We conducted 10+ hours of research to conclude that the Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent is the best 8 person tent.
Part of the fun of camping trips is simply spending time in the outdoors with a group of friends or family.
But what if you have a lot of loved ones? Trying to cram them all into an undersized tent is a recipe for crankiness, claustrophobia, and general unpleasantness.
So it makes sense to look for a tent that’s large enough for everyone to have some space.
You’ve probably noticed a ton of tents on the market. To help you with your choice, we’ve condensed all those tents into a list of the best 8 person tents.
We concluded that our favorite overall is the Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent. With more than enough space for a large group, it successfully qualifies as a true 8P tent. It even manages to include functional weather protection and a nearly instant setup at an extremely low cost.
The Coleman Tent Octagon with Panoramic View was a top pick for smaller groups. This way, you only get the space you need, rather than an excessive amount. Not to mention, we adore the 360 viewing and super tall 7’ ceiling.
For families, we think the Coleman 8-Person Camping Tent with Built-in Closet will do the trick. It offers a large closet to store some extra clothes plus the kiddos’ favorite toys. The overhead light is also a nice addition.
best 8 person tents – top recommendations
Best overall: Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent — enormous space for a surprisingly affordable price
Best for smaller groups: Coleman Tent Octagon with Panoramic View — octagonal floor plan provides options for sleeping arrangements
Best for families: Coleman 8-Person Camping Tent with Built-in Closet — equipped with a huge closet for storing gear
Best 8P tents for bad weather:
- NEMO Wagontop 8P — premium product that can handle anything at a premium cost
- REI Kingdom 8 — lots of mesh and essentially a screen room
Best for sleeping in: Ozark Trail 10-Person Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent
Other noteworthy contenders:
- Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent — screen room for relaxing or hanging out with friends – not bugs
- WHITEDUCK Regatta Canvas Bell Tent — canvas option comes in multiple sizes and incredibly long-lasting
- Eureka Copper Canyon LX 8P — fair weather camping
In addition to this list, we also developed this buyer’s guide. In it, we explain why we picked each product as a suitable 8P tent.
Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent
- Space & comfort (30%) – 8/10, fits 8-9 people comfortably but only offers 1 door
- Weather resistance (25%) – 8/10, withstood severe thunderstorms
- Build quality and durability (15%) – 6/10
- Ease of setup (10%) – 8/10, reported to pitch in 5 minutes
- Weight & Portability (10%) – 8/10, 18lbs is nice for a car camping tent
- Company history and reputation (10%) – 7/10
Best for: groups of 8-9 that want a no-frills, roomy tent that won’t break the bank; $$
For those of you who just want to have a fun time in the outdoors but are too broke to afford a top-dollar oversized tent, allow me to present the Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent.
Although it comes in at such a budget-friendly cost, this tent surprised me with its positive performance.
Right off the bat, the Core 9 Person actually lives up to the name. Boasting a 16×9’ floor plan, you can easily throw three queen beds in here. Everyone even said it’s actually bigger than the images depict.
It also held up to some pretty nasty weather, including severe back-to-back thunderstorms, as one camper reported.
So if you do get caught in some weather, you don’t need to worry about getting drenched.
When the weather is cooperating, remove the rainfly for mostly-uninterrupted mesh viewing as well as flawless airflow.
As a final perk, despite not being labeled as an “instant” tent, it may as well be one.
A particularly amusing story was told by a camper who had had *ahem* a bit too much camping fun. Despite being somewhat drunk, he still had no trouble pitching the tent in 5 minutes.
Overall, the Core 9P is an excellent pick for any budget-conscious large group. Yet, it doesn’t chince out in performance.
Pros:
- Ideal for larger groups; 16×9’ floor fits 3 queen beds easily
- Amazingly budget friendly for a tent of this capacity
- Confirmed to hold up to bad weather; again surprising for the price range
- Instant setup, even though it’s not labeled; 5 minute pitch
Cons:
- The storage bag is tight when trying to replace the tent; can be a hassle
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Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent
- Space & comfort (30%) – 8/10, can handle 5-6 people and also includes screen room for more space and sleeping people
- Weather resistance (25%) – 8/10, handles well in bad conditions, especially considering its price
- Build quality and durability (15%) – 8/10, lots of people praised its construction
- Ease of setup (10%) – 6/10
- Weight & Portability (10%) – 7/10
- Company history and reputation (10%) – 7/10
Best for: groups of 8-9 on a budget who want a lot of space with a bonus screen room $$
The Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent is your go-to if you’re trying to get the most amount of square footage for the money.
