If you’re in a hurry and would like to know which is the best 6 person tent, we recommend checking out TETON Sports Mesa All Season Canvas Tent.
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We noticed that many of the articles written on the best 6 person tents are absurdly long lists of tents that aren’t even available anymore.
Instead of wasting your time, we examined and tested all the best 6 person tent recommendations out there and made a shortlist of just the best of the best.
COLEMAN WeatherMaster 6 Person Tent with Screen Room
TETON Sports Mesa All Season Canvas Tent
COLEMAN Cabin 6 Person Instant Tent
COLEMAN 6 Person Dome Tent With Screen Room And Dark Technology
You may have noticed that Coleman dominated the selection, and that’s because a 6 person tent is not a particularly high-performance item.
With a tent so big, you really need it to do the basics, keeping you and your group warm and dry.
And thus, Coleman has created a variety of 6 person tents that do just that using quality materials at affordable prices.
You can continue to read a review on each one below.
But if you want to know how we determine which is the best 6 person tent so that you can learn to choose one for yourself, then jump to the information section using the table of contents.
Our Choices Of The Top 6 Person Tents
The Best 6 Person Backpacking Tent
CORE 6 Person Dome Tent
Going backpacking with a 6 person tent could be a real pain in the butt.
They’re big and bulky and typically weigh a ton.
Not good criteria when it comes to moving camp.
We would typically recommend you travel lighter with multiple smaller tents for a group of six people.
But if you’re hard set on backpacking with a single tent that will fit six, then we suggest you get the lightest one possible.
The CORE 6 Person Dome Tent weighs just under 13 lbs, which is about half the weight or less than some of the other 6 person tents available.
One person can carry the tent while the others divide up the rest of the gear, and you could make a comfortable hike to your next spot.
Once you get to your campsite, the tent is easy to set up. We’ve seen one person get it up single-handed in under ten minutes. If you got more hands to help, then all the better.
It’s a basic tent with two cross poles.
The rain fly connects easily with plastic hooks to the tent corners.
We would prefer that the hooks were metal, but seeing as our main objective is to lighten the load, we can accept the plastic.
The rain fly only comes down to about 40% or 50% of the tent, which allows for plenty of ventilation and lets some sand or rain get in if the wind is blowing hard enough.
This is not an all-season tent.
We don’t recommend you take this tent into extreme cold or turbulent weather conditions.
It is a 3-season, fair-weather tent that will keep you nice and cool in warmer months and dry in light to moderate rain conditions.
The tent’s bottom is of good quality and will keep your bum dry even without a ground tarp, which is one less thing you have to carry.
When it’s clear out, the big open mesh top provides great ventilation and will make for phenomenal star gazing.
If you expect a storm, you can put the rainfly on. It will be warm, so you will want to take advantage of the vent.
Just make sure to open the vent before you get in the tent because there’s no way to open it from the inside.
The tent’s zippers are not the highest quality, but again when looking at the pros and the cons, we’re willing to accept lower quality zippers for lighter-weight material.
One thing we will not sacrifice, however, is quality tent stakes, which this tent lacks.
We recommend you buy some heavy duty quality tent stakes to not waste any time with the standard stakes that come with this tent.
For such large tent designs for more than two people, we would have liked the tent to have doors on two sides of the tent.
It is roomy and exceptionally tall. A person under 5’10” can stand relatively comfortably. Although fitting six people in this tent will be a tight fit.
Perhaps four adults and some gear, or maybe a couple of kids would fit all right.
But if you tried, you could get six adults to lie down. You may need another tent to store the gear if the weather turns sour.
When it’s time to tear down the tent, it will go back in the bag if you take your time.
Overall it’s a decent 6 person tent for backpacking, and you don’t have to pay a hefty price for a bigger brand name for the same features.
PROs
- Lightweight
- Easy to set up
- Easy to repack
- Great ventilation
- Strong leak-proof bottom
- Rainfly included
- Wide-open mesh top for stargazing
- Tall profile
CONs
- Rainfly does not come to the floor
- Single access point
- Weak tent stakes
- Low-grade zippers
- May be too tight for six grown adults
The Best 6 Person Tent Car Camping
Coleman WeatherMaster 6 Person Tent with Screen Room
Car camping has taken on different meanings over the years. Some now call living out of your car “car camping.”
