Marmot Tungsten 4 Tent Overview

Backside Line

The Marmot Tungsten 4 is an intriguing tent that straddles the road between automotive tenting and backpacking. Its main goal is as a front-country automotive tenting tent, however its smaller packed dimension and comparatively low weight means it might work as a backpacking possibility in a pinch. Though it felt a bit cramped for our household of 4, it’s a cushty match for 2 campers. The Tungsten is simple to pitch, even for solo campers, and packs down simply for transport.

By way of climate resistance, it carried out admirably throughout testing in Colorado’s mountains, dealing with heavy rain and even early-season snow simply. Its dome-style design and low peak top additionally helped it maintain regular in reasonable winds.

Nonetheless, the tent has some drawbacks. Air flow is poor with the rainfly connected until the fly is absolutely guyed out, and sadly, not sufficient stakes are included for this setup. The inside storage, whereas useful with 4 facet pockets and two ceiling “Lampshade” pockets, may benefit from a extra considerate design.

All in all, the Tungsten 4 is a strong, versatile possibility for campers searching for a crossover tent that balances automotive tenting consolation with some backpacking functionality. For those who’d wish to discover extra of our favourite tents, try our full gear information on the Greatest Tenting Tents of 2024.

Consolation

The Tungsten 4 is extra appropriate for 2 campers fairly than 4, which is widespread for smaller crossover tents. That’s to not say it might’t match 4 individuals—it might—however you’ll don’t have any room for gear inside. As a substitute, you’ll have to retailer your gear within the two exterior vestibules. We examined the tent with two adults and two babies, and whereas it labored, we might have appreciated extra space. Youngsters would possibly theoretically take up much less room, however while you issue of their collected knickknacks and treasures, they rapidly occupy as a lot area as an grownup.

For backpacking, the tight match might not be a major problem, however for front-country tenting, two campers will discover the Tungsten far more snug. The 2 vestibules, which add roughly 36 sq. toes of extra space for storing, are useful, however you’ll have to preserve a part of them clear for simple tent entry and exit.

The tent physique options loads of mesh, offering refreshing air flow on clear nights with the fly off. Nonetheless, with the rainfly deployed and the vestibule doorways absolutely zipped, air flow is noticeably decreased. Whereas the only kickstand vent and absolutely guyed-out fly enhance airflow considerably, the tent can nonetheless really feel stuffy in sure circumstances.

Sturdiness

After thorough testing, we will confidently say that the Tungsten 4 is a well-built and thoughtfully designed medium-duty tent. Whereas Marmot doesn’t present many specifics on the supplies used, our years of outside expertise and testing numerous tents lead us to consider this tent is made with strong, sturdy supplies. The poles are Velocity HD aluminum, which, whereas heavier than fiberglass, provide larger power and longevity. The cover and rainfly are fabricated from Ripstop Polyester, and the ground is crafted from Taffeta Polyester. Sadly, the denier ranking isn’t supplied.

Proper out of the field, the supplies really feel heavy-duty, and after our testing, we really feel assured this tent can stand up to repeated use. With correct care and upkeep, it ought to final for years to return.

Our primary concern, if any, is the plastic clips that connect the fly to the tent physique. These clips are uncovered to the weather, which might probably be a weak level. Whereas we haven’t encountered any points throughout testing, it’s one thing to remember for long-term sturdiness.

Climate Resistance

Marmot has been a trusted title within the outside business for years, identified for producing tents which might be each reasonably priced and sturdy. We discovered the Tungsten 4 to carry out properly in difficult climate, together with prolonged and generally sideways driving rain. The rainfly has wonderful protection, and the place it doesn’t absolutely prolong, the massive bathtub flooring supplies extra safety.

We examined the Tungsten within the Colorado mountains, the place we largely skilled basic bluebird days and chilly nights. Nonetheless, we did face a 36-hour stretch of heavy rain, which transitioned into graupel and ultimately snow, earlier than melting as soon as the solar hit the tent. Regardless of the extreme climate, we remained dry and didn’t expertise any leaks.

