Most “instant tents” are flimsy toys. They use thin poles, plastic knuckles that snap in the cold, and fabrics that tear if you look at them wrong. I’ve tested dozens of them, from the budget-friendly Core 9 Person Instant Cabin to cheap knock-offs that collapsed in a stiff breeze.
But then there is the Gazelle T4 Hub Tent.
This isn’t just an instant tent; it’s a fortress that pops up in 90 seconds. It uses a completely different mechanism, a hub system borrowed from the hunting blind industry, to create a structure that is incredibly rigid and spacious. It has gained a cult following among Overlanders (people who camp out of their 4x4s) because it combines the durability of a canvas tent with the speed of a pop-up.
I recently took the Gazelle T4 tent into the high desert to see if it lives up to the hype. Is it worth the premium price tag? And is it really as fast as they claim?
In this comprehensive Gazelle T4 Hub Tent review, I’m going to break down the “hub” technology, the unique removable floor, and why this might be the last car camping tent you ever buy.
The Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
The Verdict: The Gazelle T4 Hub Tent is the undisputed king of heavy-duty instant tents. It sets up faster than any pole tent on the market and offers true standing height with vertical walls. The 210D Oxford fabric is twice as thick as standard tents. It is built like a tank.
- Weather Resistance: 4.8 / 5
- Ease of Setup: 5 / 5
- Livability/Space: 5 / 5
- Durability: 5 / 5
- Value for Money: 4.5 / 5
4.8
Overall Score
The Catch: It is huge when packed. The bag is nearly 6 feet long (68 inches). It will not fit in the trunk of a sedan. You need a roof rack, a truck bed, or folded-down seats to transport it. If you have the vehicle space, buy it. If you drive a Honda Civic, do not buy this.
Pros
✓ True 90-Second Setup: No poles to thread. You just pull the hubs on the walls and roof, and it pops into shape.
✓ Vertical Walls: The cube shape means the walls actually bow outward, giving you massive shoulder room.
✓ Heavy Duty Fabric: 210 Denier Oxford Polyester is significantly tougher than the 68D used by Coleman.
✓ Removable Floor: The entire floor un-velcros for easy shaking out and cleaning (a rare feature!).
✓ YKK Zippers: Beefy, reliable zippers that don’t snag.
✓ Standing Height: 78 inches (6.5 feet) of headroom means no crouching for almost anyone.
Cons
✕ Packed Length: At 68 inches long, it is a logistical nightmare to transport in small car
✕ Weight: At 30 lbs, it is heavy. Strictly for vehicle-based camping.
✕ Door Shape: The D-shaped doors are a bit tight. You have to step high to get over the threshold.
✕ Single Wall Hybrid: The rainfly is only for the roof. The walls are single-layer (waterproof but can get condensation).
✕ Price: It costs 3x-4x more than a standard dome tent.
Technical Specifications
The specs here tell a story of durability over portability. The Gazelle T4 tent is not a hiking tent, it is a mobile cabin.
| Feature | Specification | Real-World Take |
|---|---|---|
| Floor Dimensions | 94″ x 94″ (approx 8×8 ft) | Fits 4 people on pads, or a Queen bed + cots. Ideally for 2-3 people. |
| Center Height | 78 inches (6.5 ft) | Massive headroom. You can walk around freely. |
| Weight | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) | Heavy, but manageable with the sturdy carry bag handles. |
| Fabric (Shell) | 210D Oxford Polyester | Thick, rugged, and feels like canvas. Waterproof rating 2000MM. |
| Floor Material | 300D Oxford Polyester | The removable floor is tough, but I still recommend a footprint for longevity. |
| Zippers | YKK Zippers | The gold standard. Smooth operation, no snags. |
| Setup Time | Claim: 90 Seconds | Reality: 60-90 seconds. It is genuinely that fast. |
| Windows | 6 Mesh Windows | Excellent panoramic views and cross-ventilation. |
| Packed Size | 8″ x 8″ x 67.5″ | WARNING: Measure your vehicle before buying. It is a long tube. |
| Door | 2 D-Shaped Doors | Includes screen and privacy panels. |
The Hub Technology: Why It Wins
Most tents rely on flexible poles that bend to create tension. The Gazelle T4 Hub Tent works differently. It uses a rigid X-frame on each of the four walls and the roof.
When collapsed, the hubs poke inward. To set it up, you simply grab the strap on the center of the wall hub and pull. Pop! The wall snaps outward and locks into place rigidly. You do this for all four walls, then push the roof hub up. That’s it. No sleeves, no clips, no confusion.
Why is this better?
1. Speed: It is faster than the telescoping poles on the Core Instant Cabin.
2. Space: Because the hubs pop outward, the walls bow out. This means the tent is actually wider at shoulder height than it is at the floor. It feels incredibly spacious inside.
Livability: A Room with a View
Walking into the Gazelle T4 feels less like entering a tent and more like entering a portable room. The 78-inch height is consistent throughout most of the interior, unlike dome tents like the Coleman Sundome 4 where you can only stand in the dead center.
The Removable Floor
This is a killer feature for Overlanders and beach campers. The floor is held in by a heavy-duty Velcro strip that runs the entire perimeter. You can unzip/un-velcro the floor and shake it out.
Why does this matter? If you spill a drink, track in mud, or just want to use the tent as a shade shelter on the beach, you can remove the floor entirely. When learning how to clean a tent with mold, being able to detach the floor to scrub it separately is a huge advantage.
Sleeping Capacity
Gazelle calls it a 4-person tent.
Reality: It fits 4 pads tightly. It is a luxury palace for 2 people with cots and a table. It fits a Queen Teton Sports cot perfectly with room to spare.
