Spoiler Alert: Conquerwild named the Kodiak Flex-Bow Canvas as the best tent for high winds!!
Wind is one of the most powerful forces that Mother Nature has to offer. When camping with a weak, insufficient tent, a single gust can have your entire setup in shambles.
If you plan on camping through a windstorm, you need a tent that’s up for the job. The best tent for high winds is one that’s strong, versatile and low-profile.
There are lots of great wind resistant tents out there, but I’ve done my best to narrow them down to a top 5. Here are the best products I could find:
The Products I’ll Be Reviewing
- CAMPPAL Professional 2-3 Person Mountain Tent
- Alps Mountaineering Tasmanian 3 Person Tent
- MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent
- Coleman WeatherMaster 10 Person Outdoor Tent
- Kodiak Flew-Bow 6 Person Canvas Tent
CAMPPAL Professional 2-3 Person Mountain Tent – Most Affordable Tent For High Winds
Let’s get things started with the least expensive product on this list: the CAMPPAL 4 Season Mountain Tent. Every aspect of this shelter is made with a surprising level of quality for the price. It comes with strong aluminum tent poles that resist high winds. All seams are taped and the bathtub floor is 4000mm water resistant. It also has a durable, ripstop rain fly (made from 210T poly) that’s 3500mm water resistant.
The CAMPPAL is also freestanding, super easy to set up and ultra lightweight at 8 pounds. The floor plan is 6.9 feet x 5.9 feet, so there’s enough space for 2 campers to fit comfortably. It’s equipped with several reinforced anchor points for staking down and guying out. Reflective accents on the guy line adjusters also make them easy to see at night.
This tent has a 4.3 foot peak height and a full mesh ceiling for excellent airflow. When you need more protection, the full coverage rainfly features integrated vents with a small storage vestibule over each of the 2 entrances. While it is pretty tiny, this tent covers pretty much every essential area of wind resistance.
To Sum It Up:
For such an affordable product, this tent performs really well under windy conditions. It also holds its own in cold and rainy weather. It’s got good storage space, great durability and it’s user-friendly. This is a great option for 2 people camping in windy weather.
Pros
- Most affordable tent for high winds.
- Lightweight.
- Reflective accents for night visibility.
- Water resistant bathtub floor and taped seams.
- UV resistant.
- Includes sturdy steel stakes.
- Aluminum tent poles.
- Gear loft, vestibule and storage pockets.
Cons
- Rainfly vents don’t seal completely.
ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 3 Person Tent – Best 4 Season Tent For High Winds
ALPS Mountaineering usually does well in the weather resistance department. This is especially true with their Tasmanian 3 Person Tent. This shelter is super sleek-looking with a slim and narrow profile. The orange rainfly not only looks good, but it’s made from 75D 185T polyester. It’s highly resistant to rain, UV rays and wind. The same level of durability extends to the floor of this tent, which is 5000mm water resistant.
This is a 4 season tent, and it really holds up to that standard. The aluminum poles that hold the Tasmanian up include a weatherproof shock cord for maximum durability. Also, all floor and rainfly seams are factory sealed. It has closable mesh vents, as well as 2 doors and lots of storage space. It includes 2 storage vestibules that are shockingly large for the tent’s small size. On top of all that, it weighs in at less than 10 pounds, making it great for backpacking.
To Sum It Up:
This product from ALPS Mountaineering is a great example of a true 4-season tent. It holds up extremely well against not only wind, but all harsh weather (especially heavy rain). It isn’t super roomy (6.7 feet x 7.8 feet) or cheap, but it will surely hold its own in windy weather.
Pros
- 4 season tent.
- Lightweight.
- Highly water resistant.
- Aluminum tent poles with shock cord.
- 2 large storage vestibules, storage pockets and a gear loft.
- Closable mesh windows.
- Freestanding and simple setup.
Cons
- Tent stakes aren’t the strongest.
MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent – Most Lightweight Tent For High Winds
The MSR Hubba Hubba Tent is a beast when it comes to battling strong winds. This tent is backpacker friendly and extremely lightweight at only 3.5 pounds! With 29 square feet of living space and a 39 inch peak height, this is a roomy shelter for 1 or 2 people on a windy day.
