Stansport Tent

Everything You Need to Know Before Purchasing a Stansport Tent

Stansport tents are a popular brand of camping tents known for their affordability and reliability. If you’re in the market for a new tent, Stansport offers a wide range of models to meet various needs. This comprehensive buying guide will provide key information to help you select the perfect Stansport tent.

We’ll cover tent types, setup, recommended models, where to buy, durability, materials, waterproofing, sizing, cost, reviews, comparisons to other brands, backpacking use, compatible accessories, capacity, replacement parts, warranties, use in extreme weather, and more! Read on for tips to make an informed Stansport tent purchase.

What is a Stansport Tent?

Stansport is a company that specializes in outdoor recreation gear, based out of Los Angeles, California. They manufacture various types of tents designed for casual camping, backpacking, and more intense expeditions.

Stansport tents are not the most expensive or lightest weight tents on the market, but they offer very reasonable quality and features for the affordable price point. The tents are easy to set up and spacious, making them a good choice for car camping with family and friends.

Some key features of Stansport tents:

• Durable construction from polyester and fiberglass materials
• Water resistant coatings provide weather protection
• Roomy interior space with ample headroom
• Large “D” style doors for easy access
• Mesh roof vents and windows improve airflow
• Pack neatly into carry bags for portability
• Tall center heights allow comfortable movement inside

How Do I Set Up a Stansport Tent?

Setting up a Stansport tent is quick and straightforward. Here are the basic steps:

1. Find a flat, even campsite free of rocks, sticks, and other debris. Face the front of the tent (the side with the door) towards the direction you’ll most often be entering from.
2. Unroll the tent and spread it out. Make sure the bottom is smooth with no wrinkles. Stake down the four corners.
3. Assemble the fiberglass poles and carefully thread them through the sleeves in the tent fabric. Connect the ends together.
4. Insert the ends of each pole into the grommets at the corners of the tent base. The poles will form an arch to give the tent its shape.
5. Attach the tent fly if your model has one. This goes on top of the outer tent to add extra weather protection. Stake down the fly.
6. Pull the guy lines tight and stake them out at a 45° angle from each corner. This helps stabilize the tent in windy conditions.
7. You can add a footprint or tarp under the tent floor for an extra moisture barrier. Stake the edges.
8. Unzip the door and roll it up to keep it open. You can also stake out the vestibule flaps. Your tent is ready!

What are the Best Stansport Tents for Camping?

Stansport offers several great tent models suitable for camping. Here are some of the best options to consider:

• Stansport Scout A-Frame Backpack Tent: A compact 2-person backpacking tent weighing just 5 pounds. Low profile design.
• Stansport McKinley Dome Tent: Spacious 6-person design with 2 rooms and 6′ center height. Great for base camping.
• Stansport Sable Dome Tent: Durable 6-person tent with large windows and rainfly. Quality at a budget price.
• Stansport Double Reinforced Dome Tent: Roomy design houses 4 campers comfortably. Fully screened windows with storm flaps.
• Stansport 277 Granite Lake Dome Tent: Waterproof 4-person tent ideal for wet conditions. Full-coverage rainfly included.
• Stansport Tipi Tent: Unique cone-shaped tent provides lots of headroom. Great in windy exposed sites.

Where Can I Buy a Stansport Tent?

Stansport tents are sold at major sporting goods stores across the United States, including:

• Walmart – Large selection online and usually in-store. Frequently at lowest prices.
• Dick’s Sporting Goods – Carry many Stansport models in stores and online.
• Academy Sports – Great prices both online and in-store locations.
• Cabela’s – Reliable specialty outdoor retailer selling Stansport tents.
• Sportsman’s Warehouse – Stocks Stansport tents at their stores across the western U.S.
• Amazon – Convenient way to order and compare all Stansport tents. Often discounted.
• Stansport.com – The manufacturer’s website has a full tent catalog with specs and prices.

Check company websites for current sales and clearance deals on Stansport tents. Sign up for retailer emails to receive notifications about discounts and promotions.

How Durable Are Stansport Tents?