At 16×11’ feet, this is the largest product on our list – it’s really more of a portable cabin! And it comes in at an affordable price, which is pleasantly surprising for a tent of this capacity.
With that floor plan, you can easily fit a large group of 8-9 people.
As if that amount of real estate isn’t enough, the Wenzel 8P comes with a screen room.
One nice touch that I enjoy is that the screen room has a floor. A lot of screen-room tents – especially at this price – don’t usually include a floor. Without a proper bottom, insects can easily make their way inside your supposed bug-free sanctuary.
But thanks to the screen room floor, you can actually use this space for sleeping as well as general hanging around.
When the skies decide to open up, you’ll still remain comfortable – not claustrophobic – in the Wenzel 8P.
Campers have spoken positively about this tent’s ability to withstand rain. It’s actually great to see the weatherproof specs aren’t lacking on this affordable model.
The bathtub floor keeps the seams off the ground and out of any water. And the taped seams only offer an extra layer of protection to ensure you stay dry.
Even though the weatherproofing is good overall, the rainfly design wasn’t thought through quite as thoroughly.
At the door, the fly doesn’t extend at all. So if it’s raining, you’re going to get wet while you unzip the door. Plus, you could track rain into the tent.
Pros:
- The most amount of space on our list: 16×11’ fits a large group of up to 9 people
- Extremely affordable; not a flimsy product at all, equipped with square footage and specs of a more expensive model
- Doesn’t have any issues dealing with rain or wind
- Plenty of mesh
Cons:
- Some say it can get a little hot inside
- Doesn’t include an E-port for bringing in outside power; if this is a feature you need, consider looking elsewhere
- The rainfly in the front doesn’t extend over the door
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WHITEDUCK Regatta Canvas Bell Tent
- Space & comfort (30%) – 9/10, multiple size options, 13’ and 16.5’
- Weather resistance (25%) – 8/10, naturally waterproof, reported to keep out rain
- Build quality and durability (15%) – 9/10, long lasting
- Ease of setup (10%) – 8/10, reported to be easier to assemble than other canvas tents
- Weight & Portability (10%) – 5/10 canvas tents are heavy
- Company history and reputation (10%) – 8/10
Best for: groups of any size who want to venture into the world of canvas tents, want a long-lasting and performing product, and are willing to invest in it; $$$$
If you’ve seen those adorable Pinterest photos of canvas tents and you want to give the glamping life a try, check out the WHITEDUCK Regatta Canvas Bell Tent.
Available in several sizes, including a 13’ (for 6P) and 16.5’ (for 10P), there’s a size for every group.
Plus, since you have a perfectly symmetrical, circular floor, you can arrange the space (and maximize it) without the restriction that comes from a rectangular floor plan.
All this means you won’t feel cramped in this cozy home-away-from home.
Speaking of this, one personal drawback is that it may be too cozy: there are only two windows and the large door. If 360 viewing is a priority for you, this may not be your solution.
On the other hand, the Regatta is a dry place to wait out any storms. Canvas is naturally waterproof, and this tent is no exception.
In fact, some people have left it pitched for months through all kinds of weather, including thunderstorms. But through it all, the inside stayed perfectly dry.
Finally, don’t be scared away by the fact that it looks hard to set up; it really isn’t.
Sure, it’s not a 2-minute instant tent. But unlike some canvas tents, which can require hours of pitch time, the Regatta can be assembled in 20 minutes.
Pros:
- Multiple size options for groups as small as 2-3 and up to 10
- Waterproof and has been tested
- Good ventilation; naturally breathable plus included vents
- 20 minute pitch is impressive for a canvas tent
- Gorgeous aesthetic; there’s just something extra to canvas
- Long-lasting; some people hold on to these tents for several decades
Cons:
- Quite expensive; can be do-able if you understand that this is an investment for years
- Canvas tents are double the weight of any synthetic tents
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Eureka Copper Canyon LX 8P
- Space & comfort (30%) – 8/10, accommodates groups of 6-8
- Weather resistance (25%) – 6/10, mixed feedback on weather performance
- Build quality and durability (15%) – 6/10, be gentle when setting up; poles can get caught and rip
- Ease of setup (10%) – 5/10, not the easiest assembly; poles are annoying
- Weight & Portability (10%) – 6/10, a bit heavy at 31lbs
- Company history and reputation (10%) – 7/10
Best for: groups of 6-8 with taller members who intend to camp in mild weather; $$$
If you want a comfortable cabin tent for a group of taller campers, consider the Eureka Copper Canyon LX 8P.
