Last Updated on 05/02/2024
What is the Best Tent with Vestibules?
In this guide to the best tent with vestibules, we share our experience with tent porches and recommend some of the top-performing tents with a vestibule area. You will learn how to judge what size porch vestibule you need in your tent and how to make efficient use of it. Whether you need a small tent with a vestibule or a large tent with multiple vestibules, we have got something for you.
Vestibules are incredibly useful spaces to have in a tent and allow you to keep your sleeping pod separate from your boots and backpack as well as provide a social space you can cook. Not all tents have them, and sometimes, when they do, they are only big enough for your footwear. In this guide, we are looking for tents that have a good-sized vestibule in different capacities.
What is a Tent Vestibule?
A tent vestibule is a space inside a tent between the internal sleeping chamber and the outer walls. This can be in the form of a front or back porch as well as any storage space down the sides. It is only possible with a double skin tent and will often not have any built-in groundsheet.
A tent vestibule is a place where you can leave muddy boots and wet backpacks to keep your sleeping area dry and clean. It is also a place where you can cook on your camping stove and make your morning coffee. Vestibules are a great place to seek shelter from the rain with more than 1 person.
A vestibule is defined as, an “chamber, hall, or lobby next to the outer door of a building”, or, “a chamber or channel opening into another”. When talking about tent vestibules, we can adapt this to something like “a chamber at the entrance of your tent which provides additional space for gear outside of your internal sleeping enclosure”.
You can get add-on gear stores and tent vestibules for some tents but more on that further down the page.
8 Best Tents with Vestibules
Quechua 2 Seconds XL
- CAPACITY: 3 People
- PACK SIZE: 37 Inches / 93 cm Disc
- WEIGHT: 5.5 kg / 12.1 lbs
- SEASON RATING: 3 Season
- VESTIBULE SIZE: Small
The Quechua 2 Seconds XL 3-person camping tent is the best pop-up tent with vestibule space and one of the few pop-up tents with a double wall. This adds so many benefits to a tent that already has something that most other tents can’t offer. On top of this, the ventilation, waterproofing, and weather resistance surprised us with how good it is.
There is no denying the speed and convenience of an instant set-up tent, but most are only single-skinned and somewhat unreliable. The Quechua 2 Seconds XL doesn’t suffer from condensation drips in the night or opening the door in the rain to find your tent half-flooded. Each side has a wing flap with ventilation underneath, which massively helps airflow but can feel a little cooler at night.
The vestibule space is ideal for muddy boots and a few backpacks, and then inside, you have plenty of space for three people to stretch out. For festivals and the odd night camping, this is the easiest and fastest way to pitch your tent and be able to trust it if it rains. The fact that everything is already attached together and ready to go still amazes us to this day.
VERDICT: The 2 Seconds XL 3-person camping tent from Quechua is an excellent pop-up tent with a vestibule and a class above most other pop-up tents. The fact that it has a double skin is the biggest win for this tent. Coupled with really good ventilation and excellent waterproofing, the porch space is the cherry on top.

Nordisk Telemark Tunnel Tent 1
- CAPACITY: 1 Person
- PACK SIZE: 12 x 41 cm
- WEIGHT: 830 g / 1.83 lbs
- SEASON RATING: 3 Season
- VESTIBULE SIZE: Small
The Nordisk Telemark Tunnel Tent 1 is the best 1-person tent with a vestibule area that is also incredibly lightweight. You came looking for the top of the class, and this is it, but don’t spit your coffee out when you check the price. This is a premium tent for professionals and enthusiasts who want the best, and the price tag reflects that.
If you can afford it, though, then this is a tent for life and a worthy investment if you enjoy camping. You can tuck it inside any backpack and head out into the wilderness for a weekend or a week, and this tent will ensure you stay warm and dry and have a porch vestibule big enough for one person.
With the design and the way the material is sewn together, the angles are cut millimeters perfectly to fit over the frame and pull taut so you don’t get any sagginess. Wind doesn’t phase it with an aerodynamic shape that cuts through sustained gusts from any angle. There is plenty of space for a lightweight solo tent to stretch out even at 6+ feet, and there is just enough headroom to sit up if you aren’t too tall. But if it is space you are after then, this might not be the tent for you.
VERDICT: This is a tent with vestibule space that only a small group of people would be willing to buy. The Telemark Tunnel Tent 1 by Nordisk is out of most reasonable people’s budgets, but for those who want the most waterproof and lightweight tent with a vestibule, here it is. If you want something lightweight but cheaper, then check out the Night Cat Ultralight Tent, which also has a front porch vestibule for boots and gear.

Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel Tent
- CAPACITY: 2 People
- PACK SIZE: 21 x 7 Inches
- WEIGHT: 2.52 kg / 5 lbs 9 oz
- SEASON RATING: 3 Season
- VESTIBULE SIZE: Large
The Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel is essentially the standard Blacktail Tent with a gear store added on. It is one of the best 2-person tents with enough vestibule space to keep a bike as well as muddy boots and gear. You can open the sides when it is hot to let air through or pitch one side like an awning if cooking in the rain.
The massive porch area is ideal for two people and a dog as you can enter the vestibule and close the door, take off all your wet and muddy gear, then jump straight into your warm sleeping bag away from moisture and dirt. You will need an additional groundsheet or tarp if you want a dry floor in the porch area, but you can very easily make do without it.
Waterproofing is not an issue with Polyester material that has a Polyurethane coating, and you never feel the wind from inside your sleeping pod. Also, the internal tent is water-resistant, so you won’t ever wake up to condensation on the inside. You do sometimes get condensation in the gear vestibule, which is to be expected without using a groundsheet.
VERDICT: The Blacktail Hotel from Big Agnes has a large vestibule big enough to store two bikes as well as two backpacks and boots. The porch space is large for a 2-person tent and provides all the shelter and security this kind of tent can offer. A really comfortable tent that has been turned into a hotel with the large vestibule area we recommend for couples.

Coleman Chimney Rock 3 Plus Tent
- CAPACITY: 3 People
- PACK SIZE: 58 x 18 cm
- WEIGHT: 6.9 kg / 15.2 lbs
- SEASON RATING: 3 Season
- VESTIBULE SIZE: Large
The Coleman Chimney Rock 3 Plus Tent with vestibule space is perfect for camping with three people and features Coleman’s proprietary blackout technology. This darkroom tent provides the ultimate night’s sleep in places where the sun rises early or never sets at all during certain times of the year. The porch vestibule has three entrances for easy access, which can all be opened up at once in hot weather.
For small groups, this is the best tent with a vestibule space for three people with all the features you would want in a tent. First off, it is totally waterproof and stands up well to the wind, which is good news when camping in bad weather. But even when the weather is hot, this tent keeps you cool and protected inside with UV-blocking fabric that will also keep the tent in 99% darkness when fully sealed up.
It is really good to have access to three different sides of the tent in case the wind and rain are blowing from a certain direction. It also means that you can always get out at night without falling over shoes and bags if you keep one doorway clear. Setup and takedown are easy, which is why we really like this tent and the extra vestibule area.
VERDICT: The Chimney Rock 3 Plus Tent from Coleman stands out among other tents for its comfort and space, as well as its darkroom technology and reliability. If you want a 3 person tent with a porch area vestibule, then there really is no better option unless you want something more lightweight.

Naturehike Hiby 3 Person Tent
- CAPACITY: 3 People
- PACK SIZE: 7.5 x 21.3 Inches
- WEIGHT: 3.2 kg / 7 lbs
- SEASON RATING: 3 Season
- VESTIBULE SIZE: Medium
The Naturehike Hiby 3-Person Tent is a more lightweight tent with a decent-sized vestibule porch space at the front entrance. The compact and lightweight design is perfect for hikers and backpackers who need space for large rucksacks and wet hiking clothes. The tent is well made and provides a good night’s sleep even when the wind and rain are slamming against the outer shell.
The shape and space are similar to the Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel Tent above but with some major design changes. The poles run all the way from the back of the tent to the base of the vestibule area instead of being more of an add-on. This gives the entire structure more strength and stability but less space overall due to the angle at which the poles come down.
A door on either side of the porch vestibule makes getting in and out hassle-free and also allows airflow to circulate through the tent when it is hot. The doors are large and reach all the way to the roof, which is good for tall people but means that if it is raining, some will inevitably get in when you come in and out.
VERDICT: The Hiby 3-person tent from Naturehike is a great value-for-money option for up to three people and is more lightweight than some much more expensive options. The vestibule is more than big enough for backpacks, muddy boots, and clothing as well as for leaving all your pots, pans, and cookware out for breakfast in the morning.