In this case, you don’t need a tent, as you sleep in the tail of your truck, SUV, or van.
But for those of your old school car campers like us, car camping simply means you drive to your campsite and set up camp nearby.
You’re not hiking to a campsite, which would call for a lightweight and compact tent.
No, in this case, when you can pack and carry everything in your car, the tent’s size and weight are less of a factor, and we’re more interested in the comfort and convenience aspects.
This brings us to the Coleman Weathermaster 6 person tent.
Despite its clever name, this is not a tent for extreme weather conditions. You will not want to get caught in snow or wet weather.
Yes, it does come with a rainfly, and if you take extra precaution to put down a ground tarp and seal the seams and spray it down with some Kiwi Water repellent, it will do a fine job at keeping you dry.
But there are better options for those types of conditions.
What this tent is great for, though, is your fair-weather car camping with a large group.
It’s a large tent. When packed it’s about 41″ x10″ x10″, and it opens to 17’x 9′ with a 6’10” center height.
I’m just over six feet tall and can stand upright near the interior wall. This is great for longer trips and not having to get dressed on the floor.
We were also able to get in two queen size air mattresses with plenty of room to spare. You can sleep six on the ground with more space in the vestibule/porch area to store your gear.
It weighs 32 lbs, so again, this is not something you will want to take backpacking.
Getting it unpacked is straightforward.
We even got it up in under 30 minutes on the first try without looking at the instructions. The instructions can be a little confusing in any case.
You can also set it up single-handed if necessary, though it may take a little longer.
We found that it goes up much easier if you stake down the corners before erecting the tent.
We recommend swapping out the cheap stakes that come with the tent for some more robust stakes that will stay in the ground.
While Coleman did cheap out on the stakes, they did not do so with the bag, tent floor, tent seams, and tent zippers.
The bag is durable and will hold up under heavy use with such a bulky tent.
It’s also surprisingly easy to get the tent back into the bag on tear down.
Coleman says they sealed the seams, but you can take an extra precaution and seal them again.
The floor is a “bathtub” style in which the seams between the flooring and the walls sit three to four inches above the ground. This feature prevents any water puddling around the tent from leaking inside.
The flooring is a stronger, thicker material than that of the walls for extra protection and prevents water from seeping in from the bottom.
But we recommend putting down a ground tarp in any case for added security.
There are nice big windows that allow for great ventilation.
But the rainfly does not come all the way down over the doors and windows. Thus you may get some spray if there is a strong wind in the storm.
But you can also bring a second tarp if you get caught in an unexpected shower.
If the tent does leak, get in touch with Coleman and let them know. They should send you a new one.
The zippers are great and don’t snag when you pull on them.
There is also a hinged door with velcro that makes getting in and out during the day much easier.
You don’t have to worry about someone forgetting to zip the tent shut again on the way out and getting some unwanted critters in the tent.
The poles are thick and are easy to set up.
There is a power port hole for you to slip through a power cord from your generator.
If you’re sharing the tent with another couple or the kids and want some privacy, the room divider is a nice feature that will give you that extra comfort. When you don’t want it, you can easily unzip and tuck it out of the way.
There are light tabs throughout the tent from which you can hang your lanterns or glamping lights.
Going back to the vestibule area, we like that you can zip it shut across the bottom, so you don’t have to worry about anything getting inside like typical vestibules.
You can also use this as a porch to sit in the shade and protect yourself from the bugs when it’s time to wind down.
PROs
- Easy to set up
- Lots of room
- Hinged door with velcro and zipper for easy entry/exit
- Bathtub style floor
- Extra thick floor material
- Big windows for ventilation
- Comes with a rainfly
- Thick, sturdy poles
- Covered and netted tent vestibule
- Room divider
- Coleman 1-year limited warranty
CONs
- Heavy
- Can leak under heavy wet weather conditions
- Will not keep warm in cold temperatures
The Best 6 Person 4 Season Tent
TETON Sports Mesa All Season Canvas Tent
So whereas we wouldn’t recommend taking the Coleman “Weathermaster” into any extreme weather, we would not feel the same way with the Teton Sports Mesa Canvas Tent.
Teton makes this tent with a heavy-duty, thick canvas that will hold up in both wind and rain.
But like all canvas tents, you must season it before taking it out for use in the field.
