8 Factors To Consider When Choosing the Best Survival Tent

by Alex Wittle November 2, 2022

When camping outdoors, one of the most crucial needs to be met to ensure survival is shelter and safety, and one way to ensure this is by having a survival tent. Survival tents protect you against the environment, predators, and other dangers. In this guide, we will teach you what to look for in a survival tent.

What Are Survival Tents?

A person with their legs sticking out a green tent that is in the snow

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Survival tents are different from the tents you bring camping. A survival tent/ emergency storm shelter/ emergency tent is a spare tent that you can set up in an emergency. They are essential survival items for anyone who wants to be equipped for the unexpected. These tents are designed to protect you from elements such as wind, snow, and rain.

A survival tent is a necessary component of any emergency kit or bug-out bag. These tents are portable and lightweight, so you can take them anywhere you go. Unlike a regular tent, they are waterproof and windproof, so even in the worst weather, you can be dry and safe. Additionally, they do not include tent poles or a rain fly.

Types of Survival Tents

Emergency tents come in a plethora of different varieties. Some of them are as follows:

1) Tube Tents

Credit: Emergency USA

A tube tent is a shelter that will improve your chances of survival in an emergency. These tents are made of a ream of waterproof material that has been glued together. The form resembles an A-frame shelter more than a tube. The purpose of tube tents is basic survival. They provide all-year weather protection so you can use the same tent for winter and summer.

2) Winter Tents

A green tent in a forest of snow with a man in a bright blue jacket

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A winter tent uses thicker material and has a stronger structure. These tents are built to endure strong winds and snowfall. They have tilted sides to allow snow to slide off of them. There are two types of winter tents: three-season tents and four-season tents.

The three-season tents are made to withstand the typical elements encountered while trekking, including rain, wind, light hail, and even frigid temperatures. Four-season tents are designed to survive anything else, including sandstorms, harsh winters, strong winds, and heavy snowfall.

3) Pop-Up Tents

A bright blue pop up tent with black trimmings

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Pop-up tents are quite simple to set up and take down. They are spring-loaded, so when they are taken out of their sack, they immediately bounce into form.

Pop-up tents are lightweight and inexpensive tents that are ideal for summertime camping. These, however, are not suitable for environments with extreme temperatures.

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Survival Tent

Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere. You may find yourself stuck and in need of protective cover due to a natural calamity, a car accident, or simply getting lost. Survival tents can save you in such circumstances. Here are 8 things to consider before purchasing an emergency shelter:

1) Look at the Weight

A backpack and other equipment being packed for a trip

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A lightweight tent is essential when planning for survival. This is because you'll probably also be carrying other types of survival gear, such as MREs, a sleeping bag, and hopefully some sort of self-defense tool like a survival knife.

True backcountry travelers know that a pack shouldn't weigh more than 15 to 25 percent of your body weight. For a lightweight tent that can easily fit in your bag, check out Emergency USA. Our emergency storm shelter weighs only 400 grams.

2) Look at the Size

A person in a tent wearing socks looking out over a forest

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The number of occupants will have a significant impact on the size of your survival tent. If it's just you, a small shelter will be adequate. However, if it's you and your family—possibly even a pet—think bigger. As you choose the size of the shelter, keep the weight in mind.

3) Make Sure That It Is Easy To Setup

A couple putting up their tent in an field of sand and some grass

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For survival, speed is crucial. In an emergency or during terrible weather, you'll need a shelter that can be set up fast and easily. Setting up a larger, more "tent-styled" shelter will take more time. Make sure to pick a shelter that just needs one person to set up and take down, and that has no manuals or instructions to follow.

4) Make Sure That It Is Durable

A bright blue tent in the middle of a green forest with a picnic table on the side

Credit: Envato Elements/ Galyna_Andrushko

When choosing a survival tent, durability is of utmost importance. Some fabrics are superior to others like Mylar.

Tents made out of Mylar are robust and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. In addition, it is also one of the best fabrics for reflecting body heat and keeping you warm. To shop for the toughest Mylar emergency tent, check out Emergency USA.

5) Check To See if It Is Waterproof

A couple sitting in their tent looking out at the rain

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Getting wet and having nothing dry to change into is one of the worst things that can happen when trying to survive outdoors. Being wet can lead to hypothermia, which can be fatal. Therefore, choosing a watertight shelter is crucial.

6) Look at the Price

Two young people sitting in the entrance of the tent drinking coffee

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You get what you pay for, but since most of us are on a tight budget, it's crucial to acquire the best tent you can within this budget. You must decide which features are valuable in terms of additional cost and how much potential quality decline you are willing to accept.

7) Look for a Bright Color

A bright luminescent green tent in the forest with a lake and mountains

Credit: Envato Elements/ Galyna_Andrushko

The color of your survival tent can make the difference between life and death. By using a bright survival tent, you can stay visible and make it easier for rescuers to discover you. If you use a camouflaged tent, it will be difficult for anyone to spot you, especially if you're in the wilderness.

8) Look for Additional Accessories

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If you want to survive the great outdoors, you need more than survival tents. You will need outdoor survival kits that consist of an emergency sleeping bag, a whistle to alert people around, and a compass to navigate your way. Along with a good quality survival tent, be sure to look for these additional items.

Summary

An emergency tent is not a luxury item, but rather a requirement. When looking for the best survival tents, use our tips above. For outdoor survival kits that you can use in any emergency, make sure to check out Emergency USA.