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.

Nemo Chogori 2P $1999.95 

This four-season mountaineering tent has an external pole structure and integrated fly for quick pitching. It has a full-surround snow skirt, multiple ventilation options, six internal pockets, overhead light pockets, two doors and one vestibule. Two Chogoris can be linked together for a larger shelter. Fly Nylon ripstop, 3000mm Floor 70D nylon, 5000mm Inner 20D ripstop, micromesh Poles 5, DAC Featherlite NSL Ceiling height 98cm Area 3.7m², 1.5m² vestibule Weight 3900g. www.nemoequipment.co.nz

The North Face Assault 2 FutureLight $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, a single front door and escape-hatch back door, and dual top vents. Outer 20D FutureLight recycled nylon, 1500mm Floor 40D nylon ripstop, 3000mm Poles 3, Easton Syclone Area 2.49m² Ceiling height 104cm Weight 2705g. www.thenorthface.co.nz

Mont Epoch $1541

A high-altitude, four-season expedition tunnel tent designed to withstand high winds and snow loading. It has two doors and vestibules, three internally accessed roof vents, 10 pockets, seven guy cords – including four 3-point attachment guys – mesh gear loft, and it’s fully seam sealed. Fly 40D ripstop nylon, 2000mm+ Inner 20D ripstop nylon Floor 40D laminated nylon, 25,000mm Poles 5 Ceiling height 110cm Area 3.08m², vestibule 1.88m² Weight 3750g. www.mont.com.au

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 tall users and the fly extends to the ground for maximum coverage. It has 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

MSR Access 2 $1599

This is a two-person tent for backcountry winter trips. The Easton Syclone frame will withstand strong winds, resist snow loading and optimise interior space. There are two doors and vestibules plus interior pockets and fly vents. Fly 20D ripstop nylon, 1200mm Floor 30D ripstop nylon, 3000mm Inner 20D ripstop nylon, 10D micromesh Poles 1, Easton Syclone Ceiling height 107cm Area 2.69m², 1.62m² vestibule Weight 1860g. www.ampro.co.nz

Marmot Fortress UL 3P $1299

This tent is designed for maximum weather protection with a full fabric canopy, reinforced corners and closeable vents. It has two doors and vestibules, additional guy-outs, a seam-taped floor and a full-coverage fly. Zone pre-bend poles create vertical walls for extra headroom. Fly Polyester ripstop, 1200mm Floor Nylon ripstop, 2000mm Inner Nylon ripstop Poles 2, DAC Pressfit Ceiling height 117cm Area 3.8m², 1.78m² vestibule Weight 2430g. www.marmotnz.co.nz

Mont Supercell $1199.99

A two-person, four-season integral-pitch (fly and inner pitch simultaneously) tunnel tent designed to withstand high winds and shed snow. It’s fully seam sealed with a catenary cut rainfly, oversized vestibule, dual entrances, internally accessible vents, rear (airflow) window and eight 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, vestibule 1.8m² Weight 2797g. www.mont.com.au

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV2 Expedition $1149.99

This freestanding mountaineering tent is a beefed-up version of the award-winning Copper Spur HV series. It has steep walls, two doors with mesh-backed windows, two vestibules and a large ceiling window/vent. A four-way pole hub provides strength and interior volume. Fly Polyester ripstop, 1200mm Inner Nylon ripstop with polyester mesh Floor Nylon taffeta, 10,000mm Area 2.7m² , 1.66m²  vestibule Weight 2410g. www.bigagnes.co.nz

MSR Front Range Tarp $799.99

A four-person floorless tarp that can be set up quickly 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 Ceiling height 162cm Area 7.52m² Weight 910g.