Camping is an activity that is always a lot more fun to do with others. No matter if it’s with your family or your friends, it’s always a great time.
Here are some of the best 8 person tents that you’ll find available in the marketplace.
Best 8 Person Tents for Family Camping
- Coleman Elite Montana 8-Person Tent (Best Overall)
- Gazelle T8 (Best Pop Up Tent)
- Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent (Best Value)
- Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent (Best Tent with Screened Room)
- Coleman Tenaya Lake Cabin Tent (Best Cabin Tent)
1. Coleman Elite Montana 8-Person Tent | Best Overall
- 16 ft. x 7 ft., fits eight people or three queen airbeds, 6...
- Sets up in 15 minutes or less
- LED tent light with 3 settings high, low, nightlight
- Hinged door for easy entry and exit
- 4 Pole modified dome design with color-coded pole sleeves...
The Coleman Elite Montana 8-person tent is one of the best options that you’ll find for your entire family whether you have a lot of gear or not.
If you need a lot more space for gears, this tent provides an extended door awning that can be a good place to do so. You’ll have a nice little space for gear that you want to keep dry.
This 8-person tent has a cabin-style tent design which means that you should feel very comfortable in it. It can be your outdoor home. With this tent, there is no worrying about lighting either.
The tent comes with six built-in CPX LED lights that you can use during the night without having to fiddle with flashlights or anything else. For those daytime hours, you can roll down your windows to allow the sun to creep through.
If you’re worried about weather protection, you don’t have to with this tent. The tent features a weather-resistant fabric. The tent could use some more air circulation so you might want to bring some fans along.
Specification:
- Material: Fiberglass
- Special Feature: Rainfly
- Item Weight: 27.4 Pounds
- Shape: Dome
- Closure Type: Zipper
- The tent is fairly tall which is good for taller people
- The tent has a big rainfly that has good coverage
- The tent comes with quality zippers
- It can get steamy inside and could use better circulation
2. Gazelle T8 | Best Pop Up Tent
- GREAT FOR THE OUTDOORS: Portable hub tent great for camping,...
- SPACIOUS STRUCTURE: Room for 8 people, setting up 78 inches...
- ELEMENT RESISTANT: Provides protection from rain and...
- EASY SET-UP: Pop up camping tent sets up in as little as 90...
- INCLUDED WITH TENT: Includes collapsible tent, detachable...
The Gazelle T8 is the kind of tent that you can count on to be with you for a long time. It’s a durable and quality-made tent. While the tent itself is fairly heavy, the design is a good one which means it’s a tent you can count on as opposed to some of the other tents available.
The T8 comes with six different wall pockets that are oversized. Also, it has four canopy nets included and specially made areas where lanterns or nightlights can be placed. The tent also has removable bathtub floors.
It also has a good heavy denier shell that features a waterproof rating of 2000 mm HH. Therefore, you can count on the tent to keep you and the others in the tent very dry. The shell of the tent can also protect you from the sun with a UV protection of 50+.
There is a lot of interior storage space in this tent which means you should be able to spread out your gear and keep it dry. The sides roll up and can be rolled down to give you protection whenever you need it. They can subsequently be rolled up to provide more ventilation afterward.
Specification:
- Size 94″ x 168″
- Material: Oxford, 300D Oxford Weave floor material is waterproof up to 5000MM HH Rating
- Special Feature: Water-Resistant, Portable, Lightweight, Pop Up, Rainfly
- Shape: Rectangular
- Closure Type: Zipper
- Pole Material Type: Fiberglass
- Floors are removable
- Good interior space and organization
- Great build quality
- It’s fairly heavy
3. Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent | Best Value
- Sleeps 9 people; Fits three queen air mattresses; Center...
- CORE H20 Block Technology and adjustable ground vent.Pole...
- Features gear loft with lantern hook and pockets to keep...
- Electrical cord access port (port is fully closable when not...
- Includes tent, tent poles, rain fly, tent stakes, and carry...
The Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent is one that you could consider. This tent has two different ridge poles included that can give the tent a lot more free space inside. Therefore, it could be one of the roomier options. It could sleep as many as 9 people. This tent has great waterproofing features and it’s very easy to set up and use.
