Most of us would love to travel and explore what we like, Camping gives a chance to spend time with nature and helps to keep us relaxed. For instance, If you love to relax nearby riverside or explore somewhere you’ve never gone then it’s recommended to have the right tools. Clothing, boots, Safety equipment, and more than everything it’s essential to have a good quality camping tent.
Best Overall Camping Tent
(Camping Chairman #1 Choice)
- Lightweight
- Weatherproof
- Durable Design
You may wonder about the term “a good quality camping tent” I’ve a reason for saying it. A tent is the crucial one to choose because it can make or break your camping experiences.
The selection of camping tents depends upon the adventure you’re undertaking, the size of the family, and a lot more.
Apart from size, there are different types of tents 3-season, 3 or 4-season, and 4-season tents.
All these tents are made of heavy-duty materials so it can withstand heavy rain- and snow-fall.
When we talk about the styles of tents, I’ve two options to share one is Cabin-style and the other is dome-style tents. Cabin-style tents will give you more space and have a higher peak point.
Whereas the dome-style tents will be a little stronger and can withstand even a storm but give a limited space to live.
From tons of models, our team has picked the Top 10 Camping tents for you guys, the best ones are suggested to make your adventurous trip a memorable one.
Go through all our options and pick the one that suits you.
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Top 10 Best Camping Tents Compared!
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Top 10 Best Camping Tents Reviewed!
From tons of models, our team has picked the Top 10 Camping tents for you guys, the best ones are suggested to make your adventurous trip a memorable one. Go through all our options and pick the one that suits you.
Type: Freestanding, 3-season
Capacity: 6 people
Weight: 16.3 lb (7.4 kg)
Dimensions (L x W x H): 10 x 10 ft (120 x 120 in; 305 x 305 cm)
Floor area: 100 ft² (9.3 m²)
Doors: 1
Windows: 2
WeatherTec system: Patented welded floors and inverted seams
Poles: Fiberglass
The Coleman 6 person Sundome tent is a very popular lightweight camping tent that offers 6 feet of headroom at the center, good ventilation, and what not! In this review let’s briefly see about Sundome 6’s ventilation, storage, durability, interior space, and more.
Who is it for?
The Sundome 6 tent can be a comfy place for 6 people, the entire size is great 27 x 8 inches (69 x 20 cm), not huge so you can carry it easily. The weight is 16.3 lb (7.4 kg) which is enough for a standard tent. Its floor area measures 100 sq ft (9.3 m²). If you keep all the gears inside then space can be comfy for 3-4 people, so it’s based on your adjustments. The floor size and the height are such that you can put any size double bed inside.
Interior Space
Coleman 6 person Sundome tent offers a spacious 10 feet x 10 feet of floor area. Using this interior space, you can stay free and keep all the gears inside without compromising comfortness. It can be more than enough for holding two adults, a portable crib, and even a dog inside. You can move around comfortably, I personally feel that Sundome 6 work best with groups of three to four people. Coleman also offers the other version Sundome 4, which would be ideal for two campers and a dog
Durability and Build Quality
The Coleman Sundome is a highly durable camping tent so without any doubt, you can use it for many years. The entire construction is made of a thick, tarp-like material which is the best part of this tent. It has been worked out not only in material but also in stitching because the tight stitches help the tent to stand strong against a heavy wind. It looks neat in general. The zippers of tents are really cheap and best, also the tent poles are made of aluminum which keeps the tent sturdier for a long time.
Ventilation
Coleman Sundome Tent comes with a double-wall design which promises good ventilation, an impressive feature of Sundome 6 is the airiness. There are two windows with mesh plus you get a ventilation opening above the floor, all these features are packed in a single tent to circulate freely. Due to the presence of awnings on the front and back you can keep the windows open even if it rains. The main reason for ranking Coleman in Rank 1 is it can be a good companion for any type of climatic condition.
Pros
- Easy to set up, take down, and store.
- Thick and durable bathtub floor
- Ventilates very well in hot weather.
Cons
- There is a general lack of storage.
