The best camping tents are spacious, feature-heavy, and designed to last. Some will come with some great extra features that are designed to enhance your camping experience, while others will offer just the basics. If you’re on the hunt for a new tent for your next camping adventure, but you don’t know what types of features to look for or what type of tent will work for you based on your budget and basic camping needs, then you came to the right place.
I’ve created an in-depth guide that includes all the info that will help you choose the perfect tent for your trip, in addition to six product recommendations of the leading tents currently on the market. Below, you’ll find a comparison chart that includes each of the models that made it onto my list, important features, and how each tent rated.
Table of Contents
Camping Tents Comparison Chart
Product | Weight | Doors | User Capacity | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
Coleman Camping Tent Shop On Amazon! | 24.5 LBS | 1 | 8 | |
CORE Instant Cabin Tent Shop On Amazon! | 30.5 LBS | 2 | 9 | |
Hikergarden Camping Tent Shop On Amazon! | 17 LBS | 1 | 8 | |
Coleman Dome Tent Shop On Amazon! | 21 LBS | 1 | 4 | |
Core Straight Wall Cabin Tent Shop On Amazon! | 33.8 LBS | 2 | 10 | |
KAZOO Outdoor Camping Tent Shop On Amazon! | 7.67 LBS | 2 | 8 |
Coleman 8-Person Tent for Camping
This eight-person tent by Coleman is one of their best-selling models for all the right reasons. It comes with an extended awning that provides a nice dry space to hang up your wet gear as you enter the tent, or you can use it to relax under the stars and stay safe from hungry mosquitoes. The WeatherTec system with the inverted seams on the welded flooring will prevent water from seeping inside the tent, as will the full rainfly. Setting up the tent is a breeze, which makes this model a great choice for beginners. The entryway features a hinged design, that allows you to easily go in and out of the tent. The interior of the tent is spacious, allowing you to store all of your gear, set out some camping pads, or use a few queen-sized air mattresses, with some room to spare. There are also some built-in storage pockets, which you can use to store small items and keep all of your supplies readily accessible and organized.
Pros
- Sleeps up to eight people
- Spacious
- Welded seams
- Full rainfly
Cons
- Only one door
Conclusion
This model is easy to set up and break down, features a spacious interior that can comfortably accommodate up to eight campers, and includes a full rainfly that’s designed to keep you nice and dry in the event of wet weather. This model is reasonably priced, well-built, and designed to handle whatever mother nature can throw at it.
CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent
New to camping and intimidated at the thought of setting up a tent for the first time? Then you’ll love the latest model by Core, which features a sixty-second setup time. The tent itself can fit up to nine people and can accommodate up to two queen-sized air mattresses. The built-in room divider will allow you to zip up the panel and enjoy some much-needed privacy if you’re traveling with a large group. if you’re bringing along plenty of gear, then you’ll appreciate the built-in storage pockets that will allow you to organize all of your supplies.
The tent’s advanced vents pull in cold air via a series of adjustable air intake vents located on the ground. These vents will also allow hot air to escape through the mesh ceiling. The full rainfly is removable so you can remove it when the weather heats up to allow cool air in through the ceiling or apply the rainfly when cold weather is headed your way. This large family tent can sleep up to nine people, with some room to spare, so it’s perfect for those longer camping trips.
Pros
- Removable rainfly
- Excellent ventilation system
- Sleeps up to nine people
- Built-in storage pockets
- Room divider
Cons
- Heavy
Conclusion
This model comfortably sleeps up to nine campers, comes with a removable rainfly, and features an innovative ventilation system that will keep you nice and cool during the summer months. The sixty-second setup time is sure to be a huge selling point for beginners or anyone who normally struggles to set up a tent. A great buy for the family on a budget and the perfect tent to use on those longer camping trips, this model is definitely a steal for the price.
