Often overlooked, Portable Sauna Tents with wood burning stoves are the affordable gateway to sauna benefits, and winning over sauna and cold plunge enthusiasts around the globe. Sauna tents can be cheaper than infrared saunas, with all the health benefits of an authentic Finnish sauna. A good sauna tent offers additional conveniences and adventure that you can’t get from any other type of sauna.
Sauna Marketplace sells the best wood-fired sauna tents available in North America here.
Portable sauna tents can:
- Be transported by car, sled, boat, or backpack.
- Be set up in 20 minutes.
- Be stored on a shelf
Think sauna tents aren’t real saunas? Think again. Criteria for a true traditional sauna includes:
- Gets hot (>160f)
- Rocks
- Loyly (Steam)
- Ventilation
Sauna Tents Pass The Test!
Wood-fired portable saunas can easily reach 200° Fahrenheit inside. You can throw water on the rocks, releasing a ridiculous amount of steam. Sauna tents are very popular in Finland to bring sauna back to nature. They're the real deal!
Ultimate Guide to Sauna Tents in 2024: Marketplace Reviews & Expert Recommendations
Sauna tents have emerged as a popular choice for wellness enthusiasts seeking a portable and convenient way to enjoy the benefits of a sauna. It's the clear choice for anyone looking for the full benefits of sauna on a budget, but it's also the best choice for transient people, renters, and adventurers who want to bring the heat into nature.
With the market flooded with options, it's crucial to make an informed decision when selecting a sauna tent. This guide offers an unbiased review of the best sauna tents in 2024, helping you choose a product that suits your needs and ensures a safe and enjoyable sauna experience.
What Makes a Top-Quality Sauna Tent?
A top-quality sauna tent is defined by its durability, safety features, and user-friendly design. When selecting a sauna tent, look for sturdy construction, heat-resistant materials that won't off-gas, and adequate ventilation. Safety should be your top priority, as inferior quality tents and stoves can pose significant risks.
This is especially true with imported sauna tents and stoves from China from websites like Alibaba and AliExpress. Sure, you can save a few bucks but there's a good chance you're buying defect models.
We tested a cheap Chinese sauna tent for testing purposes but it smelled like you were in the inside of a tire. We couldn't even complete our tests.
Sauna tents are ideal for:
- Winter campers – Cold weather camping provides solitude and beauty fair weather campers miss. It is also extremely enjoyable to warm up by a fire and let the hot rocks maintain a nice temperature while you sleep.
- Athletes – nothing beats a sauna after an activity like nordic skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, or hockey game. Added bonus: frequent sauna use will increase muscle mass and improve endurance.
- Renters – Many people can’t build permanent outdoor saunas because they don’t own the land or there are some building restrictions. Mobile sauna tents can be set up for weeks at a time in the backyard and are outside of building inspectors authority. Worse case scenario – you can take it down and set it up again later.
Our Quick Picks
We believe the best sauna tent is the new Nova 4 and Nova 6 models from North Shore Sauna.
The best sauna tent stove is either the North Shore Stove (now available in stainless steel!) or the Overland Superlite Stove which is made in the USA.
How We Got Here
Wood-burning sauna tents like Mobiba and Morzh have been popular for years, especially with adventurers, extreme heat lovers, and athletes looking for an edge. Unfortunately for these Russian companies, their government invaded another sauna-loving country just as the sauna tent movement started to take off.
Even if you could source Russian Sauna Tents, new sanctions make it unclear if they’d get held up at the border. Worse, it’s become impossible to tell which Mobiba and Morzh brands are authentic, if any. They are now sold by third parties, with plenty of stories of scams and misrepresented products. You have to assume they are cheap knock-offs or illegally sourced from Russia.
So with the Russian sauna tents from Mobiba and Morzh tents impossible to safely buy, there was a vacuum in the market. That vacuum has now been flooded with new sauna tent companies, many looking to cash in on the trend.
North Americans now have a choice of similar-looking sauna tents. SweatTents, North Shore Prism (sold on Sauna Marketplace), Backwoods Glamping, Overland, Stokeyard Outfitters, and others have entered the market.
