Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ Review | CleverHiker

Bottom Line

The Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ is a spacious basecamp-style tent with much to offer for families or anyone who just wants extra room at camp. It’s the fourth-largest tent we tested and the biggest one not officially listed as a six-person tent. The 5+ designation feels accurate—while not overly luxurious, it comfortably fits a family of five with enough space left over for the family dog.

The dual vestibule design adds valuable storage space. The rear vestibule is compact—just big enough to stash gear you don’t need immediate access to—while the front vestibule is more like a covered porch. It’s roomy enough for two adults to sit comfortably in camp chairs, which comes in handy during rainy weather.

With a 6’2” peak height, the Conifer 5+ provides great headroom for taller campers, which was especially appreciated during long stretches of bad weather. Ventilation is also better than most large front-country tents, thanks to kickstand vents and zip-down openings on the rainfly.

That said, the Conifer 5+ takes up a ton of space and must be fully staked and guyed out for a taut, weather-resistant pitch. Setup isn’t the quickest, but the trade-off is a roomy, sturdy shelter that holds up well in a variety of conditions.

How We Tested

We tested the Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ in the mountains of Colorado when it was still cold enough that the ground alternated between loose, rocky soil and frozen-solid earth.

Over two months, we put it through everything from gusty winds and light snow to mild, sunny afternoons. The shifting conditions gave us a great sense of how well it ventilates, how sturdy the structure is when fully guyed out, and how much space it actually provides for a full crew. We also got a firsthand look at how much effort it takes to pitch on frozen or uneven terrain.

Comfort

With 84 square feet of floor space and a 6’2” peak height, the Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ feels roomy for most campers—unless you’re exceptionally tall. Our lead tester, who is exactly 6’2”, was pleasantly surprised to find he could fully stand up inside, making everything from changing clothes to waiting out bad weather much more comfortable. Realistically, this is a five-person tent max, with the “plus” making sense only if you’re camping with a dog or a small child.

Ventilation plays a big role in comfort, especially in larger tents that heat up quickly once people pile in. Condensation is another concern—wake up to too much of it, and both you and your gear could end up soaked. We found that as long as the fly was fully guyed out, the Conifer 5+ vents better than most tents in its class. Fresh air circulates from the bottom of the fly, so making sure there’s a gap between the rainfly and the tent body is key to keeping things cool and dry.

All in all, this tent provides solid comfort for families or groups, offering enough space to spread out without feeling cramped.

Durability

The Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ held up well to the bluster of early spring testing. We found the Conifer 5+ to be a step above average in terms of durability, though it doesn’t quite match the ruggedness of some of the toughest tents we tested.

The tent is made mostly of 68D polyester, including the floor, which gives us a little pause. While the tent body and rainfly feel solid, we’d prefer a thicker, more durable floor material for added longevity. That said, during testing, we didn’t run into any quality control issues, and the tent handled higher-than-normal abuse without problems. 

One analyst noted that while they were setting up the tent solo in strong Colorado winds, they repeatedly had the large rainfly blown into sharp shrubs. Luckily, the fabric showed no signs of tearing or abrasion. The zippers functioned smoothly, and the stitching and seam taping felt high quality throughout testing.That said, using a footprint or tarp is crucial with this tent. The 68D polyester floor isn’t the toughest we’ve seen, and without extra protection, sharp rocks, twigs, or repeated use on rough ground could wear it down faster.   

Weather Resistance

The Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ holds up well to typical three-season conditions, but it requires proper setup to perform at its best in bad weather. During testing in Colorado’s foothills, we pitched the tent in late winter and early spring, where it faced everything from gusty winds and cold drizzle to light snow and mild temps. When fully staked and guyed-out, the tent stayed taut and secure, shedding moisture effectively and resisting wind-driven flapping.

That said, setup is key. Without fully securing the guylines, the rainfly can sag, leading to potential pooling in heavy rain. The full-coverage rainfly does a good job of keeping the tent’s interior dry, and the dual vestibules help create a buffer from the elements. Ventilation is solid for a tent of this size, but in damp conditions, condensation can build up if airflow isn’t managed properly.

