The days of having to scour stores for the perfect tent are long gone. The internet has drastically changed the shopping habits of people, and outdoor enthusiasts are no exception. Shopping online for gear has numerous advantages, including:
- Wider Selection of Products – A physical store is limited to how many products they can present whereas an online store has virtually no limits. Shopping online is the best option for comparing tents and really getting an overall view of what is currently available on the market.
- Saves Time and Frustration – Driving to a store, spending time walking around said store looking for the right tent, and then having to go through checkout followed by driving back home can eat up quite a chunk of time. That’s if you happen to not run into traffic or busy lines are checkout. Also, if one store doesn’t have the tent you’re looking for then you’ll spend even more time going from location to location to try and find it.
- Gets You a Better Deal – If there is a chance you can save money, why not take advantage of it? Online stores quite often offer better savings and discounts since they save money by offering their products online.
- Even larger retailers with storefronts throughout the nation still have great coupon codes for online purchases.
Table of Contents
In a hurry? These are the best places to buy tents online:
- REI Co-op
- Backcountry.com
- EMS.com
- Sierra Trading Post
- Campmor
- Backcountry Edge
It just makes more sense to purchase your next tent online, and here are the top 6 websites to do so.
#1 My Top Choice: REI Co-op
There are many places you can buy tents online. But only one place that has an awesome experience. To me, that's REI. Largest selection, best discounts, and amazing customer service and return policies. Easy peasy.
Up first is one of the largest online sources of outdoor gear. REI is a highly reputable, trusted company that easily has one of the best online storefronts for outdoor enthusiasts. The interface is pleasing to the eye, the website is extremely easy to navigate and they sell literally every type of product you could want, making them a one-stop-shop if you need something else besides a tent.
While the number of models varies, you can expect REI to feature 200+ different types of tents, including models for car camping, backpacking, event shelters, and more. They carry brands such as Coleman, Mountain Hardwear, NEMO, Outdoor Research, Kelty, and their own REI tents (which are quite nice).
REI has a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all products, including tents, and for a $20 fee, you can join REI as a member and receive a 10% annual member-exclusive refund.
Check Out the Current REI Deals Here
#2 Backcountry
Unlike most of the brands mentioned, Backcountry is purely an online retailer for outdoor gear which means they naturally can offer some discounts and advantages that physical store-front brands can’t. Right off the bat, you’ll see that any purchases over $50 get free 2-day shipping. Signing up for their email list also means you’ll know when they have discounts available.
Their tent category yields 600+ hits from more than 40 different brands. The shopping filters make it easy to search by brand, seasonal use, capacity, type (backpacking, car camping, etc), price, and average customer reviews. Those new to camping will find their customer guides to tents very helpful. They have quite a selection of articles to help you find the right tent for your needs.
Backcountry has a great return policy, including a 30-day no-questions returned on used gear. They have excellent customer support, and their customer service reps are outdoor enthusiasts themselves.
Shop the best selection of tents and shelters at Backcountry.com, where you'll find premium outdoor gear and clothing and experts to guide your next adventure.
Check Out the Current Backcountry Tent Deals Here
#3 Eastern Mountain Sports
Shop Quality Camping and Hiking Gear at Eastern Mountain Sports. Get Up to 75% Off on Clearance Items. Shop Today for Great Deals!
While the location has little effect when it comes to online purchases, Eastern Mountain Sports is a more popular brand in the Northeast US. EMS competes heavily with REI, but many enthusiasts still find that this brand is the East’s answer to REI. For online purchases, this really doesn’t make a difference and they are an excellent website to purchase from regardless.
EMS’s tent selection includes 150+ models of varying types, much like the other brands mentioned. The website is easy to use and you can use sorting features to specifically find the type of tent you need. Similar to REI, you can find common brands like Big Agnes and The North Face, but EMS also has its own line of shelters.
Eastern Mountain Sports has a reward program that gives members 5-10% back on in rewards for every dollar spent. You’ll also get a 15% discount when you first sign up. EMS doesn’t have as great of a return policy but it’s still acceptable. You can return unused items at any time, otherwise, only defective merchandise can be returned.
Check Out the Latest EMS Tents Here
#4 Sierra Trading Post
Sierra Trading Post is both a lifestyle and outdoor gear company. They also have 12 locations nationwide and many customers purchase gear online. They have a more modest selection of tents, about 40 to 50 models at any given time, but this is because STP is a discount site. Many discount sites get a bad reputation for selling cheap, as in poor quality, gears but this isn’t the case with this website.
You can find popular brand tents by Marmot and Kelty on Sierra Trading Post and for much less than you can find new elsewhere. Some of these tents are $100+ off the regular retail price which means huge savings for consumers. Another great benefit of Sierra Trading Post is their customer care.
Again, discount sites often skimp on customer service and rewards but STP really shines. They have a satisfaction guarantee policy, easy returns/refunds, and also are compatible with the TJX Rewards Card so you can save more.
Sierra Designs tents are simple, functional & comfortable and fundamentally redefine how you live in the backcountry.
Check Out the Latest STP Tent Deals Here
#5 Campmor
Campmor tents are packed into strong PVC carry bags for extra protection. They designed and manufactured the very first small dome tents with extra height and more.
Campmor is a less popular online store than REI but has some really cool company advantages that make purchasing from them enticing. They have been around for quite some time and are a trusted retailer for outdoor gear. They have a nicely organized and good selection of tents, including categories for backpacking, car camping, family, and specialized tents.
They offer 100+ different models and tent accessories, including big name brands like Marmot, Big Agnes, and Kelty. You can also find more budget-friendly brands like Coleman.
At any given time there is a good chance you can find a 10-20% off coupon, not to mention shipping is free if you spend $50+. You can sign up for their TrailMail e-newsletter which will deliver the latest discount codes and promotions right to your email. Campmor has excellent customer service and a decent satisfaction guarantee.
Check Out the Full Campmor Tent Selection Here
#6 Enwild (formerly Backcountry Edge)
Enwild is a newcomer to the scene compared to most of the companies mentioned, having only been around since 2004. Don’t let that put you off though. This brand has already garnered quite the fanbase and their website is beautiful.
Not only do they have a good selection of different outdoor gear, but their tent selection includes about 200+ models. A huge number of their tents can be found at a discounted price and they have regular sales.
You can save even more money on your next tent by joining their Inside Edge Program, which is free. You’ll get a 20% off coupon for any regular-priced tent and earn points towards future purchases. Enwild has a modern, appealing feel and have friendly customer service. You can even find in-depth product reviews right on their site.
Buying Tents Online
A word of warning…
When you buy a tent online you obviously can touch it and test it in a showroom setting. While this may be a drawback, I find it’s counter-balanced by the ability to instantly price check multiple retailers from the comfort of my computer or phone.
One key consideration to keep in mind is the RETURN POLICY. Different retailers have different rules. REI is well known for honoring returns, refunds, and warranty issues, but not ALL online gear retailers have the same policy or ability to quickly or easily process returns.
The Final Tent Take
There are many places you can buy tents online. But only one place that has an awesome experience. To me, that's REI. Largest selection, best discounts, and amazing customer service and return policies. Easy peasy.
Buying an investment piece of outdoor gear like a tent unseen/online may seem a bit daunting but you can trust these 6 featured websites to treat you right. Most of these websites are mobile-friendly, so you can browse and purchase right from your phone on the go.
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