Capacity: 6 people.
Style: dome tent, non-freestanding.
Weight: 20.9 lb (9.48 kg).
Peak height: 68 in (173 cm).
Area per person: 23.3 ft² (2.17 m²).
Dimensions (L x H): 14 x 10 ft (4.27 x 3.05 m)
Doors: 1.
Windows: 2 + door window + screen room.
The Coleman Evanston 6 Screened Tent is a spacious tent and it’s a dome-style tent with an included screen room. This tent can be comfy for a family of four, the screen room can be used as a storage area, lounging area, or for sleeping.
All these packages come under an affordable price so if you’re looking for the best and cheap camping tent for a trip, opt this option guys!
Who is it for?
The pack size is 28 x 10.25 x 9 inches so it would be easy to carry. This tent will offer a lot of space in which you can place even the queen size bed for sleeping in the main room. It will be easy for organizing the screen room with chairs and tables. Coleman Evanston Screened Tent will be suitable for a cooler environment because the inner area is designed without too much mesh. An important point to note down is, this tent is not suitable for strong windy areas because the fly is weak. You can use it in mild weather conditions without any hesitation.
Design
There is only one entrance at the front of the screen room in which you can see an inverted-T shape centrally positioned zipper and at the backside, there is a D-shaped zippered entrance to the dome room. Hardly it will take around 15 minutes to set up the tent.
Materials
First of all this camping tent is designed in a dome shape so as I said afore it will be strong and stable. Totally there are 4 poles in which two poles create the main dome, and the third one will be the cross pole which will lift the fly up above the windows. The fourth pole will be above the screen room.
Moreover, this tent has undergone lots of waterproof tests and proved as the best waterproof tent. The floor is made of durable tarp-type material, polyethylene with an added corner welds.
Windows and Fly
This tent comes with two mesh windows that are well-protected by panels. It is not only covered by panels but also protected by the fly so if you love to keep the door open it’s easy and safe. Most of the dome-style tents will come with two windows and an internal door. The fly doesn’t offer the full coverage yet it is useful for some purposes. It is located only on the ceiling of the screen room so other areas will not get enough coverage.
Pros
- Stable and Lightweight.
- Extra Space in the Screened Room.
- The interior stays dry even under heavy rain.
Cons
- Poles are fragile
1-room tent.
Weight: 24.5 lb (11.11 kg).
Dimensions: 16 x 7 ft (488 x 213 cm).
Floor area: 10.4 m².
Peak height: 188 cm
E-Port for electrical power inside the tent.
Dimensions: 27.5 x 9.25 x 9 in (70 x 23.5 x 23 cm).
Area per person: 1.3 m².
Do you look for a spacious tent? The Coleman Montana 8-Person Tent will be very comfortable for a family of four to six people.
It is designed as an extended dome type tent so obviously, the central section will have two main poles plus two other poles on the sides for an extension. So by reviewing all those features I’ve come to a point that this tent would be the top choices among family campers and camping groups for many years. Let’s briefly know about this tent here, so do read on to see if this is the one for you.
Design
The Coleman Montana 8-person tent is a modified dome tent that has a variety of features to offer comfort for the campers. It comes in multi-colors like green, blue, or black fabric. The entire construction is built using the fiberglass poles along with the shock cord. With the help of these poles, the tent can be locked in a specific place. It has a 16 by 7-foot footprint, with a 6-foot, 2-inch central headspace. An innovative hinged door makes for easy in-and-out, so you can get better airflow.
Windows
There are 3 windows which help to keep the space ventilated. Two windows are located on the sides and are protected by the fly so you can keep it open all the time. In the case of rainy days, it doesn’t work out. The third window is placed on the door which is the upper section so without any hesitation just keep it open because it is protected by the awning.
Hinged door
Hinged door is an added advantage of this tent. In this type of tent, you’ll get three windows and two poles using which the air can be circulated evenly in all areas. The poles are put on the sleeves and this is what makes it hinged so it feels like heaven. It has a single door so the worth is not much. But if you like to purchase hinged door tents, please check this list.
