Winter tents should be made of weatherproof material to withstand winter precipitation. Snow, sleet, ice and freezing rain can occur during winter months, and a tent that is not winter weatherproof can let in this cold moisture. If the fabric of the tent becomes too moist, it will lose much of its insulating powers.
On a winter's night, campers can exhale approximately 1 liter of moisture. If trapped in the tent, this moisture will coat the roof and condensation will occur, causing it to either rain or snow inside the tent. To regulate these interior conditions, winter tents must be breathable. If you have a well-ventilated tent wall, a rainfly can also help provide external waterproofing and will better insulate the tent by increasing fixed air space layers.
Choose a free-standing tent of sturdy material, as these can withstand and shed snow best. Make sure the tent's manufacturer says it is a winter tent and not just a three-season one. Some tents come with frost liners that protect from condensation, but campers can also buy their own to install.
