tents

The 5 Best Instant Tents

Andrea Cannon — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 09:00:07 +0000

After a long day of fun, the last thing most people want to do is set up a complicated tent. Fortunately, instant tents can provide the solution you've been looking for. They can provide the comfort of a home base and reliable coverage from the wind, sun, bugs, and other outdoor elements, without taking up much space or time.

What is an instant tent?

An instant tent is a portable shelter that sets up quickly, and with very little effort. It’s great for everything from hiking and camping to spending a day at the beach or in the backyard. (See also: The 5 Best Beach Tents)

Top 5 instant tents

Coleman Tenaya Lake Fast Pitch Cabin Tent

The Coleman Tenaya Lake Fast Pitch Cabin Tent will make it feel like you're living in a two-bedroom home with a closet and windows. It fits two queen air mattresses and features a room divider, storage pockets, and built-in closet with shelves and a hanger bar. It features an E-Port, hinged door, Illumiline reflective guy lines, and a WeatherTec system with patented welded floors and inverted seams to keep you dry. The Fast Pitch design sets up in about nine minutes. It includes a rainfly and wheeled carry bag. It is frequently recommended online and has more than 500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $213.94 on Amazon

CORE Instant Cabin Tent

Amazon’s Choice for instant tents, the durable CORE Instant Cabin Tent sets up in only 60 seconds. It fits two queen air mattresses and has two rooms with a divider and hanging wall storage pockets. It has an adjustable ground vent, sealed seams, rain-resistant door and window seals, and water-repellent fabric. It also features an electrical cord access port, large double doors, and zippered privacy panels on the doors and windows. It's backed by a one-year limited warranty and is available in various sizes and options. It also includes a rain fly, tent stakes, and carry bag.

Currently $226.99 on Amazon

OZARK Tent

The spacious OZARK Tent has large windows on all sides and includes a room divider. It also comfortably fits two queen air mattresses. It's made of durable fabric, taped factory-sealed seams, and a factory welded 6" tub floor for rain protection. It's frequently recommended online and includes electrical cord access, a rainfly, carry bag, gear loft, and tent stakes.

Currently $174.82 on Amazon

Wnnideo Automatic Instant Pop-Up Tent

The durable Wnnideo Automatic Instant Pop-Up Tent can be set up in only one minute. It has large arched double doors, multiple mesh windows, and elasticized rain-resistant fabric. The waterproof, lightweight, spacious dome tent has good ventilation, wind resistance, and UV protection. It includes a storage bag and is frequently recommended online.

Currently $79.88 on Amazon

Coleman Instant Screenhouse

The Coleman Instant Screenhouse is perfect if you're just looking for a quick shelter that can protect you from the sun, wind, bugs, and the elements. It sets up in less than one minute. It's made of Polyguard 2X double-thick fabric with UV Guard 50+ UPF sun protection. The durable hexagon-shaped screened canopy has exclusive push-button release levers to protect your fingers. It also features two large zippered T-doors for easy access in the front and back. It includes a removable screen wall and carry bag, and has more than 500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $130.24 on Amazon

And those are our recommendations for the best instant tents. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

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This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Backpack Tents

Andrea Cannon — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 09:00:08 +0000

If you need dependable shelter at a moment's notice, then a backpacking tent can provide what you've been looking for. It offers the safety and reliability you need, with no added weight or frustration.

What are backpacking tents?

Backpacking tents are lightweight tents that can be easily carried in a backpack. They can provide the comfortable sleeping arrangements you need, no matter where your next adventure may take you.

Top 5 backpack tents

MSR Hubba Hubba NX Lightweight Backpacking Tent

The MSR Hubba Hubba NX Lightweight Backpacking Tent is the ideal free-standing three-season tent for two people, but is light enough for one person to carry. It's lightweight, sturdy, spacious, well-ventilated, and easy to setup with color-coded clips and a fast-pitch option. It features a rollback rainfly, two large StayDry doors with built-in rain gutters, and includes an ultracompact compression stuff sack. It's recommended by ConsumerSearch, Popular Mechanics, Switchback Travel, and OutdoorGearLab.

