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Reddit Reviews
Hang out here long enough and you'll see plenty of posts touting either Coleman or Ozark Trail. OT is the one I usually recommend. 3P for $29 and 4P for $39 and Walmart, and unlike other cheap import trash, it's actually a well-made tent with decent poles and rain fly. (I can't remember but it might even include stakes.) It's not a one-season tent - if you make sure you dry it fully before storing it, and don't abuse it, it'll last years. A 4P is just about right for a couple with a full-sized air mattress and a pack-n-play for the little one. I see your request about size and respect that - larger units are available. But since you're going for such a short time, and this is your first time, I'd like to at least make a case to consider something VERY budget-friendly. There are a lot of other things you'll need to get and this will conserve budget for things where spending money matters more (air mattress, cooler, kitchen setup, etc). The 4P is a bit over 8' square, not much smaller than you were asking, and a foot shorter than you were asking but let's face it, when you say 6' tall, you're not standing in it - in a budget dome tent, that 6' mark is only at the center. If you're crouching when you climb into bed at the sides anyway... Anyway, YMMV, it's a very subjective decision, but it's worth a look. If/when you want to upgrade, this particular tent is so popular that it's super easy to resell or give away. Just a thought.
Yep. I’ve had my Ozark trail 4 person tent for about 5 years now, we camp at least three times a summer usually more. The tent still is in great condition no leaks (I did spray it with weatherproofing when I first got it) and all the zippers are still good.
Much depends on your use. Are you driving out and camping in a campground? Basically car camping? Do you hike in 15 miles, camp and hike out? Do you use your tent just to sleep or do you hang out in it? Do you share your tent? It seems like it is just you and the dog and maybe one other person and it is out and back weekends at a campground. For long trails, backpacking months at a time, Durston tents are good for one or two people. The Pro 2p is what I’ve owned in the past. The XMid has a good price point. The REI half dome has more interior room and is easier to set up. For car camping and spending some time in the tent an Ozark Trails 4 person tent used for two is great (walked out to my garage to check ours). We got it at a garage sale but only use it for car camping bb My current primary tent is for backpacking with my wife, months at a time. I love it but I would not recommend the Zpacks Trio for your use. From what I can tell from your post weight doesn’t really matter. Interior comfort does. But without more none of us here can tell. Finally, most online lists are trying to get you to buy so they can rake in affiliate marketing kickbacks. That results in confusing and scattershot reviews and advice. Wish you luck.
I still use a 4 man Ozark Trail tent I've had since 1998. That thing will not die - it needs another round of waterproofing, but it'll be the kid tent when they're ready to leave mom & dad in the giant cabin tent.
Go for a 4-person tent. Ozark Trail at Walmart has some decent ones. I still have one my wife and I used a few times a year for many years before the kids came along.
Came here to say this! We picked up an Ozark Trail 4-person tent for festivals and it’s honestly way roomier and sturdier than I expected for the price. Setup is super straightforward, too, my partner put it together solo with no experience whatsoever.
Yes, we have the Ozark Trail 4-person tent that I got for like $30. Been through five heavy thunderstorms now and zero leaks right out of the box. I did finally waterproof it with some Scotchguard spray after our last trip because I didn't want to push my luck, but that thing is a tank.
I had a cheap Ozark Trails dome tent for 20 years and it never failed me, or friends that used it, until the last year when friends said some water was getting in. I could've taped and glued the seams and sprayed water proofing on the fly, but hell, id gotten 20 years of good use and had already been using a different tent myself for a few years. Id suggest them for anybody just getting into camping, or doing a lot of car camping. But, for backpacking, bikecamping, or kayak camping, id suggest something that is lighter and packs down smaller.
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