If you’re in a rush and want to find out what the best tent for a tall person is, we recommend the Nemo Aurora 6 person tent.
Camping tents come in all shapes and sizes. Big tents, small tents, dome tents, cabin tents, popup tents, instant tents…and so the list could go on. But you know what most of them have in common?
They’re incredibly short! Especially if you’re close to 6 feet tall, most camping tents can feel suffocating and uncomfortable. For backpacking, the lack of space is understandable (it cuts back on weight, after all). But if you’re looking for the best tent for a tall person, here are a few options that we think you’ll enjoy.
In this article, we’ll be reviewing the following tall tents:
- Eureka Northern Breeze 12 Screenhouse – Best Ventilated Tent
- Nemo Wagontop 6 Person Tent – Best Single Wall Tent
- The North Face Wawona 6 Person Tent – Best Bang for Your Buck
- REI Co-op Skyward 6 Person Tent – Editor’s Choice
- Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 Person Tent – Best Overall
- Eureka Copper Canyon LX 4 Person Tent – Best Tent with Electrical Port
- Coleman Cabin Tent – Best Cabin Tent
- Gazelle T3X Hub Tent – Best Instant Tent
Size
As a man who stands over 6 feet tall, I understand how amazing it feels to step into a tent that allows me to stand straight and tall. No hunching, crouching, slouching, or curling required, and more than enough space to stretch my arms and legs as well. It’s not a feeling that I get to experience very often, which is why I like to spend more time outside of my tent than inside of it. A backpacking tent, in particular, doesn’t allow for much room to move around and relax.
When we talk about the size of a camping tent, we’re thinking about the overall square footage of the structure. However, when it comes to tall tents, the peak height suddenly becomes a lot more important to consider. I’ve seen several shelters that have 200 square feet of internal space (if not more), but only come in at a meager 5 feet tall. There are few people who could stand comfortably with a ceiling at that height, and when you start looking at folks as tall as me, it’s a recipe for discomfort and frustration. In general, I find that cabin tents are the best at creating a tall peak height, but you will see a rare dome tent thrown into the mix from time to time as well.
Weight
Like any camping tent, weight is going to be something to keep in the back of your head. However, it’s fair to say that many of the best tall camping tents are going to be pretty heavy, considering how massive they tend to be. You certainly won’t find a backpacking tent among them, but it’s still a good idea to cut the pounds where you can. After all, you don’t always know if you’ll need to carry it 20 or 200 feet from your car.
If you’re in relatively good shape, I can’t think of any tents in this review that you would struggle carrying short distances. Still, it’s always nice if you can keep the weight at 15 pounds or less. It’ll let you save your arm strength for other important activities, like hauling wood so you can build a roaring camping!
Waterproofing
Tall camping tents can give you all the headspace in the world, but if they let water in as soon as it starts raining, you’ve got a problem. Never cut corners with your shelter, even if it seems to meet your main standards (in this case, being a tall tent that you can stand up in). After all, you’d never buy a house that leaked, would you?
Tents only serve two purposes: keeping the rain and the bugs away from you. If it can’t even keep you dry in bad weather, your tent is essentially useless, and you just wasted a lot of money. Of course, there are some work arounds to this, like giving your shelter a good coating of waterproof spray. But if the structure was never waterproof to begin with, no amount of spray is going to fix that problem.
Ease of Setup
The best tent for a tall person is going to be large, and large tents can be notoriously difficult to set up. They aren’t like a backpacking tent that can be pitched by one person in a matter of minutes. In many cases, there’s just no getting around this fact, so you’ll probably need to enlist the help of a friend (or two) to make the process go more smoothly.
However, there are also a few tall tents that come with an instant setup. These are a bit harder to find, and the quality can sometimes be questionable, but they are incredibly easy to put together. In many cases, you can do it in 90 seconds or less!
Ventilation
Air movement is an important feature no matter what your camping tent looks like, but it’s even more vital when you have a tall tent. With so much space inside, it would be easy for the air to get stagnant without proper ventilation. Not only would it get hot and stuffy, but condensation buildup would be pretty unbearable if you only had a door and a small vent to work with.
Two doors with a mesh covering might be enough to work with, but it’s always nice to have some extra windows and vents thrown into the mix. It’s really not the sort of thing you’ll want to skimp out on, so be extra picky when it comes to this particular feature.
