If you love spending quality time outdoors, combining camping and kayaking helps you get the best of these two recreational activities simultaneously. The only way to make these two activities memorable is to get a good kayak and the best tent for kayak camping.
After a hard day of paddling down a lake or river, you are going to need a restful night sleep. If you don’t have the right shelter, it will be a long night where you will hardly have any rest. But having a good tent will keep mosquitos and bugs away and prevent condensation from dripping on your sleeping bag.
In the market today, you are going to find a wide variety of tents for kayak camping. If you are a first-time buyer, you might find the selection process to be daunting and time-consuming. But we are here to help. We have put together a list of the best-rated tents forkayak camping and included all the details you need to find the right tent for your needs.
Without further ado, let’s jump right in.
Best Tent for Kayak Camping
1)Camppal 1 Person Tent for Camping
Camppal 1 Person Tent is by far the best tent for kayak camping that is available out there. It is built with high quality materials to last long and fully tested for rain, storms, snow and other elements to ensure that you enjoy your kayak camping trip.
With a mere weight of 1.7kgs, the tent is very light to carry together with the other camping gear you will need. When extended, the tent has a length of 8.2ft. This is long enough to let even the taller people to sleep insider it comfortably. Besides, it leaves some extra space on the inside for you to put your belongings.
Another feature that makes this tent ideal for kayak camping is the waterproof design. It has a waterproofing value of 3500mm to prevent water from getting inside. Furthermore, the 4 bottom corners have seam taping to prevent water entering even when it is raining heavily.
What’s more is that the tent comes with a strong aluminum that enhances stability when its windy or rainy. It also features an anti-tearing rip-stop fabric to keep the tent in shape and prevent the fabric from tearing.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Fire-retardant fabric
- Lightweight design
- Durable and tear resistant
- Decently spacious
Cons
- No head space
- Not waterproof
2) GEETOP Ultralight Bivy Tent
Available in two hues, the GEETOP Ultralight Bivy Tent is a 1 person tent ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities including kayak camping. The tent is very easy to set up and is ideal for use during the spring, summer and fall seasons.
Weighing 3.3lbs only, the tent is ideal for situations where you need to pack light, but strength and stability are still important. It is made of 210 T polyester which is not just waterproof, but also breathable and UV resistant. On top of that, the tent is made with 2 doors for easy in and out, and 2 windows to maximizes breathability.
Furthermore, the seams are double stitched and tape sealed to stay in place. The tent has a built-in mesh that provides protection from bugs and insects, and storage pockets on the inside to hold phones, keys and other small items you will need close by. It also boasts a reflective rope to enhance your safety at night.
Pros
- High quality polyester fabric
- Portable and breathable
- Lightweight and strong shakes
- Fast to set up
- Excellent waterproofing
Cons
- Slightly small for tall people
3) ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Backpacking Tent
Next up we have the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Backpacking Tent. This is a feature-packed camping and backpacking tent that is ideal for use in 3 seasons: spring, summer and fall.
The tent is built with ease of assembly in mind. With the free-standing, aluminum two-pole design, the set up is a walk in the park. Furthermore, the tent is built for durability. It is made with 75D 185T polyester fly which is resistant to UV damage and strays taut.
To provide the best protection from weather elements, the tent has factory sealed seals on the fly and floor. On top of that, the floor is coated for added wet-weather protection when it is raining heavily.
The other essential features included are a vestibule for gear storage, half mesh walls to enhance ventilation and an overhead gear loft where you can put your most-needed gear like smartphones and keys within reach.
Pros
- Quick and easy to set up
- Lightweight and portable
- Spacious with ample leg room
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Poor quality mesh
4) CAMEL CROWN 2 Person Camping Dome Tent
If you prefer the dome shaped tents for camping, the CAMEL CROWN 2 Person Camping Dome Tent is your ideal option for kayak camping. It is lightweight, portable and very easy to put together.
The camping tent is spacious enough to accommodate two adults comfortably. It will fit you and your partner, 2 queen air mattresses/sleeping bags and still leave some space for you to store your belongings. Besides, it comes with an interior storage pocket to keep your items in a neat and organized manner.
Another feature that makes it the best tent for kayak camping is the cross bracket design that strengthens the support of the tent and prevents displacement and shaking. Moreover, this 2-person camping tent has a double layer dual-purpose design on the top to promote air circulation. It is also built with a mosquito-proof breathable screen to repel mosquitos and bugs.
Pros
- Durable and stable design
- Roomy interior
- Lightweight and portable
- Versatile
Cons
- Poor ventilation
5) Nature hike Mongar 2 Person Backpacking Tent
Nature hike Mongar 2 Person Backpacking Tent is another high-quality tent ideal for kayak camping. The tent packs small for easy transportation and has a lightweight design of 5.3lbs only for added convenience during transportation.
A defining feature of this tent is the high-quality construction. The rainfly is made of top-quality 210 T polyester that has a 3000mm waterproof index to keep you dry in wet environments. It also comes with 7001 aluminum poles that secure the tent to the ground and keep it stable in windy environments.