Overall, the Conifer 5+ handles moderate wind and rain well, but it’s not designed for extreme storms or heavy snow loads. As long as you take the time to properly pitch and guy-out the tent, it should hold up well for typical family camping and three-season adventures.

Ease of Setup

The Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ isn’t the quickest tent to pitch, especially if you’re used to smaller backpacking tents. With its large footprint, multiple poles, and full-coverage rainfly, setup takes some time and patience. During testing, it took us about 25-30 minutes on the first try, but once we got the hang of it, we could get it up in about 15 minutes with two people.

Solo setup? Doable, but not ideal. One of our testers had to wrestle the rainfly in strong winds, which was a challenge. Being tall definitely helps. While we appreciate the generous peak height, it does make setup trickier for shorter users.

We’ve mentioned several times that fully guying out this tent is essential, and luckily, all of the guylines come pre-attached. Mountainsmith also provides enough stakes to fully secure the tent, which is a nice touch—many brands skimp on stakes, so we appreciate that they didn’t cut corners here.

Overall, setup isn’t the easiest, but it’s manageable once you learn the process. If you’re camping somewhere with soft, even ground, it’s a lot easier. But on rocky or frozen soil, expect to spend a little extra time getting everything secured.

Features

The Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ comes with thoughtful features that enhance comfort and livability for family or group camping. One of the best things about this tent is the dual vestibules. The rear vestibule is small but useful for stashing gear you don’t need quick access to, while the front vestibule is more like a covered porch—big enough to fit two adults in camp chairs, which came in handy during rainy weather.

Interior organization is another highlight. The tent has plenty of mesh storage pockets to keep small essentials off the floor, helping to reduce clutter. The detachable mesh gear loft is a nice touch—perfect for a night light or stashing easy-to-access items (and hiding snacks from the kids). The dual doors make it easy for multiple campers to come and go without having to climb over each other, and the zip-down and kickstand vents on the fly provide better airflow than most tents of this size.

While the Conifer 5+ has a lot going for it, one thing we wish it had is a rear window on the back door. This would improve airflow and visibility when the fly is on. Overall, though, the features are well thought out and make this tent feel like a comfortable and functional home base for camping trips.

Should You Buy the Mountainsmith Conifer 5+?

The Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ is a great choice for families, small groups, or anyone looking for a spacious, well-ventilated tent for front-country camping. With its roomy interior, generous peak height, and dual vestibules, it offers a comfortable camping experience, especially for those who like extra space. It’s well-suited for car campers who prioritize livability and don’t mind spending a little extra time on setup to get a reliable, weather-worthy shelter.

That said, this isn’t the best option for campers who prioritize easy setup or need a compact footprint for smaller sites. It also requires full staking and guying for a proper pitch, which adds to the effort.

As for value, the Conifer 5+ sits in the mid-to-upper range of family camping tents. While it’s not the cheapest option, its durable materials, spacious design, and thoughtful features make it a solid investment for those planning multiple camping trips each season.

What Other Camping Tents Should You Consider?

If you’re considering the Mountainsmith Conifer 5+, there are a few other spacious camping tents worth a look. Check out our best camping tents gear guide for more recommendations.

REI Co-op Wonderland 4 Review: If you love the space of the Conifer 5+ but want even more headroom and an easier setup, the REI Wonderland 4 is a great alternative. It has nearly vertical walls for maximum livability, excellent ventilation, and large doors for easy access. However, it lacks vestibules, so storage space outside the sleeping area is more limited.

The North Face Wawona 6 Review: This tent offers a similar roomy layout but with an even larger front vestibule that functions almost like a second living space. It’s a great option if you prioritize gear storage or want extra shelter during rainy trips. The tradeoff is that setup is a bit more involved, and it’s slightly heavier than the Conifer 5+.