Best Family Tents for Bad Weather

It’s not always sunny in the great outdoors. Sometimes, the weather can turn on a dime, and before you know it, you’re stuck in a downpour or snowstorm with your family! If that sounds like an emergency situation for you and yours then we’ve got just the roundup for you. We’ll take a look at some of the best family tents out there to help make sure that when Mother Nature throws her worst tantrum, your loved ones will be safe and sound inside.

Best Family Tents for Bad Weather

What are the Best Family Tents for Bad Weather?

We have compiled for you the top 10 Best Family Tents for Bad Weather in 2024. In this article we go through the products that we have used ourselves, checked what other users thought about them and we ranked them accordingly.

With years of experience with extreme weather family tent and having used several Family Tents for Bad Weather you can trust our review.

Moreover, you can scroll to the end of this review to see our mini buying guide as well as the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about Family Tents for Bad Weather.

1. Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent

Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent
Specs
Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper)
Size: 168 x 108NaN inches (426.7 x 274.3NaN cm)
Size: 9 Persons
Material: 68D Polyester
Waterproof: 600 MM
Instant: Yes
Tent Type / Shape: Cabin

The Core 9-Person Instant Cabin is a budget-friendly option ideal for family camping adventures. It offers a quick setup mechanism that lets you assemble or disassemble the tent in just a few minutes. This tent can comfortably house up to nine sleepers in bags or be partitioned into separate zones for sleeping and lounging with the included screen divider. The interior is also quite spacious with a 78-inch peak height which allows easy movement within the tent.

In terms of airflow, the tent features strategically placed ventilation openings on both the ceiling and sides. While the rainfly isn’t designed to provide complete coverage, the tent does include rain panels to shield the windows during wet or cold conditions. Though the tent’s fabric isn’t highly waterproof, it does come with the necessary stakes for added stability when needed.

Pros

  • Very spacious,
  • Includes a room divider,
  • Pre-assembled for quick setup,
  • Great ventilation,
  • Has an electrical port

Cons

  • Only has one entrance,
  • Not particularly sturdy

2. NTK Arizona GT 10-Person Camping Tent

NTK Arizona GT 10-Person Camping Tent
Specs
Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper)
Size: 208.7 x 96.5 x 80.8 inches (530 x 245.1 x 205.2 cm)
Material: 190T Polyester
Waterproof: 2500 MM
Instant: No
Tent Type / Shape: Dome

YouTube video

One of the NTK Arizona’s best features are its No-See-Um mesh windows. This feature allows you to sleep without the rainfly, so you could gaze at the stars and feel the cool breeze without being bothered by tiny critters. The tent also has reliable waterproofing capabilities in its tub floor, which remains dry even in tricky conditions. However, some of us found the tent to be on the warmer side during hot afternoons, probably due to its double-layer structure. It is probably best for cooler conditions.

Pros

  • Double-layered doors,
  • Mesh windows for good ventilation,
  • Excellent waterproofing,
  • Great protection against insects

Cons

  • Window covers are outside of the tent,
  • Can get hot easily

3. Moon Lence Camping Tent

Moon Lence Camping Tent
Specs
Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper)
Weight: 5.95 pounds (2.7 kg)
Size: 83.8 x 59.8NaN inches (212.9 x 151.9NaN cm)
Size: 2 Persons
Material: 100% Polyester
Waterproof: Yes

YouTube video

We couldn’t help but notice the value for money that Moon Lence camping tent provides, especially for a tent under $200. The double-layered 100% polyester design impressed us with its durability and promise of water and UV-resistance. Setting it up felt like a breeze, thanks to the 2 shock cord connecting poles—your tent will be up and ready in just 15 minutes.

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The only downside we could point out is that the tent might feel a bit snug if you’re a tall person or if you’re bringing along plenty of gear. Nevertheless, it offers a plethora of features such as internal mesh pockets for storage, excellent ventilation through its windows and ground vents, and a ceiling hook for that cozy nighttime atmosphere. Stability in windy conditions is another high point, with its lightweight iron pegs and guy lines. For budget-conscious adventurers, Moon Lence offers a robust and user-friendly option.

