Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Winter camping means something different to everyone. For some, it’s an expedition up Denali. For others, it’s a snowshoe-powered overnight below treeline. And that nuance is important: no one wants to lug a 12-pound, gale-proof basecamp when a simple pyramid tent will do, or find themselves undergunned in a blizzard. To cover all the scenarios you might come up against, we looked at simple pop-ups, expedition tents, and everything in between. During the course of that testing, we weeded out needlessly heavy and potentially dangerous four season tents in favor of the strongest, lightest, most weather-proof shelters on the market.
At a Glance
- Best for Beginners: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV2 Expedition ($480)
- Most Versatile: $480 at Big Agnes
Weight: 5.3 lbs
Peak Height: 39 inches
Vestibule Space: 18 square feetPros and Cons
⊕ Good protection
⊕ Generous storage
⊕ Enviable organization
⊗ Low ceilingThis Copper Spur HV2 Expedition is a user-friendly tent that makes it a dependable, high-elevation basecamp. Big Agnes adapted the design from the uber-popular Copper Spur line of three-season tents, taking its high-volume frame and adding fabric walls, larger-diameter aluminum poles, easy-pull zippers, and oodles of interior storage, all while keeping the weight at a reasonable 5 lbs 5 oz.
The Expedition is armored with three poles, a 30-denier polyester ripstop fly with waterproof coating, and a mesh-free 40-denier ripstop nylon inner, which makes it very weatherproof when you need it. “We zipped up everything during rain and high winds, and felt very safe, secure, and dry inside,” reported one tester after a trip to Tahoe National Forest near Mt. Lola. A generous ceiling vent and two window vents on the doors can be opened to bring in fresh air, but our testers still dealt with small amounts of condensation on cold nights.
The 29-square-foot floor area is average for tents in this category, as is the 39-inch peak height, but the Expedition’s design makes it feel larger than its stats. That’s thanks to a pitch that angles the walls more vertically, maximizing interior volume. Two 9-square-foot vestibules and two doors boost livability, allowing each camper their own space and entry/exit.
The main draw for testers? Ten interior pockets that boast best-in-test organization and helped our crew stay sane while waiting out storms during gear-heavy winter trips. Pockets vary from large overhead slings to smaller corner pockets where you can stash earplugs, gloves, or headlamps.
(Photo: Courtesy Tarptent) Most Versatile
Tarptent Scarp 2
Weight: 3.4 lbs
Peak Height: 45 inches
Vestibule Space: 11.8 square feetPros and Cons
⊕ Very lightweight
⊕ Seasonal versatility
⊕ Packable
⊗ Small vestibulesUsually you have to pay more to carry less, but the Scarp 2 hits a rare sweet spot: it’s relatively affordable while delivering top-notch winter protection and excellent versatility in an ultralight package.
Thanks to modularity common in pyramid and tarp-style tents, the Scarp 2 can be set up in various configurations: It can be pitched without the inner or the fly, respectively, and has two liner options that let you toggle between three-season versatility and maximum weather protection. Regardless of your loadout, the Scarp stays under 3.5 pounds and packs down to the size of two paper towel rolls, even in winter mode.
“Livability is excellent, and it stood strong in 40-mph gusts,” said one tester after a 2,650-mile journey along the Continental Divide Trail. The thru-hiker also praised the Scarp’s durability: Made of 30-denier silicone-coated ripstop nylon, it held up to abrasive rock slabs and pine needles over the four-month trip.
Headroom is impressive, with a 45-inch peak height, while the 86-inch-long floor accommodates taller campers. Storage space is slim compared to other tents on this list, with only 5.9 square feet of vestibule space per side.
The setup is basic: A single pole arches over the midsection, built-in carbon-fiber struts support the ends, and six guy-out points complete the pitch. Winter adventurers can add optional cross poles ($45 to 70 more), which make the tent freestanding and, more importantly, allow for heavy snow loads: “We had a few fresh inches of snow overnight and the ceiling didn’t sag at all,” said one tester.
(Photo: Courtesy Black Diamond) Best Value
Black Diamond Mega Light 4P
$400 at Backcountry $400 at Black Diamond
Weight: 2.8 lbs
Peak Height: 65 inches
Vestibule Space: NonePros and Cons
⊕ Great space-to-weight ratio
⊕ Affordable
⊕ Versatile
⊗ Steep learning curve
⊗ No vestibule space
⊗ No pocketsThis longtime-favorite ultralight shelter weighs less than three pounds and packs down to the size of a small watermelon, all while providing a sprawling 51 square feet of living space—enough to fit three people with winter gear in the main body of the tent.
Testers in Grand Mesa National Forest found the 30-denier polyester Mega Light to be extremely livable—big enough to set up camp chairs inside—and that its pyramidal shape helped to shed snow and prevent collapse in heavy storms. They appreciated the top vent, which keeps this solid fabric pyramid from turning into a sweat lodge.
