Best Big Group 8 Person Tents For Camping And Outdoors — Comparison Review
8 person tents are great. They’re huge and you can fit all your buddies and your entire family into them. Great for when it starts raining so you don’t have to all split up and end the night.
I do know, however, that it can be hard to find the best one to buy with so many options out there.
There are lots of different factors that come into play that you need to consider and I’ve listed the most important ones below.
I’ve also made a list of 6 of the market leaders that are for sale at the moment. They’ve been picked for their value for money, reliability and market-leading quality. Enjoy…
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8 Person Camping Tent Reviews & Comparison
The below links will bring you to Amazon:
- NTK Colorado GT Dome
- Wenzel 8 Person Klondike
- Coleman 8-Person Red Canyon — The Cheapest
- Coleman Montana 8-Person with Porch
- Columbia 8 Person Red/Gray Dome
- Guide Gear Deluxe Teepee
8 person tent reviews
1. NTK Colorado GT Dome
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This beast was designed specifically for the Brazilian Amazon. It’s a 3-season and dome styled 8 person tent. An incredibly well-designed bit of camping gear and protects against rain, wind, heat, and insects with ease.
This is the lightest on the list weighing just over 20 pounds and with the loss of weight, it still keeps a nice size of 10 by 12 foot and a center height of just over 6 foot.
What I liked about it
- NTK is the international branch of Nautika, the number one camping brand in the whole of South America. They’ve been operating for over 40 years and in that time have perfected their tent design in every way possible.
- Uses Nano-flex technology to ensure sturdiness and durability. The poles are fiberglass and are connected with double gold chrome plated ferrule hardware. This is a strong piece of engineering.
- The micro mosquito mesh is much more effective than other models at keeping mosquitos and other insects out. It’s ultra-thin with holes in the mesh twice as small as normal insect nets. Really handy when you’re sleeping with 8 people and don’t have to decide between fresh air and getting bitten.
Who’s it for?
This is the best 8 person tent for those who want the best of the best of high-performance tents. Designed specifically to keep out water, maximize ventilation and withstand a beating from the wind. You won’t get leakages, the fiberglass support won’t break and you won’t be disappointed if you want a top of the range model. There’s a simple reason this one tops our tent review: it is one of the best 8 person tents available.
Some other sweet features
- Anti-fungus material is used to stop leakages or bacterial growth on the outside.
- It’s only $140, incredibly cheap for such a high-end product.
- The fabric is treated with a coating that protects you against UV rays.
- Side pockets on the inside of the tent, so you can keep any your phone or torch easily accessible.
- Mesh roof and windows for ventilation.
2. Wenzel 8 Person Klondike
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One of the biggest camping tents out there, this is a huge 90 square foot blue monster. And that’s not even including its screened front porch. It’s 3 seasons and so as long as you’re not planning an adventure in the snow, this 8 person family tent will do you well. Wenzel has really gone all out with this one and you can tell why they’re such a trusted brand.
What I liked about it
- Even if you’re a tall fella, there are 6.5 feet of headroom so anyone can stand up and stretch to their heart’s content.
- This is an incredibly sturdy bit of kit. The frame is made out of fiberglass so it won’t break easily.
- A large open screen room that is nice to relax in if it’s drizzling or protect yourself from the sun if it’s blazing.
- It’s got two pockets that are good for storing any little bits you don’t want to go lost.
Who’s it for?
If you want a real big family camping tent that is sure to withstand most weather conditions this is the best 8 person tent for you. All seams are double stitched, it has a water-resistant coating and even gets treated with water repel spray over the zips, thread, and webbing. You ain’t getting wet with all that.
Some other sweet features
- Windows are zippered, allowing the complete closure to keep the heat in.
- Comes with a nice carry bag, that easily fits the whole tent in, unlike some others where you’re stuck trying to compress it down to make it fit.
- Has a meshed section on the roof to let fresh air in.
- It comes with a 10-year warranty. Really shows how much Wenzel believe in their product.
3. Coleman 8-Person Red Canyon — The Cheapest
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Coleman is one of those brands that you just can’t go wrong with. They consistently produce top quality stuff and the Coleman Red Canyon 8 person tent is no different.
