The 6 Greatest 4-Season Tents of 2024

Greatest Double Wall 4-Season Tent

Hilleberg Jannu

Measured Weight: 6.87 lbs | Flooring Dimensions (L x W): 93 x 57 in

The Hilleberg Jannu is a flexible shelter for mountaineering and alpine climbing. It strikes a pleasant steadiness between one thing that’s expedition-worthy however continues to be gentle sufficient to take into your native mountain vary. Our testers love the convenience of setup, bombproof storm safety, and respectable weight, making this our highest-rated general tent for good purpose. Though, when you’re seeking to save a buck, The North Face Mountain 25 prices practically half the worth and nearly matched the Jannu within the general rating.

Made for high-altitude climbing and mountaineering, the Jannu has a couple of disadvantages. First, it’s significantly much less snug to hang around in than different full-blown expedition-focused tents. Second, it is expensive. Should you just like the idea of this mannequin however funds are restricted, The North Face Mountain 25 is a really first rate different. Lastly, whereas it is not practically as heavy as full-blown expedition tents, it’s nonetheless barely heavier than most lighter-duty 4-season fashions. Nonetheless, when you’re trying to find a time-tested stormproof shelter that is a breeze to arrange and value and/or weight financial savings aren’t as essential, you will not be dissatisfied with the efficiency of the Jannu.

Learn extra: Hilleberg Jannu assessment

Greatest Single Wall 4-Season Tent

Samaya2.0

Measured Weight: 3.61 lbs (w/o vestibule) | Flooring Dimensions (L x W): 87 x 43 in

The Samaya2.0 is without doubt one of the market’s lightest, really waterproof 4-season tent choices, and it’s setting a brand new commonplace for high-level alpinism internationally. Historically, single-wall shelters had been compact and saved weight, however they carried out poorly within the rain. Advances in supplies know-how have spawned the following era of single-wall tents, and Samaya is main the cost.

The Samaya2.0 carried out exceptionally nicely in our testing throughout an intense late autumn storm within the Tetons that started with rain and transitioned to sub-freezing temps adopted by heavy snow. Not a drop of moisture entered this cozy shelter. It’s a tad tight for 2, nevertheless it’s additionally simply the proper dimension for that high-alpine bivy web site that may’t accommodate a bigger footprint. We additionally just like the light-weight and minimalist Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2, however lots of its parts are offered individually. Should you’re able to step up your single-wall tent sport, the Samaya is a sport changer.

Learn extra: Samaya2.0 assessment

Greatest Total Worth

The North Face Mountain 25

Measured Weight: 8.50 lbs | Flooring Dimensions (L x W): 86 x 54 in

The The North Face Mountain 25 is a superb expedition and winter tenting tent with a sturdy design. For the worth, it is exhausting to search out one thing as spacious and livable that is additionally well-made and simple to make use of. Its niches embody normal and high-altitude mountaineering, winter tenting, and base tenting.

The Mountain 25 performs fantastically in inclement climate circumstances. Heavier than many double-wall 4-season fashions, the low value level and stormworthy development make this tent a favourite for a lot of mountaineers and information providers. In the identical value vary, the SlingFin CrossBow 2 is a good possibility and far lighter weight, nevertheless it’s extra complicated to pitch. If you would like one thing you’ll be able to climb with that is additionally a bit extra snug for winter tenting, and you’ve got larger mountain vary ambitions, we advocate the Mountain 25.

Learn extra: The North Face Mountain 25 assessment

Greatest Ultralight Mid

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2

Measured Weight: 1.49 lbs (w/o insert, stakes, or pole)| Flooring Dimensions (L x W): 83 x 107 in

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 is extraordinarily light-weight, particularly when you use your individual trekking poles strapped collectively to create its central help. It’s also extremely waterproof, with not a drop of water or flake of snow getting inside throughout our testing in a multi-day rain and snow storm. On prime of that, it is rather roomy for 2 individuals and their gear. It isn’t low cost, and lots of facets are offered individually (like a bug web insert and flooring), however for the proper consumer, the customizable nature will likely be interesting, and the high-quality supplies make sure you’ll get years, if not a long time, of use.

