TOP 10 LIST: Best Tent for Kayak Camping in 2022
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Camping and kayaking are two of the best recreational activities for those who love being outdoors. One great way to combine these two activities is by camping out overnight on a kayak trip. Campers can enjoy a night under the stars while paddling down a river or lake, all from their single tent platform. If you are looking for the perfect tent for your next kayak camping adventure, we will help you choose the best tent to suit your character and needs. Whether you want to adopt a minimalist stance to become one with nature or you want to rest in comfort after a hard day’s paddling, we will have a solution for you.
What is the Best Tent For Kayak Camping?
We could say that we traveled the world to find for you the Best Tent For Kayak Camping and it’s partially true – we’ve been on the road since 2011 after all.
More importantly, we have done a very thorough research online and have gone through most of the available kayak camping tents that you can buy today. We read the comments left by people who bought and used these tents for kayak camping.
We also wrote a brief tents for kayak camping Buying Guide and FAQ sections to address most questions you may have.
Without further ado, here’s the list of top 10 kayak camping tents based on their pricing, specs and ratings by real users.
1. Coleman Dome Tent with Screen Room
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 20 Pounds (9.1 kg) Size: 180 x 144 x 72 Inches (457.2 x 365.8 x 182.9 cm) Size: 8 Persons Material: Polyester Instant: No Tent Type / Shape: Dome |
The Coleman Evanston model features a screened porch space that gives you a lounge space protected from the sun and bugs. Plus, it makes a nice sleeping area on warm nights and allows you to have an enclosed space for your gear. However, the mesh screen is too wide to prevent rain from getting in and wetting the floor.
The tent features a proprietary WeatherTec system that includes inverted seams and welded floors for waterproofing. Additionally, the rainfly features extended awnings on the windows that allow you to keep them open for ventilation in the rain without getting the inside wet.
It also has a decent weight for its size at 20lbs, possibly due to its compact dome shape. Unfortunately, it also gives the tent a shorter headroom space that prevents you from standing inside, and the tent structure is not adequately stable for rough weather conditions.
However, it has a decent footprint to sleep six campers comfortably or couples on extended camping trips.
Pros
- Features a unique design with a screened porch
- Spacious to fit six campers comfortably
- Has quality build and durability
- Lightweight structure for easy portability
- Has extended awning on windows
Cons
- Low headroom height
- Screened porch lets in rain
2. CORE 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent with Wall Organizer
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 12.7 Pounds (5.8 kg) Size: 132 x 108 x 72 Inches (335.3 x 274.3 x 182.9 cm) Size: 6 Persons Material: 68D Polyester Waterproof: 600 MM Instant: Yes Tent Type / Shape: Cabin |
The Core 6-person tent features the largest footprint of the three brands reviewed previously and makes it the most spacious option. This model is part of a cabin-style tent series that includes different size models for various customer needs. Although the three brands use a basic design template, they all have specific attributes that differentiate them. For instance, the Core 6-person tent features a generous mesh wall organizer in addition to the gear loft and internal mesh pockets for your stuff. Although it features telescopic steel poles with 68D polyester construction similar to the other tents reviewed above, this model is significantly lightweight at 12.75 pounds while offering more interior space and organization.
Additionally, it comes with adjustable ground vents to improve air circulation when the windows are closed and a D-style single access door without a vestibule. The polyester fabric features a proprietary H2O waterproofing technology that combines a polyurethane coating that provides a 600mm hydrostatic rating with inverted stitching and heat sealing on the seams.
Pros
- Feature several interior mesh pockets for organization
- Offers quick set up with pre-assembled construction
- Comes with adjustable ground vents for improved ventilation
- Lightweight construction for easy portability
Cons
- Has a low hydrostatic rating for rainy weather
- Features only access point with no vestibule
3. Wakeman Dome Backpacking Tent
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 75 x 57.6 x 42 Inches (190.5 x 146.3 x 106.7 cm) Size: 2 Persons Material: Nylon Waterproof: No |
Budget-conscious users are going to love this option. As the most affordable tent on my list, this budget backpacking tent competes with premium tents in quality. Interesting, isn’t it?