Pros

  • Generous two-person tent,
  • Small and is easy to store away,
  • Wind-resistant with iron pegs and guy ropes for stability,
  • UV-resistant
  • Several window openings,
  • Completely waterproof with tarp material,
  • Excellent air ventilation

Cons

  • No tent footprint,
  • Zipper not the greatest quality

4. 10 Person Core Straight Wall Cabin Tent

10 Person Core Straight Wall Cabin Tent
Specs
Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper)
Size: 168 x 120 x 86 inches (426.7 x 304.8 x 218.4 cm)
Size: 10 Persons
Material: 68D Polyester
Waterproof: 600 MM
Instant: No
Tent Type / Shape: Cabin

The Core 10-person comes with outstanding attributes that make it more attractive to campers than the competition. This includes an impressive headroom of 86 inches and straight cabin walls that give you six feet of headroom at the edges so one can stand straight anywhere inside the tent. I also like that it comes with two doors on opposite sides of the tent, and when you put up the room divider, it creates two rooms with two separate entries for convenience.

Another remarkable feature is the stable and robust build quality of the tent that many campers have noted performs well in moderate showers and wind. The ground vents are a great addition to the roof vents and make the tent more breathable and comfortable on summer nights. However, you’ll need to buy a groundsheet to protect the tent floor from getting torn. Additionally, while it may fit ten sleeping bags, you may want to accommodate fewer people, up to six or eight campers, if you want to keep your gear inside.

Pros

  • Withstands inclement weather remarkably well,
  • It comes with ground vents to improve air circulation,
  • The straight cabin walls allow a tall headroom height,
  • It’s simple design allows fast set up with two campers

Cons

  • Zippers get stuck on the door flaps,
  • Has few internal mesh pockets

5. Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent

Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent
Specs
Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper)
Size: 192 x 108NaN inches (487.7 x 274.3NaN cm)
Size: 9 Persons
Material: 68D Polyester
Waterproof: 600 MM
Instant: No
Tent Type / Shape: Dome

As a team of avid campers, we found the Core 9-Person Extended Dome to be an overall decent choice for occasional outings. Setup was smooth for most of us, taking under half an hour to complete. It’s also lightweight which makes it easier to transport over long distances. However, the stakes that come with the tent are not the most reliable, so we suggest opting for higher-quality ones. And while the tent does feature Core’s proprietary H2O Block technology, we’re not sure it would hold up well in a real downpour.

Pros

  • Decent quality for the price,
  • Unique extended design,
  • Lightweight for long distance carrying,
  • Great for those who only camp occasionally

Cons

  • Can get humid if used in hot weather,
  • May not be fully weather resistant,
  • Only one access point

6. Coleman 8-Person Elite Montana Tent with Easy Setup

Coleman 8-Person Elite Montana Tent with Easy Setup
Specs
Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper)
Size: 192 x 84 x 74 inches (487.7 x 213.4 x 188 cm)
Size: 8 Persons
Material: Polyester
Instant: No
Tent Type / Shape: Dome

The Coleman Elite Montana is an upgraded version of the standard Montana model, and it is an excellent choice for families and group camping. It is a 3-season tent that features a double-layer structure for improved weather protection that is easy to assemble. Although you could fit eight campers in this tent, many users recommend accommodating five or six people for comfort while leaving some room for your backpacks. The tent features a built-in LED lighting system with a wall switch to light up the tent and allows you to switch between three lighting modes for convenience. Additionally, it features the WeatherTec water-resistant system that includes inverted seams and zipper flaps to prevent leaks, plus a wind-resistant fiberglass poles structure. However, the polyester tent fabric has a low hydrostatic rating which means it has poor performance in wet weather.

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However, this tent has a better ventilation system than the older Montana model with ground vents and auto-roll-up windows. It also features a hinged door that campers find to be more convenient than D-shaped doors.

Pros

  • Offers excellent ventilation for camping in dry seasons,
  • It has good headroom height for standing comfortably,
  • The hinged door provides convenient access and exit,
  • It comes with built-in LED lighting

Cons

  • Not a reliable tent in the wind and rain,
  • Not easy to repack it in the carry bag provided,
  • Cannot attach the guylines to the inner tent for stability

7. Coleman 8-Person Red Canyon Car Camping Tent

Coleman 8-Person Red Canyon Car Camping Tent
Specs
Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper)
Size: 204 x 102 x 72 inches (518.2 x 259.1 x 182.9 cm)
Size: 8 Persons
Material: Polyester
Instant: No

The Coleman 8-Person Red Canyon Tent is an affordable family camping tent with generous interior space to fit eight people comfortably. Additionally, it comes with room divider curtains to create three rooms for privacy as needed. Unfortunately, it also features only one door, which is an inconvenience for a tent this size.

