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10 Best Hot Weather Tents – The Ultimate Shopping Guide and Recommendations

Best Hot Weather Tents

Summertime is the best for camping for most people, and for this reason, getting yourself the best tents for hot weather is necessary. A regular tent may work for you, but when things start to heat up, they become stuffy and uncomfortable. Consequently, it is worth it to spend a little more to buy an appropriate hot weather tent.

Summer tent camping is exciting because of the possible outdoor activities that you can do during the day. While at night, the temperatures may drop greatly. A good summer tent will not only keep you warm at night, but also prevents condensation.

The factors we will consider in this guide are common for choosing a tent for any season, but for the best hot weather tents, special considerations must be made, which include:

  • Space and Size
  • Material
  • Aeration
  • UV Protection
  • Tent Weight
  • Price

  What Are The Best Hot Weather Tents?

  • NTK HUNTER GT

  • Sierra Designs Summer Moon Backpacking Tents

  • CAMEL CROWN 2-3 Person Rainproof Instant Camping Tent

  • Clostnature Lightweight Backpacking Tent

  • Chillbo CABBINS 2 Person Camping Tent

  • Coleman Sun Dome Tent

  • ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 3-Person Tent

  • Hyke & Byke Zion Ultralight Dome Camping Tent

  • Luxe Tempo 2 Person 4 Season Tents

  • Wenzel Klondike Tent

Hot Weather Tents Buying Guide

If you are considering camping in the summertime, then it is important to choose a tent that will offer you a vast number of features at an affordable price. During the summer, it gets very hot, and you will want to choose the best ventilated tents available.

What should you consider when shopping for the best tents for hot weather?

The best tents for hot weather should offer a great balance between quality, portability, water resistance, and UV-Protection. You will need to ensure that the tent is made from durable material that will last for many camping seasons to come, and still be breathable.

Below are the factors you need to consider:

Space and Size

When shopping for a warm weather tent, the capacity, as defined by its size and shape, is a very important consideration to put in mind. The size may vary from one brand to the other. If you have a lot of camping gear, you will need a tent that offers extra storage space or one that has a vestibule for keeping your items.

Material

You should also consider all the materials used to make the tent — from the fabric, to the pegs used to hold the tent. A good tent should be made from a lightweight material like polyester or ripstop nylon for ease of carrying around. Not only is polyester light, but also breathable.

The pegs and bars of the tent are usually made from lightweight aluminum, which does not rust and is easily portable. You do not want to carry a heavy tent on a hot summer day. The tent fabric forms the largest percentage of the overall tent, and, therefore, it must be made from lightweight material. You should choose a tent with meshed lining, to keep off condensation at night.

Aeration

During summer, things get heated up. The inside of the tent will become stuffy. Some tents come with extra ventilation features like big doors, large windows, additional vents, meshed walls, or full-height doors to allow for circulation of air within the tent. When shopping for the best hot weather tents, ensure you choose one that has adequate ventilation openings. Tents that stay cool are those that have more than one aeration point.

UV Protection

Outdoor fun activities like fishing are what draws campers to summer camping. But this means that you will have to be exposed to direct sunshine, which can be harmful to your skin. Prolonged exposure to the sun may cause health risks like heat stroke and sunburns. When shopping for a hot weather tent, you should consider getting one that offers protection from UV-rays from the sun. Some tents come with a shaded area on the door that protrudes outside to offer shade while you can still enjoy being outside.

Tent Weight

The weight of the tent is an important factor whether you are carrying the tent on a vehicle or your backpack. Most brands use aluminum for the tent structure and polyester and ripstop nylon to keep the net weight of the tent as minimum as possible. When choosing a tent for hiking and backpacking in any season, the weight will be the single most important factor to consider. This is because in hot weather, carrying heavy camping gears can be tiresome and may lead to excessive sweating when walking for long distances.

However, a very light tent will miss some important features like a vestibule. This is a trade-off that you need to consider when choosing a tent so that you do not compromise on the quality of the tent.

There are six types of tents based on their weights. These include Double-layer tents, Single-layer tents, Tarp, Bivouac sacks, and the bug shelter. The double-layer tents feature a canopy and rainfly and are the heaviest, whereas the single-layer tents do not have the rainfly, but instead are made of waterproof material to keep the weight of the tent to the minimum. The Hammock does not have poles, but sports the rainfly and can be attached to trees. It looks like a basic sleeping bag with breathable walls.