Stansport tents are designed to be durable and withstand regular recreational camping use. Here are some tips to get the longest life from your Stansport tent:

• Polyester fabric stands up well against UV rays and resists tearing. Seam tape helps prevent leaking.
• Fiberglass tent poles are flexible and bend rather than snap when stressed. Shock corded too.
• Double-stitching on critical seam areas adds strength. Reinforced corners and tie points.
• Water-resistant polyurethane coating and sealed seams keep moisture out.
• Quality zippers, snaps, grommets, and other components are built to last.
• Proper setup on smooth ground and staking out guy lines prevents strain on materials.
• Taking care when packing the tent and avoiding exposing it to harsh scraping or compression improves longevity.
• Sealing up any minor leaks or tears with waterproofing sprays as needed prolongs tent life.

With proper use and care, most Stansport tents will serve you well for many camping seasons before needing to be replaced.

What Materials Are Stansport Tents Made Of?

Stansport constructs their tent models from quality materials designed to provide reliable shelter and good value:

• Tent Canopy Fabric – 190T polyester with a 1200mm polyurethane waterproof coating. Durable, weather-resistant, and breathable.
• Rainfly Fabric – 68D ripstop polyester, silicone treated for water repellency. Lightweight yet protective.
• Mesh – No-see-um insect mesh screens windows and roof vents for air circulation.
• Tent Poles – Shock corded fiberglass poles 7.9-9.5mm diameter. Flexible and snaps back into place if bent.
• Guy Lines – Nylon cord with plastic tension adjusters for easy tightening and releasing.
• Zippers – Nylon coil zippers resist snags and feature double sliders.
• Webbing/Straps – Polypropylene webbing is used for pole sleeves, loops, adjustable straps.
• Pegs/Stakes – Steel stakes 8″-11″ length peg tents securely into the ground. May include guy line tensioners.
• Carry Bags – Mesh storage bags for tent body, poles, and stakes. Straps for easy carrying.

Are Stansport Tents Waterproof?

Stansport tents are made with water-resistant polyurethane coatings and seam sealing in order to provide good water protection in wet weather. However, they are not fully waterproof like some high-end technical mountaineering tents.

For casual family camping in the occasional rainstorm, Stansport tents will keep you mostly dry. But in very heavy downpours, some leakage may occur through the canopy fabric and floor seams. Extended exposure to heavy rain can allow moisture to soak through.

Adding a separate rain fly significantly improves the water resistance and is recommended for very wet conditions. Select tents with factory taped seams if maximum waterproofing is needed. Reapplying a urethane based tent waterproofing spray also helps.

While not 100% impervious to water ingress, Stansport tents offer good budget-friendly wet weather capability for the price.

Which Stansport Tent is Best for Families?

When camping with the whole family, you need a tent with generous space and handy convenience features. Here are some of the best roomy Stansport tents perfect for families:

• Stansport Scout A-Frame Tent – Two rooms split by a divider curtain. Sleeps 8-10 people.
• Stansport McKinley Grand Lodge Tent – Spacious cabin-style tent houses up to 12. 6 windows and 2 doors.
• Stansport Sable Dome Tent – Ample 6 person capacity. Tall 78″ center height.
• Stansport Double Reinforced Dome Tent – Sturdy 4 person tent with electric cord access port.
• Stansport Blue Granite Lodge Tent – Massive 6 room tent sleeps 14 people comfortably. Multiple screened doors.
• Stansport Cascade Lodge Tent – Roomy 4 room design fits 2 queen air beds plus gear.

Look for multiple rooms or compartments to give family members some privacy. High ceilings allow free movement. Large doorways and oversized rainflies make access easy.

How Much Does a Stansport Tent Cost?

A major appeal of Stansport tents is their very reasonable pricing. Tents start around $35 for simple 1-2 person backpacking tents. Most larger 6-10 person models designed for base camping run from $80 to $300.

Some example Stansport tent prices:

• 1-2 person tents: $35 – $100
• 3-4 person tents: $60 – $150
• 6-8 person tents: $100 – $250
• 10+ person tents: $200 – $400

Stansport represents a very affordable tent option compared to premium brands that can cost far more. Their large family camping tents provide lots of space for the money.

Of course, prices vary between retailers and models. Shop sales for the best deals. Expect to pay around $100 – $125 for a typical 4-6 person Stansport tent.

What Sizes Do Stansport Tents Come In?

