When it comes to tents, we've tried them all - from ultra-light trekking pole tents to fancy shmancey family tents. So we were super keen to learn more about these beauties and help you find the right tent for you - once again we've done the research so you don't have to.
The Onetigris is a sturdy single-skin 4-season teepee that’s great for both summer and winter camping trips. It’s roomy – there's enough space 4-6 people depending on whether a stove’s used. Saying that, it’d be a push for 6 adults plus gear so we reckon 4 at the most. The double door design and a foldable, waterproof snow skirt provide warmth and protection in winter and ventilation in summer.
A couple of vents at the top ensure even better ventilation and the 70D coated nylon fabric has a 3000mm waterproof rating – no getting soaked in this bad boy. The one-pole central pole design makes for an easy setup. A great feature is the two zippered doors. Two people can come and go at the same time and they’re high enough so you don’t need to be a contortionist.
Weight - 4.2 kg
Occupancy - 6 person
Seasons - 3/4
The Safir is a worthy offering from this leading manufacturer and one for the serious campers. It’s been developed for the most extreme weather and challenging of conditions. Whether it’s gale force winds, blazing heat or even icefields, the Safir’s got your back.
One for hardcore adventurers and expeditions, it’s not the lightest tent out there but it’s been built with durability and a decent waterproof rating in mind. Three large water-resistant mosquito-netted air intakes at the bottom allow for great ventilation when it’s hot. Advanced TentVent system ventilator cap includes an integrated chimney and is controllable from inside the tent – no fiddling around in the cold!
The fabric used is Cotpolmex - a mix of polyester and cotton, which is more breathable than nylon or polyester alone, which helps to keep condensation at bay. An optional porch is available for extra storage or for dry entry when it's raining.
Not oodles of space inside for large groups - 5 people sleeping would be cramped; 2 - 3 adults would be better
Weight - 11.9kg
Occupancy - 4 – 5 person
Seasons - 4
Something different from Nordisk, this is a tipi with a twist - it’s square! The offset centre pole design means that there’s oodles of space inside and a good amount of headroom. This is particularly useful for being able to stand upright in comfort or for drying clothes. Its remarkably versatile design can be arranged in a number of ways to suit the weather or your storage requirements. The Thrynheim has a double slanted door construction that fully opens to let in the maximum amount of air.
The combination of polyester and aluminium makes this tent hardwearing and lightweight. There’s also a ground ventilation option available for the back of the tent, although this is sold separately. The fabric is breathable with a Hydrostatic Head waterproof rating of 3000mm so it’ll keep you dry.
Weight - 6.9 kg
Occupancy - 3 person
Seasons - 2/3
We must admit Longeek aren’t a company we’ve heard much about, but is an interesting offering. It’s an unbelievably lightweight tent for a start – just 1.46 kg. There is a compromise to be made though, as unlike most tents the tent has no inner or groundsheet. A gap between the tent floor and the ground allows air to circulate to reduce risk of condensation, and there are also two anti-bug ventilation windows at the top of the central pole.
There’s a hole for a stove pipe though so if it’s chilly you do have the option of using a stove. Unusually in a tent of this size, there are two doors, which is useful if you're sharing or for great ventilation when it’s particularly hot. There's no rain cap and although it’s got a waterproof rating of 3000mm it probably won’t stand up to more rugged conditions. It could be a useful go-to tent for people needing to shave weight though.
Weight - 1.46 kg
Occupancy - 1-4 person
Seasons - 4
The Easy Camp Moonlight tent offers a classic design with a fast, all-in-one set-up. This is one for the whole family or a large group, there’s still plenty of space to find some privacy. A central steel pole gives stability and the fold-flat entrance has double slider zippers for easy access.
One good feature is the amount of ventilation the Moonlight provides. There’s a covered roof vent under the apex hood, a mesh-backed door, plus three more vents at ground level, making it a useful tent in hot weather. There are six storage pockets that come in handy for stowing those easy-to-lose items.
It’s more of a campsite tent than for serious camping trips, or for festivals and family gatherings. Saying that though, it’s a great starter tent to cut your camping teeth on.