Cost

Can you afford it? The features of the tent that you buy will be dependent on the amount of money you wish to spend on the tent. Premium summer tents are quite pricey but offer an all-in-one feature-filled package. But if you are working on a tight budget, you can consider doing away with some features to fit your budget.

An affordable tent is one that fits your budget and, at the same time, has the minimum features necessary for and good summer camping experience. Summer tents with the capacity to accommodate many people are more costly. Frequent campers will get value for money by buying a pricy but durable tent that will serve them for many seasons.

Remember, a pricey tent will not necessarily be of higher quality and vice versa. Therefore, you need to match the prices to the quality and features of the tent. Hobbyist campers prefer summer camping because it requires a minimum investment on the camping gears.

Additional Features to consider

  • Brightly colored tents are good for summer camping since they reflect the UV-rays while at the same time makes the interior of the tent look more spacious.
  • How easy is it to set up? Ease of Pitching and simplicity of the tent setups is what any camper would wish for. Summertime is characterized by the hot sun; you do not wish to spend more than 10 minutes on the sun trying to set up the tent. While shopping for summer tents, you should consider the pop-up tents and the freestanding tents.
  • The brand and model of the tent – The quality of tents may vary from one brand to the other; therefore, you will have to research more for the best brands to go for.
  • Portability of the tent is another factor worth considering while shopping for summertime camping tents. Portability is a function of the weight and size of the tent. Hikers and backpackers will prefer very light tents.
  • The floor of the tent is often ignored when shopping for tents. A good summertime tent should have a strong floor. The floor dimensions and orientation will determine the comfort of the tent. The dimensions of the tent are determined by measuring the widest areas.
  • Rainfly colors – Bright colors will allow more light inside the tent, which will make the tent look spacious and less squeezed.
  • The vestibule is the additional storage space in the tent for the storage of your camping gear. This will differ from one tent to another, depending on the capacity of the tent. A tent with a vestibule will be more organized and will have additional space for the occupants and ease of flow of air.

 

Tent Seasons Classification

Tents do not have a well-defined classification system. For seasons ratings and the type of tents, there is a lot of grey areas, and this may be very confusing for someone looking to buy a tent for the first time.

This guide will help you understand the classification by seasons and also help you to select the best tent for your summertime camping.

Tent Seasons Classification

Top Hot Weather Tents Comparison Table

10 Best Hot Weather Tents Review

Features

  • Material: Waterproof breathable Polyester
  • Capacity: 5 – 6 Persons
  • Weight: 15.2lbs
  • Size: 9.8 x 9.8 Feet

The NTK Hunter GT is a 5 to 6 person outdoor dome-shaped tent. It features a waterproof exterior fabric and comes with a micro mosquito Mesh to keep the tent ventilated on a warm night without worrying about mosquito bites. Despite its size, this tent is easy to pitch up, which is a plus on a hot summer day. Its 6 FT center height allows the occupants to stand comfortably inside the tent. It is made from virgin polyester fabric that provides both strength and flexibility while at the same time, it is waterproof and protects the occupants against UV-rays from the sun.

The virgin polyester fabric is not only durable, but allows the occupants to breathe easily. It has a large D-shaped doorway firmly secured with two-way zippers. Inside, the tent is spacious enough to accommodate your camping gear within the meshed pockets. It does not have a vestibule.

It is a big tent that sports thick Nano-flex poles for flexibility and strength. The floor of this tent is covered with thick polyethylene to prevent leaks and offer anti-fungal protection by keeping the floor of the tent dry. It also features an E-port zipper for fitting electrical cables on the side of the tent. It is a heat resistant tent, thanks to the CPAI-84 fire-retardant rainfly.

Pros

  • Tall center height
  • Waterproof
  • Offers UV protection
  • Easy to Pitch up
  • Has a big doorway secured with 2-way zippers

Cons

  • It is pricey
  • Doesn’t have a vestibule

Features

  • Material: Polyester Taffeta
  • Capacity: 2-3 People
  • Weight: 3lbs
  • Size: 18” x 6”

The Sierra Designs Summer Moon Backpacking Tent is a light, freestanding, and comfortable tent that can accommodate up to 3 people. It has a center height that allows free standing. It comes with a removable rainfly with taped seams for extra protection. The tent can be used without the rainfly on summer camping. The interior is designed with breathable mosquito meshed walls, which is great for ventilation and keeping the insects away.

