
The North Face
Wawona 6
Spacious vestibule, strong in storms, but rainfly tricky solo.

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I am a big fan of Walmart's Ozark Trail "instant cabin" tents - I have the "8-Person Hexagon" and it's huge but my husband's camping trick is to get the whole thing up while my back is turned, because it goes up so fast. It takes longer to take it down because it's a bit of a wrassle getting it back in the bag. The upside of it is that it's nearly a screen-house, it's not quite as ventilated as a proper screen house but (especially with the fly off) it's pretty comfortable inside sitting around on chairs if it's too buggy out. The downside is it's not great in blowing driving rain because the fly doesn't cover the windows, but you're probably not looking to deliberately camp in Texas storms. (Another upside, though: the "instant" infrastructure makes it very easy to drop the whole tent down to half-height if the winds kick up suddenly. We used to use it in California in Santa Ana season and being able to make the tent "crouch down" when the wind kicked up was very handy.)
Agree with needing larger than a 6p for that many people plus gear. Ozark Trail 8 person cabin instant tent is good quality and price. I can put it up on my own and have fit 3 adults plus two dogs and gear pretty comfortably. You can make it into two rooms, has built in LED lights, good ventilation and can easily stand up and walk around in it.
That’s the biggest thing, my tent takes 5 mins to setup on the ground so if I wanted to go on a long over landing trip it still works, 9 times out of ten I’m not doing that I’m at a campground and leaving every so often and setting up and taking down every time I want to move is not something I would want to do
[this is roughly the one i have](https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Ozark-Trail-8-Person-Instant-Cabin-Tent/6000208375642) ozark trail 8 person instant tent
It sets up quick and without nearly causing a divorce 😂 that’s all I really want. If it’s supposed to rain I usually stretch out a tarp anyways, kind of a habit I picked up as a kid camping with my parents. I have Never had expensive tents so idk probably not the best person to review
The Walmart Ozark Trail tents are decent. You won’t get a big one for under $100, but I got our 8 person tent for like $120 I think. I am short so I can stand in it almost straight up.
I have this one which has been great so far. It’s really heavy though. I suppose it doesn’t take up a ton of car space - if they got the6 person version (if there is one) that would probably work out fine. There’s always space under a cot to store stuff also.
I ran a instant up Ozark trail for well over a decade. Went a few years with a small camper and sold it to get into a nice gazelle and I couldn't be happier. I don't do hiking/backpacking due to disabilities but it's perfect for car camping. Throw it on my roof rack get to camp and 10 min later my tent is set up.
I for one love my gazelle tent. It really feels like a buy once cry once purpose. My Ozark trail lasted many years fairly easy to put up. Then I got my gazelle and was blown away. Goes up so much easier. Materials don't feel like 1 month of combined sun exposure will make it all brittle like the cheap tents/canopies. I also just updated to a set of xped megamats for the wife and I. A bit pricy. But so much better than a air mattress or cot both in comfort and insulation for those cold nights.
I'm not an expert but IMO your sleep systems are gonna be a lot more important than the tent. I'd save money on the tent and start there. Especially with a family outfitting everyone with outfitting them all with sleeping pads, bags, clothes, etc. is gonna add up. If you're actually planning on a stove then IDK, I've never done that. I camp on Vancouver Island with a family of 4 and just use a cheap Ozark Trail cabin tent from Walmart, but invested in some decent self-inflating sleeping pads and sleeping bags. It's gonna be chilly in the tent in the morning no matter what. Just get up before them and start a fire for them :D

The North Face
Wawona 6
Spacious vestibule, strong in storms, but rainfly tricky solo.

Gazelle Tents
T4 Hub Tent Series
Fastest setup, durable, but bulky and awkward door.

Durston
X-Mid 2
Ultralight, spacious 2P, but not for very strong winds.

Durston
X-Mid 1
Budget ultralight 1P, spacious, but large footprint.

Naturehike
Mongar 2 Backpack Tent (Nylon)
Budget 2P, spacious for price, but not for 4 seasons.

Ranked #1
Durston - X-Mid 2

Ranked #1
Gazelle Tents - T4 Hub Tent Series

Ranked #1
Gazelle Tents - T4 Hub Tent Series

Ranked #1
Durston - X-Mid 2

Ranked #1
Durston - X-Mid 2

Ranked #1
SlingFin - Portal 2