The high-quality and durable components of this two-person Wakeman tent are best for long-term use. It features a durable 190T polyester construction with a water-resistant rainfly that prevents rain from getting inside the tent.
The dome tent design offers tons of space and interior pockets for personal items. It also features a large D-style door with mesh ventilation. On the downside, it does not provide decent airflow with just one mesh window on the door. However, the fiberglass poles provide stability against windy conditions, and the tent is suitable for mild weather. It has a 6.25×4.80 base dimension and a center height of 3.50 ft. As the tent dimensions show, the interior space is roomy enough to spend comfortable nights and relax completely.
Pros
- It comes at an affordable price-tag,
- Easy to put up and takedown,
- Comes with a convenient carry bag,
- The material is lightweight and sturdy,
- The bathtub bottom is of good quality
Cons
- Not suitable for hot seasons,
- It includes just a single window
4. Pacific Pass Dome Tent with Removable Rain Fly
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 5.7 Pounds (2.6 kg) Size: 82.7 x 82.7 x 47 Inches (210.1 x 210.1 x 119.4 cm) Material: 170T PU.CPAI84 and PE floor Waterproof: Yes (up to 800 mm) |
The Pacific Pass Dome Tent with Removable Rain Fly is ultra-light and can be folded into a compact size for storage. It takes little space so it is ideal for backpacking. The tent is also easy to set up for beginners.The tent is made from quality polyester fabric that will keep you dry during rain. It also comes with a removable rainfly for improved protection. Inside, there are mesh pockets for storing small belongings and organizing your tent. It comes with a hook at the top on which you can hang your lanterns at night. The pacific pass dome tent features 2 zippered windows for increased airflow and a large D-styles door that can be unzipped for ventilation. There is a gauze bet between the rainfly and the tent that also contributes to ventilation
Pros
- It features a removable rainfly for rain protection,
- The fabric comes in a natural color tone that is suited for outdoors,
- The tent has an interior light hook on the top for hanging your light
Cons
- It may run smaller than advertised,Since it is lightweight, it may not be ideal for heavy wind conditions
5. Moon Lence Camping Tent
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 6 Pounds (2.7 kg) Size: 83.8 x 59.8 x 48 Inches (212.9 x 151.9 x 121.9 cm) Size: 2 Persons Material: 100% Polyester Waterproof: Yes |
The Moon Lence camping tent is a double-layer 2-person tent that is made from 100% polyester. It is easy to set up and pull down and comes in a small handy bag for storage. This affordable tent that cost less than $200 and comes with 190T PU material construction with a 1000mm water-resistance and UV-resistance to provide all-around protection with water-resistance. It comes with two windows and a ground vent for improved air circulation.
For stability, it has 4 guy ropes and 9 lightweight iron pegs to keep the tent balanced in windy conditions. It also has 2 shock cord connecting poles for easy set up and it takes 15 minutes to do so.The lightweight iron pegs and guy lines provide stability against windy conditions, and prevent rainwater from pooling on the tent.
Ventilation is not a problem with the large mesh section, ground vents, and a detachable rainfly that controls the moisture by increasing the airflow.
Another notable feature is the internal mesh pockets that give you an excellent way to store your stuff. The tent also comes with a ceiling hook to hang your lantern and create the best environment at night.
Pros
- Generous two-person tent,
- Small and is easy to store away,
- Wind-resistant with iron pegs and guy ropes for stability,
- UV-resistant
- Several window openings,
- Completely waterproof with tarp material,
- Excellent air ventilation
Cons
- It does not have a tent footprint,
- The zipper occassionally gets stuck
6. NTK INDY GT 5-Person 12.2×8 Family Camping Tent
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 12 Pounds (5.4 kg) Size: 153.6 x 98 x 56.4 Inches (390.1 x 248.9 x 143.3 cm) Size: 5 Persons Material: 190T Polyester Waterproof: 2500 MM Instant: No Tent Type / Shape: Tunnel |
The NTK INDY 5-Person Tent features a unique igloo design that provides plenty of space for camping with pets. The tent features two rooms that include a 56 square foot main sleeping area and a covered vestibule area with two doors. The vestibule space is versatile, and it can close up to use as a sleeping space or open up to use as a shade. It is a lightweight tent that compares favorably in quality with other top backpacking tents for under $200.