This is one of the most spacious tents on my list measuring 17 x 10 feet and is 6 foot tall so you can easily stand up and stretch, which is really nice.
It’s also the cheapest on my list. 127 bucks for an 8 person family tent of this quality isn’t a deal you’ll find often.
What I liked about it
- Really roomy, so you can sleep 8 people and still have room to wiggle.
- Dividers enable you to choose between space and privacy. The Coleman 8 person family tent either has one huge space or three separate rooms thanks to dividers enable you to choose between space and privacy.
- It’s got a really easy setup and pack down system which is handy to avoid those all too common arguments over trying to get up a tent in the rain.
Who’s it for?
With the removable privacy walls, this is one of the best 8 person tents if you want a bit of privacy from who you’re camping with. This is a durable all round great tent, so whether you’re going on a family camping trip or going to a festival with a load of mates, you won’t be let down.
Some other sweet specs
- Coleman has a unique patented ‘Weathertec’ system to ensure water resistance and durability in all weather conditions. With welded floors and inverted seams, you won’t be getting wet inside their camping tents.
- The frame has been specially engineered to maximize strength in order to withstand high-speed wind conditions.
- A steal at $127, this tent combines good quality with good value for your buck.
4. Coleman Montana 8-Person with Porch
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The next in our family tent review is one of the best 8 person tents by Coleman, the Coleman Montana 8 person tent, and there was no way I could leave it off my list. This family tent has a cool night black color, but that’s not what makes this so special.
What’s really great about the Coleman Montana 8 person tent is the huge porch it has. It’s literally massive. Great for storing your boots and gear in and keeping it dry. It also means you don’t have to drag muddy shoes into your new house, which is pretty nice.
What I liked about it
- Coleman is famous for how easy it is to set up their tents and this is no exception. With setup taking less than 15 minutes, this instant tent will be up in no time.
- Poles are made out of shock corded fiberglass, making them incredibly durable. On top of this, they go through color-coded sleeves and clips making them doubly secure.
- It has three mesh webbed windows that allow airflow inside.
- The porch! It creates a huge dry area that you can relax in and store your stuff.
- Has some nifty little mesh pocket on the inside which is super handy to store stuff like your torch in.
Who’s it for?
Perfect for those who want an 8 person tent that will withstand a bit of a batter on their next camping trip. Super durable and, with a place to store your dirty stuff, you can keep the inside nice and clean and enjoy being protected from the elements.
Some other sweet features
- This family tent has an electrical port which can be used to run power from an outside source into the tent.
Comes with Coleman’s WeatherTec system with welded corners and inverted seams that ensure no water leaks in, making it one of the best 8 person tents for whatever nature throws at you. - Measuring 16 x 7 feet and being over 6 foot tall, this is another one where, even when you have 8 people inside, you can still really stretch out
- Includes a transport bag so you can easily take it on the go.
- All instructions are sewn to the carry bag so there’s no risk of you losing them.
5. Columbia 8 Person Red/Gray Dome
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This is a really great 3 season dome tent with a funky red and grey finish. What’s special about this instant tent is the fact that one person can set it up in less than 10 minutes, yet it can comfortably sleep, 8 people.
What I liked about it
- It has six huge windows which let a lot of light in. A nice natural way to wake up in the morning.
- Room divider for some much-needed privacy in a family camping tent.
- There is a place in the center of the tent to hang a light from
Who’s it for?
If you like natural light, this is one of the best 8 person tents for you. The windows let so much light in it almost feels like you’re outside if you have all the flaps open. It’s 6.4 feet tall too, so you can have a stretch inside.
Some other cool features
- All of the fabric is treated with ‘Omni-shield’ technology which forms a barrier against water and stains.
- The fabric is also designed to stay lightweight when it gets wet and is treated in a way that makes it dry 3-5 times faster than normal.
- It’s $200 which considering its uniquely easy set up isn’t bad at all.
6. Guide Gear Deluxe Teepee
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Next in our tent review, this is really cool. I mean, this 8 person tent is a giant teepee, so it’s pretty badass and we couldn’t leave it out of this tent review.