The initial reviews are in, and the skepticism was warranted for several of these startup companies. Remember, Indiegogo, Crowdfunder, and other crowdfunding websites don’t always deliver (to say the least).
It didn’t go well for many of us early sauna tent seekers. There are reports of shady business practices, sauna stoves melting, loose pipes, water leaking into fireboxes, and smoke leaking into tents from companies trying to cash in on the trend. We can say firsthand that some of these sauna tents were downright scary.
Luckily, it’s become clear which companies you can trust and who to avoid. To get a safe, durable sauna tent that delivers the health benefits associated with authentic Finnish sauna, integrity matters. We hope to shine light on those companies who have repeatedly done the right thing for their customers.
Why trust us?
Fair question. We sell sauna tents on this website, so wouldn’t we recommend our products? Absolutely, but we chose to work with these companies after plenty of first-hand testing and research. We bought a lot of junk so you don’t have to.
We were among the first customers of some of these companies when their sauna tents arrived.
Our team at Sauna Marketplace has had sauna tents set up at home and in our vehicles since November 2022.
Our sister company, SaunaShare.com has seen sauna tent rental companies come and go. The ones offering the models we sell have proven themselves durable enough for the rental market.
The bottom line? At Sauna Marketplace, we sell what we recommend, not the other way around.
Navigating The Market, and Avoiding Dangerous Junk
The sauna tents from SweatTents, Ox Sweat Tent, North Shore Sauna, Stokeyard Outfitters, Backwoods Glamping (Out of Business), Overland, FireFly, Hyfe, and aftermarket Chinese companies look VERY similar.
Like Morzh, they are essentially modified ice fishing tents. But what you can’t tell from pictures is the quality of the poles, zipper, and windows. Some companies cheap out in these areas. Suppose you buy a sauna tent direct from a Chinese manufacturer on Alibaba or AliExpress.
In that case, there’s a very high likelihood you are buying the version 1 prototype from one of the companies above. Expect off-gassing, broken zippers, and cracking windows if it gets cold enough.
And we wouldn’t recommend buying a standard ice fishing tent and modifying it (yes, we tried that too...)
It comes down to integrity.
Every new sauna tent company had some distribution and design challenges in the early days. Many stood by their products and eventually did the right thing. A couple became legends in the sauna community for going above and beyond.
We've seen North Shore Sauna, in particular, offer to do things like drive across the county to make sure a customer had their sauna in time for an event when their shipment was held up. They've made serviceability a key part of their product design so if a stove panel is damaged, for example, it can be replaced.
#1 - North Shore Sauna
NOTE: We have had the Prism since 2022, and love it, but we believe the North Shore Nova 4 and Nova 6 are significant upgrades to our favorite sauna tent. We are doing thorough testing and reviews now. Here's our Prism review:
Leading the American market in providing high-quality sauna tents, North Shore Sauna, based in Duluth, Minnesota, offers the unrivaled Prism Sauna Tent. A beacon of quality for the sauna tent community, North Shore’s Prism has won accolades from satisfied customers and the ‘International Disciples of Sauna Tent,’ an unaffiliated forum for sauna tent enthusiasts with over 2,000 members.
Unboxing and setting up the Prism Sauna Tent is an effortless 20-minute task.
One of the standout features of North Shore is the Prism Sauna Tent Stove. We haven’t seen any debate that this is the best sauna tent stove on the market. This tent stove surpasses the Morzh Intent sauna stove, making it a clear winner in terms of performance. Customers also have the option to buy a portable cedar sauna bench, a sturdy, foldable item that is perfect for the sauna tent setup.
The Prism Sauna Tent, now shipping with Version 2 upgrades, including a free rain fly and v2 stove, ready for users to experience the therapeutic benefits of a sauna amidst nature. Its lightweight construction, affordability, and superior performance make it the preferred choice.
On SaunaMarketplace.com, the Prism Sauna Tent receives only positive reviews for its roomy interior, thoughtful design, and easy setup process. The customer service is often praised, demonstrating North Shore Sauna’s experience and desire to get the product right. We’ve seen this first hand, with replacement parts rushed at the first sign of an issue.
