Safety-reviewed gear

Gear guides

Tents & Shelter

A tent is usually the biggest line on a first gear budget, and the easiest place to overspend. These guides cover what actually keeps water out, which specs are worth paying for, and where a cheaper shelter is genuinely good enough.

All 78Tents & Shelter5Sleep Systems6Cooking & Water10Clothing & Footwear5Tools & Lighting11Camp Comfort10Safety & First Aid3Getting Started8Tips & Planning20

5 guides

Green tent set up in a forest clearing at sunset near a lake.6 picks
Shelter

Best Budget Tent Footprints — Protecting the Floor Without Trapping Water

Learn the sizing rule that keeps a footprint protective instead of funneling rain under your tent, plus budget picks and whether you even need one.

From $15Read guide
An open beige camping tent pitched in a forest overlooking a lake bathed in bright sunrise light.6 picks
Shelter

Best Cheap Hammocks Under $50: Budget Camping Hammocks That Hold Up

The best cheap camping hammocks under $50, most with straps included, plus how to hang a budget hammock safely and stay warm when nights turn cool.

From $17Read guide
Two camping tents, one yellow and one green, set up in a pine forest clearing bathed in golden sunlight.6 picks
Tents

Best Budget 4-Season Tents Under $300: Inexpensive Winter Tents

The best budget 4-season tents under $300, what an inexpensive winter tent can and can't handle, and the features that matter for cold-weather camping.

From $62Read guide
Yellow dome tent pitched at the edge of a pine forest beside a lake, glowing in golden sunset light.6 picks
Shelter

Best Camping Tarps Under $30 — Top-Rated Picks

The top-rated camping tarps under $30: the CARTMAN 6x8 is the cheapest bushcraft-ready pick, the RAINDEWAY 8x10 covers a 2-person tent with room to spare.

From $10Read guide
A large canvas tent glows under a starry night sky with string lights framing the entrance between trees.5 picks
Tents

Best Budget Tents Under $100 - 2026 Reviews

Finding a quality tent without breaking the bank is easier than you think. Here are the top options under $100, compared by camping style, weather, and pack size.

From $57Read guide