Coleman Waterfall 5 Deluxe Family Tent
- CAPACITY: 5 People
- PACK SIZE: 26 x 12 Inches
- WEIGHT: 12.8 kg / 28.2 lbs
- SEASON RATING: 3 Season
- VESTIBULE SIZE: Large
The Coleman Waterfall 5 Deluxe Family Tent is the only tent in our guide where the porch vestibule is bigger than the sleeping compartment. This is like a massive living room with a sleeping pod on the side, and it is perfect for families and groups. You can fully stand up and walk around inside the tent and there is more than enough space for a table and chairs, which is amazing if the weather is bad while you’re camping.
The porch vestibule is 200 cm tall in the middle, which is high enough for 99% of people to walk around without having to crouch down. Seriously, the porch is so big you can easily fit another six people in if you had to. And there is no reason why you can’t sleep in the tent vestibule other than it might get a little cooler, and you might get the odd condensation drip in the night.
The doors both open up like an awning using the support poles which provide additional protection from above if you want to leave the doors up during the day. This isn’t the most compact or lightweight tent out there, but it does have the largest vestibule-to-tent ratio of any tent we have seen.
VERDICT: The Waterfall 5 Deluxe Family Tent from Coleman has the largest vestibule of any tent we have tested, and if you spend a lot of time at camp, then this is a great option. You easily fit five people side by side in the sleeping chamber as well as many more in the vestibule. You can store bikes, SUPs, surfboards, and all your gear with space to spare, and you will for sure get a good night’s sleep.

High Peak Tessin 5 Tent
- CAPACITY: 5 People
- PACK SIZE: 24 x 8 Inches
- WEIGHT: 7.6 kg / 16.7 lbs
- SEASON RATING: 3 Season
- VESTIBULE SIZE: Large
The High Peak Tessin 5 Tent is another excellent 5-person tent with a great vestibule area at the front The roof is high so you can stand up and the porch area is big enough to fit some camping chairs for relaxing inside the tent if it is raining. The main sleeping area is a dome shape for durability and weatherproofing, while the porch vestibule is more of a tunnel shape which gives the maximum amount of headroom.
One thing we especially like about this tent, other than the abundance of space and headroom, is the layout. There is a large entrance you can either roll up when not in use or stake out like an awning for extra sun and rain protection. There is also a smaller side door which is often more convenient to use a night or when you just need to nip in and out of the tent.
VERDICT: The Tessin 5 made by High Peak is ideal for a family camping trip or for small groups, thanks to its relatively low weight and spacious design. The vestibule area is big enough to sit in with some camp chairs on a night or when it’s raining and is a nice place to relax with the door open when it is hot. While the quality and waterproofing are as good as any high-end tent, the Tessin 5 has much better values and won’t break the bank.

Snow Peak Amenities Dome Tent L 6
- CAPACITY: 6 People
- WEIGHT: 9.8 kg / 21.6 lbs
- SEASON RATING: 3 Season
- VESTIBULE SIZE: Medium
The Snow Peak Amenities Dome Tent L6 is one of the best 6-person tents with a vestibule that is almost like a larger version of the Coleman Chimney Rock 3 Plus Tent. The dome shape structure is well equipped to handle any bad weather and provides a compact base camp for up to 6 people. The vestibule area isn’t massive, but it is big enough for six people’s gear and boots without becoming an obstacle course.
The semi-geodesic frame is durable and perfect for shedding rain and deflecting wind, which seems to just blow over the top no matter which direction it is coming from. The roof is only 5 feet 4 at its highest point, so it isn’t the tallest tent in the world, but it does help to keep a low profile and have a stronger frame.
Made in Japan using lightweight materials and thin waterproof shell material, this tent is designed to outperform its predecessors and provide all the modern comforts you should expect from a tent that costs as much as this does.
VERDICT: The Amenities Dome Tent L6 from Snow Peak is a solid tent for six people and has a medium size vestibule to keep all your gear. We do think it is a little on the side but if it lasts as long as they say it will, then it is worth it in the long run. Still, We can’t help but think you might be better with the Coleman Waterfall 5 Deluxe Family Tent and just have somebody sleep in the vestibule area if you need the extra space.