This two-part tent can put up four adult campers comfortably, and if you are backpacking, you can split its weight four ways for portability. However, many users note that it does not have adequate ventilation with the rainfly, but this double layer insulates the tent for cold conditions. Furthermore, it is remarkably stable in windy conditions and is reliably waterproof in the rain. Its freestanding design is also quick to set up and take down and the carry bag is wide to repack the tent.
Pros
- It has a lightweight and robust structure for backpacking,
- Accommodates four adult campers comfortably,
- Features a covered vestibule space for multiple uses,
- Exceptional insulation for cold weather camping,
- The two doors in the vestibule area allow easy access
Cons
- Rainfly reduces ventilation in rainy weather,
- The short headroom height is inconvenient
7. Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 18.2 Pounds (8.3 kg) Size: 192 x 108 x 72 Inches (487.7 x 274.3 x 182.9 cm) Size: 9 Persons Material: 68D Polyester Waterproof: 600 MM Instant: No Tent Type / Shape: Dome |
The Core 9-Person Extended Dome is a surprisingly lightweight tent at 18.25 pounds compared to the 9-person Cabin model that weighs 30.5 pounds. The Extended Dome also has a slightly larger footprint that makes it a little more spacious. However, you can only accommodate up to six campers if you want comfort and space to keep your gear inside the tent.
Although it is not an instant setup like the Cabin model, it takes most people less than 30 minutes to set up and peg it. But, many campers who’ve used this tent recommend replacing its stakes with better-quality ones. If you don’t know which pegs to get, I recommend reading this article to help you choose the best stakes for your tent. Another thing I don’t like is that Core tents typically feature their proprietary H2O Block technology that includes heat-sealed seams to keep the tent watertight.
However, it also gives the polyester tent material a low hydrostatic rating of 600mm, which is slightly better than the water resistance of an umbrella. It also features a single-layer design that only performs well in dry weather.
Overall, I like the extended sections that give you extra space for your gear and its attractive and sturdy design when pitched up. Although it has a couple of mesh sections, many users say that it has poor air circulation, which is a critical attribute considering you’ll mostly use it in the summer.
Pros
- Decent build quality and performance for occasional camping,
- Generous interior space and storage for group camping, Significantly lightweight construction for easy portability,
- Unique and attractive design with extended sections
Cons
- Poor ventilation that causes humidity,
- Features only one access point,
- Unreliable weather resistance
8. Abco Sport Pop Up Tent
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 3.7 Pounds (1.7 kg) Size: 88 x 47 x 37.5 Inches (223.5 x 119.4 x 95.3 cm) Size: 2 Persons Material: Nylon Instant: Yes Tent Type / Shape: Tunnel |
The Abco Sport Pop Up tent makes an excellent portable shade for social events such as festivals or when you’re picnicking at the beach or park. However, it does not make a practical hiking or backpacking camping tent as it has a light-duty construction that’s not durable, stable, or waterproof to withstand rain or wind. However, some users have found it makes a fantastic tent for the kids to camp in the backyard or living room.
Additionally, the interior dimensions are too tight to accommodate two campers as advertised, and it does not feature a vestibule to stow your gear. On the upside, the nylon shell features 50+ UV protection to shelter from the sun at the beach, and the mesh windows offer excellent ventilation.
Pros
- The pre-assembled frame allows instant set up and take down
- Flexible design for multipurpose use
- Excellent sun protection and ventilation
- Lightweight for easy portability
Cons
- Shell is not waterproof
- Tight interior space for two adults
9. Clostnature 1-Person Tent for Backpacking
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 3.7 Pounds (1.7 kg) Size: 87 x 36 x 32 Inches (221 x 91.4 x 81.3 cm) Size: 1 Persons Material: 210T Polyester Waterproof: 5000 MM Instant: No Tent Type / Shape: Dome |
Clostnature is an outdoors gear brand that produces premium-quality backpacking tents for camping in any season. The Clostnature single-person tent is one of this brand’s popular solo backpacking tents as it features excellent build quality, generous space, and lightweight structure. While the manufacturer marks it as a 4-season unit, the extended roof mesh makes it unsuitable for extreme cold weather camping where one needs insulation. Plus, the 20 square foot interior space may not offer much elbow space for comfort. However, the full-coverage rain fly provides a vestibule space for your gear, so you have a little more room.