Weight - 6.8 kg
Occupancy - 8 person
Seasons - 2/3
Robens claim that the Klondike teepee tent offers complete basecamp comfort in a lighter and more compact package, and it is the lightest tent in their range. It pitches with a centre, alloy pole with a lighter A-frame pole set-up shaping the door. This allows for easy exit and access as well as a bit of a canopy for protection from the elements.
The zip-in groundsheet can be rolled back from the door to create an area for using a stove or for stowing wet and muddy gear. There’s a neat sprung apex vent on the roof that’s a cinch to operate, thanks to the pulley system. Mesh panels in the door and lower tent walls let air flow freely through the tent.
A stove pipe port in the roof and the roll-back floor panel give the option of using a stove, which firmly places the Klondike into four-season territory.
Weight - 13.1 kg
Occupancy - 4 person
Seasons - 3/4
A roomy offering that’ll easily sleep six people with space to spread out. Cheap and cheerful, it’s a good tent for festivals, large groups or glamping trips away with the gang. Pre-attached poles make set-up fast and straightforward and the mesh windows placed around the tent allow air to flow freely – a bonus with so many people in close proximity! The zipped doors also have a mesh layer to keep out pesky bitey things. The door opening is a generous size – no bending in two to get out of the tent.
A simple one-layer tent with a sewn-in groundsheet, this is a great low-cost, no-frills entry-level teepee tent for exploring the great outdoors. However it is unlikely to stand up to gnarlier conditions so if you’re keen on getting off the beaten track you’ll need something stronger. There’s no stove vent either so this is one for warmer weather.
Weight - 7 Kg
Occupancy - 6 person
Seasons - 3
The Olivin is a versatile combo from Tentipi, available in four different designs; the Olivin 2 Pro with a 50/50 cotton mix for decent strength and durability, the Olivin 2 CP, made with Cotpolmex Comfort fabric – a mix of polyester and cotton canvas for better breathability than polyester alone, the Olivin 3 Light made with ultralight ripstop polyamide fabric and the Olivin 2 combi which is like the Light but with an inner tent.
The Light model is ideal for backpackers needing to shave weight, whereas the Combi model is ideal for campers wanting a little more protection against the elements. They’re all designed to stand up to high winds and foul weather, plus the Olivin Light and Olivin CP have vents for a stove.
All options feature Tentipi’s In-Tent Vent ventilation system to provide natural ventilation when the heat’s on. And if it’s particularly sweltering, the lower part of the walls can be rolled up.
Weight - ranges from 1.9kg for the Light and 6kg for the CP
Occupancy - 2 person
Seasons - 3/4
This really is an ultra-light teepee which barely tips the scales at just 2.1 kg. It’ll easily attach to a bike pannier or backpack for those off-the-beaten-track multi-day adventures. The TRX Eco-Duralumin centre pole reduces pack weight and gives a great level of stability when it’s gnarly out there.
The WickiUp pitches inner first, and in decent weather, the inner can be used on its own. Alternatively there’s a separate footprint available that lets you pitch the fly without the inner for a minimalist ‘fast fly’ camp if that floats your boat better. There’s also the option of switching out the full-size cabin with a half-size one to create a separate vestibule for stowing gear or cooking dinner.
This is one of the best teepee tents for wet weather – it’s got an impressive 10,000mm hydrostatic head waterproof rating groundsheet. You could actually pitch it in a bog and not notice. Probably. However this is reflected in the price - it's the most expensive of all the teepee tents we researched.
Weight - 2.1kg
Occupancy - 3 person (1 with inner cabin)
Seasons - 3
Another outing from the Roben’s stable, the Green Cone PRS provides luxury in a smaller, more lightweight package – ideal for those mini-adventures. Leave the inner at home and you’ve got a great lightweight bivvy teepee tent. It’s designed to withstand the elements, helped by a 5000m hydrostatic head waterproof rating and sturdy construction using durable materials. This baby isn’t going anywhere in high winds.
The telescopic central pole extends to open up a ventilation gap between the groundsheet and inner when the inner’s used for air circulation. The pole is offset rather than central to improve tent space; there's easily enough space to comfortably sleep four adults rather than the usual two adults and two kids assumed by many manufacturers.
