How to Make a Good Camping Tent Purchase

These are generally the scenarios in which you would be buying a camping tent:

You are purchasing a family camping tent.

You are buying a car camping tent (whether for family or whomever)

You are purchasing a backpacking or canoe camping tent.

You want to purchase a tent that will server many purpose, i.e. canoe camping, car camping and family camping.

You are buying a camping tent for extreme (read: cold) weather excursions.

Family or Group Tent

This category assumes you have a family of, say, 4 or more and you are within a few hundred feet of your final camping location. It also assumes that the family will be requiring a tent for maximum comfort. Weight isn't generally a concern and most family outings do not include extreme weather conditions.

The most convenient and comfortable tents in this category are either a large dome tent or cabin tent. Unfortunately this category is also the type that is cheaply made and easily purchased at the local K-Wal Store. Some families opt for a cheap, and cheaply made, cabin tent, which I don't think is a great choice.

I would recommend purchasing a large dome tent (or two, depending on the number and age of the kids). Dome tents such as The North Face Foundation 44 - 4 person tent are reasonably priced, well built and will keep you dryer than the typical cabin tent.

If you are not concerned about inclement weather (wind especially) during your camping trip then you could opt for a quality cabin tent such as the EQUIDOME 6-PERSON TENT by EUREKA!.

For groups or large families or families who want to separate their kids into another area of the tent, check out the CAMPING CONDO TENT by EUREKA! It is truly enourmous.

Car Camping Tent

Typically you do not have to be as concerned with weight with a car camping trip. However, I would say that most if not all considerations for the family tent are just as valid for a car camping tent. It really depends on how many people are car camping in your group.

You could have 2 people in a car camping trip and have a camping tent rated for 6 people. Who cares, right? You are just going to pull up to the campground, unload your gear and begin setting up camp on the spot.

My choice is still a dome tent like the Kelty Streamside 4 Tent - 4-Person 3-Season tent. It just depends on how many people are in the group.

Backpacking or Canoe Camping

It's all about the weight, my friends. Even if you are sharing the load by breaking up the gear among friends, you still want it as light as possible. Additionally you want high quality of material and you want a stability especially in inclement weather.

Camping tents used for these purposes can also be referred to as 3 or 4 season tents. Generally if you are hiking a solid lightweight 4-season tent is the way to go. If you are canoeing or travelling by other modes, and the weather is not too extreme a quality 3-season tent will suffice.

For two people, a half dome tent may be adequate enough.

If there are three or more people it may make more sense to take along two or more small tents rather than one larger tent. Here is a light yet rather large Marmot Swallow Tent 3-Person 3-4-Season tent. The gear may have to be split up between hikers though.

My preference if I am hiking with a group is to pack a light 2-person tent and split the gear with my buddy.

General Purpose Camping Tent

I am including this category of camping tent for the outdoor adventurer that goes camping on the weekend, may canoe camp or even hike in a couple miles with gear to a favorite campground. I know this tent and I know this person because typically this describes myself.You may see these types of tents referred to as 3-season tents as well.

The type of tent that I would recommend for these type of activities is a quality, durable, relatively light-weight dome tent like the The North Face Roadrunner 3 Tent 3-Person 3-Season tent. I have a tent like this and find it adequate if I need to hike in with it 5 to 10 miles or so.

Extreme Camping Tent

If you are going where it is cold, wet and extreme then you will want a special type of tent like this Bibler Tempest Tent 2-Person 4-Season tent. Typically these tents are lightweight because you are hiking into the extreme conditions. These tents can also be called 4-season tents.

They are smaller, generally for 1-4 people (usually a maximum of two). There are usually more vertical walls to easily shed snow.

Review

Again, things to look for are:

• Large openings
• Consider the weight of the camping tent and the type of camping you will do.
• Adequate room for hanging out.
• Adequate storage areas inside the tent.
• Quality aluminum poles. Think 7000 Easton.
• Floor covering that extends about six inches up the sides of the tent.
• Rip stop material.
• The rain fly should extend to just a few inches from the ground.
• Adequate ventilation all sides.