Currently $399.95 on Amazon

Coleman Sundome Tent

Amazon's #1 best-seller in backpacking tents, the Coleman Sundome Tent is available in a six-person, four-person, or two-person variety. It's spacious and sets up quickly and easily. It has good ventilation thanks to two large windows and a ground vent. The WeatherTec system patented welded floors and inverted seams can keep you dry. The dome tent features organization pockets, Insta-Clip pole attachments, snag-free, continuous pole sleeves, and a rainfly awning for rain protection. It's available in two different colors and includes a carry bag. It has more than 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and is recommended by The Wirecutter and Popular Mechanics. It's also backed by a one-year limited warranty.

Currently $49.00 on Amazon

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 2 Tent

The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 2 Tent is the ideal three-season, free-standing, ultralight backpacking tent. It features a single door, interior mesh pocket, and reflective webbing for nighttime visibility. It has quick setup and great ventilation thanks to a mesh body. This is available in various colors and sizes. It's recommended by various publications, such as OutdoorGearLab. You can't go wrong with a Big Agnes tent, so you may also consider the highly rated Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 Tent.

Currently $379.00 on Amazon

ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Tent

Amazon's Choice for backpacking tents, the lightweight ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Tent resists UV damage and has good ventilation thanks to mesh walls. It features factory sealed seams, durable zippers and poly taffeta floor, storage pockets, stakes, and guy ropes. The free-standing design is spacious, offers easy assembly, and has weatherproofing to keep you dry. It has more than 600 five-star reviews on Amazon and is recommended by OutdoorGearLab. It's also backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Currently $71.99 on Amazon

Kelty Salida 2 Tent

The spacious Kelty Salida 2 Tent is the ideal three-season, two-person lightweight free-standing tent. It's easy to set up thanks to a hug clip, compact folding poles, side release buckles, gear loft loops, color-coded clip and fly attachment, and center C clip. It has an easy entry D door, internal storage pockets, noiseless zipper pulls, and fully seam-taped construction. It has weather protection and great ventilation thanks to mesh walls. It includes a roll top cube carry bag and is recommended by publications like OutdoorGearLab.

Currently $130.18 on Amazon

And those are our recommendations for the best backpacking tents. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

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This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Car Camping Tents

Andrea Cannon — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 09:00:08 +0000

A car camping tent will allow you to turn any spot into a cozy campsite. It's the perfect item to store in your trunk for last-minute adventures anywhere.

What is a car camping tent?

There are various types of car camping tents available. Some allow you to transform your vehicle into a tent, while others are considered car camping tents because they can be conveniently stored in your vehicle for quick, last-minute tent setups. They can keep you safe and secure so you can stay dry and sleep comfortably, no matter where life takes you.

Top 5 car camping tents

Eureka Copper Canyon 6 Tent

The roomy Eureka Copper Canyon 6 Tent features a full mesh roof and windows on each side for reduced condensation and maximum visibility and ventilation. The cabin-style, straight-walled, six-person family tent offers seven feet of standing room. It has a large D-style door with a half window, organization pockets and loops, removable interior divider, coated polyester fabric, and a zippered access port for a power cable. It's easy to set up and includes all carry bags and stakes. The sturdy, durable tent is also recommended by ConsumerSearch and The Wirecutter.

Currently $252.10 on Amazon

Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent

The free-standing, lightweight Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent is easy to set up thanks to compact folding poles and an included roll-top cube carry bag. It has taped seams, an all-mesh design, side release tent/fly connection, fly vent for increased air flow, color-coded clip and fly attachment, multiple storage pockets, gear loft loops, and a hug clip. This is available in two-person or four-person. It's recommended by The Wirecutter and Popular Mechanics.

Currently $198.04 on Amazon

Rightline Gear Full-Size Standard Truck Bed Tent

If you want to turn your truck into a tent for the night, then the Rightline Gear Full-Size Standard Truck Bed Tent is perfect for you. Some of the features include a floorless design, protective heavy-duty straps and nylon buckles, water-resistant fabric with tape-sealed seams, color-coded poles and pole pockets, and an included rainfly and stuff sack. It's easy to set up and you can find the perfect size for your vehicle to ensure the right fit. The Rightline Gear SUV Tent is another highly recommended option from the trusted brand.

