We’ve been sleeping in the Marmot Tungsten for years, through several versions and in both the 3-person and 4-person sizes, including the current 4P. (Photos show the 3P.) It’s been with us around the Rocky Mountain West, Glacier, the Pacific Northwest, and the Appalachians. The 4P is a four-person crossover tent: low, sturdy, easy to pitch, and light enough to backpack if you split the load. Four people fit. Your gear won’t.
Take me back to the family tent full guide
Best crossover tent for a family of four
Marmot Tungsten 4P
A crossover that really does fit four. Just plan to store gear outside.
Capacity: 4 | Floor: 52.7 sq ft | Vestibules: 36.6 sq ft total | Peak height: 52.8 in | Packaged weight: 9 lb 3.8 oz
Good for: Families who want a crossover tent that can sleep four and still go backpacking or into tight campsites.
Skip if: You’re a larger family that only car camps, or you want a more budget-friendly tent.
Is the Tungsten 4P waterproof?
Mostly, as long as you use the footprint. We’ve had it in plenty of rainstorms. The floor is very waterproof, but in heavy rain we’ve had a little leakage, always when we pitched it without a footprint. Good news: one comes in the box. Use it.
Where we tested the Tungsten 4P
The Tungsten has been around the block with us. We’ve slept in it in the Rocky Mountain West, Glacier National Park, the Pacific Northwest, and the Appalachian Mountains, through rainstorms, wind, and heat.
In the 4P, our whole family of four has slept in it, both of us plus Cypress (5) and Oren (2): one double sleeping bag and two single bags. It worked, though there wasn’t much room for gear, so everything else lived in the vestibules.
Tungsten 4P features that actually stood out
The design makes the most of its space. The current version runs two ridge poles across the top, which is a big part of why it feels roomier than the floor numbers suggest.
The doors are the other highlight. The fly door rolls to the side, which makes it easier for taller and bigger people to get in and out, and easy for kids to scramble in and out all day. That’s what our kids appreciated most. Setup is super easy, and it’s color-coded. Two vestibules give you room for gear and a little shade.
What doesn’t work on the Tungsten 4P
It’s a little expensive for what it is. At that price, we’d want guylines included, and they aren’t. There also aren’t enough stakes to fully guy it out even if you buy your own lines. Interior pockets are limited, which hurts livability with kids.
The fabric is a little crunchy, so you’ll hear it in the wind. And like most small tents, you’ll get some condensation. Open the vestibule doors at least partway and use the kickstand vents in the fly.
How to care for the Tungsten 4P
We couldn’t find tent-specific care instructions from Marmot, so we care for it the way we care for every tent. Never machine-wash or machine-dry it. Clean it by hand with a soft sponge, cold water, and a mild, non-detergent soap, and skip bleach and harsh cleaners. Dry it completely after every trip, and if you pack it up wet, set it up at home to dry right away. Store it loosely in a breathable bag somewhere cool and dry.
Tent care tip: Before it goes back in the bag, hit it with a leaf blower to clear loose dirt and dust. Dirt holds moisture against the fabric, which matters on a floor that already wants its footprint in heavy rain.
Does the Tungsten 4P pack down?
Yes. Compared to most big family tents, it packs down really small. With less material and smaller poles, packing it up is a breeze. It’s backpackable, but at 9 lb 3.8 oz packaged it’s on the heavy side, so split it between a couple of hikers.
Tungsten 4P sizing guide
For us, the 4P is luxurious for one to two, comfy for three, and tight for four. Four fits if you keep gear in the vestibules. You can sit up and get dressed inside, but at a 52.8-inch peak, nobody’s standing.
Who is the Tungsten 4P best for?
The Tungsten 4P is for families who want a crossover tent that actually fits four. It’s reasonably light, easy to pitch, and built from durable materials, and the door makes it genuinely kid-friendly. If you only car camp with a big family, or you want to spend less, look at a bigger or cheaper tent.
Pro tip: Buy extra stakes and a set of guylines before your first trip. You’ll need both.
How the Tungsten 4P compares to other family camping tents
| Marmot Tungsten 4P | Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 | NEMO Aurora Highrise 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $449 | $400 | $499.95 |
| Capacity | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Floor area | 52.7 sq ft | 42.5 sq ft | 83.3 sq ft |
| Vestibule area | 36.6 sq ft | 20.9 sq ft | 23.6 + 23.6 sq ft |
| Peak height | 52.8 in | 48 in | 77 in |
| Packaged weight | 9 lb 3.8 oz | 7 lb 13.7 oz | 18 lb 10 oz |
| Footprint included | Yes | Yes | No |
| Overall rating | 4.3/5.0 | 4.5/5.0 | 4.7/5.0 |
Ben Dawson
I'm Ben Dawson: dad of two, former full-time van liver, and co-author of three Falcon Guides, including Hiking with Kids: Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks. I've worked in outdoor media for more than a decade, and I've been testing gear with Roxy since 2017 as a gear reviewer and analyst. These days most of my testing happens with a kid on my back or a tent full of them. I've carried and hiked with my kids more miles than I can count, from Canada to Mexico and plenty of places in between. My rule is pretty simple: if the kid is uncomfortable, or you are, nobody's having a good time out there. I tell you what works, what doesn't, and who it's actually for.
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