It is a three-season tent, thanks to the mesh and raised bathtub on the back that allows for a half fly, improving the follow of air and, in turn, reduces condensation, making it ideal for summer camping. The tent features a big, completely covered vestibule, which is great for storing your camping gear. The interior is designed with meshed pockets for storing small items. The tent comes with reflective guy lines and aluminum poles.

This tent is easy to set up, thanks to its equal pole length and freestanding design. Its floor is designed with 68D Poly Taffeta and lined with Nylon to prevent fungal development while keeping the floor dry.

Pros

  • Has a large fully covered vestibule
  • It is waterproof and has taped seams
  • Wall is lined with mesh
  • It has extra storage in the mesh to keep small items

Cons

  • Small size

Features

  • Material: Polyester
  • Capacity: 2-3 Person
  • Weight: 7.5 lbs.
  • Size: 87 x 79 x 47 inches

The Camel Crown is an affordable tent for summer camping that can accommodate up to 3 people. It is waterproof and offers UV protection for summertime camping. It is designed for easy pitching and un-pitching, thanks to the reinforced fiberglass and plastic frame bars that hold the tent in place against strong winds. This tent has a spacious interior for two big-bodied persons or three small-bodied persons.

It is made up of layers that enable it to be used for different functions. The layers offer extra protection to the occupants by separating the inner layer of the tent, allowing you to use the outer layer as an additional tent during summer. Here, the outer layer can function as a sunshade when you are having some outdoor activities like fishing or games. The four walls are covered with a mesh lining to prevent mosquitoes from entering the tent while at the same time keeps the tent ventilated.

Pros

  • It has two layers, which makes it a multi-functional tent
  • Offers cross ventilation
  • Easy to set up and de-pitch
  • They are held together using strongly reinforced frames
  • Offers UV protection

Cons

  • Does not have a vestibule

Features

  • Material: Polyester
  • Capacity: 2 -3-Person
  • Weight: 5.6 pounds
  • Size: 7’3” x 4’11” x 3’10”

If you are working with a tight budget, the Clostnature Lightweight Backpacking Tent is the best tent for camping in hot weather. This tent offers great value at an affordable price, thanks to its lightweight structure that backpackers adore. The tent is designed with waterproof and durable polyester rainfly with groundsheet and factory-sealed seams to keep it dry and comfortable during summer.

This tent has a freestanding design that comprises of two portable lightweight aluminum poles. Its meshed walls provide extra ventilation and allow you to breathe easily. The big D-shaped doors provide extra ventilation—the sides of the tent feature two spacious vestibule areas that are good for storing your camping gear. The tent comes equipped with a flysheet, carry bag, stakes, and it is easy to pitch up. It also has an emergency kit for repairing the poles.

Pros

  • It is affordable
  • Easily portable
  • It is equipped with an emergency kit for repairing poles

Cons

  • It can only accommodate two persons

Features

  • Material: Polyester
  • Capacity: 2 -3 – Person
  • Weight: 8.4 pounds
  • Size:  7.1 x 6.7 x 4.3 FT

The Chillbo Cabbins Camping Tent is a multi-colored summer tent that comes in six conspicuous colors and hip designs. It is a very affordable tent with valuable features for summer camping. The tent is spacious enough to fit three small-bodied persons or two big-bodied persons with enough space to store your camping gear. It features a lightweight design that is ideal for backpackers and hikers.

Besides the stylish exterior look of this tent, it is made of good quality material that can withstand the harsh summer conditions and, at the same time, protect you from the hot weather during summertime camping. It is secured with storm proof bars and has sealed seams with a waterproof rating of up to 2000mm. It is equipped with two big D-shaped doors to allow easy access and extra ventilation during hot weather.

The combination of two windows and a meshed panel offers extra ventilation for the circulation of air in the tent and reduce condensation. The cross-wound poles support the tents’ structure, strengthening it further, making it a good choice when you want a tent that will last many camping trips. The tent has additional pockets on the mesh lining for holding smaller camping items.