This family campint tent is modeled off of Guide Gears smaller version that was so popular they upgraded it and created this huge one. It’s 14 feet by 14 feet and has a center height of 9 feet. It can fit 8 people on easily, it’s huge!
What I liked about it
- Fully attached and fully enclosed porch to keep your muddy stuff in so the inside stays clean. The porch even had a removable floor, so if you want some grass beneath your feet, go for it!
- Putting this instant tent up is insanely easy. All you do is place the center pole in the middle and then stake out the guy lines and, voila, you have yourself a house.
- Waterproofed windows let natural light in, but also have shades on the inside that can be used if you want some privacy.
- Polyethene floor is attached to the main tent, meaning you have a solid floor without needing to attach a ground tarp.
Who’s it for?
For those who want something a bit different and a more community feel to their living space, this might be the best 8 person tent to go for. You’re all together in this teepee, so if you don’t mind losing a bit of privacy for a community feel, this family camping tent is for you.
Some other sweet features
- Only weighs 24 pounds, which is lighter than almost every other 8 person tent.
- Ventilation in the roof and ground floor is rain and water protected but still allows that much-needed flow of fresh air.
- Seams are all factory-sealed to ensure waterproofness.
- Only 220 bucks.
What makes a great eight person tent?
There are a few important features you want to make sure you’ve got when making a purchase like this.
- Waterproofness. There’s nothing worse than getting nice and comfortable and then noticing a leak. Get a good brand with lots of reviews as this is the only sure way to know it’s going to be waterproof.
- Breathability. 8 people is a lot of bodies, sweats, and smells. Having some airflow coming in can be a real relief from the stench!
- Size and height. Depending on how tall you are, you’ll be looking for different heights, but being able to stand up and stretch is lovely.
- A porch. Having a porch is incredibly handy. It means you can keep dirty stuff out of your sleeping area and have a place to keep rubbish.
- Dividers are another great feature for an 8 person tent. They really come in handy if you want a bit more privacy from those you’re camping with.
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4 Season – Can you use it year round?
This is a common misconception.
4 season tents are designed specifically for extreme weather conditions with intense snow or high-speed powerful winds. They don’t have mesh walls, so body heat is trapped and they stay warm, but this also means much less airflow. For most campers, 4 season camping tents arehighly unnecessary.
3 seasons are instead the one to go for. They’re much cheaper, much lighter and much easier to set up. They’ll still protect you from any rain or wind you’re likely to encounter on a regular camping trip and for the everyday hiker, camper or explorer they’re what you want.
Colors
Tents come in all different colors and the right one to pick depends on what you’re using it for. If you’re going to a festival or expect there to be lots of other campers around, you might want a color that stands out a bit more so it’s easy to find your spot. If you’re stealth camping, however, you may want a black, dark green or even camo style so you blend in easily.
Luckily, most brands offer camping tents in a variety of colors so you can choose the perfect color for your needs.
FAQ SECTION
How heavy do these tend to be? Will I be able to carry it?
Weight varies depending on the model, but they tend to be between 24 and 28 pounds.
This isn’t light, so you won’t want to be lugging it around with you for too long.
If you think you’re going to need to walk with it for a while, it can be good to look for one which comes with a carry bag as these make them much easier to transport.
How long do they take to set up?
Most models will take around half an hour with two people to set up, although, of course, if more people help, you can get it done quicker. I’ve included an instant tent or two on my list that are designed to have fast setup times with some halving the time it takes.
How long will they last?
If you treat it well, any of the tents on this tent review will last for years and years. The Wenzel 8 person Klondike even comes with a ten-year warranty and there’s no reason any of the others shouldn’t last this long too.
Do be careful of buying knockoffs as some of these made in China break incredibly easily. I’d always suggest buying from a known, trusted brand.
Are there other options available?
Yes! Absolutely. There are tons of other choices that didn’t make it to this tent review.
The Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Deluxe is a great all-season choice with tons of space, although significantly heavier than our other choices, which is why we didn’t include the Kodiak Canvas in our best 8 person tents.
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