3-Season vs 4-Season Tents

"Season" ratings describe what weather a tent is built for, not which months you can use it.

3-season tents

• Built for spring, summer and autumn: rain, wind and the odd frosty night
• More mesh for ventilation and lighter weight
• Most campers in Europe never need more

4-season tents

• Built for snow load, winter storms and exposed mountain camps
• Stronger, more numerous poles; less mesh; snow skirts; vestibules for cooking
• Warmer, but heavier and stuffier in summer

Hot tents

• Canvas or poly-cotton tents with a stove jack, heated with a wood stove. The most comfortable way to camp in deep winter — with strict safety rules.

Our picks