Pros
- Durable and waterproof
- Zipped portal for electrical cords
- Hinged door for easy entrances and exits
Cons
- The floor plan does not work well with large camping cots.
Type: freestanding, 3-season, instant setup.
Capacity: 9 people.
Weight: 35.15 lb (16.3 kg).
Floor area: 126 ft² (11.7 m²).
Area per person: 14 ft² (1.3 m²).
Dimensions: 14 x 9 ft
Peak height: 78 in (1.98 m).
Packed size: 122 x 28 x 27 cm
CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent is robust in nature also it is not only large and spacious but also has the ability to withstand any type of climatic conditions.
It is designed with adjustable air vents which helps to keep your area cool and drive out the heat through the mesh ceiling. So, guys, you can feel like home while using this tent. Moreover, the 9P Instant Cabin has a superior rain protection ability which adds an extra benefit to this tent. It has a durable 68D Polyester exterior with a 600mm hydrostatic rating.
Design
This tent is crafted in a freestanding, dome shape design which looks stunning, it stands tall at 78 inches tall (198 cm). So it is suitable for tall people, but for heavy winds, it can’t stay better. Moreover, this is a tent for large families and for large groups of people. The average weight of 35.15 pounds is adaptable also there are lots of mesh windows which help to bring a perfect air circulation into the tent. The entire structure is covered by buckles to enhance stability.
Specific features
There are enough windows to keep you fresh all time, also it is protected with mesh screens and rain panels for ensuring comfortness. Also, there is an electrical cord access port on the wall, so the tent can be lightened up. The fly covers the top ceiling and offers a wide view everywhere around. It protects the tent even if the weather is too bad with strong winds and rain.
Instant Setup
Hardly it takes about 60 seconds to set up the tent, Are you surprised? Yes, guys only 60 seconds! A single person is enough for fixing the whole setup. The instant setup works by utilizing telescoping tent poles. The fact is that when you set up a tent the inner sections slide out of each other which is an amazing feature that makes the process much easier.
Pros
- Instant set up
- Perfect ventilation
- Massive interior space
Cons
- It’s drafty in cold weather.
Type: 3-season, non-freestanding tent.
Capacity: 8 people.
Weight: 27.3 lb (12.4 kg).
Dimensions: 192 x 132 in; 488 x 335 cm
Area per person: 19.8 ft² (1.84 m²).
Peak height: 78 in (198 cm).
Packed size (L x D): 36 x 16 in
Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent is perfect for bigger camping trips, it is designed with two sections including the main housing and a screened porch.
The main room is with 78 inches (198 cm) peak height plus two windows, one on each side, so the tent is airy. The main housing is enough for 4-5 people, and there is plenty of ventilation all over the tent. The weight is 27.3 lb which is a bit heavy so you need a car for transportation. Also, make sure that you’ve chosen a proper ground for a camp.
Structure
The rooms are airy and give a pleasant feel while resting inside, it comes with small pockets but that’s enough. The inner door is locked with a zipper so it’s not removable. One person can set this tent up in 20 minutes. The floor is polyethylene and the upper portion is polyester coated with polyurethane so this tent stands durable for a long time.
Poles
To ensure safety this tent is fixed with 6 metal poles and 3 fiberglass poles. All these poles are shock-corded, out of these 9 poles two of them will create a dome structure due to the sleeves, and those can be fitted to the side poles through plastic connectors. While handling fiberglass poles just be careful because it is not as strong as aluminum poles.
Ventilation
If you need a good ventilated tent then opt for this option. The main room has big windows which are equipped with mesh and zippers. In this design, the top section is not zipped yet the flap protects the window in case of heavy rain. So for sure, you can get a great airflow all the time even if the window is zipped completely. Back of the window can be zipped but if needed you can keep it open. The porch room is also with gigantic mesh including the ceiling. So even if you zip all panels, there will be airflow in the room.
