Going from summer to winter camping is easier said than done. You need to check temperature ratings, keep water from freezing and learn how to keep your self warm on those freezing nights.
Choosing a tent specifically designed for winter is the first step to transitioning to winter camping. You might be able to get buy with a 3-Season tent in early spring and late fall, but once the snow starts to come down it’s time to purchase a dedicated 4-Season tent.
What’s The Main Difference Between 3 and 4 Season Tents?
4 Season tents are designed for winter use so they’re stronger and heavier. They need to be able to withstand heavy snowfall and wind without collapsing. Winter tents also have much less ventilation which makes them unbearable in the summer. 3 Season tents should be used in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. They offer more ventilation and a lightweight profile since they don’t have to withstand heavy snow loads.
Table Of Contents
3- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall Tents
- Suitable for spring, summer, and fall(mild winters)
- Affordable
- Lightweight and Easy Setup
- Lots of Ventilation to prevent condensation
- Can’t withstand snow load and heavy wind
A summer tent aka 3 season tent is designed to be used during the spring, summer and fall months. In warmer climates like the southern United States you can use a 3 season tent all year long. The poles just aren’t strong enough to stand up to heavy snow and wind.
These tents tend to be lightweight and offer rain and wind protection while keeping away mosquitos and other wildlife. The vast majority of tents on the market have a 3-Season rating. If you’re not sure it’s a pretty safe guess that your tent is rated for 3 seasons.
Most Summer Tents Are Double Wall
Most summer tents use a double-wall design (2-Layer) so they have more ventilation. They usually have a removable rainfly/tarp with mosquito netting underneath. The mesh netting gives you adequate ventilation in the heat while the rainfly protects you against wind/rain.
These tents will be more or less waterproof from the outside, but you’ll still have to deal with condensation on hot and humid days. Try to limit moisture inside the tent and air it out during the day.
Check out my post on preventing condensation in a tent.
There a ton of other great designs suitable for summer camping. You might want to check out tarp and camping hammock setups if you’re interested in the ultralight lifestyle.
4 Season: Winter Tents
- Strong Poles and Extra Guylines
- Additional Poles and Support Structure
- Durable Exterior walls and deeper bases
- Steeper sloped walls with extra space to move around
- Vestibules and extra entrances for storing wet gear
- Less ventilation to cut down on drafts
If you plan on doing a lot of winter camping do yourself a favor and just purchase a 4-Season tent or dedicated mountaineering tent. Eventually you’re going to end up in a snow storm with collapsed tent poles.
Even though they’re called 4-Season tents it’s not a good idea to use a winter tent in the summer. They just don’t have enough airflow to keep you cool in the heat of summer. You’ll end up hot and sweaty with condensation raining down from above. Extended season tents are a great alternative although they aren’t great in heavy snow.
Winter tents are designed to stand up against heavy wind and a moderate snow load. They have additional poles that have reinforced designs, however, it’s still a good idea to knock off snow whenever you get a chance.
Winter Tents Have Both Single and Double Wall Designs
Winter tents come with both single wall and double wall designs. Single wall tents work best in cool/dry climates(no condensation). Double-wall tents are better in rain, sleet, and snow.
Single wall tents will significantly cut down on drafts. These tents are going to be waterproof and breathable though not as well ventilated as double walls. You need to be mindful of condensation and minimize moisture inside the tent.
Winter Tents Don’t Need to Be Heavy
Generally speaking 4-Season tents are going to be heavier, but they don’t have to be. Companies are coming up with ultralight tents designed for winter camping, but they can get expensive. Plan on spending at least $400+ on a lightweight 4 season tent. Backpackers should aim for the 7lb mark when looking for 4-Season tents. That’s heavier than traditional backpacking tents, but you can always find a way to shed weight in other ways.
Mountaineering tents also fall into the 4-Season category, but they tend to use heavier designs to withstand heavy mountain snow loads and strong winds. The average mountaineering tent will be around 9-12lbs.
Can You Use a 4 Season Tent in The Summer?
Yes, you can use a 3 season tent in the winter, but I personally wouldn’t recommend it. A 3-Season tent is going to be fine in mild weather with minimal snow and wind. If the weather starts to turn make sure you have a quick escape plan because your tent won’t hold up in a blizzard.
When the weather starts to get serious a 3-Season tent just isn’t going to be strong enough. You need to consider purchasing either a 4-Season or specifically designed mountaineering tent. Mountaineering tents will be extremely sturdy, but they aren’t very roomy.
In mild to moderate weather you can usually get by with a 3-Season tent. If you don’t plan on camping in the winter all that often you can save a little bit of money.
Just plan on staying fairly close to the car if it’s your first time out in the winter. You never know how your sleep system is going to hold up to the cold.
If you do happen to get caught in a snowstorm try to keep as much snow off as possible(this is how you can repair bent/broken tent poles). Every couple of hours head outside and knock off the snow so your tent doesn’t collapse. Look for tents with steep rounded tent walls since they tend to hold less snow.
You will also need to take the wind into consideration. Summer tents are designed with lots of ventilation to both keep you cool and minimize condensation. This is great in the summer, but very drafty and uncomfortable in the winter. Combat the wind by draping an additional tarp/rainfly over your tent and looking for a tent with a deep bathtub floor.
At the end of the day most people can get by with using a summer tent in the winter. It isn’t ideal, but most of us aren’t planning on braving a blizzard out in the wilderness.
Are 4 Season Tents Warmer?
Honestly, a 4 season tent isn’t going to be much warmer than a typical spring/summer tent. It might be a little bit less drafty and hold a little bit of heat, but the difference is negligible. You might get an extra 2°-3° F out of the best tent, but it’s not going to be noticeable on freezing nights.
Keeping yourself warm is all about finding the right sleep system. You need to find a sleeping bag with a temperature rating at least 15° below the expected temperature. Pair that with high R-Value pad and long johns and you should stay fairly warm. Check out my post explaining sleeping bag temperature ratings.
For additional warmth, you might want to heat up some water and place it in your sleeping bag. This is especially important if you plan on melting snow to get water. You’ll end up with a scorched hole in the bottom of your pot if you don’t start off with a little bit of water before adding snow.
What About 5 Season Tents?
Honestly, If you don’t already know what a 5 season tent is you probably don’t need one. 5-Season tents are designed for long term situations in extreme survival scenarios.
I’m talking about research missions in Antarctica where you have to deal with the extreme cold for long periods of time. Most hikers and campers will never have a need for a 5-Season tent.