However, I like the lightweight construction that makes it easy to carry to the site and set up. Plus, it also packs tightly, so it does not take up much space in storage. It allows a quick setup and takedown to help you to settle in quickly as it features a single-layer design with a short rainfly. On the downside, the fly does not cover the windows, and the tent can get uncomfortable as the windows remain exposed to cold.

Pros

  • Spacious interior that accommodates eight campers comfortably,
  • It comes with two divider curtains for added privacy, Has plenty of headspace for standing,
  • Fabric and tub floor are reliably water-resistant

Cons

  • Windows remain exposed even in cold weather,
  • Features only one door for access

8. Coleman 6-Person Dome Tent for Camping

Coleman 6-Person Dome Tent for Camping
Specs
Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper)
Weight: 17 pounds (7.71 kg)
Size: 120 x 120 x 72 inches (304.8 x 304.8 x 182.9 cm)
Size: 6 Persons
Material: Polyester
Instant: No
Tent Type / Shape: Dome

This Coleman Sundome 6P camping tent features the Dark Room technology that blocks out a large percentage of sun and heat so you can continue sleeping after sunrise. It is a feature you will appreciate if you are camping in an open space with direct sunlight. Another feature you will like is the WeatherTec technology that helps to keep the tent dry in moderate rain and wind.

The tent is one of Coleman’s popular models with several positive ratings on ease of assembly, Dark Room technology and is reliably weather-resistant. However, the internal space is a little tight for six, and most campers recommend using it for three people for comfort.

Pros

  • Dark Room technology keeps the tent dark and cool,
  • It has a lightweight and attractive design for backpacking,
  • Well ventilated with mesh windows and door,
  • Tall 6-foot headroom space for easy maneuverability,
  • Decent weather resistance in moderate conditions

Cons

  • Features a short rain fly with no vestibule,
  • Seams may leak if seam sealer is not applied

9. Coleman Montana 6-Person Tent

Coleman Montana 6-Person Tent
Specs
Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper)
Weight: 19 pounds (8.62 kg)
Size: 144 x 84 x 68 inches (365.8 x 213.4 x 172.7 cm)
Size: 6 Persons
Material: 75D Polyester Taffeta
Instant: No
Tent Type / Shape: Dome

The Coleman Montana 6P model is an affordable backpacking tent with a modified dome shape that gives it more headroom than typical dome tents. It offers better value for money than the competition, while its quality and ease of setting up compare favorably with other top backpacking tents under $100.

Additionally, its ability to handle bad weather is exceptional for a tent in this price range, where the tub floor delivers high performance when water puddles underneath the tent. However, you would have to get better stakes than provided to secure the tent in high wind conditions.

Ventilation is another notable feature where the airflow system keeps the tent comfortable and prevents condensation. Although it comes with a short rainfly, the angled design of the windows ensures that the inside stays dry and airy even in directional rain.

Pros

  • It comes with an awning to keep the door area dry,
  • Angled open windows allow ventilation in the rain,
  • Reliable rain and wind-resistant construction,
  • Easy setup with color-coded poles and sleeves

Cons

  • The tent may get cold due to open windows,
  • Requires seam sealing to prevent leaks
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10. Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 Screened Tent

Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 Screened Tent
Specs
Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper)
Size: 204 x 108 x 80 inches (518.2 x 274.3 x 203.2 cm)
Size: 6 Persons
Material: 75D Polyester Taffeta
Instant: No
Tent Type / Shape: Dome

The Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6-person tent is one of the luxury models available in the market, with features like a spacious screened patio, LED lighting with a wall switch, and a roomy interior with an extensive roof mesh. Plus, its WeatherTec weather resistance and ventilation system perform significantly better than the competition. However, all these benefits come at a weight cost, and the Elite WeatherMaster is notably heavy at 35.5 pounds.

The 54 square foot screened room is a versatile space for relaxing when the sun gets too hot in the day and for keeping your luggage, gear, and shoes while you sleep. Plus, you can use it as a sleeping space on warm nights as the mesh will prevent bugs and insects while you enjoy looking at the night sky. However, it may be wasted room in rainy weather as the extensive mesh construction will not prevent water from getting in. The screen room also doesn’t come with a floor tarp, so you have to buy that separately.

On the other hand, many users love the extra space when camping in hot weather. While the main tent area is more spacious than most 6-person models of the same brand, it will fit four campers much more comfortably than six as indicated.

