Browning Camping Glacier Tent : Definitive Review (2024)
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This is the Ultimate TopNotch Browning Camping Glacier Tent Review.
Want to know what makes one of the best tents on the market?
Here’s a clue…
It’s a 3 season, 4 person tent that’s lighter than most wall tents on the market, but still packs the same punch.
It also has a large vestibule at the entrance of the tent created by the rainfly, meshed windows to keep those pesky bugs out and let a good breeze flowing in.
If it’s the Browning Glacier Tent you’ve instantly thought of…… You’re absolutely correct!
After field-testing the top tents on the market, we narrowed the list down to bring our readers only the Best 10 Wall Tents.
We were so impressed with the Browning Glacier Tent that we did a whole in-depth review on it.
We’ll cover:
- How we tested this product ….yep, we’ve done all the hard work for you
- How easy it is to set up
- What to expect in different weather conditions
- Lots more…
So if you want the low down on the pros and cons of the Browning tent, you’ll love this guide.
What are you waiting for?
Let’s go.
Best Wall Tent On The Market – Browning Tent
Glacier Four Person Tent
- Dimensions: 72” x 96” x 108” (Center height 6 inches)
- Weight: 19 lb 4 ounces
- Living Capacity: 4
- Waterproof: Yes
- Manufacturer: Browning Camping
Bottom Line : An excellent and easy- to-pitch wall tent with many user-friendly features
Pros
- Lightweight
- Roof vents
- Easy to pitch
- Gear loft
Cons
- Needs a lot of tent pegs
- Groundsheet doesn’t cover the entire floor
Our Verdict:
Browning Camping Glacier Tent
Okay, let’s cut to the chase. We’ve said some good things about this Browning shelter already and honetly, it’s really quite groundbreaking.
But what aren’t we big fans of?
For starters, a wall tent is a home away from home. That’s why what we’re looking for is the homey comfort in a wall tent that most camping tents can’t provide.
So we were disappointed to find that this version doesn’t come with a groundsheet. We;;, you can have one but they come separately sold.
Because this shelter is especially lightweight, you can always invest in an extra groundsheet.
But in our eyes, it sort of defeats the purpose of keeping the camping trip as light as possible.
The other drawback that we picked up, especially when we considered ease of use for those breaking into the camping lifestyle for the first time, is the number of tent pegs needed to secure the Browning Glacier.
Again, it defeats the term “Freestanding” which this glacier tent purports to be.
Ok, we’re probably being a bit unfair….
It’s actually the versatile full coverage fly that needs the pegging down the most, but technically, the tent structure itself is freestanding.
We also like to give things a positive spin, so look at it this way – The more ties you have to stake your tent down with, the more secure the overall structure is. This comes very handy in rough weather conditions.
And that’s where the cons stop for us…
… because we’re loving pretty much everything else about this four person tent from the get go.
Things like roof vents and meshed windows for good ventilation are top priorities. And having large vestibules for extra storage is always a huge plus.
The Browning Tent’s large doors came as a huge relief too….we’ve had our share of strained backs and bruised knees from the amount of tents we’ve had to literally BEND to crawl into.
But that’s not all…
Inside, the Browning even comes with storage pockets and a handy gear loft for storing light equipment up high.
Want to know more?
Keep reading to find out how this gear matched up to the competition and how we tested it to prove its worth.
Related: 10 Best Wall Tents
Analysis Comparisons and Test Results
Performance Comparison
1. Livability
Want to make your camping experience feel like home? The Browning can help with that.
However, while you can take it out on most camping trips, don’t expect five-star living, or probably even three.
Like I’ve mentioned, this shelter is really an introductory product for those who want to keep camping simple but might consider graduating to the big dogs of Wall Tent camping later on.
So what can you do with it?
As a 3 season tent, you can spend the night comfortably in cold to moderate weather. The inner space allows you to lay out an air mattress or two or a couple of sleeping bags.
While the Browning Glacier does not have a stove jack, you can, however, find ways to insulate your tent, or invest in a tent heater.
By the way, we found out first hand that this tent only has one vestibule and not the two large vestibules other reviews told us.
But that’s okay. One vestibule is plenty!
Oh and one last thing…
This tent gives occupants great privacy….interrupt it as you wish.
Livability
2. Weather Resistance
When compared with the other tents in our Top Ten, the competition was tough. The Browning Glacier sits at a 7/10 on this metric.
But we have this to say about its weather resistance….
First of all, the rain-fly is made from a 75D 210T polyester that resists harsh UV damage, ensuring that the color doesn’t fade off fast.
It also kept us nice and dry in moderate rain. We wouldn’t put much faith in this tent under heavy downpour though.
Additionally, you will find that the fly and floor seams are sealed to give you added protection against leaks.
And last but not least….
We’re still raving about how large and easy it is to use the #10 zippers. You can find them on the vestibule and doors.
