After months of planning, weeks of prepping and days of packing, you have finally made it!
You have managed to get the whole family together on the camping trip of your dreams for some bonfire bonding and some outdoor activities, just like you used to enjoy as a child.
You arrive at the forest campsite and begin to set up your tent only to find… that it is the most complicated and frustrating task you have ever encountered!
Never mind peace and tranquility, this beast of a tent has you tangled in knots and soon it’s all hands on deck and even grandma is throwing her oar in.
As the sky darkens, fat raindrops begin to fall. The instructions are unintelligible, so you make your own up, managing to erect a semi-acceptable looking tent just in time of nightfall.
But now that you are all inside it is very cramped. The kids are squabbling over space and aunty Jane is upset because the seams are leaking and her hair is getting wet.
You zip up and hope the wind doesn’t blow you all away, only to wake in the morning boiling hot! It is so stuffy and crowded in the tent and there are no windows or ventilation points to aerate the thing!
The dog has nabbed the best spot and everyone else has neck ache and dry throats and very unhappy faces…
But wait! This whole picture could be very different if you had only bought a decent 8 person tent before setting off on your trip.
For a little extra cash you can get a lot of extra features which will result in a far more enjoyable experience for all the family.
Read on to find out about our top picks for 8 person tents available online today, so you can spend more time climbing trees and singing camp songs and less time wrestling tent pegs and poles!
Best 8 Person Tent
# |
Preview |
Product |
|
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
||
2 |
|
||
3 |
|
||
4 |
|
||
5 |
|
CAMPROS 8 PERSON TENT
Our first pick is great in all weathers. Come rain or shine this mighty tent will have you covered.
It is waterproof as the polyester fabric has been treated with a high quality water resistant coating, meaning that in heavy or light showers this tent won’t leak and puddles won’t form.
It is also windproof due to the excellent aerodynamic domed design which allows high winds to move around the curves of the tent without beating against it, and also due to the extremely effective long tent pegs which anchor the whole structure to the ground.
This tent has 5 mesh windows, one mesh door and a mesh upper section, meaning that there is plenty of ventilation if you wish there to be and the tent will not become unbearably stuffy on summer nights as is so often the case.
As you can see, this really is a tent for all seasons, so you will be able to get lots of use out of it.
Better still, it has optional dividers that can be zipped into place to divide up the space and create privacy for those who need it.
This is great if the kids have different bedtimes or if you need changing space. This tent is 14 feet wide, 9 feet deep and 6 feet high at the center, so you will be able to stand up to change which is really handy.
The rainfly keeps in heat in the cold, but can also be fully detached in hot weather to prevent stuffiness, and the whole tent is so easy to assemble even beginners could set it up in minimal time.
- Large, open dimensions 14ft x 9ft x 6ft
- Detachable rainfly for hot and cold weather
- Optional dividers for privacy when needed
- Multiple windows for ventilation
- Waterproof and windproof
- Simple set up, fit for two people to complete in 10 mins
- Some customers have complained that the zip sticks
UNP 10 PERSON FAMILY TENT
If an 8 person tent simply won’t cut it, or you know you are the type of family to invite friends last minute or are always the ones to host a party for all the other campsite guests, then this supersized 10 person tent might be the one for you.
It has bags of room inside, with a very spacious and open feel to the interior which is great for parties and get-togethers.
This tent is 7 feet high at the centre point, so even the tallest guests should be able to stand up comfortably, and it is 18 feet wide and 9 feet deep, so there is even room for dancing inside this whopper!
It can fit three full air mattresses or 10 individual sleeping bags so whether you are on a couples camping holiday or a school trip this tent is fantastic.
The large interior can easily be split into two separate rooms by the simple unrolling of the privacy divider, and this is quick and easy so you can lower and lift it as often as is necessary.
What is more, the tent has 5 mesh windows for ventilation and a large mesh upper that is great for stargazing on clear nights.
