Two large vestibules add nearly 40 square feet combined—that is, 18.75 square feet on either side. Finding a small, light tent is the logical approach when you’re backpacking. But with car camping—the industry term for what most people consider just camping—you’ll likely be parking next to your campsite and unloading. If you won’t be carrying your tent more than a couple hundred feet, more space means more comfort (as well as more room for your stuff). There are some really great ultra-lightweight shower tents on the market.
Many users said that the instructions were unclear, and the pieces didn’t fit well together. Users, especially taller ones, appreciated the roominess of this shower tent. Unsatisfied customers stated that the fabric tore easily on uneven ground and pavement. Customers enjoyed the versatility of this shower tent, sharing that it worked as a changing area, shower station, and porta-potty.
Below, we’ve outlined some basic pointers to help you get started on the right foot. For example, instant “pop-up” showers are great (all you have to do is unfold them) but chances are their frames aren’t robust enough to support the weight of a standard 5-gallon solar shower. Designs with more durable pole-and-hub or instant-cabin frames, on the other hand, will typically support any shower system on the market. It’s a trade-off, but one you’ll definitely want to keep in mind. The Green Elephant is essentially a personal privacy tent (ideal for storing a chemical toilet, changing, etc.) that doubles as a shower tent as well.
Find the best hiking/camping product for your next outdoor adventure using our independent reviews and ratings. If you’re interested in keeping clean but aren’t trying to break the bank, you can’t go wrong with the G4Free Camping Shower. It shares many of the added features of the two tents above, but does it at a basement level price that comes with everything you need to get scrubbing, including the shower itself. Every camper is different, and not everyone cares enough about their shower experience to drop the big bucks on a shower tent. That’s why we’ve also listed our favorite alternatives to the Nemo Heliopolis, whether they’re bigger, less expensive, easier to set up, or all the above. You might want to compare this product with yet another similar, the KingCamp Oversize Outdoor Camping Dressing Changing Room Shower Privacy Shelter Tent.
The Tungsten’s fly is not adaptable in the same way the Mineral King 3’s is, but it is treated for extra UV protection, which should help lengthen the tent’s lifespan. The Wireless 6 goes up easily, using the same kind of intuitive pole and clip method as our couples’ pick. The fly is equally simple to attach and orient with color-coded clips. This type of pole tends to be less flexible and bulkier than pricier aluminum, and it can be a pain to handle. Despite having the smallest capacity of the tents we tested—42.5 square feet—the Mineral King 3 easily fits two people with a full-size mattress, or two sleeping pads, and gear.
ozark trail instant cabinThis model also comes loaded with added features, like a clothesline, plenty of pockets both inside and outside, and handy hooks for your shower head and water bag. The KingCamp models also feature a mesh floor, keeping your feet clean and giving you a soft surface to stand on. Because the double room tent seems larger at first glance, and because it’s both heavier and more expensive, most people will assume it is, in fact, larger. The single room version is actually both taller and has a larger total base area.
ozark trail instant cabinIt might look complicated, but putting a tent up really isn’t too difficult. Once you’ve done it once, you’ll realize you had nothing to worry about. Or maybe you just want a good pop-up tent so you don’t have to worry about getting it set up. To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at Showering with the smell of the ocean or the sounds of the forest all around is a great experience.
Car campers who plan to brave miserable weather will appreciate the extra strength and protection of the REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent. The main bodies of our other picks are structured with two main poles with added support from smaller brow poles. The Base Camp, by contrast, has four full-size aluminum struts woven throughout it, somewhat like a basket, plus an additional brow pole that frames the front entrance and supports the larger of the two vestibules. The Base Camp also offers more privacy compared with our other picks—with or without the rain fly. The geodesic structure of the Base Camp tents is built to withstand wind and rain.
We found 40 denier up to 150 denier to be typical for car-camping tents; you can read more about these measurements in gear manufacturer MSR’s blog post and in this Outside article. This dome-style tent has nearly vertical walls, high ceilings, and a single vestibule the size of an actual mudroom. It’s also straightforward to set up, and it is made with sturdy, light materials.