The zippers also come with fully sealed seams to resist leaks that heavy rain can cause.
What’s cooler?
The zips are also designed to withstand frequent use.
Weather Resistance
3. Value For Money
We considered a few things when it came to the value for money test.
First up…
We wanted to know how long we could keep and reuse this camping shelter. We also looked at its distinctive features; The more the merrier.
But there is one important criterion we’ve learned to be eagle-eyed about…
We checked to see if there were additional parts that were needed for the setup…. or missing parts altogether.
We’ve had several instances when we had to buy an extra guy line because the ones that came in the pack were too short.
There was also this one time we purchased a tent with stakes as strong as straws and had to buy a whole set of sturdy aluminum ones to replace them.
And we can’t count the times we put so much trust in the manufacturer’s claims about quality floors only to wake up damp and cranky in the middle of the night from moisture that leaked in.
Okay, so you get the point.
That’s why we don’t want those disappointing experiences for you.
This is the tent that we can confidently recommend. The materials are of high quality. The design is well thought out. It’s worth the buck for the buyer.
Value For Money
4. Durability
We’ve lost count of the exact number of times we’ve taken this Browning tent out on the trail in different sorts of weather. And we can still say that it has several more good years ahead of it.
Some of the reasons this product ranked highly in this metric were because of its great packaging, sealed seams, aluminum pegs, and pole system and quality tent material.
These all work together to ensure great durability!
Now that’s impressive, considering there’s a lot of other great competition from the other canvas tents!
Packed Size Rating
5. Ease Of Use
It takes only one person to pitch this shelter.
To cut the time in half, get an extra person to help you out, especially when securing the tent poles.
We decided to give this metric a rating of 9, just one point away from a perfect 10.
Why?
Because the tent was so light, one tester alone found it tricky to set it up.
It was particularly windy that day and the outer fly wanted to make like Carpet and fly off into the air singing A Whole New World.
But as the saying goes, two heads are better than one. Or in this case, two pairs of hands.
What’s more…
…attaching the tent to the poles is as easy as ABC.
There are clips that run along the curve of the front and back end of the tent. Just clip those onto the tent poles as well as the center clip that’s attached where the poles intersect, and you’re good to go.
Packing this 4-person tent is even simpler and not a hassle like how larger canvas tents can be.
Ease of Use
6. Versatility
We love the versatility of this Browning Glacier four person tent. For instance if it rains, simply put the rain-fly on and stay dry.
If it doesn’t and you don’t need extra room for storage, you can keep it off.
Secondly, you can unzip the two large zippered mesh windows at the bottom of the tent and the ceiling vent to get a good cross breeze going while keeping the bugs out.
But that’s not all…
The floor, with an area of 8′ x 9′ is made of strong 210D Polyester Oxford Floor with 2000mm Coating. This means you can lay it over most surfaces and it won’t allow moisture to seep through.
That’s why for this metric – the Browning Glacier easily takes the top spot!
Ease of Use
Our Final Verdict:
Browning Glacier 4-Person Tent
After taking everything into consideration, the Browning Glacier Tent took takes a well-deserved fourth position in our overall chart.
This is an impressive feat for a polyester tent, up against canvas tents that are known to be the toughest ones in the market.
Its versatility, ease of use, and livability are why we recommend this shelter as great training wheels for those just getting themselves familiar with larger canvas tents or for the non-glamper who’d still appreciate comfort and security in the great outdoors.
Our Final Verdict Rating
Conclusion:
Browning Glacier 4-Person Tent
Congratulations!
You’ve successfully reached the end of our in-depth look at the Browning Glacier. Thanks for bearing with us.
This comprehensive review covered everything from the pros and cons of this gear, what to expect in all weather conditions, to the distinctive features like large zippers and ceiling vents.
We hope that the easy set up will put your nerves at ease, if these are the things that are holding you back from enjoying a TopNotch adventure.
With that said…
…we also hope some of your uncertainties were clarified, like if this is really a wall tent. Basically, wall tents have four vertical walls and are usually made of canvas.
But we’ll never tire of reiterating that the Browning is a great leeway into the larger canvas tents and easier on the pockets, too.
You can get the best of having a wall tent experience but at a reduced price!
So, whether you’re heading out on a hike, a fishing trip, or even car camping and you’re still undecided about what tent to take along – why not a Browning?
Other Versions
Browning Camping Big Horn Tent
If you like to go hard and go big….or maybe you just have a large family, then you might find your cup of tea in the Browning Camping Big Horn Tent.
This is a 5 person tent with two rooms created by a wall divider. Floor plans indicate that 8 persons in sleeping bags can fit in the floor space if you want to make use of every available inch.
There is ample space that no extra vestibules are needed and two large doors give you easy access to its homely interior.
It has a base measurement of 10′ x 15′ and a center height of a little more than 7’….we dare you to do a handstand in this tent!
Related: 10 Best Wall Tents
