12 Best Tunnel Tents

Everyone needs a vacation from time to time. You don’t have to limit yourself to hotels and motels when you are on your holidays. Camping provides a great way to travel and explore, as well as reconnect with nature.

Of course, to go camping, you’re going to need a tent! In this article, we’re going to review 12 of the best tunnel tents.

Tunnel tents are spacious, easy to pitch, and often have separate sleeping and living areas, making them very family-friendly. Unlike most ridge and dome tents, tunnel tents also have lots of headroom, so you can move around your tent without crouching. That’s handy if you want to use your tent for more than just sleeping.

Tunnel tents come in a range of sizes and prices. Some models are perfect for fair-weather camping, where others are suitable for four-season alpine use. A tunnel tent can cost as little as $100-$150 to well over $1000.

Whatever you need your tent for, and whatever your budget, you’ll find the best tunnel tent in this review!

12 Best Tunnel Tents

1. Vango Odyssey

Most tents have aluminum or fiberglass poles. This tunnel tent from Vango has inflatable beams instead. Pitched in minutes and with no poles to break, this is a large tent that’s ideal for family camping trips.

Key Features

• 6-berth tent
• 360 cm wide x 455 cm long x 195 cm high
• Weight 17.5kg
• Inflatable Airbeam technology
• 70D 4000mm hydrostatic head waterproof flysheet
• Stitched and taped seams
• Front and side entry
• Polyethylene groundsheet
• Enclosed porch/living area
• Mesh panels/windows for ventilation

This spacious tent has plenty of room for six people to sleep and live. The enclosed living area means there is somewhere to eat or just hang out if the weather is terrible. Inflated in minutes with the supplied, high-volume pump, this tent is easy and quick to pitch.

Pros

• Very high quality
• Spacious
• Separate sleeping and living areas
• Blackout inner for better sleep
• Very quick and easy to pitch

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy

Inflatable tents are a relatively recent idea, and this technology is quite expensive. That said, this tent from Vango is perfect for families and groups of friends who want to camp with all the comforts of home. It’s very weatherproof and built to last. Vango makes GREAT tents!

2. Vango Venture 450

Vango is a well-known and highly respected outdoor equipment manufacturer. Their tents are mostly well-priced and of excellent quality. This best tunnel tent for camping has separate sleeping and living areas, making it ideal for longer trips.

Key Features

• 4-berth tent
• 250 cm wide x 480 cm long x 155 cm high
• 2 kilos
• 3000mm hydrostatic head flysheet
• Can be pitched flysheet first or inner and outer together
• Internal pockets for gear storage
• Separate sleeping and living areas
• Polyethylene groundsheet
• Clear PCV windows with fly screens

Vango tents are easy to pitch. You can connect the inner to the outer and put them up together, saving lots of time and energy. The sleeping area is rated for four people, but that might be a tight squeeze for some. The good news is that, with two separate areas, you can always relegate someone to sleeping in the lounge!

Pros

• Easy to pitch
• Well-priced
• Decent waterproofing
• Tough groundsheet
• Relatively light

Cons

• Not much headroom

This is not the tallest tent on review. That’s not a problem when you are sleeping or sat down but could mean you end up crouching a lot. That said, this is a good tent for up to four people, and it’s light and well-priced too. This is an excellent tunnel tent for camping.

3. Coleman WeatherMaster

Coleman is a well-known outdoor equipment manufacturer. Their tents are well-made, well-priced, and usually easy to pitch. This tunnel tent is a 6-berth model with a separate sleeping and living area.

Key Features

• 6-berth tent
• 20” long x 9” wide x 6” high
• 32lbs
• Floorless screen room
• Fully taped seams
• 2000 mm hydrostatic head flysheet
• Polyethylene floor in the sleeping area
• Waterproof/flame retardant finish
• Stainless steel poles
• E-port for electrical cables
• Mesh pockets for gear storage
• Mesh windows for bug-free ventilation

This big tent has plenty of sleeping and living space for six people. It offers good headroom, and the screen room is ideal for cooking and dining. The screen room doesn’t have a groundsheet, so it may become wet and muddy underfoot.