Pros
- Easy, single person set-up
- Plenty of space for extra storage
- Lots of ventilation and air circulation
Cons
- Troubles with stability when winds become heavy
1 Minute Instant Setup
Polyguard 2X Double-Thick Fabric for Durability
Telescoping Steel Legs
8 x 7 ft (56 square feet) Cabin
Anti-Moisture Weathertec System
Can Fit 1 Queen Mattress
Easy Packing Carrying Bag
Storage Pockets
Coleman 4 Person Instant Cabin is one of the best selling products also it excels in its construction and functionality, and housing. Tents come under a wide range of sizes and quality so the choice is yours.
This 4-person cabin tent is suitable for 4 people in a 56 square foot interior. It comes with a thick and durable polyester fabric which makes the tent stronger and the best. It also has waterproofing features that most tent companies don’t include. The integrated fly will prevent rain but it may be costly, from point of view investing in the best quality tent will not go wrong. So get this high-quality cabin tent and enjoy!!!
Durability
Coleman never fails to use good quality materials in their products, and this tent is no exception. The entire construction is made from double-thick, 150D polyester which gives a light feel but the quality is extraordinary. The durable quality keeps the tent out of UV radiation and also minimizes abrasions from poking holes in the tent. The steel poles will offer a strong frame that can withstand even in heavy wind and rain. Additionally, the Weathertec welded and reinforced floor will allow a lot of foot traffic.
Weathertec Waterproofing
The Weathertec system offers excellent protection, it also includes additional features like inverted stitches, zipper cuffs, a water-resistant canopy and fly, and a welded and reinforced bathtub floor. With the help of inverted stitches and taped seams, the water will be kept out. The zipper cuffs act as a cover for preventing rain. The frame makes it resilient during strong wind gusts and the reinforced bathtub floor eliminates groundwater from entering in.
Pros
- Large windows.
- Very durable.
- Freestanding.
Cons
- Heavy
Capacity: 10 people.
Weight: 31 lb (14.1 kg).
Dimensions: 17 x 9 ft
Area: 140 ft² (13 m²).
Peak height: 203 cm.
Easy setup with color-coded poles and continuous pole sleeves.
Packed size: 30.3 x 10.2 x 10.2 in.
Included carry bag with a separate stake and pole sacks.
Coleman WeatherMaster 10-Person Outdoor Tent is a cozy tent that has large rooms for bags and beds also there are separate rooms that can be opened up or separated based on the camping situation.
This tent is suitable for all-weather environments, also it requires only a few steps to assemble and has plenty of room inside which allows the camper to use their own bit of space to themselves.
Materials & Build Quality
The Coleman Weathermaster 10 is made from quality materials which also includes the polyester taffeta at 75T with a 450mm PU coating for keeping you warm even on rainy nights. Are you worried to assemble the tent in dark times? Don’t worry because each set of poles is coordinated with color so that you can get an idea to set up easily. You can get a smooth and easy setup for assembling the tent. It takes around 20 minutes to set it up because there are different bits and pieces.
Size and Weight
It weighs 35.6 pounds which is somewhat light compared to other similar tents of the same size. So for a camping trip, this one will be the best as it doesn’t require much space inside the bag. It is 30.3 x 10.2 x 10.2 inches when packed up. It measures 17×9 feet with a 6 foot 8 center height so when you’re inside the tent you can easily stand up straight without any back or neck aches.
Comfort
There is plenty of room inside the tent so obviously, it’s suitable for a whole family. This tent is assembled as a cabin so you can get extra space for living and sleeping. If you’re a winter camper then have blankets with you because the tent can get cold around the edges and makes the environment chill.
Pros
- Steel poles.
- Hinged door.
- Functional design.
Cons
- The tent isn’t designed for cool weather.
Assembled size: 8’ x 8’ (64 sq. ft.)
Interior peak height of 7’
Near-vertical walls
Pack size: 26” x 7”
Steel/fiberglass 6-pole frame with clips, pole sleeves, and ring/pin assembly
Pole width: 12.7mm (fiberglass), 19.5 mm (steel)
The Copper Canyon has 8 feet by 8 feet of floor space, an interior peak height of 7 feet, which has no vestibule. I’d recommend this as the best weekend tent, a road trip tent, and a car or motorcycle camping tent.