Hikergarden Camping Tent
This eight-person tent is perfect for your next camping adventure. It can accommodate up to three queen-sized air mattresses or eight camping pads and is made out of durable 185T polyester. Setting the tent up may be challenging for the beginner. Fortunately, the included instructions are very detailed and well-written. This model includes a room divider, so you can choose to leave the divider unzipped for one single large space, or zip it up for privacy. The tent features one large doorway and a total of five mesh windows. The top of the tent is also made out of mesh, which allows cool air to come into the tent while keeping bugs from entering.
Pros
- Five mesh panel windows
- Room divider
- Lightweight design
- Low price
Cons
- Difficult setup
- Only has one door
Conclusion
In terms of design, this model is fairly basic. It does feature a large spacious interior, five mesh panel windows, a large main entryway, and a durable design that will allow you to use this tent season after season. However, if you’re looking for a model that comes loaded with plenty of extra features, then you may need to pass this model on by.
Coleman Dome Tent
This budget-friendly tent comes with inverted seams and welded corners, both of which are designed to prevent water from entering the tent. The tent itself will take approximately fifteen to twenty minutes to set up, which can make this model a poor choice for the beginner in search of a simple assembly process. The front portion of the tent is screened in, so you can enjoy the fresh night air, without being eaten alive by mosquitoes. The interior can fit up to two queen-sized air mattresses, and up to four campers.
Pros
- Waterproof design
- Roomy interior
- One-year limited warranty
- Screened in porch
Cons
- Difficult assembly
Conclusion
This reasonably priced tent may not be beginner-friendly, but it’s definitely durable. Designed to handle inclement weather and equipped with a screened-in porch, large mesh panel windows, and a spacious interior, this tent is perfect for three to four campers in search of a reliable tent that can be used during the spring, summer, and fall.
Core Straight Wall Cabin Tent
Core has done it again by manufacturing a tent that has it all, at a price you can afford. This model can sleep up to ten people and will fit up to two queen-sized air mattresses. It also features H20 block technology, complete with adjustable ground vents that are designed to prevent condensation while improving airflow. The tent comes with two entrances and a living room divider, that will create a two-room tent for more privacy. If you need a tent that includes a variety of storage options, this wall cabin is it. The built-in gear loft and built-in pockets found along the tent’s walls will allow you to keep your gear and supplies off the floor, organized, and easily accessible. This model is also covered by a one-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Sleeps up to ten people
- H20 block technology
- Gear loft and pockets
- Room divider
Cons
- Canopy doesn’t provide much protection from the sun
Conclusion
This cabin-like tent can sleep up to ten people and features an excellent ventilation system that promotes airflow, so you’ll stay nice and cool when you’re camping out in hot weather. This model comes with plenty of bells and whistles, including a full rainfly, a gear loft, two entrances, and an electrical cord access port that’s fully closable. If you’re looking for a tent that comes with a variety of amenities, and one that will keep you and your family comfortable on your next camping trip, then hit that buy now button.
KAZOO Outdoor Camping Tent
This is a smaller family camping tent, with a sleeping capacity of two-three users. The tent comes with two zippered doors for easy entry. The tent earned a high rating for its waterproof design and is made out of tough rip-stop polyester. The ceiling vents and two windows with mesh panels will keep the bugs out while keeping you and the family cool in hot weather. Inside, you’ll find a few mesh interior pockets that you can use to keep your supplies off the ground and neatly organized.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Fast set up
- Built-in mesh pockets for organization
- Two doors
Cons
- Very small
Conclusion
This model features a fast set up time of two to three minutes, and a very basic design that some campers are looking for. While the tent doesn’t offer much in terms of extra features, it is made out of durable material, features a waterproof design, lightweight, durable materials, and a two-year warranty that shows buyers that the manufacturer stands behind their products.
Camping Tents Buyer’s Guide
Many of the leading tents provide more than enough room to accommodate a foldable table, camping chairs, cots, sleeping bags, and more. These tough tents are designed to handle inclement weather, can provide shade and protection from hot summer weather, and can keep you nice and dry in the event of heavy rainfall.