There’s great attention to detail, from the luminous zip pulls for easy nocturnal wild wees, to small corner poles sewn into the inner to create more useable space. There are mesh pockets along the inner’s side walls and a handy central hanging loop for a lantern.
Weight - 5.2 kg or less without the inner
Occupancy - 4 person
Seasons - 3/4
Best for: families who want to camp all year round - Onetigris Rock Fortress
Best for: professionals and extreme adventurers - Tentipi Safir 5
Best for: taller campers - Nordisk Thrymheim 3 square teepee tent
Best for: fastpackers and through-hikers - Longeek 1-4 person tepee tent
Best for: festival goers - Easy Camp Moonlight Tipi Tent
Best for: cold weather campers - Robens Klondike Small Tipi Tent
Best for: first time campers - Outsunny 6 person Teepee Camping Tent
Best for: backpackers and hikers - Tentipi Olivin 2
Best for: solo backpackers or bikepackers - Bach WickiUp 3
Best for: serious mountain hikers - Robens Green Cone PRS
Fancy a new tent for those camping trips this summer? If you've not got a particular tent in mind or fancy a break from the more traditional tents, can we interest you in a teepee tent? A what, we hear you ask? Until you’ve used one you can’t appreciate how great they actually are. Give one a try – we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
A teepee could be the perfect companion for your camping or backpacking adventures. But which one? How do you choose? Well, this is where we come in. We’ve done the hard work for you so relax and read on to find the best tipi tent for you.
There’s some confusion around this but they all mean basically the same thing. The word Tipi originates from the Lakota word ‘thipi’, meaning dwelling. But it’s pronounced Teepee, hence the alternatives. The words tipi and tepee have become interchangeable, but no matter what you call them they’re great pieces of kit.
A teepee - or tipi - tent is a cone-shaped tent with a wide base and narrow top. They’re best known for their use by the nomadic indigenous tribes of America’s Great Plains but have been around since at least 10,000BC.
The teepee provided warmth in the winter and protection from the elements, yet could quickly and easily be taken down, transported and set up, making them the ideal home for the tribes following the buffalo migrations.
Humans have been using teepees for tens of thousands of years, so they must have some advantages, right?
Traditionally, stretched buffalo hides were used as a cover, but nowadays modern materials such as polyester are preferred – they’re lighter for a start and are generally more available!
Some manufacturers use cotpolmex, a mix of polyester and cotton. This has the advantage of being breathable, but the cotton mix can make the tent weigh more.
Instead of a framework of wooden tent poles that meet at the top, modern teepee-style tents generally have just one central pole with guy ropes providing extra support.
Some of the best teepee tents have a stove hole opening so a fire can be lit inside, making them proper four-season tents. There are usually other features such as ventilation flaps, roof vents and snow skirts, and due to their shape doors can be larger so you don’t have to stoop when going in and out.
Teepees are built with ventilation in mind. From vents in the walls and the top of the tent to breathable fabrics, they’re all about the airflow. This reduced condensation dramatically - no more waking up feeling like you slept in a bin liner.
They’re also designed to withstand the elements. Many teepees have features like snow skirts, double zipped doors and a vent for a stove pipe, so you can get a stove in there and stay toasty in winter.
The cone-shaped design means they’re roomier than many traditional tents and even the tallest people can stand upright. This tall shape and the centre pole give greater stability in high winds.
The centre pole also means Teepee tents have an easy set-up – you can pitch one in minutes, even if you're on your own, without having to fiddle with lots of tent poles.
One of the biggest advantages of that generous teepee tent size is also one of its biggest drawbacks. Mainly that central pole; yes it makes setting up a snap, but having the centre pole slap-bang in the middle of the tent can limit your sleeping and storage options.
Some manufacturers have got around this by designing the pole to be pitched off-centre or slanted, meaning it’s not in the way and everyone has enough space to spread out. We expect to see more manufacturers following suit in the future.
Teepee tents do seem to be heavier than other tents so you may struggle if you’re a solo backpacker unless you’ve got some camping buddies to help spread the weight.
