Though every survivalist has their own list of must-haves in case of an emergency, the tent has always been the quintessential choice for shelter because it’s portable and versatile. Using this guide, survivalists will be able to choose the best survival tent for their needs.
| Survival Tent | Price | Our Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 1 |  | Amazon | B+ |
| Kelty TN 2 Person Tent |  | Amazon | A |
| Snugpak Ionosphere |  | Amazon | A |
| TETON Sports Mountain Ultra Tent |  | Amazon | B |
| Winterial Single Person Tent |  | Amazon | B |
Keep reading for a more in-depth look below…
So, how do you decide which tent is best for you? First, you should consider how it will be used to choose the best survival tent. Any tent will keep you dry (and warm), but you should choose one based on your location and lifestyle. For example, if you live somewhere warm and humid, you probably don’t want a heavily insulated tent. Also, cost can be a factor when choosing a tent. Here are the different kinds of tents available and how they will best function:
Emergency Tents
The emergency tent, specifically the tube tent, is the most basic tent available. It’s light-weight and easy to set up – a good, no-fuss option for those who need shelter in a hurry. It’s great for backpacking or camping and it makes a great addition to any prepper’s stock of emergency supplies because it can even be used indoors to shield you from dust and harmful particles in the air.
Bug Out Tent
The term “bug out” is British Army slang and means to leave quickly. Namely, when you bug out, there isn’t much time to plan or pack as you would for a vacation, for example. Whatever your reason for leaving in a hurry, it’s a good idea to have one in a bug out bag so you’ll have some form of shelter. The best choices are lightweight and easy to carry. Typically, they’re not fancy and work best if they’re weather-proof and water-proof.
Tarp Tent
This is an older style, traditionally used by the military. They are DIY – all you need to build your own is a tarp, poles, stakes, and paracord. Though these are convenient, they don’t always stand up well against heavy winds.
The Teepee
This is the most difficult to build, but it’s the only one that can house a fire inside of it, due to its cone shape. To construct your own make-shift teepee, you’ll need a tarp, paracord, a knife or hatchet, and eight poles. Sharpen the ends of the poles to use as stakes. Make sure they’re the same length (and remember that a few feet will stick out on top).
Then, lay three poles down on the ground, side by side, and use the paracord to tie them together with clove hitches until secure. Spread the poles out so they form a lopsided tripod. Allow the rest of the cord to hang and begin placing the poles in the spaces of the tripod. Now, you can put the material over the frame, securing it with paracord if necessary. The most important part is to secure the teepee, so use stakes and paracord.
Questions to Ask When Tent Shopping
Emergency tents can be used for other purposes, such as camping trips, so it’s best to examine your individual needs before making a purchase. Here, we’ll look at how you plan to use the emergency tent so you can select the tent that best performs your desired functions.
How to choose
Chances are, this tent won’t need to be transported, but it should be light-weight and easy to carry. You’ll also want to get something that is protective and can shield you. Typically, the tent should be kept with seventy-two hours’ worth of supplies in the event of a hurricane, tornado, power outage, etc.
What are the benefits of this type of product?
- The affordable price.
- Peace of mind
- Easy set up
- Protection against animals and insects
Main Things to look for
- Sturdiness
- Strong material
- Water-proof (not necessary but a good idea)
- Bathtub bottom
This is generally considered a last-ditch measure for survival. Sure, emergency tents are generally affordable, but a quality one can get pricey. Some may prefer to make their own tent to cut down on costs. Make sure you know how to set up your tent. It will save you time and frustration in the future.
The following five tents were compared based on how well they would work for emergencies and survival.
ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 1
The ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 1 is a lightweight and high quality tent for one. The walls of the Zephyr model are entirely made of mesh, allowing ventilation, and are ideal for those muggy nights when you want to feel the breeze. The tent’s design provides enough space to sit up and the door makes entering and exiting easy.
There’s also space to store things and the fly buckles, offering more security than an elastic cord. More features include: a freestanding two pole design (which is what provides more headroom), pole clips for easy assembly, 75D 185T Polyester Fly stays tight, factory sealed fly and floor seems, and a coated, taffeta floor. Included: Rain fly, Aluminum Poles with Bag, Aluminum Stakes with Bag, Guy Rope, Repair Swatches, Mesh Storage Pockets, and Tent Bag.