Before I dive into must-have features to look for in your new tent, let’s learn more about the benefits of camping out in a tent and how camping in general, is great for your health.
Benefits of Camping Tents
Camping can be great for your health since it can help to reduce stress, promotes relaxation, and allows you to enjoy fresh air, exercise, and eating healthy, especially if you love fishing on your annual trip. But there are also many benefits that come with camping out in a tent, instead of sleeping out under the stars.
- Camping out in a tent can give you a dedicated space to store all of your gear, so you’ll stay organized during your trip.
- A tent will protect your food from wildlife that would otherwise have access to it and other supplies.
- Even in the summertime, rain is a possibility. A tent will shelter you from storms, light rainfall, high winds, and intense heat. So, in colder weather, a tent will keep you warm and dry, while in hot weather the tent will keep you nice and cool.
- A tent can provide much-needed privacy from other campers in an adjoining campsite or privacy from other campers in your party.
- If you don’t want to be eaten alive by bugs, then camping with a tent is a must. Many will come equipped with mesh panels on the sides of the tent and on the roof, so you’ll still stay cool, but bugs will not be able to enter.
- You’ll also be safe from brave and curious wildlife that will explore your campsite when you’re sleeping.
Other Important Features
Now that you know about the benefits of using a tent on your next camping trip, let’s start off with the different types of tents available to choose from, whether you’re camping alone, with a friend or two, or the whole family.
Types of Camping Tents
The best camping tents provide shelter and protection from inclement weather. Modern tents are available in a wide variety of styles and designs to choose from, each of which will suit the camper’s needs depending on style, space, extra features, height, and durability. There are many different types of tents to choose from ranging from ultralightweight tents that are perfect for the backpacker, to heavy-duty luxury tents that are perfect for those long family camping trips. The perfect tent for you will depend on how many people will sleep in the tent, the season, storage needs, and climate.
Luxury/Family/Cabin
These tents are feature-packed and come loaded with vents, pockets, shelves, multiple windows, dividers, and more than one entrance. Many models will also come with a built-in vestibule. You’ll also find plenty of mesh panels that allow for improved airflow in hot weather conditions.
These tents are often designed to withstand wet weather and high wind conditions. In this price range, most tents will also come equipped with a rainfly, for added protection from heavy rainfall and muggy weather.
Basic
These tents are very simple in design and provide protection from moisture and light rainfall but offer none of the frills that most luxury tents do. These tents are fully functional and affordable. These tents are made out of heavier fabrics, which adds plenty of weight, making them difficult to transport. But these heavier fabrics also add to a tent’s durability and moisture-resistant design. However, their biggest issue is protection from the elements. When dealing with moderate to heavy rainfall, the interior of these tents can easily become soaked through, making them a poor choice to use during the fall and winter months.
Season Use
A tent will be labeled as four-season or three-season, which will indicate which seasons these tents are designed for. These tents will differ in the materials they are made out of and how many doors and windows they have. Tents designed for winter use won’t have many, if any, windows, since the tent is designed to handle freezing temperatures, while tents made for hot weather will have top of the line ventilation systems.
Three-Season
The most common type of tent is called a three-season, which is designed for use in the fall, summer, and spring. These tents are designed to protect users from rain and wind and offer adequate ventilation. Most models will come equipped with a rainfly and mesh window panels that you can zip up if the wind picks up or the temperature drops.
Four-Season
By the name, you would think that this is a tent that you can use year-round, when in fact, this tent is only recommended for winter use. These tents will keep you warm and dry during the winter months and are designed to protect users from snow, heavy rainfall, and high winds. Highly durable, this type of tent will not come with any mesh panels, since this can let in cold air, and will usually have a high dome design, which prevents water and snow from piling up.
Height
Each model will also vary in height and size. If the ability to stand up and walk around inside your tent is important to you then you’ll want a model with a good peak height. Every model will have the height listed in the specifics, so take a close look and make sure the height of the model you’re interested in works for you.
