Planning an overnight trip into the alpine? A backpacking tent might work in calm summertime conditions, but for most adventures you're going to need a tent that can stand up to wind, rain, snow, and anything else the mountains throw at you.
In this guide, I'll highlight 8 of the best mountaineering tents that you can rely on to spend a night in the mountains in any conditions.
My Review Process
Picking the right mountaineering tent for a wide range of trips is tricky, since so much depends on weather, your group size, and how light and fast you want to move. So, in this review, I'll review a wide range of tents that run the gamut from burly backpacking tents to ultralight shelters to storm-proof 4-season tents.
All of these tents are durable, provide excellent value for your money, and minimize weight for what they offer. That said, when evaluating tents, think carefully about both the average conditions and the worst conditions you're likely to encounter in the mountains.
How Do You Choose the Best Mountaineering Tent?
Mountaineering tents come in a huge variety of different designs. Some are perfect for pleasant summer weather, while others are built to handle the harshest conditions you could imagine spending the night in.
So which tent is right for you? I'll dive into some of the key factors to consider when picking a tent for mountaineering.
Do You Need a Mountaineering Tent?
First of all, do you even need a specialized tent for mountaineering? Or can you just use your 3-season backpacking shelter for a night in the alpine?
A lot of the answer comes down to the conditions. A backpacking tent will be fine for many summertime trips, especially if there's sunshine in the forecast and only moderate wind. In fact, if the forecast is that good, I'm more likely to pack an ultralight backpacking tent than a heavy, bulky mountaineering tent.
However, a backpacking tent won't cut it as soon as the weather turns bad. If the winds pick up or you're hit with heavy snow, backpacking tent poles will bend or even break. Most backpacking tents are waterproof, but they'll start to leak water after a few hours in a downpour.
So, if you plan to be out in spring or fall, or if you typically climb in an area with unpredictable weather, a burly mountaineering tent is a much better bet than a lightweight backpacking tent.
3-season vs. 4-season Tents
Most mountaineering tents are rated as 4-season tents, which means that they're designed to handle winter camping and extreme weather conditions. 3-season tents are rated for spring, summer, and fall.
The main difference lies in how rugged they are. 4-season tents are typically built with PU-coated ripstop nylon material all the way around, whereas 3-season tents may incorporate lighter materials like mesh and sil-nylon. 4-season tents also use higher strength poles so that they can withstand higher winds and snowstorms.
If you're planning on heading into particularly harsh conditions - such as on any trip in the Himalaya, Alaska, or the Alps in winter - then a 4-season tent is an absolute must. In the Lower 48, you can get away with a much lighter 3-season tent in all but the worst weather, even in winter.
Single-wall vs. Double-wall Tents
Single-wall tents only have a body, with no fly layer. Double-wall tents have both the tent body and a fly that you wrap around it to provide a second wall.
The choice between single-wall and double-wall tents comes down to what conditions are usually like in your home mountain range.
Single-wall tents work best in cold and dry conditions. They're not always fully waterproof, and ventilation is never good, so they don't perform well if it's humid or raining. The advantage is that since you don't have to carry a fly, single-wall tents can be quite lightweight. They're also very quick to set up.
Double-wall tents are more suitable for a wide variety of conditions. The fly offers better protection against the elements, as well as a vestibule for gear storage and cooking. The tent body is typically made with a breathable material to offer ventilation. The downside is that double-wall tents are relatively heavy and can be difficult to set up.
Space, Storage, and Peak Height
Once you've settled on the type of tent you need, there are a number of design details to consider.
For example, how much space do you need? If you sometimes travel in a group of three, it's worth considering a three-person tent. That way, you'll have extra space when you only have a single partner, and you won't need to bring a second tent when you have three people.
It's also important to think about gear storage. You might be able to leave your pack outside on clear nights. But if it's raining, it's nice to be able to bring your mountaineering gear inside. Consider whether a tent offers enough space inside for essential items, or whether there's a vestibule area you can use as a storage space.
Another detail that's easy to overlook is the peak height of your tent. This is the height from the tent ceiling to the floor in the center of the tent. The greater the peak height, the more room you have to sit up inside your tent. This is especially worth checking if you're over six feet tall.
Ventilation
Ventilation is also important to consider, especially if you live in a humid region. Double-wall tents are more breathable than single-wall tents, but they're not always perfect at eliminating condensation. Look for features like adjustable vents that can help move moisture out of your tent overnight.
Ease of Setup
You should also take a look at the process of setting up a tent to find out how easy or difficult it is. If it seems difficult to do in your backyard, just think of how complicated it will be on the side of a mountain in a storm.
Look for tents that minimize the number of poles you need to assemble. Some tents use hubbed poles, which spider out from a single point so that you only have to deal with one large, multi-pronged pole. Features like color coding can also be helpful.
Some tents are even designed so that you can pitch the fly first, and then the tent body. This is a huge plus in bad weather, since it keeps the tent interior dry. However, it can make pitching the tent in good weather a bit more complicated than it needs to be.
Summary
Finding the best mountaineering tent is critical for spending a night in the alpine. In poor conditions, having the right tent can be the difference between sleeping soundly or spending the night cold, wet, and sleepless.
If you have to pick one tent for every trip, I recommend the MSR Access 2. It offers excellent storm protection and simple setup at a fraction of the weight of comparable 4-season tents. If you're on a tight budget, check out the REI Co-op Arete ASL 2 as an alternative option for year-round trips.
