Written by 8:15 pmTents

Best Insulated Tents Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

A photo of a yellow tent and two girls at the clift

Camping is one of the most popular types of outdoor activities nowadays, and if you are one of those people who like to go hiking, you probably know that in nature you cannot do without an insulated tent to keep you warm and safe. A tent is the basis of any comfortable hike. First of all, a good quality tent is designed to protect from night insects, all weather conditions, provide a comfortable living and sleeping area, fit into a backpack, and finally not burden you with volume and weight during travel. The price range and variety of brands can easily confuse an inexperienced buyer or novice tourist.

Here I will outline some of the best insulated tents available on the market for what ever your camping purpose. Be it trekking in the mountains with the animals where you will need a Black Diamond Fitzroy tent to protect you from the strong winds and night insects, pitching a Vango Skye waterproof camping tent up near a beautiful lake in the Croatian outbacks listening to the mesmerizing sounds of waterfalls and singing birds or going skiing in the Alps with your friends where you will need an all weather tent such as one of the Crua Cocoon or Crua tri Insulated tent series.

Top 10 Best Insulated Tents

1. Vango Skye 500

Package Dimensions : 23.62 x 15.75 x 7.87 inches | Item Weight: 20.57 Pounds

Description: This spacious 5 person tent is lightweight compared to other models, weighing a mere 9.3 kilos which is excellent for a 5-6 person insulated tent. As Vango is a Scottish brand it is built for cold and rainy weather climates, so you can guarantee that this water proof tent will keep you dry. Setting up is easy with a three poled tunnel tent that features a side entry door and full stand up height living space. The total living area is 12.4 square meters with a sleeping area of 6.3. square meters.

The tent has a large porch, that can be used for storing all your camping gear and features a linked-in groundsheet, which can be rolled under the bedroom area when not required. It has clear side windows to allow light into the porch area, whilst the Lights-Out helps reduce early morning light in your bedroom whilst you are still resting in bed. This tent is a great choice among campers who go to festivals, hiking in the mountains and weekend camping.

Pro's:
  • Highly waterproof: 3000mm,
  • Durable and high quality fabric
  • Greatest space to weight ratio
  • Great value for money
  • Crystal Clear PVC windows for maximum light and great visibility
  • Insulation layer
Cons:
  • No insect screen
  • May not be beginner friendly

2. Crua Duo Combo Tent

Package Dimensions : 23.62 x 15.75 x 7.87 inches | Item Weight: 20.57 Pounds

Description: This Crua Duo is an amazing, strong, waterproof, lightweight, insulated and adaptable 2 person tent ideal for hiking, hunting, fishing, base camp, festivals, beach camping,safari, and even glamping. The Duo tent is made from breathable, fire retardant polyester material with a water-resistant outer layer of HH5000mm. It can be set up and dismantled with ease and has a lightweight frame structure.

Have a good nights rest, with the superb noise blocking technology used for blackout levels and sound dampening ability. All those animals making noise at the crack of dawn and you are blissfully unaware in your Cocoon. It is all possible with the Crua Cocoon and its impressive insulation, effectively blocking excess light, combats intrusive sounds, and prevents heat loss with its insulation layer, ensuring you stay snug all night long.

The Duo was tailored to be compatible with the Crua Clan Complete tent set. This luxury glamping setup is essentially 4 tents sleeping spaces all in one.

Pro's:
  • Aerodynamic
  • Tough, all weather tent
  • Waterproof
  • Lightweight, 2.2 Kilograms
  • Can be used for all types of camping
Cons:
  • Limited time on deals
  • Larger options available

3. Coleman Octagon Family camping tent

Package Dimensions : 23.62 x 15.75 x 7.87 inches | Item Weight: 20.57 Pounds

Description: With tons of space inside (for maximum 8 persons), full head height throughout the entire tent and an unusual and striking shape, the Octagon offers you everything you need. Offering a full 360 Degree view of your surroundings the distinctively styled and eye catching Octagon tent has a multitude of uses. It can be dressed as a luxury glamping bedroom, great for families with a playroom for the kids or a suitable tent for festival gatherings. The tent provides maximum living space as the tent is a single large room with a removable partition curtain to segregate it into two areas and six of the eight sides open up completely, allowing lots of air and light into the tent. The camping tent is also watertight and easily transportable with a wheeled carry bag.

