Best 4-Person Non-Toxic Tents for Safe and Comfortable Camping
The best 4-person non-toxic tents for camping offer a number of benefits to enhance your outdoor experience such as additional space, better ventilation, and easy setup.
Key Takeaways:
- 4 person tents are more comfortable and are ideal for 2 person camping.
- They give you additional living space and headroom.
- They feature larger windows, doors and vents for better ventilation.
- They are lightweight enough for quick weekend and car camping trips.
- Non toxic tents do not contain fire retardant chemicals that can be toxic to humans.
What are the best 4-person non-toxic tents?
Best 4 Person Tent for Car Camping: Big Agnes Spicer Peak 4
Big Agnes Spicer Peak 4 Features
- Seasons: 3 season
- # Doors: 2
- # Vestibules: 2
- # Poles: 3 DAC Pressfit Aluminum Poles (easy setup ~10 minutes or less)
- Minimum Trail Weight: 11 pounds, 2 ounces (5 kilograms)
- Peak Height: 70 inches / 5.8 feet (178 centimeters)
- Packed Size: 10.5 x 25 inches (27 x 63 centimeters)
- Floor Dimensions: 92 x 90 inches / 7.6 x 7.5 feet (233 x 228 centimeters)
- Floor Area: 58 square feet (5.4 square meters)
- Vestibule Area: 11 + 11 square feet (1 + 1 square meters)
- Material: Polyester taffeta rainfly, canopy, floor
Who is the Big Agnes Spicer Peak 4 best for?
Families and groups camping for multiple days at a time, and tall campers who need from headroom. The spacious floor space of the tent makes it ideal for extended car camping trips. The tent provides up to an additional 20 inches of headroom compared to similarly sized 4 person tents (see the Mountain Hardwear Trango 4).
Who is the Big Agnes Spicer Peak 4 not right for?
Campers who are backpacking or hiking. The tent is too heavy to carry over long distances. It also isn’t good for groups that need private areas within the tent, since it’s one big room.
What chemicals are restricted in the Big Agnes Spicer Peak 4?
Big Agnes has banned the following chemicals from all its products and entire supply chain because of the health risks they pose to humans: Antimicrobials, biocides, flame retardants, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Best Ventilation: The North Face Wawona 4
The North Face Wawona 4 has been optimized for better weather protection, stability, breathability and easier set up.
Tent Features
- Seasons: 3 season
- # Doors: 2
- # Vestibules: 2
- # Poles: 3 DAC MX tent poles (easy setup ~10 minutes or less)
- Minimum Trail Weight: 11 pounds, 11 ounces (5.3 kilograms)
- Peak Height: 68 inches / 5.7 feet (173 centimeters)
- Packed Size: 13 pounds (6 kilograms)
- Floor Dimensions: 96 x 90 inches / 8 x 7.5 feet (244 x 228 centimeters)
- Floor Area: 58 square feet (5.3 square meters)
- Vestibule Area: 27.6 square feet (2.5 square meters)
- Material: Polyester rainfly, floor and canopy
Who is The North Face Wawona 4 best for?
The ideal use of the Wawona 4 is car camping. This is also a good option for people who need a quality waterproof tent that’s easy to pitch at night or during low visibility. The double-wall, mesh door and ceiling also offer great stargazing and refreshing breezes.
Who is The North Face Wawona 4 not right for?
Groups that need privacy or separate areas in the tent. Even though the interior is large, there are no privacy options. The tent is also much too heavy for backpacking or hiking trips.
What chemicals are restricted in The North Face Wawona 4?
As stated on the REI Co-Op website, all North Face tents are made without flame retardants.
Best All-Weather 4 Person Tent: Mountain Hardwear Trango 4
The Mountain Hardwear Trango 4 is built to withstand the harshest weather, including snow, heavy rain and alpine conditions. This waterproof tent is designed to keep cold wind and water outside, while keeping an airtight interior.
Tent Features
- Seasons: 4 season
- # Doors: 2
- # Vestibules: 1
- # Poles: 5 DAC Aluminum Feather Lite poles (moderate setup ~20 minutes or less)
- Minimum Trail Weight: 11 pounds, 7.5 ounces
- Peak Height: 50 inches
- Packed Size: 9 x 28 inches
- Floor Dimensions: 96 x 94 inches (approx. 8 x 8 feet)
- Floor Area: 57 square feet
- Vestibule Area: 16 square feet
- Material: ripstop nylon canopy, nylon taffeta rainfly and floor
Who is the Mountain Hardwear Trango 4 tent best for?
Campers expecting bad weather – cold, rain, snow and wind. The tent floor has an extremely high waterproof rating, and the integrated snow flaps are perfect for keeping out the elements. Mountain Hardwear also applies silicone to both sides of the tent wall, which increases water repellency.
