Bigger is Now Better: A Guide to the 6-Person Tent

@scottagoodwill

@scottagoodwill

Looking to upgrade that outdoor comfort level with a larger tent? Or, like us, did you purchase a Covid puppy and realize that sleeping space just got a bit tighter? Well, get in line. The 6-person tent seems to be the new trend for 2021 and they are selling fast! 

When it comes to buying a 6-person tent we’ve got a few recommendations. On our own search for more space, I noticed which companies were creating the ultimate luxury tent-house with the essential component of standing up to wild weather. 

First, what we looked for: 

  1. Headspace. Why buy that larger tent if you can’t stand up and rock a Warrior 1 pose? 

  2. Smart sizing. When camping in Colorado or any mountainous terrain, you sometimes have to maneuver around rocks, trees, or cacti. You want a bigger tent, but you also need to be able to pitch it. 

  3. Water, water, everywhere: The rainfly was the biggest determining factor for our selection. Most larger tents don’t have sufficient rain fly protection and we know that camping outside can mean high winds and storms. If there is ever a chance of sideways rain, we want to be warm, cozy, and most importantly, dry. 

  4. Flexibility. Buying a large tent can mean added accessories or functions. We wanted to find more than just a tent with our purchase and, possibly, an item that could be used outside of camping. 

  5. Ease of assemble: Sometimes tent assembly or disassembly feels like putting a square peg in a round hole. We want comfort, not frustration so we looked for tents that were easy to put up and take down AND, most importantly, pack up. 

What we didn’t consider important: 

  1. Weight. We aren’t backpacking this lug, so we are less concerned with weight. 

  2. Packing size. We imagine throwing this tent in the car and then driving to our campspot. Like weight, we aren’t concerned with packing it into a backpack to haul over a mountain. 

  3. Number of doors. While two access points is nice, with that much space we felt that one door was probably fine. 

Our Recommendations

  1. Big Agnes Bunk House

Our top pick. This tent just hit the market and is already low in stock. The creators seemed to read the mind of the luxury camper when building this beauty because they added everything to make you comfortable while still considering the fact that you’re outdoors. 

Features: 

  • high doors and head room 

  • full coverage rain fly, meaning it goes all the way to the ground

  • a large vestibule for storage or getting out of the sun

  • two doors

  • ability to use just the rain fly for sun shade

  • packs into an easy to carry backpack 

Things to think about: 

  • hard to get your hands on

  • a bit tricky on the set up

  • sleep setup is a bit awkward if you actually have 6 people 

  1. Nemo Wagontop 

NEMO, like usual, made a unique and fun-ctional tent. This is a company that likes to take chances but refuses to skimp on quality. 

Features: 

  • high doors and head room 

  • easy to assemble

  • large vestibule

  • lifetime warranty 

  • appealing color palette; it just looks good in photos 

  • star gazing abilities with the windows adjustable from the inside 

  • packs into a large duffle for easy carrying

Things to think about: 

  • hard to get your hands on

  • it’s single-walled, meaning the rainfly does not cover the back half of the tent and you’re relying on windows that close from the inside

  • pricey

  • only 1 door

  • the rain fly does not convert to a sunshade

  1. Marmot Halo 

This tent has seriously good reviews and is your no-nonsense option. It looks like a tent, acts like a tent, and dog-gonnit, seems to do what a tent is intended to do.

Features: 

  • full coverage rain fly, meaning the rain fly goes all the way to the ground

  • 2 doors 

  • spacious inside 

  • large vestibule

  • easy to assemble

  • available now

  • star gazing abilities without the rain fly 

Things to think about: 

  • 5-6 inches shorter than the other two options

  • the vestibule is less roomy, meant only for bags and gear

  • does not convert to a sunshade 

Overall, all 3 of these tents come from reliable brands and would help your comfort level on your next adventure. The differences really are in the details. If you’re looking for versatility, go with Big Agnes, unique style and easy star-gazing—Nemo, solid and traditional—Marmot. But, most importantly, get a tent that helps you get outdoors.


Brianne Wieronski