Are you planning a hunt which requires you to camp in cold weather?
We are here to help.
Finding the right tent for your hunting trip will make your live easier. But choosing the right one can be a challenge because there are multiple facts to consider.
We have reviewed a few dozen tents and listed our favorite cold weather tents for a variety of hunting situations. We based our picks as best based off of quality, durability, reviews, and their prices.
If you are in a hurry here is our favorite:
Top Pick
- Classic compact mountaineering design with extra room to accommodate taller climbers or extra gear storage
- 2-person spacious version of I-Tent; 13 cm (5 in) longer and 8 cm (3 in) wider
- Single door entry and optional vestibule for gear storage and 2 internal aluminum poles for easy setup
The 4 Top-Rated Cold Weather Hunting Tents
| Editor Picks | Model/Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Black Diamond Eldorado | 10.0 |
| Runner Up | MSR Access | 8.9 |
| Best Budget Buy | ALPS Tasmanian | 8.9 |
| Best Extreme Weather Hunting Tent | MSR Remote | 10.0 |
Our Top Pick: Black Diamond Eldorado
Regardless of whether you plan to hunt in the snow or during the late summer months, the Black Diamond Eldorado is guaranteed to satisfy your demands.
This tent is a sturdy as they come. It is a spacious two person tent with a single door entry. It features zippered vents at the top. It is extremely waterproof and is fairly easy to set up. It can be put together from the inside which is especially nice if you were doing it in the cold.
The price of this tent isn’t bad considering the fact that you are getting a very high-quality piece of gear.
If you plan on carrying a lot of gear, consider where you are going to store it while you are sleeping. This tent will be tight with two hunters and their gear.
Key Features
- Compact Mountaineering Design
- Lightweight
- Sturdy and easy to put up
Our Runner Up Pick: MSR Access
- Easton Syclone poles are made with advanced composites to resist breaking in the most challenging winter conditions
- Central-support frame design is quick to setup and optimizes interior space while resisting snow loading
- Limited mesh on the tent body keeps in warmth on cold nights while rainfly vents reduce condensation
If you are someone who plans to carry a one person tent and use it in extreme weather conditions, consider buying the MSR Access.
This tent is designed specifically for mountaineering and winter conditions. MSR claims this tent is lighter than a mountaineering tent and warmer than a 3-season tent, making it a perfect choice for cold weather hunting.
They limit the amount of mesh to keep the warm trapped inside the tent. The poles are made of lightweight aerospace material which are both flexible and strong.
The interior has a lot of space for your gear and lets you change your clothes easily.
The only downside is that it will be a little warm for use during the summer.
Key Features
- Weights only 3 lb 8 oz
- Aerospace pole design
- 3-year warranty
Best Budget Pick: ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 3-Person
- There's no assembly frustration with our Tasmanian Tent series, this aluminum, free-standing pole system is ideal for a quick setup
- Polyester fly will resist water and UV rays while adding two vestibules for extra storage
- Easy entry and great ventilation with two doors, both with zippered mesh windows
If you are looking for an entry level tent you can use year round, look no further than the ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian.
This tent offers tons of space which is great if you carry a lot of gear while hunting and need to keep it dry. The materials used are good quality but rip-stop materials would be a nice addition.
The downfalls are that it is going to be heavier than something like the MSR Access. It is also a bit more cumbersome to put together. The poles come prebent which makes the setup a bit more complicated and it doesn’t pack quite as nicely.
For the price, you will have a hard time finding a 4-season tent of this quality.
Best Extreme Cold Weather Tent: MSR Remote
- Ultra-durable Easton Syclone poles and a unique central-support frame design combine to withstand severe conditions and heavy snow loads
- DuraShield coating and waterproof bathtub floor keep water out, while rainfly vents reduce condensation
- Larger floor plan and extra headroom create a generous interior for 3 climbers and bulky winter gear
So you are planning on hunting in the most extreme of conditions. In this case, your tent choice becomes extremely important.
In this case you cannot compromise and select a normal backpacking or lightweight tent. You must use a mountaineering tent. Our favorite tent for the job is the MSR Remote.
This tent features an internal, centered support frame to withstand extreme winds and heavy snowfall. It is built with the intention of being reliable in potentially life threatening conditions.
If you plan on using a tent like this in harsh conditions, please take the time to practice assembling it at home before your trip.
When hunting in the extreme cold, it is important to take extra precautions. Please make sure to read our tips at the end of this article.
What to look for in a cold weather tent
When selecting a cold weather tent for your hunt the first question you need to ask is whether this is a situation where you will be able to haul your tent and gear in a car/truck or is this a backpacking hunt?
Backpacking in means weight matters a whole lot more.
If you have the luxury of driving to your base camp location, you should take advantage of it.
More importantly:
- Do you really want to camp in freezing cold weather?
- Can you stay in a warm hotel or cabin if it means getting up an hour earlier?
Camping in freezing temperatures is no joke.
We targeted the tents below for hunters camping in temperatures ranging from +30F down to -10F.
Selecting the Best Hunting Tent
Wind/Water/Snow Resistance
We limited our list of tents to tents designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. This includes rain, wind, and snow. For that reason we only selected 4 season double walled tents. The manufacturers built these tents to withstand extreme winds and heavy snowfall.
Ventilation
We chose ventilation because moisture in the air from our breath condenses on the inside of the tent. This can lead to moisture getting on your sleeping bag. Double wall construction aids ventilation by separating the waterproof layer from the breathable layer. In general the more vents a tent has the better as long as it doesn’t compromise weather resistance.
Durability
When looking at durability we considered material durability, zipper design, and seam construction.
Setup
How quickly and easily the tent is to setup was something we considered. No one wants to spend longer than necessary setting up their shelter in the pouring rain.
Weight
Weight is important if you plan on hiking any significant distance. Going ultra lightweight is less of a priority here since comfort and survival is the main consideration. It played a small part in our rankings.
Price
For most people (including us) price matters. If money were no object we would buy the top pick.
Features
The features we took into consideration include pocket options, zipper quality, and seam design. We also gave weight to well designed entrances.
Are you up for camping in the cold?
About 1000 people die from hypothermia every year in the U.S. alone.
Please read the tips before your first attempt at camping in harsh conditions.
Because camping in cold weather can be dangerous, we have created a list of tips for camping in cold weather.
Cold Weather Camping Tips
- Make sure you want to do this. You need to take this seriously. Wanting to camp in the cold is fine but it is dangerous and a lot of work. Combining a cold camping adventure with your hunting trip might not be the best idea if you have other sleeping options.
- Think of your tent as your outer shell. The goal is to protect yourself from the wind, rain, and snow by adding many layers to insulate yourself and trap warm air. The tents primary job is to protect you from the elements.
- Use a tarp between your tent and the ground.
- Get a good, thick sleeping pad. Foam or inflatable are best for cold weather. A sleeping pad will provide an insulation layer between you and the ground. The cold ground will suck heat from your body so do your best to stay insulated.
- Choose a sleeping bag rated for the temperatures you will be sleeping in. Your bag is the most important piece of the equation for staying warm.
- Wear plenty of layers to bed, preferably wool and polyester base layers that breathe well.
- Bring a balaclava or wool beanie for your head, and if you have room some slippers to add an extra layer of insulation for your feet.
- Pack a down comforter if possible. Down does a great job retaining heat as long as it stays dry.
- Keep your feet (and everything else) dry.
- Wool, down, and fleece are you friend along with good outer shell to protect from elements. Cotton kills.
- If possible, shield yourself from the wind when positioning your camp.