Pros

• Well-priced
• Very spacious
• Good level of weatherproofing
• Quick and easy to pitch
• Plenty of headroom

Cons

• No groundsheet in the screen room

This is a big tent with more than enough space for a family camping trip, even if you take lots of home comforts with you. It’s relatively light, straightforward to pitch, and offers adequate weather protection. Pitch it over a second groundsheet to make up for not having a covered area in the screen room.

4. Coleman Galileo

This tent from Coleman is the ideal size for four people. It features a dividable living area for improved privacy and a large open living space with a built-in groundsheet and oversized windows. This is an excellent tent for weekend camping trips but would be comfortable for longer vacations too.

Key Features

• 4-berth tent
• 420cm long x 260cm wide x 180cm high
• Weight 11.9kg
• 3000mm hydrostatic head flysheet
• Waterproof/flame retardant finish
• Sleeping area with a removable privacy divider
• Living area with built-in bathtub PE groundsheet
• Large clear windows with fly screen mesh
• Front and side entrances
• Fiberglass poles
• Rear ventilation flap

This is an ideal tent for families and couples. The dividable sleeping space is handy, and the living area is big enough for communal meals and just hanging out. There is plenty of headroom, making this a comfortable tent to live with.

Pros

• Plenty of living space
• Good waterproofing
• Light and airy design
• Added privacy for sleeping
• Lots of headroom

Cons

• Sleep areas are quite small
• Quite expensive
• Can be tricky to pitch

Some users say that this tent is not all that easy to pitch. That’s often true of any new tent. But, with a little practice, what took 30 minutes the first time, could take just 10-15 minutes once you know what goes where. Once you get the hang of pitching this tent, it should provide many nights of camping comfort.

5. Skandika Montana 

This tent is HUGE! It can comfortably sleep eight people, and there is a large central living space too. It’s ideal for large families and groups. The sleeping areas can be divided into two-person rooms for comfort and privacy.

Key Features

• 8-berth tent
• 700cm long x 310cm wide x 200cm high
• Weight 25.8kg
• 5000mm hydrostatic head fly
• Polyethylene 10,000 mm HH groundsheet
• Four sleeping cabins
• Central living area
• Mosquito nets on all windows and doors
• Ventilation flaps throughout
• Extendable sunshade
• Mesh organizer pockets

This big tent is a real home from home. It takes 20-40 minutes to pitch, but with eight people in your party, you should have all the help you need. It’s well-made, has a decent level of weatherproofing, and, once it’s up, is very sturdy and robust.

Pros

• Lots of living and sleeping space
• Plenty of headroom
• Well-ventilated
• Versatile layout/design

Cons

• Quite heavy
• Very hard to pitch with just two people

This is an ideal family tent. With four separate sleeping areas, everyone can enjoy some space and privacy, but the central living room is perfect for mealtimes and socializing. Just make sure you have plenty of willing hands to help you put this tent up, as it can be a little tricky as it’s so big.

6. MSR H.U.B. 

MSR are tent and outdoor specialists. Their equipment is designed for extreme conditions and work perfectly even if you are in the jungle or halfway up an alpine mountain. This four-season tent is made for year-round use and will accommodate eight people, or more if you are all good friends!

Key Features

• 8+ berth tent
• 66m long x 2.74m wide x 2m high
• Weight 22kg
• 150D 3000 mm HH flysheet
• 10000 mm HH groundsheet (removable)
• Two doors (removable)
• High tensile aluminum poles
• Freestanding design
• Built-in gear storage packets
• Mesh windows

This tent is made to withstand extreme conditions. It’s a shelter rather than a camping tent, meant to be used as a central base of operations during lengthy expeditions. It provides a large, single space that will keep the occupants warm and dry, no matter what the weather is doing.

