Are you an adventure junkie who loves kayaking? Do you often spend your weekend camping? If yes, you must know that you need a high-quality tent to turn your kayaking experience into a blissful one!
This article will walk you through our list of the best tents for kayak camping available in the market.
Best Tents For Kayak Camping
After extensive research, we have shortlisted the 8 best tents for kayak camping that will provide you the utmost comfort and protection during your trip.
1. Coleman 2 Person Sundome Tent
Pros: You can set it up in 8 to 10 minutes, Can house a queen size camping mattress, Includes a doormat, phone holder, and large pockets, It comes with a carry bag for easy transport
Cons: Meshy walls allow cool air to pass, There is no window flap to cover the windows
Coleman is a US-based company known and loved for its camping equipment worldwide. Their Sundome Tent is one of the best-selling camping tents due to its outstanding features.
Made of Polyester taffeta, this is a lightweight tent with versatile fabric. This tent weighs only 6.4 lbs owing to which it is much easier to carry during kayak camping.
This Coleman tent is best suited for kayak camping during summers since it has large windows and an excellent cross ventilation system. In addition, it also has small vents that allow outside fresh air to enter while pushing out warm air from the windows.
Regardless, It is an all-season tent that provides additional protection from the rain. Coleman uses the WeatherTec system to defend the tent against heavy rains. Its welded corners and inverted seams do not allow the water to get in.
Furthermore, the tent has patented floors with welded corners to avoid stitched holes. It also has a special fabric with polyurethane coated treatment that repels water and saves your precious gear from getting wet in the rain. These materials make up for a strong frame that can withstand a wind of 55 km/h.
Small holes in the corners allow you to bring electric wires or any other small item in and out of the tent. This 7 x 5 ft dome shape tent allows a quick setup of 8-10 minutes and can easily house two people with their gear.
The tent is 4 ft high from the center, which means a 6 ft tall person can sit in the tent with ease.
2. Wakeman Outdoors 2 Person Lightweight Dome Tent
Pros: Easy to set up, It comes at an affordable price, Relatively lightweight, Has a rainfly to protect against rainwater
Cons: There is only one door, which reduces ventilation, Plastic zips are not durable and break if extra pressure is applied
Wakeman Outdoors is a US-based brand whose tents are famous among outdoor enthusiasts. This tent is an ideal choice for kayak camping and can house two people relatively comfortably.
The fabric used for this tent is Taffeta-190T polyester which is made especially for outdoor purposes. The tent is relatively lightweight since it weighs only 3 pounds.
Moreover, this dome tent only has two poles made of fiberglass. As a result, setting up the tent or taking it apart are convenient processes.
The tent also comes with a rainfly to provide defense against rainwater. A D-shaped door keeps the tent ventilated. There is a mesh cover inside the door that you can close to get air in and keep bugs out of the tent.
Its strong structure can withstand a wind of 48 km/h, which is impressive in its price.
On chilly winter nights, this tent remains warm and allows you to be cozy in its protection. However, it may not protect you much against hot weather since it only has one door, due to which ventilation is quite restricted.
This tent has enough room for two persons and their kayak camping gear to fit inside. During a kayak camping trip, this tent can prove to be your best companion. However, to avoid the lack of ventilation, we suggest that you use it during the winter or on cooler days.
3. ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent
Pros: Easy to pack or set up, Reasonably priced, Lightweight and durable, Good-quality zipper
Cons: It might be small for individuals taller than 6 feet, The poles move back and forth during strong winds
Next up on our list is a kayaking tent from the renowned brand ‘Alps.’ The brand is widely known for its high-quality camping gear. They produce premium products with the help of their commendable craftsmanship.
The lynx tent by ALPS is made of 75D 185T polyester fly, and the floor material is a 75D 185T poly taffeta. Its seam is sealed on the floor as well as on the fly, and the material possesses water-resistant qualities. It also stops UV rays from penetrating the tent, which makes it ideal for outdoor camping.