Pros

  • Has colorful designs
  • Waterproof up to 2000mm
  • Has a big interior with extra storage space for camping gear

Cons

  • It can only accommodate two persons

Features

  • Material: Polyester taffeta 75 denier flysheet
  • Capacity: 2-Person
  • Weight: 7 pounds
  • Size: 82.7 x 59.1 x 47.2 inches

The Coleman Sun dome offers the best value for money. It is a three occupant’s tent that provides comfort in hot seasons. It comes either in blue or green. It features a robust design with a breathable polyester cover that protects you from both the UV-rays of the sun and the rains. It comes equipped with a rainfly sunshade that offers you extra shade.

The top of the tent is made from the patented WeatherTec system that prevents water from leaking into the tent. It sports a snag-free continuous pole for quick pitching up, and this helps you to set up the tent in minutes. The interior of the tent has enough space to hold all the camping gears plus the 3 adult occupants.

It sports large windows with a D-shaped door for extra ventilation and reduced condensation during summertime camping. An additional feature of the tent is the ground vent that allows for extra aeration of the interior of the tent. It has internal pockets on the mesh and a bag for storage of smaller camping items.

Pros

  • It is easy to pitch
  • Extra ventilation
  • Comes with a carrier bag
  • Features WeatherTec System

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with extra pitching pegs

Features

  • Material: Polyester
  • Capacity: 3-Person
  • Weight: 6lbs
  • Size: 6.2 x 7.5 FT

One of the outstanding features of the Alps Mountaineering Zephyr is its ventilation. It features polyester walls lined with mosquito mesh for extra ventilation and keeping insect away. It sports two mesh doors for easy access and aeration.

During summertime, tents tend to get stuffy during the day and condensed during the night; the ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr does not suffer from these, thanks to the extra ventilation features. It is among the best-ventilated tents available in the market. The polyester walls are not only waterproof but also prevent UV-rays from penetrating the tent. The tent floor is designed with a poly-taffeta floor, which features a 3000mm coating with factory sealed seams for extra protection.

This tent is spacious enough to accommodate 3 adult occupants and two vestibules for storing all your camping gear. Additional storage is available on the mesh storage pocket for storing small camping items. It has a freestanding, two-pole design that enables simple and quick pitching and de-pitching of the tent during summertime, saving your skin from the scorching sun.

Pros

  • Has two Vestibules for additional storage of camping items
  • It is waterproof
  • Protect the interior against UV-rays from the sun
  • Easy to pitch up

Cons

  • Does not come with emergency repair kit

Features

  • Material: Non-stretch Polyester
  • Capacity: 2 Person
  • Weight: 4.47lbs
  • Size: 90 x 55 x 42 inches

The Hyke and Byke Zion Ultralight dome camping tent comes in six distinct colors. It features 2 persons and 3 persons options only. It is made from a durable polyester exterior. This summertime tent has a long center height for comfort and increased space to maneuver while inside the tent.

Breathability and ventilation of the Hyke and Byke is enhanced, thanks to the meshed walls. It features two large D-doors for extra ventilation. It is designed with 5000 rainfly and a bathtub floor with taped seams, this tent offers greater protection to the occupants in all seasons.

The tent features a vestibule that provides extra storage space for your camping gear with additional storage in the mesh pockets on the walls. This tent is suitable for hiking and backpackers because it is lightweight, easy to pitch up, and comes with a carrier bag. It also sports reflective guy lines, aluminum stakes and a stake presser in its package.

Pros

  • Lightweight and easily portable
  • It offers extra ventilation for breathability
  • Features a bathtub floor
  • Has taped seams with nearly vertical walls

Cons

  • Does not come with an emergency repair kit

Features

  • Material: 210 T Breathable Polyester
  • Capacity: 2 Persons
  • Weight: 5.7lbs
  • Size: 82.6 x 55.1 inches

The Luxe Tempo Season Tents are good for hot weather seasons, but can be used in all weather conditions. It features a polyester wall with a meshed lining for breathability and ventilation, while at the same time protects you from insects’ infestation. It is a multi-functional double layer tent, with the inner layer designed using 210T breathable polyester that allows you to have an outside view during the day and, at the same time, protects you from the cold nights.