The UltaMid 2 carried out nicely within the wind throughout testing, however solely after spending a good period of time anchoring it. This tent consists of loads of twine for that goal, nevertheless it doesn’t include different equipment, corresponding to stakes, an insert or tent physique, or a central pole — typical for a mid or “pyramid tarp.” You should buy these gadgets individually, however it will be good if it at the least got here with stakes. Should you plan on tenting in a location with pesky bugs, you may need to buy an insert with bug netting. The UltaMid2 is a distinct segment possibility, however for these seeking to journey ultralight and quick, it is a terrific alternative. We additionally love the Samaya2.0 for going ultralight, nevertheless it’ll price a bit extra.

Learn extra: Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 assessment

Greatest for a Spacious Basecamp

MSR Distant 2

Measured Weight: 7.13 lbs | Flooring Dimensions (L x W): 87 x 55 in

The MSR Distant 2 is without doubt one of the most snug tents in our lineup. It strikes a pleasant steadiness between an ultralight single-wall tent and a full-on expedition tent, which tends to be heavier and bulkier. The very best function of the Distant 2 is how spacious it’s. It was loads lengthy sufficient for our 5’10” tester, with room to spare from head to toe, and the form and top of the ceiling make it straightforward to sit down up and alter your clothes layers. Double-sided doorways and vestibules supply two individuals their very own cupboard space and entrance, and the amber-hued indoor ambiance is sort of enjoyable.

When it comes to setup and breakdown, the Distant 2 is faster than most, however the rain fly attachment system is not the slickest. It consists of grommets that hook onto the pole ends, and, with no pull tab, it required eradicating our gloves to connect and disassemble the rainfly throughout testing. Conversely, the tent stakes are wonderful, with a spherical loop of twine woven via a gap in the long run, making them among the best stakes we have ever pulled out of the bottom. Sadly, MSR does not embody sufficient stakes, or sufficient twine, to sufficiently anchor the tent in excessive winds. Nevertheless, the efficient venting system addresses condensation points seen with previous variations. One other worthy consideration is the Hilleberg Jannu, which is our favourite double-wall expedition tent. It earns a couple of additional factors for its storm resistance, versatility, and development high quality. Nonetheless, when you’re trying to find a extremely nice all-around tent that performs nicely whereas base tenting, ski touring, river operating, or normal mountaineering, that is certainly one of our prime picks.

Learn extra: MSR Distant 2 assessment

Greatest for Expeditions

Mountain Hardwear Trango 2

Measured Weight: 9.09 lbs | Flooring Dimensions (L x W): 85 x 64 in

The Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 is without doubt one of the most expedition-worthy 4-season tents ever made. It is excellent for harsh climate or prolonged base camp adventures. It has been from Antarctica to Mt. Everest to the North Pole and has accompanied individuals on among the most distant expeditions to the ends of the earth. Whereas it is overkill for extra modest summertime mountaineering — we predict the Hilleberg Jannu is extra appropriate — it is price each ounce when the circumstances flip gnarly. With its 4-pole design (not together with the fifth hooped vestibule pole), the Trango 2 is definitely one of many strongest shelters obtainable and is as straightforward because it will get to pitch in excessive winds. It is also the roomiest two-person shelter in our check fleet, and the spacious vestibule will retailer loads of gear or present a spot to cook dinner when you’ll be able to’t dangle exterior any longer.

The Trango is 100% designed for expedition use, and these attributes make it nice for nuclear wind or dumping snow; nonetheless, it is a bit on the heavy aspect for multi-day ski touring or summertime mountaineering. In case your excursions lean extra in the direction of modest alpine goals, you need to select a lighter and extra packable tent just like the Samaya2.0. However for these seeking to shelter from excessive winds and heavy snowfall, the Trango is a tank of a tent that acts as a superb dwelling away from dwelling on the earth’s most excessive environments.