Pros

• Very spacious
• Well-ventilated
• Very strong
• Good for all weathers
• Easy to pitch

Cons

• Expensive
• No separate living/sleeping areas
• Stakes and guy lines are not included

Think of this tent as a large open-plan shelter. It’s made for alpinists who need to set up a basecamp from which to launch their mountain adventures. It comes with no stakes, guy lines, or set-up instructions. The assumption is that you are an outdoor professional, and you already know how to use this tent!

7. Coleman Rocky

This family-sized tent is ideal for weekends away and vacations. The separate living and sleeping areas mean that you have all the space you need to be comfortable. The sleeping area can be split into two rooms for privacy.

Key Features

• 5-berth tent
• 410cm long x 310cm wide x 195cm high
• 8kg
• Sleeping area partitions to create two rooms
• Sizeable clear PVC windows with fly screens
• Blackout bedrooms for better sleep
• Full-height doorway for easy access
• Waterproof/flame retardant finish
• Sunporch
• Built-in bathtub groundsheet throughout
• 4500 mm HH flysheet
• Taped and glued seams
• Fiberglass poles

A lot of tents involve pitching the inner and the outer. This can be fiddly and time-consuming. This model pitches as one, making it a much easier, quicker process. With above-average weatherproofing and UV protection, this is a tent for year-round use.

Pros

• Well-priced
• Easy to pitch
• Good weatherproofing
• Well-made
• Spacious
• Handy privacy partitions in the sleeping area
• Light and airy living area

Cons

• Fiberglas poles are prone to splitting

This tent is not expensive, and that’s partly because it comes with fiberglass poles. Fiberglass is cheaper than aluminum but not as strong or hardwearing. This won’t be an issue in mild to moderate weather, but if the wind really starts to blow, you could end up with broken poles.

8. Coleman Tent

As a rule, tent occupancy ratings are often overgenerous. A four-person tent is ideal for two or three, and a two-person tent is probably best left to solo use. This Coleman tunnel tent has extra-large bedrooms and really will sleep four adults in comfort.

Key Features

• 4-berth tent
• 7m long x 2.8m wide x 1.9m high
• Weight 18.8kg
• Two blackout bedrooms with removable partition
• 4500 mm HH flysheet
• Sewn-in waterproof full-sized bathtub groundsheet
• Large PVC window with bug screen
• Two large doors for easy access and ventilation
• Ventilation ports for less condensation
• Steel/fiberglass poles
• Sunporch
• Waterproof/flame retardant finish

This is a very comfortable tent. The bedrooms feature blackout material to keep out the light if you want to sleep late. The living area is large, open, airy, and perfect for family gatherings. This is an enjoyable tent to spend time in, even if it’s raining.

Pros

• Easy to pitch
• Large, comfortable bedrooms
• Excellent ventilation
• Lots of headroom
• Flyscreens to keep the bugs out

Cons

• Quite expensive

There are cheaper tents on review, but they probably won’t be as large or as hardwearing as this model from Coleman. If you are a frequent camper who values comfort above price, this tent is a good option.

9. Coleman Tasman

Tunnel tents are ideal for family use. They’re big and have large open spaces inside, and many feature separate bedrooms. All of this is probably overkill for couples. This three-person tent is smaller and lighter but still has many of the benefits and features of a family-sized tent.

Key Features

• 3-berth tent
• 400cm long x 200cm wide x 120cm high
• Weight 5.14kg
• Fiberglass poles
• Separate living and sleeping area
• Two front openings
• Separate bedroom door with bug screen
• Sewn-in bathtub PE groundsheet
• Ventilation flaps throughout
• Waterproof/flame retardant finish
• 3000mm hydrostatic head

This tent pitches flysheet first. That’s a useful feature when it comes to putting your tent up in the rain. Many tents pitch inner and outer together but, if they’re separated, the outer first is definitely preferable!

Pros

• Ideal for couples
• Easy to pitch
• Good level of weatherproofing
• Plenty of space for people and gear

Cons

• Quite heavy for backpacking
• Not very high/tall

At 5.14kg, this tent is a bit too big/heavy for backpacking, but not quite big enough for lengthy static camps. It’s okay for weekends, though, such as festivals. Well-priced and well-made, this tent is a good option for couples, and there’s even space for a younger child or a dog!

