If you’re in a hurry and want to find out what the best cabin tent is, we recommend the Core 12 person cabin tent.
The wilderness can be unforgiving. Storms blow in out of nowhere, temperatures can hit uncomfortable extremes, and other animals may want to take a nibble out of you. The gear used to keep you safe and alive doesn’t always feel the greatest either, especially if it involves holing up in a tiny tent with a mummy sleeping bag. So what do you do if you want to spend a few nights in nature, but don’t want to give up too many of the comforts from home? In this review, we’ll give you a few ideas by looking at some of the best cabin tents currently on the market.
In this article, we’ll be reviewing the following cabin tents:
- Core 12 Person Cabin Tent – Best Overall
- Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup – Best Instant Tent
- Pacific Pass Instant Cabin Tent – Lightest Cabin Tent
- Columbia Mammoth Cabin Tent – Best Bang for Your Buck
- ALPS Mountaineering Camp Creek Two Room Tent – Best Two Room Tent
- The North Face Wawona 6 Tent – Editor’s Choice
Cabin vs Dome
The two most common types of tents that you’ll encounter are cabin and dome tents. Dome tents look like they sound, in that they have a more rounded or “dome shaped” ceiling. This is the most common type of tent, especially among more serious campers and backpackers. The rounded top makes it easy for rain and snow to slide right off, so you won’t wake up with a lake above your head. They’re also fairly easy to put together, not to mention lightweight and portable, so they make an excellent choice for your average trekker.
Cabin tents, on the other hand, lack the rounded ceiling that dome tents are known for. Instead, they have vertical walls, and tend to be on the larger side. The perks of going with a cabin tent is the added space created by having vertical walls instead of the sloped walls you’ll find on a dome tent. This makes it a great option for a family outing, especially when you’re camping with kids, where you’ll need more room for a higher number of people. Not to mention, a number of cabin tents can be segmented off by putting up temporary walls on the inside, so you can create more privacy if you’re camping with a large group.
What Are They Used For?
Cabin tents are a great option if you’re looking to go with a glamping experience. Rarely will you have to hunch over to get in, and you only have to rub shoulders with your partner if you want to. The walls are straight and high for added space, and the ceiling is almost always a good couple of feet higher than you head, even if you’re a tall person.
Most people who go with a cabin tent usually bring an air mattress or cot to sleep on, removing the discomfort that comes from using the hard, rocky ground as your bed. A lot of these tents even come with dividers, so you can put up temporary walls to add a measure of privacy. Basically, what I’m trying to get at here, is that these tents offer the highest quality of luxury that you can put together by yourself outside. Looking to make a cozy home away from home? Get a cabin tent.
Size
Most cabin tents are going to be on the larger side, since it makes more sense for that specific tent shape. Typically, they’ll vary between 4 person and 8 person, though there are some 10 and 12 person cabin tents as well. Ultimately, it comes down to what your personal needs and preferences are. Whatever the case, cabin tents are too heavy to bring with on a backpacking trip, so you’ll be stuck in one place for most of your vacation. Since you don’t have to worry about transporting it, there’s no need to feel like you should be stingy when it comes to space. Some of you might prefer the snug feel, others might like having an 8 person tent just for them and their significant other. There’s no right or wrong answer, so go ahead with what you feel is best.
Ease of Setup
Because they’re on the larger side, cabin tent setup generally isn’t a one person job. Some are easier than others to put together and take down, but you should always plan on needing at least 2 people and a minimum of 20-30 minutes to put everything together. The tents are typically bulky and heavy, so hopefully you don’t mind putting in a little sweat and effort at the start of your vacation.
Cabin Tent Reviews
Core 12 Person Cabin Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Fiberglass
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 41 Pounds
- Peak Height: 86 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
Bright and spacious, Core’s 12 person cabin tent lets you fulfill all of your glamping desires. Made out of polyester, the tent material resists wear and tear better than many of its competitors so you’ll be able to enjoy your purchase for a long time. Tall enough where someone of any height can comfortably stand tall and still have plenty of headroom, this cabin tent can also fit 4 queen sized mattresses and still have a little room to spare.
