The Best 4-Season Tents of 2024: Cold Weather Winter Camping (2024)

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4-season tent buying guide | Best 4-season tents

The Best 4-Season Tents of 2024: Cold Weather Winter Camping (1)

From snow-capped hills in Scotlandto beautiful Lake Districtmarket towns, there are plenty of places to camp year-round in the UK. A good 4-season tent is designed to withstand the heavy rain and cold temperatures that come with a winter in the UK. Here are some of our top recommendations for the upcoming season and top tips.

Best 4-season tents

• Best overall 4-season tent: Crua Outdoors Duo
• Best double wall 4-season tent:
Summit Series Mountain 25
• Best lightweight 4-season tent:
Bach Half Tent Pro
• Best budget 4-season tent:
Berghaus Grampian 2 Tent

1. Fjallraven Keb Endurance 2

The Best 4-Season Tents of 2024: Cold Weather Winter Camping (2)

Weight: 3.69kg
Waterproof: 3,000mm (flysheet)

The Keb Endurance 2 by Fjallraven performs well in adverse conditions thanks to its expertly designed features. This tent has not one but two entrances, one covered by a spacious vestibule that can be used for storage. This tunnel tent is strong enough to withstand strong winds, but for extra strength, the pole sleeves are large enough to double up on poles (additional purchase). For ventilation, a mixture of both high and low vents should keep moisture to a minimum.

Additional perks are the oversized door zippers, which are easy to use when wearing winter gloves, reflective guy ropes and reflective panels on the doors and vents so you can easily spot your tent in the dark. Also worth mentioning is that this 4-season tent comes with extra-long, wide pegs, ideal for snow use.

Find it here from £1,000

2. Exped Venus II Extreme

The Best 4-Season Tents of 2024: Cold Weather Winter Camping (3)

Weight: 2.9kg

The Exped Venus II Extreme is a 4-season trekking tent, ideal for two people exploring the outdoors in the winter months. This tent is spacious enough for two people to sit upright, and with entrances on both sides, both featuring vestibules, you won’t be on top of each other. The tunnel tent has an entirely seamed tub floor, which is raised at both entrances to prevent snow from coming in. The fly is silicone-coated, making it both tear and water-resistant, so you’re likely to stay dry throughout your winter travels. The aluminium poles supplied are some of the strongest available, and the tension loops attach directly to these, adding to the overall stability of the tent. Overall, this is a good, lightweight option for any winter camper.

Find it here from £925

3. Berghaus Grampian 2 Tent

Category: All-season
Weight: 4.24 kg
Waterproof: 3000mm (flysheet)
Sleeps: 2

This is the most affordable tent on this list, but don’t let that fool you; the Berghaus Grampian 2 is a high-performance shelter designed to keep you dry and comfortable year-round. Front and rear vents allow for good airflow while the bathtub groundsheet works to keep water out. The colour-coded poles are great for beginners and make it quick to pitch. This tent would be a great starting point for anyone starting their cold weather camping journey.

Find it here from £149

4. THE NORTH FACE Summit Series Mountain 25 2 Person Tent

The Best 4-Season Tents of 2024: Cold Weather Winter Camping (4)

Category: Mountaineering
Weight: 4.45 kg
Waterproof: 1500mm (flysheet)
Sleeps: 2

No matter what the UK weather throws your way, you can put your trust in the Summit Series Mountain 25 to stand strong. Sub-zero temperatures, storm-strength winds and heavy snow are no issue, given its durable ripstop fabric, water-resistant finish and DAC poles and stakes.

To give an idea of the temperatures this tent can withstand, its port window has been crack tested to -51°C, so the coldest winter nights in the UK are no problem at all for tried and tested design. You’ll get four snow stakes included with the tent, which has plenty of interior hanging loops for damp gear and storage pockets to keep your space tidy.

Find it here from £675

5. Fjallraven Abisko Dome 2

Category: 4-season
Weight: 3.16kg
Waterproof: 3000mm
Sleeps: 2

Swedish brand Fjallraven knows a thing or two when it comes to creating gear for cold climates. The Abisko Dome 2 tent has two vestibules, so you’re not climbing over each other to exit at night. Two entrances also mean there’s plenty of room to store wet boots and gear. Airflow in this tent comes from multiple vents at differing heights; you can also fasten the door in a half-open position for extra ventilation if needed.If you’re looking for a tent you can spend a fair bit of time in, this is an option with good sitting height.

Find it here from £900

6. Bach Half Tent Pro

The Best 4-Season Tents of 2024: Cold Weather Winter Camping (5)

Category: 4-season
Weight: 1.4kg
Sleeps: 1

This lightweight, single-wall tent from Bach is easy to pitch and well-ventilated, ideal for short trips, backpackers, or those always on the move. We’ve featured the smaller size in this tent, but opt for the large if you want more space or have extra gear to store. Snow proof vents, quick pitch time, and taped seams mean you can get set up quickly and have a reliable space to stay dry in rough winter conditions.