Offering a wildly tall 7’ ceiling height, not even the tallest members in your group should have to worry about bumping into the roof.
The 13×10’ floor space holds 2 queen beds with an extra 3’ for another cot or simply some additional moving space.
Although it’s not as big as some of the other tents on our list, the room divider helps mitigate this somewhat. It can be unfurled to provide extra privacy and separation, which is a welcome addition when camping with so many people.
The Eureka Copper Canyon 8P is perfect for warm, fair-weather camping.
It’s received special praise for its airflow, even on hot nights. You can drift off to sleep in comfort, instead of tossing and turning because it’s still too stuffy.
We mention fair-weather camping specifically because it’s just that: a tent best left at home when the weather is poor.
Despite receiving praise by some campers, others mentioned their difficulties with the occasional leak or two. This was especially true in driving wind and rain.
Plus, the build could be better. It’s pretty sturdy once assembled, but be warned: it’s advisable to be gentle when setting it up.
The poles have a habit of getting stuck. And when that happens, the pole sleeves tend to rip if you try to jam them through.
Pros:
- Do-able space of 13×10’ holds 2 queen beds
- Wonderfully tall 7’ ceiling height accommodates even the tallest of group members
- Lovely airflow for the hottest nights; no stuffiness here
- Room divider helps add extra separation for those times when you don’t want to deal with your fellow tent-mates
Cons:
- Not the best in bad weather; received mixed feedback
- Construction, especially during assembly, could be better; poles get stuck and possibly rip
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CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent – 14′ x 9
- Space & comfort (30%) – 8/10, can sleep up to 8 people
- Weather resistance (25%) – 8/10, stays dry in the rain
- Build quality and durability (15%) – 7/10
- Ease of setup (10%) – 9/10, pitches in 1 minute
- Weight & Portability (10%) – 6/10 30lbs is a bit heavy
- Company history and reputation (10%) – 7/10
Best for: groups of 7-9 who want an no-fuss-pitch and reliable tent for a reasonable price; $$
The CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent – 14′ x 9 is the tent for you if you want to avoid the hassle of a tedious setup process.
Everyone who has used this tent praises its 60 second pitch. This is thanks to the pre-attached poles. You unfold them, extend them like an umbrella, and voila! Instant tent.
At the same time, you’re not sacrificing space for convenience.
The CORE 9P offers 14×9’ of living space. And with 6.5’ of ceiling room, no one will have to stoop down when moving around inside.
Not to mention, this tent has been tested in bad weather and has remained dry.
Actually, one camper recalled being at a campground with some buddies, who were in a separate tent. When a strong thunderstorm struck, the camper’s buddies had to go sleep in their car. Whereas the CORE 9P held steady all night.
None of these perks are coming at a painful cost to your wallet.
Coming in at a decently affordable price, this makes the CORE 9P a good option for someone who wants a basic but sturdy tent without breaking the bank.
One of the negatives, though, has to do with the zipper construction.
A few users expressed concern over the two door zippers. When they close at the corners, there’s a small gap just large enough for bugs or small critters to sneak inside. So be mindful of this design flaw when purchasing.
Pros:
- Plenty of space; 14×9’ floor plan with a 6.5’ ceiling
- Super fast pitch of 60 seconds perfect for those who want to skip the hassle
- Stays dry through rain; reported to stand tall even when other tents of a similar price point fail
- Mesh top for ventilation and amazing viewing when the rainfly is removed
Cons:
- Some campers pointed out the gap left by door zippers means the tent isn’t 100% critter proof
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Coleman Tent Octagon with Panoramic View
- Space & comfort (30%) – 6/10, if you have a true 8 person group, this might be too small
- Weather resistance (25%) – 8/10, good specs
- Build quality and durability (15%) – 8/10
- Ease of setup (10%) – 8/10, users report easy setup
- Weight & Portability (10%) – 5/10, 45lbs is heavy even for a car camping tent
- Company history and reputation (10%) – 8/10
Best for: groups of 5-6 who don’t need the excess enormity of a true 8P tent but still want a comfortable amount of room; $$$
If your group is a little on the smaller side, but you still want something large enough to fit everyone without being cavernous, check out the Coleman Tent Octagon with Panoramic View.
