Cabin tent: Who’s the winner in 2023?

Dreaming about something robust yet as quick to set as it gets? Bushnell Shield hits the jackpot with both. Featuring pre-attached tent poles, it only requires unpacking the tent, extending the legs, and stretching the poles.

Of course, calling it an “instant” setup is a bit too optimistic, but five minutes for one person – is totally doable. As for sturdiness, Bushnell already did their part with durable, high-quality fabrics built to last. 

This cabin tent offers ample interior space and headroom for relaxed moving around. Your gear gets a well-thought leeway, too, so you can keep it organized and off the ground. 

Bushnell Shield proves its point about the “shield” in its setup. First, its rainfly features Heat Shield technology that prevents the sun rays from reaching in and making the tent’s inner space darker and cooler. 

Another shield is for the weather – and by that, Bushnell means its sturdy, water-resistant material with wholly sealed seams (and well-built zippers that we feel are worth giving credit to). 

With so much “shielded” design, this cabin tent can withstand heavy rains and winds just gracefully – especially if you use heavy-duty stakes and put a ground tarp under the tent, which isn’t included in the package but are handy add-ons to get for any tent. 

And from the more, let’s say, realistic/negative side – Bushnell Shield definitely wouldn’t fit 9 persons; even for 7 campers, it would feel too crowded. The most accurate bet would be a maximum of 4-5 people – this way, you’ll be sure to experience all the benefits Bushnell Shield has to offer.

Eureka! Copper Canyon is a 3-season tent designed with families in mind. It’s a perfect size for 4 persons (two kids and two adults) – neither too big, nor too small, with a good standing room for comfortable moving around. 

Feature-wise, it’s pretty similar to Coleman Octagon, just a bit simpler (and likely not that durable) version at a lower price. Copper Canyon includes:

• A removable room divider
• Two doors (rear and front)
• Large windows
• Detachable rain fly

We loved how flexible windows are – you can choose from half open, double diagonal open, and full open options, irrespective of which you’ll get the bug screen. Straps are adjustable in any form, either tight to the tent or loose for higher ventilation but still with enough privacy. 

We have some concerns in terms of how waterproof Copper Canyon is. One argument is that the rain fly doesn’t cover the windows, which is still OK in light rains, but heavy storms might pose a risk of leaking. 

We’d also recommend getting a rain tarp. Due to the tent’s shape, 10×13 is a little big, so go for something around 9×12. Otherwise, you’ll get a downpour that might allow water in. 

The water may also get in while opening the door – so bang the rain fly before opening it if you’re outside. For vice versa, the fly to cover the doors just like the windows would be a helpful add-on. 

The setup is relatively straightforward, especially if you’re an experienced camper. For those who’re not – prepare to spend some time, as Copper Canyon doesn’t feature quick-pitch technology. 

Packing up is worth recognition, though. One of the most annoying parts for us is trying to fold a tent to its ideally-tight shape and size in which it comes when you buy it. Luckily, Copper Canyon doesn’t require anything close to it. The carry bag is large and robust enough to fit the tent even if you don’t fold it neatly in a hurry. 

Overall, it’s a tall, reasonably sturdy, and easy-to-use cabin-style tent with all the features you would expect from a decent nature shelter. 

Looking for something huge enough to fit a group of friends or family but would cause the tiniest loss for your wallet? You’ve scrolled to the right place – Ozark Trail will provide a spacious shelter for up to 11 people at a budget-friendly price. 

For around 240$, you’ll get a large open cabin (or should we say a mansion?) with a private room and an included divider that will turn your tent into three separate rooms. The 76-inch ceiling should give you plenty of headroom unless you’re a tall guy – then, you might need to duck a bit getting in. 

This cabin tent is also proud of its ventilation, thanks to six large windows and a mesh ceiling. It’s relatively fast to set so that you can jump to the fun part faster. Packing might take a little longer as poles are harder to compact back down. On a high note, Ozark Trail’s carry bag is spacious enough not to struggle while squeezing the tent. 

This cabin tent features lots of loops to hang lanterns, fans, lights, and other stuff. And a spare room can serve as perfect gear storage if you’re only 2-3 people. 

Of course, for such a price, you might expect some cons. Waterproofness it is. Heavier rains will most likely come in where the zippers come together – in the extra room and along the seams. But don’t be too quick to throw this tent out of the list. You’ll be fine and dry if you pitch a tarp over your tent. 

Another thing that’s a bit saddening about Ozark Trail is its fragile material that can develop holes after standing on harsher terrains like stones, twigs, and sticks. The same goes with walls and ceilings – they’re so slim you can almost see through them. We saw a review saying the camper got sunburned while taking a nap inside the tent. 

We’d also recommend getting a tarp and placing it below the tent if you want to keep and pack it clean.

Best cabin tents buying guide

The most traditional characteristics you would expect from a cabin tent are comfort, portability, and durability. Cabin tents differ from ordinary camping tents in that they amplify inside rooms with vertical or near-vertical walls and a tall enough-to-stand ceiling, making it a real home away from home. 

Then, it comes to how easy it’s to set up and reside in. Thanks to their immense size, cabin tents are generally impeccable for several campers. 