Find it here from £600

7. Crua Outdoors Duo

The Best 4-Season Tents of 2024: Cold Weather Winter Camping (6)

Category: 4-season
Weight: 3kg
Waterproof: 5000mm
Sleeps: 2

The Crua Outdoors Duo is versatile and durable enough for just about any weather. This tent is designed to work with extras to meet your camping needs. The Culla insulated tent fits snugly inside the Duo for extra warmth in the depth of winter. You can also add the Duo as a pod onto the Core tent as an extra room while family camping, adding to the versatility the brand offers.

Find it here from £329.99

Choosing a 4-season tent

The Best 4-Season Tents of 2024: Cold Weather Winter Camping (7)

When looking at winter tents to buy, you’ll need to consider design features and specifications to ensure your chosen model will keep you protected against the elements. Here are some of the top considerations when shopping around for your winter camping tent.

What is a 4-season tent?

You’ll see the term “4-season” on any camping gear built to withstand all elements, including the coldest, most inclement weather you can face while camping. 4-season tents are designed to withstand heavy rain, strong winds and sub-zero temperatures. These aren’t your standard UK camping tent; these are constructed to protect you from the most vicious and inhospitable climates.

Does weight matter?

If you’re travelling to your camping destination by car, chances are weight isn’t going to be a huge consideration. However, if you need to carry your shelter on your back for part or even all of your journey, you’ll want to pay close attention to the pack weight of each model.

4-season tents are built with the strongest poles and toughest fabrics, so they’re going to be heavier than the average camping tent. Along with a heavier packing weight usually comes a larger pack size so pay close attention to both when shopping around.

Ventilation

It may be tempting to try and keep all of the warm air inside the tent but doing so can lead to condensation and damp living conditions. You’ll have seen droplets of condensation forming inside a tent before, and these tend to drip down onto you and your belongings, leading to an uncomfortable night’s sleep. In sub-zero temperatures, condensation turns into ice, dropping down onto you, melting and leading to the same cold and damp conditions.

Doors and vestibules

Also lending a hand on the ventilation front, the number of doors your tent has can be make or break when it comes to your comfort. If you’re camping with others, scrambling over one another to exit can be a pain, especially in the middle of the night. Many tents will come with a door on either end of the tent, sometimes both with a covered vestibule for extra storage. Leaving a door open when you’re awake is a great way to boost ventilation, too, so pay close attention to how many doors the tent has, the types of opening and whether they’re sheltered from the elements when choosing your 4-season tent.

Durability

When you're being hammered by hail, blown around by wintery gusts and covered in snow, you want to be confident that your tent is going to keep you safe and dry. 4-season tents are constructed with heavy-duty fabrics with high waterproof ratings. Groundsheets are often fully waterproof, and all seams taped. Some of the toughest 4-season tents are often only built to be water-resistant as the temperatures they’re designed to be used in are unlikely to go above freezing point. In the UK, though, waterproofing is essential. Check the specifications of tents closely to check how well they’ll fair in cold, wet conditions.

4-season tent poles

The poles used with 4-season tents need to be almost bullet-proof to last in freezing conditions. Therefore, the materials used are often heavier than standard camping tent poles. Look at the pole specifications and read reviews to make sure they’ll last, as the structure of your tent is one of the most important factors.

Anchor points

Wire tent pegs come as a standard with most camping tents; however, they tend to bend easily. Most campers in the UK will soon put together their own separate tent peg kit, including rock pegs. V-shaped metal pegs, spiral stakes and even snow specific pegs are options for pegging out your tent in winter conditions in the UK. More extreme conditions will need stronger anchor points.

Now that you’re picking out your 4-season tent, view our winter campsites, some of the only places you can camp in the UK during the long winter.

More holiday inspiration

Winter Camping Tips Find out more.
Outdoor Survival Tips Find out more.
Best Camping Heaters Find out more.
Camping in the Rain Tips Find out more.
Best Waterproof Jackets Find out more.
Walking Boot Guide Find out more.
The Best 4-Season Tents of 2024: Cold Weather Winter Camping (2024)

FAQs

The Best 4-Season Tents of 2024: Cold Weather Winter Camping? ›

Hilleberg Jannu

It strikes a nice balance between something that is expedition-worthy but is still light enough to take into your local mountain range. Our testers love the ease of setup, bombproof storm protection, and respectable weight, making this our highest-rated overall tent for good reason.

What is the warmest tent for winter camping? ›

Top Winter Tents
  1. MSR Access 3P.
  2. The North Face - VE 25.
  3. The North Face Mountain 25 Tent.
  4. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV2 Expedition Tent.
  5. Black Diamond HiLight 2 Person Tent.
  6. Mountain Hardwear Trango.
Dec 11, 2023

What is the best all season tent? ›

Hilleberg Jannu

It strikes a nice balance between something that is expedition-worthy but is still light enough to take into your local mountain range. Our testers love the ease of setup, bombproof storm protection, and respectable weight, making this our highest-rated overall tent for good reason.

