If you enjoy winter camping but don't want to give up all of your home amenities, you'll need a reliable and comfortable shelter to keep the cold out and the satisfaction in, whether you're going snow camping with friends or making a large ascent into the mountains. A warm, robust, all-season shelter is a must for any winter camping trip.
For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the most comfortable among the durable, as well as the most durable among the comfortable. This list includes shelters with cutting-edge materials and construction that may be used all year round, as well as vestibules to boost user comfort. This selection of shelters will suit all of your needs while enjoying the great outdoors.
Contents
What Features Do You Look for in a 4 Season Tent?
Comfort: If poor weather forces you to wait it out inside your all-season shelter, it is better to make sure it has enough room to be cozy for longer periods. The presence of a vestibule will also not be superfluous.
The most spacious 4 season tent: Mountain Hardwear Trango 2
Cost: In general, the cost of a good all-season shelter is more than the cost of its more common three-season counterpart, but a nice all-season model may be purchased for well under a grand. A strong winter shelter can make snow camping much more enjoyable, saving you from any unpleasant surprises and guaranteeing an excellent level of comfort.
The best 4 season tent for its cost: North Face Mountain 25
Weight: More robust basecamp models tend to be heavier, but they also provide increased protection from the weather. Treeline options are fantastic for multi-day excursions in mild winter weather, but they won't fare as well in exposed areas during severe storms. The best mountaineering shelters strike a compromise between portability and durability, making them suitable for extended trips in a wide variety of climates.
The finest ultralight all-season tent: MSR Access 2
Utility: Choosing a shelter that can be used in all seasons is a good idea if you don't want to spend too much money or don't plan on camping in a variety of climates. This shelter will combine convenience, durability, and portability – everything is well-balanced.
Most adaptable tent for all 4 seasons: Slingfin CrossBow 2
What Features Do You Look for in a 4 Season Tent?
Comfort: If poor weather forces you to wait it out inside your all-season shelter, it is better to make sure it has enough room to be cozy for longer periods. The presence of a vestibule will also not be superfluous.
The most spacious 4 season tent: Mountain Hardwear Trango 2
Cost: In general, the cost of a good all-season shelter is more than the cost of its more common three-season counterpart, but a nice all-season model may be purchased for well under a grand. A strong winter shelter can make snow camping much more enjoyable, saving you from any unpleasant surprises and guaranteeing an excellent level of comfort.
The best 4 season tent for its cost: North Face Mountain 25
Weight: More robust basecamp models tend to be heavier, but they also provide increased protection from the weather. Treeline options are fantastic for multi-day excursions in mild winter weather, but they won't fare as well in exposed areas during severe storms. The best mountaineering shelters strike a compromise between portability and durability, making them suitable for extended trips in a wide variety of climates.
The finest ultralight all-season tent: MSR Access 2
Utility: Choosing a shelter that can be used in all seasons is a good idea if you don't want to spend too much money or don't plan on camping in a variety of climates. This shelter will combine convenience, durability, and portability – everything is well-balanced.
Most adaptable tent for all 4 seasons: Slingfin CrossBow 2
Mountain Hardwear Trango 2
Price: $900
Weight: 9 lbs., 10.2 oz.
Dimensions: 92 x 64 x 38 in.
The Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 boasts one of the largest interiors of selected shelters. Trango has enough room for two hikers and their gear, although the peak height leaves much to be desired. But the consequence of a reduced ceiling is better stability, and in the end, it should be noted that the peak height of this shelter still allows you to sit up straight comfortably and read a book. Furthermore, the Trango requires minimal effort to set up, provides ample ventilation, and is windproof and snowproof.
Advantages: Lots of room inside; decent airflow; 2 doors/vestibules; solid construction
Drawbacks: High price; high bulk; short peak height
The North Face Mountain 25
Price: $690
Weight: 9 lbs., 15 oz.
Dimensions: 86 x 54 x 41 in.
The North Face Mountain 25 is ideal for budget-conscious winter campers, since it is more than $100 cheaper than the Trango. This tent has a tonne of pockets, and a nice bonus is that the protected vestibule features a window for checking the weather. It has a similar design to the Trango, although it is significantly heavier and has less floor space. However, Mountain 25 has more headroom and does not feel as cramped as the Trango.
Advantages: Good value; 2 doors/vestibules
Drawbacks: Heavy
Slingfin CrossBow 2
Price: $650
Weight: 5 lbs. 4 oz.
Dimensions: 92 x 50 x 41.5
The Slingfin CrossBow is one of the most flexible shelters, making it an outstanding value. It has a unique pole construction that is simple to set up and can be tensioned from within if the wind picks up. The CrossBow design allows you to readily modify the structure's strength to the conditions. Attach your trekking poles to the crossbar to handle heavier snow and wind, or leave their sophisticated pole attachment system at home and reduce weight on 3-season trips with the provided clips.
Advantages: Excellent value; large; tiny packed size; light and packable enough to be used year-round; easy to set up; adequate ventilation; two doors/vestibules
Drawbacks: loops over guylines for staking
Considerations Essential for a 4 Season Tent
Inner space: You should pick a 4 season model with enough room for all campers and their gear in case you have to spend some time inside if the weather turns poor. The size of your sleeping pads will determine the width of your shelter and features like spacious vestibules and inside pockets will help you minimize the space your gear takes up inside.
Weather resistance: When choosing a shelter, it's crucial to consider the weather conditions you'll encounter during your camping trips. If you plan to camp mostly in fair weather or during mild seasons, a summer or three-season option should suffice. On the other hand, if you expect to encounter more challenging weather conditions, such as those during winter camping or high-altitude expeditions, investing in a higher level of weather resistance, like an all-season or mountaineering tent, is essential for your safety and comfort.
Construction: While single-wall 4 season models are lighter, consider the convenience, adaptability, and security that double-wall models provide on most of your 4 season camping trips. Single-wall shelters are ideal for fast, light backpacking trips, but only if you're willing to sacrifice some comfort.
Entrances and vestibules: Two doors and vestibules are preferable if your shelter will be used to house more than one person. If your shelter has two entrances, you won't have to hassle with stepping over your partner and their belongings every time you leave or enter your shelter.
Installation: It may take some practice to get the hang of pitching a 4 season tent, which can sometimes be more difficult than a 3 season model. You'll need to be pickier about where you pitch your shelter in the winter and prepare a space for it by digging into the ground. It takes more effort to go camping in the winter, but the scenery and quiet are well worth it.
Footprint: The primary advantage of a footprint is the increased longevity of your floor. Due to the thicker materials used in 4 season tents compared to more common 3 season models and the likelihood of camping on soft snow, it may not be the most necessary attribute for your camping journeys.
FAQ
🏕 All 4 season tents have a vestibule?
Not all 4 season models have them, particularly smaller or ultralight models where minimizing weight is a priority. If you value the convenience of having extra space for storage, wet gear management, or cooking, choosing a model with this feature can greatly enhance your camping experience.
📦 Is a vestibule essential for 4 season tents?
While not absolutely essential, it can be a valuable feature, providing additional space and functionality.
💡 Is it harder to install a tent that has a vestibule?
While these factors may add some complexity, most shelters come with instructions that guide you through the installation process. By following the manufacturer's instructions, and gaining familiarity with the tent's components, you can become proficient in the installation process.