There are several things that make this tent stand out.
The first is its tall height. This 7’ ceiling is pretty darn awesome – no one in your group will need to hunch anywhere inside this tent.
Next, we have the unique octagonal shape.
With its symmetrical and octagonal floor plan, several campers can lay their sleeping gear in the middle of the tent, while still having room for a few others to lay on the edges.
Another noteworthy feature of the Octagon is the impressive weatherproof specs.
It features a high waterproof rating of 2000mm, and coated polyester construction for fabric that doesn’t leak.
Not to mention, the sewn-in bathtub floor helps prevent unwelcome rainwater sneaking in through the floor as well.
Now that we’ve highlighted some of the perks, I will say that this tent is a bit small if you have a group of 8 people. Some campers said it’s too cramped when you try to stuff 7 or 8 people inside.
Offering a 65’ sq ft floor, this is a little smaller than some of the other tents we’re discussing. So if you do need an 8P tent for a true 8P group, you may want to look elsewhere.
Pros:
- 7’ tall ceiling height; everyone can stand up with ease, even the tallest members of your group
- Waterproof rating of 2000, durable fabrics, and bathtub floor have proved themselves in the field
- 360 panoramic views
- Great ventilation; no one will feel stuffy
- Hinged door adds an extra touch of luxury
Cons:
- Not the best for a group of 8 people
- The vents can’t be closed from the inside; if it’s downpouring, you’re going to get wet!
- 45 lbs is heavy, even for a car camping tent
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Coleman Tenaya Lake Fast Pitch Lighted 8P Tent
- Space & comfort (30%) – 6/10, a little small for a group of 8 adults, but do-able for families with kids
- Weather resistance (25%) – 5/10, not the best against storms
- Build quality and durability (15%) – 7/10
- Ease of setup (10%) – 8/10, fast setup
- Weight & Portability (10%) – 6/10, heavy at 32lbs, wheeled case
- Company history and reputation (10%) – 8/10
Best for: groups of 6-7 adults, but especially great for families of 8, partly thanks to the enormous closet; $$
It’s difficult to find a true 8P tent that actually…you know…holds all 8 people because the manufacturers fail to account for where everyone will keep their stuff.
Basically, all the gear – including perhaps the kiddos’ toys and equipment – ends up on the floor. Then there’s no room left without feeling cramped.
Thankfully, the Coleman Tenaya Lake Fast Pitch Lighted 8P Tent has a solution. They built an entire closet into their tent for gear storage.
With a 5’ height and 2’ depth, that’s not much smaller than a closet at home. It’s perfect for hanging your clothes. Or you could use the bottom area for stashing coolers or snack bins.
Still need more room? No worries, you also get three mesh shelves too.
Because of all this, Tenaya Lake gets closer to that true 8 person capacity. And while we still think it might be too tight for 8 adults, multiple campers say they fit two queen beds with leftover room just fine.
That said, a few families totaling 8 people would fit perfectly if some of those members are smaller children.
Just keep an eye on the weather forecast if you go with this tent. It’s been reported to perform poorly in strong wind and rain.
Don’t go running for the hills though – it’s fine in a drizzle. Just beware of heavier conditions, and consider dedicating the Tenaya Lake for fairer weather.
Pros:
- Great for families of 8 or up to 7 adults; 13×9’ floor with a 6’8 height
- Gear closet holds a lot of stuff and free up additional floor space
- Overhead light and lightswitch; find what you need without groping around in the dark
- Easy pitch is true to form: goes up in minutes
Cons:
- Not ideal for bad weather; keep it for warmer temperatures
- Probably a bit too small for groups of 8 adults or larger people
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NEMO Wagontop 8P
- Space & comfort (30%) – 8/10, fits up to 8 people but it could be a little tight
- Weather resistance (25%) – 9/10, withstood severe thunderstorms and multi-day downpours
- Build quality and durability (15%) – 8/10
- Ease of setup (10%) – 7/10
- Weight & Portability (10%) – 8/10
- Company history and reputation (10%) – 9/10, NEMO is a premier brand
Best for: groups up to 8 that anticipate camping in more rugged conditions and are all right with paying a premium price for a premium product; $$$$
For those looking to camp in slightly more challenging conditions, consider the NEMO Wagontop 8P.
