Lawrence McLinden
Lawrence McLinden
Gear Analyst

Lawrence has been camping for over 25 years. With direct trail access to the Santa Monica Mountains, he’s no stranger to the California backcountry. He’s hike the Trans-Catalina Trail, and an eastbound thru-hike of Santa Cruz Island.

Lawrence is a lifelong avid outdoor enthusiast. Camping and backpacking are among some of his favorite outdoor activities, along with snowboarding, surfing and anything else that gets him outside or on the trail. He has always been a gearhead when it comes to outdoor equipment. He recognizes the inherent value and safety in knowing how to properly utilize and care for equipment.

Articles by Lawrence McLinden

Kelty Late Start 2 Budget Tent Review
Inside view of the Kelty Late Start 2 interior showing the mesh walls, bathtub floor and floor space. Dry patches of grass and scattered bushes in the background

Kelty Late Start 2 Budget Tent Review

Author
This model is a unique twist on the classic dome-style tent with convenient corner pockets for a quick and effortless setup. The color-coded rainfly has pre-attached guy lines that are ready to use or stow away in their individual pockets.
Spacious Budget Tent: Mountainsmith Morrison EVO 2 Review
A Mountainsmith Morrison EVO 2 tent set up in the wilderness, with pine trees, fallen logs, and large boulders in the background.

Spacious Budget Tent: Mountainsmith Morrison EVO 2 Review

Author
This is an exceptionally large 2-person, three-season tent that offers unmatched interior space and a plethora of storage options. With oversized dual doors and vestibules and eleven interior pockets including loft and door stow pockets, this tent comes stacked with great storage options and plenty of space.
Naturehike Cloud Up 2 Review
The Naturehike CloudUp 2 pitched on a hilltop, showcasing its unique profile from the rear. Rolling hills and blue sky are visible in the background.

Naturehike Cloud Up 2 Review

Author
This is a lightweight crossover tent with a Y-hub pole structure allowing for fast setup and ample tension pullouts for increased ventilation – a good choice for a smaller tent that works in the frontcountry and can even handle small treks into the backcountry.
Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout Budget Tent Review
View of the Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout with the vestibules and inner door rolled back showing a backpack and sleeping bag inside. Large rock pinnacles and desert landscape in the background.

Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout Budget Tent Review

Author
Taking inspiration from Six Moon Designs’ popular Skyscape Trekker Model, the Skyscape Scout’s features are similar, but it’s instead constructed of a more affordable 190T polyester material, making exceptional lightweight gear more accessible.
Tarptent StratoSpire 2 Budget Tent Review
The Tarptent Stratospire 2 pitched with the rainfly and one vestibule door open, revealing the inner mesh and sleeping bag inside. Desert landscape with distant mountains in the background.

Tarptent StratoSpire 2 Budget Tent Review

Author
As an ultralight non-freestanding shelter built with functionality, versatility, and comfort in mind, this tent is equipped with a plethora of features, thoughtfully designed, and constructed for an array of situations and adverse conditions.
Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Outfitter Budget Tent Review
campers at their tent site during alpenglow on the flanks of mt. hood

Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Outfitter Budget Tent Review

Author
This is a spacious two-person backpacking tent that weighs only 3.7 pounds at a very reasonable price; it is constructed of 190T polyester and 40D mesh with dual doors and vestibules and dual curved poles for increased headroom.
REI Trail Hut 2 Budget Tent Review
A tent with no fly on sits in a grassy field with a sunset in the background.

REI Trail Hut 2 Budget Tent Review

Author
This is an easy to use, compact, and dome-style tent with increased interior space from an included ridge pole.
Marmot Tungsten 2 Budget Tent Review
The Marmot Tungsten 2 pitched on pine needles among scattered rocks and pine trees.

Marmot Tungsten 2 Budget Tent Review

Author
This is an easy-to-use spacious tent with dual doors and vestibules, a color-coded assembly, pre-bent poles, and a ridge pole for extra interior space and a wider ceiling. It also features a lampshade pocket for diffused light.
Coleman Peak 1 Budget Tent Review
Inner mesh tent of the Coleman Peak 1 with rainfly off and one of the doors rolled back. Shows the interior space with a sleeping bag and rolling hills and bushes in the background.

Coleman Peak 1 Budget Tent Review

Author
Durable materials, an included footprint, and unique features that enhance your time outdoors make this tent a great go-to choice for car camping.
Testing an $80 Tent: Clostnature Polaris 2 Review
The Clostnature Polaris 2 pitched with doors open and the awning deployed and a backpack under the vestibule. Rolling mountains in the background.

Testing an $80 Tent: Clostnature Polaris 2 Review

Author
Campers looking for an affordable shelter that sets up quickly and has all of the necessary features should consider this tent. Equipped with reinforced corners and a shade awning, it has everything you need for your next outdoor adventure.
REI Half Dome SL 2+ Tent Review
Two people sit outside a yellow tent with forest, blue sky and mountains behind them.

REI Half Dome SL 2+ Tent Review

Author
This one of the absolute best value tents money can buy. It’s easy to set up, spacious, and made with high-quality materials, yet it costs significantly less than most tents in its class. We think one of the Half Dome’s best assets is its versatility – it’s large enough for car camping and light enough for backpacking.
Best Budget Tents of 2025
a man looks at an approaching storm over a wide high grass prairie

Best Budget Tents of 2025

Author
We trail-tested and thoroughly assessed the best-priced tents on the market that are high quality, comfortable, and affordable.