The Coleman octagon tent has two layers of outer fabric, allowing for better breathing ability and reducing condensation. Comes with a sewn In groundsheet that keeps out drafts and prevents insects and bugs crawling into your tent. It has been tested to withstand 2,000mm of rain in a 24 hour period and also comes with taped seams to ensure that water doesn’t enter the tent through the stitching.

Pro's:
  • Easily transportable
  • One of the best family camping tents
  • Good value for size
  • 360 Degree view plus enhanced ventilation
  • Sturdy and easy to pitch up
  • 100 Percent waterproof
Cons:
  • Might be overly technical for beginners

4. Geertop Double layer backpacking tent

Package Dimensions : 23.62 x 15.75 x 7.87 inches | Item Weight: 20.57 Pounds

Description: The Geertop 4 season tent is designed of high quality material which is fully rain proof and extremely light weight. Features two layers for excellent weather protection and ventilation. Inner layer can be used alone in warm, dry weather for great ventilation and maximum enjoyment of the natural surroundings. This 2 person tent is perfect for camping, hiking, backpacking, trekking and outdoor sports. It is compact and light enough to be carried in your backpack and is quick and easy to set up in just a few minutes.

As a 4­SEASON Alpine Tent, it has superior stability to withstand wind, rain, snow and dirt. High performance materials allow the tent to withstand even the harshest of extreme weather conditions. The tent comes with cross a cool pole design to help increase the overall stability of the tent. The waterproof sealing all around the flyshet ensures that even the biggest rainstorm won’t get you or your things wet.

Pro's:
  • Easy set up
  • Insinuated 4 season tent
  • Lightweight and fits in your backpack
  • Excellent UV protection
  • Freestanding tent design
  • Two­-sided zipper design for easy access
Cons:
  • Not a budget option
  • Sells out often

5. Spacious 3 person Black Diamond tent

Package Dimensions : 23.62 x 15.75 x 7.87 inches | Item Weight: 20.57 Pounds

Description: This 3 person mountaineering tent is perfect for all your hiking needs. Keep yourself and 2 other hiking partners dry and safe from all weather conditions with a tough, double-walled design. This freestanding tent also comes with double doors where you can come in and leave your wet boots and camping gear in the vestibules to keep dry. Avoid a dripping or frosted tent interior during the night with the adjustable front.

You can Set up this 3-pole tent quickly and easily with the fast-pitch hub system that integrates the entire frame into one unit to provide both space and comfort. The structure is created using two trekking poles and the included adaptor that allows your poles to connect with a small DAC cross pole that results in keeping the tent’s structure more stable. Four stake-out points anchor the tent to create the ultimate fast pitch shelter.

For cross ventilation, there are vents at both the peak and foot area. Lightweight 30D polyester construction allows the tent to pack down to the size of a Nalgene bottle. There is also a head lamp pocket located in the peak for easy illumination.

Pro's:
  • Comes with nylon floor to keep you warm
  • Spacious capacity
  • Double-wall freestanding design
  • Adjustable rear, top, and front vents
  • Fast 3 pole hub set up
Cons:
  • Sells out often
  • Comes in one size

6. Snugpak Cave 4 Person Tent

Package Dimensions : 23.62 x 15.75 x 7.87 inches | Item Weight: 20.57 Pounds

Description: Snugpak cave winter camping tents are great to keep you warm when you want to go cold weather camping. It is a 4 person tent designed to be spacious, functional, and offer protection from the elements. This roomy tent has a trail weight of 9.44 pounds and a pack weight of 10.47 pounds, comes with aluminum poles that are light and won’t take up all of your valuable pack space.

The cave also comes with features such as a 5000 millimeter Hydro-static Head polyurethane laminate coated flysheet with taped seams. If you need to make repairs for the tent, fear not as the Snugpak Cave also provides you with a basic repair kit so that repairs can be made when you most need them. The tent has two entry point access, each has a vestibule for storing your boots and camping gear. One entry has a single centered zipper, the other entry has two zippers which can create a wind blocked entrance if only one portion is used to gain access.

