Best Ground Tents of 2017: Gimme Shelter
Check out the Latest Ground Tents
Kamp-Rite/Oversize Tent Cot
OVERVIEW: This tent cot keeps you of the ground with space to spare. It stands 11 inches above the ground, and brings additional comfort with an expanded sleeping area. Its domed top allows for more headroom and interior space, and its sturdy base includes two additional support legs, located at each end of the tent cot for extra stability. A special hinge design conversion into a lounge chair for daytime relaxation, or a standard-style cot for sleeping directly under the stars. 
CAPACITY: 1 person
NUMBER OF DOORS: 2
WEIGHT: 32 pounds
FLOOR AREA: 20 square feet
PEAK HEIGHT: 36 inches
MSRP: $220
MSR/Papa Hubba
OVERVIEW: If you’re looking for an ultra-light tent with extra interior space, take a look at the Papa Hubba. This tent maximizes headroom and elbow space, thanks to its unique pole configuration. Easy to set up and taken down, it features a unified, color-coded hub and-pole system; meanwhile, a compression sack packs the tent down to a small size. Two large doors help ensure water doesn’t drip into the tent when entering, and two large vestibules help store gear. The Fast & Light setup option lets you use just the rainfly, poles, and a footprint (sold separately), to further reduce weight. 
SEASONS: 3
CAPACITY: 4 people
NUMBER OF DOORS: 2
WEIGHT: 6 pounds, 8 ounces
FLOOR AREA: 53 square feet
PEAK HEIGHT: 44 inches
MSRP: $600
Kelty/Acadia 404
OVERVIEW: This Kelty tent manages to sleep four, and it is easy to pitch. Its three-pole design provides more head and shoulder room than previous models, and the continuous pole sleeve design makes pitching easy, while providing a strong tent. Two doors and two vestibules make entry and exit easy for multiple campers. Additional features include Kelty’s Stargazing Fly, night-light pockets, internal storage pockets and noiseless zipper pulls. 
SEASONS: 3
CAPACITY: 4 people
NUMBER OF DOORS: 2
WEIGHT: 12 pounds, 13 ounces
FLOOR AREA: 57 square feet
PEAK HEIGHT: 59 inches
MSRP: $190
Slumberjack Gear/Nightfall 3
OVERVIEW: With an external pitch pole structure, Slumberjack Gear’s Nightfall three-season mountain tent keeps the inner room dry, even when pitching it in the rain. Its near-vertical side walls provide plenty of interior space. Plus, a “fast-pitch” option allows campers needing lightweight shelter to leave the inner body behind for a super light and very compact option. Designed for backpackers and hunters, this is a good option for those looking for a lightweight tent.
SEASONS: 3
CAPACITY: 3 people
NUMBER OF DOORS: 1
WEIGHT: 6 pounds, 2 ounces
FLOOR AREA: 40 square feet
PEAK HEIGHT: 42 inches
MSRP: $170
Thermarest/ 06 Tranquility 6
OVERVIEW: New for 2017 is Thermarest’s freestanding six-person Tranquility 6. Built for convenience and livability, with integrated vestibules, it has an easy-to-manage rainfly and setup that is easy enough for one person to manage. This car-camping tent includes a backpack stuff sack, in case you need to bring it to your campsite. The vestibules integrate seamlessly into the body, and don’t require the rainfly. It also features integrated mud mats, pocket organization, and utility loops for hanging wet clothing outside, while keeping it out of the weather. 
CAPACITY: 6 people
NUMBER OF DOORS: 2
WEIGHT: 20 pounds
FLOOR AREA: 66 square feet
PEAK HEIGHT: 76 inches
MSRP: $600
Editor’s Note: A version of this article appeared on treadmagazine.com in October 2017.
