Ask avid backpackers or mountain climbers for gear recommendations, and they’re bound to proffer a lengthy dissertation of which the thesis states: carry the smallest, lightest equipment available. Outdoor companies tend to agree; generally speaking, innovating often means cutting ounces and size without sacrificing elements like warmth and weather protection. Case in point: our first-hand look at an upcoming Big Agnes tent that weighs less than a pound.
There’s something to be said for camping that emphasizes comfort, though. We commonly pitch our tents feet away from our cars, not miles up a trail — so why not sleep in a shelter as big as a shed? If this type of outdoor living is more your speed, a handful of 4th of July sales are delivering discounts up to 40 percent off on everything you need to set up a proper base camp. Below, you’ll find our favorites.
REI Co-op Grand Hut 6
REI calls this tent the Grand Hut for a reason: it’s large enough to stand up in and sleeps six comfortably (but using it for two plus a dog is nice too).
