We all like to hit the great outdoors occasionally. Some do it from the car. You know the type. They drive through a national park and feel invigorated. But the truly dedicated get out there and camp. Camping requires equipment and your most important piece of equipment is the tent.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
|---|---|---|
1. Bushnell Shield Series 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent  |
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2. Bushnell 1 Person Roam Series Backpacking Tent  |
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3. Bushnell 2 Person Roam Series Backpacking Tent  |
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4. Bushnell Sport Series 4 Person Tent  |
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5. Bushnell Sport Series 8 Person Tent  |
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6. Bushnell Sport Series 12 Person Tent  |
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7. Bushnell Shield Series 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent  |
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8. Bushnell Shield Series 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent  |
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Our Best Bushnell Tent Reviews and Comparisons
1. Bushnell 1 Person Roam Series Backpacking Tent
Product Highlights
The Bushnell 1 Person Roam Series Backpacking Tent is lightweight at 3 pounds. It’s easy to carry no matter how far into the mountains you roam.
The rainfly and floor seams are factory-sealed to make this tent weather resistant.
With an 8.5’x4’ footprint, this tent is spacious for a single camper. You’ll have plenty of room to stow your gear inside the tent while you stretch out to your full length.
Features
- Weighs 3 pounds
- Factory-sealed seams
- 8.5’x4’ footprint
What we like about the Bushnell 1 Person Roam Series Backpacking Tent
The Bushnell 1 Person Roam Series Backpacking Tent is quickly assembled. That’s a plus if you need to shelter fast. It’s just as fast to take apart.
This tent does a good job of breaking the wind and keeping the interior warm. That’s critical on those cold nights in the wilderness.
Portability! It is lightweight and compact traveling size makes it ideal for carrying on your back.
What we don’t like about the Bushnell 1 Person Roam Series Backpacking Tent
The rainfly doesn’t provide a dry space outside the tent. That’s a problem if you’ve been tromping in the rain and don’t want to bring your wet shoes inside.
This may be obvious, but it accommodates only one person. Most of us like companionship when we camp and sharing a tent enhances the experience.
PROS
- Very portable
- Weather-resistant
- Quick to assemble
CONS
- No outdoor dry space
- Inadequate for more than one person
2. Bushnell 2 Person Roam Series Backpacking Tent
Product Highlights
The Bushnell 2 Person Roam Series Backpacking Tent is the answer to our objection about the 1-person tent. With a 7.5’x4.5’ footprint, there’s room for two sleeping bags side-by-side.
It’s also lightweight at 6 pounds 8 ounces. That means easy portability given that there are two of you to share the load.
The vestibule provides storage space for your gear. The large window can unzip entirely. If you like, you can use the vestibule as storage all the time and access the tent via the window.
The factory-sealed rainfly and floor seams make this tent weather resistant.
Features
- Lightweight
- Weather-resistant
- Storage space
What we like about the Bushnell 2 Person Roam Series Backpacking Tent
This tent has plenty of storage from the vestibule to a gear loft to side pockets. That leaves the floor of the tent free from clutter. When it’s time to bed down for the night, it’s just you, your companion, and your sleeping bags.
The quick set up time means you can take shelter quickly if the weather turns bad. Even if the weather is nice, who wants to spend a lot of time setting up camp? Get ‘er done and start the adventure.
The lightweight and compact size mean easy portability.
What we don’t like about the Bushnell 2 Person Series Backpacking Tent
The peak height is 48”. Unless you’re a little person, you won’t be able to stand up in this tent. Sometimes you need to when changing positions or changing clothes.
The floor of the tent is just big enough for two sleeping bags side-by-side. Neither of you better roll over in your sleep! Unless, of course, you’re sharing your sleeping bags in which case this point is moot.
PROS
- Lightweight and portable
- Extensive storage
- Weather-resistant
- Quick assembly
CONS
- No standing room
- Tight space for two
3. Bushnell Sport Series 4 Person Tent
Product Highlights
The Bushnell Sport Series 4 Person Tent is the smallest of the Sport Series tents. It features a utility port so that you can hook up to an electric supply. That’s all-important in this age of electronics for families and casual campers.
The tent can accommodate a queen size air mattress, a step up in comfort from sleeping on the ground.
The stakes are made of steel to handle rocky soil without bending or breaking.
Features
- 8’x7’ footprint
- Freestanding, two-pole design
- Fully taped factory-sealed seams and weather-resistant fabric
- Utility port
- Hanging gear loft
What we like about the Bushnell Sport Series 4 Person Tent
Size matters. The dome design allows for a taller vertical; standing up isn’t as awkward. The 8’x7’ dimensions allow four sleeping bags to lie side-by-side, convenient for a family of four or two couples.