This is certainly a high-level tent for those who want to venture outside the paved-lot-sites of a traditional campground.
With a rugged and impressive 300D coated polyester floor, you’re getting a floor that can be pitched on pretty much any terrain without wear and tear or damage.
The full-coverage rainfly is also great to see on a large-capacity tent. And even better, it works.
Campers rave about the weatherproof performance. From thunder in the mountains to 4-day-long rainstorms, the NEMO Wagontop isn’t phased by a little water.
Something that bears mentioning is the favorable condensation performance. Even with the fly closed, the tent doesn’t get stuffy or has an excessive moisture buildup.
This is especially intriguing considering the hybrid single/double wall structure. Half of the tent consists of a single wall with two mesh windows for airflow.
The other half is the traditional double-wall construction. This half is made entirely of mesh, meaning it’s a wonderful screen room for lazing around.
Certainly, the NEMO Wagontop’s weather performance is pretty impressive. But that’s not all we’re pleased with. This tent offers plenty of space so you can wait out those rainy days in comfort.
The floor measures 15×8’. That’s almost enough room for 3 queen beds. Another interesting thing to note is even though this tent looks kind of small (long and skinny) it’s actually deceptively taller inside.
Because it’s a tunnel tent, the walls are nearly vertical. Add to that a peak height of 6.6’ and you can easily walk inside without bumping your shoulders or head.
Pros:
- Weatherproof specs; 300D floor is tough and won’t rip, full-coverage rainfly offers tested protection in the worst of conditions
- Good condensation management even when the fly is down
- Technically a two-room tent; the fabric divider is built in but can be pulled back
- Large screen room
Cons:
- Price tag is extremely unforgiving
- May be an overkill for most
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REI Kingdom 8
- Space & comfort (30%) – 7/10, could be tight for 8 adults, but good for slightly smaller groups or families of 8
- Weather resistance (25%) – 8/10, full coverage fly reported to handle everything
- Build quality and durability (15%) – 6/10, floor a bit delicate, solid otherwise
- Ease of setup (10%) – 6/10, setup is a little involved
- Weight & Portability (10%) – 7/10
- Company history and reputation (10%) – 8/10
Best for: groups of 6-7 adults or a family of 8 who want to camp confidently no matter the forecast; $$$$
For the trade off of a bit of extra space, the REI Kingdom 8 packs a surprising amount of benefits.
First off, yes, it is on the smaller side: 12×8’ in floor space, with a 6.25’ ceiling height.
Thus, we’d suggest this tent for 6-7 adults at most. Or perhaps several families with smaller kids totaling 8 people.
But that size trade off does come with some perks.
The majority of the REI Kingdom is constructed of a lightweight 75D nylon taffeta. The floor is a coated polyester. However, it doesn’t feel as “tarp-like” and heavy as most car camping tents. This is one way the lower weight was achieved.
As a tradeoff though, since the floor is made of lighter material, it’s a bit more delicate. Consider getting a cheap tarp or footprint to place under the tent to protect the floor.
You’re also getting a whole lot of mesh on this thing.
The front half of the tent is basically a screen room, let’s be honest. This is great for ventilation, as well as relaxing in an airy, bug-free space.
Additionally, the REI Kingdom boasts some impressive waterproof performance.
It comes with a full-coverage rainfly, for one. Normally, you only see these on backpacker’s tents. They don’t usually come in car camping tents. So it’s nice to have the reassurance that comes with a fly that can withstand even driving rain.
Speaking of hard rain, some campers say that no matter how bad it got outside, this tent doesn’t leak. Now you can camp confidently regardless of the forecast!
Pros:
- So much mesh! Half the tent is basically a screen room, plus a mesh roof for breathability and views
- Full coverage rainfly
- Amazing weather performance
- Spacious 33 sq ft vestibule for storage and maximizing interior space
- Mesh pockets help with space as well
Cons:
- Floor is a bit delicate
- Expensive price will be off-putting for some
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Ozark Trail 10-Person Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent
- Space & comfort (30%) – 9/10, fits 7-8 people easily
- Weather resistance (25%) – 8/10, surprisingly good at keeping out rain
- Build quality and durability (15%) – 7/10
- Ease of setup (10%) – 9/10, instant setup
- Weight & Portability (10%) – 7/10
- Company history and reputation (10%) – 7/10
Best for: groups of 7-8 who need a tent that will allow for catching up on sleep even after sunrise; $$
You and all your buds want those camping nights to last as long as possible…even when they begin to be measured in “AM” hours.