Stansport offers tents sized from snug 1-person backpacking shelters up to massive 14+ person base camp tents. Some of the most common sizes include:

• 1-2 person – Compact and lightweight. Ideal for backpacking or motorcycle camping.
• 3-4 person – Accommodates most small families. Some models have divided rooms.
• 6 person – A popular mid-sized tent with ample space. Great for car camping.
• 8-10 person – Extra large tents to fit big groups. Multiple rooms in some.
• 12-14+ person – Giant event tents for huge gatherings. Very tall interior height.

Tent sizing is based on the number of occupants it sleeps, not the floor space. For comfort, look at tents one size up from the number of people in your group. Stansport’s roomy designs have space to spare.

How Do I Clean and Maintain a Stansport Tent?

Here are some tips to keep your Stansport tent looking and performing its best:

• Set up tents on tarps or footprints to limit exposure to dirt and abrasion.
• Use tent floor savers inside to prevent tracking in debris.
• Shake tents out thoroughly before packing up to remove sticks, leaves, and loose sediment.
• Brush off caked on mud gently with a soft brush once tent is dry.
• Sponge clean tent canopy and floor with mild soap and water. Allow to dry entirely before storing.
• Check for small tears after trips and patch with tent repair adhesive.
• Re-waterproof floor and fly periodically by applying a silicone-based tent waterproofer.
• Lubricate zippers with beeswax or silicone spray to keep them gliding smoothly.
• Check guy lines and hardware for damage. Replace components that are badly worn.
• Allow tent to air out fully between trips so moisture doesn’t become trapped inside.
• Stuff tents loosely into storage bags. Don’t force compact them.

What are the Reviews for Stansport Tents?

Stansport tents earn positive reviews for their very reasonable prices coupled with decent quality and livable size. Owners praise the straightforward setup, good ventilation, and durable construction that handles typical recreational camping well.

The polyester fabric withstands UV exposure and resists tears better than cheaper models. The fiberglass poles snap back into shape if bent instead of breaking like cheaper aluminum poles. Waterproof coatings provide good storm resistance as long as seams are properly sealed.

Minor complaints include heavier weight than premium tents, potential for condensation buildup, and some leakage during torrential rains. However overall, for the very affordable prices, reviewers feel Stansport tents deliver excellent value. They recommend them as great budget-friendly options for casual campers and families.

How Does a Stansport Tent Compare to Other Brands?

Compared to more expensive premium tent brands like Coleman, ALPS Mountaineering, and Eureka, Stansport tents are heavier and offer fewer technical features. Fabrics and components are serviceable but not top notch.

However, when rating Stansport against other discount tent brands like Ozark Trail and Sundome, Stansport consistently surpasses them in materials, construction quality, weather protection, and livability. Owners report better experiences with pole stability, rain leakage, tearing, and zipper failures.

While they can’t match the best brands overall, Stansport does beat out the general quality of other bargain tents. And they do so while maintaining very affordable prices for the casual camping market. For family campouts and occasional trips, they strike an excellent balance.

Are Stansport Tents Good for Backpacking?

While Stansport focuses more on larger car camping tents, they do offer a few lightweight backpacking models like their Scout, Cyclone, and Wilderness tents.

Their backpacking tents provide reliable 3-season shelter at very reasonable prices. The small packed size and low 5-6 pound trail weights work well for backcountry treks. They make a nice introductory tent for new backpackers watching their budgets.

That said, the materials and build quality are not optimized for ultralight hiking. Serious thru-hikers and long-distance backpackers would be better served by high-end lightweight tents from brands like Big Agnes, Nemo, MSR, and REI. But for budget weekend trips, Stansport backpacking tents deliver.

What Accessories are Compatible with Stansport Tents?

Stansport tents are designed to work with standard camping tent accessories and gear that enhance comfort, convenience and weather protection:

• Footprints – Floor savers protect tent floors from abrasion and ground moisture.
• Tent Stoves – Safely vent wood/propane tent heating stoves through stove jack flaps.
• LED Lights – Interior clip-on LED lanterns and strings of fairy lights.
• Cots – Get you up off the ground on folding/inflatable sleeping cots.
• Air Beds – More comfort sleeping on inflatable sleeping pads and mattresses.
• Shower Shelters – Attach external changing rooms with portable showers.
• Coolers – Use tie downs to secure large coolers beside tent doors.
• Generators – Hook up gas generators; some tents have cord access ports.
• Tent Fans – Clamp on battery powered fans to circulate air on hot nights.

