Tenting with your family or thinking about it? It can be hard to decide on what to get. I have a under 1 and 2 year old...this is what works great for us.
Previous to children we used a MSR 2(person) 4 season tent or a Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) Camper 4(person), 3 season tent. Both tents we could backpack with or car camp. We used the Camper 4 with our daughter and dog but since having our son we set up our four person tent and decided no way did we want to cram ourselves in it. We decided if we are going to be car camping with our infant and toddler we'd like to have more space.
We looked online and checked out reviews and decided on the MEC Cabin 6.
Why we decided on this tent and why I recommend after using:
MEC Cabin 6 Review (5 stars out of 5)
- Two door entry's - who wants to wake a sleeping toddler that wiggled in front of the only entry way!
- Two vestibules - you purchase these separately which can cut down on cost. We decided to get both since we leave shoes and muddy gear outside
- Privacy curtain option
- Can stand up (around 6 feet high)
- Room inside to spare, can put a bag or two. Our dog fits plus four comfortably
- Lots and lots of little pockets to put flashlights, diapers, toys, etc! Can never have too many tent pockets
- Mesh can be zipped on doors to help keep heat in
- Very easy and quick two person set up. Poles and sleeves are colour coded. Instructions drawn on bag so you can't loose. It's a no brainer. I believe I could do by myself but haven't had to yet
- Tent folds up and fits back in bag without having to squeeze the bag and fight with the zipper. So many tents are hard to get back into their small bags! The bag still zips up with the footprint, two vesibules and partition
- I like my MEC Camper 4 quality so trust in MEC's Cabin 6 quality
- MEC has a "Rocksolid Guarantee". If something goes wrong with the tent you just tell them, I've been shocked at how helpful and accommodating they are on gear issues. They usually have parts on hand so no waiting for something to be shipped in if there is an issue
- Rain "proofed" - back in the day you would have to waterproof your own tent with spray, that isn't the case anymore
MEC's Cabin 6 Tent Video shows it well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyCAvonxRKE
I believe this tent will grow with our family and will see many more adventures. Happy tenting everyone!