The polyester 185T PU1000mm fabric is water resistant even in heavy rainfall, and the design of the rainfly awning is such that raindrops cascade down and away from the tent beneath and so will not end up dripping on your head!
And the 8 extra strong guy lines give this huge monster tent extra stability and resistance in the rain.
The only negative note is that this tent is pretty time consuming to erect and needs at least three people to get the job done successfully.
- Huge interior dimensions of 18ft x 9ft x 7ft!
- Central privacy divider makes two rooms if necessary
- Rainfly and 1000mm fabric make tent waterproof
- 8 guy lines makes tent wind resistant
- 5 windows provide ample ventilation
- Mesh upper for stargazing
- Takes 3 people to set up
COLEMAN 8 PERSON ELITE MONTANA TENT
This next tent makes our list for its incredible stargazing facility. The entire top of this 8 person tent is made of mesh for maximum visibility when looking at the beautiful night’s sky.
Better still, the mesh windows have a special sloped design so that they can remain open even when it is raining, making this tent a great choice for tropical climates where rain and humidity happen at the same time!
The Coleman is slightly smaller than the previous picks, at 16ft x 7ft x 6.2 ft in dimension, but it is still plenty big enough for 8 sleepers.
It also has an extended awning over the door that acts like a little porch and helps to keep shoes and gear dry even when left outside.
This saves on space inside the tent and encourages people to keep the place tidy.
The tent has been built with a clever weatherTec system and has patented corner welds and inverted seams to protect against leaks and drippage.
What is more, it has an ‘easy set up’ which only requires one person to complete and the pole sleeves are continuous to prevent snagging.
All in all this tent has some really nifty features that make it a very homely and neat 8 person option.
- Domed roof with mesh panels, ideal for stargazing
- Easy set-up, simple enough for one person
- Extended door awning keeps shoes and gear dry
- Sloped windows can stay open in rain
- Hinged door makes for easy access
- Not the best in wet weather
CORE 9 PERSON CABIN TENT
This incredible cabin tent stands at 78 inches in height at the centre point, and due to its block-shaped design the height does not taper away dramatically but remains pretty lofty right to the corners.
This creates the impression of a very spacious cabin and makes this tent a pleasant space to hang out in as well as sleep in.
There is a room divider which is great for separating the space in two for added privacy and convenience, and there are also wall pockets in which you can store your belongings and keep them off the ground where they might get damp or dirty.
Core has added some really great ventilation innovations in this design and the ground vents let cool air circulate where the mesh ceiling allows hot air to escape through the ceiling.
This keeps the tent fresh and aerated, and the ground vents can be adjusted and closed if the weather is cold.
What is more, they have used H20 Block Technology on the seams of the rainfly so as to keep leaks and rainfall out and all your belongings nice and dry.
The really fantastic thing about this cabin tent is its easy set-up. The pole frame is pre assembled, so you simply have to lift it out of the box and drag it upwards to see the tent take shape before your eyes!
This saves lots of time and energy, but does mean that the tent doesn’t fold up as compactly as other options and also weighs a little more too.
- High ceiling and cuboid shape create spacious feel
- Pre assembled poles makes for a seriously easy set up
- Water resistant and highly ventilated for 3 season usage
- Space divider for privacy and convenience
- Mesh ceiling for stargazing
- Wall pockets for storing your goods away from the ground
- Not suitable for windy weather conditions
OUTBOUND DOME TENT
And lastly, we have this absolutely fantastic domed 8 person tent by Outbound. At only 17 pounds this tent is extremely lightweight meaning that it is easy to carry and transport even to the most remote locations.
It packs up very neatly into a carry case that is perfect for hikers and backpackers who won’t have the trunk of a car handy as they travel.
This tent is suitable for spring, summer and fall as it is water resistant and wind resistant.
The heavy duty rain fly is 600mm coated for water proof perfection, and the leak proof seams and polyester bathtub floor keep leaks and drips at bay even in heavy showers.
The easy set-up is aided by the fibreglass poles which are both durable and flexible and allow this tent to be assembled in minutes.
