Camping Panda
When you’re backpacking, keeping gear weight and volume as low as possible is crucial. Including the weight and volume of your sleeping gear. Whether you’re a family of three or a small group of hikers who like to travel light, a 3-person tent might be just right.Â
Finding the balance between floor size, weight, packed dimensions, and features can be daunting if you don’t know what to look after. That’s why we selected the best 3-person tents on the market. Check them out in our rundown.
Waterproof
Is it well protected?
Ventilation
Is it breathable?
Longevity
Is it build for years to come?
Price
Is it the best value for your $?
Set Up
Is it easy to set-up?
Durability
Is it strong enough?
Convenient
Is it designed for comfort?
Sleeping Capacity
Is it spacious and roomy?
15
Hours Researched
18
Products Evaluated
2k
Reviews Considered
2
Sources Researched
ALPS Mountaineering is famous for its high-quality camping gear, and the Zephyr 3-person tent is no different. Instant setup cuts off any assembly frustration, so you won’t have to trouble too much about pitching your shelter in the dark. It’s roomy enough to sleep three adults comfortably, and even roomier for families of three.
Despite the dome structure, it provides impressive head clearance. Even the taller campers can sit and have a cup of coffee or bit in it. Double doors – one on each side – allow easy access and enhance ventilation. Furthermore, two vestibules create the perfect covered space for your gear. Lightweight, affordable, and waterproof, this is undoubtedly one of the best 3-person tent for avid backpackers.
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From all 3-person tents out there, the Coleman Sundome brings most bang for the buck. A square footprint maximizes space, making it very comfortable for three adults and some gear. If you’re two adults and a kid, this tent provides plenty of space to sleep, play, and even have a snack inside if it rains.
Rain resistance is good, while the dome shape enhances wind resistance. It might not withstand strong gusts, but it’s an excellent choice for the warmer season. The traditional setup takes around 15 minutes, but it’s very intuitive. Perhaps too heavy for backpacking, but undeniably ideal for camping, tailgating, and even hunting or fishing.
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The MSR Elixir is a heavy-duty, 3-season tent designed with hikers and backpackers in mind. It’s lightweight and easy to setup, despite the traditional pitch design. A generous interior makes it perfect for three adults to sleep inside, while the large vestibules add further storage area on both sides.
Highlights include a unique pole geometry that maximizes head clearance and adjustable fly. A combination of mesh and solid panel walls offers ventilation or warmth, as needed, as well as privacy. The tent comes with a footprint and glow-in-the-dark zippers. You’ll have to pay for all these features, but this tent will surely serve you well for the years to come.Â
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Suisse Sport has made it to our list with a simple tent designed for newbies and casual campers. It’s light and compact enough to take on hikes, but also a great choice as a beach tent or to setup in your backyard.
It provides sufficient room for three adults to sleep comfortably, but it lacks a vestibule. Nevertheless, we like the mesh roof that enhances ventilation and the large T-style door. Simple yet affordable and reliable, it’s an excellent choice for occasional summer camping.
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The Winterial is one of the lightest 3-person tents around. It’s an excellent choice for hikers and backpackers, adding only 4.4 pounds and minimum bulk to your gear. Easy to set up and roomy, it can easily fit you and two of your camping buddies.
Two large ventilation screens on the doors and air vents on the walls make it easy to control the temperature. A removable rainfly also makes this tent perfect for all kinds of trips, from camping out in the mountains to lounging at the beach.Â
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Designed to keep you protected in the warm and colder season alike, this tent from TETON Sports is an excellent choice for tailgating and casual camping. It might be on the heavier side, but it’s compact when packed, so it can be easily transported.
Full mesh tent body and detachable rainfly make it perfect for star gazing while keeping bugs at bay, as well as keeping you dry in the rain. Other features include two large entrances, a convenient gear loft, and large vestibule for your backpack. No doubt, well worth the price tag.
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Ideal for camping in summer, the ALPHA CAMP dome tent impresses with a huge floor space and 50-inch head clearance. It is spacious enough to house two full-size twin mattresses or one queen-size air bed, and it’s perfect for small families or groups of up to 3 friends.
A large D-door features both mesh and solid panel, while three windows on the sides enhance ventilation. The tent is ideal for going at the beach or enjoying the breeze during an afternoon nap. Water resistance is enhanced by a removable fly, and setup is as easy as pie. Coming at an affordable price, it’s also a great choice for campers on a budget.
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The LETHMIK backpacking tent might be advertised as suitable for four, but the truth is that it’s just perfect for three adults and some camping gear. Its greatest highlight is the thick fabric that withstands heavy rain.
An automatic, pop-up design makes installation a breeze. Just open it like an umbrella, and use the same principle to take it down. The poles snap in place easily, more or less like the poles of a pack-n-play. Suitable to use in all weathers, the tent also impresses with an affordable price point.
