If you are going backpacking or camping, you’ll need shelter after a day’s long adventure. A proper tent that matches your demands improves your outdoor experience. But, choosing the best tent is challenging given the many options from various brands in the market.
Many options equal confusion, leading to making bad choices or giving up. But, some features and considerations will help you narrow it down. Here I give you the top 3 factors to consider for the wisest choice.
Top 3 Factors to consider for the best tent for you
1. The amount of space you need
The amount of space you need depends on the number of people and the gear you will carry. Mostly, the tent size is indicated by the number of people it can accommodate or the floor size. For instance, if the tent is indicated as a 4-person tent, it can comfortably accommodate four people.
However, there is no industry standard for tent capacity. You can cram into a 4-person tent with three others, and you may want to consider a larger size for comfort. A good rule of thumb, especially for car camping, is to buy a tent that can accommodate one or two more people than you plan on sleeping.
For backpacking, you may want to sacrifice some comfort for a lightweight tent. So, it would be advisable to buy a tent rated for the number of people you plan to sleep with.
Apart from the tent floor size, you should also consider the headroom. Check your height vis a vis tent’s peak height. The tent should allow you to comfortably stand if you intend to spend more time inside. Check the dimension of the shelter for guidance. If you are taller than the average person then consider getting a tent for tall people.
2. Type of camping you plan to do
The best tent for you is dependent on the season and the type of camping you intend to do. Will you go to the backcountry where you need to carry your tent via kayak or backpack, or intend to camp next to your car at a provisional park? Are you planning the trip in summer, winter, spring, or fall?
Backpacking, canoeing, hiking, or bike touring
If you are planning a backpacking expedition where you will have to carry the tent through muddy portages or on your back, size and weight are important considerations. Note that you will also be carrying other supplies such as clothing, cooking gear, food, and water, and an ultra-lightweight shelter makes a difference.
Buy a backpacking tent as they are:
- Compact, which saves space in your pack
- Lightweight
- Smaller so it will fit in squeezed wild campsites
- N/B: With lightweight tents, you may sacrifice interior space and durability. Always try to make a balance between these three factors.
Car camping or vehicle camping
If you intend to go car camping, you will have many tent options. The size and weight become a secondary consideration since you won’t be carrying the tent and other gear for long distances. Therefore, you can afford to aim for a tent with more capacity such as an 8 person tent.
The best camping tent for you will be one with the following features:
- Large and spacious with enough headroom to allow you to stand when inside comfortably
- Many windows for lighting and ventilation
- The biggest tent that accommodates +1 or +2 people than you intend to sleep
- Not designed to be compact or lightweight, though you should ensure the foldable size fits in your car trunk.
Camping in winter
Whether you are planning car camping or backpacking trips, the weather and season inform the best tent to pick. If you intend to go camping during winter, buy a 4-season tent to protect you against extreme weather. Therefore, the 4-season tents are best for mountaineering excursions, winter camping, and ski touring as they can withstand strong winds and shed heavy snow.
Camping in spring, fall, and summer
If you intend to camp during spring, fall, or summer, you should buy a 3-season tent. The 3-season tent can withstand rain and wind but cannot shed heavy snow during winter. For summer camping, consider one that has more mesh panels for ventilation. If it is likely to rain during your camping period, consider a tent with rainfly to keep water away from your shelter. In any case, you should aim for a tent for hot weather especially when camping during summer.
3. Additional features and accessories
Just because tents are a temporary accommodation doesn’t mean they can’t be comfortable and convenient. For an easy time in the wilderness, consider the following additional features and accessories:
Vestibules
Vestibules are front porches, mudrooms, and garages of a camping tent. This is a place where you can keep your gear and even take off your shoes. If your chosen tent is of exact capacity as the people you intend to sleep with, choose one with a vestibule for keeping your things. However, some tents don’t come with the vestibules but give options to add one.
Doors
If you are going with your family or friends, you may want to consider a tent with more than one door. An extra door gives you the freedom to exit the tent without stepping over others. But, the other doors make the tent bulkier and heavy, and you may want to avoid extras if backpacking. Another option is to consider a muti room tent if you want privacy at all times.
Pockets and organization
Tent pockets may seem luxurious until you can’t track your gear inside the shelter. Imagine waking up, and you can’t trace your car keys, or everything is cluttered around? That’s where you will notice the importance of pockets and organizers. Consider a tent with at least one or two pockets, and if you have a lot of gear, one with many may be ideal.
Ease of setup
The last thing you will want during camping is to spend hours setting up a tent after a long day of adventure. Look for a tent that takes less time to set up with color-coded poles and attachments. A shelter with instructions printed on it is the best since you won’t have to worry about losing the guide. Note that bigger tents usually take time to set up than smaller ones.
Rainfly
Rainfly is an important feature to consider, especially when camping during the rainy season. It is a waterproof roof that you can put over the top of your tent. Go for tents with full rainfly for maximum protection from elements such as storms or one with partial rainfly if you want more lighting.
Ventilation
You should buy a tent with enough ventilation to avoid waking up to condensation all over your tent. Wetness makes your beddings and clothes damp, which can easily make you sick. A shelter with well-placed vents and ventilation provision with rainfly is the ideal option.
Flooring
The tent floor is subjected to a lot of use and misuse, especially in family tents. Look for a tent with a good and strong floor made of durable materials. This ensures the tent serves you long and prevents moisture from seeping in. Nonetheless, it is always best to use a tent footprint which is a fabric that goes under your tent to protect it against any form of abrasions.
Ability to customize
It is important to buy an easy-to-customize tent as you might not get all the features and accessories in one tent. Ensure your tent has loops on the wall or ceiling to allow you to install gear loft and lights if your tent choice doesn’t have enough pockets or pre-installed lights.
Key Insights & Takeaway!
The best tent for you should meet your demand in terms of space, camping you plan to do, added features, and accessories. Once you settle on one, check the material quality and buy one that fits your budget. But, always be willing to spend some extra for quality and durability.