That isn’t to say there aren’t some awesome pop-up tents out there, so if you are a fan of that idea then go for it. At the end of the day, it really comes down to your own personal preference and what works for you. There are so many different options out there and that can make choosing a shower tent overwhelming. Deciding which one is right for you is really going to come down to what your personal priorities are. On top of that, it’s got some sweet extra features like pockets to hold your things and a clothesline.
We then rotated the tents looking for structural weaknesses, and we tested their guy lines and tabs to see which tents had the best and most intuitive design for withstanding wind. To compare tent fabrics, you also need to know their overall rip strength. For most fabrics, rip strength is expressed as a measurement of the diameter of the fibers in their thread, or a denier—the higher the denier, the stronger the fabric.
One night during testing, for example, clouds loomed in the distance with clear skies overhead. After we pitched the tent, the Mineral King 3’s adaptable fly let us leave half the mesh dome uncovered. At the first sign of rain, it took only a few seconds—and a quick hand stuck outside the tent—to unfurl the fly and secure it for a dry night’s sleep. When we awoke, we could roll back one part of the vestibule, make coffee, and watch the sky lighten even though it was still raining.
Throughout all our testing, we wanted to know how it felt to be inside the tents for long periods of time. If we had to spend a day in the tent during a storm, would it be comfortable? After first removing the models that failed the structural tests, we slept, watched the stars, and ate our meals in all of the tents, as well as planned hikes from them. A full rain cover, two vestibules, and an extra-sturdy pole structure make this the best choice for families who want to get outside in any weather. It really does have everything you could possibly wish for and then some. Shower tents either have no floor for easy drainage or a drainage opening or a section with mesh if there is a floor.
For instance, there’s no floor inside at all, which makes for excellent drainage, but also means you’ll need to bring your own (like a tarp) or plan on standing on wet ground. Overall the design is very solid once assembled, but getting it there can be a pain. That’s because the Texsport’s poles don’t fit as snugly as we’d like into their designated hubs, so having a pole or two pop out of place during assembly is a common occurrence. All things considered, the Texsport Instant Shower is about the most space you can get for the money, and makes for a great multi-use privacy area in the outdoors as well. Some campers might find the Wawona 6’s footprint unwieldy in smaller campsites, or they might simply prefer a tent with a more straightforward design. If you want a six-person tent made with high-quality materials but a traditional profile, we recommend the similarly priced Big Agnes Spicer Peak 6, or Nemo’s Aurora Highrise 6.
During our testing, our Base Camp shrugged off both a rainstorm and a desert windstorm as if they were nothing. Despite losing some headroom in comparison with the Kelty Wireless 6 and The North Face Wawona 6, both of which measure six-foot-four in height, the Base Camp 6 offers a substantial six-foot-two. The Wawona 6 is more complex to set up than a classic dome-style tent like the Wireless 6, but not by much. We recommend doing it with two people, but one person can manage in about 15 minutes. As with any free-standing tent, with this one you stake out the four corners, and then you feed the two main tent poles through the Wawona’s fabric sleeves, which go halfway down the tent’s body.
Sold on the idea of a pop-up shower tent, but looking for one that offers a bit more than the first few I showed you? This 2-room shower tent from Ozark Trail is a popular choice for those looking to buy a shower tent. There’s nothing worse than not having a clean, private space available when you want to take a quick shower, use the toilet, or just change your clothes. Interior space is our other main concern, although this one has more to do with general livability.
ozark trail canopy tentThere’s even an adjustable velcro showerhead attachment in the corner of the ceiling for hands-free showering. Step through to the changing room and you’ve got plenty of room to store dry clothes and towels as well as two zippable mesh windows for views and ventilation. Each room measures 3.5 feet x 3.5 feet, but you’ve also got the option of unzipping the center divider and having the whole thing to yourself if you prefer.
The partial fly does a great job of keeping rain out of the upper, mesh areas, and cleverly placed vents maintain airflow so it never feels too stuffy. Marmot uses color coding smartly to help you position the tent as well as set it up. Both of the doors zip open to the side that’s color-coded blue, as opposed to zipping open to opposite sides. In other words, one partner—or one partner’s gear—is always going to get a dose of weather when they head out. Though the Wireless’s fly kept water out of the tent’s interior, it took longer to fully dry once the rain stopped than some others we tested.
Does it include a shower caddy or mesh dividers to store your soaps, shampoos, and washcloths? What about a space to hang your towel where it won’t get wet? Each individual product may be shipped from different fulfillment centers across the globe as our product research team spends the time to source for quality yet affordable products. There are circumstances that are out of control (natural disasters, holidays, weather, etc) that may cause shipping postponements.