Learn extra: Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 assessment

Examine Merchandise

How We Take a look at 4 Season Tents

Our assessment course of begins with combining our experience with thorough analysis into the market. As soon as we determine on our lineup, we buy every tent at full price, and create a check plan decided by crucial components within the performance of a 4-season tent. With years of ongoing testing for a lot of tent fashions and varied sources of knowledge, we acquire useful perception into issues like ease of use and high quality of development and might assess which fashions fare higher or worse in a various vary of climate circumstances. The tents on this assessment have seen excessive winds and numerous snowy, wet, stormy, and sunny days. We weigh every mannequin and look at their development high quality, and we time how lengthy they take to arrange. We additionally take into account how tough every tent is to arrange in difficult circumstances like blowing wind, rain, or blizzard circumstances. We have been testing tents repeatedly for over a decade in varied places, like Alberta and British Columbia, Alaska, Patagonia, Antarctica, Peru, Bolivia, Aconcagua, and different places worldwide. For extra on our testing procedures, take a look at our How We Take a look at article.

Our testing of 4-season tents is split throughout 5 ranking metrics:

• Climate and Storm Resistance (30% weighting)

• Ease of Use (30% weighting)

• High quality of Development (10% weighting)

• Versatility (10% weighting)

Why Belief GearLab

This assessment has been crafted by long-time GearLab contributors {and professional} mountain guides Brian Smith and Ian Nicholson. Brian is an internationally licensed IFMGA/UIAGM mountain information who has guided and lived in tents in Alaska, Peru, Canada, Europe, and all through the USA, together with the Tetons, the Winds, the Cascades, the Sierras, and the desert southwest. Dwelling in a tent all through such a variety of environments and spending time tenting in all 4 seasons over greater than 30 years has given Brian a wealth of experiential data that can assist you discover the proper tent on your goals.

Ian can be an IFMGA/UIAGM information who has spent nearly 2,000 nights sleeping in a tent during the last 20 years. He’s additionally a member of the AMGA (American Mountain Guides Affiliation) and an AIARE Nationwide Teacher, educating professional-level programs for each skilled coaching our bodies. Ian has guided ten Denali expeditions and accomplished 5 extra journeys to different areas of Alaska ranges along with first ascents in Patagonia, the Waddington Vary, the North Cascades, and greater than 30 week-plus lengthy ski traverses all over the world. Consequently, few individuals can supply the extent of experience and perception he can concerning 4-season shelters.

Evaluation and Take a look at Outcomes

We have chosen all kinds of 4-season tents for this assessment. We check tremendous light-weight to heavy and mega stormworthy. All of the choices on this assessment can face up to a bunch of environments, from tremendous sunny circumstances to chopping winds. Every is scored towards all of the others in each metric that can assist you filter out [buying advice|which tent buying considerations] are most necessary to you and your goal.

What is the Greatest Worth?

Should you’ve been trying to find a 4-season tent, you already know they typically aren’t low cost. However we’re right here that can assist you assess these shelters with out overpaying on your wants. Standing out among the many relaxation for worth is The North Face Mountain 25. It is a stable double-wall tent at an affordable value and carried out on the prime of the pack. The Hyperlite UltaMid 2 has an preliminary value decrease than many, however take into account that many parts will not be included (stakes, flooring, bug web/insert, and many others.). That stated, for the ultralight aficionado, it could possibly be excellent.

The Alps Mountaineering Tasmanian 2 is an outlier in our lineup, ringing up for a whole lot of {dollars} lower than anything. It is received nice climate resistance and is spacious, however the general high quality simply is not in the identical ballpark. However if you wish to dip your toes in four-season tenting and will not be out a ton or abusing your gear, it is a viable entry level. On the flip aspect, if you already know you need one thing that’s constructed to final, the Hilleberg Jannu is dear however a terrific long-term funding.

Climate and Storm Resistance

That is crucial metric for a 4-season shelter. We assessed every tent’s capacity to guard its occupants from the weather and the surface atmosphere. The very best fashions will preserve you dry with out bending, altering form, or excessively flapping in excessive winds.

We pitched every mannequin on breezy, uncovered ridges and in driving snow and rain. As soon as pitched, we in contrast each and assessed how nicely they stored us dry. We checked out pole design and development, double-wall and single-wall materials, vestibules, tie-down techniques, and different options that have an effect on every shelter’s energy. A number of the largest contributing components embody the variety of pole intersections, the variety of pole factors, and the mechanism for attaching the interior tent to the poles, together with the variety of factors and mechanisms for attaching the rainfly. Lastly, we seemed on the quantity, location, and high quality of man factors. We realized from our testing that pole design and high quality are probably the most important components influencing wind resistance and general energy.

