle bracket where a T25 bolt secures the stowed Basecamp to the bed rail, one of the leg quick release buttons, and the nylon webbing for one of the cobra buckle retainers) that I mentioned might have been better designed and will need to be fixed too, but because they don’t impede the function of the tent they’re not show stoppers. The currently MIA “Tent Mode” is also a bit of a red flag because the rumoured self-levelling element is a pretty big deal for roof-top-tent camping – briefly laying on the sleeping mat while parked in my gently sloped driveway I could feel myself rolling downhill. If Tesla releases Tent Mode to all CT owners or only verified Basecamp owners may be a deciding factor for people buying the Basecamp or waiting for a 3rd party solution (theoretically if a maker creates cross bars for the vault, other folding rooftop tents that are not wider than the vault/bed could work nicely). $3K is a serious chunk of change and you could buy a lot of sweet camping gear with it. However, as I mentioned at the start, evidently $3K for a high quality rooftop tent is not that crazy.

The ‘Tent Mode’ is expected to enable an auto leveling of the truck with its air suspension, but the software is nowhere to be found in Cybertrucks right now.

There’s unfortunately no way to link the truck’s AC to the tent with this system.

Electrek’s Take

Top comment by keith range.

This reminds me of Bethesda's Fallout 76 $200 edition of the game where they advertised a very nice looking canvas bag included. What users ended up receiving was a nylon trash sack basically (Unless you were a social media influencer, they got the originally promised bags)

This thing looks like something I could make for 10% the cost at $300 and use $20 Walmart tarps cut and stitched. I'd say I'd be pretty honked off if I had a CT and ordered this, but the people that can afford all that probably wouldn't miss a wasted $3k as most of us would

They really should have delayed delivery until they could produce something sleek and appearing as the result of high quality professional design. Maybe they just realized this is all they could do for $3k and still maintain a 90% profit margin...

I love my '18 Tesla M3P. My wife loves her '15 S P90DL. I love everything SpaceX. But Elon's choices, decisions, actions, and publicly spoken words/text have just been going down and down and down over the years. Makes me sad. I'm in agreement with Fred Lambert's article posted here a few days ago 🙁

In my opinion, this is definitely a disapointment for the price and in comparison to the original renders.

$3,000 is no joke. You can get some awesome tents for that price.

Sounds like you would be better off with an off-truck tent or maybe an off-the-shevel roof tent if you can have some kind of cross bar accessory to make the Cybertruck’s roof flat and able to receive the tent.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.

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DAY 8 – 13 and how to MEET a CONSPIRACY THEORISTS

Day 8 the approach trail

A red eye landed me in Atlanta around 430 am Friends (on similar flights) took me back to their place, where we napped till late morning.

I picked up fuel at REI, lunch (a corn dog), and headed to amolicolas falls. Unsure where to head I followed the signs till a volunteer pulled me into a 10 min briefing, which was a complete surprise such a formal introduction existed.

He discussed leave no trace, food storage, the 1st 87 miles, and the noro virus; then handed me a tag. I am the 2370th hiker to leave amolicolas falls this year.

I parted way with my friends, bought a snack and headed up the trail.

Day 9 Miles 0 – 7.4

I quickly passed Springer Mountain, the official start of the trail. A fellow hiker (who left camp a few hours before me) mentioned he didn’t have any maps and wanted me to point him the right direction. I did and started off.

I spent most of the day focusing on my walk, trying to determine if there was anything in my gate that I could tweak to reduce my knee pain. Made it to Hawk mountain shelter by 2.

The show day was frustrating, so I distracted myself from not hiking by taking a nap, setting up camp, and collecting wood for a fire.

Eventually a small community gathered for dinner and the camp fire I made. I enjoyed the company and giving little tips / sharing my experiences. Long distant hiking accomplishment are best appreciated by budding long distance hikers.

Day 10 Miles 7.4 – 21.2

In the morning I passed the hiker with no maps. He exclaimed how happy he was to see me. Sounds like he hiked for most the night, unsure which direction was North and convinced he was headed back to amolicolas.

I hiked with him most the day. He talked a lot. mostly about conspiracy theories and other questionable facts. Notably how we all time warped exactly one year due to a particle accelerator, and we all have faint memories of already hiking the Appalachian Trail together; also the earth is flat.

At mile 15.5 (.1 miles to the next shelter) we split. Another hiker (whom also has knee problems) recommended I put away the trekking since they can make you lean forward, putting pressure on the ligaments.

So I tried it out and could feel the difference, I cautiously hiked onwards till it started to rain hard. I set up tent alone and enjoyed a quiet evening in the rain.

Day 11 Miles 21.2 – 32.4

Rain ended by the morning, it was a warm and humid hike up Blood Mountain, but town was calling so the miles moved quickly. I hit Neels gap by 1. There is a gear store there, I picked up a few pieces of gear, but didn’t want to good resupply there since it seemed expensive.

I offered to another hiker, Pearl, to head into town for a cheaper resupply, plus then they could learn / experience hitchhiking. Her friend Gabby also joined, so after 10 mins of waiting, we were all squeezing into a tiny Fiat driven by a very chatty older lady. It was plenty of laughs as she took pictures and w swapped stories. We resupplied at a grocery and stopped in for a late lunch.

We hitched out of town with a local couple and made our way out of the gap, covering just a few miles before setting up camp.

Day 12 Miles 32.4 – 43

A thunder storm broke around 630 am, it rained hard enough to splash water off the ground under the vestibule into my tent.

The storm came directly over us. By 8 am it died down and I was out of my tent. By 9 the clouds were clear and we set off.

I hiked most of the morning with Tabby.

It was a hot and humid day, but easy hiking. Pearl stopped 50 yds away from where Gabby and I lunched and dried our tent.

We went back to get her, and all hiked the next five miles to Low Gap shelter. There a small community of hikers coalesced, laughing all night about our conspiracy theory friend and other shenanigans.

Day 13 Miles 43 – 52.7

A crew decided after much debate that we were going to take a night off in Hiawassi to avoid the rain. (2nd option was to hike an additional 16 miles)

Five of us hitched into town and elected to cram into a small motel room: a motel room is bigger than a shelter. (Though I ended up bunking with another hiker who had a spare bed)

I spent the afternoon doing town chores, buying food resupply, taking a shower, washing Clothes in the sink, grabbing bites to eat.

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To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Hello, my name is Kevin. I fell in love with Thru-hiking after attempting the PCT in 2016, completing the California and Oregon, I have since then, sectioned the Washington section of the PCT, hiked the Colorado trail, and portions of the Camino Frances. A big life transition has allowed me to make time for another long distance hike; so I am attempting the Appalachian trail, NOBO (ish).

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