If you’re thinking of purchasing a tent, whether that be as a first-timer or simply someone who is looking to upgrade existing gear, this is the article for you. The quality of your tent is something that can greatly affect your camping experience, making it vital that you choose one that best suits your needs. Today, we have a look at 7 handy Tent tips that will help you make the best purchase, so read on to find out more!
1. Think About How Many You Want To Accommodate
Step one in choosing the perfect camping tent is to assess how many people you would like to accommodate in your tent. Of course, this is a highly subjective matter and will differ for each and everyone, so give some thought to the matter prior to heading out and purchasing one. As a rule of thumb, if a four-person tent claims to sleep four, you’ll always want to take that feature with a grain of salt.
Generally, a four-person tent is sufficient enough to cram three people in, but you’ll be better off capping it off at two. If you’re a family of four, you’ll ideally want to choose a tent that can accommodate six people in order to ensure everyone has enough room.
2. Conditions Of Use
Another important factor to consider when choosing the ideal tent setup is the conditions in which you will be camping. If you’re planning on camping in the summertime, a lightweight tent with lots of ventilation is your best bet. If you’re planning on camping in harsher conditions, the best option would be to source a three-season tent that will be able to withstand harsh conditions such as strong winds and rain.
Lastly, if for some reason you find yourself heading out on a winter camping trip in the snow, you’ll want to forgo the three-season tent in favor of a winter tent that will keep you much warmer outdoors.
3. Easy Peasy
Having the perfect tent that is an absolute pain to set up is somewhat counterproductive, which is why going for an option that offers ease of use is important. The bottom line is you don’t want to be spending precious hours setting up your tent when you would rather spend time exploring, so do your research on your tent of choice prior to purchasing. YouTube videos are a great way to suss out the ease of use, and you could also ask a salesperson at your local camping store to guide you through the setup process.
4. How Heavy Is Too Heavy?
The weight of your tent may not seem like something that is worth considering but do note that if you plan on hiking and changing camping spots often, then you’ll want to choose a tent that doesn’t weigh 2 tonnes. Larger varieties of tents are often heavy and can be a pain to carry – even from the car to your campsite, so choose wisely and with your activity schedule in mind.
5. Material Assessment
As you would imagine, the material that your tent is made out of is incredibly important, especially if you encounter rain on your camping trip. Cotton/canvas tents are often waterproof but also absorb a ton of water and become very heavy, which is why nylon and polyester tents are favored for wet conditions. Do note that nylon and polyester are prone to sun damage, so if the budget permits, we highly recommend purchasing two tents just to have your bases covered.
6. Features, Lots and Lots of Features!
Aside from a tent to sleep in, we always recommend looking into the additional features that you’re after. Some tents come with two doors instead of one and a varying number of windows that are key for good ventilation. Other factors such as the size of your awning (added protection from the elements) and storage pockets to keep all your items organized are optional add-ons that you can consider. In order to figure out what features suit your needs the best, it is important to work out what is important to your camping experience.
7. Is There After-Sales Support?
Last but not least, when you purchase a tent, you want to know that you’ll be fully supported even after you’ve handed your money over. This is why looking into a reputable brand that offers after-sales support is crucial. In the small chance that something goes wrong with your tent, you’ll ideally be eligible for warranty service or a replacement depending on the terms and conditions of your purchase. Once again, research on the internet, look at reviews, and do your homework before making any purchase that you may regret!
Choosing the perfect camping tent is a process that is highly individualized to your personal needs. The universal “perfect tent” doesn’t exist, but your “perfect tent” sure does. We hope that this article has been helpful in helping you decide which tent suits your needs the best. Happy camping!