As a frequent backcountry hiker and camper, I have to admit it’s nice not to worry about weight. An hour later, we found ourselves facing a 6-foot-high dam of logs, which we crossed in about 3 minutes by hauling our boards (with gear still attached) over the blockage and continuing on our merry way. Compared to other ISLE models, a thicker, comfier foam pad covers the entire Switch Pro. A series of loops on either side make it easy to clip on more gear, tie on to other boards, and attach the kayak seat (same as the Switch). And given that it rolls up into a backpack, I think many paddlers will accept the compromise without a second thought. From my own experience, I can say that the Switch Pro certainly feels sturdier on the water than my ISLE Explorer 2.
It has everything you need for three-season camping, with the bonus of being light enough to double as an occasional backpacking tent. Although it’s designed to accommodate three people—hence the “3” in its name—we found that at 42.5 square feet, the tent is more comfortable for two, plus gear and maybe ozark trail instant cabin a medium-size dog. Underneath the fly, the Mineral King 3 has a full mesh dome with a waterproof, tape-seamed bathtub-style polyester floor. The tent doors are nearly wall-sized, and after you unzip them, you simply stuff them into pockets, rather than having to roll and toggle-tie the fabric.
The main tent body has a giant front door that’s oriented to make entry and exit easy for all the tent’s occupants at night, and a smaller back window that doubles as a second door. After researching 30 six-person tents and testing 15 side by side on a total of five trips, we chose the Kelty Wireless 6 as the best entry-level camping tent for most families. It’s spacious, easy to set up, has weather protection, and is durable, all at an affordable price. The Wireless 6 lacks some of the premium materials found in pricier tents, but it features solid workmanship and should provide dependable, comfortable shelter in most three-season camping situations.
The Wawona 6 is more complex to set up than a classic dome-style tent like the Wireless 6, but not by much. We recommend doing it with two people, but one person can manage in about 15 minutes. As with any free-standing tent, with this one you stake out the four corners, and then you feed the two main tent poles through the Wawona’s fabric sleeves, which go halfway down the tent’s body. The North Face’s color-coded poles make this process easy to navigate. (We were stubborn and didn’t look at the instructions.) Once you identify the front and back, the process is straightforward. The fly goes up and over the tent body, covering only the upper half of the mesh dome, and then forms the glorious vestibule with the aid of a third pole.
The tent also comes with its own footprint, a groundsheet that protects the tent from abrasion, which we recommend that you have. One night during testing, for example, clouds loomed in the distance with clear skies overhead. After we pitched the tent, the Mineral King 3’s adaptable fly let us leave half the mesh dome uncovered. At the first sign of rain, it took only a few seconds—and a quick hand stuck outside the tent—to unfurl the fly and secure it for a dry night’s sleep. When we awoke, we could roll back one part of the vestibule, make coffee, and watch the sky lighten even though it was still raining. With nearly 60 square feet of floor space plus two large vestibules, the Tungsten 4 is roomier than our top-pick tent for couples.
The Ozark Trail canopy very well might be one of the best selling 10×10 tent brands of all time. The easily recognizable logo has been seen by nearly everyone at youth soccer tournaments or beach vacations in recent years. Andrew brings his writing experience to outdoor gear and adventures throughout the Americas. When he’s not writing, playing gigs, or exploring the outdoors, he’s hanging out with his dog Campana.
We personally inspect, test, and re-certify items that arrive as previously opened. These items become available for a lower-than-retail price, of up to 70% off. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through ozark trail canopy tent our links to retailer sites. Our picks above are the best of the best, but here are other great performers from our evaluations to keep in mind. That’s exactly what I did over my Memorial Day weekend, finding immense enjoyment from the Switch Pro’s flexibility as I explored dozens of miles of the Chattahoochee.