It has a meshed roof that has a high-low cross ventilation for aeration during summer camping.  This tent is fully tape seamed to protect the occupants from summer rains. It sports two vestibules for extra storage of your camping gear. This tent is spacious enough to accommodate 4 adults comfortably while allowing them to move freely inside the tent. The tent comes equipped with a footprint, guy lines, and stakes as part of the initial package.

Pros

  • Has double-layer doors
  • Seams are fully taped
  • It has extra storage, thanks to the two vestibule and mesh pockets

Cons

  • No emergency repair kit

Features

  • Material: Polyester
  • Capacity: 8 people
  • Weight: 26.38lbs
  • Size: 16 x 11 FT

If you are planning for a summer camp with more than 4 people, but less than 8 people, then the Wenzel Klondike is the best choice for group camping. It features a large sleeping space and has a separate screen room for storage of your camping gears. The screen offers additional protection from direct sun during summer and wet weather.

This tent is an all-season tent with features that will protect the occupants equally during winter and summer. It has a full-height zipper door, and its sides are all meshed to allow adequate ventilation and prevent condensation at summer night.

A tent that can accommodate 8 people may get stuffy if not properly aerated; the Wenzel Klondike comes equipped with a full-width access door from the screen room with additional windows on the side to allow circulation of air inside the tent. It also features a gear loft for extra storage of your camping gear. This tent comes with a carry bag for easy portability. It is a lightweight tent that comes in either blue, green, or gray.

Pros

  • It has a large space to accommodate eight people
  • It has a large window and a full-height door
  • It is waterproof
  • Protect occupants against UV-rays from the sun
  • Has additional storage on the gear loft and comes with a carry bag

Cons

  • It is Pricey

FAQs

What factors must one consider when shopping for a hot weather tent?

When shopping for a tent, there are several qualities that you must consider, including durability, shape and size, price, among others. However, there are these three factors that are specific to choosing a hot weather tent;

  • Breathability – This is an important factor that depends on the material used to design the tent. It is important to check the material used before buying a tent to avoid buying a tent that will be uncomfortable.
  • Aeration – this includes all the ventilation features of the tent, including doors, windows, vents, mesh lining. You should choose the best-ventilated tent for your summertime camping trip.
  • UV-Protection – you should choose a tent that protects you from the UV-rays from the sun. Exposure to the UV-rays posses health risks like sunburns.

Is water resistance an important factor to consider for summer tent camping?

It is wrong to assume that summertime will be characterized by sunshine and dry days. This is not always the case; the weather may change. Depending on your location, some rains and wind may be experienced, and a times torrential summer downpour. Because of this, the level of water-resistance of the tent is an important factor to consider.

Is a vestibule an important consideration when selecting my summer tent?

Yes, any extra space in the tent is beneficial during summer camping since it creates more room for the occupants by decluttering the inside of the tent.

What causes condensation in the tent during the summer?

Condensation is the development of humid moisture in your tent. This is caused by the difference in the atmosphere between the outside and the inside of your tent. This can be caused by your breathing and skin evaporation or by the summer weather conditions.

Does the weight matter when shopping for the best summertime camping tent?

Yes, carrying your tent during the summer season can be a tricky affair. If the tent is heavy, you may get all sweaty and uncomfortable. It is important to factor in the total weight of your entire camping gear. The tent is likely to be among the heaviest items in your camping gear, and for this reason, you have to be keen on weight when shopping for the best summer tent.

Our Verdict

I found the Coleman Sun Dome Tent to be the overall among the best hot weather tents as it features an easy to pitch set of poles with extra ventilation provided by the mesh lining on the wall. It also features a WeatherTec system and comes with a carry bag. This tent is spacious and is designed with durable polyester that offers both breathability and aeration. The extra ventilation is very important during the summertime camping as it reduces condensation in the tent. This tent is designed to protect the occupants from the scorching UV-rays from the sun, making it the best option for summertime.

If you are on a budget, the Clostnature Lightweight Backpacking Tent is a good value tent that stays cool in the summertime camping and is affordable, lightweight, and made from durable but breathable material. It features a freestanding design for ease of pitching, waterproof, and is adequately ventilated.

When camping with a large group or family members, the overall best summer tents will be the Wenzel Klondike Tent. This tent offers a spacious and well-ventilated interior, and is easy to pitch. This tent stands out from the rest, thanks to its extra storage space and UV-protection. The tent has a full-height zipper on its door, making it easy to access.

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