So have a look at the Ozark Trail 10-Person Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent. Featuring dark room fabrics, it’s your best bet for getting some sleep once the sun comes up.
Besides, being rudely woken by the sunrise is annoying even when you haven’t stayed up late the night before!
Another side benefit to the dark fabric is the interior coolness. Even when it’s hot outside, the inside of the tent remains relatively cooler.
And at night, when you have lights on, you retain a lot of privacy due to the opaque nature of the fabric. This way, unwanted people can’t peep in.
Rest assured you’ll have plenty of room to recline and escape the heat. The Ozark Trail 10P measures 14×10’, which is more than enough to fit 3 queen mattresses.
Plus, the campers who have used this tent have all reported being quite happy with its size.
To get even more space, you get a partial mesh wall-rack. It contains multiple pockets that can store all your small necessities like snacks or personal items. No more digging through your stuff searching for that elusive tube of sunscreen!
In poor weather, this tent handles like a champ. So much so that perhaps it encourages bad practices *cough*.
By this I mean that one camper told a story about gusty rain that rolled in. Despite not being staked down (guys, seriously, do this please), the tent didn’t budge an inch.
You’d think that this sturdiness might imply a complicated setup process. But thankfully, that’s not the case.
True to its name, this is an instant tent. Users have happily confirmed that it goes up in less than 2 minutes.
Pros:
- Dark room fabric; great for sleeping in
- Spacious 14×10’ fits 3 queen mattresses without any issues
- Mesh pockets on one wall for storage
- Handles in rain and wind
- Relatively budget friendly
- Instant setup; pitch in under 2 minutes
Cons:
- With the rainfly on, some campers weren’t impressed by the airflow
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How to Choose the Best 8 Person Tent
If you’re looking to go camping with a large group of friends or perhaps the whole family, looking into an 8 person tent only makes sense.
An appropriate large-capacity tent must be big enough to house up to 8 people. Not to mention, the ceiling has to be tall enough so that each member of your group can comfortably stand up without hunching.
To help you in your search for a large tent, we created this buyer’s guide so you know what to look for.
Size and Capacity
Obviously, since you’re looking for a tent large enough to accommodate up to 8 people, the tent’s size and capacity is the first thing to look for.
First, this one may be apparent but it’s wise to mention it anyway: tent manufacturers refer to person count as “P.” So, a 3P tent would be for 3 people, and so on.
Second and more importantly, tent manufacturers have this annoying habit of claiming their tents can house more people than they actually do.
By this I mean that some (not all) tents claiming to be 8P are really better suited for groups of 5-7.
So if you see a tent claiming a certain person count, assume that in actuality you can fit one less person than the declared capacity.
Of course, we have several tents with a declared 8P capacity, such as the Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent. After researching, we do actually recommend this for 8 people.
Here’s one final note on capacity. If you’re camping with a family that has small children, you can feasibly get 8 people into a smaller tent while still feeling comfortable.
For a group of 8, you want a tent floor with a width of at least 12’.
For your tent’s height, look for a height with a minimum of 6’. Even higher is better, such as the Eureka Copper Canyon LX 8P which is an impressively tall 7’.
This way, even the tallest members of your group can walk around comfortably and hunch-free.
When looking at available floor space, remember that you’re looking to house a lot of people.
Weight:
Considering that you’re camping with such a large group, you probably know that you’re not going to get away with a backpacker/ultralight weight tent.
Tents in the 8P capacity can weigh anywhere in the 20 pound range like the REI Kingdom 8, for example, up to a whopping 50lbs or more, especially for the canvas WHITEDUCK Regatta Canvas Bell Tent.
Typically, most tents weigh in at 20lbs to 30lbs. If you see anything outside this range, proceed with caution.
Something extra lightweight is likely to be flimsy and cheap. Whereas something wildly heavy could be an unneeded strain on you as you haul the tent to your campsite.
Shape
Although there are a variety of tent shapes, the main types you’ll see on our recommendation list are cabin tents and dome tents.
Cabin tents are a great choice for large groups, particularly if you have taller members. They’re known for their pretty-much vertical walls. Observe that in this cabin tent, the CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent – 14′ x 9.
In this way, they mimic a regular house. So when you stand in the center of the tent, it’s the same height as when you stand at the edge of the tent.
