I think you’ll agree with me when i say….
Finding a good and durable Survival Tent is pretty hard nowadays…. because there are too many option available in the market and it seems confusing.
So In this post I’ll review some of the best survival tents of 2020. And i’ll cover all the good and bad aspects in detail. So that you can finally decide which one to buy.
Best Survival Tents
In this article...
1. Coleman Sundome Tent
Coleman sundome is a budget survival tent that is perfect for first-time campers or a solo camper. It is a pretty basic tent in its functionality. But offers a high-quality outdoor experience. The tent itself is made from high-quality 75 denier taffeta polyester material, that is a lightweight and durable fabric.
It is an excellent waterproof material that keeps the tent dry when it is raining outside. The poles of the tent are made up of flexible carbon fiber material that is shock-corded. This helps the tent to have a sturdy built and keeps it standing firmly on the ground during strong winds.
The tent also comes with a rainfly that offers extra weather protection. The tent is available for 2 to 6 people and the size of the tent will depend on the variant you choose. But the bottom is, all variants have plenty of space. And great ventilation that eliminates the feeling of suffocation.
It also features a meshed door and windows on all sides that allow fresh air and helps the inside stay cool. Additionally, there are built-in storage pockets. That are used to keep your belongings in an organized manner.
However, it is not huge and can only hold small stuff like GPS devices or sunglasses. Moreover, the tent features a WeatherTec System that shields you from the bad weather. The tent is designed with tub-like floors and has welded corners to keep water out.
Additionally, the floor is made of 1000D polyethylene to avoid any damage during the trip. Not only this but the seams on the tent are also factory sealed for extra protection against rain. The tent is constructed in such a way that it is very easy to set it up even for first-time users.
It takes hardly 10 to 15 minutes or less to assemble and disassemble it. Moreover, the tent can be stored away in a compact storage bag after use that is included with it. It does not take a lot of space and also makes it easy to carry the tent.
2. ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent
ALPS mountaineering lynx tent is the best selling survival tent. That comes at an inexpensive price and offers a lot of space. It is perfect for solo backpackers or hiking that needs a safe place for sleeping. The tent is made from good quality 75D 185T material that is a bit heavy and crinkly. But offers great durability for long term use.
The material is somewhat water-resistant and keeps the tent dry when it is raining outside. It also comes included with a polyester tent fly. That offers good protection against water and UV damage. The poles of the tent are made up of aluminum material that helps the tent to stand firmly on the ground during strong winds.
The tent has plenty of space and good ventilation that provides you a comfortable experience. It also has meshing on the door and windows to allow air circulation and helps the inside stay cool. However, windows are very open and people can see inside without the rainfly especially at night time.
Additionally, there are two small interior pockets and a detachable large gear loft for storing your belongings. It can only hold small stuff like headlamps or sunglasses. The tent also features an adequately sized vestibule to store your dirty gears.
Talking about the bad weather performance, the tent did a decent job. However, the design and construction quality of the tent can become an issue in seriously bad weather. It also held up some moisture inside especially after a cool and damp night.
Moreover, the tent features a standard, free-standing, two-pole tent construction. This makes it very easy to set up and takes hardly 10 to 15 minutes to assemble and disassemble. Lastly, the tent is available in two color options and you can choose any according to your liking.
3. Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup | Cabin Tent for Camping Sets Up in 60 Seconds
Coleman instant cabin tent is a large survival tent that is perfect for families and car campers. It is a no-frills tent that is very easy to set up. The tent itself is made from 150D polyester material. That is lightweight and offers durability for extreme weather conditions.
The material has good water-resistant properties that keep the tent dry when it is raining outside. Not only this but the seam of the tent is also fully taped to provide additional protection against water. The poles of the tent are made up of flexible aluminum material that provides good support.
This helps the tent to have a sturdy built and keeps it standing firmly on the ground against the strong winds. However, the tent does not come included with a rainfly and you have to buy it separately.
The tent is available for up to 10 people and the size of the tent will depend on the variant you choose. But the bottom is, all variants have plenty of space and good headroom for a comfortable stay.
You can even use portable bunk beds to accommodate more people. The tent offers good ventilation that helps to eliminate suffocation. The door and windows on all sides are meshed to allow fresh air and help the inside stay cool.
Additionally, there are built-in storage pockets that are used to keep your belongings in an organized manner. However, it is not huge and can only hold small stuff like mobile phones or sunglasses. It also has a hook on the top for the LED lights which is a very convenient feature.