It comes with a 6-pole design, along with 12.7mm fiberglass roof poles and 19.5mm powder-coated steel vertical support poles. This tent has four windows with “Quick Stash” flaps. An added benefit of this tent is, it comes with the 68D polyester mesh roof for additional ventilation.
Materials and construction
The vertical poles are made of steel which is strong and durable, its thickness is not less than 19.5 mm. Now let’s go for roof poles, these poles are constructed of fiberglass which measures 12.7 mm, so they require some care. The fly is minimalistic so it can protect only the roof of the mesh area. The waterproof rating of this tent is 1200 mm, it is valued based on its PU coating.
Plenty of windows
This tent is designed with windows on each side for ensuring the airing process and visibility. Thanks to the full mesh roof of Eureka Copper Canyon 6 Person Tent manufacturer because there is no condensation. According to my guess, the tent will be airy and fresh for a long time due to its windows and the mesh on the ceiling. But on rainy days the window panels must be closed to stay safe.
Pros
- 6-pole cabin style
- Full mesh roof for ventilation
- Has a large D-style door and windows on each side
Cons
- Has only one door
Inner Tent dimension: 6.9’X6.9’X4.3(H) (4P) / 6.7’X5.3’X3.8’(H) (3P) / 6.7’X4.3’X3.6’(H) (2P)
Rain Fly dimension: 9.4’X7.1’X4.3’(H) (4P) / 7.2’X6.9’X3.8(H) (3P) / 6.9’X6.4’X3.6’(H) (2P)
Folding Size: 17.3”x6.3”x6.3”(4P) / 16.5”x5.9”x5.9”(3P) / 15.5”x5”x5”(2P)
Capacity: 1-4 person
Weight: 6.2 pounds
Innter tent material: 210T polyester cloth and B3 Nylon airy mesh
Flysheet: 210T polyester cloth + PU Coating
Groundsheet: 150D anti-tear Oxford cloth
Frame poles: 7001 high-quality Aluminum
If you are looking for a camping tent for your family, the Weanas Professional Backpacking tent is a good choice for you. It is designed to be suitable for 1-4 people for three seasons. This is the perfect choice for your outdoor plans with your close circle relatives and friends.
With this 3 season camping tent, you can stay conveniently in this tent without any troubles. It contains two layers, so it is very strong and makes you comfortable in three weather conditions. This tent comes with a dual door design that is very convenient so you can open from inside and outside.
It contains attractive interior design and brace type windows. The outside of the tent has two closable ventilation skylight that is easy to use so you can get brightness and great airflow. By closing the outer layer of the tent, you can use it as a storage room for shoes and a backpack.
You can roll up the outer door curtain and fix it with a buckle for your convenience. The inner and outer body of the tent is built with aluminum and polyester materials that are water-proof. The groundsheet is anti-tear and water-resistant, so you can install the tent on any kind of surface.
It comes with a lightweight design so you can carry this easily wherever you go. It can be installed easily and quickly by a single person. It is built with strong and sturdy material, so it withstands high pressure. It is water-proof, wind-proof, and SPF proof.
Pros
- Dual-door
- Double layer
- Lightweight
Cons
- Zipper catching may damage tent material
Dimensions: 6.25’ x 4.80’ x 3.50
Material: Nylon
Capacity : 2 people
Poles: Fiberglass, 8.5mm diameter
Are you searching for a couple’s tent at an affordable price? 2-Person Dome Tent is the right choice for you. It is a compact and attractive tent for couples for any outdoor activities. It is a great tent for hiking, camping, and other outdoor festivals.
Keep yourself safe by using this tent, and it keeps your items dry while you are in the middle of camping.
The tent body is built with sturdy nylon material, so it is suitable for all weather conditions. It comes with a convenient rain fly that won’t allow the rainwater inside your tent so you can enjoy a drip. It has enough space for two persons and personal things.
