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When going on a camping trip, a tent will be an essential item you bring with you. Whether it’s festival camping or car camping, a tent will offer you protection and cover when you go to sleep. Easy to set up quickly in any location whether it’s rocky peaks or sandy beaches, freestanding tents will make your experience better. Unlike a standard tent, a freestanding tent doesn’t need to be staked down and will be heavier in weight to keep it secure and stable.
Ultimately, the sacrifice of carrying a few extra pounds is worth it as freestanding tents allow you to set it up on any flat surface. However, choosing a freestanding tent can be a difficult process even if you are an experienced camper.
To make it easier to sift through the wide selection of freestanding tents and understand what to look for in a high-quality tent we have created a buying guide to go with our list of top freestanding tents. Check out our list of the 10 Best Freestanding Tents in 2021 to discover the best options available on the market and find the right fit for you.
Kelty Salida Freestanding Tent
- What Makes This Freestanding Tent Stand Out
- Color-coded clip and fly attachment
- Compact folding poles
- Comes with a carry bag
- 3-season suitability
- Available as a 1-person, 2-person, and 4-person tent
Product Dimensions: 88 x 43 x 55 inches
Weight: 4.57 pounds
Hyke and Byke Yosemite Freestanding Tent
- What Makes This Freestanding Tent Stand Out
- Lightweight and durable
- Includes a footprint and gear loft
- Suitable for 1-2 persons
- Lifetime Warranty
Product Dimensions: 88 x 54 x 45 inches
Weight: 3.26 pounds
ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Freestanding Tent
- What Makes This Freestanding Tent Stand Out
- Easy to assemble
- Rainfly with vestibule
- Half-mesh walls increase ventilation
- Lightweight and durable
Product Dimensions: 32 x 90 x 36 inches
Weight: 4.3 pounds
Featherstone Outdoor Backpacking Freestanding Tent
- What Makes This Freestanding Tent Stand Out
- Tear-resistant fabrics
- Micro-mesh breathable fabric
- 3-season suitability
Product Dimensions:Â 84 x 51 x 43 inches
Weight:Â 5 pounds
Naturehike Cloud UP 4 Season Freestanding Tent
- What Makes This Freestanding Tent Stand Out
- Silicone coated nylon for greater water resistance
- UV 50+ sun protection
- Ultra-compact size and lightweight design
Product Dimensions: 15.8 x 5.1 x 5.1 inches
Weight: 3.75 pounds
Bravindew Instant Pop Up Freestanding Tent
- What Makes This Freestanding Tent Stand Out
- Instant pop-up set up
- Mesh windows with nylon covers
- Made of water-resistant Pu coated polyester
Product Dimensions:Â 114.2 x 78.8 x 51.2 inches
Weight:Â 8.5 pounds
ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2-Person Freestanding Tent
- What Makes This Freestanding Tent Stand Out
- Water and UV damage-resistant fly tent
- Mesh walls for greater ventilation
- 3-season suitability
Product Dimensions: 58 x 88 x 38 inches
Weight: 5.5 pounds
ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 2-Person Freestanding Tent
- What Makes This Freestanding Tent Stand Out
- Polyester fly that resists water and UV damage
- Two vestibules for greater gear storage
- Mesh storage pockets, gear loft, aluminum stakes, and guy ropes included
Product Dimensions: 60 x 90 x 46 inches
Weight: 7.1 pounds
MSR Hubba 1-Person Freestanding Tent
- What Makes This Freestanding Tent Stand Out
- Maximized floor space and ceiling height
- Lightweight and durable design
- Easy and quick set up
Product Dimensions: 85 x 30 x 36 inches
Weight: 1.65 pounds
Luxe Tempo 2-Person 4-Seasons Freestanding Tent
- What Makes This Freestanding Tent Stand Out
- 4-season suitability
- Mesh and nylon window closure
- Reinforced UV resistant fabric
Product Dimensions:Â 82.6 x 55.1 x 43.3 inches
Weight:Â 5.7 pounds
How To Choose A Freestanding Tent – Buying Guide
There are many different types of camping tents, including glamping tents, canvas tents, teepee tents, and trunk tents. One of the easiest tents to use is a freestyle tent. Whether you are camping with kids or camping with a baby, a freestanding tent is the best way to easily set up a campsite and set up a tent. If you know how to repair a tent, how to store a tent, and have a guide for cleaning your tent, the best freestanding tent will serve its purpose and last you for years to come. When it comes to choosing the best freestanding tent there are many different designs and features for you to choose from. To help guide you in your choosing process with have gathered all the relevant factors to consider when purchasing a freestanding tent.