It also comes with a “T” door in the front, and a “D” door in the back for easy access no matter which way you’re coming at it. If you’re hosting a large number of people and would like some privacy during the day or night, this tent comes with dividers that you can put up to segment the interior. This also works well if you’d like to separate a sleeping space and a living space, and have the effect that there are rooms inside your shelter.
But while all of these things are great, my favorite part of this tent is the panoramic views that you have access to on a clear night. The rainfly is removable, so as long as it isn’t raining, you can take it off and gaze through the mesh ceiling at the stars. It’s a fun experience, especially if you’re someone who likes the thought of having skylights in your house, like I do.
Pros:
– Polyester material for added durability
– Mesh ceiling for ventilation
– A door in the front and back
– Dividers to create rooms
– 1 year warranty
Cons:
– On rare occasions, a pole may break
Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Aluminum
- Tent Material: Fabric
- Weight: 42 Pounds
- Peak Height: 79 Inches
- Number of Doors: 1
Contrary to many cabin tents on the market, Coleman’s instant tent can be set up in just one minute! Because almost every aspect of this tent is integrated with everything else, all you have to do is unfold the material, extend a few things, and secure it in place. 60 seconds later, your shelter is ready, and you’ve got a lot more time on your hands to go out and explore. Because it is an instant tent, it’s a little smaller than many of the other tents listed in this review. However, even so, it does still sleep up to 6 people, so many of you can comfortably go on a family outing despite the smaller size.
The corners are welded and the seams are inverted to prevent water from coming in during extreme weather conditions. Even though the rainfly comes attached to the tent, ventilation isn’t an issue. You’ll be able to keep good airflow to prevent condensation buildup.
Pros:
– Instant setup
– Welded corners and inverted seams to block water
– Double thick fabric
– Handles strong winds well
Cons:
– Can be difficult to keep the material taut
Pacific Pass Instant Cabin Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Steel
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 11.6 Pounds
- Peak Height: 72 Inches
- Number of Doors: 1
Another small instant tent on the list, Pacific Pass’s cabin tent isn’t quite as easy to set up as Coleman’s, but still gets the job done without any issue. I mean, a 10 minute setup is still better than 30 minutes, right? Measuring in at 10 feet (or less) on all sides, it’s debatable on whether you can fit the marketed 6 people inside comfortably. If any of you are taller folks, it may turn into a tight squeeze if you try to fit that many shoulder to shoulder. But, that’s not to say that it wouldn’t work perfectly for 4 people and under.
There are 4 windows total, one on every side along with the door, so breathability is more than sufficient. It also comes with a large “D” shaped door, which makes it easy to slip in and out as you please. The poles are made out of steel, making it feel even heavier than its size would let on, but that also means that durability won’t be a problem. Even in the worst weather conditions, the poles won’t fracture or snap.
Pros:
– Instant setup
– Good ventilation
– “O” shaped door for easy entry
– Stands well against strong wind
Cons:
– Can be hard to lock some poles into place
– Zippers aren’t the greatest
Columbia Mammoth Cabin Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Fiberglass
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 38.5 Pounds
- Peak Height: 78 Inches
- Number of Doors: 1
Available in a 6, 8, and 10 person capacity, you can find the right Columbia Mammoth cabin tent to suit your needs. Regardless of what size you get, each tent will give you a spacious environment and features that will make you feel like royalty.
I’m sure there have been times when you’ve been camping in the rain, wishing you could open up your windows without letting water inside. Sometimes you just need that extra airflow, especially during the summer when it can get stuffy and humid inside. Well, thanks to this tent’s pop out windows, that won’t be a problem ever again. The windows have a sort of roof when you push them out, allowing the water to stay outside while you stay cool and dry on the inside. It also sports a tub floor, meaning the edges of the floor curve upwards to prevent water from seeping in from the ground as well.
While this is a great option for summer camping, I wouldn’t recommend using it during the winter months. With fiberglass poles and a lack of overall insulation, the cold temperatures would wreak havoc on your tent.
