ashenWinter camping is an activity that most campers haven’t really attempted before. Based on the research though, once introduced, most of us who are used to regular camping transition into winter campers pretty quickly. However, to state the obvious, going in without the right gear and wear can lead to a dismal experience. Which is why in this post we will be introducing and reviewing some of the best hot tents that are highly popular within the winter camping community. These tents are also known as stove-compatible tents meaning that you can have a firewood stove inside unlike most tents.
OneTigris Northgaze-The Best Overall Hot Tent
This one simply has to be there right at the top because it is an all time winner so far. No matter what the competition spits out, OneTigris is still ruling as a best seller in the stove tent arena and the large fan base is solid proof of it. These are the specs:
- T/C fabric
- 80.7″L x 80.7″W x 142″H and 7.03 Kilograms
- A top opening for a burning stove and hot flue pipe a.k.a the chimney
- Reinforced stress points for an extra solid build with high wind resistance
- Comes with a complete setup kit of tent pegs, guy-lines and a tent pole.(One tent pole only)
- Teepee/pyramid shaped design
- Entrance fabric can be unzippered and set up as a porch roof
- MOLLE webbing along entrance fabric for hanging accessories
- 2-4 person tent
We are trying not to get too technical with the specs because at the end of the day, we just want it to fulfill our requirement. T/C fabric typically refers to a blend of polyester (Terylene) and cotton fibers. The “T” stands for polyester (often referred to as Terylene), and the “C” stands for cotton. This blend combines the properties of both fibers, such as the durability and wrinkle resistance of polyester with the softness and breathability of cotton. Specialty of this material is that it is waterproof and fire retardant at the same time.
The water resistance actually gets better with each time of use and exposure to moisture. With these properties, it is understandable why the tent is a bit towards the heavier side. Only one tent pole like in most teepee tents. The porch setup is a nice addition to relax yourself after a hike maybe. Here’s what the customers have to say.
The one thing that everyone goes on and on is about how they camped in heavy thunderstorms and rains and the tent was dry throughout. From the cold temperatures of Northern Pennsylvania to chilling Canadian winters and rain, this tent remained true to its specs on paper and never let a drop of water or cold get in. Despite having only one center pole, the tent is sturdy in very heavy winds. In fact, users claim that with the stove on, you are comfortably warm inside with just a T-shirt on amidst heavy snowfall. No issues for tall folks as one customer who is 6’2” stated that he did not have to crouch at all. In conclusion, the OneTigris Northgaze definitely qualifies as a bang for buck.
PRESELF 3 Person Lightweight Tipi Hot Tent- Best Budget
It was a bit of a tough choice deciding between this one and the Top Lander. In the end, the weight was the main factor we took into consideration as the Preself weighs almost half of the Top Lander. So here is our recommendation for the best hot tent for backpacking and hunting.
- PU2000 waterproof anti-tear 210T patterned polyester material
- 126″L x 126″W x 62.4″H and weighs 3.4 lbs
- Medium size, floorless without mesh
- Fire retardant stove jack
- Package contains : 1 x tipi tent , 1 x stove jack, 12 x pegs, 8 x ropes, 1 x storage bag,1 x accessories bag, 1 x pole
- Double entrance, wind resistive and comes in 3 sizes from M to XL
The real downside here is the absence of the floor which surprisingly hasn’t made any negative impact from a sales standpoint. Talking about the material, 210T indicates that there are 210 threads per square inch in the fabric. The higher the thread count, the denser and potentially more durable the fabric tends to be. We’ve talked about these before in our previous posts. In practical terms, a fabric with a PU2000mm coating would provide moderate to good waterproofing capabilities, suitable for use in light to moderate rain conditions. Pole and stake material is Aluminum and you got the guy lines. Setup isn’t hard and is said to take under 10 minutes. We’ll see how it performs outdoors.
No major complaints at all when it comes to proving the majority of the specs. It delivers as promised during heavy rain and strong winds. Everyone is particularly a fan of the lightweight and the ease of setup. No rain water seeped in according to the feedback and it held the temperatures warm and comfy. There were a couple of complaints about the spacing saying that it was not enough for 3 people with the stove and the gear. Nevertheless, the Preself has earned its place as a best budget tent.
OneTigris Rock Fortress Hot Tent-Best Hot Tent For Large Groups
Pretty clear who’s dominating this variety of tents huh? Exclusion of this one too would leave a hole in this post. The major difference between the Northgaze and this one seems to be the spacing, dual entrance, weight and the lack of porch roof.
- Made of 70D nylon with silicone-coating fabric, with 3000mm waterproof rating, equipped with aluminum alloy tent pole.
- 148.8″L x 148.8″W x 93.6″H with a weight of 9.2lbs (4.2kg)
- 4 Season Tent equipped with stove jack for tent stove, wind-proof snow skirt
- Comes with a complete setup kit 1 x tipi tent , tent pole, a stove jacket，24 tent pegs and 10 guy-lines.
