If you’re planning some winter camping this year, then you want to make sure you have the best tent for cold weather. A winter tent is the solution to your problem. And you’re in luck – our roundup of the BEST choices has the right tent, whatever your needs.
Growing up in Scotland we know how miserable a cold night in a tent can be. We’ve spent hours researching these extreme weather tents to make sure they won’t leave you feeling left out in the cold.
Camping in the cold gives you the chance to discover snow-covered landscapes and enjoy the tranquility of a world that feels untouched and preserved from human influence. Plus there’s almost no bugs – and let’s face it, that’s the real advantage of heading out into the frigid winter conditions!
So stick with us as we got through what makes the best cold weather tent great for taking out in winter.
Disclaimer: If you’re looking for an extreme cold weather tent (Mount Everest perhaps?), please consider that your tent is one of the most important parts of your trip. We recommend testing how well these tents suit you and then get in touch with local mountaineering groups for further guidance. Never underestimate nature!
If you’re in a rush, the best cold weather tents are:
- Marmot Thor 2/3 Person Tent – Best overall
- DANCHEL Cotton Bell 4/5/6/8 Person Tent – Best stove tent for winter living
- Mountain Hardwear Trango tent (2 person, 3 person, 4 person) – Best for mountaineering expeditions
- ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian tent (2 person, 3 person) – Best budget tent
- REI Co-op Base Camp tent (4 person, 6 person) – Best winter tent for car camping groups
- MSR Advance Pro 2 Person Tent – Best for windy conditions
- Naturehike Opalus 3-Person Tent – Best entry level option
Scroll right to view all products >
Best Overall  | Best Stove Tent  | Best Mountaineering Tent 
| Best Budget Tent  | Best for Base Camp 
| Best for Windy Conditions  | Best Entry Level Option 
| |
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th |
| Rating /5 | |||||||
| Ease of Setup | 4 mins | 15 - 20 mins | 5 mins | 2 mins | 10 mins | 2 mins | 5-7 mins |
| Seasons | 4 season | 4 season | 4 season | 4 season | 3-4 season | 4 season | 4 season |
| Ventilation | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Value | 4.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Review | An AWESOME cold weather tent that will protect you from strong winds and rain. | A great home-away-from-home option, loved by glampers and hunters. | The ultimate cold weather tent designed for mountaineers - but it comes at a cost. | If you’re looking to tread lightly on the snow, this option from MSR won’t weigh you down | This model from Naturehike makes the winter camping accessible to campers who can’t afford the higher budget options. | ||
Quick cold weather tent Recommendation
The Marmot Thor 2-3 Person Tent is an AWESOME tent that will protect you from heavy wind and lots of rain. It was our favorite cold weather tent thanks to innovative features like the clips which are designed to give a rapid setup – even with gloves on.
That’s right, not only is setup easy but you don’t have to expose your fingers to the cold.
There’s also plenty of space thanks to the vestibules.
Cold Weather camping tents on a budget
If you don’t have the money to spend on an uber protective shelter, it doesn’t mean you can’t go out camping in winter. If you don’t have cash to splash, we recommend opting for the NatureHike Opalus or the REI Co-op Base Camp tent (4 person, 6 person) for winter car campers.
It’s a spacious tent with a huge vestibule which makes it great for extended trips with a lot of gear. However, the build quality and durability are lower than some of the other tents on this list.
best cold weather tents compared
Pros
- Easy pitching with identical pole lengths
- Vestibule storage around both doors
- Bathtub floor with seam seals
- Full coverage fly with vents
- Weatherproof and durable
Cons
- Doesn’t pack down as small as some other tents
- Heavy in comparison to other tents this size
This tent is available in a 2 person and 3 person size.
A spacious tent four season tent with enough room for two people and their gear, the Marmot Thor tent is easy to put up with only 6 poles to use (including the vestibule).
The fully mesh door increases the ventilation and allows you to control the airflow in conjunction with the other door and windows.
The Thor tents are built with the most waterproofing we can provide as well as being built to last.
Weather proofing includes a seam taped Catenary cut floor and a fully seam taped fly with snow flaps and covered vents to take all the battering Mother Nature can throw at you.