Tent Windows
Windows increase airflow which gives the tent ventilation. One designed without ventilation will be muggy inside, which can cause condensation to form. The number of windows varies on every tent. Smaller models typically have fewer windows. These windows often consist of mesh panels and a zippered flap, so you can zip up the windows when the temperature drops or rain hits and leave them unzipped during hot weather.
Rainfly
Not all models are waterproof. The rainfly is similar to an umbrella for your tent. It’s a separate piece of material that is designed to cover the roof and protect it from rain. Make sure you attach the rainfly whenever you expect it to rain. It can also come in handy on hot days, working to provide some shade to the interior of the tent, which can help to keep the inside of your tent nice and cool.
Vestibule
A vestibule can act like a screened-in porch or a mudroom. The purpose of this area is to prevent you from tracking in dirt and mud, or it can give you and the family a protected place to hangout at night, without making you vulnerable to mosquitoes, other types of insects, and wildlife. Vestibules are usually detachable, so you can choose to leave it off, especially if your campsite is small. Larger, higher-priced tents will often come with a detachable vestibule.
Ventilation
Ventilation, or airflow, is an important factor when choosing a tent. It usually comes in the form of mesh panels that are strategically placed on the sides of the tent allowing air to flow throughout the interior of the tent structure. However, some models will also have vents placed on the floor and walls, which can help pull cool air in as hot air escapes through the roof. Ventilation is especially important in the warmer months of the year when heat and humidity are a real concern.
Most campers will plan a trip for the summer, which means a good ventilation design will be key. Higher-priced tents will feature a double-wall design and plenty of mesh, both of which help to keep the inside of the tent nice and cool while limiting or preventing moisture build-up. Additionally, some tents feature vents in the rainfly itself, which encourages improved airflow. Lower priced tents tend to have fewer vents, less mesh, and fewer options in terms of ventilation, other than keeping a single window or the entrance unzipped. They may also only come with a single-wall panel design, which consists of just one layer of fabric between you and the outdoors. This can make the interior of the tent hot and muggy on warmer days, with condensation buildup during the night.
Entryways
If you’re in the market for a family-sized tent, then a model with at least two doors is preferable. The second door will provide some convenience if someone sleeping in the back of the tent needs to make a bathroom trip during the night and doesn’t want to step on or over the other campers. Unfortunately, many low-priced tents will come with just a single door. But if you have several people sleeping in one tent, and plenty of gear stored there, look for a model with two to three entryways, which can make getting in and out of the tent, and hauling supplies a breeze.
Room Divider
A room divider consists of a panel of material that you can zip up to separate the tent into two rooms, or you can leave the panel unzipped for a larger common area space.
Tentpoles
All tents will come with a set of poles, whether they’re made out of a thick plastic, steel, or aluminum. These days, most models feature a freestanding design, so they don’t have to be staked down. Instead, a set of thin poles is what’s used to support the entire structure.
Footprint
A footprint is either a custom-made cloth or a standard tarp that is placed underneath your tent. Most models will come with flooring that’s reinforced. However, if you’re camping on rocky terrain, or the solid cold icy ground in winter, then the floor of the tent is going to go through some serious damage. The job of the footprint is to add a layer of protection, preventing rips and tears in the tent’s flooring. Not only will this material protect the floor from damage, but it will also prevent rainwater from pooling under the tent.
Interior Storage Options
If you’re camping out alone or with one other person, then storage may not be a priority, but if you’re planning a large family camping trip, then a model that comes loaded with shelves, storage compartments, hooks, and pockets, can help you stay organized on your trip. Hooks will come in handy to hang up wet clothing or to place a lantern in a designated spot, making it easy to find and highly accessible. Many styles of tents will come with a pocket or two, but usually, the luxury tents are the type you’ll need if you’re looking for a tent that comes loaded with a variety of storage options. A built-in gear loft is a great storage space and one that can hold and store more gear, so you can keep certain items out of reach of younger children, or you can neatly organize your food. In most cases, higher-priced tents will come with more storage options, while lower-priced tents will only come with a couple of built-in mesh pockets.