Moreover, the tent features a WeatherTec System that shields you from the bad weather. The tent is designed with tub-like floors and has welded corners to keep water out. Additionally, the floor is made of 1000D polyethylene to avoid any damage during the trip.
Talking about the set-up process, it features an instant setup system. The four poles and roof poles are pre-attached to offer quick assembly and disassembly of the tent. The process is very simple even for a first time user and only takes 5 to 10 minutes to set it up.
4. Coleman Juniper Lake Instant Dome Tent with Annex, 4-Person
Coleman sundome is an affordable dome survival tent that comes with an annex room. It is a pretty basic tent that is perfect for people who like to travel with their dogs. The tent is made from good quality polyester material which offers good durability for long term use.
The tent is pretty much water-resistant. But the walls and rainfly make it slightly heavy due to 800mm coating. The poles are pre-built into the tent and are made up of a combination of fiberglass and steel.
However, the poles are of low quality and break very easily, even in the slightest wind. Moreover, the tent features an annex room that is designed to provide extra room for your gears. It can also be used for a dog bed if you travel with your dogs.
However, the annex room is not well with the rainfly, and water will get inside during heavy rain. The tent is available for 4 people and offers plenty of space for a queen-sized air mattress. It also features a big meshed door and windows on all sides.
That allow excellent cross ventilation, especially in the summertime. However, the rainfly covers the windows almost completely and you cannot enjoy the outside view. Additionally, there are built-in storage pockets that are used to keep your belongings in an organized manner.
Moreover, the tent features a WeatherTec System that shields you from the bad weather. The tent is designed with tub-like floors and has welded corners to keep water out. Additionally, the floor is made of 1000D polyethylene to avoid any damage during the trip.
Not only this but the seams on the tent are also factory sealed for extra protection against rain. The tent is constructed in such a way that it is very easy to set it up even for a first time user. It takes hardly 10 to 15 minutes or less to assemble and disassemble it. However, the annex room takes a bit longer to set up.
5. CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent – 14′ x 9′
The CORE instant cabin tent is a large-sized survival tent that has a large door for easy access. The tent has very good ventilation and perfect families and car campers. The tent itself is made from 68D polyester material that is a strong and durable material for heavy use.
It also offers great water-resistance. And combined with heat-sealed seams really keeps the inside dry. The poles are built-in to the tent and made up of telescoping steel. It provides a sturdy structure to the tent and helps it keep standing against the strong winds.
However, it is also a bit heavy and not suitable for backpacking trips. Moreover, the tent features a cabin-style design with straight and high center height. It can accommodate up to 9 people and provide good great inside space for a comfortable fit.
Two queen air mattresses can easily fit inside with gear and luggage. Additionally, the tent also has room dividers that provide privacy or some quiet peaceful place. Furthermore, the tent has adjustable air vents. And big meshed windows to provide good ventilation. But the thing we like the most is the mesh ceiling of the tent.
Nearly the entire ceiling is meshed and see-through to allow light and fresh air. However, you need to add the rainfly if it is going to rain. Apart from this, it features a big secondary door. That is very convenient while moving the gears or furniture inside.
Talking about the bad weather performance, the tent did a good job. This really keeps the water and does not collapse in the windy weather. Due to the large meshed ceiling and windows, it does not hold the moisture inside. And we did not have any problem with the tent.
Talking about the ease of setup, the tent is very easy to set up. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to set this huge tent without anyone’s help.
6. Mountain Trails Cedar Brook Tent – 2 Person
Mountain trails cedar brook is a small and light survival tent that is good for a weekend hiking trip. It is a perfect tent for solo campers or the people who are buying a tent for the first time. The tent is made up of high-quality polyester material that is rugged and lasts for a long time.
The material is also lightweight and water-resistant which makes it easy to get it out for hiking even in rainy weather. The poles of the tent are made up of sturdy steel with shock-cords to provide firm support during strong winds.
The tent also comes with a rainfly that is more or less part of the tent and not an accessory. Without it, the top is almost naked and does not offer any kind of protection. The tent is made for 2 average people and has a small form factor.
The inside of the tent is not very spacious and can only the people without any room for luggage. The ventilation is also very decent and does not feel suffocating. However, it is much best suited for a solo traveler who has a decent amount of luggage for the trip. The meshed door and window allow fresh air to help the inside stay cool.
Moreover, the tent is fully capable of withstanding bad weather. The tent is designed with good water as well as windproofing measures to keep the inside protected. Additionally, the seams on the tent are also factory sealed for extra protection against rain.