The two D shaped doors allow easy access while the vestibule at each door gives you plenty of storage space while you are on your mountain hike.
DANCHEL Cotton Bell Tent (4/5/6/8 Person)
If you’re in it for the long hall, you can’t go wrong with a canvas tent.
Pros
- Two stove jacks
- Durable, thick canvas material
- Huge living space
Cons
- Expensive initial investment
Being able to bring a stove inside your tent during cold, winter trips is a blessing that few tents can offer. Not only is it a heat source, but you boil a kettle or fry some sausages on top of the stove.
We loved the fact that with two stove Jacks, this winter tent allows you to setup in whatever way is most comfortable for you. You could even have two stoves at once in the tent if you really wanted.
But thanks to the cotton canvas fabric that comes with the DANCHEL, the tent stays insulated whilst also breathable to prevent condensation building inside.
The bell-shape is preferable to other canvas tents that come with stove jackets like the White Duck Wall Tent, as the vertical walls can catch in the wind.
This tent is a fantastic base for hunting trips or winter glamping. It’s spacious and warm, feeling like a home away from home even in extreme cold weather.
Pros
- What you need in high winds, heavy rain, and snow
- Plenty of storage pockets
- Very spacious on the inside
- Simple quick setup
- Fantastic durability
- Roomy vestibule with enough space for two full backpacks
Cons
- Has some ventilation issues
- Heavy – due to being a robust four season tent.
- Not the best tent for summer weather
- In milder climates this is overkill.
This tent is the BEST four season tent we know of. It’s incredibly popular in the mountaineering community and with good reason – It’s one of the hardiest tents around.
For once, you can actually for all the people that the description states because you have a huge vestibule that can hold everyone’s backpacks. Or you could use it for cooking inside if you have less people.
Trangos are also incredibly strong. The can withstand winds like no other tent can! The structure is robust and the materials are durable. This tent really is as safe as you can get in a blizzard!
For a four season tent, this one goes up pretty fast. Not as fast as a fair weather tent but despite the extra guy ropes and clips, it is still pretty quick.
The downside of the Trango tents is that they don’t have ventilation and so don’t do summer weather well at all. It’s heavy (all that wind and waterproofing comes at the cost of extra weight) and it will have condensation issues in warmer weather due to the lack of ventilation.
When it comes to Winter camping, you get what you pay for so when you life might be on the line, it pays to get the best you can afford. The Trango is expensive but it will keep you safe and warm even on Mt Everest!
If you don’t want to mess with Mother Nature, do yourself a favor and get a Trango if you’re hiking in the snow, in the cold or on a mountain. They don’t call this the King of Mountaineering Tents for nothing!
Pros
- Free standing
- Two good size vestibules
- Easy entry
- Great ventilation
- Gear loft and storage pockets
Cons
- Can be tricky to pull down
- Doesn’t pack down as small as other tents
This tent is built for the great outdoors. It has a tub floor, Lots of zippered mesh and a rainfly for rain protection and insulation.
A nice bright orange fly makes it easy to be seen in remote areas, this four season tent performs well in snowy and blustery conditions. Inside is ample head room to move around in and while the tent floor feels a bit thin, a footprint would definitely make the ground softer and the base last longer.
The poles need to be threaded through the vestibules rather than clipped that could make it tricky to get up quickly in cold wet weather. It’s also very stable in the wind.
The poles are aluminum which are strong but light to carry and its 9.6 pounds isn’t too heavy to carry, especially if you share the load between the occupants.
There’s lots of interior pockets around the base of the tent to stow all those small things that get lost easily.
The two doors give you lots of ventilation when you need it and this tent is a kind of bomb proof entry level four season tent.
Pros
- Full-length rainfly that can deal with horizontal rain
- Waterproof tent for a family or group
- Can handle colder weather than some other tents
- Two vestibules for gear storage
- Loads of internal storage space with over head gear lofts and side pockets
Cons
- Some reported problems with lack of build quality
- Car camping tent only. Too heavy for backpacking.