Durability
A durable tent is exactly what you want to find, but how do you know what to look for? A good place to start is by checking out what the poles are made of, and what the denier of your tent fabric looks like.
The makings of a sturdy tent start with the framework – also known as the poles. Fiberglass, aluminum, and steel are going to be your primary options here, and each have their own pros and cons. Fiberglass is cheap and relatively sturdy, but has a tendency to splinter and break, especially in colder temperatures. Steel is by far the strongest, but it’s also very heavy, making it unusable in backpacking tents and other shelters that need to be carried long distances. Aluminum is the most versatile, creating a lightweight frame that’s more durable than fiberglass and won’t splinter in the winter.
Regarding the fabric of your tent, check out the denier before you make any decisions. Denier refers to the thickness of the thread used, with higher denier equating to more durable fabrics. If the number is higher than 100, you can feel pretty good about the longevity of the product.
Best Tents for a Tall Person – Reviewed
Eureka Northern Breeze 12 Screenhouse
- Best For: Car Camping/Glamping
- Pole Material: Aluminum
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 31 Pounds
- Peak Height: 110 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
- Comes with Footprint: No
It’s not every day that you get to see such an unconventional tent design, but I really love what Eureka did with the Northern Breeze. The shelter is aptly named, as you’ll have no trouble catching the breeze when you’re inside of it. Considering it’s a 12 person tent, I find the full mesh walls to be a thoughtful feature, both for airing out the space, and making it feel bigger and more open. And as you can see in the picture, there’s also a front awning that can be propped up. For large get togethers, it’s a handy space that gives you the option to host even more people.
It’s very exposed, though, so if you aren’t keen on sleeping with nothing but mesh between you and the outside world, there is a solution. On every side, there are “real” walls that you can unroll for privacy and protection against the elements. They’re very effective against both the wind and the rain, so you can feel confident about staying safe in bad weather. However, it still isn’t something I would recommend using for cold weather camping.
And as a tall tent, the Northern Breeze just can’t be beat. The peak height is a whopping 9 feet, and there’s a full 144 square feet of floor space as well. It’s a very open concept shelter, allowing you to walk in and out without needing to duck or hunch. And with mesh walls all the way around, how could you possibly beat those views?
Pros:
– Fairly lightweight, considering the size
– Highly ventilated
– Large awning
– Holds up well in bad weather
– Pretty easy to set up despite the size
Cons:
– Somewhat of a tight squeeze for 12 people
Nemo Wagontop 6 Person Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Aluminum
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 27 Pounds
- Peak Height: 80 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
- Comes with Footprint: No
Ever seen a tent the same shape as the Nemo Wagontop? Yeah, I didn’t think so. It might be a little hard to tell from the picture, but this particular shelter has a peak height coming in just shy of 7 feet. So, aside from exceptionally tall campers, I have a feeling that the Wagontop will meet your height requirements.
Part of the reason why this tent has such a high ceiling is because the walls are vertical. Cabin style tents like this are a handy way to open up the interior space, giving you more room to place your gear (or yourself), and an added boost to the peak height.
And don’t worry about throwing a rainfly on top of this tall tent, because…well…there isn’t one. It’s one of the few single layer tents that you’ll find, which means that the tent walls are made from solid polyester without any mesh. It’s nice for keeping things simple and lighter weight, but ventilation can be a concern with tents like these. But with massive panoramic windows, air flow doesn’t seem to be too big of a concern with the Wagontop.
Pros:
– Really tall peak height
– Vertical walls construction
– Single layer design is lightweight
– Self contained hub system
– Easy to set up by yourself
– Excellent ventilation
Cons:
– More likely to get dripped on by condensation due to single layer wall design
The North Face Wawona 6 Person Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: DAC MX
- Tent Material: Nylon
- Weight: 20 Pounds
- Peak Height: 80 Inches
- Number of Doors: 1
- Comes with Footprint: No
Bringing a lot of gear? The Wawona 6 person tent is the perfect option, between the large shelter and massive vestibule. Without a doubt, the vestibule is the defining feature of this particular product, though the 80 inch peak height is also noteworthy. And considering this is The North Face we’re talking about, you can expect to find the same quality that we’ve grown to love in their catalog of apparel. On the whole, the tent is waterproof, everything is pretty lightweight considering the size, and it’s surprisingly easy to set up.
