Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Brave the harshest elements in luxury with the world’s most extreme (and expensive) tents

Whether you're looking to make camp in style or in the toughest weather on earth, you need a seriously extreme tent

Camper standing on the edge of an oceanside cliff next to a lit-up geodesic tent.
Heimplanet

The traditional camping tent has changed little in the past few decades. It’s a design that just works and, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Sure, many of the best, most clever outdoor brands have shaved a few ounces, perfected waterproofing, and streamlined the setup process, especially in recent years. But there have been few significant changes in the overall design and layout of these tried-and-true backcountry shelters. Or, so we thought.

Some of the very best tents in the world aren’t available from REI or Backcountry.com. For the most extravagant shelters, you need to look to the most premier brands, some of which you may have never heard of. Prepare to be wowed, camping friends, because these are the world’s most extreme and extravagant tents.

The North Face 2-Meter Dome Tent set up on a plain studio background.
The North Face

The North Face 2-Meter Dome Tent

The North Face’s Summit Series represents the brand’s flagship line of gear, targeting world-class athletes and extreme adventurers. The simply named 2-Meter Dome Tent is designed to survive the harshest conditions on earth, from the Himalayas to Antarctica and everywhere in between. With a classic geodesic shape, it’s durable enough to withstand wind speeds up to 70-plus-mph. Inside, the 155-inch floorplan will sleep up to eight expeditioners or serve as a very lavish basecamp for one or two hunkered-down outdoorsmen.

Interior living space of the luxurious Lotus Belle Outback Deluxe Tent.
Lotus Belle

Lotus Belle Outback Deluxe Tent

Lotus Bell’s Outback Tent proves that, sometimes, bigger really is better. The 20-foot-diameter model boasts more than 300 square feet of floor space. That’s larger enough to host up to 24 people or set up three queen-sized beds comfortably. It’s more than just a novelty, however. This is a legit shelter with a fire-, water-, and rot-resistant construction and a Velcro “bathtub-style” groundsheet to completely seal it off from moisture and pests.

DNYSYSJ Bubble Tent setup on a wood platform atop grass.
DNYSYSJ

DNYSYSJ Bubble Tent

One drawback with traditional tents is that their opaque design separates you from the outside world. DNYSYSJ’s Bubble Tent is the perfect alternative for nature lovers, exhibitionists, and anyone who’s ever daydreamed of sleeping in a snow globe. The 100% transparent walls and roof are perfect for stargazing while camping in the backyard. The included pump ensures the bubble stays inflated for however long you plan to camp.

Terra Nova Expedition Cosmos Tent in green on a plain studio background.
Terra Nova

Terra Nova Expedition Cosmos Tent

Like The North Face 2-Meter Dome Tent above, the Expedition Cosmos is built to stand up to the harshest conditions on earth. The eight-person shelter is made to order in the U.K. and features a spacious floorplan with four easy-access doors and dual porches for plenty of expedition gear storage. It’s guaranteed watertight with a taped fly and groundsheet. The only downside? Price. At nearly $7,000, it’s among the most expensive tents we’ve seen in a long time.

Heimplanet Mavericks Dome Tent
Heimplanet

Heimplanet Mavericks 10-Person Dome Tent

In true German fashion, there’s nothing cute or novel about Heimplanet’s shelters. The brand manufactures some of the toughest tents on earth, designed to withstand the harshest conditions. Its flagship Mavericks 10-Person Dome Tent is a massive, 60-pound multipurpose refuge with a 140-square-foot footprint large enough to serve as a basecamp for expedition teams venturing far, far off-grid. Like all of the company’s shelters, its strength stems from an inflatable geodesic construction capable of standing up to 112-mile-per-hour winds. No matter where on the planet you’re headed — the wilds of Antarctica, the North Pole, or the backcountry of New Zealand — this extreme tent will keep you warm, safe, and alive.

Mountain Hardwear Space Station Dome Tent
Mountain Hardwear

Mountain Hardwear Space Station Dome Tent

The Space Station Dome Tent is Mountain Hardwear’s flagship entry into the extreme tent market. It relies on a tried-and-true geodesic architecture for the ultimate in durability, versatility, and practicality. The structure is designed to survive the worst alpine conditions, with enough standing room for more than 20. A full-coverage rain fly with a rain-guard pole insert ensures the interior keeps dry and (relatively) comfortable in even the wettest weather.

The Tipi Company Baby Tipi Tent
The Tipi Company

The Tipi Company Baby Tipi

It’s hard to beat the classic tipi for a vintage, romantic glamping experience. The Baby Tipi from Britain’s The Tipi Company is an upsized take on the traditional design. The 21-foot-diameter floor plan is big enough for 15 standing adults or eight people sleeping. The company can even dress it up with twinkle lights, throw pillows, and seating for a turnkey luxe glamping spot in your own backyard. Adding a wood-burning fireplace (yes, that’s really an option) makes this a legit year-round shelter.