Currently $179.95 on Amazon

Kamp-Rite Oversize Tent Cot

The Kamp-Rite Oversize Tent Cot can be used as a lounge, a chair, and a fully framed and enclosed flat cot. The insect-proof tent cot is easy to set up and transport thanks to the carrying bag. The heavy-duty tape sealed rain fly can handle most wet environments. It's comfortable and offers 360-degree airflow. The elevated sleeping platform is suspended 11 inches off the ground to keep you dry and away from critters on the ground. The roomy cot has nylon sides, tie-up mesh doors and windows, durable nylon fabric, and a lightweight, sturdy aluminum frame. It has more than 400 five-star reviews on Amazon and is backed by a one-year warranty against defects.

Currently $169.99 on Amazon

Chillbo Cabbins Tent

The Chillbo Cabbins Tent is the perfect car camping tent because it can also serve as a backpacking tent or dome tent, which is ideal for carrying along on festivals, hikes, and last-minute events. The roomy, lightweight tent comfortably fits two people with their gear. It's easy to set up and dismantle with no tools. It has easy access and great ventilation thanks to two large D-frame doors and two mesh window panels. It is stormproof thanks to a covered entryway, wind responsive frame, sealed seams, and welded flooring. It features internal storage pockets, cross-wound poles, and an included roomy carry bag. It's available in a range of colors and designs, and is backed by a lifetime guarantee.

Currently $39.95 on Amazon

And those are our recommendations for the best car camping tents. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

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This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Beach Tents

Andrea Cannon — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:11 +0000

If you enjoy a day at the beach, but want some form of protection from harmful UV rays, then a beach tent is just what you need. It can help prevent overexposure to the sun, keep you cool and comfortable on hot summer days, and provide you with a relaxing shelter at outdoor events. It can add a touch of luxury and a lot of comfort to your beach day.

What is a beach tent?

A beach tent is a piece of outdoor gear that can shelter you from the sun, sand, water, and wind of the beach. It can also provide a comfortable place to relax and a safe place to store all of your belongings. It is ideal for use at any beach, park, campground, sporting event, or even your own backyard.

Top 5 beach tents

Pacific Breeze EasyUp Beach Tent

The ultra lightweight, spacious Pacific Breeze EasyUp Beach Tent has UPF 50+ sun protection. The compact beach tent is made from breathable polyester and is water-repellent. It is very easy to set up and pack up in the carrying case thanks to a specially designed EasyUp Hub System. The durable tent includes internal sand pockets, large windows for ventilation, and stakes. It is recommended by New York Magazine and has exceptional online reviews, including more than 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. It is also backed by a one-year limited warranty. The Pacific Breeze EasyUp Beach Tent Deluxe XL is another highly recommended option.

Currently $69.99 on Amazon

Coleman Road Trip Beach Shade

The spacious Coleman Road Trip Beach Shade can stand up to extreme winds. It offers low-angle sun protection and SPF 50+ UV guard protection. It features polyguard double thick fabric for added durability. It has a floor mat, protecting you from the sand, and a closable front with two zippered doors, so it can be used as a changing room. The Comfort Grip allows it to be setup in about three minutes. It packs up really small, so you can easily transport it around in the carry bag. It also includes four hanging pockets inside, a dry line, sandbags, and extra-long stakes. This is available in four different colors. It has exceptional online reviews, including hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon. It comes from the trusted Coleman brand and is backed by a one-year limited warranty.

Currently $39.70 on Amazon

Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Cabana Beach Tent Sun Shelter

The spacious, yet compact, Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Cabana Beach Tent Sun Shelter is large enough for two adults and two kids with room for chairs and plenty of gear. It offers UPF 50+ sun protection and can stand up to high winds. It features interior pockets and three roll-up windows for extra ventilation and privacy. The lightweight cabana-style pop up beach shelter has quick, easy setup and takedown with a compression hub-system and integrated poles. It includes a carrying case, shoulder strap, sand pockets, stakes, and guylines. It comes in two different colors. It has exceptional online reviews, including hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $64.99 on Amazon

Texsport Calypso Quick Cabana Beach Sun Shelter Canopy

The sturdy, lightweight Texsport Calypso Quick Cabana Beach Sun Shelter Canopy has UPF 50+ UV protection. It is easy to set up and take down thanks to a three-pole pin and ring frame system with shock-corded fiberglass poles and four weighted sandbags. It features a durable ripstop polyurethane floor and three "no-see-um" mesh windows with interior zippered storm flaps for increased ventilation. It also includes stakes and a carry bag. The three-sided cabana allows you to sit completely inside for full-body protection or lie partially covered to protect just your face. It has exceptional reviews and is frequently recommended online.

