Winter camping calls for a shelter that can withstand strong winds, torrential rain and snow. Compared to three-season tents, winter tents are more durable, heavier and warmer.

Fly

Steep sides prevent snow from resting on the fabric and collapsing the tent. The fly may extend to the ground to block the wind. There will be large vestibules for gear. 

Guylines

Multiple guyline attachments provide extra stability – essential for the exposed locations and extreme conditions where tents may be pitched. 

Livability

A tent’s floor area and vestibule space indicate how much room there is inside. Clever pole geometry can create vertical walls and more headroom for a more livable interior.  

Weight 

Weights shown in this feature are for the tent, which includes poles, pegs, guylines and various carry bags. The in-use or ‘trail weight’ will be less.

Storage 

Pockets and suspended gear lockers can help to keep the tent tidy and provide easy access to essential items. 

Size 

Choose a tent for the size of your party: four-season tents use robust materials and are heavy, and any unoccupied space still needs to be warmed. 

Poles

The more poles the tent has, the stronger and heavier will be the shelter. Tunnel tents will have one crossover pole at the centre and usually at least two other poles providing structure. Dome tents offer increased strength against wind and snow loadings. 

Inner and ventilation

Keeping warmth inside the tent is crucial, so there will be minimal mesh on the inner. Airflow will be provided by mesh panels with a separate nylon backing near the ceiling or on the doors. Most vestibule doors can open from the top which is useful if snow has accumulated around the base of the tent. 

Floor

A heavy-duty floor with a waterhead rating of 10,000mm+ will prevent water seeping through. Lighter floors can be paired with a groundsheet to make them less prone to damage or seepage. 

Waterhead (hydrostatic pressure) rating 

A fabric’s waterhead rating measures its ability to resist water seepage and correlates with the durability of the fabric. Higher rating fabrics will be more waterproof and more durable. Winter tent flys are usually measured between 1200mm and 5000mm. Floors are between 3000mm and 25,000mm.

The North Face Assault 2 FutureLight 2 $1900

A single wall tent designed for harsh conditions and high altitudes. It has internal poles for quick pitching and to reduce pole-sleeve weight, a ridge-pole that tensions the tent top, a removable vestibule, front door and escape-hatch back door, and dual top vents. Outer 20D FutureLight 3L recycled nylon, 1500mm Floor 40D nylon ripstop, 3000mm Poles 3, Easton Syclone Area 2.49m2 Ceiling height 104cm Weight 2705g. www.thenorthface.co.nz

Bach Oriole 3 $1799.99

This is a versatile and roomy three-person tunnel tent with two entrances and an optional inner tent that can be suspended in the vestibule for children. The main inner is attached to the outer for quick stormy-day set-up. There are numerous mesh pockets and storage options and large vents on the fly for airflow. Fly 30D high tenacity ripstop nylon, 3000mm Inner 40D air permeable ripstop nylon Floor 40D nylon,10,000mm Area 4.27m2, 3.78m2 vestibule Poles 3 Weight 3800g. www.colorado-traders.co.nz

MSR Access 2 $1599

A two-person tent for snowy conditions. The Easton Syclone frame will withstand strong winds, resist snow loading and optimise interior space. There are two doors and vestibules, plus interior pockets. It’s also available in one and three-person configurations. Fly 20D ripstop nylon, 1200mm Inner 20D ripstop nylon, 10D micromesh Floor 30D ripstop nylon, 3000mm Poles 2, Easton Syclone Ceiling height 107cm Area 2.69m2, 1.62m2 vestibule Weight 1860g. www.ampro.co.nz

Hilleberg Akto 1 $1435

A four season solo tent offering strength and versatility in extreme conditions. It can be pitched inner only or fly and inner simultaneously. Square ends provide extra space for taller users and the fly extends to the ground for maximum coverage. There’s a mesh-backed door, foot end vent, above door vent and pre-fixed guy lines. Fly Kerlon 1200, 5000mm Floor Nylon, 15,000mm Inner Nylon windstop Poles 1.9mm Ceiling height 93cm Area 1.7m2, 0.8m2 vestibule Weight 1700g. www.motomox.co.nz

Mont Dragonfly $1199.95

An all-season two person tent for severe winter conditions. It has a seam-sealed waterproof fly and tub floor, internally accessible vents, two entrances and vestibules, full-width wall pockets, roof pockets and carabiner ceiling clips. Fly 30D ripstop nylon, 2000mm Inner 20D ripstop nylon, mesh Floor 70D nylon, 25,000mm Poles 3, DAC 9.6mm Ceiling height 110cm Area 3.08m2 + vestibules Weight 2650g. www.mont.com.au

Mont Supercell $1149

A two-person, four season integral-pitch (fly and inner pitch simultaneously) tunnel tent designed to withstand high winds and to shed heavy snow load. It’s fully seam sealed with a catenary cut rainfly, oversized vestibule, dual entrances, internally accessible vents, rear window for airflow, 8 mesh pockets. Fly can be pitched on its own. Fly 40D ripstop nylon, 2000mm+ Inner 20D ripstop nylon Floor 40D laminated nylon, 25,000mm Poles 2-piece alloy Ceiling height 110cm Area 3.88m2, 1.8m2 vestibule Weight 2797g. www.mont.com.au

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV2 Expedition $1149

This freestanding mountaineering tent is a beefed-up version of the award-winning Copper Spur HV series. It has steep snow-shedding walls, two doors with mesh-backed windows, two vestibules, large ceiling window/vent for airflow, media pockets, a four-way pole hub for strength and interior volume. Fly Polyester ripstop, 1200mm Inner Nylon ripstop with polyester mesh Floor Nylon taffeta, 10,000mm Area 2.7m2, 0.83m2 each vestibule Weight 2410g. www.bigagnes.co.nz

MSR Front Range Tarp $799.99

A four-person floorless tarp that is quick to set up using ski or walking poles and is light enough to carry as a solo shelter, dining hall, or emergency shelter. Xtreme Shield waterproof coating provides long-term durability. Optional Bug/Floor inserts available. Fly 20D ripstop nylon, 1200mm Area 7.52m2 Weight 910g. www.ampro.co.nz

Sierra Designs Convert 2 $799

A versatile two-person semi-freestanding winter
tent with a removable vestibule that can be left at home to save weight. Its mesh door and foot-end mesh window are backed by waterproof nylon. There are multiple guy lines and 15 pegs. Fly 20D nylon ripstop, 1200mm Floor 68D 210T Poly Ripstop DWR, 2000mm Inner 20D Poly Ripstop DWR Poles 3 Ceiling height 109cm Area 2.81m2, 1.52m2 vestibule Weight 2350g. www.furtherfaster.co.nz