Cheap instant tent

mjbrox

Well-known member
Jun 30, 2008
1,812
48
Golden CO
I am in search of a cheap easy up tent for the family.

Realistically, ill probably use it 3-4 times this summer. My current tent is a PITA to set up and I always have to do it by myself in the dark. So the insta tents look appealing

Im not going to use it in extream weather so quality is not that big of adeal.

Anyone have experience with these?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Tr...5035&wl11=online&wl12=126853659&wl13=&veh=sem
 

az_max

1
Apr 22, 2005
7,463
2
I am in search of a cheap easy up tent for the family.

Realistically, ill probably use it 3-4 times this summer. My current tent is a PITA to set up and I always have to do it by myself in the dark. So the insta tents look appealing

Im not going to use it in extream weather so quality is not that big of adeal.

Anyone have experience with these?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-10-x-9-Dark-Rest-Frp-Cabin-Tent-Sleeps-6/126853659

Although it's not an insta-tent, I see Walmart is stocking the tent like my old Columbia tent. It hangs under an easy-up and is ready to go in about a minute after you get the canopy up. If I hadn't gone with the canvas tent, I would easily buy another like this.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-6-Person-ConnecTent-for-Canopy/46271757 ($79 plus easy-up)
 

K-rover

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2010
2,163
62
Raleigh, NC
I have the 10 person instant tent from Ozark trail.. Ive used it pretty often for the last two years.. I love it! Takes less than 5 minutes to setup by myself.. As long as you take care of it (especailly while backing it up) it should last for a while.
 

jim-00-4.6

Well-known member
Sep 30, 2005
2,037
6
61
Genesee, CO USA
Although it's not an insta-tent, I see Walmart is stocking the tent like my old Columbia tent. It hangs under an easy-up and is ready to go in about a minute after you get the canopy up. If I hadn't gone with the canvas tent, I would easily buy another like this.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-6-Person-ConnecTent-for-Canopy/46271757 ($79 plus easy-up)
I've got an inexpensive Target brand tent I bought years ago, still works fine, but it's practically the size of my house.
I also have an easy-up, which is a nice thing to have along when camping.
But that "clips onto the existing frame of the easy up" is fucking brilliant.
 

bnmack1

Well-known member
Apr 14, 2014
63
3
Ga
Had an Ozark tent and had leaking problems. It is inexpensive but the quality is not good.
 

luckyjoe

Well-known member
Oct 10, 2004
455
118
New Jersey USA
Having seen the wind carry many away to Kansas, I avoid the pop-up style shelters. However I do have an inexpensive tent to take the family "up to the cabin"...
 
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K-rover

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2010
2,163
62
Raleigh, NC
Bringing this back up as I recently got a Gazelle tent. Sets up in 90 seconds and goes down just as fast. Quality materials especially compared to Walmart or even my REI tent. My only con is the length if it packed up. 56" long.
Had it out at Cape Lookout a few weeks ago and even with the constant wind a few storms. It never moved or got wet inside. I will say that I used 15" auger stakes on the beach. Regular stakes wouldnt have stood a chance! I have the T4 which lets me stand up in it comfortably at 6ft tall. The T3 is the same tent just smaller. The T4 plus adds another outdoor room for your gear or to hang out in. Definitely worth a look if you're in the market for a new tent! "Pop-Up Camping Hub Tents and Portable Gazebos - Gazelle Camping Hub Tent" https://www.gazelletents.com/Product/gazelle-camping-hub-tent-7177
 

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SCSL

Well-known member
Apr 27, 2005
4,144
152
I'm a little late to this party, but here's my suggestion. Get a good quality tent cot, and use a cheap instant-tent (properly sprayed and seam-sealed) to store your gear and serve as a place to change. You'll appreciate being off the ground and comfortable. I mean, when it comes to car camping, Rover events, etc, why not haul the heavy gear and live it up?
 

K-rover

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2010
2,163
62
Raleigh, NC
I'm a little late to this party, but here's my suggestion. Get a good quality tent cot, and use a cheap instant-tent (properly sprayed and seam-sealed) to store your gear and serve as a place to change. You'll appreciate being off the ground and comfortable. I mean, when it comes to car camping, Rover events, etc, why not haul the heavy gear and live it up?
I totally use a cot in this tent with a nice air pad. No sleeping on the ground here! I agree, no need in roughing it when I can haul all the gear with the Rover. Backpacking is a different story all together. For that I just use a hammock.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
I am in search of a cheap easy up tent for the family.

Realistically, ill probably use it 3-4 times this summer. My current tent is a PITA to set up and I always have to do it by myself in the dark. So the insta tents look appealing

Im not going to use it in extream weather so quality is not that big of adeal.

Anyone have experience with these?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Tr...5035&wl11=online&wl12=126853659&wl13=&veh=sem
For about $100 more. This is a great tent that will last you a decade if you take care of it. Only put it away after it's dry. I sealed the stitching when I got mine. Now my son uses it all the time. Its at least 10 yeas old.