Currently $33.99 on Amazon

Genji Sports Pop Up Family Beach Tent

The ultra lightweight, compact Genji Sports Pop Up Family Beach Tent and Beach Sunshelter comfortably fits two adults or one adult and several children. It automatically pops open in one second and then coils back down flat into a circle in three seconds for easy transport. The durable tent has a strong steel beam frame and UPF 50+ coating for sun protection. The special designed waterproof cover has a floor, zippered back and front panels, two ventilation windows with roll-up covers, and four ground stakes. There are also sandbags on both side panels. It has outstanding online reviews and is frequently recommended online. The Genji Sports Instant Push Up Beach Tent Sun Shelter is another highly recommended option.

Currently $40.52 on Amazon

And those are our recommendations for the best beach tents. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Low-Cost Travel Items That Can Save You Big On Your Next Trip

Amanda Gokee — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 10:31:12 +0000

Traveling can be great fun, but sometimes it requires a bit of creative thinking to figure out how to finance your next trip. Luckily there are some cost-effective purchases that can help you save money in the long run.

1. Tent

Camping can be a great alternative to staying in pricey hotels while you travel, but you will have to pay some one-time costs for a tent, sleeping bag, and a few other camping basics. You can purchase a light, quality tent for under $150 on Amazon. When you consider that is less than the cost of one hotel night in many places, you can see how quickly this investment will pay for itself.

Having a tent also gives you the freedom to sleep in some of the world's most remote and beautiful places. Laws about where you can camp vary by location. For example, it's legal to camp on beaches in Mexico's Baja California, and it won't cost you anything. In the U.S., if you want to pitch your tent at an established campground, you'll usually have to pay, but you may be able to do primitive camping in some areas for free. Check with the U.S. Forest Service or state authorities in the area where you plan to camp. I've camped in many places in the world, and I've never paid more than $30. (See also: Cool Camping Hacks)

2. Water filter

Bottled water can cost $1 or more. That's not expensive, but it can add up, especially if you're in a place where the tap water is not safe to drink.

You can buy an easy-to-use and affordable filter that enables you to drink water anywhere you go. Not only will you save money on bottled water, but you can reduce waste by cutting down your consumption of plastic. It is eco-friendly and budget-friendly.

There are a variety of water filters available. "Water straws" are lightweight and portable. This type of filter won't take up much space in your bag, and usually fits into a standard-sized water bottle. You can either bring your own empty bottle or purchase a cheap one at your destination to reuse.

On a wilderness canoe trip through the Boundary Waters, Minnesota, I found a water straw indispensable. There were no roads or drinking water in the area, and bringing water along wasn't practical because it's heavy and would have taken up a lot of space in the kayaks. The best option was to filter water from the pristine lakes.

Another option for treating water is to use iodine pills, which are cheap and easy to transport. However, the disadvantage of iodine is that you have to wait half an hour for the treatment to become effective, while with a water straw filter system, the water is ready to drink as soon as you've filtered it.

There are also water bottles that have built-in water filters, which can make filtering water even easier. The filters are only safe for a certain number of uses, but they are still economical compared to buying bottled water. (See also: 5 Travel Must-Haves)

3. Luggage scale

A digital luggage scale costs about $10 and can help you avoid paying costly overweight baggage charges at the airport. I've seen these charges run from $50 into the hundreds.

Plus, these scales are light and easy to transport so you can bring them along on your trip. That way, when you're ready to travel home, you won't have to stress about the weight of any souvenirs or other items you accumulated while you were away. (See also: How to Save on Travel Gear)

4. Good shoes

Investing in a quality pair of shoes before your trip is a sure way to save money. If you can walk comfortably, you can avoid paying for expensive taxi cabs to get around once you reach your destination.

Not only is walking a great way to save money, it will also help you stay active and better see the place you are visiting. When you're buying shoes, try to pick a pair that provides adequate support without being too heavy. You'll also want them in a design you genuinely like and a style that can go with most of your clothes. Buying shoes that are versatile means that you can pack a little lighter.

Lems makes comfortable and incredibly portable travel footwear that I use and love.