The utility port is a handy feature that allows you to power up any number of electronic devices for a more enjoyable experience. That’s assuming you are camping near a power outlet.
The hanging gear loft, situated at the peak of the tent, gets your accessories out of the way, yet they’re at your fingertips if you need them.
What we don’t like about the Bushnell Sport Series 4 Person Tent
While four sleeping bags side-by-side sounds ideal, sleeping that close to others isn’t ideal. If anyone turns over or a child kicks in the middle of the night, someone else is going to wake up.
The most we would put in this tent is three people.
Due to its size and substituting steel for aluminum, this tent in traveling mode is heavier and larger than the Roam Series of tents. That pretty much eliminates its use in backpacking.
PROS
- Utility port
- Room for four
- Extensive storage
CONS
- Tight fit for four
- Weight/Size
4. Bushnell Sport Series 8 Person Tent
Product Highlights
The Bushnell Sport Series 8 Person Tent is a larger version of the 4-person tent in this series. Measured at 14’x8’, it has space for a separate bedroom area. A pulldown room divider, separating the bedroom area from the living area, demarcates the tent space by function.
The hanging wall organizer along with the other storage features throughout keeps your stuff organized and handy.
The 76” ceiling allows nearly anyone to stand upright. You won’t feel like a monkey dragging your knuckles on the ground.
Features
- 14’x8’ footprint
- Utility port
- Multiple storage features
What we like about the Bushnell Sport Series 8 Person Tent
Roominess! A family of four or more could easily fit into this tent. Likewise, a group of friends would fit, although eight adults might be stretching it. Best of all, anyone except the tallest can stand up in it.
That utility port caught our eye again. It’s a worthy convenience.
The versatility of panels allows you to open up and see the stars at night, let in the cool air in summer, and create privacy when you need it.
See Related Topic: Best Semoo Tents and Alternatives
What we didn’t like about the Bushnell Sport Series 8 Person Tent
The tent has a fairly high profile. If you’re facing a windy situation, you’re going to want to make sure you have it staked down really well. Either that or you’re off to OZ!
The directions for setting up might be a bit confusing for first-timers, but experienced campers shouldn’t have a problem And it’s always easier with two sets of hands than one.
PROS
- Roominess
- Storage features
- Versatility of panels
CONS
- Setup directions
- High profile
5. Bushnell Sport Series 12 Person Tent
Product Highlights
This is the largest tent in the Sports Series with a footprint of 10’x20’. It has room to sleep 8 adults on four queen air mattresses. It can accommodate 12 adults in sleeping bags, but that’s pretty tight. The 84” ceiling height allows everyone except the tallest basketball players to stand up straight.
The versatility of the various panels allows for ventilation and views Most spectacularly, the ceiling panels roll back to give an unobstructed view of the night sky. A nice feature is a ground vent that allows cool air into the tent in warm weather.
The fiberglass poles and hooks make set up easy and quick.
Features
- Optimized, versatile storage
- 20’x10’ footprint
- Versatile window, wall, ceiling panels
What we like about the Bushnell Sport Series 12 Person Tent
This tent is more for recreational campers than sportsmen. As such, it provides everything a family or group of friends could want. There’s plenty of space for sleeping, entertaining, and play. The utility port offers access to a power source for your tunes.
Thanks to the fiberglass poles and hooks, the easy setup and takedown make this tent a breeze to use. Minimal time setting up camp or tearing it down means maximum time having fun.
From the hanging wall organizer to the multitude of pockets, the storage features will help everyone keep their stuff organized and at hand.
What we didn’t like about the Bushnell Sport Series 12 Person Tent
The higher profile means greater susceptibility to the wind. Be sure to stake your tent securely to avoid any mishaps.
The size of the tent folded up, even though in a carrying case, means more space taken in your SUV, minivan, or truck. That might mean leaving something else behind.
PROS
- Roominess
- Versatility
- Easy setup
CONS
- Carrying size
- High profile
6. Bushnell Shield Series 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent
Product Highlights
The Shield Series by Bushnell is for serious campers and outdoorsmen. Like all the tents in this series, this tent is made from 150 denier polyester fabric to stand up to tougher usage. The tub flooring fully taped waterproof seams, and water repellent fabric protects you from water, no matter what the source.
In addition, Bushnell applies a reflective coating to the rainfly to block UV rays, so you stay cool and protected. Steel frame construction and heavy-duty tie-downs increase your protection from the wind.
One of the nicest features is the 60 second setup time. The poles are pre-attached to the tent so all you do is unpack, unfold, and extend.
