What are the best dome tents?

A good dome tent, like the Bass Pro Shops 4-Person Dome Tent blends an easy-to-use design with trustworthy protection for families and small groups. Though you will find a wide range of prices due to dome tent designs outfitted with extras, dome tents tend to be the most value-oriented type of tent you will find.

How do I choose a dome tent?

Some key factors include ease of setup, waterproof protection, and if the tent has the capacity to accomodate your group. Dome tents often utilize sturdy shock-corded fiberglass poles that cross to provide structure. These poles often connect to the tent within a pole sleeve or with individual pole clips. Tents with heavier coatings tend to deliver better waterproof protection, with some also offering taped seams for even more waterproof coverage.

How much are dome tents?

Based heavily on the number of campers a tent can fit, you can find many dome tent designs for 2-3 people for under $100. You can spend several hundred dollars on larger dome designs outfitted with added accessories or built for camping in more extreme weather conditions.

A versatile and inexpensive option for families or small groups planning an overnight or weekend campout, dome tents offer an easy-to-use camping solution. An easy-to-setup tent design, dome tents give offer reliable, pleasant protection at campsites or prepared camping spots. A great choice for couples and families looking to soak in a night or two of fresh air, dome tents offer easy-to-setup protection with plenty of floor space for 2, 4, 6, or 8 campers. These easy-to-assemble designs often employ 2 lightweight, shock-corded fiberglass poles for trustworthy structure with optimal floor space and a comfortable peak height. Some dome designs employ a third, smaller, brow or roof pole to maximize headspace in the tent and work with the tent's rainfly to create a protective awning over the tent's door(s).

One thing campers will want to consider when buying a new dome tent is the design's ventilation. Many dome tents feature mesh panels to allow airflow, though the size of the panels and the placement vary widely and deliver varying amounts of ventilation.

Dome tents come with a wide range of rainfly designs, ranging from a 1/4-coverage rainfly that only covers the tent's roof mesh panels to full-coverage designs that create protective vestibules in front of the tent's door(s). Often made of the same material as the tent's walls or body, a rainfly often features a special waterproof coating and sometimes taped seams to shield campers from the rain when the skies turn stormy and chase campers into the tent.

Different dome tent designs feature a wide range of floor options, ranging from heavy duty tarp floors with heavy coatings to lighter weight fabrics with or without coatings. Campers planning to use their tent frequently or setting it up on rougher ground at times may consider purchasing a footprint for added protection under the tent's floor.

From interior pockets to gear lofts to electronics ports to integrated lights or fans, you will find some dome tent models heavily outfitted with accessories to make time in the tent even more enjoyable.