The magic of this tent’s wind resistance is all in its flexible yet sturdy Easton Syclone Poles. These are made from aerospace composite materials, and they always bounce back to their original shape. Also, the tent is topped off with an “Xtreme Waterproof Coating” which is said to last up to 3 times longer than standard DWR (durable water repellent). The 30D ripstop nylon tent floor is also coated and it’s 3000mm water resistant. On dry days, you can remove the rainfly and take full advantage of the mesh ceiling.
To Sum It Up:
The Hubba Hubba tent really has a ton to offer for its size. It’s super easy to set up, relentless in harsh weather and it looks really nice too. The tent poles are top tier, as is the water resistant coating. Also, I think the built-in rain gutters on the tent doors are pretty awesome. If you’re on a two person (or solo) camping trip, you won’t find better wind protection than the MSR Hubba Hubba.
Pros
- Most lightweight tent on this list!!
- Super sturdy Easton Syclone tent poles.
- Xtreme Waterproof Coating and stitched seams.
- 2 storage vestibules.
- Color-coded clips for easy setup.
- Built-in rain gutters.
- Includes stakes and guylines.
Cons
- A bit pricey.
- Could use a few more anchor points.
Coleman WeatherMaster 10 Person Outdoor Tent – Best Large Tent For High Winds
If you’re on the hunt for large tents for windy conditions, this may be the product for you. The aptly named Coleman WeatherMaster serves as a super efficient shelter for inclement weather. This 10 person tent is large enough to fit 3 queen-sized air mattresses and offers over 6.5 feet of head space. There’s also a room separator and a super unique hinged door that makes it feel really homey inside. If you don’t need all this space, you can opt for the 6 person version of the same tent.
The Coleman Weathermaster is as strong as it is big. The tent poles are fiberglass with strong shock cord support. The frame is designed with guy-out triangles and there are plenty of anchor points around the perimeter. This tent resists rain incredibly well thanks to its WeatherTec system. It has inverted seams, a 1000D polyethylene floor and a 75D polyester taffeta rainfly. Combine all these factors into one product and you get a super weather resistant tent.
To Sum It Up:
This tent feels like a home, and it’s sturdy enough to act as one. With that being said, it’s also huge and heavy- so it’s not cut out for backpacking. I’ve come to expect a certain level of quality when it comes to Coleman’s products, and this tent meets that expectation.
Pros
- Huge with a 17’ x 9’ floor plan and a 6’8” peak height.
- Affordable.
- Color-coded poles for easy setup.
- Well ventilated.
- Has an E-Port for power cord access.
- Includes hinged door.
Cons
- It’s heavy (31 pounds).
- Poor quality stakes included.
Kodiak Flex-Bow 6 Person Canvas Tent – Best Tent For High Winds Overall
Now, let’s discuss the most heavy duty tent on this list: The Kodiak Flex Bow Canvas Tent. Instead of the typical polyester or nylon tent walls, the Kodiak opts for a much more durable canvas. On the down side, this results in a much heavier tent (68 pounds to be exact- yikes). However, this also means you get a much more durable shelter. The tightly-woven 100% cotton duck canvas holds up incredibly well in rainstorms and high winds. At the same time, the material maintains breathability to prevent condensation.
The flex bow frame of this tent keeps the canvas super taut so that you don’t get any obnoxious flapping- even through ferocious wind storms. The poles are ultra sturdy and made from spring steel. Lots of anchor points around the tent also allow you to really stake this thing down to the ground.
As far as the interior goes, the Kodiak is quite luxurious. It features large, D-shaped doors on the front and rear, each with zippered mesh windows. The ceilings are tall at 6.5 feet and 2 funnel-flow vents allow for excellent airflow. You also get a large, 72 inch x 78 inch awning as an added touch. Not to mention, the tent is pretty awesome looking.
To Sum It Up:
Is this tent going to be the best choice for everybody out there? No. It’s super heavy and very expensive. However, there is no other tent on the market that combats high winds as well as this one. This tent is designed to fight off inclement weather. It’s beyond sturdy, super spacious, extremely comfortable and it will last for a long time. As a result, it has my vote as the best tent for high winds.
