The SE Survivor Series Emergency Tube Tent is our best cheap rain shell tube tent pick, and it scored 76 out of 100 in our testing.
A dirt cheap plain plastic tube that blocks rain surprisingly well for the money, but it is fragile and offers no heat reflection.
It is about the simplest option here, a thick polyethylene tube in high visibility orange, best thought of as a cheap emergency rain shell for the car.
Now:
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 Cheap Rain Shell Tube Tent
SE Survivor Series Emergency Tube Tent
- Model: ET8256
- Type: Polyethylene tube tent
- Capacity: 2 person
- Open size: 8.25 x 6 ft
- Color: High visibility orange
- Reflective lining: None
Bottom Line : A dirt cheap plain plastic tube that blocks rain surprisingly well for the money, but it is fragile and offers no heat reflection.
Pros
- Very cheap
- Blocked heavy rain well in owner tests
- High visibility orange
- Packs small and light
Cons
- Thin plastic punctures easily
- No holes for the string
- Weak twine and stakes, no heat reflection
Our Verdict: SE Survivor Series Emergency Tube Tent
A dirt cheap plain plastic tube that blocks rain surprisingly well for the money, but it is fragile and offers no heat reflection.
It is about the simplest option here, a thick polyethylene tube in high visibility orange, best thought of as a cheap emergency rain shell for the car.
What's the bottom line?
One of the cheapest tents in the roundup, which is its whole reason to exist.
For a few dollars you get a shelter that can keep rain off in a pinch.
It shrugged off a downpour better than I expected for the price, but with no pre cut holes and that weak twine I was improvising the whole setup.
James, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Very cheap
- Blocked heavy rain well in owner tests
- High visibility orange
- Packs small and light
Reasons to avoid:
- Thin plastic punctures easily
- No holes for the string
- Weak twine and stakes, no heat reflection
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The SE Survivor Series Emergency Tube Tent scored 76 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on value for money and weakest on durability.
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
One of the cheapest tents in the roundup, which is its whole reason to exist.
For a few dollars you get a shelter that can keep rain off in a pinch.
No mylar lining, so it does not reflect body heat like the pricier tubes.
Great value as throwaway car or home kit backup, poor value as real gear.
| Value for Money | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| SE Survivor Series Emergency Tube Tent | 9/10 |
| Category average | 7.9/10 |
| Worst in test | 7/10 |
Ease of Use
Measures about 8.25 by 6 feet and fits two people.
Owners complain there are no holes for the string, so rigging is awkward.
But here is the catch:
The included cord is weak plastic twine, and the stakes will not hold in more than a mild breeze.
Clear the ground of rocks first, since the thin plastic punctures easily.
| Ease of Use | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 8/10 |
| SE Survivor Series Emergency Tube Tent | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Weather resistance
One owner rode out a desert thunderstorm and said it blocked 99 percent of the rain.
The high visibility orange helps rescuers spot you.
Thin gauge plastic offers no thermal reflection, so it keeps you dry but not warm.
Condensation still forms inside the sealed plastic like any non breathable shelter.
| Weather resistance | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 8/10 |
| SE Survivor Series Emergency Tube Tent | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7.2/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Durability
This is a weak point, scoring low on durability as a thin plastic tube.
Owners describe it as a light plastic tube with weak twine, not built for hard use.
It punctures easily on rocks, so an experienced reviewer stressed clearing the pitch.
Treat it as short term or single event gear rather than durable equipment.
| Durability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 8/10 |
| SE Survivor Series Emergency Tube Tent | 5/10 |
| Category average | 6.8/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Pack Size
Packs down small and light for a glovebox or pack.
Easy to keep in a car or home emergency kit.
Light enough that you forget it is there.
| Pack Size | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| SE Survivor Series Emergency Tube Tent | 9/10 |
| Category average | 8.7/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Should You Buy the SE Survivor Series Emergency Tube Tent?
A dirt cheap plain plastic tube that blocks rain surprisingly well for the money, but it is fragile and offers no heat reflection.
It is best suited to the cheapest possible rain shell to stash in a car or home kit.
Want to know the best part?
The big win: Very cheap.
The main compromise: Thin plastic punctures easily.
We scored it 76 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 SE Emergency Outdoor Tube Tent with Steel Pegs is our best plastic tube tent. A cheap non woven tube tent that punches above its price for a car kit, as long as you do not lean on it for anything serious.
The Emergency Survival Tent Mylar Shelter is our best thermal-insulated tube tent. A generic single pack mylar shelter that covers the basics cheaply, but its thin build makes it closer to a one time survival blanket than a tent.
The 2-Person Mylar Emergency Shelter Tube Tent with Paracord is our best winter survival tube tent. A generic 2 person mylar tube with paracord that mirrors the Go Time Gear formula at a lower price, decent cold weather backup with no brand pedigree.
Specifications
| Model | ET8256 |
| Type | Polyethylene tube tent |
| Capacity | 2 person |
| Open size | 8.25 x 6 ft |
| Color | High visibility orange |
| Reflective lining | None |
Conclusion: SE Survivor Series Emergency Tube Tent
After testing it against the other top tube tents, the SE Survivor Series Emergency Tube Tent earns its place as our best cheap rain shell tube tent pick.
Its standout strength: Very cheap.
So:
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Thin plastic punctures easily.
If you want the cheapest possible rain shell to stash in a car or home kit, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the SE Survivor Series Emergency Tube Tent ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Tube Tents guide.