It’s very tall, which we found impressive, as it was still able to stand in 30mph winds.
Most of our group is around 6′ tall, and we never felt we had to hunch over and could stand comfortably in the tent.
One thing that impressed us with this brand is its first brand with an honest “person” rating system.
It’s common knowledge that a 6 person tent will comfortably fit only four people, but most brands will show you diagrams on how you can fit in six people like a jigsaw puzzle.
But Teton comes right out and says our “6 person” tent can fit six people but actually will fit four people comfortably, while our 8 person tent fits eight people but would be comfortable for six.
We like that honesty, and it helps us make a better buying decision.
The tent package all together weighs just under 70lbs, so you may need a hand getting it to the campsite.
But it is straightforward to set up and can be done by one person in under five minutes.
It comes with some serious tent stakes. You won’t need to buy new ones to replace the dinky things that come with most tents.
However, don’t misuse them either. If you pound them into rock with a sledgehammer, they will bend.
The zippers and seams are also good quality and won’t snag or leak on you in rough conditions.
You also won’t be disappointed with how well this thing retains heat in the winter and breathes in the summer.
It’s also good to note that it has a port which you can run a power cord without having to feed it through the door or cut a hole in the canvas.
Now, this is a very good tent, but it ain’t cheap. Thankfully, from what we’ve seen, they have a quality customer service line and will be able to help you if you come across any issues.
PROs
- Heavy-duty canvas will retain heat in the winter and breathe in the summer
- Heavy-duty tent stakes
- Quality zippers and seams that don’t leak
- Easy to setup and teardown
- Tall
- Power port for running a cord to your generator
- Good customer service
CONs
- Heavy
- Pricey
The Best 6 Person Tent Easy Setup
Coleman Cabin 6 Person Instant Tent
Whereas the last tent we recommended is a serious tent for all-season camping, the Coleman Cabin tent would be considered a fair-weather tent.
Its poles are not as sturdy.
It won’t stay standing in a strong storm.
Or keep you dry in sideways rain.
But it will set up in around 60 seconds single-handed.
We were also able to get back into its carry bag in less than five minutes.
Where Coleman Cabin tent lacks in performance, it makes up in convenience, making it an ideal tent for a comfortable solo car camping weekend trip.
It’s also roomy enough to set up the air mattress and the playpen for the kids.
And tall enough for someone of around 6′ to stand up straight.
It’s not the lightest tent, weighing around 40lbs to 50lbs packed. So, we wouldn’t dare take it backpacking.
But it’s to be expected with an instant tent with the pole mounting mechanism installed for easier setup.
We also like the tent has windows on all sides to enjoy a 360-degree view.
However, we were disappointed that it only had one access point on a tent made for so many people.
On top of that, the door is off-center, making getting in and out a little awkward.
You’re going to see a lot of back and forth about this tent’s ability to keep you dry in the rain.
Some say it’s great; some say it’s horrible. But as we’ve seen five of the same tents in the same storm, only one leaked.
So what it seems like is there’s a 20% chance you may get a defective tent.
In which case, test your tent when you get it home.
We are preppers, after all, aren’t we? We don’t use our gear without testing it first.
If it’s not entirely waterproof or doesn’t stand up to your expectations, then send it back.
It should keep you dry in a flash downpour if you get the rainfly attachment. Coleman now sells them separately. We suppose they think you are not going to use this tent in bad weather.
Again, we don’t recommend this tent for extreme weather. But if you’re camping in a place that has unpredictable showers, you’re going to want to have something to put over your tent.
If you know you’re going to be in harsher conditions, invest in the strong all-season tent.
There is only one point of ventilation in the top of the tent, which is okay in the heat, but it will get hot with the windows up.
In the cold, you can close the vent to retain the heat.
We would also have preferred to have an “e-port” to feed a power cable in from our generator, but we can always slice a hole through the bottom of the tent and stitch it up if it’s a problem.
However, you will void Coleman’s 1-year limited warranty.
PROs
- Easy and fast to set up
- Easy and quick to tear down and pack
- Tall
- Windows on all sides
- Spacious
- Coleman 1-year limited warranty
CONs
- Rainfly sold separately
- Weak tent stakes
- Heavy
The Best 6 Person Tent For The Money
Coleman 6 Person Dome Tent With Screen Room And Dark Technology
Investing in all the equipment you need to go camping or just have in an emergency can quickly add up.