Essentially the most important components contributing to a tent’s energy are the variety of poles, their structure/design, and the variety of pole crossings relative to the tent’s dimension and exterior top. Extra full-length poles and extra crossings equate to extra energy. How sturdy do you want your tent to be? All of the fashions we reviewed are sturdy sufficient to be used in at the least reasonable 4 season circumstances. These tents ought to face up to sturdy winds larger than 35 mph with little safety and modest snowfall. Each tent we reviewed additionally works above treeline for summertime mountaineering goals, multi-day ski touring adventures, and modest mid-winter use.

Whereas all of the shelters we examined qualify as 4-season tents, not each tent can deal with all 4-season circumstances. A few of them will not excel within the “Nice Ranges,” just like the Alaska Vary, Antarctica, the Karakoram, or prolonged time above treeline in sturdy winds and/or with heavy snow hundreds. If you’re going into severe circumstances, select one of many extra sturdy fashions with extra poles and pole crossings. Tent poles used within the tents we examined vary from 8mm to 13mm in diameter. Apart from a couple of exceptions, the thicker the pole, the stronger it’s. DAC Featherlite NSL Inexperienced poles are among the finest aluminum poles and are discovered on among the prime contenders on this metric, just like the Jannu, Mountain 25, and Samaya2.0. We additionally like Easton’s new Syclone composite pole used on all of the MSR tents, as they will flex a lot additional earlier than breaking.

Materials vary from gentle and sturdy silicone-coated nylon, discovered on the Hilleberg Nammatj 2 and Hilleberg Jannu to air-permeable supplies much like what you may discover on a water-proof jacket within the case of The North Face Assault 2 Futurelight to specialised and sturdy Nanovent 3-layer material with a Dyneema composite flooring and detachable roof cowl discovered within the single-wall Samaya2.0. We break down every tent’s particular material of their critiques. There’s a distinction between a tent lined on either side with silicone, known as silnylon, and material coated on the surface with silicone and the within with polyurethane (PU). The latter is cheaper however not as sturdy and powerful. Essentially the most sturdy fly material used on a 4-season tent in our check is the Hilleberg Nammatj 2’s Kerlon 1800 materials, which has a breaking energy of 40 kilos. The Jannu makes use of the same however barely much less sturdy Kerlon 1200 materials.

The Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 and North Face Mountain 25 supply among the biggest energy and climate resistance in our lineup. They’re very talked-about on expeditions to Vinson, Everest, and Denali. These tents have a 4-pole design, plus a further pole for the vestibule, and are the most typical pole design amongst four-season shelters as a result of they maximize energy and pole crossings for the given weight.

Amongst non-4-pole designs, the Hilleberg Jannu checked in because the strongest amongst 3-pole designs. All of those fashions are worthy of being taken to huge distant ranges just like the Alaska Vary or the Himalayas. Should you’re in search of a Denali stormworthy mannequin or one thing equal, we advocate trying particularly on the double-wall contenders that scored on the prime, particularly the Jannu, Trango, Mountain 25, and The North Face VE 25. The Alps Mountaineering Tasmanian 2 received a superb rating on this metric as nicely, nevertheless it’s not as high-quality general.

Tents just like the Samaya2.0 and The North Face Assault 2 Futurelight have 2.5 poles and will not be as sturdy. The half-length pole creates extra headroom however does not add energy. At occasions, the awning created by this third pole can truly act as a sail and additional stress the poles. These fashions supply respectably sturdy 4-season shelter however aren’t fashions we would take to Denali or anyplace we would anticipate actually fierce winds.

Ease of Use

This metric consists of livability in addition to ease of setup and breakdown. We assess how nice (or, in some instances, simply tolerable) spending time in every tent was. We checked out inside area, headroom, door and vestibule design, zipper high quality, the variety of pockets, peak top, and vestibule area. From there, we assessed the general vibe of how nice it was to share every mannequin with one other particular person. Was it darkish and gloomy or vibrant and cheerful? Did the tent get moist when somebody entered whereas it rained or snowed? Do the pockets maintain what you need them to carry? How nicely do two full-sized pads match? Are you able to sit up, face your accomplice, and play playing cards?