10. Coleman Da Gama

This versatile tent from Coleman is very well-made, spacious, and perfect for longer camping trips. It will sleep four people in comfort, and there is a large living/dining area too. All in all, this is awesome if slightly more expensive tunnel tent that should last for many years.

Key Features

• 4-berth tent
• 67” long x 9.19” wide x 6.5” high
• Weight 24.2kg
• Sewn-in PE waterproof groundsheet
• 2 doors for easy access
• Multiple floor-level vents for airflow and less condensation
• Clear PVC windows with shades and bug screens
• 3000mm hydrostatic head flysheet
• E-cable ports
• Lantern hooks
• Mesh gear pockets
• Steel poles

This is a very robust, spacious tent. It’s made to withstand harsh weather. It’s not quite a four-season tent, but for spring, summer, and autumn use, it’s more than up to the task. It also features a large rain porch, so you can stay dry while you put on or take off your boots!

Pros

• Very well-made
• High level of weatherproofing
• Strong and stable
• Easy to pitch

Cons

• Quite heavy
• Expensive

This is not the most expensive tent on review, but nor is it the cheapest. It’s a reliable tent and ideal for regular use. If you camp a lot, you’ll appreciate how robust this tent is. However, for more casual, fair-weather camping, it’s probably unnecessarily expensive.

11. OZARK TRAIL

Tents can be expensive, and if you are heading out into the wilds for weeks on end or expect lousy weather, you’ll be glad you’ve got a top-quality tent. But, for occasional and fair-weather camping, you don’t need to spend a whole lot of money. This budget tent will comfortably sleep eight but buying it won’t break the bank.

Key Features

• 8-berth tent
• 16” long x 8” wide x 6” high
• 600mm hydrostatic head flysheet
• Sewn-in polyethylene floor
• Weight 16.9lbs
• Sleeping room divider
• Separate living area
• Mesh windows for ventilation
• Three doors for easy access
• Front awning and mud mat
• E-port for external electrical cables
• Fiberglass poles
• Lantern hanging points, mesh gear pockets, and media hanging point

At 600mm HH, this tent has a very low hydrostatic head rating. Anything less than 1000mm means it’s water-resistant rather than waterproof. This is confirmed by its one season rating. This is definitely a summer-use tent and not suitable for heavy, persistent rain or strong winds.

Pros

• Very budget-friendly
• Light and airy
• Easy to pitch
• Spacious
• The living area fly can be rolled back for increased ventilation

Cons

• Won’t withstand anything more than a light rain shower
• Flimsy poles

If you are looking for a cheap summer tent, this could be the one you want. It’s big enough for eight, so it’s a good tent for socializing and having fun. However, it’s a fair-weather tent. Even a little rain or moderate winds could leave you wet and might even damage your tent.

12. Vango Odyssey 8

Vango tents are renowned for being easy to pitch and very long-lasting. This Odyssey family tunnel tent maintains this trend. It’s not the cheapest tent on review, but being a Vango should provide many years of faithful service.

Key Features

• 8-berth tent
• 710cm long x 290cm wide x 185cm high
• Weight 22.9kg
• 4000 mm hydrostatic head 70D Protex flysheet
• Sewn-in bathtub PE groundsheet
• Large clear windows with fly screens
• Four sleeping areas
• Central living area
• High-strength aluminum poles

This large, airy tent is ideal for weekends and longer vacations. It will comfortably sleep eight people, but the room dividers mean couples can have all the privacy they need. It’s easy to pitch and made to last. This is a great tent.

Pros

• Easy to pitch
• Very spacious
• Good levels of privacy
• Excellent ventilation

Cons

• The sleeping area could be darker

This tent lets in a lot of light. That could be a problem if you are camping somewhere with long days and short nights. Pack a sleeping mask! This small observation aside, this is an excellent family tent that both adults and kids will love.

Key Information

Consider the following information before buying or pitching a tunnel tent:

What is a tunnel tent?

