The Go Time Gear Life Tent Survival Shelter is our best emergency tube tent pick, and it scored 88 out of 100 in our testing.
A well rounded emergency mylar shelter for a bug out bag, but treat it as a one storm survival tool, not a camping tent.
It is a tube of PET mylar you string between two trees to trap body heat in a survival situation, and it does that job better than most rivals here while packing to the size of a soda can.
Here's the deal:
We tested it head to head against the other top tube tents, and below we break down how it did on Value for Money, Ease of Use, Weather resistance, Durability, Pack Size, where it falls short, and whether it is worth your money.
Table of Contents
Best Emergency Tube Tent
Go Time Gear Life Tent Survival Shelter
- Type: Mylar tube tent
- Capacity: 2 person
- Weight: about 8.7 oz
- Packed size: 5.25 x 3.25 in
- Open size: 8 x 5 ft
- Paracord: 20 ft, 550lb core
- Extras: 120 dB whistle
Bottom Line : A well rounded emergency mylar shelter for a bug out bag, but treat it as a one storm survival tool, not a camping tent.
Pros
- Packs tiny and weighs under 9 oz
- Reflects about 90 percent of body heat
- Includes whistle and 550lb paracord
- Bright orange aids rescue visibility
Cons
- Cord not pre threaded, fiddly in cold
- Thin mylar tears and needs a cleared pitch
- Condensation soaks the inside
Our Verdict: Go Time Gear Life Tent Survival Shelter
A well rounded emergency mylar shelter for a bug out bag, but treat it as a one storm survival tool, not a camping tent.
It is a tube of PET mylar you string between two trees to trap body heat in a survival situation, and it does that job better than most rivals here while packing to the size of a soda can.
What's the bottom line?
Packs into a 5.25 by 3.25 inch nylon stuff sack.
Listed weight is about 8.7 ounces, light enough to forget it is in the bag.
I trust it in my go bag because it packs to nothing and the mylar really does hold heat, but the first time I pitched it I was cursing at the un threaded cord in the wind.
Ryan, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Packs tiny and weighs under 9 oz
- Reflects about 90 percent of body heat
- Includes whistle and 550lb paracord
- Bright orange aids rescue visibility
Reasons to avoid:
- Cord not pre threaded, fiddly in cold
- Thin mylar tears and needs a cleared pitch
- Condensation soaks the inside
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The Go Time Gear Life Tent Survival Shelter scored 88 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on pack size and weakest on weather resistance.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Value for Money
Sits in the mid price band for this category, above the bare plastic SE tents but below premium survival kits.
You are paying for the accessory bundle as much as the shelter: a 120 decibel whistle and 20 feet of 550lb nylon core paracord are included.
Owners who keep it sealed in the bag as insurance report good value, since one real cold night justifies the cost.
Reviewers who used it as a repeat camping tent felt short changed, because the thin mylar is not built for that.
| Value for Money | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Go Time Gear Life Tent Survival Shelter | 8/10 |
| Category average | 7.9/10 |
| Worst in test | 7/10 |
Ease of Use
Setup is manual: thread the paracord through both open ends, tie 3 to 4 feet up between two anchors, then weight the corners with rocks or gear.
Several owners complained the cord is not pre threaded, so you can end up punching holes to feed it through in a hurry.
You might be wondering:
One reviewer said threading it with cold fingers in bad weather took roughly half an hour, the worst time to be fiddling.
No stakes are included in this configuration, so you supply your own anchors.
| Ease of Use | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 8/10 |
| Go Time Gear Life Tent Survival Shelter | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Weather resistance
The mylar reflects about 90 percent of body heat, which is the main point of the shelter in cold conditions.
Both ends are open, so wind blows straight through unless you rig and weight them down carefully.
Like every mylar shelter here it is condensation prone: sealed up and warm, moisture collects on the inside walls and can leave you damp.
It blocks rain and wind as a barrier but is not a sealed, ventilated tent, so expect a clammy interior.
| Weather resistance | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 8/10 |
| Go Time Gear Life Tent Survival Shelter | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7.2/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Durability
The PET mylar is thicker and more puncture resistant than a basic space blanket, but it still tears if snagged or pitched over rocks.
Clear an area of sharp debris before setup, since a puncture in the field is hard to patch.
Owners describe it as reusable for a handful of pitches if handled gently, not a season of hard use.
The 550lb paracord and whistle outlast the shelter body itself.
| Durability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 8/10 |
| Go Time Gear Life Tent Survival Shelter | 8/10 |
| Category average | 6.8/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Pack Size
Packs into a 5.25 by 3.25 inch nylon stuff sack.
Listed weight is about 8.7 ounces, light enough to forget it is in the bag.
Small and flat enough for a car kit, day pack, or bug out bag without stealing real space.
| Pack Size | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Go Time Gear Life Tent Survival Shelter | 9/10 |
| Category average | 8.7/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Should You Buy the Go Time Gear Life Tent Survival Shelter?
A well rounded emergency mylar shelter for a bug out bag, but treat it as a one storm survival tool, not a camping tent.
It is best suited to bug out bags and car kits where a survival shelter needs to disappear until you need it.
Want to know the best part?
The big win: Packs tiny and weighs under 9 oz.
The main compromise: Cord not pre threaded, fiddly in cold.
We scored it 88 out of 100.
What Other Tube Tents Should You Consider?
Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.
The Go Time Gear Ultralight Mylar Survival Tent is our best 2-person tube tent. Go Time Gear's lighter, stripped down mylar tube, excellent for two people who want maximum packability from a proven brand.
The Don't Die In The Woods Survival Tent is our best survival tent. The most trustworthy reusable mylar shelter here, worth the premium if you want one that survives more than a single pitch.
The SURVIVE Survival Tent with Doors is our best tube tent with doors. The closable doors make it warmer and less drafty than open tube designs, at a small cost in pack size and weight.
Specifications
| Type | Mylar tube tent |
| Capacity | 2 person |
| Weight | about 8.7 oz |
| Packed size | 5.25 x 3.25 in |
| Open size | 8 x 5 ft |
| Paracord | 20 ft, 550lb core |
| Extras | 120 dB whistle |
Conclusion: Go Time Gear Life Tent Survival Shelter
After testing it against the other top tube tents, the Go Time Gear Life Tent Survival Shelter earns its place as our best emergency tube tent pick.
Its standout strength: Packs tiny and weighs under 9 oz.
So:
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Cord not pre threaded, fiddly in cold.
If you want bug out bags and car kits where a survival shelter needs to disappear until you need it, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the Go Time Gear Life Tent Survival Shelter ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Tube Tents guide.