The seams of this tent are heat-sealed with thicker tape which means that you can count on them to keep water out. Also, if you are in hotter and sunnier conditions, you can always take off the rainfly which can help you get more ventilation with the included mesh ceiling.
The tent features a completely waterproof rain fly with excellent coverage to keep you dry. It has H2O Block Technology which means that the seams are sealed shut to keep water out even in the wettest conditions. For those days where the wind is brutal, it comes with very sturdy and durable fiberglass poles that will be able to withstand some high winds.
Specification:
- Material: Durable 68D Polyester
- Special Feature: Water-Resistant, Tent Stakes, Rainfly
- Item Weight: 18.21 Pounds
- Shape: Dome
- Closure Type: Zipper
- Pole Material Type: Fiberglass
- Very good ventilation in warm weather
- Good durability for harsh winds
- Very spacious interior
- It’s very easy to get setup
- It can be difficult to store the tent in the included bag
4. Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent | Best Tent with Screened Room
This tent is made out of Weather Armor which is a polyester fabric that has a water-resistant coating to it. The Wenzel Klondike is a spacious tent at a size of (16 x 11 ft). It is capable of fitting as many as 8 people within it and it has a zip-up wall.
Because of its height at the center, even the tallest people will be able to stand in this tent without hitting their heads. The tent has a screen room that makes for a good spot to store camping gear.
The tent comes in two different colors either blue or tan. It also features a mesh roof and two different mesh windows that allow for a good amount of circulation. The tent has a rear mesh vent to allow for better circulation.
All of the seams of this tent are very sturdy as they are double-stiched. The tent has a tub bottom and everything is completely water-resistant which alleviates any concerns of having water creep in.
Specification:
- Special Feature: Water-Resistant
- Item Weight: 27.3 Pounds
- Shape: Round
- Closure Type: Zipper
- Pole Material Type: Fiberglass, Steel
- Spacious inside
- The tent has good circulation
- Rainfly is small
5. Coleman Tenaya Lake Cabin Tent | Best Cabin Tent
- Cabin tent features built-in closet with shelves and hanger...
- Fast Pitch design sets up in about 9 minutes
- Spacious 8-person design with room divider included for...
- WeatherTec system with patented welded floors and inverted...
- Measures 13 x 9 feet with 2 x 2-foot closet and 6-foot...
Tenaya Lake is a cabin-style tent that you could consider getting. It features straight walls which allow for a good amount of useable space. It also has good ceiling clearance for taller people.
This tent has multiple windows that are available and the tent has a mesh cover on top that allows you to get a good view of the stars at night. One of the best features of this tent is its specially designed closet that gives you plenty of storage space.
This tent offers a quick setup with a lot of pre-attached, color-coded poles. All of this makes the setup process extremely easy and quick. Along with this, it comes with a D-shaped door that is hinged and the tent has storm covers throughout the tent to keep the water out.
The tent comes with five windows that offer better ventilation throughout. This makes it the best option for those camping in the heat. The tent is capable of keeping everyone completely dry and comfortable in wet conditions thanks to its inverted seams.
The tent does have zippers near the corners that allow you to extend the tent and it comes with an included privacy divider.
Specification:
- Material: Nylon
- Special Feature: Rainfly
- Closure Type: Zipper
- Pole Material Type: Steel
- Excellent waterproofing
- Easy setup
- 5 Windows
- Extension port
- Poles aren’t the sturdiest
Buying Guide
Cabin Vs Dome Style
Picking a cabin or dome tent is simply a matter of personal preference. If you choose a dome tent, then you will enjoy better wind resistance; then again, the tradeoff is not having enough room to stand up inside your tent and walk around. A cabin tent will give you more comfort and space, but they won’t endure hard weather conditions nearly as well.
Dimensions
When manufacturers make the claim that you’re able to fit 8 people in one of their tents, they don’t tell you that only happens if you pack in like sardines. In reality, a more comfortable number of people is likely to be only 4 or 5.
You need to factor in things like space for backpacks and gear, as well as anyone sleeping on big air mattresses, as that alone usually takes at least two or three.