- Condensation problems in hot weather due to insulation
This is a great 4-6 person tent BUT it’s heavy. It weighs almost 21 lbs which is way too heavy to be taking on a hike. This one is definitely a car camping tent.
The polyester tent over ripstop nylon will make it fantastic for coping with wet weather. So if you get caught in rain or need to camp when it’s raining, this tent will easily keep you dry.
If you’re stuck inside the tent when it’s raining, the REI Co Op Tent is going to have plenty of space to move around in. It has a peak height of 6’2” giving it standing room for most people. You’ll be able to sit up properly and even stand and stretch if you need to.
Officially, this is a 3-4 season tent. It has a full length fly and a good waterproofing rating so it’s fine for cold and wet weather. It’s not a snow tent and its lack of ventilation will cause condensation problems in hot weather.
If you are looking for Summer tents then ones with more mesh will perform better. This one is perfect for wet and cold fall and spring camping though.
With colour coded poles, setup is quick and easy and there are lots of loft storage and pockets on the tent walls for all the little things that can get lost easily.
This isn’t a backpacking tent but if you want to car camp in adverse weather, this is the tent for you!
MSR Advance Pro 2 Person Tent
If you’re looking to tread lightly on the snow, this option from MSR won’t weigh you down.
Pros
- Very lightweight and easy to carry
- Hybrid clip and pole system makes set up easy
Cons
- The compact size makes it uncomfortable to live in
- Weak waterproofing, designed for snow but not lots of rain
This ultralight tent from MSR is our choice for the best lightweight backpacking tent suitable for extreme cold weather.
At just 1.3kg, this tent is remarkably light. This is thanks to some fantastic innovation by MSR to get the most out of each part of their tents. The Easton Syclone composite poles that come with the Advance Pro are a great example of this.
The lightweight design uses aerospace-grade composite materials that flex under force and bounce back into shape, the tent poles that come with this tent are not only light as a feather but they are also incredibly resilient.
This tent is ideal for high-alpine camping, designed with a small footprint thanks to the wedge-shaped construction to allow easy pitching on high-altitude ledges. The hybrid clip and pole-sleeve system also allows the tent to be mainly pitched from one position.
However, the clip and sleeve pole system is difficult to work with gloves on and unfortunately will probably mean exposing your fingers to the elements to setup.
The hydrostatic head rating of the tent is fairly low at 1000mm, so this single-wall tent isn’t going to keep you dry in heavy showers. However, it should cope fine in freezing temperatures when the precipitation is solid, rather than liquid.
The liveability of this tent is also fairly limited. Fitting two adults with all their equipment in here will be tight. With a peak height of 44”, taller campers might also feel cramped in this model.
It might not be the warmest tent or offer the best weather resistance out of these winter camping tents. But this 2-person tent focuses on providing a lightweight solution to camping in extreme cold weather.
The versatility and liveability of this lightweight tent might let it down, but we felt its weight savings ingenuity far outweighed these issues, particularly for backpackers looking for a winter tent.
Naturehike Opalus 3 Person Tent
This model from Naturehike makes the winter camping accessible to campers who can’t afford the higher budget options.
Pros
- Low-cost and great value for money
- A very versatile tent that can be used in warmer climates
- Huge vestibule
Cons
- Fewer quality materials and features than higher budget tents
This option from Naturehike offers a low-cost alternative to the more established brands also reviewed. For campers who want to head out in the winter but can’t justify stumping up the money for an MSR, Big Agnes or other quality brands like Fjallraven or Hilleberg.
But there are risks with a brand like Naturehike. The quality of their products is often not as high as more expensive offerings from comparable brands. For example, this model uses smaller 8.5mm aluminum poles whereas the similar Hilleberg Nammatj uses stronger 10mm poles which give the tent greater stability.
The rain fly is made from ripstop nylon and comes with a polyurethane coating that gives it a hydrostatic head rating of 3000mm which is impressive for the low-cost of this tent. Aluminum is a lightweight and sturdy material for tent poles so although the poles could be thicker, they are still a benefit in this tent.
It is fairly easy to setup, taking between 5-7 minutes for two people to set the model up comfortably.
The vestibule at the front is huge, large enough to store a full-sized adult mountain bike – which might not be needed when you’re using it in deep snow but this is a versatile 4-season tent which can be used all-year-round thanks to the fantastic ventilation.
The Naturehike Opalus offers a low-budget opportunity for campers to head out into the wilderness in winter.
Weather resistance: Just how good are these tents?
Waterproofing
Winner: Mountain Hardwear Trango tent (2 person, 3 person, 4 person)
We were most impressed by the protection offered by the Big Agnes Battle Mountain tents. Designed to face some of the toughest conditions you can camp in, these tents come with the maximum possible hydrostatic head rating of 10,000mm.
This is important as moisture can seep into the tent through the floor if it isn’t protected well enough. This can be a common issue camping on snow, so it can be reassuring to know you have the highest possible rating of protection between you and the cold, wet snow underneath.
These Big Agnes tents also comes with a fly made from Dominico undyed polyester ripstop which increases the tear strength and UV resistance by 20-25% compared to standard nylon or polyester ripstop fabrics.
The tents also come with storm flaps on the zippers to prevent any water leaking in as well.
The best winter tents for condensation
Winner: DANCHEL Bell Tent
Some of these winter tents could have had improved ventilation options to decrease the chances of condensation building in the tent. But the DANCHEL Bell Tents were the winners.
The canvas fabric is breathable but also waterproof and insulating.
How is the wind resistance of these tents?
Winner: MSR Advance Pro
If you’re looking for tents that can handle strong winds, then dome winter tents are usually thought to be the strongest shape.
We found the best tents for dealing with the wind in cold weather was the MSR Advance tents. They also come with the patented Easton Syclone composite tent poles which are wind responsive, flexing and bouncing back rather than bending and snapping in extreme wind.
Which of these tents for camping is best during winter?
Winner: DANCHEL Bell Tent
If you’re looking for cold weather tents to take out in winter, there was one clear winner for us. The DANCHEL Bell Tents come with durable and insulating cotton canvas fabric which helps keep warmth inside the tent when camping. They also comes with two stove jacks which can allow you to bring a wood burning stove inside your tent.
That’s perfect for those chilly nights when body heat isn’t enough to keep these tents warm.
Related: Looking to use a wood burner stove in the tent? Check out our guide to the best hot tent with stove jack.
Which of these tents would be best for working in Summer too?
Winner: REI Co-op Base Camp tent (4 person, 6 person) & DANCHEL Bell Tent
If you’re planning to head out all year in your winter tent, you don’t want to wake up in a stuffy tent during summer. You need some ventilation options to keep the tent cool as well if you want to use it all year.
The REI Co-op Base Camp tent (4 person, 6 person) comes with some good ventilation and angled vents to let cool air circulate and warm air escape in hot weather.
The Cotton canvas of the Danchel is an excellent insulator against the cold – but it’s also fantastic for providing insulation to keep the inside of the tent cool on warm days.
The best cold weather tents for Durability
Winner: DANCHEL Bell Tent
When it comes to durability and winter tents to last a lifetime, it’s hard to beat canvas tents. The DANCHEL Bell Tent will offer campers years and years of use before the fabric loses its protective qualities or becomes damaged.
The Mountain Hardwear Trango tent is a high-quality tent designed with durability in mind, from the protective coating that increases tear strength and UV resistance to the strong aluminum poles which offer strength and rigidity to the tent.
The Easton Syclone composite tent poles on the MSR Advance Pro 2 are some of the most impressive poles we’ve reviewed. By flexing under force and bouncing back into shape rather than bending like weaker poles, these will continue to hold up against blistering winds far better than we have any right to expect from ultralight poles.
As already highlighted, the Naturehike Opalus comes with smaller, weaker tent poles than offered by higher cost alternatives like Hilleberg. Whilst the quality of materials in this tent never feels cheap, it’s hard to imagine this tent lasting as long as the more expensive options available.
When it comes to durability it’s hard to beat canvas, which makes the DANCHEL Tent or the Mountain Hardwear Tango tent our pick for most durable cold weather tent.
Getting setup
Can these tents be set up by one person?
Winner: MSR Advance Pro
All of these winter tents will be easier to setup with another pair of helping hands but some of these are simpler than others for lone camper setup.
The MSR Advance comes with a very simple two pole design which can be setup by one person with relative ease. With a peak height of under four feet, short campers don’t need to worry about being tall enough for this setup.
which tent is the quickest to pitch?
Winner: ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian tent (2 person, 3 person)
When considering a tent for the winter season, an important criteria is the ease and speed of set up. The best extreme cold weather tents are designed with this in mind.
The clear winner for us was the ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian tent (2 person, 3 person). Designed for extreme weather conditions and mountaineering, the tent’s simple design allow you to keep your gloves on during setup.
We were also impressed by the MSR Advance Pro’s clip and sleeve pole system. Although it’s a disappointment that you’ll have to take your gloves off to clip the tent fabric to the poles, by only having to do the half of the pole not in the sleeve you only need to be exposed to the elements for a short time.
Which of these cold-weather tents is easiest to carry?
Winner: MSR Advance Pro
This was by FAR the easiest tent to carry and the best choice for backpacking below the tree line. If you are venturing high into the mountains, it might be a better idea to opt for the more protective Big Agnes which is also light enough to be split between campers for carrying.
With a packed size of 18″ by 6″, the MSR Advance should easily fit inside any backpack as well.
Who are these tents for?
Our favorite cold weather tents for family camping
Winner: DANCHEL Bell Tent
If you’re planning to go camping with the family, this canvas tent is perhaps the best winter tent. It’s super insulated to keep you warm and comes with lots of space to fit everyone in comfortably.
The best feature of this tent is the stove jacks, which allow you to bring in a wood burning stove into the tent to provide warmth.
Best cold weather tents for backpacking
Winner: MSR Advance Pro & Big Agnes Battle Mountain
The MSR advance pro is the lightest and easiest to carry tent in the winter season, so for most winter backpacking adventures this tent should do the job.
But if you’re going to be camping above the tree line or in very unpredictable weather, the Big Agnes tents are a better choice. They’re a little heavier so you will need to split the weight with another camper, but the extra weather protection of these tents makes up for the weight.
Which winter season tent is the most comfortable?
Winner: DANCHEL Bell Tent
When deciding on the best extreme cold weather tents, one of the most important factors to consider is how livable these tents are. If the cold weather forces you to spend lots of time inside on your camping trip, you’re going to want a tent that is comfortable to live in.
The best choice for liveability out of the extreme cold weather tents we reviewed was the DANCHEL Bell Tent. The two stove jacks in these tents mean that these tents will keep you warm even in extreme conditions.
On top of this, this huge bell tent offers plenty of space for storage or room for relaxing in the comfort of your stylish home-away-from-home.
We were also very impressed by the Big Agnes Battle Mountain which comes with two vestibules and a front door that can be used as an awning. Both these features make spending time in your tent far more enjoyable.
You can use one vestibule for storage and the other as a shelter area to cook in with the awning up.
The Naturehike comes with a vestibule large enough to store a mountain bike in which is useful. There’s plenty of space for people to sit inside this tent.
It’s a great tent for three but could also make a good mess tent for up to 6 adults eat/drink/socialise in!
Tent review
The 2-person MSR Advance Pro camping tent offers a fantastic lightweight option for backpacking in extreme weather but unfortunately, this comes at a trade-off with the livability of the tent.
With a height of 44”, the ceiling isn’t very large making it potentially uncomfortable for taller campers. There’s also no vestibule in this tent so you’ll have to store your camping gear inside the tent, meaning in practice it can only realistically be used by one person.
If you are looking for a tent to provide some impressive living space during extreme weather, the DANCHEL is a fantastic choice for group car camping trips. The REI Co-op Base Camp tent (4 person, 6 person) also gives great livability in a much smaller tent.
Top cold weather tent for the best Gear storage options
Winner: Marmot Thor Tent (2 person, 3 person)
Lightweight enough for backpacking, protective enough winter season camping and spacious enough to keep your gear dry and safe
The Marmot Thor Tent (2 person, 3 person) tent really does it all.
There are two vestibules which means you can use one for getting in and out of the tent and the other to store backpacks if there’s two of you staying in the tent.
FAQ
What’s the best style of tent for cold weather?
A tent with steep sides will allow excess snow to fall off the tent, but winter tents with vertical sides like wall winter tents will be susceptible to strong winds making their design less well suited for harsh weather conditions.
Dome or pyramid-shaped winter tents are the best styles for dealing with the snow and wind in extreme cold weather.
3 season tents won’t provide enough protection against the elements to deal with winter season camping, so they should be avoided for extreme cold weather camping.
How well insulated should a winter tent be?
Top winter tents are usually designed to protect you from the elements, rather than insulate you. There are exceptions like the Cura Cocoon which is designed as an insulated tent to put inside other models, but these systems are rare.
Prioritizing a well-insulated sleeping bag and roll mat is a better solution than insulated winter tents.
Why do people go camping in the winter season?
There are plenty of reasons to go camping in the winter and extreme weather. For alpine mountaineers and snow sport enthusiasts, these weather conditions are part of the appeal.
During the winter season and extreme cold weather, as inches of snow covers the landscape it is transformed into something that at times resembles an alien planet. Taking in these views can make trekking in the snow feel worth it.
Camping in tents in these weather conditions isn’t for everyone, which helps adventures enjoy the tranquil stillness of winter. Winter is also a great time for stargazing. And of course, there are fewer bugs!
How do I keep warm in my winter season tent?
For the most part, your insulation when camping should not come from your winter tent. You should be well insulated by your sleeping bag, roll mat, or sleeping bag and clothing. So make sure to invest in all the right gear to keep you warm – not just tents.
It can help to have a snack before you go to sleep as digestion can generate body heat. It’s a good idea to get active before getting into your sleeping bag as well – take a short walk or do some jumping jacks to raise your body temperature.
As a tip to keeping warm on colder nights, we recommend investing in some hand warmers that can be thrown into your sleeping bag to get it nice and warm before you go to sleep.
Are these good as a 4 or 5 season winter tent?
Yes, but as always you need to prepare beforehand! Be warned that if you try to venture out into harsh weather conditions with heavy snow in 3 season tents, you might not come back.
Look for 4 or 5 season winter tents with a snow skirt if you’re planning a trip in heavy snow.
What size of 4 or 5 season tent should I get?
Usually, it’s advisable to get winter tents with a capacity larger than what you will need to give yourself a roomy experience in your tent. But in cold weather, is that extra space still a benefit, or is it dead air to heat up inside your tent?
It is true that cavernous winter tents will be difficult to heat and might get a bit chilly through the night, but it’s also important that you don’t feel confined or uncomfortable in your tent. During winter camping, it is a possibility that bad weather might force you to spend some time inside your winter tent.
A large vestibule is a fantastic solution to this, as it can offer you a space to cook and eat that is shelter from the weather but separate from your sleeping area meaning you don’t need to worry about the air being cold through the night.
The best cold weather tent – verdict
Our favorite extreme cold weather tent was the Marmot Thor Tent (2 person, 3 person) It comes with a great amount of space for livability and is well designed for camping in harsh winter and alpine conditions. It easily earns four and a half stars.
We also liked the DANCHEL as an alternative for group car camping, perfect for hunting trips, or more luxurious family outings into the snow.
The MSR Advance Pro, had some remarkable innovative design with the Easton Syclone composite poles that are incredibly lightweight whilst still being sturdy enough to provide adequate protection in harsh weather.
The ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian tent (2 person, 3 person) has a nice bright orange fly that makes it easy to be seen in remote areas, this four season tent performs well in snowy and blustery conditions.
REI Co-op Base Camp tent (4 person, 6 person) is a great 4-6 person tent BUT its heavy. It weighs almost 21lbs which is way to heavy to be taking on a hike. This one is definitely a car camping tent.
Finally, the Naturehike is a versatile camping tent that can offer protection from extreme weather at an affordable, low price.
These are our choices for the best extreme cold weather tents to offer you protection when camping in the frozen wilderness.