Do You Need a Tent Vestibule?
You do not need a vestibule in your tent, and many people make do without one. But they are incredibly useful for leaving your boots at the door before you get into bed. If you don’t have a tent vestibule, then you can tuck your footwear, wet clothes, backpack, and any other gear as far out of the way as possible.
Vestibules provide a sheltered place to cook and boil water for your morning brew. If you don’t have one, you can always cook in the doorway to your shelter or find a place that has some natural wind protection and cook there.
Vestibules in tents are a good way to separate the sleeping area from social or communal space. If you are in a large group and some people like to sleep in, then being able to step into a separate room is a little less annoying.
You can always create a mini vestibule using a tarp over your tent or an additional gear store that can often be attached to your existing tent structure.
How Much Vestibule Space Do You Need in a Tent?
There is no minimum or maximum amount of vestibule space you need to have in a tent, but there are some reasons why you might want a larger vestibule space than a smaller one. The first considerations are things like how many people are staying in the tent. Any dogs or children? Will you have much equipment or luggage? What is the weather looking like? Will you be cooking inside the tent?
Once you have an idea of a few of these questions, you should be able to make a good estimate of how much space you will need. If there are four people on a hiking trip, then you will need at least enough space for four bags and boots. If those four hikers are making the same trip in winter and want to cook, then you will need much more space and probably more headroom too.
Guide to the Best Tents with Vestibules
This is part of the guide where we share some of the features we tested and looked for when buying a tent with vestibules for a porch. The benefits of a large vestibule do come with some side effects, like additional weight and weatherproofing concerns, but we are here to provide answers and solutions.
Size
The number of people who will be sleeping in the tent is the biggest deciding factor when it comes to size, but when looking for vestibule space, the size of the porch matters too. In most cases, the larger the tent, the larger the porch vestibule. But there is one exception listed above that has a much bigger porch space than it does the sleeping area.
Larger porch space is good for storing gear, setting up a table and chairs, or even a camping bench. If the weather is bad or it gets cold at night, then having a communal area to hang out, eat and drink is important. Likewise, if you are camping for longer periods of time beyond a long weekend, then having more space away from where you sleep is a benefit.
Smaller porch spaces are sometimes all you want or need. Just a place to store your muddy boots, wet clothes, and backpacks once you’ve dried off might be enough. Generally, you can stack things in a porch space, starting with your footwear, then your wet clothes, then your backpack so you can access it looking for snacks.
Shape and Design
The shape of a tent with a vestibule can have a big impact on how the tent performs in high wind, rain, and sun, as well as how it feels to sleep inside it every night. Having extra space is nice, but it does make the tent much heavier and bulkier to pack than it perhaps needs to be.
Steep walls with pitched roofs are good for shedding rain and snow efficiently, which is good in wet environments and stops pools from building on top. Low-down dome shape tents are the best performers in the strong wind but are less comfortable on a camping trip as you often can’t even sit up. Tall tents with lots of headspaces are the most comfortable but are vulnerable to strong wind.
Weight and Pack Size
Tents with vestibules don’t necessarily weigh more than tents without vestibules, but they do have less sleeping space. As a very general rule of thumb, if a tent’s weight is equal to about 1.5-2 kg per person, then it’s not so bad. So if a 4-person tent weighs 6 kg, that would be about average. Lightweight tents can weigh under 1 kg per person, and canvas tents will weigh much more than average.
Pack size is also important if you plan to carry your tent anywhere or fit it inside a full car. If you are not tight for space and do not need to carry your tent very far, then our advice is to get a bigger tent than you need so that you have all the extra room.
Waterproofing
Waterproof ratings are often given in the form of a hydrostatic head rating (HH) which tests how much water a tent can handle before it starts to leak. Most vestibule tents will have a minimum HH rating of 1,500 – 3,000 mm, which means they can withstand 1.5 – 3 meters of water pressure before leaking. The rain never gets anywhere near this depth and is pretty much limited to a few mm. So why such a high rating?
The high rating just gives peace of mind and an insight into the type of material that is protecting you. It does also mean that you know if it can be trusted in certain types of weather.
Can You Add a Vestibule to a Tent?
If you can find a vestibule that fits on your tent without letting rain in and attaching securely in the strong wind, then absolutely. This is harder than it sounds.
You can buy aftermarket tent gear stores and extra vestibules that you can easily add to certain tents to increase the living space inside and create additional storage space for equipment. Bikepackers often have some kind of additional vestibule they use to cover their bike at night. However, you are often best just using a camping tarp to create additional shelter space and vestibules for your gear.
Can You Cook in A Tent Vestibule?
Tent vestibules are the perfect place to cook as they are away from your sleeping bag and close to the door for ventilation. You should never cook in a fully enclosed tent. Always open the door. This is to let toxic fumes escape and prevent condensation build-up on the inside.
If you are safe enough, you can actually cook in a tent vestibule without getting out of your sleeping bag. We like to brew a morning coffee with the door wide open but still in our sleeping bags. If you use hot water bottles at night, then boiling water can also be done this way.
Is a Tent Vestibule the Same as A Porch?
The vestibule in a tent is exactly the same thing as a porch and has the exact same meaning as a “connecting chamber”. Some people get confused about what a tent vestibule is and assume it just means room inside a tent. A vestibule is not the area where you sleep, it is the small space between the door and your sleeping area, which is often called a porch as well as a vestibule.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this guide to the best tent with vestibule and we saved you several hours of looking to see which tent has a vestibule and which one doesn’t. As always, feel free to get in touch with any questions.