Most people put away their camping gear for winter and begin a months-long waiting process for the first signs of spring before they begin camping again. Just, because its winter though doesn’t mean you have to stop camping. In fact, winter can be one of the best times to camp.
While camping in the winter does require a higher level of preparedness compared to other camping seasons because of the extreme temperatures and potentially harsh weather its more than worth the effort.
This high level of preparedness begins and ends with a good quality shelter that will allow you to stay warm and dry while winter camping. Because of extreme temperatures and harsh weather while winter camping, not just any old tent will do. While winter camping, extreme cold weather tents are a must.
Top Extreme Cold Weather Tents for Winter Camping
Below are our top tent picks for cold weather camping. All the tents on this list are 4 season tents that will keep you warm and dry no matter how bad the weather gets outside.
Flytop 4 Season Double Layer Backpacking Tent
The Flytop 4 Season 2 Person Tent was built with cold weather camping in mind and has many great features to battle the winter elements in relative comfort. Each facet of this 4 season tent has been thoroughly engineered and designed for cold weather camping.
- 2 Person Tent
- Total Weight: 5.9 Pounds
- Waterproof
- Full Rainfly
- Inner Mesh Design with Vents for Ventilation
- Multiple Colors Available
ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian Tent
No matter what mother nature dishes out while extreme cold weather camping, this ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 2 Person tent can handle it with ease. This tent was designed for high winds, thunderstorms, cold weather, and snow. The Alps camping brand has many great tents on the market and its easy to see why they get so many positive reviews on their products. While their tents tend to be more on the expensive side as the old saying goes you get what you pay for. All of their camping tents are well designed and constructed allowing for years of trouble-free use while camping.
- Two Person Tent
- Total Weight: 7 Pounds 15 Ounces
- Full Polyester Rainfly
- Free Standing Aluminum Pole System
- Weather Proof with Factory Seal Seams
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Available in Several Colors
Geertop 4 Season 20D Lightweight Alpine Tent
Another great brand in the extreme cold weather tents space is Geertop because of their rugged design and quality materials. The Geertop 4 Season Alpine Tent makes a great choice for cold weather camping and high wind or altitude situations thanks to its low profile design and sturdy construction.
- 2 Person Tent
- Total Weight: 6 Pounds 2 Ounces
- Full Rainfly
- Waterproof
- Cross Aluminum Pole Design
- Available in 2 Colors
How to Choose the Best Extreme Cold Weather Tent
When looking for extreme cold weather tents there are several key features to look for and consider. Obviously, when evaluating a tent for cold weather camping you want to look for a tent that does a good job keeping the harsh winter elements on the outside and you warm and dry on the inside. But what does that actually look like when it comes to tent construction?
Below is a list of the most important features and design elements to look for when evaluating extreme cold weather tents.
Seasonal Rating
There are 5 seasonal ratings for tents although the most common seasonal ratings you see are 3 and 4 seasons. As 3 and 4 season tents offer the most versatility for general camping and various types of weather. When camping in cold weather you want to choose a tent that has a seasonal rating of 4 or higher as they will offer the most protection from the cold and wet weather. Below is a list of the different seasonal ratings for tents and what types of camping they are best for.
- 1 and 2 Season Tents –These tents are designed for one specific type of season and typically meant for warm and mild weather camping. 1 and 2 season tents use lighter materials to help keep the summer camper cool and offer minimal waterproofing and weather protection.
- 3 Season Tents – The 3 season tent is the most popular type of tent as it offers the most versatility for different types of camping weather and seasons. This seasonal rating offers good protection from the elements and has an adequate amount of waterproofing for most camping needs. 3 season tents can handle a wide range of temperatures, moderate rain, fairly strong winds, and even a little snow making them a great choice when camping in the spring, summer, or fall.
- 4 Season Tents – As the name implies four season tents can be used year round and use heavier materials to provide better insulation and waterproofing. 4 Season tents tend to be heavier and can withstand higher winds compared to a 3 season tent. If you are planning to winter camp you need to choose a 4 season rating or higher as they will offer the protection necessary to stand up to harsh winter elements. A trade-off to all of this extra weatherproofing and insulating properties though is they tend to make a poor choice for summer or warm weather camping. As 4 season tents do not provide adequate ventalation for warmer weather. Four season tents also tend to be more expensive when compared to 1, 2, or 3 season tents because of their heavier construction and weatherproofing.
- 5 Season Tent – 5 Season tents are unnecessary for most campers and are meant for the most extreme and harsh weather conditions. They take the insulating and weatherproofing of a 4 season tent and add even more insulating and waterproofing elements. This seasonal rating is meant for the most violent and extreme winter weather conditions. 5 season tents are usually found in specialty stores and can be very expensive, as they are meant for expeditions and mountain camping.
Design
When considering extreme cold weather tents design can be very important. It’s important to look for a tent with sturdy construction that provides as much insulation as possible to withstand windy conditions and cold winter weather.
While there is no one specific design that extreme cold weather tents must adhere to there are few key design features that are very important. These important design items include well constructed and sturdy tent poles, full rain fly, strong and well-connected guy lines, and fully waterproof tent materials.
Waterproofing
When considering extreme cold weather tents it’s a must that the tent be completely waterproof.
While you might rightfully assume that all tents are waterproof the fact is some are not. Also even if the tent is “waterproof” it’s important to know that there are varying degrees of water resistance when it comes to tents. Some tents that claim to be waterproof might only be able to handle a light occasional shower before water begins to seep into the tent. While other tents can be in rainy weather for weeks and stay bone dry inside.
When looking for a waterproof tent look for a seasonal rating of 4 or higher as these tents are designed to withstand wet and rainy conditions and still remain dry inside. Also features like double sealed seams, bathtub tent bottoms, ground covers, and heavier materials are important things to look for as well.
Also, a good item to keep handy around the campsite is some type of waterproofing spray that will allow you to waterproof any area of your tent that might need a little extra help in repelling water. A great choice is the KIWI Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent 12 oz can on Amazon.
Rain Fly
Most tents will have a rain fly but not all rain flys are created equal. When winter camping rain flys take on an even higher degree of importance because of the wet weather being camped in.
When winter camping you want a full rain fly that extends all the way to the ground for a few reasons. One is that it offers a higher level of waterproofing as opposed to a rain fly that only goes half-way down the tent. The second reason is that a full rain fly will provide a higher level of insulation compared to a partial rain fly.
When looking at a tent’s rain fly make sure its made from strong weatherproof material so the rain and snow stay on the outside of the tent where they belong.
Why Winter Camping?
While spring, summer, and fall can be a great time to camp don’t forget about winter. When most people think of camping they usually think of the more standard and popular seasons to camp in which tends to revolve around warmer and milder weather.
However, winter can offer some unique advantages while camping that other warmer climate seasons cannot.
Advantages to Winter Camping
- Avoid the Crowds – When winter camping in the offseason will help avoid overcrowded campgrounds and national parks.
- Quite Solitude – In this fast-paced hectic world we rarely experience utter silence but winter camping allows you to enjoy this profound luxury in our congested noisy world.
- No Bugs – A constant annoyance in warmer weather camping is fending off the onslaught of bugs and flying pests but when winter camping you should not have swat away a single one.
- Pristine Night Sky – Winter camping is a perfect time for stargazing as the cold weather can not hold as much moisture in the air. Allowing for much clearer and crisper star gazing than would be possible in warmer weather.