Intro
If you are new to tent camping and have no idea where to start looking for a tent, you have come to the right place.
Don’t make the same mistake my husband and I made by getting the cheapest one available. It’s like every tent we ordered wasn’t right for us, and we ended up returning each one we purchased.
It took us 4 different tries before finding the right one. Admittedly, we had to splurge a little bit, but it was worth it.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‘affiliate links’. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.
Here is a list of things you need to look at before you purchase a tent (trust me it will save you some hassle).
- Type of Tent
- Dimensions
- Material
- Accessories
- Brand
1. Types of Camping Tents
There are several different types of tents on the market to purchase.
Small Tents
This is the exact type of tent we were looking for. It’s amazing for backpacking as a couple because it’s lightweight and compact.
The price for ours wasn’t necessarily cheap, however. We knew we would need something to rely on since we would be hiking several miles with no other option for shelter.
Family Tent
These are typically meant for campgrounds. It would most likely be too heavy and too bulky to take backpacking, though I’m sure it’s been done before.
Backpacking
Like I mentioned above, you would need a lightweight tent that is meant to house only a few people. If there are a lot of people in your group backpacking, it may be a good idea to have a couple of tents instead of one big one.
Rooftop
These are pretty sweet, especially if you have the appropriate vehicle. The overall safe feeling of being off the ground doesn’t necessarily make up for the price of these bad boys. They can cost several thousand dollars.
2. Dimensions of a Camping Tent
How big you need your tent to be depends on a few factors.
Length
You need to make sure that you have the measurements of the tallest person in your group.
My husband, Clark, and I went through the hassle of buying and returning several tents because of this reason.
He is a pretty tall guy, so in order to fit comfortably in a compact tent, he would need about 90 inches in length (88 inches at the least). That will give him a few inches above his head and bellow his feet when lying down.
Width
When looking at the width, keep in mind how many people are in your group. Most packages will tell you how many people you can house within the tent.
We had to look for a 2 to 3 person tent because we wanted room for our packs to be inside the tent with us.
Height
When you are backpacking height is too much of a luxury. We were pretty happy with a tent we could at least sit up in, but some won’t even allow room for that. Most family tents are large enough for you to stand in and walk around.
3. Material of the Camping Tent
Outer Shell
By the outer shell, I’m talking about the material of the tent itself. Most tents are made of a nylon or polyester material, which is water-resistant.
There is usually a coating of acrylic or silicone on top of the material that makes the tent waterproof. Not every tent is waterproof, make sure you always read the labels. You may have to buy a rainfly to go on top of the tent for extra protection.
(keep in mind that polyester holds up better, but is heavier in weight. Nylon tends to sag, but is a lightweight material making it ideal for backpacking.)
Breathability
This is the most important factor to take into account when purchasing a tent.
Make sure the tent has quite a few vents. Without vents, the moisture from your breath will get trapped inside the tent. Usually, this will make your cold nights frigid and your summer nights unbearably hot.
Frame
You are basically looking at carbon fiber or aluminum (there are plenty of other materials used, but these two are the most popular).
Both have their ups and downs. it’s up to you to determine which downside you are willing to put up with.
Carbon fiber is lighter and can save you some weight if you are backpacking, but they tend to snap in cold weather. Aluminum is meant to be bent even in the cold but is a heavier substance.
4. Which accessories are you looking to Put in Your Tent
Footprint
The footprint is the part that lays underneath the tent. This should be waterproof, but can go through some serious wear and tear with all the rocks and sticks on the ground.
It may be a good idea to purchase another tarp to go underneath to protect your tent that you spent your hard-earned money on.
Storage
Some tents have storage areas for your phones or loose items you may not want in your backpack. It’s actually quite convenient if you don’t want to be searching forever for your phone in the middle of the night.
Lights
Lights are great for some late-night reading or just chilling in the tent. You can find tents with hooks at the top for a lantern, or get a light hanging kit.
Rain Fly
This is great for extra weatherproofing, especially if the top of your tent is made of mesh.
Doors and Windows
Like I said before ventilation is everything. Windows will give you great ventilation, especially on those hot summer nights.
If you are like me and have to pee like a thousand times in the middle of the night, then I would suggest getting a tent with more than just one door.
Several Rooms
This is especially great if you are group camping at a campground.
Hey, sometimes you just gotta get away from the people you are spending all this time with. Usually, tents will have where you can zip off the room, or there are hooks that will hook to the walls to create a separate bedroom.
5. Brand of Camping tent
Sorry to say it but that Walmart tent you got when you were a kid won’t hold up for very long. Trust me we tried! In case you were wondering we bought our tent at REI. It sleeps two people and is a half dome. Check out the picture below of our campsite.
If you are going on a long backpacking trip you need the best equipment. You don’t want to be out in the middle of nowhere when the material rips during a rainstorm or your tent poles snap in half.
Check out Best Reviews, they have a few of the top tents recommended. It is based on some tests and trials they did. The website breaks down why each tent was chosen for the top 5 best tents.
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Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!
Thank you for the feedback! So glad you found it helpful!
Very informative! Thank you!