Space
When you’re shopping online, you should be able to view each tent’s dimensions right on their spec sheet or in the product description. You’ll find information concerning floor dimensions and peak height. Peak height will clue you in on whether or not you can stand upright inside the tent, however, this spec only tells you part of the story in terms of internal height. Tents that share a similar sleeping capacity will have a total floor space dimension that’s similar, usually ranging from eighty to ninety feet, if it’s a model that’s designed to sleep five to six people. But where each tent tends to different, despite the similarity in their dimensions, is the true livable space. Livable space is heavily dependent on the pole design and the slope of the walls. A dome tent with basic X-shaped poles will only allow users to enjoy the listed peak height in the middle of the tent. Tents that come equipped with a more advanced pole system will feature nearly vertical walls, allowing users to easily walk around.
Tent Capacity
Most tents will list a user capacity. Family-sized models will have a user capacity that ranges from three to ten people. Manufacturers will base this number on how many adult-sized sleeping pads can be placed inside the tent, side by side. As an example, if a model claims it can fit up to eight sleepers, this means you can fit up to eight camping pads inside. But this can be a very tight fit. What the manufacturers don’t tell you is that when filled to capacity, there’s not much floor space left to walk around, so you won’t want to fill the tent up to capacity. If you do have eight people in your party, then you’ll want to size up and look for a tent that can sleep at least ten people. This is especially important if you want to use wide sleeping pads or air mattresses.
No camper is going to want to sleep in a tent that’s full to capacity, which can be tight, uncomfortable, and difficult to move around in. Many campers will want some extra space to store their gear, set up a table, or room for their pets to move around and the other campers in the party to stretch out and relax.
Quality
The differences between luxury tents and budget tents are pretty noticeable. Spending more on a new tent will get you a model made out of high-quality materials, which means a tent that has a longer lifespan. However, if you’re someone who only camps a few days once a year, then a budget model can still be a great option. If you do camp a lot throughout the year, then consider a luxury tent as an important investment, especially considering these tents can last season after season.
Weatherproof Design
One of the main reasons many campers decide to upgrade to a luxury-style tent is the fact that they’re more weather-worthy. Many luxury tents will come equipped with poles that are made out of lightweight aluminum, and a durable design, complete with seams that are sealed and walls and a roof that’s made out of waterproof fabrics. These tents usually come with full rainflys, which provide total coverage from wind and rain.
Ease of Use
Considering their multiple parts and larger dimensions, many larger camping tents can be difficult to set up and take down. I recommend doing a dry run at home and becoming familiar with how to set the tent up and break it down when you’re at home. This will save you plenty of time and frustration when you reach your campsite. Instead of scrambling to follow instructions, you’ll have the set up process down, so it will take only a fraction of the time. If you’re new to camp life, then look for a model that earned a high rating for being beginner-friendly. These tents often come with fewer parts or they include instructions that are well-written and very detailed.
Weight
In terms of weight, the higher the user capacity, the heavier the tent will be, especially if it has a full rainfly. Tents have a weight that ranges from five pounds up to thirty. If you normally park right next to your campsite, then the weight of the tent will not be as important as the camper who normally hikes a few miles out to their intended campsite. If you hike and camp in the backcountry, then you’ll want to look for a lightweight tent, one that will not weigh your pack down or tire you out quickly.
Floor Size
When you’re narrowing down your choices between a few models you’re interested in, take a look at the tent’s ground size or total footprint. Some of the six-person models can be pretty massive. You’ll also want to factor in the large vestibules that are attached to the end of a tent. The total size of a model will give you a better idea of the size of the campsite you’ll need, especially if you’re using more than one tent.
