Best 4 Season Tent
Reviews and Ratings of Four Season Tents

Expert advice on the best 4 season tent for camping.

Learn what makes an ultralight, four season tent and compare North Face, Marmot, and REI 4 season tents.

If you have researched the best 4 season camping tent models then you know four season tents are not cheap.

In fact, no winter camping gear is inexpensive--and you wouldn't want it to be, right? If you are tent camping in blizzard conditions then you need the most reliable, bombproof camping tent available.

Since investing in a 4 season tent is such a massive investment, you must research and read all 4 season tents reviews.

At Camping Tent Reviews, we have thoroughly researched every large, small, and ultralight four season tent.

In the end, we've compiled a list of what we believe are the best four season tents based on consumer tent reviews, tent specifications, and weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each 4 season tent.

In this list, you will undoubtedly find a winter camping tent that meets your needs and demands.

Here is the short list of the best 4 season tents. If you'd like, you can click the tent model and you will be brought down the page to the tent review.

• Best all-around 4 season tent - REI Mountain 2 & 3
• Best ultralight four season tent - Marmot Alpinist
• Best 3 person, four season tents - North Face VE 25

But before we begin four season tent reviews, you first must learn:

The question, what makes a four season tent, is an important one to ask.

After all, if you are going to invest hundreds or even thousands of dollars in winter camping gear, you must know what you are buying and if it's even necessary.

A 4 season tent is a winter tent designed to:

• Withstand heavy winds (20-50 MPH)
• Endure blizzards and feet of snow being dumped on top of it
• and be used in the harshest of alpine environments.

Some 4 season tents are backpacking tents--others are designed as base camps for large people.

Here's a quick checklist. If you answer no to these questions, then you are better off purchasing a 3 season tent:

• Do you climb into high alpine terrain during the winter?
• Do you camp in potentially blizzard conditions?
• Do you camp above the treeline during the winter?

If you answered yes, then you need a 4 season tent.

Here's another quick checklist.

If you answer yes to these questions, then save your money for a convertible, 3 season tent. It will better suit your needs and demands.

• Do you want to begin camping in winter environment but are not a technical climber?
• Do you plan to camp with a little snow on the ground, but do not want to hike through blizzard conditions?
• Will you only be camping at 5,000-6,000 feet or less during the winter?
• Do you want a tent to use in the mountains during the summer, too?

If you answered yes, then you want a 3 season tent. What makes a winter camping tent work is the fact that it's designed to be used in high alpine conditions, blizzard weather, and to withstand gusts of wind.

For the majority of camping enthusiasts, a 4 season tent is unnecessary. In fact, if you are asking 'what is a four season tent', chances are you do not need one.

That said, if you hope to be climbing Denali, Mt. McKinley or other treacherous mountains during the winter, then you should the read 4 season tent reviews that continue below.

4 Season Tent Reviews

Are you ready to read reviews of the meanest, baddest, and best tents for four seasons? Then continue on, my friend.

Below are brief reviews and comparisons of what Camping Tent Reviews.com has found to be the best four season tents.

REI Mountain 2 & 3
Best All-Around 4 Season Tent

REI tents are increasingly becoming commonplace in campgrounds and mountainsides.

The REI Mountain 2 and REI Mountain 3 are weatherproof shelters designed for use in alpine environments.

It's hub-pole construction makes pitching easy and you know the tent is reliable regardless of winds (some tent reviews state the REI Mountain 4 season camping tent didn't budge in 50 MPH winds).

Overall, the REI Mountain 2 and 3 are the best tents for winter camping due to:

• Cost - Cheaper than every other 4 season tent
  
  
• Reviews - Consumer reviews are unanimous: these 4 season, 2 person and 3 person tents rule
  
  
• Easy organization - Internal storage pockets make organizing your gear easy
  
  
• Weight - The REI Mountain 2 weighs 9 pounds when packed--not bad for a four season winter tent
  
  
• 2 doors, 2 vestibules - Easy entrance, easy exit, easy equipment storage

REI Mountain 2 Specs

Here are the tent specs for the REI's 4 season tent (2 person model):

• Area: 31 square feet
• Max Height: 44.5 inches
• Weight: 8 pounds average; 9 pounds packaged
• Sleeps: 2 people
• Vestibule area: 10.4 square feet
• Seasons: 4

REI Mountain Four Season Tent: Consumer Reviews

Have you ever seen a camping tent receive an average of 4.5 stars when based off of 20 reviews? We haven't. At the time of writing this tent review, that's what the REI Mountain 2 had received on REI.com.