Pro's:
  • DAC Featherlite NSL anodized aluminum poles with press fit connectors
  • A basic repair kit is included
  • Great price
  • Insulated cold weather tent
  • Compact size, the perfect backpacking tent
  • Great interior space for 4 people
  • Has awesome reviews
Cons:
  • Not necessarily beginner-friendly
  • Some reviews complain about the zipper

7. Crua Tri 3 Person Insulated Tent

Package Dimensions : 23.62 x 15.75 x 7.87 inches | Item Weight: 20.57 Pounds

Description: This Crua Tri 3 person 4 season tent is one of the best insulated tents on the market. The cold weather tent has been field tested in all types of extreme weather conditions. It has faced over 60MPH winds, frigid snow, desert heat, and torrential rain like a champ.

Choosing a Crua Tri tent is an investment that will lasts for years to come. Includes Aero-grade aluminum poles, well ventilated to prevent condensation, Waterproof, Puncture and Tear resistant. Very spacious with a total area size of 6.5 square feet wide and 7.5 feet long, it is possible to fit a queen size mattress with room to spare. Also includes porch space that is wheelchair accessible. Dampens outside noise for a more peaceful sleep and creates a black out effect to improve sleep quality.

Pro's:
  • 4 season revolutionary insulated tent
  • Extremely spacious
  • High design tent fabric
  • Perfect for long term
  • Ideal for all types of camping
  • Double layer
  • Waterproof and excellent ventilation
Cons:
  • Quite bulky
  • Not backpacker friendly
  • Not freestanding

8. Coleman Festival blackout tent

Package Dimensions : 23.62 x 15.75 x 7.87 inches | Item Weight: 20.57 Pounds

Description: Coleman design some of the best festival tents on the market. This 3 person tent comes with a revolutionary sleep system that eliminates up to 99% of the daylight from the tent bedroom, so you can rest and recharge during the day after a long night of partying. The tents ventilation flaps ensure that plenty of fresh air gets in and there is enough space for bags, backpacks and shoes in the front of the tent.

The festival tent is completely waterproof and protects you and your equipment when the cold weather sets in. Thanks to the fiberglass frame, the tent is extremely light and can be quickly and easily set up and taken apart by one person. Uses the black out design for blocking out those unnecessary rays of light in the morning to help give you a longer rest.

Pro's:
  • Fiberglass poles
  • Easy to carry
  • Black out design in the bedroom
  • Carry bag and tent pegs included
  • spacious enough for gear storage and muddy boots
  • 100% waterproof & UV guard
  • Easily set up and dismantled
Cons:
  • Black tent pegs
  • Could have more illustrations and pictures
  • Not necessarily beginner-friendly

9. Crua Loj 6 person thermo insulated tent

Package Dimensions : 23.62 x 15.75 x 7.87 inches | Item Weight: 20.57 Pounds

Description: This four season tent has some amazing reviews online and is designed for heavy duty rain and cold weather camping. It is has a spacious 6 person sleeping space with optional dividing wall which can fit 2 queen size mattresses easily inside. Also includes an additional huge living space with 3 door access. The tent is very tall with its peak height being 83 inches / 211cm and comprises of 3 rooms plus a porch with vestibule, awning and is wheelchair accessible.

The Crua Loj does not disappoint thanks to its legendary insulation technology. Crua’s patented TT insulation layer works to block out intrusive light, dampen annoying noises, and regulate the temperature within the tent, keeping you cozy all year round. There is much to like about four season tent, the ventilation is fantastic as there are 6 PVC windows and 7 vents. plus features such as the Insulating carpet and the inner tent fabric is poly-cotton, while the outer is laminated poly-cotton.

It comes with waterproof rating of 5000mm (which is very high), meaning you have a fully waterproof winter camping tent with a polyethylene on the floor. To make this tent even more impressive, the Loj was used all winter in Greenland in 200kmh gusts of wind, massive snow loads, torrential rains and more. Basically speaking It is the hardest working tent in the world.

Pro's:
  • Four season tent
  • Very large family tent
  • Insulated floor
  • Thermal Insulation
  • Waterproof
  • Fantastic ventilation
  • High design of 83 inches / 211cm
  • Vestibule and awning
  • Wheelchair accessible
Cons:
  • Sells out rapidly
  • Very heavy
  • Doesn’t come with snow skirt

10. Crua Core Base Dome tent

Package Dimensions: 23.62 x 15.75 x 7.87 inches | Item Weight: 20.57 Pounds

Description: This Crua series are the kings of insulated tents and this Core Dome tent is no different. The Core was tailored to be compatible with the Crua Clan Complete tent set such as the Crua cocoon and the Crua duo. It is an epic adaptable 6 person tent ideal for hiking, hunting, fishing, base camp, festivals, beach camping, safari, and glamping.