What is the best material for a tent in cold weather? ›

Make sure that the tent has strong, weather-hardy canopy fabric that will hold up against cold winds and pressed snow. The best material to be on the lookout for when purchasing a winter tent is ripstop nylon, which is the premier material for all-weather tents.

Do 4-season tents keep you warmer? ›

4-season tents are warmer and more durable than 3-season tents, and sometimes even lighter. These tents will add about 10ºF in warmth and keep out the snow and wind.

How cold is too cold to sleep in a tent? ›

Anything below 20° F is, without doubt, too cold to go tent camping. At these temperatures, the effects of frostbite can kick in in under 30 minutes.

What is the best material for a tent for winter camping? ›

Material: Choose a tent made of sturdy and durable materials, such as ripstop nylon or polyester. Waterproofing: Look for higher waterproof ratings for fly and floor to prevent moisture from getting in.

How to choose a 4 season tent? ›

Therefore, 4-season tents must be strong and sturdy. They feature rigid shapes and pole geometries that allow them to bear substantial snow loads and powerful winds. They also feature more durable fabrics as the snow, ice and rock of the alpine environments where they are most commonly used can be ruthlessly abrasive.

How do I choose a 4 season tent? ›

4-Season Tent Buying Advice
  1. 4-Season Tent Types.
  2. Weight and Packed Size.
  3. Double-Wall vs. Single-Wall Tents.
  4. Size: Floor Area and Peak Height.
  5. Ventilation and Condensation.
  6. Materials and Durability.
Oct 29, 2023

What is the longest lasting tent? ›

Dome Tents or Geodesic Tents

Dome style tents, like Geodesic tents, are also one of the best tents for long-term camping shelters.

How do I choose a winter tent? ›

For high winds and heavy snowfall, a 4-season tent is recommended. 4-season tents have sturdier poles and heavier fabrics than 3-season tents so they can withstand powerful gusts of wind and heavy snow loads. They also have less mesh and the rainflys extend close to the ground to keep swirling snow from getting inside.

How do I keep my tent dry in the winter? ›

Here's what to do (and not to do) so you can keep that tent condensation as close to zero as possible:
  1. PITCH YOUR TENT IN THE SHADE OF A TREE. ...
  2. DON'T CAMP RIGHT NEXT TO WATER. ...
  3. CAMP ON HIGHER GROUND. ...
  4. DON'T DRY WET GEAR INSIDE THE TENT. ...
  5. DRY YOUR TENT OFF. ...
  6. GIVE YOUR TENT PLENTY OF ROOM TO BREATHE. ...
  7. VENTILATION IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.

How can I make my tent colder? ›

Here are some tips on how to keep a tent cool so you can make your hot summer nights more enjoyable.
  1. Choose a Breathable Tent with Mesh – Lots of It!
  2. Seek Out a Shaded Campsite.
  3. Use a Sunshade or Tarp.
  4. Remove the Rainfly for Cross-Breeze Ventilation.
  5. Get a Portable Fan.
  6. Swap Out the Sleeping Bags for Sheets.
Jan 31, 2021

Should I vent my tent in the winter? ›

Vent Your Tent

While it may seem counterintuitive, airflow in your tent is important during the winter. As you breathe, you release warm vapor inside the tent.

Can you survive winter in a tent? ›

For winter camping, you'll want to make sure you have a three or four-season tent. If there's no storm in the forecast and temperatures aren't too extreme, a three-season tent should do the trick. But if high winds or heavy snowfall is predicted, do yourself a favor and opt for a four-season tent.

What is the toughest tent? ›

TOUGHEST MYLAR EMERGENCY TENT ON EARTH – Designed for hiking and outdoor adventures, the DDITW Survival Tent packs away ultralight & compact and sets up quick with room for two adults. NASA-designed mylar is waterproof and reflects up to 90% of body heat for year-round protection for cold, wet, or hot weather survival.

Can you stay warm in a tent in winter? ›

Although they make heaters to go inside tents, you can stay warm in a tent without electricity or gas. That's not to say that using a tent-friendly heater is never worth it, but factors such as your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and clothing are far more effective at keeping you warm than a heater.

How do I heat my tent in the winter? ›

To heat a party tent in winter, you need an energy-efficient outdoor heater, a cost-effective diffuser (this part is optional, but we recommend it to all of our customers), and a few tent sidewalls to make sure that warm air doesn't escape into the night.

Can you heat an outdoor tent in the winter? ›

Heating a party tent is as simple as using tent heaters—specialized space heaters designed for safely keeping your party tent warm—and tent sidewalls, which keep the warmth in. A party tent heater can be used inside the tent, or just outside the tent with the addition of a diffuser.

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