Ranger Cot Cabin 1-Person Tent

So glad you mentioned this too. So many people are saying you need a 4-6 person tent. I'm really considering getting this one. I'm only 5'2" and I like to be able to put up my tent and take it down by myself. I also have lower back pain so I need to be able to fully stand in my tent. I already have the tall Alps Cot and all my gear can fit under it. I have 2 Browning tents that I love, buy I am too short to get them put up by myself and hook the center. I have tons of Alps Mountaineering tents. 2 person, 3 person, 4 person. Our troop also has Big Agnes Rabbit Ear tents, but the scouts use those and they are sometimes sandy and I hate the zippers. And I can't put it up by myself. I'm going to try out the Ranger.

I picked up a Ranger through HD specifically to join along with my son’s scout troop. I am retiring my ground camping days and going to the comfy cot. It’s a nice tent and the scouting discount makes it worth it.

I have two tens that are 6’ tall. The Browning Glacier 4 and the Alps Mountaineering Ranger 1. The Glacier is big enough for two full size cots and room in the middle, or it’s quite expansive for one person, with room for a chair and small table. It has a full rain fly for winter/rain and I have tested it in PNW weather. It has decent ventilation and the fly can be rolled up to expose the side vents. The Ranger 1 is big enough for one full size cots, a small side table and small chair. There is a nice spot in the middle to stand and change etc. it is all mesh and except the front panel with a rain fly to cover the mesh. Somewhat less rain resistance but still does well in the PNW. The Ranger was marketed towards adult scout leaders. Both can be found on Hiker Direct for scouts at deeply discounted prices.

Alps mountaineering ranger 1. Tall enough to stand, fits one full size cot. Packs down very small for car camping. (Not really suitable for backpacking)

4 person rated tent with full coverage rain fly that can accomodate a full size cot with room to stand: Browning Glacier 4 Alps Mountaineering Prospector I own both of these and can attest that they over great rain coverage and lots of room for 1-2 full size cots and room for furry companions. The glacier is a bit more robust as a 4 season tent and is a bit more difficult for one person to set up (but it is possible) The Prospector is heavier with steel poles but packs down smaller than the Glacier and is a little bit larger square footage. Honorable mention: ALPS Mountaineering Ranger 1 is big enough for one full size cot and a dog with room to stand up. It has a 3 sided rain fly with the main door being a much thicker nylon that provides rain protection. Mine took a full on commercial sprinkler system hit to the front and I stayed dry.

I am a scoutmaster and currently own 10 tents. Here are my favorites for scouts and adults: The Alps Mountaineering Lynx model has 2, 3, and 4, person variants. The 3 person is the sweet spot for sleeping two people with room for gear. It is small enough to go backpacking with. It has a full coverage rain fly and I can confirm it stays dry even in the PNW rain. This is a great tent for scouts to use all the time and a great adult backpacking option. For car camping, I like to be a little more comfortable. I use the Alps Mountaineering Ranger 1 for myself. I can fit a full size cot, camp chair and small air table with room in the middle to stand up and change clothes. It packs down well but is way too heavy for backpacking. As others have mentioned, hiker direct dot com is a great site for discounted NEW gear for troops. You can google it, you must type the address into the address bar. It’s free to create an account. One last note, in Cub Scouts, families may tent together but in the troop, youth must tent separately from adults including their parents. This is part of the program to teach independence.

Im a scoutmaster and currently own 7 tents with an 8th on the way. My two glamping tents are the Browning Glacier 4 and the Alps Mountaineering Ranger 1. The Glacier is a palace for one person. It has ample room for a full size cot, folding chair and small table. It has a full coverage rain fly with vents in the sides. It’s somewhat large and heavy with large aluminum poles but easy to car camp with. I’ve since come to not enjoy setting it up and tearing it down by myself. It’s not terrible but it’s more space than I really need. It is however perfectly cozy for my wife and I. It fits a full size cot on either side with a small table in the middle for a night stand. The Alps Mountaineering Ranger 1 is designed for one person and a full size cot. It’s 6 feet tall so you can standup. I can also fit my small table by my head and a folding chair by my feet. It leaves a nice spot in the middle to stand up. The three sides are mesh and the front is a thicker waterproof nylon while a rain fly covers the mesh sides. It has held up in light rain and a surprise sprinkler blast but I wouldn’t trust it in serious downpours. It packs down smaller than the glacier but the steel poles make it very heavy for its size. Consider the effort of maintaining a larger tent. Set up, tear down (by yourself) and then setting it up again when you get home to dry it out. You might appreciate a smaller, less cavernous, but still amply indulgent tent.

Coleman tents will work fine. Consider the additional effort required of setting up a huge tent and then having to set it up in your home to dry it out afterwards. If it’s just you, you don’t need anything bigger than a 4 person tent. If you wanna step up in quality/duarbility, I’m a huge fan of Alps Mountaineering. I camp once a month with the Boy Scouts so I need something that holds up well. I know people who use Ozark Trail brand and it works for them.

I got a one person Alps mountaineering tent from Amazon about ten years ago for $80. One of my best all time purchases. Its not the lightest, but its durable, easy to set up, and packs down nicely. I still use it regularly and I literally work for Backcountry with amazing pro deals on top gear.

Just here to say ALPS doesn’t get a lot of love because they aren’t one of the major brands but I have a 1 person from them and it’s been amazing. Great bang for your buck especially if weight isn’t an issue.