Who is the Mountain Hardwear Trango 4 tent not right for?
Groups of more than 2 people and campers over 5.7 feet in height. The tent is unusually short compared to other similarly sized shelters. This will likely feel pretty cramped over time, so leaving room for extra space is a wise idea.
What chemicals are restricted in the Mountain Hardwear Trango 4 tent?
According to their website, Mountain Hardwear has banned all flame retardants from their products. Their materials are also bluesign® approved, which requires full transparency and traceability of all the raw materials used to create the products.
In addition, Mountain Hardwear uses solution-dyes to color their tents. This is more eco-friendly because solution-dyes requires less water than traditional dyes.
Best 4 Person Tent Layout: Big Agnes Wyoming Trail 4
The Big Agnes Wyoming Trail 4 offers 2 separate sleeping areas, and an central covered vestibules, making it great for families or groups where privacy is important.
Features
- Seasons: 3 season
- # Doors: 4
- # Vestibules: 3
- # Poles: 6 Aluminum DAC poles (moderate setup ~20 minutes or less)
- Minimum Trail Weight: 20 pounds, 10 ounces (9 kilograms)
- Peak Height: Tent: 57 inches / 4.7 feet (145 centimeters), vestibule: 70 inches (179 centimeters)
- Packed Size: 25.5 x 16.5 x 9.5 inches (65 x 40 x 24 centimeters)
- Floor Dimensions: 90 x 54 inches / 7.5 x 4.5 feet (228 x 137 centimeters)
- Floor Area: 34 square feet (3 square meters)
- Vestibule Area: 40 square feet (4 square meters)
- Material: Polyester taffeta rain fly, canopy and floor
Who is this camping tent tent best for?
Campers that need privacy and separate sections within the tent. The tent offers a lot of floor space and is divided into two sections. This comes is handy for families with children. The adults can hang out while the kids are tucked away in their sleeping bag peacefully in their own private room.
Who is this tent not right for?
Campers who have to travel long distances by air or train, or who do not have the ability to carry a very heavy tent. At 20 pounds, this is the heaviest tent on our list.
What chemicals are restricted in this tent?
Antimicrobials, biocides, flame retardants, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Most Spacious: NEMO Aurora High Rise 4P
Features
- Seasons: 3 season
- # Doors: 2
- # Vestibules: 2
- # Poles: 4 (easy setup ~10 minutes or less)
- Minimum Trail Weight: 13 pounds, 12 ounces
- Peak Height: 75 inches (6.5 feet)
- Packed Size: 8.5 x 25 inches
- Floor Dimensions: 100 x 90 inches (8.3 x 7.5 feet)
- Floor Area: 62.5 square feet
- Vestibule Area: 19.5 sq. ft. + 19.5 sq. ft. square feet
- Material: Polyester taffeta rain fly, canopy and floor
Who is this camping tent best for?
At 6.5 feet in height, this tent is a dream for tall campers. The shape closely resembles a dome tent, which provides a lot of evenly distributed headroom. This gives the tent a huge, spacious feeling which adds to the comfort.
The tent provides a lot of value and has a great weight to space ratio – you get a lot of space for a weight of a less than 14 pounds.
Who is this tent NOT right for?
People who need a lot of internal storage pockets. Anybody who camps regularly understands how important internal storage is, especially for longer trips. This tent only offers 4 mesh storage compartments – less than all the other tents on our list.
What chemicals are restricted from this tent?
The NEMO website says that the company uses durable fabrics that meet standards for flame resistance without using harmful chemicals.
Best Budget: Big Agnes Rabbit Ears
Tent Features
- Seasons: 3 season
- # Doors: 1
- # Vestibules: 0
- Poles: Aluminum DAC poles (easy setup ~10 minutes or less)
- Minimum Trail Weight: 8 pounds, 5 ounces (3.6 kilograms)
- Peak Height: 60 inches (152 centimeters)
- Packed Size: 7.5 x 23.5 inches (19 x 59.7 centimeters)
- Floor Dimensions: 90 x 96 inches (228 x 224 centimeters)
- Floor Area: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
- Vestibule Area: n/a
- Material: Polyester rain fly and floor
Who is this camping tent best for?
Small groups of 1-2 people who are traveling very light, backpackers, hikers, campers who want a high-quality, chemical-free tent under $200.
Who is this tent NOT right for?
Larger groups of 2-3 people. This tent does not have a vestibule, which significantly reduces the amount of livable space because all your gear needs to be stored inside the tent. People over 5 feet may also have difficulty in this tent because of its low peak height.