Pros
- Extremely water-resistant 100% cotton duck canvas with a silicone finish.
- Super spacious.
- Well-ventilated.
- Double-stitched seams and welded corners.
- Includes 12 inch steel stakes.
- Includes gear loft, shelf pockets and large awning.
- Floor made from heavy-duty vinyl.
- Can purchase a 4 person, 6 person or 8 person version.
Cons
- Very expensive.
- Very heavy.
How To Find The Best Tent For Wind
High winds can be dangerous when you’re camping with an inadequate tent. If you’re expecting stormy weather, then your camp shelter should be ready for combat.
Choosing the best tent for strong winds means finding a shelter that has good bones and all of the essential features. Here’s what you should start looking for in a storm proof tent:
Sturdy Structure Makes For A Strong Tent
First thing’s first: your tent needs a durable structure to keep it standing. High winds can put a ton of force and stress on your tent poles.
If your poles are made from inefficient materials, they stand a good chance of breaking.
Aluminum tent poles perform well under moderately windy conditions. They’re super lightweight and quite strong, but in extreme conditions, they’re likely to bend. Luckily, bent tent poles are easily fixable. However, there’s not always time to fix your equipment when a storm’s blowing.
Fiberglass poles may snap when pushed to their limits, but they’re also heavier than aluminum. When it comes to high winds, this is a good thing. It means that they’re able to withstand a bit more force. If you do opt for a tent with fiberglass poles, make sure they have shock cords running through them. This should give them the extra strength they need to resist shattering.
Steel poles are generally the best for tent wind resistance. It’s highly unlikely that they’ll ever bend or snap. They may be heavy, but they make for a super strong tent.
There are other options out there as well, as we see with the MSR Hubba Hubba. This tent uses unique “Easton Syclone Poles” that are ultra strong and flexible.
Another important note about your tent’s structure: Regardless of what materials your poles are made of, it’s vital that you set your tent up correctly. Always follow directions closely and don’t cut corners. If your poles are in the wrong position, there’s a chance your tent will collapse.
Stakes And Guylines
When camping in windy weather, stakes and guylines are essential. Many tents come with these, but they’re usually low quality.
I recommend purchasing your own set separately. Look for V or Y shaped steel stakes, as these are the best at holding their place in the ground.
Before purchasing your windproof tent, be sure it has enough anchor points around the perimeter so you can stake it down properly.
When setting up, make sure your tent and rainfly are staked down and guyed out at every corner. Inspect each point to ensure it’s secure. Use your guylines to pull the rainfly taut before the winds kick in. If you don’t do this, your tent material will flap uncontrollably in the wind (which is extremely annoying).
Material Makes The Difference
It goes without saying that the material of your tent is an important part of weather protection. The best tents for windy conditions are made from fabrics that are ripstop and breathable.
Polyester and nylon are the two most commonly used materials for tents. Nylon is a bit more strong and stretchy, while polyester is cheaper and more abrasion resistant. Both work quite well for windy conditions.
When it comes to durability though, neither of these materials hold a candle to canvas. While this cotton-based material is much heavier, it’s far more durable.
In general, a fabric’s Denier rating is a good indicator of how strong it is. This is a scale that measures the thickness of each individual thread of fabric (for example: 150D nylon, 60D polyester, etc.). The higher the number, the better.
Thread count is important to consider as well. This represents the amount of threads found in every square inch of your fabric (for example: 190T polyester, 210T poly, etc.).
Water and UV Resistance Is Important
Strong winds often come with heavy rain. It’s important that your tent is able to hold its own against a potential downpour. Your shelter should come with a full coverage rainfly that’s made from quality materials.
Take a look at your tent fabric’s waterproof rating. This is measured in millimeters and represents the amount of water the material can withstand before leaking (for example: 3500mm poly, 2000mm nylon, etc.).
While fabrics like nylon and polyester are naturally water resistant, they perform best when coated with a layer of water repellent. If your tent doesn’t come with a coating, you may want to consider purchasing some eco-friendly tent waterproofing spray and applying it yourself.