Related Reviews: Canvas Tent & Glamping Tents
Ventilation
Ventilation is an important part of a tent because it can keep you from overheating in the warmer months and help keep you dry in the winter months. Stuffy tents are the worst to sleep in, so being able to catch a summer breeze can help you rest easy. In winter, condensation is the enemy. Your body heat against the colder outside temperatures can lead to water on the inside of your tent. By having good ventilation in your tent, you will stay dry and your tent won’t have the chance to create condensation.Â
Pole Architecture
Most freestanding tents will have longer and heavier poles for stability. Normally, there will be two or three poles that cross and are anchored on the inside or outside of the tent’s walls. Tent poles that are secured using a sleeve are stronger than those that clip on using plastic or Velcro. The best tent poles will be wind resistant and have the ability to hold the weight of snow.
Interior Space
In general, freestanding tents tend to be smaller because they are trying to save space and weight. Generally, you might see 4-person tents in a freestanding design. Often larger 10-person tents will need more support for the structure and aren’t likely to be freestanding. You should be realistic about your needs in terms of interior space, especially if you are camping as a pair. You might have to accept being a little crammed with your adventuring partner.
Related Reviews: 10 Person Tent & 4 Person Tent
Number of Doors
The bottom line is you will have at least one door. However, some tent designs have two doors. A two-door tent can be a welcome relief when you are sharing the space with another person. It’s easier for each person to come and go on their own side. Dome tents may also have a vestibule in their door design which can give you more gear storage space.Â
Material
There are many different materials to choose from. Waterproof tents are important for staying dry and a freestanding tent is no exception. It is important that your tent material is strong, durable, and water-resistant. Common tent materials include ripstop polyester, polyurethane, or silicone-coated nylon. If you are hoping to explore the outdoors in wintertime, it is best to choose a slightly thicker material for added protection. You can also learn how to waterproof a tent if you need more protection to stay dry.
Related Review: Waterproof Tent
Design
The best freestanding tent design is a dome shape design because it is durable against weather conditions and provides as much space as possible. Dome-shaped tents are extremely popular choices with campers. On the other hand, there is also a wedge shape. The wedge, like a dome shape, is resistant to weather conditions. However, a wedge shape may not give as much overhead space as a dome shape would.
Depending on the freestanding tent design, you may need to know what a tent footprint is and know how to use it. Some freestanding tents will have a built-in floor and others will require a separate footprint to keep you dry.Â
FAQs
Q: What is a freestanding tent?
A freestanding tent is a tent that uses only tent poles to support its structure. Freestanding tents do not need to be supported by tent stakes or ropes. However, you can tie down the tent for extra support if needed, but it should not be necessary to secure them to the ground. Freestanding tents are convenient because they only need a flat surface to be pitched and you can easily move a constructed tent around the campsite if needed.
Freestanding tents may have multiple designs that can be used for various types of camping. These tents can act like summer tents for hot weather camping and can be used for winter camping too, so you’ll be prepared for a winter camping trip.
Related Review: Summer TentQ: What are the benefits of using a freestanding tent?
Freestanding tents make camping easier because you can pitch a temporary shelter anywhere where there’s a flat surface. There is less fuss and gear to bring because it doesn’t need to be staked to the ground. You’ll save space and weight by not having to carry a set of stakes. Overall, freestanding tents are a convenient, fast, and quick temporary shelter that can be set up in a variety of locations.
Globo Surf Overview
The best freestanding tents will make your adventure in the wilderness easier. Even if you are attempting to pitch a dry campsite in the rain, no matter the style of freestanding tents, you should feel confident that you have a portable and easy temporary shelter. The freedom to set up your tent in almost any location is a major stress reliever. If you know exactly what you want or need, you can save time and money by investing in a top-rated freestanding tent.
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Do you own one of the freestanding tents that made it onto our list? Let us know how it has worked for your outdoor needs in the comments section below.