A key “livability” spec is the variety of sq. ft of inside area. These tents ranged from 24-48 sq. ft, not together with the vestibules, which ranged from non-existent to 22 further sq. ft. As a reference, the typical sleeping pad is 20 x 72 inches or 10 sq. ft. Tents which can be 24-27 sq. ft really feel a bit tight since two full-length pads barely match. Tents with 28-34 sq. ft really feel snug for most individuals, and 35-40 sq. foot tents really feel spacious and will borderline match an average-sized third particular person.

Essentially the most livable tents in our present lineup are the Trango 2, Jannu, Mountain 25, and Distant 2. All of those supply two doorways, nice inside top, and a good quantity of sq. footage.

Once we take into account ease of setup and breakdown, we take a look at whether or not or not the tent makes use of pole clips, sleeves, or inside poles. We additionally consider the time and the way straightforward every is to arrange or break down in poor climate circumstances. Pole clips are the quickest and best strategy to arrange a tent. On double-wall tents, they let moisture transfer and forestall condensation. The drawback of clips is that they’re heavier and do not unfold the power of wind or snow as evenly alongside the pole’s size in contrast with pole sleeves. Pole sleeves are extra supportive than clips, as they unfold the load evenly throughout a wider space. Nevertheless, they’re difficult to make use of when it is windy. In a gust, the tent acts like a kite till setup is full. Clips are barely sooner to arrange.

Lighter-weight 4-season tents use inside poles, and also you usually should set them up from the within. That is the lightest design as a result of the tent’s physique helps the poles, and no actual clips or sleeves are wanted. Some designs use small items of velcro or twist-tie options to maintain the poles in place. The load shavings from forgoing clips and additional supplies imply that inside pole tents are sometimes lighter. Inside pole design can be as sturdy and even stronger than fashions that use sleeves with the same pole construction. The first drawback is that inside pole setups are probably the most difficult and time-consuming to pitch. If it is windy, it is an excellent greater ache, as it’s a must to crawl inside to set them up. The North Face Assault 2 Futurelight has this inside pole design. The training curve is hardly excessive, however it’s price organising in a park or yard a couple of occasions earlier than coping with it on a visit. A tip: stand and begin from the again corners, working in the direction of the door.

The MSR Advance Professional makes use of exterior sleeves with one closed finish. Since you’ll be able to assemble it whereas standing exterior of the tent, it is a lot simpler to pitch than tents with inside poles.

Amongst double-wall fashions, the Hilleberg fashions had been by far the simplest to pitch. In contrast to most double-wall tents, the place you pitch the physique with the poles after which throw the fly excessive of every part, the Hilleberg tents are suspended from the fly, and also you erect the whole factor from the surface. This minimizes the period of time your tent might turn into broken by the wind or crammed with snow. For extra conventional double-wall designs, we discovered the MSR Distant 2 was simpler and sooner than others.

Weight

We weighed every tent ourselves, and we additionally measured each the minimal and “packed weight” for comparability and used these measurements to match every mannequin precisely. The minimal weight is the tent, fly, and poles; no guylines, poles, stuff sacks, and many others. The measured weight is the load of every tent the place it’s usable, which is mostly every part included within the minimal weight, plus guylines, poles, stuff sack, and an applicable variety of stakes. The measured weight is the first quantity we used for our comparability. A light-weight tent is without doubt one of the finest methods to reduce weight in your pack (or in your horse, bicycle, canoe, or burro). The tents we examined have an enormous weight vary from a pound and a half to over 12 kilos.

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 is the lightest tent we examined, with a measured weight of simply 1.49 kilos. Nevertheless, since this tent is a “mid” (quick for a pyramid tarp), that weight doesn’t embody an non-compulsory pole. The lightest strategy to go is to easily strap your poles collectively to create the central pole help. Hyperlite additionally gives a carbon fiber tent pole that weighs a further .57 kilos. The MSR Advance Professional 2 can be fairly gentle, at 3.31 kilos, although it achieves this low weight by having no bug mesh (a deal breaker if tenting beneath treeline), the smallest inside area, and the least breathable material.