The overall weight of the tent is around 4 pounds, which means you can easily carry the tent with you on your kayak camping adventure. There are only two aluminum poles provided with the tent, so it is relatively easy to set up.
On average, it will take you around 6-7 minutes to set up the tent since you won’t have to deal with too many poles.
The tent also features a single-door entrance and eight durable zippers. There are enough mesh storage pockets to hold your essentials within the tent.
The half mesh walls in the tent also ensure good ventilation. It is a three-season tent that is perfect for the summer, spring, and autumn.
So if you are looking to get an affordable and durable tent for kayak camping, the Lynx would be a great fit for you. With sufficient ventilation and storage capacity, this tent is surely worth the price.
4. Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Person Tent
Pros: Illuminating ropes light up during dark and provide a stunning appearance, It is pretty easy to assemble and take apart, It has two doors for the convenience of both users, Lightweight and portable
Cons: The zip quality is not very good, The fly is in a position that blocks easy entry or exit
Mountainsmith Morrison is a Colorado US-based company of durable outdoor camping and other adventure-related gears. Perfect for kayak camping, this tent provides all facilities you would want in an ideal tent.
This polyester tent is easily portable since it weighs only 5.5 pounds. It comes with aluminum poles which are also relatively light in weight. The tent can withstand all odds of weather, including heavy winds.
During summers, it provides a comfortable ventilation system due to its opposite-sided big windows. There are nets on all sides of the tent, and you can open them for improved airflow during the day. In winter, it protects you from cool nights as its material keeps the inner side of the tent cozy.
Even if there’s an unending chain of rains, the tent will not allow even a single drop of water to leak inside. Its floor will enable it to keep the inner side of the tent dry and not let water stand.
On the other hand, it won’t allow humidity to bother you if you are camping in the rainforest, providing a proper three seasoned tent. Similarly, closing the tent’s windows protects you from the cold even if there’s a snowfall.
The fabric and stitching of this tent are pretty durable. When dew falls on its outer side, you won’t notice any stains once it dries. However, if there is a mark left, you can clean it quite easily. There are two doors on both sides of the tent, which allow both users to enter or leave without disturbing the other.
Although a tall person may have some difficulty entering the tent, it is quite comfortable to sit inside. You can also hang your lantern in the middle of the tent if you want light at night.
5. Teton Sports Mountain Ultra Tent
Pros: Lifetime replacement warranty, Suitable for all weathers, Easy to set up, High-quality fabric, 360-degree ventilation for summer nights
Cons: The size of the packing is bigger than expected, Somewhat heavy for a single person tent
This dome-shaped one-person tent is from a famous American company Teton Sports, well-reputed worldwide for their excellent quality outdoor items. The Sports Mountain Ultra Tent provides 360 degrees ventilation, making it one of the best tents for kayak camping in hot weather.
The tent can bear all sorts of extreme weather, including heavy rainfalls, snowfall, and humid days. Made of polyester, this lightweight tent weighs around 4.7 pounds which is ideal for kayak camping.
The package comes with three tent poles which allows you to lay the tent within 5-6 minutes. It has numerous pockets inside where you can store your valuables within an arm’s distance. You can also find a lantern hook in the center of the tent.
Furthermore, the hard floor does not get affected by placing heavy conical objects. The high-quality fabric retains its quality against all odds. If the material gets dirty, you can easily remove the stains using a wet cloth. In addition to kayak camping, you can also set up this tent in your backyard for your kids.
Optimal airflow throughout the summer nights will ensure that you get a comfortable sleep. You can open the window from any side of the tent according to the direction of the air.
A downside of the tent is that it is pretty big once packed, which isn’t ideal considering the limited kayak storage space.
Buying Guide – Choosing The Best Tents For Kayak Camping
To buy the best kayak tent for yourself, there are a few points you should keep in mind. Certain factors that you should never compromise on when buying a tent for kayak camping are given below:
Weather Protection
Kayak camping is enjoyable in all weather, i.e., hot summer days, cold winter nights, rainy and windy days. A kayak tent should be able to keep you cozy and dry in any circumstances.