 

Howski

Well-known member
Oct 19, 2009
1,483
209
Alabama
X2 on Eureka tents. Have had mine close to a decade now and it’s performed pretty well for the price. Doesn’t get much use anymore as I primarily sleep in the back of the LR3 these days
 

bri

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
6,178
152
US
I'm a little late to this party, but here's my suggestion. Get a good quality tent cot, and use a cheap instant-tent (properly sprayed and seam-sealed) to store your gear and serve as a place to change. You'll appreciate being off the ground and comfortable. I mean, when it comes to car camping, Rover events, etc, why not haul the heavy gear and live it up?

Revisiting as I am in the market. I spent 28 days in a tent in oct 2020.

1 cheap tents either decent to live in from 10+ degrees or easy to set up and will not hold up to rain, snow, wind. Tent cot? Forget about it unless summer and perfect weather.

I had simple large self pitching tent an screen room i tested in WY snowy mountains for 1 week. About 65 lbs. Umbrella like. Took 13 stakes on tent. 12 on fly and struggled. Sold it. Took 2 min to set up and 30 min to dial in.

Next... tent for 28 days one location.


Great tent. Crap for stakes, tough for 1 to setup.

Enough space for queen size airmatress, 2 chairs table, lightweight. Took a lot of stakes to weather rain, wind and snow. Decent down to 32 with Mr heater an 0 deg bag. 10 degrees and snow was a cold night.

Could not stand completely upright.

After weeks in it still like new, but a gave to some hopi's working on stabilizing ruins.

Used my 5p 30 year old 4 season Sierra designs the rest of trip... another week, mut on the move every other night or so.

Bullet proof. 5 min set up, self supporting, then stake in. Queen-sized mattress, heater fills it. Fine for dining. Tent is now unobtainable and s.d. refused to make zip in solid panel for some of their larger designs.

So.... future options.

Hunting tent. 8p. Not an option as stakes poles canvas will easily weight 125lbs. Too much. There may be some nylon or similar alternatives at bass pro, but toug set up.

Gonna go for a real mountaineering base camp dome. Its got size, easy set up. Exterior fly, footprint and if you need interior to use as 3 season. Att at 25lbs. Drawback? $$$$$
 

Blueboy

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
3,205
459
Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
Gonna go for a real mountaineering base camp dome. Its got size, easy set up. Exterior fly, footprint and if you need interior to use as 3 season. Att at 25lbs. Drawback? $$$$$

We were camping on my birthday in May at Great Sand Dunes NP. Not too many sites away was a Mountain Hardware base camp dome. Looked very cool. We were using an old LL Bean 2 room tent. Weather forecast called for rain that night so staked out all the tie down points.
Wind was fierce enough during the storm it bent one of the aluminum support poles.
What was totally amazing to me the next morning was the dome was on the ground and the campers in their car. Stuff was scattered everywhere. Other than a bent pole we were intact and dry. That LL Bean tent earned respect from me after that. It also showed a properly setup decent tent will keep you dry when it really counts.
 
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bri

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
6,178
152
US
We were camping on my birthday in May at Great Sand Dunes NP. Not too many sites away was a Mountain Hardware base camp dome. Looked very cool. We were using an old LL Bean 2 room tent. Weather forecast called for rain that night so staked out all the tie down points.
Wind was fierce enough during the storm it bent one of the aluminum support poles.
What was totally amazing to me the next morning was the dome was on the ground and the campers in their car. Stuff was scattered everywhere. Other than a bent pole we were intact and dry. That LL Bean tent earned respect from me after that. It also showed a properly setup decent tent will keep you dry when it really counts.

Mtn hw is not on my list too pricey and nightmare setup on basecamps. Like llbean, but screen tops won't cut it.
 

Blueboy

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
3,205
459
Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
Mtn hw is not on my list too pricey and nightmare setup on basecamps. Like llbean, but screen tops won't cut it.
Yep. Our Bean tent is now at least 20 years old and has served us well for vehicle camping. Haven’t looked at their latest offering so can’t comment.
Good luck with your search!
 

bri

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
6,178
152
US
Yep. Our Bean tent is now at least 20 years old and has served us well for vehicle camping. Haven’t looked at their latest offering so can’t comment.
Good luck with your search!

I ended up with Big Agnes big house. Tent canopy, sun/rain shades. Base camp for > week.

4 season ancient Sierra Designs, it's warm.

Pack contains Cuben Fiber, Bear Paw 2 person at 15oz. Pack for a week is 25 lbs.

Hopefully I get out to 4 corners for most of Oct and some of Nov.
 
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Blueboy

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
3,205
459
Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
I ended up with Big Agnes big house. Tent canopy, sun/rain shades. Base camp for > week.

4 season ancient Sierra Designs, it's warm.

Pack contains Cuben Fiber, Bear Paw 2 person at 15oz. Pack for a week is 25 lbs.

Hopefully I get out to 4 corners for most of Oct and some of Nov.
Big Agnes = great tents! Can’t go wrong.
 
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