So we understand if you’re looking for the best 6 person tent on a budget.
The good news is you don’t need to spend a lot to get a decent tent.
For the most part, they’re all made out of the same material.
But the strength and weight of the material will vary depending on the performance you’re willing to pay for.
We know that looking to save money will require a compromise between quality and price.
But we don’t intend to recommend the cheapest thing on the market and tell you that it will keep you dry, warm, and protected from the elements.
Thus, you shouldn’t be surprised that we are recommending the Coleman 6 Person Dome Tent with Screen Room.
It is not the cheapest tent on the market, but it is one of the best to get for the money.
This tent comes with Coleman’s new “darkroom technology” that keeps the tent cooler in warm weather, as well as reducing the brightness in the tent for any of you late risers out there who would like to sleep in.
Just be aware that the tent is not a complete “blackout” tent. You will get light in from the sides of that tent with a thinner material. However, it is darker inside than most tents.
The rainfly also does well to keep you dry in light rains. But there does seem to be a lack of thought put into the screen room, or vestibule, whichever you prefer to call it.
The screen room is angled, and thus the rain fly does not completely protect it from wet weather.
Unfortunately, we wouldn’t want to leave our gear here in fear of it getting soaked.
But if there is no rain in the forecast, then it does give you ample extra space to leave your stuff and keep the inside of the tent clean.
The tent poles come pre-attached, which helps save time getting it set up and torn down. We also like that we don’t have to worry about ripping the tent when trying to slip the poles through the sleeves.
It’s also reasonably easy to set up single-handed in around 15 minutes.
It is a relatively lightweight tent despite its size. It weighs just 22lbs with a center height of 5′ 8″, which may be too short for most, but it is plenty tall for a dome profile tent.
We also don’t like that Coleman is continuing to use this single entry design for larger tents. Not only do they only give you one door, but it only opens half way.
You lose a little ventilation, which isn’t a big deal in the winter. But it is awkward trying to get in and out, especially with multiple people trying to use the tent simultaneously.
Of course, Coleman also continues to provide you with the dinky standard tent stakes, so you will have to invest in more heavy-duty ones to ensure it will stay standing in a light breeze.
You will also need to get a ground tarp to keep any puddles from seeping in through the bottom.
The tent is said to have sealed seams, but you may want to give it another treatment to make sure it will hold up.
And, of course, test your tent before taking it into the field.
Coleman provides a 1-year limited warranty. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, be sure to send it back and get on that does.
PROs
- Affordable price
- Spacious
- Tall center point
- Easy to set up and tear down
- Low profile dome construction
- Large screen room / vestibule
- “E-port” / hole for a power cord to generator
- Dark technology keeps inside cooler in the sun and darker inside than most tents
- Relatively lightweight
- 1-year limited warranty
CONs
- Screen room/vestibule not well protected by rainfly
- Only one door with an awkward design
Why A 6 Person Tent May Be Right For You
A tent is more than just a piece of tarp over a pole and tied to a tree.
It’s your shelter. Shelter is a top priority in any survival situation.
Yes, if you crash land someplace in the middle of nowhere, you can gather some sticks into a round lodge, but we’re talking about surviving in a prepared situation.
You know you’re leaving your home and going out into the wilderness for recreation or bugging out, and you have the opportunity to bring something with you to protect you from the elements.
If you live in a place prone to natural disasters, you may want to have some tents on hand in the event you have to abandon your structure for an extended period.
Now what kind of tent you will choose is going to take some forethought.
What situation are you preparing for?
How many people will you need to house?
How much stuff are you carrying?
Sometimes the answer to these questions seems obvious until you get out there and realize how ill-prepared you are.
If you’re a lone wolf, then you may be fine going a few days with a bivvy tent.
Or you say, “I’m too old for this sh*t.” and get yourself a 6 person tent for yourself and use it for an extended period to live comfortably.
You may have a young family and want everyone in the same tent.
Or you may be backpacking in a group and need a larger tent for communal use or base camp.
Whatever the situation may be, having enough space for yourself and your team will make living conditions more bearable for extended periods.
You will want to look at many factors when choosing a tent, which we will go over next.
The first factor is knowing how much space you want.
If you want to sleep four people in the tent, you may want to size up to a 6 person tent to give yourself some room to move.