PROS
- Durable
- Can stand up to the elements
- Good for “big and tall” guys
CONS
- Not for winter use
- Lacks Privacy
- Fly prone to issues
Snugpak Ionosphere
The Ionosphere by Snugpak is a no-frills, feather-light, and compact tent at just around four pounds. It is low-profile and has one door and can accommodate a single person (or two in an emergency). Other features include 5000 mm PU coated fly, taped seams, the flysheet is a lightweight 210t Polyester Rip Stop with waterproof polyurethane coating, the interior is constructed of 190t Nylon with polyester mesh for privacy, and poles with press fit connectors.
The Ionosphere is perfect for overnight adventures, camping, or emergencies and has been tested by and declared the top choice of Mountain Leaders and Military Personnel. Despite its small size, it has ample floor space and room for gear. The Ionosphere is ideal for longer trips and multiple day use. Included are two aluminum polls, tent stakes, and an on-the-go repair kit. Read the full review here.
PROS
- Keeps you dry
- Compresses to fit in small case
- Easy setup and tear down
CONS
- Flimsy Zipper
- Doesn’t hold heat well
Winterial Single Person Tent
Though Winterial is a relatively new company, begun in 2014, their goal is to help nature enthusiasts enjoy the outdoors at an affordable price. Namely, the Winterial Single Person Tent/Personal Bivy Tent is perfect for three seasons (excluding winter) of camping and hiking, due to its open-air netting (which can be covered by the rain-fly in case of inclement weather conditions).
This versatile tent features pre-sealed seams and a durable reinforced rain-fly to make it waterproof. (Roof mesh can provide ventilation when it’s warm). It’s light-weight at three pounds so you can save space in your backpack and has loop clips so you can avoid tearing the mesh tracks. Included with the tent are fourteen heavy-duty stakes and three bundles of paracord.
PROS
- Will keep you dry
- Quick setup
- Budget friendly
- Space saver
CONS
- Not the most comfortable
- Stakes could be longer
- Airflow is minimal
- Not the best for tall people
TETON Sports Mountain Ultra Tent
The TETON Sports Mountain Ultra Tent is a high-quality, well-built, and water-proof tent with micro-mesh for built-in ventilation. It is made of nylon and has a bathtub floor with high walls and reinforced corners and seams and anchor points.
It’s guaranteed to keep you dry with a clip-one rain-fly and a front vestibule that will keep the entry precipitation-free. The rain-fly can also be used for privacy. This tent is light-weight at around four pounds and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Included is the rain-fly, a shock-cord bungee pole, simple dual cross poles, and Oxford footprint. It comes in models that will accommodate up to four people, which would make it a great option for a family in an emergency.
PROS
- Spacious
- Can withstand high winds
- Insulated to combat cold
- Two openings
- Breathable
CONS
- Needs longer stakes
- Bulky design
- Zippers not the best
Kelty TN 2 Person Tent
The nylon Kelty TN 2 Person Tent is compact, light-weight (under five pounds), and easy to haul. It has tons of features, like The Stargazing Fly, a partial rain-fly that lets you look at the stars. It’s easy to zip and prepare for rain, allowing you to stay dry. It’s also spacious at 10×10 cubic feet with a 27.5 feet of floor space.
There’s an over-sized door for easy entrances and exits and it has a quiet zipper so you won’t disturb your tent-mate. The Kelty is simple to assemble thanks to its color-coated snap-clips – it’s quick and no fuss. When it’s time to go, pack it away in the tent cube storage sack to save space in your backpack. This tent also features taped floors, fly seams, interior storage pockets, and clear windows. The aluminum poles have an option for a lifetime warranty.
PROS
- Can withstand high winds
- Easy to carry
- Quick assembly
CONS
- Can Leak
- Floor is thin
Choosing a tent – for whatever your needs – doesn’t need to be a difficult or time-consuming task. In fact, we’ve taken the work out of researching and shopping to give you our top choices.
Following this advice, you’ll be sure to find the tent that’s perfect for you and your lifestyle. Most importantly, you’ll find the tent you’ll be proud to call your home away from home.