To ensure protection from harsh weather, you need a tent that can withstand heavy rain and winds. You should look out for tents with impeccable water repellent and rainproof capability. If the frame of your tent is strong, it can efficiently withstand high-speed winds.
Tent Capacity
You need to look over the number of people who’ll be joining you on the kayak trip.
If you are making a solo journey, a 1-person tent will be enough to give you extra space for your luggage. On the other hand, going with more people will require you to get a spacious enough tent to accommodate everyone.
You will be able to find a variety of sizes according to the number of people. As a general rule of thumb, there should be at least 1.5 ft free space on your left and right and 6 inches of space on the side of your head and feet when you lie down in a single-person tent. This space is left so that you can utilize it for your camping gear.
Similarly, for more giant tents, space for camping gear should be kept in mind, and the same distance should be left on all sides.
Weight of the Tent
The best kayak tents are lightweight while possessing all the key features and functions. In kayak camping, you do not have a lot of space to keep your stuff, and you also don’t want to put an extra load in the kayak.
As a result, you need to make sure that the tent folds into a compact size and is lightweight. A tent up to 5 pounds is fine, although lighter is even better.
Single/Double Entrance
Some tents have double entrance doors on opposite sides. These are advantageous since one person can move in and out of the tent without disturbing the other.
On the other hand, single door tents are suitable for one person to stay, but accommodating two can be a problem. So, if you want a two or more person tent, it is better to buy one with more doors.
Ventilation
Ventilation depends on the number and location of the windows. 2 windows on opposite sides with mesh are sufficient for normal ventilation.
There are additional small windows at the bottom of the walls in some tents to bring in the fresh air and ultimately push out the warm air from the top windows.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How to store the tent in your kayak?
It depends on the type of kayak you have and whether they have storage capacities on the front or back.
However, it is not recommended to store the tent on your back because it could interfere with paddling. Therefore, you should keep your tent in the back storage of the kayak so that you can efficiently streamline your kayak.
2. Are kayak camping tents suitable for other outdoor activities?
The answer depends on the activity you intend to do since all kayak camping tents differ in terms of material, durability, etc.
You may also want to check out the best all-weather tents that are suitable for all outdoor activities.
3. Do I need to check the rods of the tent?
Yes, rods play an essential role in determining the laying time of the tent. The number of poles in the tent is responsible for quick or delayed laying time.
If there are only two poles in the tent, you can lay down the tent within 5-8 minutes. Moreover, the material of the poles also makes a difference in the total weight of the tent.
4. Is it easy to set up and dismantle a tent for kayak camping?
There are hundreds of tents available in the market, and not all of them are easy to set up or dismantle. Some might be challenging to adjust and time-consuming.
The lesser the tent’s poles, the easier it would be to lay it, and vice versa. As a result, it is better to do your research and find yourself a kayak tent that takes the least time to set or dismantle.
5. Is it essential to have an outer fly in the tent?
Yes, the outer fly adds to the weather protection of a tent, so it is better to buy a tent with an outer fly. Although some tents without a fly also contain high-quality weather protection systems, it is safer to go with a tent that comes with a built-in flyer.
Takeaway
Exploring the world in a kayak and enjoying kayak camping is an incredible way to avoid crowded local trailheads. It provides a unique experience of camping which is far more adventurous and entertaining than hiking or backpack camping.
Packing every required gear in a kayak is a time-consuming and skillful process. You must have a fair idea of what to store at the front and manage the gear at the rear portion of the kayak. A compact and small packing of the kayak tent is essential if you want a well-managed kayak. Otherwise, your tent will most likely consume more storage space than necessary.
The selection of a good kayak tent is quite a complex task due to the wide variety of tents available worldwide. In a nutshell, you should go for a tent that suits your requirement, protects you against extreme weather, and is lightweight and durable.
After going through the list mentioned above of the best kayak tents, your selection of the kayak tent will surely become more manageable. Have a nice Kayak Camping!