In reasonable winds, the Tungsten held up properly. With the tent absolutely guyed out, it did seem to bend in on itself a couple of times, nevertheless it by no means felt like a severe problem. Total, the Tungsten 4’s climate resistance proved to be strong, providing peace of thoughts even in unpredictable circumstances.

Ease of Setup

We discovered the Marmot Tungsten 4 to be extremely straightforward to arrange. Even when pitching it solo, we had the tent absolutely assembled in underneath eight minutes. The colour-coded poles and webbing make the setup course of easy and hassle-free. The design is fashionable and environment friendly, much like many backpacking tents, utilizing hooks to connect the poles to the tent physique as a substitute of the normal pole sleeves. We choose this methodology, because it eliminates the frustration of snagging the poles contained in the sleeves throughout setup.

The decrease peak top additionally contributes to the convenience of meeting, as you don’t should be significantly tall to connect the final clip within the heart of the tent. It is a function we actually appreciated, because it avoids pointless stretching or awkward maneuvers.

Attaching the rainfly can also be easy. The colour-coded webbing and plastic clips guarantee a safe match with minimal effort, making the method fast and intuitive. Total, the Marmot Tungsten 4 affords a user-friendly setup expertise. iIt is a superb alternative for each novice and skilled campers who desire a tent that’s straightforward to pitch and might be executed rapidly, even and not using a second individual.

Options

The Tungsten 4 is comparatively middle-of-the-road in the case of options. We admire the color-coded poles and webbing for simple setup, and we love that the footprint is included with the tent. The 2 vestibules are a terrific addition for additional gear storage. Nonetheless, we discovered the inner storage to be missing.

It’s not that the Tungsten doesn’t provide any inside storage—it does—however total, we discovered it much less useful than it might be. If we have been backpacking the inside pockets would doubtless suffice. Nonetheless, when tenting with a household, we’d wish to see bigger, extra helpful pockets. The present ones are likely to sag when loaded with something greater than a headlamp and aren’t massive sufficient to retailer objects {that a} household would possibly want, like child wipes, diapers, or tablets.

That stated, the 2 overhead “Lampshade” pockets are a pleasant contact for headlamps, as they diffuse gentle, however they don’t have a lot capability for the rest. We’re high quality utilizing the vestibules for gear, however some campers might choose extra inside storage choices.

Ought to You Purchase the Marmot Tungsten 4 Tent?

The Marmot Tungsten 4P Tent is a superb crossover-style possibility at an reasonably priced worth. It’s supreme for individuals who want a tent for front-country automotive tenting but additionally need the flexibleness for brief, much less intense backpacking journeys with out buying two separate tents. Whereas it’s massive sufficient to sleep a household of 4, it might really feel cramped, and when you plan to backpack, you might need to distribute the burden amongst a few hikers.

With its storm-worthy construct and high quality supplies, the Tungsten 4P is a dependable possibility for these unsure about how they’ll use their tent. For those who’re particularly searching for a devoted car-camping tent or solely plan to backpack, there are higher choices out there. Nonetheless, for these in search of a flexible possibility that bridges each wants, the Marmot Tungsten 4P is a strong alternative price contemplating.

What Different Tenting Tents Ought to You Think about?

For extra choices, please see our full information to the greatest tenting tents.

REI Half Dome SL 3+ – The REI Half Dome SL 3+ is one other crossover-style tent price contemplating when you plan to camp with a gaggle of two or three, particularly if one in all them is a toddler. The SL 3+ leans extra towards the backpacking facet of issues. It’s $50 costlier however considerably lighter. Nonetheless, the inside is smaller than that of the Tungsten 4, so don’t anticipate a variety of additional room.

Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 – Once more, leaning extra towards the backpacking facet, the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 is a light-weight, rock-solid possibility for teams of two trying to do extra backpacking than front-country automotive tenting.

Kelty Wi-fi 6 – If automotive tenting is extra your factor and also you desire a bigger tent that also affords nice climate safety on the identical worth level, the Kelty Wi-fi 6 is a unbelievable possibility. It comfortably sleeps a household of 4 with loads of room to spare.