Ventilation is decent, though I would be wary of the Wawona’s tendency to accumulate condensation. It’s a bit more noticeable than many of the other tents for tall people in this review, but still not at a point where I would be overly concerned. With the double wall design, most of that condensation is just going to fall on the mesh roof anyway, instead of landing on you.
Pros:
– High quality poles
– Massive vestibule
– Easy to put together
– 80 inch interior height
– Good ventilation
Cons:
– Not the greatest carry bag
– The tent stakes are subpar at best
REI Co-op Skyward 6 Person Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Aluminum
- Tent Material: Nylon
- Weight: 15.5 Pounds
- Peak Height: 78 Inches
- Number of Doors: 1
- Comes with Footprint: No
The lack of outdoor storage is one of my biggest gripes with larger tents. Just because there’s so much floor space doesn’t mean I want to bring my muddy boots and gear into the place where I’m going to sleep! I wish more tall tents would follow the REI Skyward design and include a vestibule for convenient, protected storage outside of the tent walls.
On the inside, you’ll find that the peak height is tall enough to comfortably accommodate campers who are about 6’3″ and shorter, which is a pretty good range. The ceiling has various mesh panels that improve ventilation, but you can also use them as little skylights to stargaze on clear nights. Just cover them up with the rainfly when the weather starts to get bad, and you’ll stay dry and protected through anything short of a hurricane.
Despite the large size, it’s a tent that could easily be set up by yourself in a reasonable amount of time. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a footprint, so you’ll probably want to buy one separately. It will really help extend the life of the tent, and protect you from any water that might try to seep through the floor.
Pros:
– Easy to set up
– Skylights
– Well ventilated
– Good in bad weather
– Tall peak height
Cons:
– No footprint
Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 Person Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Aluminum
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 19 Pounds
- Peak Height: 77 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
- Comes with Footprint: No
The Nemo Aurora is almost as visually stunning as its namesake – the Aurora Borealis. But even beyond its superior appearance, the Aurora performs better than most other tents for tall people of the same size. For starters, the steep walls provide more interior space, allowing you to shove your sleeping bags, cots, and gear up against the wall. And if that isn’t enough room for you, there are several large vestibules that create enough sheltered outdoor storage for your boots and other dirty gear.
On the inside, there’s something called a “nightlight pocket” that you can use to illuminate the space. Just stick your headlamp inside of it, and the pocket will diffuse the harsh beam into a more even glow, all while removing any harmful blue light. As you can probably tell, this is a product that was designed with kids in mind, making it perfect for family camping trips.
Setup is a breeze, unless you’re on the shorter side. If that’s the case, you’ll probably need a hand getting the rainfly on, since this is a rather tall tent. Ventilation is second to none, especially when you have the side windows open. You’ll feel comfortable no matter the season, and condensation won’t stand a chance, even with 6 people breathing in it all night!
Pros:
– Beautiful design
– Well ventilated
– Nightlight pocket
– Large vestibules
– Easy setup
– Weatherproof
Cons:
– No footprint
Eureka Copper Canyon LX 4 Person Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Steel/Fiberglass
- Tent Material: Polyester Tafetta
- Weight: 20 Pounds
- Peak Height: 84 Inches
- Number of Doors: 1
- Comes with Footprint: No
There are standards that every tent should meet, when it comes to certain features. Rain and bugs should have no way to get inside, and it should be able to handle any storm that comes its way (within reason, of course). Ideally, you’ll also be able to stay well insulated, though that’s less important in the summer months.
These are the things that you should never compromise on, but the Eureka Copper Canyon has a few other tricks up its sleeve. As a tall cabin tent, it was designed to be strong and comfortable, but not very portable. Even though some of the poles are made out of fiberglass, there is some steel thrown into the mix, so you can feel confident about the durability of the shelter. The steel does add to the weight, but I think it’s a fair tradeoff when you consider how sturdy the material is compared to the alternatives.
On top of that, there’s even an electrical port built in, so you can run power into the tent. Perfect for when you need to charge your phone, laptop, camera, or other equipment that you can’t do without.