This tent is lightweight, and it is designed with a D-style door for your convenience. It is a roomy tent with great space for you and your family member or friend. It also comes with an interior storage pocket that helps to store your things and keep your tent organized. You can easily fold and store the tent components in the carrying bag while traveling after camping.
This tent contains fiberglass poles and a ventilation window that allows you to use this tent during the spring and summer season. If you are planning for traveling, hiking, and camping with your friends or families, this is a great choice. It is an excellent tent, and you can get great experience with this.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Compact
Cons
- Doesn’t suitable for rough surface
BUYING GUIDE: Important Factors to Consider While Buying a Camping Tent
For campers, the tent might be their first investment. As it is going to a significant investment, you have to spend time figuring out your REAL needs about the tent.
Below we have mentioned some of the essential factors to consider while buying a camping tent for any season and outdoor environment. Before getting into that section, let us ask you a few questions. Just think of your camping future and answer.
Do you plan to go camping all alone or with your friends and family?
Do you prefer regular camping in the backcountry or car camping?
Are you a person who camps during seasons or heads out for all year long?
There are no premade answers to these questions, but we want you to be sure that you have answers because that will only help you clear your way on how you want to camp and make use of a tent.
Camping Tent Types
Most of the camping tents are categorized in two ways: High-end tents with premium constructions that cost high and Standard camping tents with a basic design that costs around $200.
Let’s deal with the advantages and disadvantages of having these two types of tents.
1. High-End Camping Tents
Considering the set of features, building quality, and price, these tents have gained this name. High-end camping tents of this price range will benefit you with more accessible R & D and advanced materials, which in total provides a durable design. High-end camping tents offer more living space, dividers, verticle walls, doors, and vestibules.
These luxury camping tents come with flexible mesh in the body to provide ventilation in warm weather. The built-in vents in the rainfly help keep moisture. Unlike the standard tents, these luxury camping tents can withstand wet weather, wind, and other climatic conditions as well. As far as we checked, almost all the high end camping tent models have come with full coverage rainfly and durable pole design.
2. Standard Camping Tents
Standard camping tents usually come under or around $200. There are typical tents at a low budget but have fully functional features and functions. These typical budget models of camping tents are durable and prevent moisture. These tents mostly use heavy fabrics, making it heavy and add extra weight to the base. The main drawback of budget options is that these won’t come with the weather-resistant design.
When it is raining, or there is a storm in your campsite, the budget tents’ interiors probably become soak and cause breakage of poles.
If you are just started heading out for camping or backcountry activities and use tents for casual uses, then budget camping tents are the best choice for you.
Inaddition to above two basic categorizations, there a few other types of camping tents also available on the market.
1. Hybrid Camping Tents
If you are looking for a tent for camping and backpacking, a hybrid tent is a right choice. These are specifically designed to fit all the requirements of camping and backpacking. These dual-purpose hybrid tents are beneficial only if you head out for both camping and backpacking a few times in a year with your family.
You have to compromise a few things when you planned to use these hybrid tents. These tents are usually light, use less durable materials, and it will be easier to pack.
2. Rooftop Camping Tents
Those who love to do car camping can consider these specific rooftop models instead of standard ones. The rooftop tent can be attached to the roof rack system at the vehicle top directly. You can unfold the tent when you reached your campsite, use the ladder, and lay on your rooftop bed.
Using these rooftop tents, you get off the coarse ground and unsafe lands—most of the rooftop camping tents equipped with mattresses, which is a significant upgrade compared to standard pads.
The major disadvantage of these tents is their price. Typically, this type of tent costs around $1000 or more. Additionally, you have to spend money on the roof rack system if you don’t have one already.
3. Canvas Camping Tents
Canvas tents have a particular fan following for its durability. Compared to nylon and other synthetic materials, the canvas is more durable and provides effective protection against varying weather conditions. Their weight and price are the drawbacks. But, their durability pays for it.