Best for Sub Zero Weather: The North Face Bastion 4
The North Face Bastion 4 person tent is made with high-performance, technical materials and designed for extreme weather conditions, including heavy wind and snow.
Features
- Seasons: 4 season
- # Doors: 2
- # Vestibules: 1
- # Poles: 6 Aluminum DAC Featherlite NSL poles (moderate setup, ~20 minutes or less)
- Minimum Trail Weight: 12 lbs 4 oz (5.56 kg)
- Peak Height: 54.5 inches
- Packed Size: 24 x 9 inches
- Floor Dimensions: n/a
- Floor Area: 61.5 ft² (5.7 m²)
- Vestibule Area: 14.8 / 7.2 square feet
- Material: Nylon rainfly, canopy and tent floor
Who is this camping tent best for?
Campers expecting freezing cold weather, rain, wind and groups that need a lot of internal storage space. It provides 10 internal storage pockets and a spacious vestibule. This is the best waterproof tent in our list, designed to seal out rain and wind.
Who is this tent NOT right for?
Campers who like to stand up inside their tent. This tent has the shortest peak height of any on our list, at only 4.5 feet.
Best Internal Storage: Big Agnes Big House 4
The Big Agnes Big House 4 is a spacious, lightweight 4 person tent for camping that is designed for people that need plenty of storage space for gear and equipment.
Features
- Seasons: 3 season
- # Doors: 2
- # Vestibules: 1 (sold separately)
- # Poles: 3 High-quality DAC lightweight aluminum poles (easy setup ~10 minutes or less)
- Minimum Trail Weight: 11 pounds, 2 ounces (5.046 kilograms)
- Peak Height: 70 inches (178 centimeters)
- Packed Size: 26 x 13 x 7 inches (66 x 33 x 18 centimeters)
- Floor Dimensions: n/a
- Floor Area: 57 square feet (5.30 square meters)
- Vestibule Area: n/a
- Material: Polyester / nylon mesh
Who is this camping tent best for?
People looking for a spacious tent with a super easy setup. Other than the Big Agnes Rabbit Ears, this tent has the easiest setup of any others on our list. This tent is also good for social gatherings, BBQs, because of the shelter mode that transforms it into an open air sunshade.
Who is this tent NOT right for?
Groups of more than 3 people. The floor dimensions of this tent are smaller than any other on our list. Even with the generous ceiling height of 5.8 feet, the space might start to feel cramped with more than 3 people.
FAQs
Why should I get a tent without flame retardants?
Flame retardants include dangerous chemicals, with Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) being the most common found in consumer products. A growing body of scientific and health research is revealing that these chemicals may cause serious health problems in humans. As we discussed in our article on the non toxic tents, camping tents are often made with these toxic chemicals.
What are the effects of flame retardant chemicals?
- Respiratory illnesses.
- Kidney and liver cancers.
- Birth defects.
For example, one study showed that pregnant women who were exposed to high levels of PBDE fire retardants were nearly three times more likely to deliver underweight babies as those with low PBDE levels. Additionally, several studies have linked PBDEs to lower IQ and hyperactivity in children.
The United States Congress and the EPA have acknowledged the need to reduce the use of PBDE chemicals, especially in products that may pose the greatest risk to consumers. Many countries — including Japan, France, Sweden, and Switzerland — have already banned one or more types of PBDEs due to health concerns. The EPA is taking action to reduce the use of PBDEs in products and has committed to a process to reduce HFRs as well.
Are flame retardants necessary?
In addition, flame retardant chemicals don’t necessarily make you safer, as any material will eventually burn if exposed to fire. It’s better to rely on fire safety precautions to keep you safe when camping, such as following basic fire safety tips, using a fire pit, having plenty of water around a camp fire, and bringing an emergency fire blanket.
Why are 4 person camping tents better for groups of 2 – 3 people?
A 4 person tent often come with a number of features and other amenities to make your stay even more comfortable.
- Many 4 person tents will comfortably fit two queen-sized air mattresses or a couple of cots with room to spare.
- A number of 4 person tents have a peak height of 5.5 feet – 6 feet, which allows many people to stand upright inside the tent. This is rare to find in 2 and 3 person tents.
- Most 4-person tents are designed with a fair amount of ventilation to help keep you cool on even the hottest days.
- Even though they offer more livable space, 4 person tents are still usually easy and quick to setup.
Scientific research on flame retardants:
- Environmental Working Group. Flame Retardants: A Guide to What They Are, Where They Are, and How to Avoid Them. https://www.ewg.org/research/flame-retardants
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Flame Retardants and their Effect on Children’s IQ. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/assets/docs/j_q/quinones-fitzgerald-508.pdf
- Consumer Product Safety Commission. FAQs: What are the requirements for flame retardants in tents? https://www.cpsc.gov/Business–Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Tents-FAQs
Understanding the parts of a 4 person tent
- Inner Tent: The inner tent is where you’ll be spending most of your time, whether you’re sleeping or just hanging out. It usually attaches to the rainfly or the tent poles, leaving a bit of space between the two. While the inner tent isn’t waterproof, it’s designed with vents or mesh windows to let moisture escape.