Ground Cloth
While it’s not a requirement, I recommend using a ground cloth when you’re camping. This extra layer between you and the ground will make it much easier to clean up if you’re camping on sand or dirt, since the cloth will protect the floor of the tent from damage. You can choose to purchase a ground cloth from the same brand that manufactures your tent, or you can simply use a large tarp, which will be much cheaper.
Setting Up Your New Tent
If you’ve never used a tent before, or it’s been years since you’ve pitched a tent, then the tips below will walk you through the process, so you’ll be better prepared for your trip.
Before you head out for your trip, I recommend setting up your tent at home. This will ensure that your tent isn’t missing any pieces. Even if you’ve purchased a brand new one, it’s possible that the tent you receive may be missing a vital piece or two, which can prevent you from using it once you reach your campsite. Additionally, a dry run of setting up your tent will also allow you to become familiar with the process, so you can set up your tent faster once you reach your campsite. You don’t want to learn how to set up your new tent once you’ve hiked for several miles to your campsite and you’re exhausted. If you reach your campsite and the sun has already set and you have no idea how to put your new tent together, then you’ll be left struggling to assemble it, reading the instructions by flashlight. If you practice a few times at home, you’ll be able to set the tent up at camp in a fraction of the time.
Using A Footprint
Determine your footprint strategy. While tent floors are durable and able to stand up to water, wear, and abrasions, the ground is hard, uncomfortable and can do serious damage to the floor of your tent. You can solve this problem by purchasing a footprint, ground cloth, or tarp, for that extra layer of protection. A footprint designed for your specific tent model will be sized smaller than the tent floor, so they won’t pool rainwater underneath the flooring material. If you decide to make your own footprint, then make sure it’s sized smaller than the floor of the tent. If you want to use a tarp, all you need to do is fold the tarp under so that there aren’t any parts extending beyond the perimeter of the floor.
Tent Placement
- The next step is selecting your campsite. If you’ll be camping in a well-traveled area, choose an existing campsite. Make sure you camp a minimum of two hundred feet from streams and lakes.
- Try to keep your campsite small and focus the activity in areas that do not have any vegetation. While a high-quality tent is designed to handle rain and wind, you can reduce hazards and stresses by choosing a campsite that features natural protection.
- For high-wind conditions, look for a natural windbreak such as a hill between you and the breeze or a stand of trees. Never set your camp up near trees with damaged limbs, which can be blown down by strong winds. While many campers will pitch their tent with the smaller side of the tent facing the wind in order to minimize resistance, it’s actually more important to locate the side that features the strongest pole structure and face that side toward the wind.
- If you’re camping out in hot weather, the door of the tent should be facing the wind, to help keep the tent cool.
- For rainy weather, make sure you seek out drier, higher ground so you will have less moisture in the air, in order to minimize condensation buildup. Look for a campsite under trees since this will create a more protected, warmer microclimate that will also produce minimal levels of condensation.
- Avoid setting up camp between high areas since damp, cool air will settle here, allowing rain to also channel through if a storm blows in.
- Always orient the doors away from the wind to prevent the rain from blowing in.
- To set up your new tent, make sure you first clear away any debris that can poke the floor of the tent.
Staking a Tent
All tents will come equipped with a set of stakes. The user manual should clearly guide you through the staking process and what tools you’ll need. While you don’t have to use stakes if your tent has a freestanding design, they are highly recommended if you’re camping in windy conditions.
If it’s windy out, you’ll need to stake down the corners of the tent. High winds can make setting up a tent feel like it’s going to take off at any second. Stake down the corners of the tent quickly.
When it comes to the poles, go slow. During the set up process, poles can get chipped or tweaked, so make sure you take your time to seat and unfurl each pole section carefully.
If the stake is fully vertical as you drive it into the ground, then you’ll get maximum holding power.
- Make sure you leave enough of the stake exposed to make it easy to slip the tie-down cord over the top.