5. Travel credit card

If you're already planning your next trip, now is a good time to sign up for a travel credit card. A good card will charge you no foreign transaction fees. That's the fee that some cards charge you for any purchases you make in another currency. It's usually around 3 percent, which means if you charge $1,000 on your trip, you'd have to pay an additional $30 in foreign transaction fees.

By signing up for a travel credit card, you can also earn rewards for your next trip. Some credit cards offer bonus points when you sign up that are worth hundreds of dollars in travel. One sign-up bonus I got was so big that I have points left over after using it to purchase a round-trip flight from the United States to Mexico, and a domestic flight in Mexico. (See also: Don't Make These Credit Card Bonus Mistakes)

Many travel cards also come with money-saving perks such as free checked bags on flights, free rental car insurance, free trip cancellation insurance and other types of travel coverage.

The good news with a travel credit card is that you may not even have to "purchase" it at all. Many travel credit cards will waive their annual fee for the first year, as an additional incentive to get you to sign up.

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This article is from Amanda Gokee of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Tents

Jeffrey Pu — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 09:00:07 +0000

The tent is one of the most important pieces of camping gear you could have. A good tent will allow you to enjoy the wilderness in relative comfort while protecting you from harsh outdoor conditions. You'll need to consider a number of factors when purchasing a new tent including size, level of protection and ease-of-assembly. To make your decision easier, we have Wise Bread's list of the top five tents.

What Is a Tent?

A tent is a shelter that is made up of fabric draped over a frame. When it comes to buying a new tent, you'll want to know how many people you'll be sharing it with. Camping enthusiasts generally suggest that people buy a tent rated for two more people than you plan on sharing with in order to fit additional equipment. You'll also want to look into tents with good venting that can withstand water and wind and that can be relatively easily put together.

Best 5 Tents

Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent

The spacious Coleman 6-Person Instant tent includes Coleman's WeatherTec System. Its combination of features such as protected seams and a waterproof floor helps protect users from the elements. Reviewers recommend purchasing a separate rainfly however to truly stop water leakage. The most important feature of this tent is its ability to be set-up extremely quickly, which gets extremely high marks.

Currently $159.00 on Amazon

Mountainsmith Morrison 2-Person 3-Season Tent

The Mountainsmith Morrison 2-Person tent is well-reviewed by users. In particular, reviewers appreciated its size, claiming that people well over 6 feet tall could sleep comfortably. It is also remarkably easy to set-up, with color coding and included instructions. Finally, users are impressed at how well it protects against rain. People that have used this tent universally agree that its value is nearly unbeatable.

Currently $149.97 on Amazon

Kodiak Canvas 6-Person Flex-Bow Tent

The Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow tent is perfect for those that are looking for a tent that can withstand tough weather conditions. Camping enthusiasts consider this among the best in a series of tents that are colloquially referred to as "bomb-proof." The key to its nature-withstanding success is the tough canvas material that the tent is made up of. Unfortunately, this also makes the tent extremely heavy, weighing in at 70 lbs. However, Kodiak's Flex-Bow system also makes this tent easy enough for one person to assemble, something to which many reviewers can attest.

Currently $519.99 on Amazon

Coleman Red Canyon 8-Person Modified Dome Tent

If you're looking for a comfortable and spacious camping tent, then the Coleman Red Canyon 8-Person tent is the one for you. This dome tent by Coleman measures 17 by 10 feet and reaches 6 feet high in the center. It also comes with removable walls to form up to 3 rooms. Users report that while this isn't exactly a 4-season tent, it handles rain exceptionally well and is also relatively easy to set up.

Currently $124.99 on Amazon

North Face Mountain 25 Tent

The North Face Mountain 25 tent is highly regarded as one of the most durable, backpacking-friendly tents available. Considered "bomb-proof" by many reviewers, this North Face tent is a 4-season tent that can handle some of the harshest weather conditions in the world. It's been attested that this tent can withstand winds of over 60 miles per hour and torrential downpours. The biggest complaint is that it weighs in at 9 lbs., heavy for a backpacking tent. But most will gladly trade the extra weight for its durability.

Currently $504.97 on Amazon

And those are our recommendations for the best tents. As always, be sure to check out the Wise Bread Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Jeffrey Pu of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: