What is camping without a tent? Well, it’s an exciting choice. When you consider the fact that camping exposes you to the elements. We know how unpredictable the weather can be on the best of days. So, when we go camping, we’ve got to come prepared, and that’s where tents come into focus. But there are numerous types of tents. That’s where we come in!
In this buyer’s guide, we will consider all the aspects of tents that factor into a purchasing decision and what’s best for your next camping trip. Let’s get started!
Types Of Camping Tents
When we talk about the type of camping tents, it’s more on a monetary basis before looking at different types of uses. We’ve got the following kinds of tents:
- Budget Camping Tents
- Premium Camping Tents
- Crossover Camping & Backpacking Tents
- Rooftop Tents
Let’s take a look at these in some depth to fully understand what we’re dealing with:
Budget Tents
When it comes to budget tents, we’re looking at tents that, while fully functional, aren’t equipped with all the bells and whistles of a more premium model. For the most part, these tents are perfect for basic camping trips and in tricky weather conditions but aren’t best suited for harsh conditions and environments for extended periods.
The price range for a budget tent can be tricky to determine when considering all the details that come with choosing a tent, like its size, capacity, etc. So, what is the biggest determining factor of a budget tent? Well, unfortunately, budget tents are usually the ones that suffer in harsh weather conditions, experiencing broken poles, flooded interiors, etc. As a result, we’d recommend using budget tents in the summer.
Check out our picks for the 10 Best Tents Under $100 here.
Premium Tents
When using the word premium, we know that there’s a lot to live up to by the name alone. These tents are, for the most part, pricy, but they offer a more rugged experience. These types of tents are often spacious, well-ventilated, and extremely equipped to handle the harsh weather conditions you might encounter while camping.
Another great understanding of premium tents is how they utilize livable space. These tents will make the most of that space by having dividers, near-vertical walls, multiple storage compartments, and more. They also make extra efforts when it comes to ventilation with removable flaps for airflow and heat retention. Finally, the construction of the poles is high-quality, making them strong and sturdy, which is always a plus.
Check out our picks for the 10 Best Tents Under $400 here.
Crossover Camping and Backpacking Tents
When we talk about crossover camping and backpacking tents, we’re talking about tents that can be used for both activities. These tents are designed to balance size, weight, and functionality. They are suitable for backpacking expeditions, car camping trips, and lightweight camping trips in general.
They’re not always the most high-quality tents and, therefore, aren’t great for strenuous camping trips. The reason is that they use less durable fabrics and materials in the poles, which make them easy to set up and take down but not comfortable for extended camping trips.
Rooftop Tents
A rooftop tent is exceptionally different from other tents mentioned above. They are designed to attach to your car’s roof rack system on top of the vehicle. They have ladders that help you get into the tent, are easy to set up, and are just more accessible in general. We’re not going to get too in-depth on these types of tents in this article, but we’re working on a comprehensive guide to rooftop guides!
Regarding the different types of tents, rooftop tents are top-rated for more wildlife-focused camping trips. However, these can be used effectively just about anywhere. Plus, there’s no denying their comfort.
Glamping Tents
We can’t talk about camping and the different types of tents without bringing up glamping. When it comes to types of tents, this seems almost disrespectful. But technically, we’ve got to mention them. Glamping is that middle ground between camping and staying in a hotel/Bnb/AirBnb. These tents are built and are usually something you don’t buy but rent at a glamping campsite. Most of the time, they feature a proper bed, power, and possibly running water. It’s camping… but is it?
Capacity
Not every tent is the same, and that should be pretty obvious. Almost all tents will express how many can comfortably reside in a tent. However, they’re not always accurate when you factor in some of the things the manufacturer might not be, such as mattresses, storage, etc. So, take the capacity as a guide and maybe add one person to the needed capacity to get the capacity tent you should be buying.
For example, if you’re three campers, buy a four-person tent. In some cases, add two, such as four campers should get a six-person tent. You want to be comfortable, and an addition goes that if you get a large tent for multiple people, consider getting one that offers compartmented rooms.
Number Of Doors
Most smaller capacity tents and smaller tents, in general, will have only one door. However, when it comes to larger tents, you’ll find they have multiple doors, and in large-capacity tent situations, that’s ideal. Multiple doors have numerous benefits, but the biggest is the extra ventilation while not exposing yourself to the elements directly.
