Best Tube Tents: Inexpensive Survival Shelters In A Pinch

By "Just In Case" Jack | Updated: 05/27/2024

Tube Tent Survival FrogToday, I’ve got some important gear to share…

In survival, you need a lightweight, compact shelter that’s easy to carry and sets up quickly.

That’s where the Tube Tent comes in.

These portable shelters can keep you both warm and dry in a pinch…

TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE…    ↓(click to jump)
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Best Tube Tents For Sale Today

Nowadays, there’s a massive selection of emergency tents on the market.

And I’ve scoured the web to find the best ones, so you don’t have to:

1. Top Recommendation
Go Time Gear Life Tent Emergency Survival Shelter

Go Time Gear has an impressive emergency shelter on the market.

It's great for survival, emergency, and overnight adventures.

The tent is made of extra-thick polyethylene.

And is puncture and tear-resistant with 28um heavy-duty mylar material.

This keeps you protected from wind, rain, and snow.

And it weighs under 9 ounces with a size of 5 1/4" x 3 1/4" when in its pouch.

You can fit two people inside, keeping you warm with a heat-reflective interior.

Set up is easy too. It comes with a 20' 550lb paracord that you run through the 8'x5' tent and attaches to anchor points 3-4' off the ground.

They even include a 120-decibel emergency whistle that carries up to 1 mile away.

Go Time Gear has world-class customer service, so they will take care of you if you have any issues with your tent.

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↓ Life Tent Survival Shelter

2.
World's Toughest Ultralight Survival Tent

This is a mighty claim, but Don't Die In The Woods can back it up.

They guarantee their ultralight survival tent is the toughest you'll find anywhere.

They use heat flex mylar, that’s more flexible and robust than the competition.

And it will withstand the harshest conditions Mother Nature can throw at it.

They also tested and designed this tent using the highest-quality materials.

So, hikers, hunters, and outdoor adventurers will be cared for, that's for sure.

A heavy-duty 425 lb. paracord is included, so it will keep your shelter secure.

Just run the 20' cord through the tent and attach it on either side.

Then anchor your tent corners with something heavy like rocks or some of your gear and roll out your sleeping bag for a warm night's sleep.

Keep this tent away from open flames, as it is not fireproof.

The kit includes paracord, and a nylon storage sack, weighing only 8.5 oz.

It's a great, reusable emergency shelter for all outdoor enthusiasts.

So, keep one in your car, a survival bag, an earthquake kit, and go-bags.

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↓ Ultralight 5X7 Survival Shelter

3.
Sharp Survival Shack Emergency Survival Shelter

This emergency tent is from Sharp Survival and will provide warmth in any weather.

The Nasa mylar thermal material is designed to return your body heat and keep you toasty all night.

Just put this kit in your backpack or prepper kit.

That way, it's ready for outdoor activities and never caught off guard.

Set up is a snap with this compact, lightweight tent.

Run your rope through the tent around 3 feet off the ground and spread out the bottom.

Then crawl in with your sleeping bag and rest in this 8'x5' Shelter.

Sharp survival offers you peace of mind.

You'll know you're protected in an emergency while in the elements.

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4.
Bearhard Emergency Sleeping Bag Bivy Sack

Bearhard has a great offering in their Tracker Series with this emergency tube tent.

They want to protect you in extreme weather conditions like:

  • Hurricanes
  • Tornadoes floods
  • And wildfires evasion

And the 100% waterproof tent works as an emergency shelter, bivy sack, and thermal blanket in one.

This makes it ideal for camping, hiking, and kayaking.

This emergency shelter is made from Nasa technology material called Mylar.

It's a reflective aluminum coating that is 0.45mm thick.

It gives you that critical 90% heat retention and is tear-resistant and waterproof.

It has a 23' paracord, metal carabiner, and four plastic stakes.

Plus, it comes with a high-decibel emergency whistle and a nylon drawstring bag.

They think of everything and include it in one multifunctional kit.

It folds to 8" x3" x3" and weighs only 0.8 lbs.

You can carry it easily in your backpack or vehicle. It also comes in 4 colors: Green, Brown, Orange, and Camo.

Just like all their products, Bearhard has a lifetime warranty.

And 24/7 customer service so you have peace of mind getting a top-quality product.

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5.
Emergency Survival Shelter Tent

Swiss Safe can answer the call with their 2-sided tent.

If you are hunting or hiding, use the woodland army green side.

Flip it over for a high-visibility orange color for more visibility and rescue.

It is an all-weather, all-year emergency shelter.

You want to cover yourself overnight in the elements as part of your survival kit and outdoor activities.

The tent fits two people and is very durable and tear-proof.

Ideal for your minimalistic camping and hiking trips.

This tent will provide wind, water, snow, and moisture cover.

This kit has everything you need to quickly set up and maintain your shelter.

And it's all packing one bag!

It includes:

  • 4'x8' Dual-Color
  • 20 ft 450-lb 8-Core Military-Grade Paracord
  • 4 - 6" Heavy Duty Spike Stakes
  • Several - 12" Tiedown Strings
  • 4 - 5" Zip Ties

Add it comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.

So, you've got no more excuses but to buy 5 or 6 for your emergency preparedness.

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6.
Survival Frog – Ready Shelter Tube Tent 2.0

We are starting with the Ready Shelter Tube from Survival Frog.

They are a top-quality company with great gear, and this tent is no different.

Their waterproof emergency shelter is a lifesaver in emergencies.