Pros

  • Has a generous multi-use screened room,
  • Features LED lighting with three modes for convenience,
  • Hinged door provides easier access than zippers,
  • Reliable weather resistance and ventilation systems

Cons

  • The screened room does not keep out rain,
  • The main room will not fit six campers comfortably
  • It is suitable for camping in fair weather

Verdict

To summarize, we have gone through dozens of family tents for bad weather and decided that 10 are worth your consideration. Out of these, the absolute Best Family Tents for Bad Weather is Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent which we highly recommend as our overall best.

If money is not an issue, you can consider NTK Arizona GT 10-Person Camping Tent as this is our Premium Pick.

Otherwise, there’s no shame in spending prudently, Moon Lence Camping Tent is the Budget Option.

Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:

What You Should Know Before Buying family tents for bad weather

Ventilation & Heat Resistance

Among the many elements we’ve debated on during our treks, the proportion of mesh in a tent’s structure stands out. It’s not just about avoiding those summer sweats; it’s about comfort throughout every season. Numerous mesh windows are a boon in warmer climates, allowing that sweet breeze to pass through. Despite our best efforts to set up camp in the shade and manage the rainfly, it’s hard to ignore the condensation that can build up due to the rainfly’s waterproof coating. Our consensus? Always opt for tents that come equipped with roof vents in the inner canopy. With a rainfly placed over it, you get the right mix of ventilation and rain protection – a winning combo in our books!

Durability

The fabric and floor material are the main parts of a tent that determine its durability. While high-quality fabrics ensure extended use, the right floor can fend off water, keeping you dry. For the adventurous souls venturing into challenging landscapes, we recommend complementing your tent with an extra ground liner for enhanced protection.

Water, Wind and Snow Resistance

Certain tent designs are more capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions. Dome configurations are superior for averting snow pile-up, and a rainfly that grazes the ground is essential for warding off the rain. Sturdy poles, stakes, and water-resistant fabrics reinforce the tent’s ability to stand firm against the elements.

Setting up a tent in the bad weather

You don’t want to set up a tent in bad weather, but sometimes you absolutely have to. If you have to set up in the rain, keep your tent dry in your bag as long as you possibly can. Make sure you always use a waterproof bag to keep it dry. You should also make sure that you keep any wet clothes in a compartment without anyone staying in it, as it can become moist and humid quickly. Keep your tent setup simple and quick to get out of the elements as fast as possible. Trying your tent out before your trip is always recommended to get familiar with it.

Family Size Tents

Our experience has shown that family size tents are the ultimate shelters for larger camping parties. Starting at a six-person capacity, these tents can stretch out to accommodate as many as 15 people, often in multiple rooms. While vestibules are great for extra storage, it’s worth noting that they might shave off some of your inside square footage.

Questions and Answers About family tents for bad weather

What is the best waterproof tent material?

Nylon and polyester are the usual frontrunners, offering lightweight and non-absorbent options. However, there are a couple of issues to keep in mind: these materials have plastic coatings that can degrade over time, lessening their waterproof nature. Also, you can’t make them fully waterproof without affecting their elasticity and strength. Canvas, though less waterproof, breathes better and offers greater durability, making it a strong alternative.

How to clean your Waterproof tent?

The easiest way to clean your waterproof tent is with some simple soap and water. Use a non-abraisive sponge to not damage the material of the tent. If you work too hard at any particularly dirty spots, you may accidentally damage the coating, which can lead to leaks. For major stains, soaking it in a warm bathtub may help.

Is it safe to stay in a tent during a thunderstorm?

It is not recommended to stay in a tent during a thunderstorm if you can avoid it. Lightning can strike the ground and travel through metal, so you could get hurt if you aren’t careful. When in doubt, it is safer to sleep in your car. Always check the weather ahead before going on your trip and plan accordingly.

Can a tent withstand 50 mph winds?

No, most tents cannot withstand 50 mph wind. Wind at that speed would likely destroy your tent and potentially cause injuries.

How do you secure a tent in high winds?

To secure your tent in high winds, you’ll need to stake the corners of the tent down to the ground – preferably with spikes or extra tent stakes. Campers use nails or spikes that are specifically designed for this purpose. Some people prefer using ball bungees (aka “stretch cords”) or low-profile tensioners in place of stakes; these methods work well for staying dry. However, they may not be as sturdy if they’re too low quality. Either way, always make sure they’re secured tightly (even if it’s just a few layers of duct tape!) so there is a lower chance of them coming loose from flapping about during storms.

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Agness Walewinder
Agness Walewinder
Travel freak, vagabond, photography passionate, blogger, life enthusiast, backpacker, adventure hunter and endless energy couchsurfer living by the rule "Pack lite, travel far and live long!"
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