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Ideal for families of three or four, but roomy enough to house three buddies, too, the DEERFAMY pop-up dome tent truly deserves your attention. An ideal choice for summer camping, it can withstand moderate wind and rain.Â
Lateral windows and a large mesh door ensure plenty of airflow. We also like that the fly extends over the tent, creating a vestibule for your gear. The tent is perfect for taller campers thanks to its generous length.
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Last entry on our list of best 3-person tents, the Bessport Backpacking Tent impresses with a very compact size when packed and relatively low weight. It might not be featherweight, but it’s still pretty easy to carry by seasoned backpackers.
A roomy interior can easily accommodate three adults in sleeping bags, or two adults and a kid if you plan to use a mattress. Construction-wise, it has plenty of windows and a mesh door for seamless ventilation, as well as a roomy vestibule and huge entrances. Sturdy and designed to withstand whatever the weather is throwing at it, this tent is an excellent choice for camping in all seasons.
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Large enough to fit two wide sleeping pads, a 3 person tent is an excellent choice for a couple looking for luxurious sleeping space or two adults plus a small child or dog – unless three average adults don’t mind a tight squeeze. But what features must a 3 person tent have?
While all tents mentioned above are worth your money, the guide below will help you pick the best 3 person tent for you.
Similar to most small tents out there, 3 person tents come in either tight and lightweight or more spacious yet heavier variants. The former is ideal for backpacking and mountaineering, while the latter comes as a more luxurious alternative for car camping and tailgating.
Three-person tents come in all types, including dome, tunnel, geodesic, ridge, and cabin styles. However, the most popular types are dome and cabin.
While most tent manufacturers express the capacity in number of persons, the easiest way to know if the tent you like truly meets your needs is by checking its actual floor size. Most 3-people tents have a square footprint measuring 88×88 inches – although there are exceptions.
This size is typically ideal for average users; however, if you’re tall, it is recommended to go for a tent that has a length of at least 90 inches, such as the TETON Ultra Tent. This length will allow you to stretch comfortably without touching the ends of your shelter.
You may also want to get a tent with a larger footprint if you plan to sleep on an air mattress or camping pad instead of directly on the floor.
Camping gear consists of much more than a tent and sleeping pad. Even when you’re backpacking, chances are you’ll take with you at least a small camping stove, a camping kettle to brew some coffee in the morning, as well as other tools and accessories.
Even when all your gear fits in a backpack, your gear may take up quite a lot of space inside your shelter. That’s where tent vestibules step in.
Generally consisting of a flap extending above the door, the vestibule provides further covered space where you can store your gear overnight or lounge in the afternoon.
Most tent vestibules are floorless, but some manufacturers – such as Coleman – also make tents with floored vestibules. Mesh screen walls and zipper doors also keep bugs away; the only downside is that these tents are quite cumbersome, so only suitable for car camping.
Another important thing to pay attention to when buying a tent is the resistance of its structure. Campers can choose from three types of poles:
When it comes to stakes, most camping tents come with steel stakes, while some of the lighter shelters may also have a set of plastic stakes included. The latter is used to pitch your tent on the sand, so if you want to use your tent as a beach shelter, too, we recommend buying a model that comes with both kinds of stakes.
Last but not least, you should pay attention to the overall livability. Things to check include head clearance, ventilation, and number and placement of doors.
Most dome tents have a head clearance of 30-35 inches, which is usually enough for the average adult to sit. Cabin style tents provide more headroom, usually standing around 45-50 inches tall.
Ventilation is provided by either mesh windows on walls and doors or built-in vents on 4-season tents. If you mostly go camping in the warm season, pick a double-wall tent with a mesh ceiling and large mesh windows.
As for the doors, your best bet is a tent with two doors, one at each end of the shelter. This configuration allows easy in and out for all the occupants of your 3 person tent.
The price of a 3-person tent varies based on the quality and type of materials used. Summer tents are usually cheaper, but won’t withstand strong gusts of wind and heavy rain. Three-season or all-season tents cost more, but you can use them in both summer and winter. Depending on your needs, expect to pay between $50 and $250 for your shelter.
The lightest 3 person tent weighs around 3 pounds. However, such a tent might be too lightweight to withstand stronger wind. If you’re looking for a reliable backpacking tent that won’t turn into a burden, a tent such as the Winterial 3-person tent above can resist moderate wind and rain and, at 4.4 pounds, is really easy to carry.
It really depends on your needs. If you’re looking for a reliable summer tent, you can pick a cheaper model, such as the ALPHA CAMP. Seasoned hikers and backpackers might want a lightweight tent, such as the Winterial, while the MSR Elixir could be the best 3 person tent for those needing an outdoor shelter in both summer and the cooler season.
Each tent comes with its own mounting instructions. Instant tents are usually easy to pop-up, typically as a pack-n-play. Traditional pitch tents might require you to first set up the poles and then attach the fly. To make sure you’re pitching your tent the right way, simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
The average 3 person tent is about 7 x 7 feet. However, you can easily find roomier or smaller tents designed for three people, depending on your actual needs and budget.