A tunnel tent has poles run that perpendicularly across its width. This may be two, three, or more, depending on how long the tent is.

Tunnel tents are generally freestanding, which means they don’t need guylines and stakes to hold them up.

This is a useful feature when pitching a tent on very hard or very soft ground, where stakes are often impractical.

Tunnel tents tend to have more headroom than ridge tents and are usually quite spacious too. They’re ideal tents for families or anyone who needs a tent for more than just sleeping.

On the downside, tunnel tents are usually quite heavy, so while they’re ideal for car and static camping, they’re less useful for backpacking.

What are the sizes?

Tents are sized according to the number of people they can comfortably sleep. So, a four-berth tent is big enough for four people.

However, this sizing system is often viewed as overgenerous and doesn’t take into account things like the space needed for equipment.

It’s usually best to buy a tent a little bigger than the number of people sleeping in it.

So, for two people, a three or four-berth tent is probably the best choice. Some tunnel tents also have separate living areas. This is not a designated sleeping space and is not reflected in the number of berths.

However, there is nothing to stop you from setting up a bed in the living area, which would increase the sleeping capacity or provide more room in the sleeping areas.

Awnings and storage areas

Some tunnel tents have an additional covered living space. This area usually has windows and doors for light and ventilation and can be used for lots of different purposes, including eating and socializing and gear storage.

Other models have awnings that extend beyond the body of the tent.

These awnings offer shade and increase the useable area of the tent.

If you want a tent for more than just sleeping, awnings living, and gear storage areas could be very useful.

How to put up a tunnel tent

Every tunnel tent is pitched differently. Follow the instructions that come with your tent and also check YouTube, where you’ll probably find a video demonstrating the right way to pitch your tent. Also, it pays to practice pitching your new tent at home before you head out on your first camping trip. That way, you can check it for faults, make sure all the parts are there, and ensure you know how to correctly put it up.

That way, when you set up camp for real, you won’t have any unexpected issues with your tent.

Are they secure in the wind?

Tunnel tents are not as good in the wind as dome and ridge tents. They have high sides that can really catch the wind. Guylines can help make tour tent more stable, but not all tunnel tents have guylines, and you may need to add these yourself.

In breezy conditions, pitch so that the back of the tent is facing the wind. This will present a smaller surface area to the wind, and as the doors tend to be at the front, it should mean less wind will enter your tent.

Are tunnel tents waterproof?

Some tunnel tents are VERY waterproof, while others are considerably less so. Waterproof materials are rated by their hydrostatic head. This is the amount of water they can withstand before leaking and is expressed in millimeters (mm).

A waterproof tent will be rated something like 2000mm HH, which means it can withstand a 2-meter column of water before leaking.

The higher the number, the more waterproof a tent is. Anything less than about 1000mm HH is water-resistant more than waterproof. It will keep a shower out, but heavy or persistent rain will cause leaks.

If you expect to use your tent in the rain, go for models with at least a 3000mm HH.

Bottom Line

With so many tunnel tents available, choosing the right one isn’t easy. Consider what size tent you need, whether you need a separate living space, what time of year you intend to use your tent and your budget. This will help narrow down your choices.

Remember, the berth number may be overgenerous, so it’s usually better to buy a bigger tent than you need. No one minds having more space, whereas too little space can mean a much less comfortable camping trip.

The same is true for weatherproofing. A one-season tent is only really suitable for dry summer use. If you think there is even a small chance of rain or high winds, you should go for a two or three-season tent. Not only will you stay warmer and drier, but the tent is also less likely to be damaged by storms.

Once you’ve bought your tunnel tent, make sure you unpack it and practice pitching it close to home. This is also an excellent opportunity to make sure your tent is complete and free from manufacturing defects. Imagine how annoyed you’d be if you pitch your new tent hundreds of miles from home, only to discover one of the poles is missing!

Camping is a great way to enjoy a vacation while reconnecting with nature. Tunnel tents are ideal for couples, families, and groups of friends.

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