Pros:
– Really solid structure
– Cabin style tent
– Lots of space, and enough room to easily put in an air mattress
– Built in powerport, so you can run an extension cord inside
– Easy to set up
Cons:
– Thin tent floor material
– The included stakes are basically useless
Coleman Cabin Camping Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Fiberglass
- Tent Material: N/A
- Weight: 23 Pounds
- Peak Height: 72 Inches
- Number of Doors: 1
- Comes with Footprint: No
I don’t have anything against Coleman, but I have to say, I wasn’t expecting the quality I found in this cabin tent. Normally, Coleman is known for offering affordable gear for the average car camper, which means…you get what you pay for. For this particular shelter, however, it seems they went above and beyond.
Unfortunately, very tall campers probably won’t be able to stand straight up inside the tent, given the 6 foot peak height. But even so, I would still categorize it as a tall tent, especially when compared with many of your other options out there. It’s a breeze to put together, and just as easy to take apart again, packing down to a shockingly small size. The color-coded poles help with setup, and the intuitive design allows two people to put it together in a matter of minutes.
The tent feels pretty roomy on the inside as well, with plenty of storage opportunities in the walls and the roof. If you take the rainfly off, so you can enjoy looking at the night sky through the giant mesh ceiling while you fall asleep. Just make sure to seal it up again if it starts to rain!
Pros:
– Easy setup
– Star view window
– Plenty of storage
– Good directions included
– Waterproof
– Footprint included
Cons:
– A bit on the short side
Gazelle T3X Hub Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Fiberglass
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 28 Pounds
- Peak Height: 68 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
- Comes with Footprint: No
Instant tents are gaining in popularity, and it’s not hard to see why. Many can be set up in about 90 seconds, including the Gazelle T3X, and can be collapsed again in just about the same amount of time. You truly won’t find a more convenient shelter out there, and with a 68 inch peak height, it’s not a short tent either.
With a unique hub design, all you have to do is roll the fabric out, pop up the roof and outer walls, and call it good. Well, and stake it down – a step that might take longer than pitching the tent itself! There is a tradeoff for such convenience, however, as the T3X doesn’t fold down very well. Even when it’s in the carry case, it still comes in at about 5 feet long, which can get bulky pretty fast. However, if you don’t mind working around the size and weight, it’s a tent that will take good care of you. The waterproofing is up to snuff, as is the overall durability and wind resistant qualities.
On the inside, you’ll find that it’s a spacious tent with plenty of gear storage, between the side pockets and ceiling loft. They’re pretty big, too, so I don’t think you’ll have any trouble fitting all of your belongings in them. The windows and doors are pretty massive as well, opening up to let the fresh breeze come in, giving you more than enough ventilation to stay comfortable.
Pros:
– Instant setup
– Plenty of internal storage options
– Durable
– Holds up well in bad weather
– Spacious
Cons:
– Heavy
– Doesn’t pack down very small
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FAQ
How Long Does it Take to Set Up a Tent?
The amount of time it takes to set up a tent will vary dramatically depending on what tent you have. Some instant tents, like the Gazelle T3X, can be put together in under 2 minutes. However, others can take upwards of half an hour, depending on how big it is and how familiar you are with the process.
What is the Best Tent for Camping in the Rain?
Out of all the tents we’ve listed in this review, we believe the Nemo Aurora Highrise tent does best in bad weather. With a waterproof rainfly and aerodynamic design, this shelter isn’t going anywhere in rough winds and heavy rain. Even the windows have rain protectors, so you can open them up during a shower to let some fresh air inside.
Do Tall People Feel Claustrophobic Inside a Tent?
Admittedly, most tents are on the small side of the spectrum. If you’re a tall person, it can be easy to feel cramped by the narrow width and short height, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say you’ll feel claustrophobic. That is, unless you’re already prone to those feelings.
Thankfully, most tall tents do a good job at accommodating people over 6 feet, like myself. If you can’t stand completely upright, chances are you can get most of the way there. And with the space to move around freely like that, you won’t feel claustrophobic in the slightest.
Final Thoughts
Many of us go camping as a way to relax and unwind. Getting closer to nature and father away from people is a great way to do this, but it can be hard to get comfortable if your tent is too small. Constantly bending over and feeling claustrophobic inside your own shelter is a recipe for coming home more tired than when you left.
Tall tents are the way to go, and the Nemo Aurora is the one that stole the show for us. Not only is it pretty to look at, the peak height allows most people to stand up inside comfortably. There’s also a lot of interior (and exterior) space, giving you plenty of options to store your camera and other gear. Not to mention the nightlight pocket for your headlamp, so you can keep the space well illuminated with a warm, homey glow.