The tent is constructed in such a way that it is very easy to set it up even for first-time users. It takes hardly 10 to 15 minutes or less to assemble and disassemble it.
Moreover, the tent can be stored away in a compact storage bag after use that is included with it. It does not take a lot of space and also makes it easy to carry the tent.
7. SharpSurvival Emergency Survival Shelter Tent | 2 Person
SharpSurvival emergency survival shelter tent is an emergency shelter. That is made to be carried on a day hike. It is a great addition to emergency survival kits. And provides protection against hypothermia if you are forced overnight.
The tent is made up of mylar material that reflects the heat of the body. And prevents the heat loss from wind, rain, or snow. It is like lying two emergency blankets on to one another and sealing the opposite ends. The mylar material is thin but yet very durable to last you for a couple of trips.
The material is also very light and compact that can be reusable for camping and hiking trips. However, it does not fold nicely as it comes from the factory after use. But that is very much expected from this kind of material.
The tent also comes with a durable braided rope sort of like paracord that feels very strong when you pull it. Moreover, a tent has a total area of 8’*5’ that can accommodate two adults for protection against the weather. In Fact, you can fit multiple people if you keep the height of the tent low and stretch it out wide.
It will not be a very comfortable experience but it will help you to survive the cold without any mishaps. However, if you have a bigger family or group try to get more than one to be on the safe side.
Talking about the setup, it is very easy to set this thing up with the help of instructions included in the package. You just need to lay the tent flat on the ground and slide the rope through then tie each end of the rope to hang the tent.
However, there will be nothing at the bottom to attach it to the ground. So you just have to crawl inside and hold it down to the ground with your body weight. You can also blanket wrap it around you if you are in a hurry. But this way it will not provide you good protection from the element.
8. MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent
MSR hubba hubba NX is a compact and lightweight survival tent that offers a decent amount of headroom. The tent is perfect for the backpacking trips where weight matters the most. Despite its weight, the tent offers good durability and weather protection.
The floor is made from 30 denier material. That is thicker than the material that you get with other lightweight tents. The rainfly, on the other hand, is made from 20D material and offers good protection against bad weather.
However, the seams of the tent are not sealed and allow some water which is really inconvenient. Moreover, the tent has a free-standing design that provides firm support. The poles or the frame of the tent is made of flexible composite aluminum that provides good wind resistance.
However, poles are a little thin that are likely to snap during a heavy storm. Talking about the comfort, the tent makes most out of its dimensions. It feels both longer and wider due to its uniform peak height that stretches from door to door.
This makes it spacious and almost comfortable for two people without the gears. The tent has a total of four pockets, two large and two tiny ones. That is meant for items like gloves, socks, etc. . It also consists of vestibules to protect your gears from the weather.
Furthermore, the ventilation inside the tent is very effective. The use of mesh on the roof of the tent helps the circulation of the fresh air and keep it cool. However, this also means that there is less privacy if you are not using rainless.
Apart from this, there are also deployable vents at either end of the rainfly which helps to draw out humidity. As far as set up is concerned, the tent is very easy to set up.
The shape of the frame helps a lot in the process and you do not have to wrestle with it to get them in place. However, the rainfly is a little more difficult to set up and requires more time as well.
9. Kelty Salida Camping and Backpacking Tent, 1 Person
Kelty Salida is a 3 season survival tent that is a starting point for many campers. It is perfect for solo backpackers that want a light and compact tent without breaking their bank. The walls of the tent are made from 68D polyester material and the floor is made up of 68D nylon material.
Both the materials are very durable and provide good protection against the weather. The tent comes with a rainfly that provides good water resistance and helps to keep the inside dry. Not only this but the seams are fully taped for additional water protection.
The tent is also quite lightweight and very suitable for backpacking trips. However, the stuff pack of the tent is bulky and offers no compression. And make it look like it’s designed for car camping. Moreover, the tent is a freestanding structure with the help of two DAC press-fit poles.
It also consists of a color-coded clip for quick and easy setup. This helps the tent to have a sturdy built and keeps it standing firmly on the ground during strong winds. Talking about comfort, the tent has a decent space for a regular person.
It also offers an average peak height for a comfortable stay. However, it does not have enough space to store a full-size survival pack with you. Therefore, there is a vestibule area available to keep your stuff safe.
Apart from this, the ventilation of the tent is fairly average. It is okay in dry weather, but in rainy weather, it damps very easily. Although the upper part of the tent has meshed, it struggles to move air efficiently with the rainfly on.
As far as set up is concerned, the tent sets up relatively quickly with the help of user-friendly clips. Color-coded clip and fly attachments eliminated any confusion. And four guy points easily guy out even in windy weather.
