Best 4-season tents for the UK
Looking for a tent for all-season adventuring in the UK? We’ve got you covered with our handy roundup.
If you’ve ever tried to camp through a night of wind, rain, and cold in a flimsy UL summer tent, you’ll know it’s not an experience you’re keen to repeat. That’s where 4-season tents come in. Designed to handle the very worst of British weather — from high winds on the moors to frost-bitten mornings in the Highlands — they’re the shelters you want when the forecast turns grim. In this round-up, we’ll highlight the best 4 season tents for the UK, and explain why they’re a worthwhile upgrade for any year-round adventurer.
Why buy a four-season tent?
Unlike 2- or 3-season models, 4-season tents are purpose-built for harsh conditions — the kind of relentless weather Britain so often delivers outside of high summer. These shelters are engineered with stronger poles that resist snapping in high winds, tougher fabrics that stand up to prolonged rain and abrasion, and steeper wall angles designed to shed snow and deflect gusts rather than catching them like a sail. They’re typically fitted with more robust guy-out points and reinforced stress areas, meaning they stay put even on exposed ridgelines or soggy moorland. Inside, clever venting systems help manage condensation — a real issue in the damp, cold air of British winters — and their inner fabrics tend to be warmer and more enclosed than the mesh-heavy designs of fair-weather tents. While they’re often a little heavier and more expensive, they last longer, perform better, and provide far more peace of mind when you’re camping in unpredictable or genuinely grim conditions — making them a sound investment if you’re heading out in all seasons.
And let’s be honest — in the UK, “four-season” weather can happen in a single weekend. So whether you’re wild camping in winter, or just want peace of mind on a soggy summer trip, these tents have you covered.
Best all-round 4-season shelter
Nordisk Telemark 2.2 LW
A long-time favourite here at GBAC, the Nordisk Telemark 2 LW is an easy pick for our suggestion as the best all-round 4-season tent for the UK thanks to its rare mix of low weight, dependable performance, and liveable design. At just 950g, it’s lighter than most shelters in its class — yet offers genuine protection in rough British conditions.
We’ve used it in sleet, sideways rain and heavy winds, and it’s never flinched. The tunnel design sheds gusts well, the fly and inner pitch as one (a big plus in the UK), and ventilation is cleverly handled through a zip-down rear panel. Inside, it’s snug but well-shaped, and the single-pole structure makes it a cinch to pitch and pack away.
It’s not built for full alpine use, but for British hikers and bikepackers looking for a year-round tent that doesn’t weigh them down, the Telemark 2 LW is a proven, pitch-anywhere companion.
Best 2-person 4-season shelter
Nortent Vern 2
The Nortent Vern 2 is a serious bit of kit — a lightweight, two-person, four-season tunnel tent built to handle classic British weather year-round. From exposed fellside pitches to winter woodland camps, it’s proven itself as our top 4-season tents for the UK if you’re travelling as a pair.
We loved the quick pitch, excellent ventilation, and bombproof tunnel structure that shrugs off wind and rain. There’s enough internal space for two campers plus kit, a large vestibule for cooking in poor weather, and Nortent’s usual premium build quality throughout. The materials feel rugged, the design smart and refined.
It’s not the lightest tent on the market, but for four-season performance in UK conditions — with the versatility for solo or duo trips — the Vern 2 is a cracking choice. A dependable, storm-ready shelter that’ll take you through all four seasons in comfort.
Best bombproof 4-season shelter
Nortent Gamme 4
If you’re searching for a best-in-class 4-season tent for the UK — something that’ll take storm-force winds, driving rain and freezing temperatures in its stride — we think the Nortent Gamme 4 is your best option right now.
We put it through its paces in Snowdonia and the Cairngorms, battling high winds, heavy rain and boggy ground — and it barely flinched. With dozens of guy out points, a geodesic-tunnel hybrid structure and thick aluminium poles, this thing is built like a bothy. It’s spacious enough to stand in, sleeps four comfortably, and features clever details throughout — from snow skirts and storm flaps to multiple entrances and vents.
No, it’s not light — but it’s not trying to be. This is a shelter for winter wild camps, stormy basecamps, and serious off-grid expeditions. Fully stove-compatible, it’s also an outstanding hot tent for cold UK woodland camps, and as Nortent proved in Svalbard, it’s even capable of holding its own on the Arctic tundra.
Best one-person 4-season shelter
Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1
The Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1 is a premium solo shelter — and our pick for the best lightweight 4-season tent for the UK. At just 1.6kg and packing down to the size of a rugby ball, it’s tailor-made for wildcampers, thru-hikers and fastpackers who want serious weather protection without excess bulk.
We tested it across Dartmoor, the Lakes, and the Chilterns in wind, rain and sub-zero temperatures — and it didn’t flinch. Its tunnel design holds firm in strong gusts, while adjustable vents, a roomy vestibule, and clever internal touches make it genuinely liveable for longer trips. It’s also quick to pitch, easy to pack, and tough enough to take a beating.
At £600, it’s not cheap — but the performance, build quality and four-season versatility more than justify the price tag. If you’re after a bombproof, packable tent for solo UK adventures all year round, the Abisko Lite 1 is hard to top.
Best 4-season bivy
Big Agnes Three Wire Hooped Bivy
If you’re looking for a 4-season bivvy for year-round UL adventuring, we think the Big Agnes Three Wire Hooped Bivy if your best option right now.
We took it out on multiple fastpacking trips and threw it at just about everything — cold snaps, sideways rain, sodden ground — and it didn’t miss a beat. The microporous membrane and inner tricot layer work brilliantly together to manage moisture, keeping you dry and comfortable even in wintry conditions, it pitches in seconds, packs down to nothing, and is long enough to comfortably sleep campers over six foot. Granted, it’s not quite as light as some ultra-minimalist bivvies — but it’s leagues ahead in durability and real-world performance.
For solo fastpacking, UL backpacking and bikepacking trips in changeable weather, this is a compact, confidence-inspiring shelter that punches well above its weight.
Best single skin 4-season shelter
Nortent Vern 1 PC
For solo campers seeking natural breathability, warmth, and true four-season performance, the Nortent Vern 1 PC stands out as one of the best 4 season tents for the UK. Made from a polycotton canvas blend, it delivers a completely different feel to synthetic shelters — quieter in the wind, warmer in the cold, and far better at managing condensation.
We tested it across multiple UK trips, from frosty nights to wet woodland pitches, and it felt cosy, dry, and reliably weatherproof throughout. The tunnel design gives it solid wind resistance, while the large vestibule and practical features — like snow skirts, double doors, and stove compatibility — make it ideal for year-round use.
At just under 3kg, it’s not ultralight, but if you value comfort, durability and a more natural camping experience, the Vern 1 PC is a superb solo shelter. A proper four-season refuge with real charm and serious capability.