If you want a 6 person tent to sleep six people, then pay attention to the square footage and the occupants’ actual size to get a better understanding if the tent will be a good fit for your situation.
What To Look For In The Best 6 Person Tent
When you think of a 6 person tent, you may not believe that there is much to consider when choosing one other than size and maybe the design.
You should keep in mind many factors when deciding which tent is the right 6 person tent for you.
First, we like to look at the material. There are three primary materials used to make most of today’s commercial tents–polyester, nylon, and canvas.
You don’t need to pay a premium for a tent that’s good enough for a weekend car camping trip. Most tent material will be good enough to last a few days in some light rain and wind.
However, when you’re looking at performance, investing in a higher rated tent may be worth the money.
If you know you’re going into severe winds, extreme colds, and heavy rain, or even snow, then having a tent that’s strong enough for the job can be the difference between life and death.
In this case, a canvas tent would be best for more extended periods.
You should also keep in mind the weight of the tent when packed.
If you’re backpacking and moving camp often, then you will want a lighter tent. Thus you may have to sacrifice a little durability in exchange for lightweight material.
How thick the material is will also determine how much insulation it gives you.
You may want to consider getting a smaller tent if you expect a colder temperature as a smaller tent is a cozier tent.
The number of poles the tent comes with will also add weight, but it will also be sturdier. You will need to decide which is the better trade-off.
The tent stakes are also essential to examine. Most standard tents come with dinky tent stakes that can easily bend or get ripped out of the ground.
Again, if you depend on your tent to hold up under severe conditions, you will need beefier tent stakes to keep your tent standing.
We’ve mentioned it a few times, but we’ll repeat it. Be sure to check the tent’s internal dimensions and verify the amount of floor space you need knowing how many bodies you will need to lay out on the floor.
Just because the label says it’s a 6 person tent doesn’t mean you will be able to fit six full-grown people in it comfortably.
In line with the floor space, you will want to consider how much headspace you will need. The tent’s height is very important to factor when considering how long you will be living in a tent and in what conditions.
For example, if you’re going on an extended elk hunting trip or ice fishing off the shoreline for ten days, you’re not going to want to be doubled over in your tent all day or living off the floor.
However, if you’re backpacking through canyons or mountain tops with high wind ratios, having a tall tent will be a burden. In that case, you will want a tent with a lower profile.
How low of a profile the tent has will be essential to know as well. Some very flat tents are just for sleeping in, where others have a slightly higher profile with pre-bent poles so that the tent walls don’t smother your face while sitting in the tent.
Some tent manufacturers are now delivering tents without rainflies to save on both cost and weight.
But in most cases, we find it’s best to have a rainfly on hand. Even if it’s not raining, the extra layer between you and the sun is nice to have.
You can also use a rainfly as a sunshade to protect your gear from getting toasted in the sun.
It seems a lot of brands are also sending tents without ground tarps. If you don’t get one with the tent, you should get a tarp to put beneath the tent to keep the rain from puddling under the tent or keep the dew from seeping in during the night and soaking your bags and your gear.
You will also want to ensure the tent bottom material is thick and durable.
It will help keep it from tearing on any rocks or debris you miss. It will also provide an extra layer of protection between the ground tarp and your bum.
As many people go camping with generators now, you can also look for a tent with a power port hole. This is just a little cut out with a flap that allows you to run a power cord into the tent without having to open the doors or windows.
You will also want to see that there are ample hanging hooks for lights and storage nets for any loose items you don’t want to sit on or roll over during the night.
It’s also convenient to have a place you can store things for quick access and not have to go digging in your rucksack.
Ventilation is key to keep from boiling like an egg inside your tent, especially when you cram six people into a sack.
You will want sufficient windows and vents to let out the heat, yes, even in cold temperatures. This detail will make it livable and prevent condensation from forming on the tent.
We enjoy having a tent vestibule on each door of the tent.
A vestibule helps getting in and out of the tent much more comfortable and allows you to get your boots off without getting wet.
It will also keep your gear dry if there isn’t enough room to store your stuff in the tent during a storm.
Some tent vestibules can be raised and used as tent awnings that will allow you a little shade or protection from the rain as well.
Some larger tents now come with a screen room that acts like a porch or high-end vestibule.