Besides a utility port, this tent has an A/C vent. An A/C unit, purchased separately, fits into the vent so that you can have cool air in the summer.
Features
- 11’x9’ footprint
- 150 denier polyester fabric
- Heat Shield Technology
- Weather Shield Technology
- A/C vent
- Utility port
What we liked about the Bushnell Shield Series 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent
Where do we start? The easy set up is amazing. No fiddling with poles and hooks with minimal reference to the directions.
The multiple storage features, including interior and exterior flashlight pockets, make life in the wild more organized.
Weather-resistant features and heat shield technology ensure you are protected from the elements.
What we didn’t like about the Bushnell Shield Series 6 Person Cabin Tent
Let’s start with the A/C vent. This tent is for the serious sportsman or camper. They’re looking to get out in nature. Presumably, A/C isn’t on the agenda.
After a little trial run, the material seemed to wear more than expected. The beginnings of holes could be seen, particularly on the creases.
This is minor, but some of the interior storage compartments are at an inconvenient level. They should be brought to a lower location, so they are easier to access.
PROS
- Weather protection elements
- Heat Shield Technology
- 60-second setup
CONS
- Disappointing wear and tear
- Unnecessary A/C vent
7. Bushnell Shield Series 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent
Product Highlights
The Bushnell Shield Series 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent offers the features and amenities of the 6-person tent, but with more room. The footprint is 15’x9’ which accommodates three queen mattresses or sleeps nine adults in sleeping bags. The ceiling height of 78” is more than enough headroom.
There is a roll-down room divider to create two separate spaces for privacy.
Features
- 150 denier polyester fabric
- Heat Shield Technology
- Weather Shield
- A/C vent
What we liked about the Bushnell Shield Series 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent
Standing up straight. There’s nothing like it and most everyone can do that in this tent.
The roll down room divider wasn’t soundproof, but it communicated a need for privacy, and it did the trick.
Read Related Article: Best Tent For Farmer’s Market
What we didn’t like about the Bushnell Shield Series 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent
There was little wrong with this tent. We were leery of fabric problems but found none.
The 60-second setup works with two people. It takes longer with only one person.
PROS
- Weather Shield technology
- Heat Shield Technology
- Headroom
CONS
- 60+ second setup
8. Bushnell Shield Series 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent
Product Highlights
The Bushnell Shield Series 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent offers everything the 9-person tent offers, but with an additional 63 square feet. Most of that room is in a secondary bedroom area. The two bedrooms are at opposite ends and can be separated by rolldown room dividers. It’s like a two-bedroom hotel suite in the wild.
If, however, quantity is your need, this tent can accommodate 12 people in sleeping bags.
The door is moved to the middle of the tent with an enhanced rainfly to protect from rain entering the tent. Storage is provided throughout the tent including in the entrance area.
Due to its size, the quick setup takes 2 minutes.
Features
- 150 denier polyester fabric
- Heat Shield Technology
- Weather Shield technology
- 2 A/C vents
- Utility port
What we liked about the Bushnell Shield Series 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent
Size really does matter. If you have a large party to accommodate, this is the tent for you. On the other hand, if you and your best friend want to “double date”, this tent provides the right combination of privacy and togetherness.
This tent has all the bells and whistles: A/C vents, Heat Shield Technology, Weather Shield technology, extensive storage compartments and pockets, mesh panels for ventilation, mesh windows for views, removable privacy panels on windows, and more.
What we didn’t like about the Bushnell Shield Series 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent
The only objection we have is that the 2-minute setup is hard to accomplish with two people, much less one. We recommend four people just because the tent is bulky and unwieldy.
PROS
- 198 Square feet
- Heat Shield Technology
- Weather shield
- 2 A/C vents
- Room dividers
CONS
- 2-minute set up
Final Verdict
So which Bushnell tent do we recommend? That’s a tough one.
Someone with specialized needs will have a different perspective. A backpacker isn’t going to lug around a tent for 6 people and a hunting party doesn’t need A/C. But for our money, the best buy for general purposes is the Bushnell Shield Series 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent.
The tent is spacious with nearly 100 square feet and loads of storage features. It can accommodate up to six people. The 150-denier fabric, Heat Shield technology, Weather Shield technology, and steel frame construction all point to a long useful life. Best of all is the 60-second setup. Wham! Bam! You’re done!
Whether you’re a family of four camping in the backyard or a sportsman in the wild, you can’t go wrong with this Bushnell Shield Series 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent.
Passionate about the outdoors. He has accrued a wealth of experience and knowledge in naturalism, outside adventures, ski instruction, and writing. In addition to exploring the outdoors, he enjoys backpacking and camping.