The Top 3 Things to Think About When Choosing A Tent

If you’re going backpacking or camping, you’ll need a place to stay at the end of the day. Your outdoor experience will be enhanced if you have the right tent for your needs. However, with so many options from various brands on the market, picking the best tent can be difficult.

With so many choices, it’s easy to make poor decisions or give up. However, there are some features and considerations that will assist you in narrowing it down. Here are the top three factors to consider when making the best decision.

How To Choose The Best Tent: Top 3 Considerations

1. The amount of space you need

The amount of room you’ll need is determined by the number of people you’ll be transporting and the items they’ll be carrying. The tent’s size is usually determined by the number of people it can hold or the size of the floor. If the tent is labeled as a 4-person tent, for example, it can comfortably fit four people.

The capacity of a tent, on the other hand, has no industry standard. You can fit three people into a four-person tent, but you might want to upgrade to a larger size for more comfort. Buying a tent that can accommodate one or two more people than you plan on sleeping is a good rule of thumb, especially when car camping.

If you’re going backpacking, you might want to forego some comfort in exchange for a light tent. As a result, purchasing a tent that is rated for the number of people you intend to sleep with is a good idea.

You should consider the headroom in addition to the tent floor size. Compare your height to the peak height of the tent. If you plan on spending more time inside, the tent should allow you to stand comfortably. Consult the shelter’s dimensions for more information. Consider getting a tent made for tall people if you are taller than the average person. 

2. Type of camping you plan to do

The best tent for you will be determined by the season and the type of camping you plan to do. Will you camp in the backcountry, where you’ll have to carry your tent in a kayak or backpack, or in a provisional park next to your car? Is your trip scheduled to take place in the summer, winter, spring, or fall?

Backpacking, canoeing, hiking, or bike touring

Size and weight are important considerations when planning a muddy transportation or camping trip where you need to carry a tent on your back. An ultra-lightweight shelter is convenient because you also carry other supplies such as clothing, cookware, food, and water.

Get yourself 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’re going car camping, you’ll have a lot of tent options. Because you won’t be carrying the tent and other gear for long distances, size and weight become secondary considerations. 

A camping tent with the following features will be the best for you:

• Large and roomy, with enough headroom to stand comfortably inside
• Lighting and ventilation are provided by numerous windows
• The largest tent that can sleep an additional +1 or +2 people than the number of people you plan to sleep with
• Although the foldable size should fit in your car trunk, it is not intended to be compact or lightweight

Camping in winter

Whether you’re going car camping or backpacking, the weather and season will influence which tent you choose. If you plan to go camping in the winter, invest in a four-season tent to protect yourself from the elements. Because they can withstand strong winds and shed heavy snow, 4-season tents are ideal for mountaineering excursions, winter camping, and ski touring.

Camping in spring, fall, and summer

A 3-season tent is recommended if you plan to camp in the spring, fall, or summer. The 3-season tent can withstand rain and wind, but it won’t be able to shed a lot of snow in the winter. Consider one with more mesh panels for ventilation for summer camping. If you plan on camping during the rainy season, invest in a tent with a rainfly to keep water out of your shelter.

3. Additional features and accessories

Tents can be comfortable and convenient even if they are only used for a short period of time. Consider the following extra features and accessories for a relaxing time in the woods:

Vestibules

A camping tent’s vestibules are the front porches, mudrooms, and garages. This is where you can store your belongings and even remove your shoes. Choose a tent with a vestibule for keeping your belongings if your chosen tent has the same capacity as the people you plan to sleep with. Some tents, on the other hand, do not include vestibules but do offer the option to add one.

Doors

If you’re going with your family or friends, a tent with multiple doors might be a good idea. You can exit the tent without stepping on other people thanks to an extra door. However, the additional doors make the tent bulkier and heavier, so if you’re backpacking, you might want to skip them.

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

After a long day of adventure, the last thing you’ll want to do while camping is spending hours erecting a tent. Choose a tent with color-coded poles and attachments that will take less time to set up. Because you won’t have to worry about losing the guide, a shelter with instructions printed on it is ideal. It’s worth noting that setting up larger tents takes longer than setting up smaller tents.

Rainfly 

Rainfly is an important consideration, especially when camping during the rainy season. It is a waterproof roof that can be placed on top of your tent. Choose a tent with a full rainfly for maximum protection against elements such as storms, or a tent with a partial rainfly for more lighting.

Ventilation

To avoid waking up to condensation all over your tent, buy a tent with adequate ventilation. Wetness causes your bedding and clothing to become damp, which can make you sick. The best option is a shelter with strategically placed vents and rainfly ventilation.

Flooring

Particularly in family tents, the tent floor sees a lot of use and abuse. Look for a tent with a sturdy and durable floor. This will ensure that the tent lasts a long time and will keep moisture out. Regardless, a tent footprint or tarp, which are fabrics that go under your tent to protect it from abrasions, is always recommended.

Ability to customize

You should buy a tent that is easy to customize because you may not be able to get all of the features and accessories in one tent. If your tent doesn’t have enough pockets or pre-installed lights, make sure it has loops on the wall or ceiling to allow you to install a gear loft and lights.

Summary

The best tent for you should satisfy your needs in terms of space, camping, added features, and accessories. Once you’ve decided on one, check the material quality and purchase one that fits your budget. However, you should always be willing to spend a little more on quality and durability.