When going on a camping trip, experts from top camping sites like the Timberline Glamping at Unicoi State Park advise that you go for the most durable and highly rated tent you can find. Since the tent is the most important item for camping, having to deal with a bad tent when you are miles away from home could lead to an overall bad experience.
Meanwhile, here are some key things to look out for when choosing a camp tent:
Mode Of Transport
A major factor that determines the tent to choose is how you intend to transport your tent. If you plan on carrying your tent by yourself to your campsite, it’s better to go for a portable one. But if you plan to take a truck to a campsite, size and weight are nothing to worry about.
Number Of Campers
The number of people going camping also determines the kind of camping tent they’ll carry along. Bigger tents are much better for groups since they’ll have plenty of room. However, they’re hard to set up. If you’re going for a big tent, you should learn how to set it up beforehand so there won’t be any issues. If you want an additional room in your tent to store gear, you need to choose a camping tent with at least 20 square feet.
Camping Time
Three-season tents are the best options for campers. Fortunately, most tents are three-season tents. These tents usually have two layers of protection which are the tent wall and fine mesh. The mesh offers ventilation and also keeps condensation away from the tent. Still, these kinds of tents are best used in summertime. A four-season tent is the best option for winter camping.
Wall Design
Single-wall camping tents are extremely light compared to double ones. Double wall designs also feature the main section and rainfly, but single wall designs don’t have the rainfly. Also, single-wall camping tents tend to offer more condensation. If you want to go for a single-wall camping tent, ensure it has good venting.
Check Clips Or Sleeves
This has to do with the way the main section of the tent is attached to the poles. The clip method is highly recommended because it allows complete air circulation between the walls of the tent and is easy to use.
Check Wind Strength
For those camping during a windy season, you need to ensure the rain fly touches the ground and has lots of tie-down points to stabilize the tents. Else, your tent could be at risk of being blown away.
Number Of Doors
It’s preferable to choose a tent with two doors in situations where two people want to answer the call of nature simultaneously. However, you need to keep in mind that more doors will add extra weight and cost to camping tents.
Popular Types Of Camping Tents
Dome Tents
Dome tents are one of the commonest types of camping tents. They have two piles that cross over to make up their structure. The tent shape makes it easy for the wind to move over. It also allows water to fall off it instead of staying at the top.
Tunnel Tents
These tents are best for car camping during mild weather. They contain two or more curved poles joined by a tent fabric. One of the advantages of using them is that they have large storage areas. Moreso, assembling them is pretty easy. However, they’re not ideal for camping in windy weather.
Cabin Tents
These tents are made of vertical or almost vertical walls, which make them look like a cabin after being set up. Their vertical walls make their interior spacious. Cabin tents are highly recommended for family or group camping, but only during mild weather.
Geodesic Or Semi-Geodesic Tents
These tents are made of multiple poles that overlap each other to create a stable structure. They’re usually round but also available in other shapes. They’re great for expeditions or camping during winter or bad weather. However, they’re hard to set up.
Rooftop Tents
Rooftop tents are good for road trips because they’re installed on the top part of vehicles. Depending on the design, you can unfold or inflate rooftop tents when it’s time for use. Still, rooftop tents are not ideal for bad weather or uneasy sleepers.
Popup Tents
Popup tents usually have one or two poles built into a tent fabric. These poles are quite flexible, so they easily get back in shape when campers uncoil them. Popup tents are one of the easiest tents to set up. They’re good for beach camping and festivals but lack features like storage areas.
Knowing what to look for in a tent and the right type of tent to go for helps to make your camping experience more enjoyable. Anytime you want to buy a tent, don’t forget to check the criteria mentioned above.