Tent recommendations

[Rainmaker]

Im looking at getting a new tent for camping. My kids are getting to the age of enjoying tent camping more, and I'd like to get something that will fit a more active camping style.

We currently have a cheapo Walmart tent (Ozark trail I think?) that has honestly served us quite well for our needs so far. It's been set up in the backyard a few dozen times for one nighters, and even in the living room several times. It's just your standard 4 person tent, uses 2 poles, rain fly, has a tarp-like bottom.

I'm going to start taking the kiddos out to national park campsites this year, probably starting with 1-night trips, but I see that progressing to 2-night excursions shortly. I'd like to get something that will handle the abuse a bit better. But im still on a bit of a budget.

Wants:
- Under $300
- 4 person (preferably)
- Good ventilation, lots of mesh
- Light enough to backpack a few miles
- Waterproof bottom (wet climate here)
- As durable as possible (my kids are rough)

Just curious if anyone has a particular tent or brand they love, or suggestion to avoid. There are a couple REI and Kelty tents that look good for the price range. I've also heard good things about MSR and Big Agnes, but those are a bit spendy.

[Blackmagic71]

It’s a little above your price range, but my wife and I have had really good luck with this:

https://www.rei.com/product/136057/rei-co-op-base-camp-4-tent

We’ve camped through a few storms in it and stayed completely dry.

[Blackmagic71]

[Jonnydread]

Big Agnes is my go-to brand. They're resilient, lightweight and super easy to set up. Keep an eye on deal drop sites like steep&cheap and you can find good deals on them.

[Rainmaker]

Big Agnes is my go-to brand. They're resilient, lightweight and super easy to set up. Keep an eye on deal drop sites like steep&cheap and you can find good deals on them.

Oooohh, thanks for the tip on that site! They have a Big Agnes 3-man tent on there right now for pretty cheap. It might just be the one I go with!

[Jonnydread]

I bought a Fairview a few years ago and now I own 3 different Big Agnes tents. I love 'em!

[MAr]

There are a ton of good tent and hiking supplies on AliExpress. The prices are very good. Same boat as you, I am shopping for tents right now. I have a large box-store tent for when we canoe straight to our destination, but I am looking for two hiking tents for when we portage (which we have yet to do as a family) or one light 4 man.

word of caution: check the measurements. I once shared a ‘two man’ tent with CJOttawa and let me tell you, I don’t know which two men they were thinking of... our packs stayed under a tarp outside.

[THE_Incredible_Hulk]

I use this tent and a canvas tarp from Tractor Supply. It's got lots of spots for lights or fans, multiple bags that are on the sides for phone, keys, billfold, etc. Is plenty big for gear and it's tall enough to stand in.

[nobbie333]

Have you ever looked at a teepee tent before?

[jerryjjackson69]

I've been really happy with my Browning Big Horn 2-room tent. It's slightly over your budget if you purchase it from the cheapest sellers for $330 (MSRP is $400). They do have a smaller version that is more in your price range (sub $200). Mine has been used multiple times a year in all kinds of weather and has done very well. 2 issues were handled with great customer service and covered by the lifetime warranty. The only drawbacks are you will need to go buy some decent stakes and a mallet to complete it. I also recommend a ground tarp and a large tote-container to keep it all in (much easier than the bag, and you can fit the extra accessories together with it.

That's my recommendation based on my experience. This is the only tent I've used that was made in the last 15 years, all my other experience was with old, used hand-me-downs. When it was time to buy something new I did my research and ended up with what I have. I'm sure there are lots of other great options, though.

[Deltasteve]

A little late to the party but Big Agnes makes great tents. I have a Copper Spur UL2 that I have taken all over and it's a great tent that also is very packable if you start backpacking. I got mine on backcountry, another site like steep and cheap.

[Jonnydread]

Big Agnes master race!

[ford]

I used to work at REI in the camping section... I also spent a ton of time hiking/camping in boy scouts back in the day.

Doing a quick walk through of tents available at REI these days, the closest backpacking tent I'd recommend is the REI half-dome 4: https://www.rei.com/product/128694/r...me-4-plus-tent

Now keep in mind, it's $30 more than you asked in your budget, and probably doesn't come with the footprint/ground pad. You can use a tarp instead of the perfectly fitted footprint, but still.

The lighter tent will be water proof on the bottom, but that bottom material won't be as tough as the floor material you find on most cheapo tents. So make sure your kids leave their shoes outside the tent and always use a footprint/ground cover. You may also consider maybe 2 of these: https://www.rei.com/product/168205/r...breaker-2-tent. Not sexy, a little heavier, but for the price very quality tent if you trust splitting the fam into two tents.... Though, I don't love that the poles are fiberglass.

[oldschool]

I have 2 gazelle tents and love them both - easy up, easy down. https://www.gazelletents.com/Camping-Tents

[Cunha]

Anyone have a good suggestion for a beef cake canvas or poly/canvas constructed tent for a family of 4 to 6 (so larger size) not looking for those EPIC family gathering sized tents with a conference room and stuff like that but, just a decent sized square. Currently I have this http://www.outfitterscamp.com/blackp..._NTN16726.html it is very heavy, for car camping only. Works well. I enjoy the thicker material as it seems to insulate better, gets less condensation and most importantly it holds up better to my kids.

So what really want is a simple but maximum robust tent that can hold up to kids that want to run into the wall.

[Challenger007]

I think the best way would be to go to a camping equipment store and see what they have in stock, compare the quality of the material. It's extremely difficult to understand from the photo how good the tent is and how long it will last. Also, in the store you can choose other models from the catalog, order, and then inspect and decide whether to buy or not.

[maggot]

My recommendation may be an unpopular opinion. My favorite two brands of tents are Kelty and Marmot. With that said, unless you're doing one of these two things, I strongly recommend sticking with cheapo WalMart tents (Coleman, not Ozark Trail):
Backpacking/Backcountry
Week+ outings

After having to replace a couple of my fancy tents over the years (kid and dog abuse), I am super happy with the couple of cheapo Colemans I've owned lately. I don't have to stress when the dog rips a hole. Our lives are not on the line b/c the car is nearby.
Also, I've had some luck finding that goofball on CL that bought a $150 Coleman and never used it, unloading it for $50.