Marmot Tungsten 4 Tent Evaluate

Bottom Line

The Marmot Tungsten 4 is an intriguing tent that straddles the line between car camping and backpacking. Its primary purpose is as a front-country car camping tent, but its smaller packed size and relatively low weight means it can work as a backpacking option in a pinch. Although it felt a bit cramped for our family of four, it’s a comfortable fit for two campers. The Tungsten is straightforward to pitch, even for solo campers, and packs down easily for transport.

In terms of weather resistance, it performed admirably during testing in Colorado’s mountains, handling heavy rain and even early-season snow easily. Its dome-style design and low peak height also helped it hold steady in moderate winds.

However, the tent has some drawbacks. Ventilation is poor with the rainfly attached unless the fly is fully guyed out, and unfortunately, not enough stakes are included for this setup. The interior storage, while functional with four side pockets and two ceiling “Lampshade” pockets, could benefit from a more thoughtful design.

All in all, the Tungsten 4 is a solid, versatile option for campers looking for a crossover tent that balances car camping comfort with some backpacking capability. If you’d like to explore more of our favorite tents, check out our full gear guide on the Best Camping Tents of 2024.

Comfort

The Tungsten 4 is more suitable for two campers rather than four, which is common for smaller crossover tents. That’s not to say it can’t fit four people—it can—but you’ll have no room for gear inside. Instead, you’ll need to store your gear in the two exterior vestibules. We tested the tent with two adults and two small children, and while it worked, we would have appreciated more space. Kids might theoretically take up less room, but when you factor in their collected knickknacks and treasures, they quickly occupy as much space as an adult.

For backpacking, the tight fit may not be a significant issue, but for front-country camping, two campers will find the Tungsten much more comfortable. The two vestibules, which add approximately 36 square feet of additional storage space, are helpful, but you’ll need to keep part of them clear for easy tent entry and exit.

The tent body features plenty of mesh, providing refreshing ventilation on clear nights with the fly off. However, with the rainfly deployed and the vestibule doors fully zipped, ventilation is noticeably reduced. While the single kickstand vent and fully guyed-out fly improve airflow somewhat, the tent can still feel stuffy in certain conditions.

Durability

After thorough testing, we can confidently say that the Tungsten 4 is a well-built and thoughtfully designed medium-duty tent. While Marmot doesn’t provide many specifics on the materials used, our years of outdoor experience and testing countless tents lead us to believe this tent is made with solid, durable materials. The poles are Velocity HD aluminum, which, while heavier than fiberglass, offer greater strength and longevity. The canopy and rainfly are made of Ripstop Polyester, and the floor is crafted from Taffeta Polyester. Unfortunately, the denier rating isn’t provided.

Right out of the box, the materials feel heavy-duty, and after our testing, we feel confident this tent can withstand repeated use. With proper care and maintenance, it should last for years to come.

Our main concern, if any, is the plastic clips that attach the fly to the tent body. These clips are exposed to the elements, which could potentially be a weak point. While we haven’t encountered any issues during testing, it’s something to keep in mind for long-term durability.

Weather Resistance

Marmot has been a trusted name in the outdoor industry for years, known for producing tents that are both affordable and durable. We found the Tungsten 4 to perform well in challenging weather, including extended and sometimes sideways driving rain. The rainfly has excellent coverage, and where it doesn’t fully extend, the large bathtub floor provides additional protection.

We tested the Tungsten in the Colorado mountains, where we mostly experienced classic bluebird days and cold nights. However, we did face a 36-hour stretch of heavy rain, which transitioned into graupel and eventually snow, before melting once the sun hit the tent. Despite the intense weather, we remained dry and didn’t experience any leaks.

In moderate winds, the Tungsten held up well. With the tent fully guyed out, it did appear to bend in on itself once or twice, but it never felt like a serious issue. Overall, the Tungsten 4’s weather resistance proved to be solid, offering peace of mind even in unpredictable conditions.

Ease of Setup

We found the Marmot Tungsten 4 to be incredibly easy to set up. Even when pitching it solo, we had the tent fully assembled in under eight minutes. The color-coded poles and webbing make the setup process straightforward and hassle-free. The design is modern and efficient, similar to many backpacking tents, using hooks to attach the poles to the tent body instead of the traditional pole sleeves. We prefer this method, as it eliminates the frustration of snagging the poles inside the sleeves during setup.

The lower peak height also contributes to the ease of assembly, as you don’t need to be particularly tall to attach the last clip in the center of the tent. This is a feature we really appreciated, as it avoids unnecessary stretching or awkward maneuvers.

Attaching the rainfly is also simple. The color-coded webbing and plastic clips ensure a secure fit with minimal effort, making the process quick and intuitive. Overall, the Marmot Tungsten 4 offers a user-friendly setup experience. iIt is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced campers who want a tent that’s easy to pitch and can be done quickly, even without a second person.

Features

The Tungsten 4 is relatively middle-of-the-road when it comes to features. We appreciate the color-coded poles and webbing for easy setup, and we love that the footprint is included with the tent. The two vestibules are a great addition for extra gear storage. However, we found the internal storage to be lacking.

It’s not that the Tungsten doesn’t offer any internal storage—it does—but overall, we found it less functional than it could be. If we were backpacking the interior pockets would likely suffice. However, when camping with a family, we’d like to see larger, more useful pockets. The current ones tend to sag when loaded with anything more than a headlamp and aren’t large enough to store items that a family might need, like baby wipes, diapers, or tablets.

That said, the two overhead “Lampshade” pockets are a nice touch for headlamps, as they diffuse light, but they don’t have much capacity for anything else. We’re fine using the vestibules for gear, but some campers may prefer more interior storage options.

Should You Buy the Marmot Tungsten 4 Tent?

The Marmot Tungsten 4P Tent is an excellent crossover-style option at an affordable price. It’s ideal for those who need a tent for front-country car camping but also want the flexibility for short, less intense backpacking trips without purchasing two separate tents. While it’s large enough to sleep a family of four, it may feel cramped, and if you plan to backpack, you may want to distribute the weight among a couple of hikers.

With its storm-worthy build and quality materials, the Tungsten 4P is a reliable option for those uncertain about how they’ll use their tent. If you’re specifically looking for a dedicated car-camping tent or only plan to backpack, there are better options available. However, for those seeking a versatile option that bridges both needs, the Marmot Tungsten 4P is a solid choice worth considering.

What Other Camping Tents Should You Consider?

For more options, please see our complete guide to the best camping tents.

REI Half Dome SL 3+ – The REI Half Dome SL 3+ is another crossover-style tent worth considering if you plan to camp with a group of two or three, especially if one of them is a child. The SL 3+ leans more toward the backpacking side of things. It’s $50 more expensive but significantly lighter. However, the interior is smaller than that of the Tungsten 4, so don’t expect a lot of extra room.

Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 – Again, leaning more toward the backpacking side, the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 is a lightweight, rock-solid option for groups of two looking to do more backpacking than front-country car camping.

Kelty Wireless 6 – If car camping is more your thing and you want a larger tent that still offers great weather protection at the same price point, the Kelty Wireless 6 is a fantastic option. It comfortably sleeps a family of four with plenty of room to spare.