Advanced Shelter Systems ShiftpodIII tent shelter pitched in among tall trees in the woods.
Shiftpod

Advanced Shelter Systems ShiftpodIII

If you’re after something with a bit more “survivalist chic,” the Shiftpod shelter series from Advanced Shelter Systems may do the trick. The exterior features a highly reflective, seven-layer “Dark-Out” shell designed to block out light and keep the interior cool. Loads of ventilation options — two doors with bug screens, six screened windows, and two screened vents — maximize airflow in any conditions. If the 144-square-foot floor plan isn’t spacious enough, the optional Tunnel System makes it possible to daisy chain an infinite number of Shiftpod units to create the ultimate shelter for your next Mars expedition. The latest ShiftpodIII is typically sold out, so this is one extreme tent that requires early pre-ordering.

Shoal Tent by Smithfly
Smithfly

Smithfly Shoal Tent

Why limit yourself to camping on terra firma? Water covers 70% of our planet, so why shouldn’t you be able to camp there too? Enter Shoal Tent. It’s billed as a world-first inflatable tent raft, in which “the world is your waterbed.” We’re not sure if this is solving a problem that nobody’s complained about, but the thought of camping on our favorite ponds and creeks feels like a boyhood fantasy fulfilled. Without traditional tent poles, the entire structure is inflatable. It takes just minutes to set up via the included manual foot pump but is spacious enough inside for a 6-foot 3-inch camper. The floor features a sturdy, 6-inch-thick, high-pressure construction that also doubles as a comfy camp air mattress. Plus, there’s an inherent adventure in the lack of an anchor, so you’re all but guaranteed to wake up miles from civilization, blissfully lost on the water.

Cocoon Tree luxury glamping shelter suspended between trees near a beach.
Cocoon Tree

Cocoon Tree

Unless you’re a masochist, the Cocoon Tree is unlikely to be the sort of tent you pack for a casual backcountry camping trip. But we never said this list was going to be practical. As the name implies, this “tent” is more of a luxurious cocoon-like treehouse. The manufacturer even admits to a three-hour setup time, and that’s with three able-bodied people. But the payoff is an 8-foot-wide waterproof bubble large enough for a double bed and two tons worth of you and your friends.

Canvascamp Patrol Deluxe Canvas Tent setup for glamping on a wooden platform.
Canvascamp

Canvascamp Patrol Deluxe Canvas Tent

A legit glamping experience requires the right luxury tent. The Patrol Deluxe Canvas Tent from Canvascamp is a full-sized A-frame shelter with a generous 150-square-foot floor plan perfect for large groups and families. The military-inspired design features fixed sidewalls and a durable, sewn-in groundsheet for added water and weather protection. Just add your favorite camp bed, floor pillows, and some authentic Turkish rugs, and you have the perfect nomad-inspired shelter.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Cold-weather camping tips: How to stay warm in your tent through fall and winter
Get geared up and ready for fall and winter camping
Man drinking coffee in his tent in the cold

The serious outdoorsman knows that camping doesn't have to stop just because the nights are getting colder. A little frost on the ground or clear fall nights — where temperatures dip to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower — aren't going to be enough to stop you. And they don't have to be. Cold-weather camping can take some getting used to, but camping in what most people consider the "off-season" gives you access to nature at a time when most people are curled up on their sofa instead.

Camping in the cold requires planning — there's no escaping that. Your summer camping gear might not quite cut it during fall and winter, but there are often ways that you can prolong the seasonal span of your gear and not have to shell out for another expensive setup. Then there are those nights where the cold weather catches you out — the first frost of the season, that clear fall night you weren't anticipating. On those nights, when you're suddenly thrown in at the deep end of unseasonal camping, these tips can help you to stay warm in your tent.

Read more
Thule Outset tent is a rooftop-style tent for camping on the ground, and it’s low-key genius
Thule Outset is bound to make camping easier for everyone
Thule Outset Hitch-Mounted Tent

When it comes to outdoor adventures, the right equipment can make all the difference between a memorable experience and a challenging ordeal. Luckily, Thule, a renowned name in outdoor gear, is set to revolutionize camping with its latest innovation: the Thule Outset Hitch-Mounted Tent. This cutting-edge camping tent is set to come out sometime in the next two years. To learn more, we'll explore the announced features of the Thule Outset and highlight the convenience it offers over traditional tents.

Features of the Thule Outset rooftop-style tent
One of the best things about this tent will be the hassle-free setup. The last thing you want to do after a long day of hiking is to pitch a tent, so Thule has put a ton of thought into its new design. The Thule Outset changes the game by attaching directly to your car's hitch. It's got a built-in platform that folds up and down into a box, so you don't need to level a spot on the ground. The Outset's independently adjustable legs ensure a comfortable sleeping surface wherever you park.

Read more
Here are 7 reasons why you should not buy a rooftop tent
Rooftop tents are awesome, but they ain't perfect. Get the low-down on what you're getting into before buying one
A man climbing a ladder to set up a rooftop tent on top of his vehicle in the campsite.

Rooftop tents (RTTs) are the darlings of the overlanding world right now. It seems nothing gives you more social media cred than showing off a new rooftop tent on your latest epic, off-grid camping expedition (bonus points if it’s captured with drone footage).

It’s no surprise that Instagram and YouTube are full of rooftop tent videos. That’s all with good reason: They’re versatile, comfortable to sleep in, and look damn cool to boot. Plus, they provide most ordinary street vehicles with ultralight travel trailer-esque utility without the sky-high price tag of actually buying an RV. But, there are downsides, especially for softshell rooftop tents. Some are obvious, and some are not so obvious, especially for first-time buyers.

Read more