Both of the doors zip open to the side that’s color-coded blue, as opposed to zipping open to opposite sides. This means the vestibules equally protect the doors, rather than providing opposite entries and exits—the latter creates a situation where, in stormy weather, one side of the tent is always more exposed to blustering wind or rain. In other words, one partner—or one partner’s gear—is always going to get a dose of weather when they head out. The Wireless 6 goes up easily, using the same kind of intuitive pole and clip method as our couples’ pick. The fly is equally simple to attach and orient with color-coded clips.
Our folding chairs also make outdoor dining fuss-free and comfortable for all the family. And don’t forget to pack our lightweight 3-piece set of clip-on cutlery that you can wash and reuse with ease. The separate fly, which covers the upper half of the tent, uses a third, shorter “brow” pole to form protective peaks over the door and the back window. In our tests, an experienced camper took only about six minutes on the first try to set up the tent body alone and stake it out.
The main tent body has a giant front door that’s oriented to make entry and exit easy for all the tent’s occupants at night, and a smaller back window that doubles as a second door. 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.
But when you’re camping or eating outdoors, you’ll likely want protection from insects, as well. That’s why we focused on collapsible camping shelters with mesh walls to keep bugs at bay. After our longtime top-pick tent for two people ran into some stock issues in 2021, we researched new models and redesigns, and we assembled a batch of small tents for testing in March 2022, on Oahu. During this period, winds rose up to 35 to 40 ozark trail shower tent knots, and we experienced passing showers as well as direct sunlight and 80-degree temperatures. To mimic heavier rain and to test the tent’s ability to withstand soggy ground conditions, we also soaked our tents with a garden hose. A few weeks later, we brought the front-runners to a platform in an area that had higher elevation, near the Waianae Mountain Range, and camped out overnight in intermittent but consistent rainfall.
If we were camping somewhere infested with mosquitoes or no-see-ums and could fit the Clam in our vehicle, we’d prefer it over any of our other picks. Nothing quite beats cooking outdoors, and if you want to take your alfresco cooking experience up a notch, consider investing in a quality camping stove. You may prefer a compact stove that runs off a gas canister if you enjoy wild camping or a camping cooker with more space for longer family camping trips. Whatever type of camping stove you choose, you can look forward to cooking up a tasty meal after a busy day exploring. Whether you’re planning a camping adventure with the family, hosting a BBQ or just looking to enjoy some al fresco dining in your garden, Decathlon has a great range of camping picnic sets that will ensure you have everything covered.
Though all of these shelters are self-standing and staking them may not be strictly necessary in calm weather, it’s wise to always do so in case the wind picks up unexpectedly. Before staking out a tent, make sure all of its doors are zipped closed to avoid staking it too tightly and straining the zippers. Like regular camping tents, these camping gazebos are not intended to be left up for extended periods, as the fabrics are susceptible to UV damage. Since 2015, I’ve tested camping shelters and large car-camping tents on weekend trips involving more than a dozen families, and I have talked to dozens more about their tent travails. Over the years, I have evaluated gear for magazines including Wired, Popular Science, and National Geographic Adventure, where I was a senior editor. Like most dome-style tents, the Wireless 6 withstands wind like a champ—it fared noticeably better than the Camp Creek 6 in 15-mph gusts.
A lower roof makes this shelter feel notably smaller than our top pick, but it’s also durably made and ready to pair with a superior rain fly (sold separately). Our favorite canopy tent is a simply designed, comfortable shelter that offers protection from bugs, sun, and rain. Adventure is where memories are made, whether it’s campouts in the back yard with the kids, Saturdays at the river with friends, or a week in the wilderness alone. Ozark Trail helps you and your family create everyday adventures with gear and accessories built with you in mind. From backpacks to tents, they’re rugged, dependable, and priced to be practical.
A 5-gallon solar shower comes with it,heating water up to luxurious temperatures using natural light. This 2-room portable shower tent includes a separate changing/utility room,so your clothes stay dry. Mesh panels offer ample ventilation,and a mesh drain in the shower allows quick water evacuation. Two windows let you make use of natural light with a towel rack and a toiletries holder for added convenience. Durable polyester/steel construction means this facility can accompany you wherever the next adventure will take you. The outdoor shower tent/changing shelter is made with durable polyester/steel with silver aluminum-coated walls for complete privacy.
It’s pricey, though, and unless the other couples’ tents we recommend, it doesn’t include a footprint. It’s constructed with heavy-duty 210-denier poly oxford walls and the heftiest bug-blocking no-see-um mesh we’ve encountered in any tent. The thicker, darker netting also makes the whole structure shadier, even without the optional side panels. Fellow campers and sun-baked spectators consistently gravitated toward the REI shelter over the L.L.Bean.