Whether set up in the backyard or taken along for an adventure, the Prism Sauna Tent offers an authentic sauna experience anywhere, anytime.
Our team has been using the North Shore Sauna tents since December and have little doubt it’s the best sauna tent on the market. You can buy a Prism Sauna Tent here or the larger DOME model here.
#2 Overland Sauna Tent Reviews
Like several sauna tent companies, Overland got off to a rough start. Word got around fast about serious issue with their stove.
We're happy to report they fixed the problem, made things right with their customers, and are now shipping one of the best sauna tent stoves on the market.
It's made in America, and super lightweight making it the best choice for camping, canoeing, and biking with your sauna tent.
They're also one of the best companies at keeping sauna tents and stoves in stock through the annual fluctuations of sales.
Check out the incredible Overland Superlite Sauna Stove here.
The also have a comparable tent to the Prism, available here.
#3 Arctinar Sauna Tents
This highly-regarded Finnish company, Arctinar has been selling the best sauna tents in Europe for years. They are not a Morzh design like North Shore, but a boxy event tent style. Great for larger public sauna events or winter camp. You may have also seen these tents as part of SaunaAid in Ukraine, where these sauna tents were sent to the troops and refugees.
Arctinar sauna tents from Finland were briefly available in North America. You may be able to buy them here. Otherwise a great alternative is the North Shore DOME sauna tent for those who need a large outdoor sauna tent.
#4 Snowtrekker Sauna Tent Reviews
Dimensions: 73″x91x53″ (sidewall)
Snowtrekker is one of the world’s most respected backwoods winter camping companies. Based in Viroqua, Wisconsin, Snowtrekker released their Sauna Tents in 2022 to lukewarm reception in the sauna tent community. The tent is actually manufactured by Stormy Kromer in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (known for their Yooper Hats).
The tent hasn't caught on with the community for various reasons. Portability, and pricing are significant barriers. For the price, you can actually buy a sauna kit making it a tough sale.
That said, they make a good tent!
First, it’s important to note that the Snowtrekker sauna tent is in a different category than the new entrants. This is a larger, ‘basecamp’ style of sauna tent that may be better for events or long term deployments.
That said, the value proposition is confusing and it’s not portable. In fact, we’re not exactly sure what you’re buying with the $4,200 sauna tent. They recommend you build your own structure from a hardware store.
The Snowtrekker sauna stove is affordable at $590 but doesn’t seem portable. The door is not made for a public sauna’s constant coming and going.
So, essentially you are buying the fabric for $4,200 and building your own sauna structure. Or $4,500 with the frame. Or $5,100 with the stove. We love Snowtrekker but are afraid they will have a hard time in this price range for what they are offering.
We got to experience one at the Winter Carnival last week, but await more Snowtrekker Sauna Reviews…
#5 Stokeyard Outfitters Sauna Tent Reviews
Stokeyard saunas is a sauna company in Minnesota well known for their sauna events at the Hewing Hotel. They briefly released a sauna tent similar to the Prism Sauna Tent, that was available for rent in Minneapolis.
Their first stove apparently had some issues but we thought Stokeyard could be trusted to make things right. Last we heard, they liquidated the remaining V1 Stokeyard sauna tents and stoves and will be relaunching under a new brand.
Update: Stokeyard is no more.
NOT RECOMMENDED AT THE MOMENT
Sweat Tent Reviews
Sweat Tent was the most aggressive advertiser and the least known in the sauna tent community. They have been repeatedly called out on the Sauna Tent Disciples Facebook page as ‘Unseemly’ and ‘Not to be trusted’. Candid feedback from unhappy Sweat Tent customers can be found on the Sauna Disciples Facebook page.
The conclusion is that Sweat Tent has some fantastic marketing but that’s where the positivity ends.
The tents are similar in quality, but the stoves are suspect. Sweat Tent was an Indiegogo company, which means if they fail, you may not get your money back. We truly hope it works out for Sweat Tent customers, but if you still have a chance, some restraint may be in order based on the horror stories we are hearing.