The Samaya2.0 weighs in at 3.61 kilos, is waterproof, has a detachable mesh door and window, and an non-compulsory vestibule. You’ll be able to go even lighter by bringing solely the tent and poles—leaving the mesh, stakes, and stuff sacks behind—which brings its weight all the way down to solely 2.94 kilos.

We additionally just like the MSR Entry 2, SlingFin CrossBow 2, and the Hilleberg Nallo 2. They weigh simply over 4 to only over 5 kilos and are considerably extra versatile and comfy than tents that weigh a pound or two much less. For most individuals, these hit a candy spot of weight, consolation, energy, and livability.

Concerning packed dimension, among the most compact fashions we examined are the Samaya2.0 and the Hyperlite UltaMid 2, each of which compress all the way down to roughly 6 x 8 inches, or barely bigger than a 1-liter water bottle. The following most packable fashions had been as a lot as 40-50% greater, although they do present extra consolation and flexibility. Comparably, the least packable fashions supply extra inside area and larger energy however are roughly 2-3 occasions the scale of different tents in our lineup.

High quality of Development

We assessed development high quality by the kind of material used for the tent physique and fly, the standard of the poles, attachment factors, anchoring techniques, and even the design of the stuff sacks. Silnylon is the material of alternative for double-wall tents. Most PU formulations used on fly material coatings are extra susceptible to hydrolysis (chemical breakup) than silnylon. They will put on out sooner, significantly in moist environments, and are not as proof against UV degradation.

Tent flooring have high-grade PU formulations that resist hydrolysis — the breakdown of supplies and their coatings. A handful of the double-wall tents in our lineup examined have a tricky 70-denier flooring, although the Hilleberg Nammatj makes use of a 100-denier material that’s burly. Single-wall tents usually use lighter flooring supplies that are not as sturdy. Nevertheless, the Samaya2.0 makes use of a Dyneema composite material that’s fairly robust — and thusly costly.

Sure options also can considerably impression development high quality. The main three are zippers, clips, and webbing changes. Extra outstanding zippers last more and might deal with expeditions as a result of they proceed to work even when uncovered to plenty of mud and grit. Essentially the most sturdy double-wall mannequin we examined is the Hilleberg Jannu, which options mega high-quality poles and material.

Versatility

A tent’s versatility refers to its efficiency throughout varied circumstances and climates. All 4-season tent choices are designed with stormy circumstances in thoughts, however we additionally in contrast them throughout the spectrum of widespread makes use of, corresponding to alpine climbing, bivy tent climbing, snow tenting, multi-day ski-touring, expedition climbing, and simply common outdated tenting within the forest. We additionally in contrast how nicely every mannequin carried out within the rain and in hotter three-season journey and desert climates.

Extra versatile tents are usually a greater worth. As a complete, most double-wall tents scored higher than single-wall tents as a result of they carried out higher in hotter circumstances with and with out moisture.

A tent scored greater on this class when it had options that allowed us to make use of it in another way. For instance, a detachable interior tent means that you can use and pitch your tent in numerous methods. We additionally admire fashions like The North Face Assault 2 Futurelight, which have a detachable vestibule, including to its versatility.

All of the Hilleberg fashions function detachable interior tents that present a lighter, floorless shelter for summer time backpacking and quick and lightweight winter journeys. The floorless possibility is nice for mountaineering because it helps you to dig into the snow to create a cooking space. The Hyperlite UltaMid we examined is a floorless mannequin, with the choice so as to add a flooring and insert/bug web supplementally.

Air flow can have a dramatic affect on a tent’s versatility and livability. Double-wall tents usually have higher air circulation and fewer condensation than single-wall choices. The Hilleberg tents and The North Face Mountain 25 have among the finest air flow and moisture administration of all of the double-wall tents we examined. The highest vents on dome tents are helpful in transferring air round and mitigating the “it is snowing inside” impact when moisture vapor out of your breath freezes, hits the roof, after which falls again on you.

In contrast to most 3-season fashions, not all 4-season tents have a bug display screen. A bug display screen is important in case you are not on an expedition-style climb. It helps you to depart the door open for air flow and defends towards mosquitos or flies.

Conclusion

We perceive that the 4-season tent market is huge, and the funding is giant. We hope that our experiences of exploring, sleeping, and dwelling in every tent helps you discover the best choice on your subsequent journey.