Looking for your next tent can feel a bit overwhelming…

Wilderness tent campsite

Ease the chaos with expert opinions from our partners who’ve bought and replaced hundreds and hundreds of tents.

Our tent recommendations come from discussion with our Guides and Outfitters and who know a ton about these products. They know what tents they prefer now, which ones they loved until corporate changes resulted in lower quality, and ultimately which tents are best for their business model. Trust us, they know their stuff! Because of the high-use nature of the outfitter business model, the highest priority is placed on durability and integrity of materials.

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ALPS Mountaineering Taurus Outfitter Tent

  • This tent series is a favorite among outfitters thanks to its exceptional value and durability. Even with the heavy wear that rental gear typically endures, these tents have earned praise for their solid construction. In particular, the reinforced zippers and rugged floors were highlighted as standout features—two common failure points in competitor models where the ALPS tents consistently outperform.

  • 2 person: 7'6" L x 5' W, Center height 3’10”, Weight 7 lbs. 6 oz.

    3 person: 6’6” L x 7’6”, Center height 4’4”, Weight 8 lbs. 12 oz.

    4 person: 8'6" L x 7'6" W, Center height 4’4”, Weight 10 lbs. 2 oz.

    5 person: 10' L x 8' W, Center height 6’, Weight 13 lbs. 5 oz.

Cabela’s

Amazon

Don’t forget the footprint to protect the tent floor!

Big Agnes Blacktail Tent

Big Agnes Blacktail tent

  • The old marketing line—“light enough for the backcountry, strong enough for the frontcountry”—really does ring true with our partners. Big Agnes has earned a solid reputation in the outfitter community for producing reliable, well-built tents, and the Blacktail model in particular sees widespread use among our Outfitter network. It’s notably lighter than many other tents in this category, which makes it appealing for trips where weight matters. That said, it does sacrifice a bit in center height and headroom. Still, for what it offers in portability, durability, and ease of setup, it’s a tent our partners genuinely trust and recommend.

  • 2 person: 7'6" L x 4'3” W, Center height 3’6”, Weight 5 lbs. 8 oz.

    3 person: 7’6” L x 5’10” W, Center height 3’8”, Weight 6 lbs. 2 oz.

    4 person: 7'6" L x 8’ W, Center height 4’2”, Weight 7 lbs. 12 oz.

    “Hotel” versions with the added vestibule space add modestly to the weight (roughly 10% more weight).

REI

Campmor

Amazon

Car Top Tents

There is a time and a place for the car top tenting option. Our outfitting partners have helped us shape our recommendations to inform what are the best options on the market.

Coming soon….

Winter Tents

We’re going to need more time on this one…..coming soon!