It easily fits two people and will protect them from harsh weather, including rain, snow, and even the sun. And the best part?

It can fit into your pocket!

It only weighs 7 ounces, and you can set it up in minutes.

All you must do is slide the included cord through the tent and anchor it to 2 points, and you are good to go.

The tent is 7'x5' and has an orange waterproof side.

And a HeatEcho thermal side that reflects 90% of your body heat back to you.

That will help keep you warm at night.

If it's a hot summer day, you can turn it around to keep the heat off your sleeping setup.

The nylon rope is 16', so you can find some trees to tie it up easily, and the tent is tear and puncture-resistant too.

You can reuse this tent many times, and it can be folded back up and stowed in the little orange bag it came in.

We recommend this tent for your next overnight in the wilderness.

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What’s A Tube Tent?

Tube Tent Survival FrogIt’s pretty much in the name.

It’s a long, narrow emergency shelter.

It’s made to fit 1 – 2 people, and it will lift you off the bare ground and provide cover overnight.

You need to travel light when you are escaping a crisis or invasion.

Even for camping and hunting trips, you have enough gear to worry about without adding a bulky tent.

Often, it’s not worth spending time putting up a bunch of tents, especially in survival mode.

You need a fast setup for bedding down because survival is NOT glamping!

When bugging out, you need a place to sleep and must survive the elements.

It comes packaged tightly and easily fits into a survival backpack.

Your emergency tube tent takes less than 5 minutes to set up and is pretty much idiot-proof.

Here’s how you set it up:

There are instructions in the package, but it’s not a 1000-piece Lego set.

Getting it up doesn’t require an engineering degree.

It only has two pieces: a tube of tent material and some cord.

  1. Layout the tent flat on the ground.
  2. Feed the cord through the tub. Then, tie tightly about 3 feet against any two vertical structures. For example, two trees or fence posts or whatever is around. You can even tie one end to your vehicle.
  3. Spread out the corners and weigh or anchor them down.
  4. Close off one end of the tent to keep out the weather.
  5. Lay your sleeping bag out, and you are good to go.

If you’ve packed a thermal blanket to lay underneath, that’s great.

But comfort might have to take a back seat.

It’s a quick, practical survival solution in a pinch.

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Why Should You Get A One

How To Use A Tent TubeIf you are a prepper or survivalist, it’s a no-brainer.

It’s like asking a sailor if they should get a life jacket.

An emergency tube tent is probably the most basic of tents, but that is what makes them awesome.

You want a tent that is lightweight and easy to carry.

You also want a quick setup and breakdown for fast travel.

So, who needs one?

Probably not Great Grandma.

But everyone else who likes spending time in the wilderness will.

These folks include outdoor enthusiasts, preppers, campers, and hunters.

The bottom line is:

If you’re on the move and require a fast, overnight setup for sleep, then a tent tube is right for you.

Another reason you should get one is to practice your bushcraft.

Honing your survival skills is essential before a catastrophe happens.

You want a quick, practical setup to keep you and yours out of the elements and secure overnight.

So, should you get one?

You should. 

Perhaps even several in your bags, backpacks, and your car’s trunk.

Emergency Uses

When you and your family are all tucked in safely at home, you have beds to rely on for sleeping.

But if there is a compelling reason to get out of dodge fast, you better have one for every family member.

Here are a few activities where an emergency shelter could save your life:

  • Hunting
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Backpacking
  • Bug-out situation
  • Emergency Survival
  • Remote accident
  • Prepping

It’s survival gear you may not need daily, but it’s essential when necessary.

And it doesn’t stop there.

Because they’re reasonably cheap, you can use them as a poncho or windbreaker for weather events.

It can be a great emergency blanket, too.

You can fashion them into bags to carry gear; most are bright orange, which makes them useful for signaling.

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Best Tube Tent Features To Look For

Not all emergency tents are created equal.

So look for these features:

  • Rugged polyethylene construction
  • Included paracord or similar line
  • Tent pegs
  • Fire retardant
  • Waterproof
  • Lightweight and tightly packaged
  • Simple setup

You can get yours in different colors.

But the best is bright orange, so it’s easily seen in an emergency.

OR a camo one for hunting and threat evasion.

Remember, this is an overnight shelter designed for survival and NOT for comfort.

Pros And Cons

With everything in life, there is a balance.

You must take the good with the bad, so let’s review the pros and cons:

PROS

Compact & Lightweight

It should be easy to stow in your go bags and backpacks.

It will not add any noticeable weight to your carry at all.

Quick Setup

There are no parts to assemble.

It’s as basic as possible for a fast setup so that you can get under cover quickly.

Cheap

They’re very affordable.

That way, you can buy them in multiples and have them ready for anyone who needs them.

Multi-Purpose

The primary use is for temporary shelter overnight.

But you can also fashion one into a poncho or a carry bag.

You can even use it for emergency signaling.

CONS

Not Long Lasting

They’re an inexpensive item for emergencies.

It will not stand up to years of use.

Not All Weather-Proof

Because of the design, they are open at both ends.

You can close one end up but need fresh air from the other. Water may get in during storms.

Small Size

You can fit two people, but it is better for one person and their gear.

This means if you are traveling with a family, you will need multiple.

Ultimately, you are not buying a survival shelter for high-end camping.

It is a tool in your emergency survival kit and is there to provide overnight protection when you need it.

Final Thoughts

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Now, you can confidently stock up on the best emergency tube tents for your preps.

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