The palatial shelter can be difficult to set up, especially in bad weather and high winds, and using appropriate snow anchors are a must. “The center-pole pitch takes practice for one person to set up, but it held taut in 25-mph gusts without sagging thanks to midpanel guy lines and some snow stakes,” said one tester after a trip in Colorado’s Uncompahgre National Forest.
There are no vestibules for gear or interior pockets, which means organization takes discipline. However, the massive floor plan ensures everything stays covered. Its floorless nature makes it ideal for pitching over snow, with near-limitless possibilities for digging out deep floors, benches, and tables.
The Mega Light’s versatility can be improved with a Mega Bug insert (an additional $350), which adds a floor and a mesh body, or by laying down a separate DIY groundsheet.
At $400, the Mega Light remains an all-time classic value buy that can be used any time of year and customized throughout the seasons for a variety of adventures, especially for fast-paced winter adventures below treeline.
(Photo: Courtesy Hyperlite) Lightest
Hyperlite Ultamid 2
$699 at Backcountry $699 at Hyperlite
Weight: 1.2 lbs
Peak Height: 64 inches
Vestibule Space: NonePros and Cons
⊕ Outstanding space-to-weight ratio
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Durable
⊗ Tedious setup
⊗ No vestibule space
⊗ ExpensiveWant to go ultralight in winter? You can’t do much better than the floorless Hyperlite Ultamid 2. Made of super-strong, uber-light Dyneema fabric, this simple pyramid tent is as minimal as it gets, and that’s reflected in its final packed weight of 1 pound, 3 ounces.
But, being a pyramid, it also boasts one of the best space-to-weight ratios on this list, offering a 63-square-foot floor plan that makes it perfect for ski touring or any other gear-hungry winter overnight. The bare-bones layout is typical for a pyramid-style tent, with limited internal storage, no vestibule, and slight condensation on nights below 45 degrees despite two mesh top vents. A mesh and Dyneema insert for the Ultamid is sold separately ($399); otherwise, it’s designed to run floorless. Two people can comfortably sit in camp chairs underneath, and it was easy to cook inside during inclement weather.
The shelter’s Dyneema fabric, while pricey, can handle significant wind and snow-load without sagging, and is very resistant to tears and scratches from rocks, branches, and ski edges. “With eight guy outs, this tent feels like it’s cemented into the ground,” said one tester after experiencing 30 mile-per-hour gusts in Coconino National Forest.
Setup is simple using either two trekking poles strapped together, or a carbon fiber center pole (sold separately). Like most pyramids, it can be tedious to set up in storms, but testers found its durability, weather protection, and waterproofing worth the hassle.
Hilleberg Nallo 2 GT (Photo: Courtesy Hilleberg) Strongest
Hilleberg Nallo 2 GT
$1,066 at Public Lands $1,065 at Hilleberg
Weight: 6.4 lbs
Peak Height: 39 inches
Vestibule Space: 25 square feetPros and Cons
⊕ Large vestibules
⊕ Durable
⊕ Best-in-class weather protection
⊗ Pricey
⊗ Heavy
⊗ Low ceilingBack in 2010, we referred to Swedish tent-maker Hilleberg’s Nallo GT 2 as “a mountaineering tent that costs as much as a mortgage payment, but delivers homelike comforts.” With a price tag north of a grand, that assessment still rings true today—it’s unreasonable for most weekend warriors. But for adventurers embarking on long, unpredictable expeditions, the Nallo GT 2 is a wise investment, thanks to its best-in-test weather protection and near-endless vestibule storage.
The double-wall tunnel tent is made from Hilleberg’s proprietary Kerlon fabric, a lightweight, 30-denier ripstop nylon treated with three layers of silicone for excellent tear-strength and waterproofing. (Lightweight is a relative term for this tent, which tips the scales at 6 pounds, 6 ounces packed.) Testers loved the large fly vents that combat condensation when the hatches are battened, and eight guy-out points for high-alpine storms.
The Nallo GT 2 pitches with three poles and sports a low-profile design that helps shed high wind. “Perched on an exposed, 12,000-foot summit in Colorado’s Park Range, “it barely shuddered in 30-mph gusts,” reported one tester.
One consequence of that low profile is less overhead space—its peak height is only 39 inches, one of the lowest in test, meaning taller campers might feel cramped when sitting up and changing clothes. Its long, rectangular design and a whopping 25-feet of vestibule space improve livability and provide enough interior storage space for even the most equipment-hungry expeditions.
(Photo: Courtesy Argali) Most Innovative
Argali Absaroka
$398 at Argali (Tent) $445 at Argali (Stove)
Weight: 2.2 lbs (tent only); 5.1 lbs (stove included)
Peak Height: 74 inches
Vestibule Space: n/aPros and Cons
⊕ Backpacker-friendly stove
⊕ Great space-to-weight ratio
⊕ Packable
⊗ Fire riskArgali’s Absaroka is a monstrous 84-square-foot, four-person pyramid tent that brings all the beloved attributes of a pyramid—low weight, spaciousness, and versatility for summer adventures. But it also has something extra: the option to install a backcountry stove.
