Tents and camping shelters

Tents and shelters for family camping and backpacking

Few things feel better than having a secure place to sleep for the night after a day spent adventuring outside.

Family-sized tents for 2 to 6 campers

Taking your kids camping is a fantastic way to get them hooked on the outdoors (always a good thing). If the family has outgrown your backcountry tent or your rooftop setup, it might be time to upgrade to a tent that can sleep up to 6 and still has room for the dog. To get started, look for tents that can be easily assembled by one person – one parent can pitch the tent while the other one keeps an eye on the kids. MEC Label tents have instructions with lots of images, and they’re printed right on the carry bag, so you won’t lose them.

Other great features include vestibules to store wet or muddy gear and awnings that give you a place to hang rain or shine. Inner pockets are helpful to stash headlamps and other small items, and gear lofts let you store bulkier items out of the way. Divider curtains, multiple doors and room to stand up inside can also make your tent feel like a luxury home in the woods. MEC offers a range of frontcountry tents (the type you won’t be carrying in a backpack) from popular brands like Big Agnes, Eureka! and our own, designed in Canada, MEC Label camping tents.

Backpacking tents

As well as being light enough to carry easily, good backpacking tents are roomy enough for everyone in your group to sleep comfortably and built to keep you dry and protected from weather and insects. Most are designed as 3-seasons tents (that’s every season except winter), but any quality tent will have a full-coverage rain fly and be sturdy enough to handle wind or even a light snowfall. If you expect to camp most often in the summer, look for a tent with lots of mesh in the canopy for both airflow and for enjoying the views.

Tarps, pop-up shelters and hammocks

The ultralight (though not always bug-proof) option prized by minimalist thru-hikers is a tarp or lightweight shelter. Rigging a freestanding tarp to withstand rain and wind takes some practice, but a shelter that weighs just a few hundred grams is very appealing. Even if you’re not into ultralight hiking, a tarp makes a good emergency shelter or a place to eat lunch. An enclosed shelter with poles and bug-proof mesh walls is quick to pop up at festivals, the beach or as a canopy over the picnic table in camp. A camping hammock might not be right for every setting (above the treeline or in a desert) but they do offer a fast setup, a comfortable sleep, and a bed that’s above wet or rocky ground.

Save with an MEC Label camp bundle

If you’re looking for a great deal on MEC camping gear, you can save 15% when you buy a regular priced MEC Label tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad together.