- Vestibule: A tent vestibule is like a little covered porch or entryway that leads into the main tent, either from the side or the front. It’s perfect for stashing your shoes, gear, and any dirty stuff you don’t want inside. But it’s not just for storage—it can also be a great spot to hang out, prep some food, or hang out with friends.
- Rainfly: A rainfly is a layer of fabric that goes over the top of your tent to shield it from the elements. Most rainflies are made from recycled polyester or nylon, which are naturally waterproof. It’s your tent’s first line of defense against everything nature throws at you, whether it’s rain, snow, or wind.
- Groundsheet: The groundsheet is a piece of fabric that is built into the bottom of the inner tent to protect the foundation. It is very durable, waterproof, and long-lasting.
- Inner Door: A zippered entrance to the inside tent, typically constructed of mesh to keep insects out while allowing air through.
- Tent Pole: Tent poles provide structure to the shelter. Some poles are connected by an elastic rope made of lightweight material. Heavier poles are joined together by steel wire or springs.
- Pole Clips / Sleeves: The tent poles are connected to the tent body with either a pole clip or a sleeve. Most 3-season tents use pole clips because they are simpler to operate. 4-season tents typically use pole sleeves because they are stronger and better equipped to withstand wind and snow.
- Tent Guy Lines: Guylines are cords or ropes that you attach to your tent and secure with pegs. They give your tent extra stability and help it stand strong against rain and wind.
- Pole Pegs / Stakes: Pole Stakes, also called “Pegs,” are small spikes or rods made of wood, metal, plastic, or a combination of these materials. They secure the tent to the ground.
- Tent Vents: Vents are openings in the tent that let air circulate and moisture escape. This helps improve airflow and reduce condensation.
- Privacy Wall: The privacy wall is a thin, usually mesh piece of material that is attached to the ceiling of larger tents. The wall divides your tent into multiple rooms so you can have privacy or create different areas within the tent.
What to consider when choosing a 4-person non-toxic tent
When selecting a 4-person tent, there are several things to take into account. The six most important issues, according to our analysis, are the type of camping, size, comfort, simplicity of setup, trail weight, and resilience to weather.
What level of comfort do you need inside your tent? Features that determine the comfort level of your tent include livable space, vestibule, organizational tools, peak height, and how many camping beds will fit inside.
- Livable Space: The livable space in a tent impacts how comfortable it is. This includes the angle of the walls, whether the interior seems cramped or spacious, and if there are any privacy options like a room divider. These factors, together with actual square footage, should be considered to get an accurate idea of how your tent will feel. Most 4-person tents have a total square footage between 50 to 60 square feet (4-6 square meters). KOA says that 20 square feet per person is the best way to figure out how big a tent you need.
- Vestibule: A vestibule is like a porch or mud room for your tent and is used for many of the same purposes. It can be used to store gear, muddy shoes, wet clothing and even bigger items like bikes, scooters and coolers. Having a nice, spacious vestibule frees up room inside your tent and will in turn make your tent feel larger. It also provides another area where people can socialize, cook food and hang out during rain storms or sunny days.
- Organizational Tools: Tools like storage pockets, gear lofts, and clips can greatly add to the comfort factor. It’s convenient to have a designated area for storing items like lights, phones, wallets, and first aid kits, so they are protected and don’t get lost.
- Peak Height: Your tent’s peak height determines how much headroom you have inside. It depends on the pitch/angle of the tent walls and influences whether you can fully stand up. Headroom is important for a family camping experience, and also for taller campers to stand up easily.
- Air Mattress: Sleeping on an inflatable air mattress has become commonplace in modern camping. The flexibility to use an air mattress is an appealing choice for people with back problems. When deciding on the size of your tent, keep in mind that a twin air mattress will take up two sleeping areas. A 4-person tent will normally accommodate two twins.
- How heavy is the tent? Depending on what kind of camping you do, weight is important. If you camp by car, you don’t have to worry as much about the weight of your tent. But if you’re going backpacking, your tent needs to be as light as possible.
Related Posts:
- The Best Non Toxic Tents Without Flame Retardants [2023]
- 8 Person Tents Without Toxic Flame Retardants
- Sustainable Tents Made From Recycled Materials
- Sustainable Sleeping Bags Made of Recycled Materials
- Eco Camping: 7 Principles to Leave No Trace