The tent features a double layer 210T polyester construction with a hydrostatic rating of PU-5000, 150D Oxford groundsheet, and factory sealed seams for waterproofing. Ideally, this tent can withstand any amount of rainfall without leaking and also provide excellent ventilation in hot weather. Additionally, it comes with two aluminum poles that enable easy assembly and tent pegs that help to keep it stable in windy conditions.
Pros
- Affordable tent with premium quality build,
- Double-layer waterproof design for 4-season camping,
- It comes with a vestibule space for gear and shoes,
- It has a generous roof mesh panel for ventilation and stargazing,
- Features a ripstop material with waterproof PU coating
Cons
- Limited air circulation with the rainfly to prevent humidity,
- Pole grommets are too wide to hold the tent material in place
10. UNP Tents for Camping 6 Person
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 20 Pounds (9.1 kg) Size: 120 x 108 x 78 Inches (304.8 x 274.3 x 198.1 cm) Size: 6 Persons Material: 185T Polyester Waterproof: 1000 MM Instant: No Tent Type / Shape: Cabin |
The UNP 6-Person Tent is a cabin-style tent with a notable 6.5-foot headroom space that allows free movement without bending. It features a single room interior space that might be too tight for six adult campers to fit comfortably. It also comes with a single mesh door and five double-layer mesh windows for ventilation. The tent also comes with a rainfly to cover the mesh roof when the sun is too hot or rainy.
This tent has decent build quality with steel poles for stability and 185T polyester material with taped seams and a PU-1000 hydrostatic rating. Plus, the tub-style floor features welded seams that prevent water from seeping through the floor. However, this tent will deliver better performance in fair weather with minimal rain and wind than any other season. It also has poor air circulation when the mesh panels are closed up due to the lack of ground vents. Other attributes include mesh pockets, a lantern hanging ring, guy lines and pegs for stability, and an e-port to power your devices.
Pros
- Cabin-style design with high headroom space,
- D-shaped door offers convenient accessibility,
- Generous mesh panels for breathability in hot weather,
- Lightweight with a decent build quality for its price point
Cons
- It cannot fit six people comfortably,
- Performs well in dry weather only
Verdict
TLDR: Quick summary of our findings as to what can be considered the best tent for kayak camping is below:
Overall best tent for kayak camping out there: Coleman Dome Tent with Screen Room
Premium Pick if money is not much of an issue: CORE 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent with Wall Organizer
Budget Choice – there’s no shame in spending prudently: Wakeman Dome Backpacking Tent
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying Tents For Kayak Camping
Water, Wind And Snow Resistance
Manufacturers of backpacking tents under 100 use different features to make their tents sturdier and comfortable in any condition. They use sturdy designs like round dome designs to stop snow from gathering on the tent and a rainfly that extends to the ground for protection against rain. Poles and stakes are also used to drive the tent into the ground and stabilize it, while heavy-duty water-resistant fabrics are used for protection against rain.
Portability
Tents are usually easy to move around. You can pack most of them up and take them with you on a camping trip. Before you buy a tent, consider how easy or difficult it would be to carry it around.Family tents can be quite large and bulky. They may not be as easy to move around as say backpacks, but they’re generally easier than building a shelter by yourself in the wild.Before buying a tent, consider the portability of the tent. Consider how easy or difficult it would be to carry it around.
