Tents

Home improvement: The best new shelters are roomy and light, thanks to innovative pole structures that expand space and reduce weight and bulk.

Mend a broken pole, fix leaky seams, and get rid of that musty smell.

Our top ultralight tarp ensures versatility with no weight.

This tarp is best for groups of campers.

Our best all-around 3-person tent combines the best of space, weight, and weatherproofing.

This top ultralight stood up to fierce winds in Alaska, and is a snap to set up.

This light, large, and affordable tent will appeal to almost any three-season camper.

Roomy, rugged, and light-as-a-feather--that's why the Fly Creek is this year's pick for best all-around solo tent.

This is one of the lightest, toughest four-season tent on the market.

Want to get a winter tent without breaking the bank? The Cirque is the tent for you.

This winter tent is long, lean, and livable.

Black Diamond's Stormtrack will keep even giants warm in the mountains.

Adequate space, bomber construction, and light weight make the String Ridge our pick for this year's best mountaineering tent.

The Minibus is just like its namesake: Roomy, big, and heavy.

Space and price align in the Zeta 3.

If you're taller than tall, the Marmot Crib could be for you.

The Ajanta feels bigger than you'd ever expect, and comes at a sweet price

Not even the strongest winds can faze the roomy Black Diamond Oasis.

Rain making your fly droop? Adjust your tent from the inside with this pricey tent.

This extra-large tent dwarfs all other "big-guy" tents.

Tarptent's innovative tent creates an ultralight solution for big campers.

The Hoodoo isn't exactly ultralight, but it provides plush quarters for a great price.

This eco-friendly single-wall tent doesn't skimp on quality features.

Want double walls but low weight? Try the Carbon Reflex 2.

The Taurine tackles both light-and-fast summer jaunts and heavy winter expeditions.

This all-conditions champ can handle any weather in any season.

This tent matches ultralight values with tough design.

Check out Kelly Bastone's author page.

The lightest solo tent tested is also--surprise--the biggest.

The Nemo Gogo works great for tall hikers--provided you don't mind not sitting up.

This huge, livable solo tent is also a killer deal.

Perfect for stargazers, the MontBell Crescent offers 180-degree views of the night sky.

This high-and-wide tent is meant for one, but can fit two, provided they're under six feet tall.

"Habitat for humanity" gets a new meaning with this eco-friendly tent.

Four is not a crowd in this family-size featherweight.

At right around two pounds per person, these three-season, double-occupancy shelters do everything but weigh you down.

There's nothing cozier than a warm, dry tent on a cold night. But strong winds and rain can turn setup into a sopping, frustrating fiasco.

How do manufacturers make your trusty tent poles better for the environment? We discovered the magic formula right here.

This ultralight mainstay transforms from an A-frame sleeping shelter to a lean-to kitchen in seconds. Tip: Practice on a paper model if you're new to sewing.

Mountain weather in September is typically dry and warm–the perfect time to lighten your load with a versatile tarp.

Got a family to shelter or just want castle-like living space? Go light or go big with these two standouts.

Check out Lesley Suppes's author page.

These versatile sanctuaries do more than just keep you dry. ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: See our video review of the latest bivys and hammocks.

Easy to pitch and easy on the wallet, this tent is rock-solid when it comes to weather protection.

In the backcountry, having the right shelter is crucial. For over three decades, Hilleberg has specialized in making that "right shelter" by building the highest quality all season tents.

Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.

Check out The Backpacker Editors, Photos by sethhughes.com's author page.

Check out The Backpacker Editors, Photos by sethhughes.com's author page.

Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.

You can test-drive a car, but not a tent. So our crew did the shakedown for you, logging 600-plus nights under stars and storms. Here's what we liked.

Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.

A NOLS veteran offers tips on balancing comfort, safety, and Leave No Trace principles.

A traditional tent with ample room for one.

The lightest freestanding double-wall tent in the universe.

A weather- and bug-proof tent of negligible weight.

An atypical hoop tent that's cleverly spacious.

A spacious ultralight tent that stays dry.

Keep from tripping over your partner with this tent made for two

Slash weight, not weather protection, with this year's top new ultralight tents.

An affordable two-person tent that holds up in any weather, spring through fall

Three tents that'll save you money, weight, your friendship, and your head

If solitude is your thing, dish out the extra green for this spacious, sturdy solo tent.

This upgrade suits the fastpacker's need for a roomy, bugproof tent during hot and humid nights.

Meet the new benchmark in lightweight, three-season shelter

Testers give the Jannu two thumbs up, despite wanting more space

Give that old tent a new waterproof coating without shelling out big bucks.

Tackle your tent pole problems with this quick tip.

How and where you should set up your winter tent for maximum comfort and shelter longevity.

What's the best way to treat bug bites? Don't get bit in the first place.

Hard-won tips for pitching tepee tents on any terrain

Tent pole problems? Here's an easy fix.

Not all shelters are created equal, as anyone with a cheap tent will tell you after a bad storm. Follow these 10 essentials when buying your next tent.

QuickTip: How to stake tents on hard ground.

Quick Tip: Preserving tent poles

Mildew. Torn mesh. Broken zippers and poles. Is it worth fixing your home away from home? Find out for yourself.

Setting up a tarp? Follow these techniques depending on the situation.