Today, in 2020, there are thousands of tent brands lingering around. But what about eco tents? Are there any eco-friendly tent manufacturers out there?
The increasing awareness of global issues like climate change & plastic pollution have pushed many brands to reduce, reuse and recycle.
And yes, being more environmentally friendly, sustainable or earth-friendly are promises made by many brands nowadays. It’s staying true to these promises, however, that seems to be a difficult task.
In this article I’ll sift through all the greenwashing and list the 5 best authentic eco tents for you!
(Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.)
Read also: A Badass Guide to Simple Travel.
Alright, let’s get started!
5 Best Eco Tents/Eco-Friendly Tents in 2020
2 Person Vaude Campo Compact Eco Tent
This eco tent features a super-fast set up, with plenty of space for all sorts of gear in the vestibule. Plus, it has reliable rain protection for when the weather starts to turn.
In addition, the top of the tent features a smart ventilation system that allows for an excellent microclimate to form inside the tent.
The poles used are high quality aluminum which will retain their shape over a long period of time.
These eco tents also feature clever details such as inner tent pockets and storm proof guy lines, making this the perfect weatherproof companion for your next outdoor adventure.
Eco Tents Features
- 1 entrance.
- 1 vestibule.
- “inner first” construction.
- Ventilation protected from rain, adjusted through the front zip.
- Tent Weight: 2.7 kilograms (5.9 pounds)
2 Person Vaude Taurus Eco Tent
One of the best eco tents for couples looking to travel through all 3 seasons. The only element this tent is not equipped for is the snow.
A very well ventilated tent that’s super easy to set up, perfect for when you arrive at your destination in the dark.
The outer tent is made from durable waterproof PU coated polyester that can stand up in a heavy downpour, whilst keeping you well aired inside.
The additional pin solution allows for more foot room and increases the tents ability at withstanding strong winds. – Leoni and I camped in 100 kph winds in this exact tent.
Eco Tents Features:
- 1 entrance
- 1 vestibule
- Optimized space offer by angled tent poles in the foot area and additional pins in the flysheet.
- Ventilation protected from rain, can be adjusted through the front zip.
- Tents weight: 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds)
1 – 2 Person Vaude Power Lizard Eco Tent
The ultimate lightweight tent for solo travelers or couples.
The designers of this tent have eliminated unnecessary seams to reduce the overall weight. They use special silicone bonding technology to ensure absolute waterproofness.
Thanks to its lightweight structure its perfect for minimalistic backpacking, from hiking trips to mountain tours.
Additionally, this tent packs down ridiculously small, so you’ll have more room for other travel gear on those long distance trips.
Eco Tents Features
- 1 entrance
- 1 vestibule
- Single arch construction
- Very light construction
- Easy set-up
- Inner pole sleeve
- Flysheet adjustable for ventilation
- Closeable top ventilation
- Tents weight: 1.3 kilograms (2.8 pounds)
4 Person Vaude Campo Grande Eco Tent
This tent is the ideal companion for your next camping trip with friends or family. There is plenty of space for gear, cooking and eating in the large vestibules.
It also has reliable rain protection for when the weather starts to turn.
In addition, the top of the tent features a smart ventilation system that allows for an excellent microclimate to form inside the tent.
These eco tents of course also feature clever details such as inner tent pockets and storm proof guy lines, making this the perfect weatherproof companion for your next outdoor adventure.
Eco Tents Features:
- 2 entrances.
- 1 very roomy vestibule.
- Inner first construction.
- Comfortable entrance area.
- Tents weight: 4.8 kilograms (10 pounds)
2 Person Bushcraft Tarp Tent
This is for the minimalistic purists out there, an eco-friendly bushcraft tarp.
This tarp has only one trekking pole and can be used as an emergency shelter for 1 – 2 people.
The intelligent design allows for various setups. For example, the wings of the tarp can be folded and used as a floor. If the tarp is stretched out, it offers lots of space!
Additionally, it can be used as awning or connected to almost all Vaude tents to extend the vestibule.
To protect the environment, the flysheet was made out of resource efficient/eco-friendly manufacturing up to standards of bluesign®
If you’d like to learn more about bushcraft, check out Bushcraft Boss. They write in-depth survival guides and keep up to date with the latest bushcraft skills/survival gear.
Eco Tarps Features
- Multi-functional
- Sunshade function
- Universal connector for simple set up and take down, combines outer and inner tents, combines several tarps together to make a sun shade
- Survival Shelter function
- Tarp tent option by pitching with trekking poles
- Extension for all 2-3P trekking tents
- Tarp weight: 490 grams
What Makes a Tent Eco-Friendly?
A good rule of thumb is companies that use recycled materials to create their products.
Using recycled materials such as polyester and nylon greatly reduces the plastic pollution that ends up in our oceans.
Read also: How are plastic bags made
Some brands like Vaude, also implement a strict environmental bluesign® into their products (Vaude has done this since 2001).
Bluesign® controls the entire textile manufacturing chain, reducing harmful effects on the environment and people. (Vaude is also the first outdoor company to receive the EMAS certification.)
Recyclable Cardboard Tents
Another cool sustainable idea, particularly for festival goers, are recyclable cardboard tents.
Companies like Kartent are paving the way for this out of the box idea!
Their philosophy is: “We strive to make our world a better place by looking at materials in a renewed way. We believe too many products are being created without thinking about the end of life scenario. Our products are designed exactly with this in mind.”
Interested in a cardboard tent for your next festival, get in touch with Kartent.
I hope this article inspired you to go eco-friendly with your next tent choice. It’s completely counterintuitive to enjoy nature and destroy it at the same time.
Let me know of any other eco-conscious tent brands in the comments section below. If they are indeed deemed eco-friendly, I’ll add them to this list no problem!
Further Reading:
- How to be a responsible tourist
- 10 Mountain biking benefits
- How to navigate without GPS
- How to keep warm in a tent
- What is the goal of wildlife conservation
Kyle was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. In his spare time he kitesurfs with whales, gets attacked by jellyfish, SUP’s with great white sharks and rescues seals. He is not a best selling author like every other Tom, Dick and Harry out there but loves to write nevertheless. Especially about climate science and animals.
Another hugely interesting and well crafted article. Well Done 🙂