Furthermore, the tent is built with 2 doors for easy access and 2 vestibules that provide ample storage space for your gear. The vestibules can either be affixed to fully closed or be partially open to increase the flow of air inside the tent.
Above all, this tent has a unique 2-Y frame structure that is stable, windproof and very easy to set up.
Pros
- Compact, lightweight and portable
- Spacious and easy to set up
- Good air circulation
- Durable, sturdy and windproof
Cons
- Exaggerated dimensions
6)ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 1-Person Tent
Another best tent for kayak camping on our list is the ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 1-Person Tent. This tent offers incredible air flow, great head room and ample protection from weather elements, bugs and mosquitos.
The unique 2 pole design provides more headroom when you want to sit upright inside the tent. Each tent comes with aircraft aluminum alloy poles that keep the tent stable and ensure that the tent is easy to set up. Additionally, there is one door placed on the end for convenient in an out.
For added convenience, this 1-person tent weighs 4lbs only so it will not weigh you down during transportation. Furthermore, it comes with one vestibule over the door which provides room for you to store your gear and shield them from rain and other elements. The tent also comes with fly buckles which provide a much more secure attachment compared to elastic cords.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Large head room
- Great ventilation
- Lightweight, portable and easy to set up
Cons
- Not leak proof
7) Forceatt Tent for 2 and 3 Person
Our last tent recommendation for kayak camping is the Forceatt Tent. This camping tent is hard to beat when it comes to versatility. It is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities including hiking and backpacking. It is also built to be usable in all the four seasons.
The tent is compact and lightweight for portability convenience. On top of that, it is fast and easy to set up even for the beginners. Once set up, it provides more room insider that other ultra-light tents from other brands.
Another facet that makes it the best tent for kayak camping is the ventilation and heat resistance it provides. It is built with a large mesh door, 2 mesh windows and a mesh tent top to maximize airflow and prevent condensation. This guarantees great comfort in all the 4 seasons.
Moreover, the tent is uniquely designed with a lock function that can be mounted with the external account to maximize stability. This way, the tent is able to resist the strong winds and give you a comfortable environment to rest and sleep.
Pros
- Excellent ventilation
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Fully waterproof and windproof
- Easy to set up
- Ample space and head room
Cons
- Pungent smell when new
- Poor build quality
Also Read,
Criteria for Choosing a Tent for Kayak Camping
Choosing the best tent for kayak camping is not something you do in a hurry. When making your selection, take into account the following important factors.
Durability
The first feature to look at is the build quality of the tent. A kayak camping tent with a poor build quality will not just last for a short period of time, but also offer inadequate protection from the weather elements.
So, ensure that you get a product that has a good build quality. The fabric used should be durable enough to withstand tear and damage. It should also be waterproof, UV resistant and wind proof for added protection
Portability
Portability is an important feature that a tent for kayak camping should have. The compact and lightweight the tent is, the more portable it will be. As you carry other kayaking gear, such a tent will save on save and keep the weight at a minimum. Lightweight tents also have the added benefit of being simple to set up.
Space
The next thing to consider is the amount of space the tent offers. With space, there are two things to consider, head room and storage space. The best tent for kayak camping will have a good balance of the two.
With ample headroom space, you will be able to sit comfortably inside the tent in an upright position. A tent that comes with an ample head room also makes movement in and out much more convenient.
When it comes to the storage space, a tent with one or two decent-sized vestibules will do. It will give you the room you require to put your kayaking gear safely and neatly.
Bug Protection
Bug protection is another important feature that a kayak camping tent must have. When you are camping near a water source, you are going to encounter mosquitos and other biting insects and bugs. Without proper bug protection, the insects will be a nuisance to you as you sleep. It is therefore vital to get a tent that has fine mesh covering on both the doors and the windows.
Breathability
The best tent for kayak camping should also be breathable. Majorly, the fabric used to make the tent determines whether it is breathable or not. On top of that, most camping tents come with mesh windows and doors to enhance breathability. When you open the door and the windows, you get air to flow in and out of the tent
FAQs
- What makes a tent good for kayak camping?
A good tent for kayak camping is made of several features. Firstly, it should be made with a material that is durable, strong and waterproof. With quality construction, the tent will last long and provide ample protection from water and other elements. A good tent for kayak camping should also be lightweight, portable and easy to set up.
- What type of tent can withstand strong winds?
If you are camping in an area that has strong winds, it is best to invest is a double walled tent. A tent with an additional rain fly will offer much more wind resistance compared to one with a single layer of fabric only. The tent should also have quality zipper to prevent the wind from getting inside.
Conclusion
Finding the best tent for kayak camping doesn’t have to be a hard task. All you need is to determine the features you need the tent to have and look for something light, discreet and simple to assemble. Hopefully, you have found the information in this post to be insightful and you are now able to find a tent that works best for your kayak camping needs.