They may be a bit overkill for backpacking as you’re unlikely to be taking a stove with you (unless you’re super strong!)
They’re not so great for wild camping as they’re not designed with stealth in mind. They tend to be larger than a traditional style tent, and of course, taller, which could see you sticking out like the proverbial sore thumb. We wouldn't completely rule it out though.
If you've not tried wild camping our Surfing, Coasteering and Wild Camping Trip in beautiful Cornwall will give you a taste and you'll actually have a chance to sleep in a teepee style tent!
As we’ll see, some of the best teepee tents have a stove jacket or flue opening in the roof so a stove can be used. Using a stove inside a tent is officially known as ‘hot tenting’ and is a fun way of keeping warm when it's chilly. A flat stove surface will easily get hot enough for cooking inside on too! We can help you choose your ideal camping stove or get that brew on with our guide to the best camping kettle.
You can’t put a stove in any old tent though. It has to have the opening for a flue and you’ll need to use a spark arrestor on top of the flue to stop hot sparks falling on the tent (we don’t want it that warm!) You should also have something on hand for putting out the fire if needed.
The stove’s best placed on the ground. Some teepee style tents have a removable panel where the stove sits or the groundsheet’ll roll back. If not, you can buy a flame retardant mat to sit the stove on.
These stoves get hot so don’t store anything flammable near them and if you have kids make sure they keep those little fingers well away.
Most of the fumes should be directed out the tent, but for safety’s sake we’d recommend opening all vents when the stove’s on (you won’t be cold, trust us, these things kick out some serious heat) and don’t leave it lit overnight.
It's worth bearing in mind that stoves take up room so there'll be less floor space for sleeping.
Bell tents are very similar to a teepee tents in that they have a supporting central pole and a roomy interior. However they tend to have more of a straight-walled structure rather than the classic pyramid teepee shape. People tend to confuse a bell tent with other tents such as a teepee style tent or a yurt.
A bell tent can be a good alternative to a tipi tent.
After any outdoor camping trip, it’s a good idea to make sure your tent’s clean before you chuck it back under the stairs, ahem, carefully store it away. The easy way to clean most teepee tents is to pitch them and give them a spray with a hose. If yours is an absolute mudfest, sponge it using a gentle cleaning solution.
Make sure the tent’s completely dry before putting it away. If you’re short of space you can wash most tents in the bath and dry it on an airer or washing line.
Generally speaking - yes. Teepee tents have a spacious floor area although you do need to be mindful of that central pole. Bear in mind though that the larger your bed or sleeping mat is, the fewer people will fit in, especially if you're using a stove as well. You'll need to check how much space you'll need before you commit to buying your teepee.
If you're in need of a comfy sleep, check out our best camping bed guide.
So if you're looking for a new tent, which is the best teepee tent for you? Well that does depend on how many of you are going and where you’re going. Raving it up at a festival? Something cheap and cheerful like the Outsunny or the Easy Camp Moonlight could fit the bill.
Family camping trip? The Nordisk Thynheim or the Robens Klondike might be the right tent for you. Backpacker or bikepacker? Take a gander at one of the lightweight tents like the Tentipi Olivin or the Bach Wikiup. Camping in winter or need one with a better waterproof rating? Give the Robens Greencone or the Onetigris Rock Fortress a whirl.
The Onetigris is a sturdy single-skin 4-season teepee that’s great for both summer and winter camping trips. It’s roomy – there's enough space 4-6 people depending on whether a stove’s used. Saying that, it’d be a push for 6 adults plus gear so we reckon 4 at the most. The double door design and a foldable, waterproof snow skirt provide warmth and protection in winter and ventilation in summer.
A couple of vents at the top ensure even better ventilation and the 70D coated nylon fabric has a 3000mm waterproof rating – no getting soaked in this bad boy. The one-pole central pole design makes for an easy setup. A great feature is the two zippered doors. Two people can come and go at the same time and they’re high enough so you don’t need to be a contortionist.
January 10, 2024
January 10, 2024
January 10, 2024
January 10, 2024
January 10, 2024
January 10, 2024