According to customers, the top flap seems designed to burn off, risking the entire tent engulfing in flames.
In addition, Sweat Tent has bullied other sauna tent companies and had highly questionable business practices. Based on Sweat Tent Reviews and first-hand experiences, we recommend avoiding Sweat Tent Saunas.
Disappointing Turn With Backwoods Sauna Tent
We had high hopes for Backwoods Glamping based on its similar stove design to the highly respected North Shore Stove, and past customer experiences. Unfortunately, the company has recently taken a nosedive regarding customer service and communication.
The Founder/Owner has been unresponsive to customer inquiries for weeks, with some speculating that the company may be facing bankruptcy. The lack of communication and transparency from the company is disheartening and frustrating.
Customers have reported that they were told to file claims with their credit card companies to recover their money after the company failed to deliver on their promises. This approach is highly unprofessional and disappointing coming from a once highly regarded company.
Although some customers had positive experiences with Backwoods Glamping in the past, the current situation seems dire. The company’s inability to obtain tents or stoves has led to speculation that they may be quitting the business altogether.
Additionally, there have been discussions about the quality and safety of their products, specifically regarding the rubber stove pipe jacks. Some customers have expressed concerns about their compatibility with single-walled pipes and the potential for leakage.
In conclusion, we can no longer recommend Backwoods Glamping based on its recent decline in customer service, communication, and product quality. It is a shame that a once-promising company has disappointed many customers. I hope they can turn things around, but until then, we would advise others to seek alternative sauna tent options. North Shore is now shipping to Canada to help the situation.
Best Morzh Alternatives in the US
So where does that leave us? Morzh sauna tents are impossible to get, and many of the best sauna tents keep selling out. The best bet is to stick with reputible companies run by people who have proven they strive for quality and take care of customers.
Beware of companies liquidating their stock and going out of business. It appears half of them are.
The best option for a small sauna tent, based on reviews and our experience, is PRISM. North Shore also has the best sauna tent stove (there’s no debate there), and the DOME is promising for those looking for a larger tent.
We’ve had the PRISM set up at Sauna Marketplace HQ for 8 months and are happy to answer any questions. Please reach out if there’s anything we can help with.
The Sauna Tent Experience
When you get the tent and stove right, you'll have the ultimate health tool at your fingertips for years to come. You'll see winter in a whole new light.
FAQ
Good wood burning sauna tents are ready to go within 30 minutes of starting the fire. There is some skill involved, and good firewood helps. Use a torch or firestarter as a cheater 😉
20 minutes is a common. Some sauna tents, like the Prism by North Shore Sauna can be set up faster than a regular camping tent.
Unlike the infomercial “sauna tents” that are used in living rooms, wood-burning sauna tents are authentic saunas that likely provide all the health benefits of traditional Finnish Saunas, including cardiovascular, endurance, stress relief, sleep, and skin health benefits.
The biggest factor keeping sauna tents from wide adoption is fear they won’t get hot enough, but good sauna tents have no problem reaching temperatures above 180 degrees F in the middle of winter.
They can weigh as little as 55 pounds and fit in the trunk of a car.
Most sauna tents are portable enough to fit in the trunk of a car – with the chimney stored inside the wood stove. You wouldn’t want to carry them by hand very far, like backpacking. If you are hiking far, you may want to use a cart. You can easily transport a sauna tent in a canoe.
Sauna tents get the job done without the price tag of a traditional Finnish Sauna.
The convenience and affordability of sauna tents makes them the perfect choice for anyone looking to enjoy the benefits of sauna without the expensive price tag. With its ability to be transported and set up quickly, a sauna tent is a great choice for anyone looking to take the sauna experience on the go. Check out our selection of the best sauna tents on the market today.
In conclusion, sauna tents are a great way to bring the sauna experience with you anywhere you go. They are easy to transport, set up, and store, and offer the same benefits of a traditional sauna. With our selection of the best sauna tents on the market, you can easily find one that suits your needs on Sauna Marketplace. Let the adventures begin.
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