The other main benefit is when sharing a tent, you want two doors to be able to not have to walk over your friends in the early morning hours when you either go out or just get in.
Build Quality & Durability
When you go from budget to premium tents, you’ll start to realize what makes them so different. There’s a clear difference in the build quality between models in the budget and premium categories, and this affects its durability. When you spend more money, you get a tent that can last far longer than a budget tent might.
When you only camp once or twice a year, then a budget tent is nothing to fear. On the other hand, if you’re a camper who regularly camps, then you should seriously consider a tent that’s able to withstand extended use, more frequent use, and harsher conditions, considering you might be a true camper. Beyond durability, another benefit of more expensive tents is that they’re built with multiple features like better ventilation, more storage options, etc.
Weight
Considering the weight is more a case of understanding what you might be lugging through the wilderness to get to your camping spot if you’re not using your vehicle. You want to know ahead of time if you’re not using a car what kind of weight you’re dealing with to understand how feasible it would be to carry it alone.
Dimensions
Understanding the dimensions of your tent has numerous benefits, including understanding what kind of floor space you need when determining your campsite and how many can comfortably fit in the tent. Additionally, if you’re using an inflatable mattress, you will be able to determine if it can indeed fit in the tent.
Floor Area
When we refer to floor area, we’re talking about what’s happening inside the tent when it’s fully set up. How much floor space is provided to the camper(s), and how can they utilize it appropriately. Consider that if you’re multiple campers in one tent, you need a tent that’s going to be able to fully accommodate all the campers comfortably.
If you’re a camper who has an air mattress, you need the floor space to work for the size of the mattress and other items. Not having adequate space means a cramped tent and an uncomfortable camping experience.
Peak Height & Pole Structure
Similar to floor area, peak height and pole structure have their own impact on the livability of a tent. Understanding your tent’s peak height means you’ll be able to know if you can stand in your tent comfortably.
It’s important to understand that the peak height doesn’t always translate the same in reality when you consider the pole structure and wall slope. For example, a dome tent will only allow a peak height that exists in the middle of the tent, assuming the tent uses an X-shaped pole structure. There are several factors to consider when it comes to what the peak height will be in your tent.
Ventilation
When it comes to the time of year campers will go camping, it tends to be more in the summer month. With summer comes heat, and depending on which state or place you’re camping in, you might find that heat can be a little intense. This is why ventilation should always be a priority.
This is something more premium tents will consider and focus on compared to budget tents. Premium tents will make use of double-wall construction and are liberal with mesh. A double-wall construction refers to the outer rainfly being separate from the tent’s inner body. Budget models will require you to open the door or window flaps for ventilation.
Weather Resistance
Depending on what time of year you’re camping and what the weather predictions are, weather resistance is perhaps one of the most crucial elements of a great tent. When you’re an avid camper, then a tent with great weather resistance is a necessity. So, what makes a tent great for weather resistance?
The thing that makes a tent weather resistant is better materials used in the construction of the tent. For example, poles. You want poles made of aluminum instead of fiberglass. Beyond the poles, you’ll need a tent with seam sealing, waterproof fabrics, and a more robust design. Never think that just because it’s summer, that harsh weather can’t get you when you least expect it!
Storage
There’s no denying the importance of storage options for a tent. First, we take a look at interior pockets for storing your headlamps, books, maps, etc. On the exterior of the tent, more premium options will offer vestibules which are on the doors of full-coverage rainfly tents. Vestibules are great for storing dirty shoes, gear, and other items you want outside but are not exposed to the rain.
The final type of storage offered by a tent is a garage. It’s an extended covering that allows you to either place chairs under or even your bikes, kitchen gear, etc.
Set Up & Take Down
It should come as no surprise that setting up a tent isn’t always an easy experience. When you first get your tent, make an effort to do a test set-up at home so you know that:
- The tent is fully functional with no broken pieces.
- You know how to set up the tent effectively.
When setting up a tent, you’re trying to determine how that’s achieved and if you need more than one person to achieve a completed setup. So, conduct these tests before going camping just so you’re not caught by surprise when you’re actually camping.
Conclusion
Making a decision like what kind of tent you want and need requires consideration of numerous factors, all of which we’ve laid out here! So, now that you know all about the ins and outs of a tent, it’s time to get your own tent for your next camping trip. So, take a look at our numerous lists of tents you can get for your next camping trip on Careless Camper!