Ventilation & Heat Resistance
How much of the tent body is mesh? It is one of the factors you will consider when buying a multi-season tent. In hot temperatures, you will need several mesh windows to get a substantial flow of air. Alternatively, you can pitch your tent away from the direct sun to pull the rainfly cover and allow the tent to ventilate. Rainfly covers usually have a waterproof coating, which inhibits proper air circulation in warm weather and often causes condensation inside the tent. So, is there any solution? Yes, consider getting a tent with roof vents on the inner tent to minimize condensation problems.. With the rainfly covering the inner tent, the spacing in-between these two fabrics gives the tent ventilation while still having protection from the rain.
Tent Materials
There are many different tent materials. Some of the most common include PVC, nylon, polyester, and canvas. But other tent materials include Gore-tex and silnylon.PVC: This is a type of vinyl that can be waterproof when used on tents. It does not breathe well so it is not ideal for high temperatures or humid environments.Nylon: Nylon is a synthetic fabric made from three different types of plastics and can be water-repellent when fabric treated with a chemical called polyurethane which reduces water penetration through its pores but creates a suffocating environment inside the tent.Polyester: Polyester is like Nylon in that it is a synthetic fabric made from plastics. Unlike Nylon, polyester stays dry when wet and is more temperature resistant but is heavier than nylon as well as being less durable.Canvas: The old school material of tents. Canvas is lightweight and strong but can be difficult to waterproof. In addition, canvas allows for airflow but is prone to tearing when subjected to sharp objects.Gore-tex: Gore-tex is a breathable waterproof fabric that allows water vapor and heat to escape but not liquid water in the form of rain or melting snow. Because it breaths, Gore-tex clothing is ideal for high temperatures and humid environments. However, it’s rather expensive.Silnylon: This is a type of nylon fabric that is coated with silicone oil. It has good resistance to water while providing great airflow and breathability. However, it isn’t the most durable material so it should be used in replacement for tent floors or tarps rather than entire tents themselves.
How Can I Maintain My Tent In A Good Condition So It Lasts For Years?
Some tents have specific maintenance instructions and you will need to read the product package to get them. However, general tent maintenance tips include:Look out for twigs and stones that can puncture tents before choosing where to set up,Use a ground cloth as the first layer on the ground before setting up your tent,Do not wear shoes inside your tent and wipe off mud and sand with a small rug inside the tent door,Do not keep food inside your tent,Remove stones by sweeping the tent floor daily.
Questions and Answers About Tents For Kayak Camping
What do you need for kayak camping?
When considering what is needed for the overnight stay after a day of kayaking, you need to decide what matters most. Unlike backpacking, you can carry more weight and take up more space when traveling by kayak. This means that it is highly likely that you will be able to fit at minimum your tent and sleeping bag. For this reason, your main consideration should be what kind of experience you want from camping.
If your goal is to be closer to nature, a sleeping bag, hamock, bivy bagor with at most a quick shelter with a tarp. An extra space blanket and survival bag for extra heat and separation from the outside could also help.
If you want to opt for a good, dry night’s sleep away from the swarms of bugs hovering by the water, get a tent with a ground sheet and a large rainfly (flysheet) which extends down the entire wall of the tent both for protection against the weather and bugs. Don’t forget to carry a tent repair kit!
What’s the best size for my tent?
This depends on how many people you need to fit in the tent or if there are limitations on the plot size of which you are allotted to hitch your tent. If you are going to a campsite without a reservation, then it may be that there are only small spaces dotted around which you can hitch a tent. It might be easier to find 3 spaces to hitch two-man tents than 1 space to hitch a six-man tent.
For hiking, it is better to have one tent between many people than many tents between many people. This is because the total weight per person would be less sharing a larger tent between more people than small tents between many people. Many people will set up one big tent quicker than many people will set up many small tents. So that one person does not take up all of the weight burdens of the tent, the weight should be shared in ways such as other group members carrying food and spare water for the tent carrier.
Apart from this, a good tent size is simply the biggest you can get for your budget unless you want a warm and cozy experience.
Are fast pitch tents worth it?
Fast pitch tents are fantastic for a night or two, but any longer than that and you need more ventilation and bug protection. It’s also great if the area you’re camping in is home to snakes, coyotes, or bears because it takes less time to pack up when something is wrong.
Fast pitch tents definitely have their uses, but they’re not ideal for backpacking trips across three countries – so it really depends on your needs!