Again, we aren’t going into detail about the tech specs. The weight factor seems to be a significant difference here given that the 4P tent weighs 7.2kg while the 6P weighs a little over half of that. Reason being the material used and also the denier value is relatively higher. A heavier duty event shelter type tent may be in the region of 150D as thicker material would be required to deal with greater stresses and longer exposure to the elements. The setup as usual is quite simple starting with staking the corners, attaching the pole and finally connecting the guy lines.
No complaints as far as the rainproof and the cozy indoor temperature claims go. Just like with most other tents, the only issue seems to be the spacing and the packaging. Users state that there were no leaks at all even after 4 days and 3 nights of near constant rain. Although they claim that you can accommodate up to 6 people, that simply hasn’t happened and is not practical to accomplish. With all the travel gear, hunting tools you may have and other accessories, you can fit in 4 with some effort for better organization.
It’s tall in the middle and has a big footprint so that the tall folk don’t have to bend over. The mesh construction provides excellent ventilation and breathability which of course is important when camping in humid conditions. As mentioned, the other downside aside from spacing is the accompanying stuff sack. Would have been a near complete offer if the stuff sack was slightly bigger. But the fact remains that the OneTigris Rock Fortress Hot Tent is still on top of the game.
Naturehike Massif Hot Tent
In our opinion, this tent seems to be a bit overlooked and under appreciated. Though it isn’t as popular as some of our everyday outdoor gear brands such as The North Face or Marmot, Naturehike has earned their reputation based on the large fan base and the fact that they have been in business since 2005. They manufacture all kinds of adventure travel gear from sleeping bags, canopies and tents to even cutlery. Therefore, it’s a no brainer that their Massif Hot Tent has proven to be a reliable winter camping tent. Check it out for yourselves.
- Tent Fly Material: 30D Lightweight Polyester with Silicone Coating; Inner Tent: 70D Nylon; Poles: 7001 Aluminum Alloy
- 141.7″L x 90.5″W x 57.1″H with a weight of 10.14lbs
- Double entrance with porch setup
- 2-4 P, 4 season tent
- Comes with the stove jack and interior pockets for small accessory storage
The waterproof strength is same as the previous OneTigris and higher than the Preself. Identical material for the tent and the poles. You also have the porch setup with this one. One significant improvement is the lower weight though. It’s almost one Kilo less than the OneTigris and it can make a world of difference when backpacking and hiking.
As the users state it is an unbeatable value for a 4 season hot tent! Perfect for the Canadian winters and holds up extremely well amidst strong winds. A customer who first used this tent above 6500ft in Mendocino NF mentioned that the inside was nice and chill although it was mostly raining throughout the night. Same goes for a user in Canada who set it up during real winter conditions. Temperature of -4, 8 inches of snowfall overnight and a bit of condensation is all he got. There are quite a bit of stake out points, but you can get away with a maximum of 4 points if there isn’t much wind.
There are like 6 windropes and 13 pegs so don’t have to worry about stability and it has been proven too. The two useable gear pockets and the lamp hook both in the inner tent as well as the primary vestibule is a resourceful addition. Good ventilation and definitely breathable. Some users also claim that this is the ultimate car camping 4 season tent offered at this value.
Conclusion
That’s pretty much it for the best hot tents for winter camping. All the tents we’ve recommended above cover every aspect that should be included in a hot tent. Stove compatibility, interior space for the occupants and the gear, multi-purpose (camping, hunting) and of course been waterproof. Easy setup and packing are also some other facts we took into consideration. Let us know what your choice is from the above.
Best Hot Tent Stove-Bonus Tip
We thought of including some of the best recommended hot tent stoves out there in the market and save you from the trouble of browsing all over the internet for them. There are quite a few different types here. Glamping Stoves, Portable Stoves and Ultralight Stoves are some popular models. Out of these, the most popular, practical, and affordable wood burning tent stoves are the portable ones. They’re typically made of lightweight materials like stainless steel or titanium to ensure easy transportability. Some features you need to take into consideration is Size and Weight, Heating Capacity, Ease of Use, Versatility, Fuel Type and Safety Features. Popular brands that offer portable tent stoves include Winnerwell, Gstove, and Seek Outside, among others.
Winnerwell Nomad Medium Tent Stove
- 304 Stainless Steel
- INCLUDES 1 stove body, 5 sections of 2.5-inch diameter chimney pipe, 1 spark arrestor, 1 ash scraper
- Nesting 4-leg design folds flat under the stove, chimney pipe sections stow inside stove body, side shelves function as carry handle
- 20 lbs, Dimensions:20″D x 15″W x 90″H
One of the most popular stoves and for good reason. Easy to assemble, easy to carry, users say that it kept the tent warm enough to be in just a thin sweatshirt (on a 6C night) and the burn times are about four hours average for a couple of 3 inch logs.
