Typically, when picking a tent, you want something weatherproof. But, the best insulated tent can also help you stay warm. If you’re planning on camping in cold weather, an insulated tent can protect you from the elements. In addition to having the standard tent materials and protective layers, insulated tents have air pockets to trap heat inside.
Currently, there is only one company making insulated tents – Crua Outdoors. So, we’ve compiled a list of the top Crua insulated tents so that you can pick the best one for your needs.
Note: Crua have reached out to offer readers of Wilderness Redefined an exclusive 5% off – use code AFUK5.
The best insulated tents are:
- Crua Combo Maxx 3 Person Tent – Best Overall
- Crua Culla Solo 1 Person Tent – Best for Individual Campers
- Crua Clan 6+ Person Modular Camping Tent – Best for Large Groups
- Crua Outdoors Tri 3 Person Insulated Tent
- Crua Outdoors Cottage 6 Person Tent With 2 Insulated Rooms
- Crua Outdoors Loj 6 Person Insulated Tent With Porch
- Crua Outdoors Culla Maxx 3 Person Light Insulated Tent
- Whiteduck Regatta Canvas Bell 4/6/10 Person Tent With Stove Jack
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Best Overall  | Best for Individual Campers  | Best for Large Groups  |  |  |  |  |  | |
Whiteduck Regatta Canvas Bell 4/6/10 Person Tent With Stove Jack | ||||||||
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
| Rating /5 | ||||||||
| Tent Capacity | 2 ppl (3 with the Maxx version) | 1 person | Up to six ppl (nine with the Maxx version) | One to three people | One to six people | Up to six people | Two people (three with the Maxx) | Three to six people |
| Inner Tent Only? | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Insulation | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.7/5 | 3/5 |
| Weatherproofing | 4.8/5 | N/A | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 | N/A | 4.5/5 |
| Ventilation | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 | 4/5 | 4.6/5 | 3.7/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Durability | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.3/5 | 4/5 |
| Ease of Use | 4.3/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 | 4/5 | 4.4/5 | 4/5 | 4.2/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Review | This model combines the thermal insulation of the Culla with the spacious interior of the Crua Duo. | If you're camping by yourself, this tent offers excellent winter insulation and protection. But, it's an inner tent only. | Have space for your whole family while providing extra privacy. The Clan is pretty expensive, though. | This tent has a built-in front awning to keep rain and snow out. Unfortunately, it can get pretty hot in the summer. | The Cottage offers ample interior space, but the price point is a bit too much for what you're getting. | This tent has an excellent winter rating, making it feel too warm and stuffy inside. | The original insulated tent keeps you warm during the winter. But, it's not weatherproof, nor does it work in the summer. | This tent has a stove jack to stay warm with a camping stove inside. Otherwise, it's not insulated at all. |
What Makes a Tent an Insulated Tent?
Standard tents have just one layer between you and the elements. This layer may be made of nylon, polyester, or canvas, but it’s all that protects you from cold weather. An insulated tent uses a layer of air cushioning to trap heat inside. This thermal layer helps you stay warm at night and blocks most sunlight.
The primary disadvantage of an insulated tent is that it doesn’t work in warmer weather. While some models have decent ventilation, they’re still going to be hotter than a standard tent.
The Best Insulated Tent Roundup
Since Crua Outdoors is the only company making insulated tents, there’s not much competition in this category. Still, you can compare each Crua model to see which one has the best elements for your needs. Here are our top seven picks (plus one bonus tent).
Crua Combo Maxx 3 Person Insulated Tent
Pros
- Dual insulation for better warmth
- Remove the inner tent to improve ventilation and airflow
- Covered front porch protects you from rain and snow
- Fast and easy setup
Cons
- No air pump included (sold separately)
- Exterior tent’s insulation is not as good as the inner model
As the name suggests, this tent is actually a combination of two different models. You get both the Crua Duo and the Crua Culla. Also, the company offers “Maxx” versions of some tents (including the Combo). If you buy the Maxx version, you can accommodate one more person. In this case, you can fit three people inside instead of two.
We like the Combo so much because it’s super versatile. If you’re camping in cold weather, you can put the Culla inside and get an extra layer of insulation. If you’re in a warmer climate, you can forgo the Culla and get better ventilation and airflow. Also, having two tents in one helps ensure you don’t have to worry as much about wind, rain, or pests getting inside either.
Another primary advantage is that both tents are pretty easy to set up. Of course, since you’re doing double duty, you’ll take a bit longer than some other Crua models, but it won’t take as much time as you might expect.
Crua Culla Solo 1 Person tent
Pros
- Lightweight model at around eight pounds
- Top and bottom openings allow for better ventilation
- Fits inside most tents
- Plush tent floor for better comfort
Cons
- Doesn’t work as a standalone tent
- Too heavy to be a backpacking tent
While a full-sized insulated tent can work well for multiple campers, what if you’re by yourself? In that case, the Crua Solo is your best bet. This tent resembles an enclosed sleeping bag, except it has an airframe so that you don’t have to worry about the fabric covering your face while you sleep.
This model is best suited for cold weather, but it has top and bottom openings to allow air to flow through. So, if you’re getting a bit too toasty, you can let some heat escape. This is also an inner tent, so it’s not weatherproof. Instead, you have to put it inside another tent for it to work.
Crua Clan 6+ Person Modular Camping Tent
Pros
- Three tents in one
- Built-in privacy options
- Extra-tall center tent
- Front porch section for added space
- Waterproof exterior
Cons
- Takes a while to set everything up
- More expensive than other tent options
As with the Crua Combo, the Clan gives you multiple tents that you can assemble together. However, instead of putting one tent inside the other, you can connect three tents as individual pods with walkways between. This setup is excellent because it offers lots of interior space for you and your gear while also providing privacy for everyone involved. You can think of the main tent as a living area with the smaller tents as bedrooms. The Clan also has a front porch section to help keep the door from getting too wet or snow-covered.
This tent collection is pretty pricey, but you can use each model separately if necessary. So, if you like that versatility, the cost is worth it.
Crua Outdoors Tri 3 Person Insulated Tent
Pros
- Extra-wide awning provided
- Multiple vents for extra airflow
- Easy to prop open the front door
- Extra interior space for your gear
Cons
- Not as water-resistant as other models
- Pretty expensive for what you get
The name “Tri” stands for the fact that you can fit three people into this tent. Unlike the other ones we’ve seen, you don’t get any inner insulated tent. That said, all Crua Outdoors models have insulated padding, so you won’t necessarily get cold at night.
We like the shape and layout of this tent, including the extra-large front awning. However, it’s not quite as weatherproof as other models, and it can feel a bit cramped if you have three people inside.
You can read our full Crua Tri tent review.
Crua Outdoors Cottage 6 Person Tent with 2 Insulated Rooms
Pros
- Multiple bedrooms for extra privacy
- RV hookup in the front
- 3 season design
- Built-in front awning
Cons
- Pricier than you might expect
- Not too tall, so it can feel cramped
This tent is similar to the Clan in that you have two bedrooms with a central living area. This setup is “vis-a-vis,” meaning the rooms face each other. However, the Cottage is not modular, so you can’t separate the sides and use them as standalone models. Also, this tent works as an RV extension, thanks to the additional material on the front section.
Unfortunately, this model is not as tall as the Clan, so you have to stoop to move around. Also, it costs as much as the Clan, even though you don’t get three tents in one.
Crua Outdoors Loj 6 Person Insulated Tent with Porch
Pros
- Dual openings for added convenience
- Extra winter insulation and wind protection
- Tubular design helps it stay stable
- Extendable porch section
Cons
- Not as tall as other models
- Not well-suited for warmer temperatures
According to the manufacturer, this tent has held up to extreme winter conditions. For example, camping out in the blistering cold of Greenland. So, if you’re planning an excursion into the ice and snow, you might want to pack the Loj. However, this level of insulation doesn’t work in warmer climates, and you have to worry about interior condensation. Even with two doors, it’s hard to prevent the tent from feeling stuffy.
Crua Outdoors Culla Maxx 3 Person Light Insulated Tent
Pros
- Thick insulation for winter weather
- Blocks out sunlight
- Fits in most family-sized tents
- Sets up in minutes
Cons
- No air pump provided
- Only works as an inner tent, not a standalone model
Our final model is the inner tent, the Crua Culla. Since this tent isn’t weatherproof, you have to buy a separate tent model to house it. This is why we like the Combo because you get both with one purchase.
The Culla offers excellent insulation but doesn’t do as well for ventilation and airflow. Also, if you’re not trying to block out the sun, you may not like the darkroom feeling of the Culla.
Whiteduck Regatta Canvas Bell 4/6/10 Person Tent with Stove Jack
Pros
- Stove jack included
- Extra-tall interior
- Waterproof and UV-resistant canvas material
- Dual-layered doors and windows for better weather resistance
Cons
- No internal insulation
- Rain can sometimes leak through the stove jack
Although canvas tents aren’t insulated, you can still stay warm by setting up a camp stove inside. This model has a built-in stove jack so that heat and smoke can escape through the roof. As a canvas tent, this model is waterproof, wind-resistant, and holds up well in most weather conditions. So, if you’re not sure about going all-in with insulated tents, this might be a better option.
Which Tents Hold Up to Our Rating Criteria?
Since Crua Outdoors insulated tents have similar features, it can seem hard to pick the best model for your needs. So, to help you make an informed decision, let’s break down our rating criteria and look at the tents that handle each element the best.
Insulation
All Crua tents have the company’s proprietary insulation material. However, we like the Combo because it has two tents in one, so you get additional layers of protection. If you don’t get the Combo, the Loj actually has one of the best insulation ratings.
Weatherproofing
While these tents help trap heat inside, they also need to protect you from wind and rain. The Combo handles these elements pretty well, which is why it’s our best overall pick. The Clan also has some pretty impressive credentials, as does the WhiteDuck Regatta.
Ventilation
Warmth counts for a lot when winter camping, but too much can be a problem. Not only can you get too hot inside your tent, but you have to worry about condensation. Although you can rig the Combo to have decent ventilation, we actually like the Clan or the Loj best for this. Since you can open multiple doors and windows, you can get better airflow.
Durability
Since Crua tents are so expensive, you want to be sure you can use them year after year. Again, the Combo uses high-quality materials that should last multiple seasons easily.
Ease of Use
Most Crua insulated tents use airframes, which inflate and hold their shape. This is why each model is usually a dome tent because that’s the most efficient design. Since you have to set up two tents with the Combo, it’s not as easy as the Tri or the Loj tent.
Value for Money
Some Crua Outdoors tents can be pretty expensive. The Combo offers exceptional value because you’re getting two tents in one. The Solo is also a decent value, but you have to supply your own exterior tent.
Should I Get an Insulated Tent?
As we’ve seen, insulated tents are built for warmth, but not necessarily inclement weather. So, if your primary concern is staying warm at night, an insulated tent might be a good idea.
However, as a rule, tents should protect you from the elements, such as wind and rain. Then, it’s up to your sleeping bag and other gear to help you stay toasty when the temperature drops. This setup also allows for better ventilation and airflow in hotter weather.
If you’d prefer to go this route, we recommend the Big Agnes Copper Spur backpacking tent along with a high-quality sleeping bag, bag liner, and sleeping pad. The combination of these elements can ensure you won’t get chilly at night.
The Final Word on the Best Insulated Tent
As you can see, the best insulated tent often works best for winter camping but can handle warmer weather as well. Since the Crua Combo is the best of both worlds, we like it for its versatility and reliability. If you’re camping with a large group, though, the Crua Clan offers the most space and accommodation.