How Many People Can Fit in a Stansport Tent?

Stansport tents usually sleep the number of people they are rated for comfortably, unlike some brands that cram in the capacity.

That said, the number of occupants affects available space for gear. For roomiest interior, go up 1-2 tent sizes bigger than number of people. Some capacity guidelines:

• 1-2 person – Maximum 2 people, very tight quarters with gear inside too.
• 3-4 person – Comfortably fits 3 adults or family of 4 with limited gear.
• 6 person – Sleeps 4-6 adults or family of 5 with room for essential gear.
• 8-10 person – Fit 8 adults or family of 6-8 with generous elbow room.
• 12-14 person – Spacious for 10+ adults or very large families; multiple rooms.

Remember kids and dogs count in capacity! Stansport’s designs maximize livability for the tent’s rated number of campers.

Does Stansport Offer Replacement Parts for Their Tents?

If a tent component like a broken pole, snapped cord, or missing stake happens to fail or get lost, Stansport does make individual replacement parts available so you can repair your tent.

You can browse and purchase replacements directly from the Stansport website. They have spare poles, stakes, guy lines, straps, loops, and other tent accessories. Match your specific tent’s components.

Replacement parts like shock corded fiberglass poles are affordably priced, generally $10-$30. This allows you to fix minor tent damage and extend its useful life instead of having to buy a whole new tent.

Contact Stansport customer service for help identifying the correct replacement part for your tent model if needed.

What is the Warranty on a Stansport Tent?

Stansport tents are backed by a limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. This warrants the original owner only for the usable lifetime of the tent.

The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, improper use that damages the tent, or deterioration from sun and weather over extended time. But manufacturing flaws and premature failure of components are covered.

Warranty service provides replacement of defective parts only, not an entirely new tent. You will need to provide proof of purchase date for any claims.

For issues that appear immediately, retailers may allow returns or exchanges. Get in touch with Stansport about warranty coverage for long term material defects.

Can I Use a Stansport Tent in Extreme Weather Conditions?

Stansport tents are designed mainly for fair weather recreational camping. They can handle occasional rain showers and moderate winds. But they do not offer the specialized construction required for extreme mountaineering, snow loading, or storm conditions.

In very heavy rainfall, high wind gusts, or snow accumulation, most Stansport tents would likely fail or sustain serious damage. Their lightweight poles and fabrics cannot withstand those forces.

For any extreme winter camping or alpine expeditions, look to higher grade 4-season tents built specifically for such conditions. Stansport tents are best suited for typical spring, summer, and fall trips in mild-to-moderate weather.

What are the Most Popular Models of Stansport Tents?

Some of Stansport’s best selling and top rated tent models that provide excellent value for budget-minded campers include:

• Stansport Scout A-Frame Tent
• Stansport McKinley Dome Tent
• Stansport Sable Dome Tent
• Stansport Pack-Lite Tent
• Stansport Double Reinforced Dome Tent
• Stansport Woodland Bungalow Tent
• Stansport Tipi Tent
• Stansport Pinecrest Cabin Tent
• Stansport Cascade Lodge Tent
• Stansport Granite Lake Dome Tent

Stansport’s roomy, affordable dome tents and extra large multi-room cabin-style tents are perfect for car camping families on a budget. Their backpacking tents offer inexpensive ultralight performance.

With so many quality tents to choose from, you’re sure to find the ideal Stansport model to suit your camping needs.

In Conclusion

We’ve just covered everything you could possibly need to know before purchasing a Stansport tent. Their tents deliver impressive bang for your buck with durable construction, generous space, and weather protection at very wallet-friendly price points. Now that you understand Stansport’s tent offerings and features, you can shop with confidence for the perfect tent.

Whether car camping with the whole family or backpacking solo, Stansport’s lineup has an affordable tent option to shelter your next outdoor adventure. Their straightforward setup and quality materials make camping hassle-free so you can focus on fun. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced tent from a trusted brand, Stansport delivers. The right tent can make all the difference on a camping trip – safe travels and happy camping in your new Stansport!