Pros:
– Large adjustable ground vents
– Pop out windows
– Comes with a room divider
– Tub floor
Cons:
– Tent materials may break within the first few uses
– Rainfly isn’t super effective
ALPS Mountaineering Camp Creek Two Room Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Fiberglass/Steel
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 32 Pounds
- Peak Height: 84 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
As a two-room cabin tent, ALPS Mountaineering’s cabin tent is large enough to accommodate up to 6 people comfortably. Personally, I think 4 people would be the ideal headcount (with mom and dad in one room, and the kids in the other, for example). Considering the size, I’d suggest enlisting the help of a friend to tackle the job of setting it up, but you can certainly do it by yourself as well, with some effort.
The tent has a peak height of 7 feet, and since it’s a cabin design, that means you’ll be able to walk freely through the entire structure. Perfect for changing clothes or performing other tasks in bad weather or bug infested locations, you could even turn this into a glamp site, using one room as the bedroom, and the other as a kitchen/living space.
With a bathtub style floor, and waterproof coating, this tent does a good job of keeping the rain out. There are also 6 large windows and 2 giant doors to help move the air through the space.
Pros:
– Hub design makes setup easy
– Tub floor
– Pretty affordable for the size
– 7 foot peak height
– Plenty of gear lofts and pockets
Cons:
– Fiberglass poles aren’t preferable in colder temperatures, due to splintering
The North Face Wawona 6 Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: DAC MX
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 20.9 Pounds
- Peak Height: 76 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
Cabin tents are great for the sheer amount of livable space you have on the inside. But you know what most of them lack? Yep, you guessed it – storage space on the outside.
In smaller tents, you typically rely on the rainfly to extend past the edge of the shelter, creating a vestibule. However, most cabin tents don’t come with a rainfly that large. You’re lucky if it covers the top of your tent, and maybe a little bit down the side.
All that being said, I’m a big fan of The North Face Wawona, simply because they managed to create a vestibule on such a large tent. For those of you like me, who don’t want to bring their muddy boots inside with them, this is going to be a game changer.
The peak height is 76 inches, which realistically means that you’ll be able to stand up inside as long as you’re 6’2″ or shorter. And on the ceiling, you’ll notice several mesh panels that are useful for improving ventilation or letting sunlight into the tent to illuminate the shelter. On clear nights, they’ll also allow you to get a good view of the stars. In rough weather, just cover them up with the rainfly and you’ll be good to go, even if it gets exceptionally stormy.
Pros:
– Easy to set up
– Skylights
– Well ventilated
– Good in bad weather
– Tall peak height
Cons:
– No footprint
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FAQ
How Many People Do You Need to Pitch a Cabin Tent?
In theory, I’d like to say that you won’t need any help pitching a cabin tent. But in reality, you’re probably going to struggle a lot if you don’t enlist the help of a friend or family member. Expect it to be a two-man job, anytime you want to put together a cabin tent.
Are Cabin Tents Good for Backpacking?
Absolutely not. At a minimum, cabin tents will hold at least 4 people, and any tent that size is automatically too big to carry on a backpacking trip.
How Many Doors Should a Cabin Tent Have?
Ideally, your cabin tent will have at least two doors. It just makes it easier for people to come and go, especially during the night, without disturbing anyone else. However, if you’re eyeing a tent with only one door, don’t feel like you should reconsider. The number of doors is pretty inconsequential, compared to other factors like size, waterproofing, and durability.
Conclusion
Extreme trekking isn’t for everyone. In fact, many people who want to spend a few nights in the great outdoors would rather do it in as much comfort as they can. It’s nice to have some extra room to walk around, and even put up an air mattress if you’d like to replicate your bed at home. Of course, it’s still ideal to be able to set it up without too much hassle, and making sure it still protects you from the elements is a must. There are some of many reasons why we’re fans of Core’s 12 person cabin tent.
It may not be as easy to put together as some of the instant tents on this list, but at the end of the day, we felt that was a small price to pay for all of the other features this tent has to offer. The tent material is highly resistant to wear and tear, so you can expect longevity out of it. It also comes with a door in the front and back, so accessibility won’t ever be an issue (and you won’t have to awkwardly step over anyone or their gear). With dividers for privacy, and a removable rainfly that lets you view the sky, this tent give you whatever level of openness you desire.
In need of a larger shelter, but don’t like the canvas material? Check out these 6 person tents!