10. TETON Sports Mountain Ultra Tent 1 to 4 Person Backpacking Dome Tent for Camping
TETON Sports Mountain Ultra Tent is a dome-style survival tent. It is a sleek and attractive tent that has a rather unique design. The tent is mostly made of micro-mesh material, with a cross and ridge pole configuration. This makes the tent ultra-lightweight and also makes it very different from other tents.
Despite being a mesh material it is very durable to last you for a long time. The rainfly, on the other hand, is adequately thick. And offers great protection against bad weather. The poles of the tent are made up of flexible aluminum that helps the tent on the ground during strong winds.
The tent is available for 1 to 4 people and the size of the tent will depend on the variant you choose. Every variant is spacious and has great ventilation due to the meshed construction. Meshing on all sides allows the flow of fresh air to keep inside cool and less claustrophobic.
Additionally, there are built-in storage pockets that are used to keep small stuff like gloves or sunglasses. Moreover, the tent is advertised as a 3 season tent but it’s suitable for cold weather. It won’t perform like a dedicated winter tent built.
But remain insulated in colder conditions and do its job nicely. It can withstand heavy wind gusts when the included guy lines are attached. Talking about the setup, it is very easy to set it up even for first-time users. It takes hardly 10 to 15 minutes or less to assemble and disassemble it.
Moreover, the tent can be stored away in a compact storage bag after use that is included with it. It does not take a lot of space and also makes it easy to carry the tent.
11. Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Person 3 Season Tent
Mountainsmith Morrison 3 season tent is a compact and rugged survival tent that is versatile for long term use. The tent is perfect for the backpacking and camping trip where you need a lightweight tent. Despite its weight, the tent offers good durability and weather protection.
The tent is made from 185T polyester material. That is thicker but lightweight and offers decent breathability. The floor of the tent is made from 190T polyester that is more tough and durable than the rest of the tent. The floor has the typical bathtub construction and also consists of taped seams.
This will prevent the bottom from getting damaged and increase the lifespan of the tent. The rainfly, on the other hand, is made from the same 185T polyester. And offers good protection against bad weather. Moreover, the tent has a free-standing structure. And the poles are aluminum to provide firm support.
However, poles are a little thin that are likely to snap during a heavy storm. Talking about comfort, the tent is very comfortable and spacious for a single person. However, it is made for two people but we find it more comfortable for only one person.
The tent feels both longer and wider due to its adequate headroom. The tent has a two-door and windows that help to maintain the temperature inside the tent. The meshing allows fresh air circulation which provides very good ventilation.
The tent also consists of vestibules to protect your gears from the weather. Furthermore, the tent stands up to the rain relatively well but the moisture is a problem. You have to properly dry it before packing to prevent mold formation.
It can withstand strong winds with the help of the guy lines that are included. However, do not expect it to survive crazy strong winds. Apart from this, the tent is not suitable for cold weather and does not provide good insulation.
As far as set up is concerned, the tent is very easy to set up. The construction of the tent helps a lot in the process and you just have to run the poles correctly to set it up. However, the rainfly is a little more difficult to set up and requires more time as well.
Things to consider before buying a Survival Tent
These are few things to look for before buying a survival tent
Capacity
The first thing you should look at while buying a survival tent is the capacity of the tent. The capacity will depend on your need or the no. of people that will sleep in the tent.
Durable lightweight material
The next thing that you should consider is the nature of the material. The tent should be lightweight and durable for long term use. You should pick a tent that is made with strong material and weighs less. In general, a tent should weigh about 2.5 pounds per person that it can accommodate.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing is by far the most important factor in choosing a survival tent. A good quality tent should have proper waterproofing to keep you and your stuff dry. It should also consist of a rainfly to provide extra protection against rain.
Easy to set up
The tent should be easy to set up even for the new user. It should not include a complicated step that takes time and are difficult to perform. Additionally, you should also practice setting up your tent before use to quickly assemble and disassemble it.
Seams
A good quality tent will have properly folded seams that have double stitching. You should choose a tent that also have water sealant to increase the protection of the seams from water.
Extra features
A rainfly, vestibules, and notable storage space are all features that you should also look in a survival tent. These features are not necessary but are nice to have. You should also make sure that the tent has proper ventilation, so check the windows, vents, and stargazer fly. Check out other survival gears tent stove, bushcraft knife, survival hatchet, tactical backpack, tactical hat, survival shovel, survival backpack, boot knife, survival water filter