The mesh on the ceiling is amazing for ventilation and also keeps bugs and mosquitoes at bay, which is very handy in tropical climates, and the rainfly can be fully detached in hot weather to stop this tent from becoming stuffy.
The small size is great for space saving and ease of storage, however there is less roominess inside this tent and it is only 5ft10’’ at peak height which is not as high as some alternatives.
- Very lightweight and easy to carry
- Easy set up only takes a few minutes
- 600mm coating makes fabric water resistant
- Domed shape and guy lines provide stability in windy weather
- Mesh ceiling for stargazing and ventilation
- No space divider option
- Lower ceiling than some alternatives
Buyer’s Guide
Hopefully you have been inspired by our top picks, but if you are still browsing for the perfect 8 person tent then here are some key considerations to bear in mind when making your final choice.
Size
You will be surprised how different the dimensions of 8 person tents can be, and how much of a difference those dimensions will make to your experience.
Most 8 person tents are a minimum width of 14 feet, and a minimum depth of 7 feet. Any smaller and there would not be enough floor space to sleep 8 individuals.
Look for a greater depth if you want to sleep people in two rows of 4, and a greater width if you don’t mind sleeping in a row of 6 with two parallel sleepers.
Of course, if you are planning on sleeping on air mattresses then you need to have at least 9 feet of depth to fit them in comfortably.
All the while, it is important to think where you will be camping and to bear in mind whether there will be enough space for you to set up a large 8 person tent successfully.
At music festivals and small campsites, the bigger your tent the earlier you should aim to arrive in order to make sure enough space is available.
Shape
Most 8 person tents reach a peak height of between 5ft 10’’ and 7 feet.
The higher the better if you plan to spend time in the tent during the day because the added head room will allow you to stand up and not feel so cramped.
But of course, added height can lead to less stability and less wind resistance.
A domed tent is a great option because it has room enough to stand up in the center, but that height slopes away quickly at the sides to create a curved shape that is wind resistant and stable.
This is ideal if you are planning on sleeping in the tent but not planning to spend much time hanging out in there. For hanging out, a cabin tent will be far more pleasant.
As spacious and roomy as a square cabin tent may seem, it is not the best choice for windy locations, and will not pack up as compactly as a domed tent will.
Weight
The weight of an 8 person tent can be anything between 17 and 27 pounds, which is a remarkable difference when you consider that you may have to carry the thing a fair distance in order to find your pitch site.
If you know that you will be travelling with your tent then it is best to opt for a lightweight model that has a convenient carry case.
However, you will get much more stability and space from a heavier model with strong material and poles.
So if you know that you will be driving to your site and pitching up right next to your car then you can opt for a heavier tent.
Seasonality
Most tents will advertise as being 1, 2, 3 or 4 season models. It is rare to find a truly 4 season tent that can withstand the winds, rain and even snow of winter as well as the high heat of summer.
A good three season tent will see you through spring, summer, and fall successfully however, and by purchasing a 3 season tent you will give yourself many more options for camping holidays in the future, save yourself money in the long run and also protect against freak weather conditions that are unseasonal and unexpected.
A three season tent will have at least 600mm water resistant coating on the rainfly fabric, and will ideally have inverted seams to prevent leaks in rain showers.
It will also have good guy lines and deep pegs for wind resistance, and mesh windows for ventilation in the summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Get A 6 Or 8 Person Tent?
For couples with two or less kids a 6 person tent is a great option.
But if you have several kids then an 8 person tent is a great investment because it will provide plenty of space for your belongings and you won’t feel cramped on top of each other.
Should I Lay A Tarp Under My Tent?
It is always a good idea to lay a waterproof tarp underneath your tent even if your tent advertises that it has a waterproof bottom.
Is It Safe To Camp In A Thunderstorm?
Unfortunately it is no safer to be inside a tent during a thunderstorm than it is to be outside of your tent.
This is because a tent will not protect you from a lightning strike, however it will keep you warm and dry if you have invested in a good make and model.