The Absaroka can be run floorless or with a full mesh insert (sold separately), and pitched with either a carbon fiber center pole or two trekking poles tied together. It’s built from 20-denier ripstop sil-poly, which testers found to hold strong against snow loads and remain mostly sag-free. “Woke up to two inches of fresh snow and most of it had already slid off the steep walls,” one tester reported. Like most Mids, organization inside takes discipline, as there are no pockets or storage options.
But the main event is the collapsible Skyline Ti Titanium Wood Stove (sold separately). It assembles without tools in five to ten minutes and sits in the middle of the tent, adjacent to the center pole. The titanium stove pipe, which rolls down to the size of a one-liter water bottle, runs through a heat-resistant, silicone-coated fiberglass stove jack atop the tent.
Testers loved the ability to make winter nights downright luxurious and sociable. “We were able to sit comfortably inside the tent stripped down to our baselayers on a freezing night,” one said after a trip in Grand Mesa National Forest. “We added a few bigger rounds right before bed and the stove provided substantial, sleep-inducing heat. By morning, the stove was completely cool and ready to be disassembled.”
The compact nature of the stove kit is a bit like magic: It disassembles down to the size of a laptop case, which easily slides into your backpack, while the tent packs up smaller than a paper towel roll. Total weight? Just over five pounds. For folks typically saddled with massive canvas hot tents, it’s a game-changer.
How to Choose a Four-Season Tent
Capacity, Size, and Vestibules
The first thing to consider when buying a tent is its size. You’ll want to know the number of people it’s designed to hold, but also look closely at the square footage to ensure it will work for your specific needs. Check the length of the tent if you are more than 6 feet tall—a couple inches of head and leg room on top of your height are critical for a good night’s sleep. Pay attention to the amount of vestibule space a tent offers, especially if you plan to backpack in colder months with big packs or extra gear.
Weight vs. Durability and Weatherproofing
While the best tents offer a lightweight balance of livability, weather protection, and durability, those qualities often come at a weight penalty. Consider how far you’ll be hiking and how much weight you can comfortably carry over that distance. Some folks are happy to lug a 5-pound tent that has a large floor plan and ample headroom, while others will prefer to minimize weight at the cost of comfort. Once you get a sense of your maximum weight (4 to 5 pounds is about average for a winter tent), think about the weatherproofing you’ll need in the environments you plan to visit. More mesh means more ventilation, but less weatherproofing. In areas with wet weather and high winds, invest in heavier-weight, more waterproof tent fabric and thicker, stronger poles. Burlier floor materials also add weight to the tent, but offer more durability on abrasive ground.
Freestanding vs. Semi- vs. Non Freestanding
Another thing to consider is the type of pitch a tent uses. Freestanding tents are supported by a set of structural poles and can be pitched anywhere, without the use of guy lines or added tension. They are the easiest to pitch, but offer minimal customization in foul weather. Semi and non-freestanding tents all use poles of some sort (structural aluminum poles or trekking poles), but need to be staked out using guy lines. This requires more patience and know-how when pitching, however it also allows the tent to be pitched in a variety of ways, making it easier to fit into tight spaces. Non-freestanding and semi-freestanding tents also typically weigh less than freestanding tents because they don’t come with as many—or any—poles.
Finally, a Pro Tip
The only way to truly know a tent is to spend a couple of nights in it. Check to see if your local gear shop has a rental program (many allow you to test new models and buy them afterwards if you like them.) If not, know the return policies wherever you buy your shelter: Some stores and brands allow you to return used products without a penalty.
Winter tent testing often involves digging yourself out in the morning (Photo: Will McGough) How We Test
- Number of Testers: 9
- Coldest Temperature: 0 degrees F (Chugach State Park, AK)
- Biggest Snowfall: 5 inches (Flagstaff, AZ)
- Number of Nights Slept Outside: 50+
- Highest Elevation: 11,000 feet (Grand Mesa, CO)
Our testing group spanned the country, in wilderness areas from Maine to California. Testers come from a variety of backgrounds, genders, and professions, from public school teachers to park rangers. Over the course of the winter months, these testers evaluated tents on a multitude of criteria, including livability, ventilation, design, weather protection, setup, and price, among other intangibles.
Meet Our Testers
Will McGough has been writing about the outdoors and testing tents for Backpacker and Outside since 2015. Specs aside, he believes the most important thing about a tent is how it makes you feel—a good tent should make you feel at home, regardless of climate and conditions.
Dorn Van Dommelen has hiked and skied in Alaska’s backcountry for 30 years and backpacked, since he was a kid, in Central Pennsylvania. Wherever he goes—multi-day backpacking trips in Denali NP, the Talkeetna Mountains, or near his home in the Chugach State Park—he hauls a bunch of maps and a dog-eared copy of Nietzsche’s Zarathustra.
Mark Post is a Police Officer for the Town of Palisade in Western Colorado. He enjoys exploring the different regions of the Rocky Mountains, including the high country, where he tracks elk, bears, and deer.