The concept is the same. It allows you a little more comfort while preparing before exposing yourself to the elements and enabling you to move around without stepping on your fellow campers.
If you’re going to be camping in the cold, some tents come with clear tarp doors/windows so that you can check on your fishing poles or other gear without having to open the tent door and let the heat out.
There are also room dividers in addition to doors and screen rooms if you’re a larger group but want a little privacy.
Now we know that’s a lot to digest, and it really may not all be worth the time to consider if your a weekend warrior just looking for a regular old tent that you can pitch for the kids in the backyard or take with you for a quick car camping trip.
But if you’re looking to prepare for more extreme conditions, then investing a little more time in examining all of the factors we listed above may be worth your time.
How Do You Set Up A 6 Person Tent
Unpack all the materials you have in the tent bag and lay them out clearly on the ground, with like pieces grouped.
Take the flat piece of thick plastic called the ground tarp, and stretch it out.
The ground tarp goes underneath the tent to keep the tent’s bottom dry from the rain, dew in the morning.
Lay out the ground cloth in a flat and clear area.
Make sure to clean out any rocks or hard debris that will be uncomfortable to sit on or that could tear the bottom of your tent.
Lay out the tent over the ground tarp.
Position the door of the tent in the direction you want for the easiest entry and best view.
Connect your tent poles.
There should be longer poles and a shorter pole.
Every tent is slightly different and will have its nuances.
But the shorter pole should be for the rain fly that goes over the tent at the end.
Lay out the longer poles in an X-shape over the tent if your tent has exterior bindings, or feed them through the tent sleeves if applicable.
Avoid stepping on your tent to prevent unwanted dirt and tears.
Now, if you need a 6 person tent, then it’s because you have more campers in your group.
Enlist another set of hands to help you bend the poles up to raise the tent into position.
Go slowly and ensure the tent doesn’t get snagged on anything.
Adjust the tent on the poles as you raise it to ensure the tent is even on all sides.
Hook the tent corners to the ends of the tent poles.
Stretch out the tent and then stake it down to maximize the interior floor space.
Place the rainfly, which is another tarp shaped more like a tent, over the standing tent.
Feed the final short pole through the fly to your partner on the other end.
Then tie down the rain fly to the corners of the tent and tent stakes.
Stake down the tent’s sides where applicable to keep the tent taught and the rainfly extended.
This precaution will protect the tent from rain and allow ample airflow under the rainfly and into the tent vent.
Take the paracord if included with your gear, and then look for a tree or pole nearby to attach them too for extra support in windy conditions.
Keep any remaining stakes or guylines in the tent bag and store them inside the tent for easy access.
More Questions About 6 Person Tents
What’s The Difference Between A Three-Season And An All-Season Tent?
Sometimes questions have obvious answers, and we just don’t realize it.
Manufactures recommend A three-season tent only for three out of four seasons.
The three-season in which the manufacturer refers to are the fair-weather seasons, i.e., spring through autumn.
An all-season tent means the tent is rated to last through the fair-weather seasons and the winter.
All-season tents are typically heavier, as manufacturers design them to stand up under more severe conditions like rain, wind, and snow. Thus, you may not want to carry all of that extra weight if you know you will never be camping in those conditions.
Or you may not want to carry all the weight for a summer trip and so choose to have both fair weather tents for lighter trips and your all-season tent for those winter trips.
What Is A Tent Vestibule?
A tent vestibule is a fancy term people use for the tent’s area that’s covered by the rain fly outside of the tent door.
Here you can store extra gear and your boots, so you don’t have to bring them inside and muck up your tent.
The rain fly cover will keep it dry and protected from the elements.
Some tents will have built-in awnings that you can draw down and stake out to create vestibules when not in use.
There are also tents with double vestibules if you have more than one door.
What Is A Rain Fly?
A rain fly is a tarp that goes over the tent to keep the rain from getting into your vents, windows, and doors.
Typically a rainfly will go over the tent and come about half way over the windows and the door.
These top covers do not protect as well as the larger rainflies that reach down over the windows and doors.
You will need to decide how large a rainfly you will need based on the conditions you expect while camping.
Just like deciding if you need a three-season tent or an all-season tent, you should have the right gear for the job.
Some tents come with a rain fly, others you will need to purchase separately.