All this means that no matter where you choose to stand, cabin tents won’t feel cramped.
Dome tents are another extremely popular choice. For an example of a dome tent, check out the Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent . Because of their sloping ceiling, you will notice a difference in heights between the center of the tent vs. the edge of it.
There are also a few other shapes that are worth noting, even though they aren’t as widely known.
A tunnel tent like the NEMO Wagontop 8P is an interesting cross between a dome and a cabin tent.
Combine them both together and what do you get? The best of both!
Also notable is a bell tent, like the WHITEDUCK Regatta Canvas Bell Tent. They have a similar function to dome tents except for one notable difference: their floors are completely round.
So instead of a length/width measurement, you have a circular floor plan.
That matters because you can spread your sleeping bags in any configuration, rather than being forced to adhere to the longest edge of the floor.
This is especially important when you have a group of around 8 people.
Materials
The majority of large car camping tents are constructed of synthetic fabrics that will hold up to average use.
The two primary materials you will see are nylon and polyester. Nylon is featured on some tents like the REI Kingdom 8, but in general, it’s more lightweight, expensive, and saved for backpacking tents.
Polyester is heavier, which adds weight. This won’t be a huge deal though, since you’ll be transporting the tent inside a car anyway.
Canvas is another lesser-known option for large tents. Because it’s made of cotton, a canvas tent is naturally much more breathable and waterproof than a synthetic tent. You won’t have to worry about condensation misting up all over your tent walls.
Plus, canvas has an extremely long lifespan: when treated well, people report holding onto their canvas tents for decades.
A downside to cotton is that if you don’t care for it properly – that is, let it air out when it gets wet – it’s highly prone to mildew.
Weather Protection
Although you may be searching for an 8P tent for a party or festival rather than an extended foray into the woods, it’s still smart to pay attention to weather specs.
After all, you don’t know what kinds of conditions will crop up.
That said, since most oversized tents aren’t intended for long exposure to the elements, they aren’t always stellar for weather protection.
A few stand out from the crowd, however, such as the NEMO Wagontop 8P and the REI Kingdom 8.
Two big features to look for though are a bathtub floor and taped seams.
A bathtub floor means that the bottom of the tent actually extends several inches up the walls. This way, the vulnerable seams aren’t laying in puddles which could cause leaking.
For double protection, some tents offer taped seams. This factory process coats the tiny, exposed pinholes in the seams with a thin layer of polyurethane. It effectively seals out water, helping prevent dripping rainwater.
A big plus to look for are full coverage rainflies. These are featured in the NEMO Wagontop 8P.
Instead of only covering the roof and a few inches down the sides, a full coverage fly encases the entire tent. With this type of fly, the rain has a much less likely chance of being blown inside.
Extra Features
One of the best things about oversized tents is all the extra goodies they offer.
Screen rooms are a lovely addition to any tent. Check the Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent if you want to see what they look like. They’re awesome for bug-free, picturesque lounging while still being in nature, rather than in your tent.
A smaller version of a screen room is called a vestibule. While they aren’t screened and are much smaller, vestibules come in handy for a lot of things.
You can cook inside of them if it’s raining, for one. Or regardless of the weather, vestibules are also the perfect place for storing muddy shoes or even your pack.
This is even more useful if you’re low on space. *Ahem* Perhaps you forgot to pay attention to the capacity rating? You can keep your stuff outside to maximize the interior room.
Speaking of storage, did you know some large tents feature some crazy storage options? From wall-length mesh pocket panels for all your necessities to a full closet, these options allow you to max out every inch of room inside your tent.
Lastly, some 8P tents are equipped with lights, like the Tenaya Lake Cabin Tent. It’s a nice addition to any tent, enabling you to keep the fun going even into the pitch-darkness.
Final Verdict
Although there’s a whopping amount of oversized tents on the market, we hope this guide has helped you narrow down your choices.
Out of all of them, our favorite 8P tent is the Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent.
This tent successfully provides enough space for a large group of 8 or 9 people. It’s essentially a small mansion.
Waiting out unforeseen weather won’t be an issue either. It handles bad weather, even back-to-back storms, like a boss.
Setup is a breeze as well – it’s basically an instant tent in terms of it being a quick and hassle-free experience.
All of this performance is nigh astonishing given its amazingly affordable price.
For these reasons, we can confidently say that this tent offers the most value and features that are more than suitable for a larger group.
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