The ease of use for this tent is exceptional considering its size. The Core can be pitched in minutes by one or two people thanks to its user-friendly air-frame design. When used as a standalone tent, it is spacious enough to house up to six persons in one extra-large sleeping compartment. Then there is the large porch where you can store your gear outdoors, provides welcome shade from the heat and shelter in more difficult conditions. It also has two side panels in the porch which gives it a great panoramic view from your pitch.

Like the other Crua models, the Core uses sound dampening tent fabric to stop all those noises outdoors, from the howling wind to your neighbor in the next snoring. We all love the sunrise when camping, but it doesn’t mean that we need to wake up when the sun does. The blackout level measures your tents ability to block out the sun and allow for a natural longer nights rest.

A well controlled interior temperature is key to your comfort whilst camping. The climate rating for this tent is awesome with its ability to control and maintain the interior temperature of the tent in both cold and warm weather.

Pro's:
  • Easily assembled
  • Waterproof
  • Blackout level for a good nights rest
  • Ventilated
  • lightweight airframe structure
  • Compatible with the Crua Clan Complete tent set
  • Very spacious
  • Vestibule can hung on the car
Cons:
  • Not a budget option
  • Heavy
  • Might be overly technical for beginners

Buyer’s Guide to Insulated Tents

Types of Insulated Tents

There are few different types of insulated tents available on the market compared to conventional tents, although Crua have designed a series of different insulated tents, such as the crua tri 3 person, crua cacoon dome and the crua thermo 6 person. 4 season tents also come insulated and have been categorized for mountaineering, basecamp and treeline.

Mountaineering tents are built for high-alpine environments with weight as a primary consideration and make few compromises in terms of wind and weather protection. 4-season tents of the base-camping variety are built to be more comfortable as you will spend longer in them and are in general heavier to move around. Treeline tents are designed for winter camping but not necessarily for heavy exposure to cold weather camping in the high mountains. although a nice option for light winter adventuring and serious 3-season backpacking.

Durability

When camping in severe cold weather, heavy winds and six feet of snow, you want to know that your camping tent will be able to withstand whatever life throws at it. At higher altitudes and on glaciers, tents will be subjected to intense ultra-violet rays from the sun. This will wear your tents out faster than it would at lower altitudes or in more hospitable climates. For these reasons, many four season tents are made with heavy duty fabric to stand up to the rigors of sunlight (which is much stronger at higher altitudes due to the fact that there is less atmosphere to filter its rays), high winds, and driving snow and rain.

Shape and Size

There are many different shapes and sizes of insulated tents such as Dome shaped, Cocoon type, A framed shaped, family style and 2 to 3 person festival light weight ones. Insulated tents comes in sizes from 2 person with a floor size of 20 sq feet, 3 to 4 person winter camping tents with a floor space size of 26 to 38 sq feet or 6 person tents with a spacious floor space of 40 to 55 sq feet.

Budget

In general insulated tents will range from 100$ to 500$. It just depends on the quality, how many people it sleeps and other aspects such as whether it has a vestibule or has a double layer. You can find a good deal for an 3 person insulated tent online for around 140$.

Extra Features

  • Ventilation and insulation to prevent moisture build-up
  • Single or double-wall fabric
  • Waterproof fabrics to keep you dry
  • Pole durability and strength
  • Vestibule and gear loft
  • Tent height
  • Easy assemble access
  • Space capacity

FAQs

1. How do you insulate a tent for winter?

You can insulate a tent for winter by using reflective foam or foil. Foam insulation is cheap and takes away the trapped gases in the air which makes it less dense, and the foam also has a barrier which reflects the heat. Foil insulation can be use on the inside of the tent on the walls and floor which will reflect the warm air back down as it rises.

2. What temperatures are too cold for camping?

Typically cold weather temperatures for camping are below 20 Degrees Fahrenheit. Camping in conditions like this you would need special sleeping bags and cold weather tents specifically designed for camping in cold weather.

3. What should I look for in an insulated tent?

Things to look out for when buying the best insulated tents are how spacious they are. When choosing a tent for camping, having comfort and space to sleep is high on the list. If your trekking or hiking you should look for a tent that is lightweight and does not take up much room in your backpack, as you will be pitching and packing it up frequently. Most insulated tents are built for winter conditions, high winds and will be waterproof plus well ventilated.

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