Tough Winter Tents - Tried and Tested

Backpacker Magazine did a cool test on some of the best winter tents available on the market which involves spraying the tent with water at 150 psi (pounds per square inch) pressure for 3.5 minutes. The tents tested include Sierra Designs Convert Tent, Golite Valhalla, Black Diamond's Stormtrack and Big Agnes' String Ridge. None of the tents suffered ripped fabric or broken poles, that's how tough they are.

This do-it-all waterproof tent uses Drizone, which is a waterproof and breathable fabric. Not a drop of water leaked through during the testing but it moved about quite a bit. A few more guy-out points would probably be ideal.

Ventilation in this single-wall tent is excellent, even better than many 4-season tents. The mesh on both vents and door might have a significant effect on the ventilation. The optional vestibule has a window that allows you to look out without getting wet. The vestibule gives you plenty of space for storing you backpacking gear (boots, crampons, backpack, wet clothing, etc.)

The Convert tent can be set up with four tripod-like poles, called Jake's Corners, that tucks into the corners of the tent to give you more livable space and greatly improves the tent's stability. The Jake's Corners also help prevent pole rotation and significantly reduce the chances for pole failure in harsh weather.

However, in the long run, these Jake's Corners could punch a hole through the tent's fabric. Sierra Designs might consider beefing up these areas in the near future.

Set-up is quick and easy. You'll know how important this is if you've struggled setting up a tent in high winds before. Additionally, the Convert is very easy to pack.

Specs:

Weight (with Vestibule): 5 lbs 7 oz
Weight (without Vestibule): 4 lbs 6 oz
Packed Weight: 6 lb 10 oz
Packed Size: 22.5" x 7"
Number of Doors: 1
Interior Area: 29 sq ft (45.5" x 85")
Vestibule Area: 8.5 sq ft
Peak Height 45"
Poles: DAC Featherlite NSL
Number of Poles: 2 + 1 Vestibule, 1 Ridge
Floor Material: 70D PU-coated Nylon Taffeta
Body Material: Drizone 40D Nylon
Fly Material: 70D Nylon Taffeta
Clip/Sleeve: Sleeve
Ventilation: AirFlow Vent System
Seam Sealed: Yes
Recommended Use: 4-season, 2-person camping, backpacking
Manufacturer Warranty

Tough, stable, roomy and light are what the Valhalla was described as. Like the Convert, it's also a single-wall that excels in all seasons.

Two huge mesh doors and two vents encourage ventilation which prevents condensation from forming on the inside. Condensation is usually a problem for single wall tents.

Even though the Valhalla was voted the All-Conditions Champ by Backpacker Magazine, it didn't do well in the testing. The pressure was just too much of the champ and water was leaking through the seams and zipper.

Another disappointment with the Valhalla is that the interior is exposed to falling rain when you exit and enter the tent.

Specs:

Shelter Weight: 4 lbs
Stakes Weight: 4 oz
Poles Weight: 14 oz
Total Weight: 5 lbs 2 oz
No. of Doors: 2
Floor Space: 37 sq ft (90" x 60")
Vestibule Area: 19 sq ft
Interior Height: 42"
Pole Material: Aluminum
No. of Poles: 2
Floor Material: SilLite Nylon
Fly Material: Epic Nylon
Clip/Sleeve: Internal Clips
Ventilation: Mesh Walls, Side Vents
Seam Sealed: Floor
Recommended Use: Lightweight 4-season camping
Manufacturer Warranty: Lifetime

This is one of the toughest winter tent you can find. During the testing, not only did it stay dry, it also resisted the wind very well. Unlike all the other tents, the Storm Track is a boulder of a tent. It's one of the toughest tent you can find. With a roomy interior, it's also one of the most comfortable tent to sleep in.

The doors on both the front and back side of the tent makes going in and out easy. Unfortunately, the vestibule at the back of the tent is quite small so when you have gear in it, there won't be able to use the back door.

Ventilation is excellent, thanks to the adjustable front, rear and top vents. It's also a double-wall tent and problems with condensation is not very likely if you open up the vents.

Set-up is reasonably easy. You might even be able to pull it off without ever looking at the intructions. Taking down the tent and packing it is also very easy.

Specs:

Minimum Weight (no stakes, cords, stuff sack): 6 lbs 8 oz
Packaged Weight: 7 lbs
Packed Size: 7" x 22"
No. of Doors: 2
Floor Space: 35.6 sq ft (89" x 61")
Vestibule Area: 11 sq ft and 6.7 sq ft
Peak Height: 46"
Pole Material: Aluminum DAC FeatherLite
No. of Poles: 2 hubbed pole sets
Floor Material: Coated Nylon
Canopy Material: Nylon/Mesh
RainFly Material: Coated Polyester
Clip/Sleeve: 50/50
Ventilation: Adjustable front, rear and top vents
Seam Sealed:Seam taped 2500 mm polyester fly and 5000 mm nylon floor
Recommended Use: Basecamp, Mountaineering
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year

This double-wall tent from Big Agnes has proven to be reasonably watertight by Backpacker Magazine. It got affected by the wind a bit more than the Storm Track but also stayed completely dry.

The big pockets on the String Ridge makes it very convenient for storing gear. This frees up more space for the already roomy interior.

Ventilation is not too bad even though there's not many venting options. Set-up and packing the tent is easy.

Specs:

Minimum Weight: 5 lbs
Packaged Weight: 5 lbs 11 oz
Packed Size: 8" x 20"
No. of Doors: 1
Floor Space: 31.5 sq ft (90" x 57")
Vestibule Area: 11 sq ft
Peak Height: 42"
Pole Material: DAC Featherlite NSL (TH72M Aluminum)
No. of Poles: 2 Hub pole assembly + crossover + vestibule
Floor Material: Coated Nylon
Canopy Material: Nylon Ripstop
Rainfly Material: Coated Ripstop Nylon
Clip/Sleeve: Twist and HClips
Ventilation: Fly vents
Seam Sealed: Seams taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane (no PVC or VOC's)