Many models have square footage in the area of 140 feet, although some will be less and some more. The average interior height is going to be 6 to 6.5 feet.
Weight
Your tent weight will strongly influence how you specifically use your tent as well as how easily you can transport it.
The single biggest factor in the total weight of a tent will be what material is used in the manufacture of it. Canvas is among the heaviest materials in use, although it’s also robust enough to possibly last you a lifetime. Polyester can be a lighter choice, and if you want to go even lighter, then choose nylon.
Something else that factors into the weight of any tent is what materials manufacturers use when creating the tent poles. For instance, metal tent poles weigh a lot more than fiberglass poles, and yet they are also stronger.
Ease of Setting Up
Many manufacturers like to advertise they have an easy setup, and yet you should know that 8-person tents aren’t small, and they’re hard to set up. They usually take two people in order to put up, and we strongly suggest practice at home prior to going out camping.
If you’d like something that you can trust to be robust and last a long time, then think about traditional cabin tents among the 8-person options.
If you get an option from a reputable brand that uses effective materials, then you should have a tent that you can totally pitch in under 20 minutes.
Pole and Fabric Materials
Fiberglass is a very popular pole material. It’s economical, light in weight, and it won’t corrode, meaning it can last a long time with careful treatment. If you want something stronger, go for aluminum, just keep in mind that it costs more and it is something that will corrode. Carbon fiber is certainly a strong material, although it won’t bend well, making it easy to break.
The best two tent fabrics tend to be cotton, thanks to its breathability and insulation, or canvas, given its sturdiness. Both of these fabrics are durable options, and they can also both resist those harmful UV rays you don’t want. On the other hand, nylon tents cost less, don’t need as much maintenance, and they’re lighter in weight. However, they’re not nearly as rigid or breathable.
Protection from the Weather
Look for specific features such as bathtub floors, inverted seams, and high HH ratings, preferably over 1500 mm. Such features are often present in great tents and they’ll help you stay totally dry when there is heavy rain.
If you would like to cover every base, then invest in an effective waterproof spray so you know for sure that your tent is waterproof.
Having an effective rain fly also proves essential. Make sure that any rain fly actually extends all the way to the bottom, covering the whole tent. If it does not do this, then rain might still get in. You might wake up in the morning in a big water puddle.
Ventilation
You should choose a tent with appropriate insect meshing. It’s not fun if you have to share your tent with bugs, particularly the biters.
You also want to have adequate ventilation. Keep an eye out for tents that have roof vents, since you can open these to minimize condensation.
Number of Available Doors
When picking a tent, you should look at how many doors the tent has available, as well as their orientation. This can help you out with daytime ventilation, and you absolutely don’t want people disturbing each other during the night to go to the bathroom outside.
Room Dividers
If you have a spacious and broad-enough 8-person tent that doesn’t restrict movement, then you can have a lot of fun inside.
Then again, many 8-person tents have options in terms of setting up dividers between rooms. Whether these dividers create two or three rooms, they can prove advantageous based on your own preferences and situation.
For example, families that travel with kids might want to create spaces just for their kids. That might help them enjoy being outdoors more, since adults won’t need to fight for their own space. This can be true even if you camp with friends. Couples might have the chance to pair off, and individuals who want a bit more privacy can have it.
If you decide to use any room dividers, then find a tent that makes it simple to put them up and take them down. You don’t want to spend even more time putting walls up than you did the whole tent.
Storage
Storage can be a primary issue for anyone who goes camping.
There are quite a few various kinds of storage available, ranging from pockets to hold smaller items such as phones to hangers and hooks for clothes or items you don’t want to be creased or folded. Screened areas might also prove useful for muddy and big items.
Some tents have gear lofts. These are a storage platform near the top of the interior space in a tent. It’s an effective way for keeping possessions out of your way, since they won’t eat up floor space in your tent. Rather, they’ll have safe storage overhead.
Another option to think about is a full vestibule. This can be a great solution when you have cooking gear, large bags, or other possessions that you’d like to store separately.
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Last update on 2022-05-30 / Rating by Author / Affiliate links, Images, Descriptions & Price from Amazon Product Advertising API