Interior Space: Floor & Tent Height
Floor dimensions and maximum tent height are the essential information that you could get from your package. With this information, a camper can decide the design of the tent. Peak height tells whether the tent can accommodate and make you stand upright comfortably inside the tent.
Most of the tents with the same sleeping capacity have similar floor dimensions; for instance, 80 to 90 square feet, when you consider car camping tents, they usually have 72 inches of peak height.
However, the livable size of tents will differ based on the slope of walls and pole design.
If you take dome tents with an X-shaped pole design, it allows you to comfort in the peak height only in the middle of the tent. Other tents with advanced pole structures provide vertical walls for you to walk around.
Sleeping Space and Capacity
Usually, camping tents have stated the number of people who can comfortably sleep inside. The value is maximum given as N persons where N denotes a number, which varies from 4 to 8 usually. The value means the number of standard sleeping pads that can be used inside the tent.
Those who use sleeping pads or mattresses above 25 inches and wide may need extra space to walk around the tent. So always pick 2 or 3 times more spacious tent that actual size. For instance, a six-person tent will be more comfortable for four persons and gives extra living space.
Doors
When you are doing group camping, then your tent must have multiple doors. It allows everyone in the tent to enter, exit, and use the things inside the tent without disturbing others. Nothing gives happiness than enjoying the camp with your friends with the most comfort.
The tents with more doorways are essential when it is raining in your campsite as everyone tried to enter the tent and remove their wet clothes.
Minimum two doors are preferred in a spacious camping tent. When you consider buying budget tents, you should ready to accept the single door design that might not comfortable for group camping.
Build Quality
The quality of materials used, durability of the design, and manufacturing are the key factors that give us an overview of how long the tent is going to serve well and how reliable it is. Noone buys a tent for one trip. So, considering the material quality and durability of the tent is a must for longterm usage.
But, the build quality of the tent is directly associated with price. You will receive what you paid for. Expensive tents should have high-quality materials and offer longterm durability and reliability.
Coleman camping tents are always preferred when it comes to durability and long time use. They are roomy, affordable, and come with easy installation.
Weather Resistance
Weather resistance is the main feature that can increase and decrease your budget. Standard and budget tents don’t have weather resistance, but they can handle mild rain and wind. But to survive in storms and heavy rain and enjoy the camping, you need a weather-resistant tent.
The benefits of premium tents are durable poles made of aluminum than fiberglass, full-coverage rainfly, waterproof fabrics, and sealed seams.
Ventilation
Most of us prefer summer camping, so ventilation plays a significant role here. To control the internal condensation, a tent with good ventilation is required. Search for tents with multiple roof vents to get fresh air flow and shine inside the tent. Again, ventilation is tied with the price tag of the product. High-end tents have used lost of mesh and double-wall construction, which help in keeping the environment cool and allow more airflow.
On the other hand, budget tents come with less mesh and fewer airflow features where you want to open the windows and doors to get fresh air. As far as we searched, most campers don’t consider ventilation a critical measure because of the price gap, so it is still the luxury feature.
Vestibules
Vestibules are covered areas that help keep your tools, gears, and other camping kits outside the tent. If you often camp in raining places might need a tent with two or more vestibules so you can keep your things safe and dry. And if you don’t have your vehicle nearby your campsite, no way is using a vestibule to keep your gears and shoes. A full range rainfly in a tent is called as vestibules that protect the door and create space in front of the tent.
Some tents have a feature that you can use vestibules as awnings for shade by equipping pole accessories.
Easy Set up and Take Down
Installing and setting up a camping tent is challenging, especially if you are a beginner. With practice, you will get used to it. Manufacturers of camping tents thinking of making set up more comfortable than their previous release saves time and hassle. Most of the tents now have buckle clips, quick to set with color combinations, and detailed yet simple directions.
Camping tents include multiple parts and have large dimensions, so it should be time taking. If you are a first-timer, try setting up a tent in your home before you do it.
Moreover, the car tent setup needs at least two person input, and it may take up to 10 minutes. However, make sure you select a tent with manageable weight and size that you can handle comfortably.
