So, our beloved 8-year old large tent leaked during a rain storm this year on our BW trip. Upon arriving home, we sealed the seams and sprayed some waterproof spray, and left it out in the rain overnight only to discover that it still leaked! We are in the market for a new tent and are overwhelmed by the prices and different types of tents.

We live about 9 hours from the BW so we have come up just once/year the past two summers. Other than that we car camp at state parks in Wisconsin. We are looking seriously at purchasing this tent Kaiju 6 (mostly because I have a family member connection who can get us any Northface item at 50% off) https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/kaiju-6

What other brands or types of tents do other families use? Our kids ages are 13, 10 & 7. So far we've always all slept in the same tent so we haven't ever used a lighter-weight backpacking tent. We noticed most of the outfitters use Timberline tents.

Thank you for any tips from all of you with more experience!

I'd definitely suggest 2 4-man tents. I think as your kids grow larger you'd appreciate the extra room. I've had good luck with Kelty and Eureka. But in your situation I think what ever The North Face had would be good. I've never heard bad things about them.

I love our Casa 6 mountain hardwear tent. It weighs 12 pounds and holds our family of 5 very well. But they don't make it anymore. So if it ever wears out (it has lasted us 7 years) I was going to either buy a used one or go look into the Midori Basecamp 6 because it only weight 12-13 pounds.

I see the Midori is on sale at REI right now

I also have a GoLite Shangri-La 5. It is a 5 person back packing tent that only weighs 5 pounds.. but they don't make that anymore either. I was hoping for the 8 person go lite tent because it only weighs 7 pounds but they haven't made any new ones yet

Dan Cooks custom shelter has always intrigued me. I saw his at MWM spring expo and it might work as a light tent as well.

I think that Northface tent is HEAVY at just under 20 pounds... Also LARGE for the BWCA tent pads in my opinion.

<20 pounds, 87 sq feet Northface Kaiju

14 pounds, 89 sf Northface Meadowland 6 (discontinued, but maybe you can get - I always wanted this IF I stuck with single tent option)

16 pounds, 87sf, Timberline 6
8.5 pounds, 63sf Timberline 4
< 9 pounds, 61sf Kelty Gunnison 4
7 pounds, 56sf, REI Half Dome 4


So - I agree, you can get more square footage from 2 smaller backpacking tents for the same or less weight. I have one large tent for car camping, and multiple smaller ones depending on how many people are going canoe camping. I can fit 4 in a 4-person tent, because we don't bring gear inside (leave packs in vestibules) and use clothing inside pillow case for a pillow for each of us. Used to fit 5 in a 4-person, but kids are full size now and would only do that if I had to.

Don't be afraid to shop craigslist - you'd be surprised how many people rarely use their tents!

We have the Kelty Discovery 4 - though I think it might be discontinued.

That works for our family of three... I wouldn't want to put 5 people in it though. (Or even 4)

Well, I don't know what you decided, but we split our family up - partially because my kids tend to bring a friend or two. That said, if it's just the 5 of us, we bring 2, 3-person tents. Many of the campsites don't accommodate a large tent very well. A bigger tent means that someone will likely be sleeping downhill, uphill or on roots/rocks. Hope you found what you needed!