- If you’re not able to push the stake into the ground with your foot or your hand, then use a stake hammer or a large rock. You should also pack some extra stakes in the event that one of the stakes breaks.
- On the underside of a rainfly, you’ll find a variety of Velcro wraps located by the tent poles. Each of these should be secured around the pole in order to strengthen and stabilize the tent.
Rainfly Tensioning
Most models will come with a partial or full rainfly that’s designed to provide extra protection from the elements. But for some camper’s learning how to correctly use a rainfly can be difficult.
A tent that’s set up correctly will have a rainfly that’s taut. Many rainflys will have straps that can be cinched at the corners of the tent. Periodically check on the tension in the rainfly, especially before going to bed for the night.
- During setup, avoid over-tensioning the first corner. Instead, wait until the fly is on and then evenly tension the corners.
- You can easily check the tension by checking to see if the seams line up on the fly with the seams on the tent body or poles. If they don’t line up, then you will need to readjust the tension.
- Because most fly material stretches once it’s wet, make sure you re-check the tension after it rains.
Guy-Lines
Many tents will come with guy lines for improved stability in windy conditions. These will be attached to sturdy loops that are called guy-out loops. These loops are placed in strategic locations found around the rainfly. You’ll find some of the guy-out points placed midway up the wall of the tent, right over a pole.
Using the guy-lines is optional, but if you’re expecting windy conditions, then they’ll be much easier to set up before the bad weather hits.
The loops located on the bottom edge of a rainfly are for staking the fly not for stabilizing the guy-line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Should a Tent Be Stored?
When storing a tent, the first step is drying it out. A tent must be dry before you fold it up and store it, otherwise, it will be susceptible to mold growth.
Next, store the tent in a dry, cool place. When folding or rolling up the tent, keep it loose and avoid storing it in the storage bag it comes with unless you’re packing it up to transport for your next camping trip. Keeping the tent stored loosely will further discourage mold growth.
Are Expensive Tents Worth it?
Yes. Of course, a higher-priced tent is going to come with all the bells and whistles you could want, but are they features that you really need? Most quality tents are going to cost. It’s not always just about the extra features these tents come with, it’s about durability. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s definitely worth saving up for a higher-priced tent, one that will last year after year. A low-priced model will need to be replaced each season since these tents tend to leak and can tear easily.
How much Should a Hiking Tent Weigh?
Ideally, a hiking tent should weigh under two and a half pounds. The lower the weight, the better, since you’ll have to attach the tent to your pack. As you know, the heavier your pack is, the quicker you’ll find yourself exhausted. So, to save your back some serious strain and pain, look for a lightweight hiking tent and make sure that you’re able to physically handle this type of added weight. Some hikers recommend sharing the load with a fellow hiker, with one hiker storing the rolled-up tent and the other storing the poles and other accessories.
Should I Get a 2 or 3 Person Tent?
If there are two people camping in a tent, I recommend purchasing a tent that will sleep three, especially if you use sleeping pads, which can measure in at twenty-five inches wide. If the tent is rated to sleep two people and you use two sleeping pads, then there will be no room to walk around inside the tent. So, if you need extra space to store your gear and don’t want to trip over your camping buddy during the night, then opt for a three-person model.
Final Thoughts
The best camping tent will offer plenty of space, storage options, and a durable design that will keep you dry in cold wet weather, and cool in hot weather. As you can see, there are many features to pay attention to, in order to ensure you end up with the right model, one that’s large enough and comes equipped with all of the features you need to stay comfortable when you and the family are roughing in on your next outdoor adventure. This guide is designed to help you find the best model for you, based on how many people will be using the tent at the same time, your budget, the camping environment, and the season you’ll be camping out in. Each of the products that made it onto my list has earned high marks for their durability, amenities, standout features, and overall qualities. Because of this, I’m confident that you’ll be able to find the perfect tent for you and your family in my top six list, and one that will work for your next epic camping trip in the backcountry.