Shape

Most cabin tents keep square or rectangular shapes. What’s worth mentioning is that the steeper the tent’s walls, the harder it’ll be to withstand harsh weather conditions like winds or heavy rains. 

Cabin tents are sometimes confused with dome tents – but the main difference lies in their shape. Unlike dome tents, cabin tents have nearly vertical walls and remind much of a cabin-like appearance, hence the name. 

Cabin tents offer larger areas to move around inside, thanks to their design. In fact, many cabin tents are tall enough for you to stroll around and stand up straight, adding to the homelike experience. 

Size

While the shapes of cabin tents are more or less the same, sizes differ heavily. The first question to ask yourself when deciding on the tent’s size should be how many people will usually sleep there. 

The rule of thumb is to add two to the number. Let’s say you’re a couple who usually camps together, then you should aim for at least a 4-person cabin tent. Of course, the bigger the tent, the more homelike comfort you’ll get. 

So, do all the manufacturers lie by exaggerating the tent capacity? Well, technically, no. If it’s a 4-person tent, you’ll likely squeeze 4 people inside – just all of them will have to sleep on the ground in their sleeping bags, shoulder to shoulder. 

Weight and package

A cabin tent is not the option you’d bring to backpacking, that’s for sure. The weight starts somewhere at 30 pounds and might go up to 100 pounds (yes, canvas tents can be this bulky). 

While cabin tents are designed for car camping, weight isn’t that big of a concern. Instead, concentrate on interior space and other relevant aspects we list here. 

Think if a packed size is a determining factor for you – some cabin tents are more giant when packed, so if you have a minimal trunk space, this is what you should pay attention to. 

Simply speaking, the “instant-design” cabin-style tents tend to be bulkier and pack longer as they feature pre-attached poles that don’t pack small. 

Weatherproofness

Like we said, cabin tents feature vertical walls that don’t perform well in poor weather conditions. Using these tents in extremely windy or wet conditions isn’t a good idea because they might be unable to survive severe wind gusts.

Still, cabin tents are weather-protected. The rainfly is often the primary savior when it comes to rain, so it’s wise to consider how they are made. 

A proper tent fly should have entirely taped or sealed seams in order for water not to leak through the seams. It’s even better if the seams are sealed on the inside tent canopy – it’s more common for top-quality tents that perform better in storms.

Price

How much cabin-style tents cost depends on various factors like the number of people, fabrics, features, etc. 

There are budget options for 2-4 people at around $100-$200. Cheaper cabin tent options that fit 4-6 people for sleep can cost $200-$400. 

Durability

A pole system is what defines the tent’s durability first. The strongest poles are made from aluminum, and the bigger the width, the better. 

Steel poles are sometimes used, as well. While heavier than aluminum, steel offers a high tensile structure that won’t likely collapse in bad weather. Cabin tents often include fiberglass poles, which, although we’d like something more substantial, isn’t necessarily a deal breaker.

If you’re choosing a tent with fiberglass poles – watch out for how thick each pole is. Budget tents have a nasty reputation for employing fragile fiberglass poles in the secondary areas of a tent, especially awnings. They might break if you don’t handle them properly during setup or transportation. 

Also, cabin tents are fundamentally family or group shelters that – like none of the other tents – see a lot of foot traffic. Hence, we advise choosing a cabin tent with durable flooring made of robust, dense fabrics.

Ease of setup

Of course, if there’s a cabin tent that takes as little time to build as it gets, it’s a tent we want to go for. Some tents feature “instant design” that’s known for its pre-attached poles and hubs. Such tents only require extending and staking out, considerably decreasing the setup time. 

Though not all cabin-style tents are immediate, and conventional pole-in-sleeve or clip-in designs are often a more trustworthy decision. They don’t have that many moving parts and are easier to fix if something goes off. 

In the end, it’s up to you to decide, so give careful thought to what you find more critical – simplicity or reliability. 

Bottom line

With all these factors in mind, we’ve found that Core 10-Person Instant Cabin Tent is the winning choice on the current market. Nearly the smallest weight, spacious interior, and easy setup coupled with exceptional features make it effortlessly stand out from the competition. 

If you’re up to a premium glamping-like experience in a huge cabin tent leading with its interior space and headroom – Coleman Octagon 8-Person Tent will give you all of that, plus more.

And if you want a cabin tent that’ll last for a lifetime, Kodiak Flex-Bow Canvas Tent is a shot you won’t regret. Nothing is more durable than a quality, 100% cotton duck canvas, which will gracefully stand through heavy rains and winds, even in winter. 

We hope our review helped you find what you’re looking for. And if you’re still unsure what’s the best cabin tent for you or have any other questions or experience to share – leave a comment below.

Looking for other types of tents?

We got you covered. Check out our detailed reviews on other types of tents that stand out from the market:

• If you’re up to camping with a larger crew or just want to have lots of extra space for yourself, a 12-person tent will do the job.
• If you’re a light sleeper or simply want to improve your sleeping experience outdoors, there’s no better option than a blackout tent.
• If hitting the road in the pickup is part of the plan, a truck tent is worth a shot.
• If you’re on the hunt for a compact, lightweight shelter for you or plus one, a small two-person tent is exactly what you’re looking for.