If you need space for a massive group, look at the Gazelle T4 Plus (which adds a screen room) or stick with the Core 9 Person.
Weather Resistance: 210D Armor
The fabric is the star of the show. Most budget tents use 68D polyester. The Gazelle T4 uses 210D Oxford Polyester. It feels like heavy canvas but is fully waterproof synthetic.
Rain Protection
The Gazelle T4 tent comes with a rainfly that covers the roof mesh. The walls are waterproof single-layer fabric. I tested this in a steady Oregon drizzle, and the water beaded off instantly. The seams are taped. Because the walls are vertical, rain doesn’t pool anywhere.
Note: Ensure the windows are fully zipped in a storm. The rainfly overhang is minimal, so the window zippers are your primary defense.
Wind Stability
You might think a boxy tent would catch wind like a sail. While it does have a large surface area, the hub frame is incredibly rigid. It doesn’t flex and wobble like fiberglass poles. However, you MUST use the guy lines in high wind. If you don’t guy out the hubs, a strong gust can “pop” a wall inward (collapsing it). Guied out, I’ve seen these withstand 40mph winds. If you are asking, is tent camping safe in a storm? In a Gazelle, you are safer than in almost anything else short of a mountaineering tent.
Durability: Built for Abuse
Everything about this tent feels over-engineered. The YKK zippers are chunky and smooth. The metal hubs are robust. The pole material is solid fiberglass composite, not the hollow brittle stuff found in cheap tents.
This is a tent designed to be thrown in the back of a pickup truck, dragged out daily, and set up in rocky terrain. It is popular with the “Overland” crowd for a reason, it survives rough travel. Compared to the delicate Naturehike Cloud Up 1, the Gazelle T4 feels indestructible.
Comparison: Gazelle T4 vs. The Competition
Gazelle T4 vs. Core 9 Person Instant Cabin
- Setup: Gazelle is faster (hubs vs telescoping poles).
- Quality: Gazelle wins (210D vs 68D fabric).
- Space: Core is bigger (14ft vs 8ft).
- Packed Size: Core packs smaller (48″ vs 68″).
- Verdict: Get the Gazelle for durability and 2-3 people. Get the Core if you have a large family of 5+ or a smaller car.
Gazelle T4 vs. Coleman Instant Tent 4
- Fabric: Coleman uses 150D (decent), Gazelle uses 210D (better).
- Height: Gazelle is taller (6.5 ft vs 4.9 ft).
- Price: Coleman is significantly cheaper.
- Verdict: If you have the budget, the Gazelle is superior in every way. If you are on a tight budget, the Coleman works but won’t last as long.
Coleman 4/6/8/10 Person Instant Camping Tent with 1-Minute Setup, Large Family Tent with Pre-Attached Poles, Air Vent, & Carry Bag, Sets Up in About 60 Seconds
The Gazelle is tough, but heavy. If you need something lighter for family trips, look at the other options in our list of the best camping tents.
Who Should Buy The Gazelle T4 Hub Tent?
The Ideal User
- The Overlander: You drive a Jeep, Tacoma, or 4Runner. You have a roof rack to carry it. You camp in a different spot every night and value speed above all else.
- The Glamping Couple: You want room for cots, a heater, and a dog crate. You want to stand up to change.
- The Hunter: You need a tough basecamp that can handle mud and boots (thanks to the removable floor).
The Wrong User
- The Compact Car Driver: Do not buy this if you drive a Corolla. It will not fit in your trunk. Read my guide on what to pack when camping to see why packed dimensions matter.
- The Backpacker: At 30 lbs, this is an anchor. Do not carry it.
- The Large Family: 61 sq. ft. is tight for 4 people. Look at the T4 Plus or T8 for more room.
Essential Accessories
The tent is ready out of the box, but these additions help:
- Footprint: Even though the floor is tough, a footprint protects it from mud, making pack-up cleaner. Gazelle sells a specific footprint that velcroes into place.
- Heavy Duty Stakes: The included “All-Terrain” stakes are actually pretty good! But carrying a few lag bolts and an impact driver (if you are car camping) is the pro move for hard ground.
- Overland Bag: The “Overland Edition” comes with a waterproof duffel bag. If you buy the standard version, consider upgrading the bag if you plan to carry it on a roof rack.
Note: Can you use this at an RV site? Yes. If you are wondering, can you tent camp in an RV site, the Gazelle T4 makes an excellent “guest room” to pitch alongside your RV.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Gazelle T4 setup time is around 90 seconds. Once you take it out of the bag, popping the 4 walls and 1 roof takes about 45 seconds. Staking it down takes another minute. It is blindingly fast.
Yes. The floor is a “tub” design that velcros high up on the walls. Unless you are standing in 4 inches of standing water, it won’t leak. However, ensure the velcro is smoothed down properly to keep bugs out.
It is 68 inches long (5 feet 8 inches). It fits in a standard 6-foot truck bed. In a short bed (5-foot), you will have to angle it diagonally or rest it on the tailgate.
The thick fabric blocks wind better than thin nylon tents. It is not an insulated tent, but it holds heat better than a mesh-heavy dome tent. Pair it with a buddy heater (safely!) and it’s a cozy winter bunker. Read how to stay warm camping in a tent for more tips.
Absolutely. The pull-hubs require a bit of force, but any average adult can do it easily solo.
Wrapping Up
The Gazelle T4 Hub Tent transforms the camping experience. It removes the two biggest pain points: complex setup and lack of space. It is a premium product that feels worth every penny of the investment.
If you have the vehicle space to transport it, this is the best car camping tent on the market today. It is rugged, fast, and incredibly comfortable. It turns “setting up camp” from a chore into a 90-second minor task.
See you on the trail!