Here is a summary of what consumers liked and disliked:

Camping Tent Reviews Rating

Have you used the REI Mountain Tent? Share your camping tent reviews and let us know how it worked for you!

Marmot Alpinist
Best Ultralight Four Season Tent

When it comes to 3 season backpacking tents, 4-5 pounds is considered lightweight. When it comes to winter camping tents, 4-5 pounds is ultralight and that's what the Marmot Alpinist 4 season camping tent clocks in at.

With outstanding consumer tent reviews, an average minimum weight of 4 pounds, 15 ounces, and a packed weight of 5 pounds, 8 ounces, the Marmot Alpinist 2 person, 4 season backpacking tent is the best, ultralight four season tent.

While the Marmot Alpinist is not ideal for long forays into alpine environments, it is effective during 2-3 night stints into the backcountry during the dead of winter.

A major appeal of the Marmot Alpinist tent is how easy it is to pitch. Winter backpacking is exhausting and being able to pitch your tent in minutes thanks to clip technology is a priceless benefit.

Marmot Alpinist Tent Specs

• Area: 30 square feet
• Max Height: 40 inches
• Weight: 4 pounds, 15 ounces average; 5 pounds, 8 ounces packaged
• Sleeps: 2 people
• Vestibule area: 8 square feet
• Seasons: 4

As you can tell, the max height can make this tent a little cramped. Plus, a vestibule area of 8 square feet is not an ideal amount of storage space for winter camping gear.

However, you did read the weight, right? This is one ultralight, four season tent.

Marmot Alpinist 4 Season Tent: Consumer Reviews

Learn more about the Marmot Alpinist

Camping Tent Reviews Rating

Have you used the Marmot Alpinist Tent? Share your four season tent reviews and let us know how it worked for you!

North Face VE 25
Best 4 Season Domed Tent

North Face Tents are some of the best camping tents ever made.

You can rest assured that if you buy a North Face camping tent, your investment will last a lifetime and will not let you down in the wilderness.

The same goes with the best North Face 4 season domed tent: The North Face VE 25

This 4 season domed tent receives five star reviews by nearly every consumer, has a lifetime warranty, and is designed with the care, thoughtfulness, and innovation campers expect in North Face tents.

Why is the North Face VE 25 4 season tent rated so highly?

• 2 doors, 2 vestibules - Easy gear storage, easy entrance/exit
  
  
• Windows cold crack tested to -60 - That's right. Camp in Antarctica without a problem
  
  
• Full-coverage rainfly - What does that mean? No wind, snow, or moisture will affect your gear when stored in a vestibule
  
  
• 3 person tent - Fit 3 people into this tent comfortably--the REI Mountain 25 3 man tent is too small for 3 people

Need the specs for further consideration? No problem.

North Face VE 25 Tent Specs

• Area: 48 square feet
• Max Height: 48 inches
• Weight: 9 pounds, 12 ounces (average); 10 pounds, 11 ounces (packaged)
• Sleeps: 3 people
• Vestibule area: 10 square feet (front) 5 square feet (rear)
• Doors: 2
• Seasons: 4

OK, enough of what we at Camping Tent Reviews like. Let's summarize what campers like:

The North Face VE 25 Consumer Reviews

It seems many mountaineerers that write tent reviews don't understand what they are getting with a 4 season tent.

Unless you are buying the ultralight Marmot Alpinist Tent, you will be lugging around a 9-10 pound tent. Four season tents are designed to withstand blizzards. They are not for use in shoulder seasons or for the summer time.

If you buy a four season tent for summer camping, than you do not know what a four season tent is.

Again, only purchase a 4 season tent if you will be camping in high alpine environments from November through March. Otherwise, save some money (and your back) and buy a three season camping tent.

Learn more about The North Face VE 25

Camping Tent Reviews Rating

Have you used the North Face VE25 Tent? Share your four season domed tent reviews and let us know how it worked for you!

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