If you think some tent designers are a bunch of knuckleheads, then you may consider making your rainfly with some good quality tarp.
Why Do I Need A Ground Tarp?
A ground tarp or cloth is a piece of material that goes beneath the tent floor to keep water from seeping up through the tent floor in wet conditions.
The last thing you want to do is wake up the next morning soaked and cold.
Some tents will come with a ground tarp. If it doesn’t, then you will need to make your own.
It should be slightly smaller than the tent’s footprint to prevent water from puddling between the ground tarp and the tent bottom.
You can use any thick tarp that you trust will keep you dry.
This extra layer of protection will also protect you from tearing your tent on any rocks or debris that you miss when setting up.
Where Can I Find The Best 6 Person Tent?
You can get a 6 person tent in most sporting goods stores, but it will be hard to beat the ease and convenience of shopping online.
With online stores, you can compare multiple products from different providers and even compare prices without having to worry about if you’re getting the best deal.
You can use any of our links to take you to our preferred vendor.
Other Considerations
Tent sizes are a little subjective at best. Just because a tent says, it can hold six people doesn’t mean they will fit comfortably.
Typically if you have four people, you will size up to a 6 person tent to have room to move.
Otherwise, you’re packed like hot dogs.
But if you’re hiking or backpacking and need to be as light as possible, then a snug fit may be okay for you.
You may be a young gun and think sleeping pads are for older adults, but let me tell you that sleeping on the ground gets old real quick.
Getting a good night’s sleep after a long day is crucial to recharge the batteries and be ready for the next long day.
You may be concerned about the weight, but they don’t weigh anything, but they do take up some room. Thus, we were glad to find these inflatable pads that are much more convenient to pack.
We’re not saying you have to get an air mattress, but you may want one of those too if you’re car camping and not going to be moving your camp.
In that case, you may even want to invest in some cots. Cots are great for extended trips.
They do weigh more, but they will get you up off the ground for a better night’s sleep if you’re going to be out there for more than a week.
In the summer, sometimes on hot summer nights, the wind will just stop, and you’ll be left to boil in your own sweat. To avoid that, we recommend investing in some tent fans.
They even have tent air conditioners now, but we find that to be a bit extreme if your not glamping.
These new tent fans double as lanterns so you can save on space and weight.
If your tent doesn’t come with an awning, you may want to install some of your own to give you some extra shade and some cover when you’re getting your boots off and opening and closing your tent in the rain.
Sometimes we camp next to our cars or use them as a base camp. You can now install a tent awning to give you some extra floor space with overhead protection.
We mentioned it earlier, but you will also want to make sure you have a ground tarp to keep your bum dry.
Some tents will come with one, while at other times you will have to get your own.
You may want to get an extra one to put on the inside of your tent for an extra layer of protection and easy cleanup.
Another trick is to dig a trench around your tent to divert water away and help keep any puddles forming under the tent.
Debrief
Well, there you have it, folks–our rundown of the best of the best 6 person tents on the market today.
Getting a 6 person tent doesn’t have to be expensive.
You can get a decent tent for a relatively low cost that will last you at least a few years and is easy to set up and tear down with plenty of room for a comfortable solo trip or enough space for a family.
Although if you’re looking for a high-performance all-season tent to last through cold winters and keep you dry under heavy rains, then you should expect to pay a bit of premium.
The same goes for if you want a lightweight tent to take backpacking.
Although we don’t recommend taking such a large tent on a trip where you know you will be moving camp often. In that case, you should look into getting a smaller tent.
If you’re still having trouble deciding which is the best 6 person tent for you, then we recommend going with the TETON Sports Mesa All Season Canvas Tent.
It is heavy, so we don’t recommend going backpacking with it.
But it is incredibly durable and will last a lifetime if you take care of it properly.
This tent is an all-season tent that you can trust to keep you protected in whatever environment you find yourself.
You also never know what time of year you may find yourself in an emergency.
So if you’re going to have a tent as a backup if you have to abandon your shelter, we advise getting one you can use no matter the scenario.
It is pricey, but if you factor in you won’t have to buy a new one every couple of years like you would with a polyester or a nylon tent; it may work out to be a good deal long run.
If you have any experience with the 6 person tents we’ve recommended, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave your comments and any questions you have down below.
We appreciate any additional value you can add to the community.
Until next time.
–Team AppliedSurvial