Weight and Packed Size
While buying a backpacking tent, you must check the weight and packed size as you have to take it all along with you through the actions. The weight of your tent should not put extra pressure on your back and shoulder. Camping tents weigh around four pounds is an ideal choice for backpacking. Tents of 6 or 8 person models usually weigh above 20 pounds. If you decided to buy a hybrid tent, make sure your choice does not weigh more than 10 pounds.
You have to make a smart choice while selecting the tent’s packing size as it should comfortably be stored in your vehicle and at home. The packed size is typically coordinated with the weight of the tent. Hybrid tents usually made quick and small packing.
Though you have more space to store and haul it, it is recommended to choose the compact models.
Ground Size
When you are looking to buy a new camping tent, it is a good idea to account for the tent’s total ground size and footprint where most of the 6 to 8 person tent models are extensive and massive. When your tent has large vestibules attached at the front of the tent, there are chances that it will extend the raised pads size at national parks or camping sites.
Most of the raised camping pads are below 10 to 11 feet long. Still, there are camping grounds with large raised pads, but it is a good idea to find out the dimensions of camping sites you planned to go and upgrade your tent if possible.
Hybrid backpacking and camping tents have small footprints so you can use these in small places.
Footprints
Having a quality footprint or ground cloth when camping is a good idea though it is not essential. This extra layer at the bottom of the tent makes it easier to clean, especially when you are camping at mud or dirt grounds, and it also prevents damages to the tent. Many advantages are using a specific ground cloth for a tent that perfectly fits the tent’s dimensions and attached to poles.
Instead, while using a tarp, it offers great ground protection, but you have to find the space in your car to store it. Tarps usually are large, and most people don’t prefer to cut it. You can fold the tarp as layers and insert the excess materials under the floor.
Another good option will be Tyvek. Ground cloth made of Tyvek is thin and easily packable that offers enough protection and affordable too. Whatever the type of material you choose, be sure you take account of dimensions of the tent to avoid hanging excessive fabric sides of the floor as it will get dirt, absorb rainwater, and compromise the comfort.
Season Ratings
There are 3-season tents, 3 to 4 season tents, and 4 season tents.
3-Season Tents – These are the most common types we can found on the market and most buy. These tents designed to use in the summer season when the weather is warm and fair. 3-seasons tents provide proper ventilation as they mean to be used in summer, protecting you from light rain and bushes. But, the durability and build quality are not high enough to handle storms, heavy rain, or wind.
3 to 4-Season Tents – These tents have more weather protection and a great balance of strength, ventilation, and heat retention. These tents can be used from early spring season to late fall. Mostly, these types of tents have a dome shape that prevents rain and snow. The durable pole design of these tents can withstand harsh winds. Most of the time, have full coverage rainfly that extends to the ground and includes vestibules where you can keep your shoes or camping kits dry.
4-Season Tents – Generally, 4-season tents are heavy and bulky, so these are not meant for 3-season car campers. If you often camp in snow and cold weather, you should have this one with you. Mostly, they have low profile design and dome shape to shed snow and wind.
A significant drawback we see in this type of tent is ventilation. 4-season tents have very little ventilation so the living space will always be warm and stuff which makes it unfit for summer. Buy this type only if you do winter camping or go for long trips in heavy wind and rain where you will not need much ventilation or need to be warm.
Budget
It must be decided how often you use a tent. If you are weekend camper, investing in a tent up to $500 to $600 will be worth it.
Otherwise, if you are heading out to experience backcountry living not often or like once in the summer, don’t spend more than $250.
Final Words
Technically, you are trying to set up home outside, so camping can be difficult for choosing gears. With so many brands, unique designs, multiple types, sizes, and upgraded features, it is overwhelming to pick the right camping tent.
When you bump into checking the available features of tents, you can’t just get off as there are endless options and features created every day to enhance the overall usage and provide a comfortable and happy camping experience to you.
We have narrow down some of the popular choices that most of the campers made. We used, tested, and reviewed them for you to help you make a valuable purchase.
I hope you find it useful. Happy Camping!