The most common place for tents to leak is at the seams. It’s important to find a product that has welded corners and factory sealed, double stitched or inverted seams. Bathtub floors are another important feature to look for.
In addition to wind and rain, the sun’s rays can cause damage to your tent over time. If your tent doesn’t offer UV protection, your materials will weaken more and more with every camping trip.
The Shape Of Your Wind Resistant Tent
Aerodynamics play a role in the way that your tent handles wind. In general, a low profile, sleek-looking tent is going to be more wind resistant than a tall, boxy one. For this reason, dome tents usually outperform cabin tents in the wind.
With a cabin tent, there are more flat surfaces for the wind to blow directly against. This results in more stress on your tent walls.
If you do choose a tall tent, it needs to be seriously durable (like the Kodiak Canvas Tent).
Consider Weight And Size
When buying any type of tent, weight is an important factor to consider. The heavier your tent is, the harder it will be to transport from point A to point B.
Some of the products on this list are super lightweight and great for backpacking. The MSR Hubba Hubba weighs only 3.5 pounds! The CAMPPALL and Alps Mountaineering tents are each less than 10 pounds. Any of these products would be a great choice for backpackers.
If you’re driving directly to your campsite, then you won’t need to consider weight as much. In this case, a heavier tent like the Coleman WeatherMaster or the Kodiak Canvas may be the best option for you. Common sense suggests that heavy tents are less likely to be affected by the wind.
You should also consider the size of your tent when it’s packed up. If it’s big and bulky, then it may not be great for backpacking. Make sure you have extra room for the product you choose.
Is It Easy To Set Up?
In order for your tent to perform the way it’s supposed to, it needs to be set up correctly. There’s no room for error when it comes to camping in high winds.
If you’re a beginner, then it may be best to choose a tent with simple setup. Some products, such as the Coleman WeatherMaster, include color coded tent poles and clips to help you out along the way.
Whether you’re a novice or an expert, you should always practice pitching your tent before you go camping. Make sure you’re familiar with all the instructions. This will also give you the opportunity to check and make sure you’re not missing any parts.
Is There Enough Space?
A quality high wind tent is one that you can sleep comfortably in without feeling cramped. Choose a tent that’s large enough for your entire group.
Most tents define their size by the number of campers it sleeps (for example: 2 person, 4 person, etc.). However, the truth is that these numbers are usually pretty unrealistic. It’s rare that a 4 person tent will be able to comfortably fit 4 campers. Take these labels with a grain of salt.
Instead, I recommend looking at the actual dimensions of a tent to get a better idea of its size.
If you’re camping with a lot of gear, you’re going to need a safe place to store it. Most tents come with interior storage pockets to keep your small items. Some also include gear lofts which will let you hang larger objects from the ceiling.
Your product may also come with a gear vestibule. This is a covered section outside of your tent where you can keep dirty shoes and other similar items.
Ventilation Is Important
Proper airflow is one of the most overlooked aspects of a good tent. Even if it’s storming outside, your shelter needs a good ventilation system to keep you comfortable. If you don’t have enough airflow, condensation will start to build up inside your tent.
Choose a shelter that has at least 2 closable vents. Zippered windows are also a nice feature to help control airflow. Just be sure that your windows and doors are closed when the wind begins picking up speed. If they’re not, you run the risk of creating a parachute effect inside your tent, which can be dangerous.
Conquerwild’s Conclusion
High winds are no joke. If you find yourself camping in the midst of a windstorm, it’s important that your tent is strong enough to withstand the forces. You need a stable, water resistant shelter that’s made with durable materials. If you cut corners, you may put yourself in a dangerous situation.
All of the tents I’ve reviewed hold up really well in high winds. However, I think there’s one that stands out above the rest.
Our Top Pick Is…
The Kodiak Flex Bow Canvas Tent!!
This tent may be heavy and expensive, but it puts the others to shame when it comes to weather resistance. The cotton duck canvas is super resilient. The spring steel tent poles are beyond durable. It’s spacious, it’s versatile and it’s attractive. There’s no safer or more efficient option when it comes to camping in windy weather.
If you’re looking for a wind blocking tent that’s smaller and a bit more affordable, then I’d say that the MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Person Backpacking Tent is your best bet.
