There are several questions to ask yourself when you want to buy a tent. I'm going to share with you the three main questions I ask myself when I want to buy a tent.
1. What outdoor activities do I want to use this tent for?
For me, the main thing to consider when choosing a tent is this: will I need to carry it or not?
I have a vehicle and won't be carrying my tent
If I'm camping somewhere I can drive to, I won't need to haul my tent over long distances. In that case, weight and packed size aren't really concerns. I'll want something roomy - ideally tall enough to stand up in - with a vestibule and multiple compartments. These are what I'd call family or comfort tents.
This scenario covers activities like:
- Staying put at a campground, whether it's a couples' trip, family vacation, or friends' getaway.
- Road trip camping where I'm moving to a new spot each night but always have my vehicle nearby.
- Fishing trips.
Check out these retailers that stock this type of tent - you'll immediately see what I'm getting at.
Of course, your budget matters too. Even if you're driving, you might opt for a compact tent because it's cheaper, takes up less space, and gives you more options down the line.
I don't have a motorized vehicle and will be carrying my tent.
Now, if I'm planning a backcountry trip where I'll be hauling my tent on my back for hours each day, there's no way around it - I'll have to sacrifice comfort for lightweight, packable gear. We're talking about a completely different category of tent here: single-room shelters where you can sit up at best, but definitely not stand.
If you're traveling by bike or canoe, you can get away with something slightly heavier and/or roomier, but you'll still want to stick with compact models.
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Here are some retailers that carry lightweight, compact tents.
Sometimes I'll camp from my vehicle, other times I'll need to carry my tent
In that case, you've got two options:
- If your budget allows, buy both a comfort tent and a compact tent.
- If you'd rather not invest in both types, go with the compact tent - it'll work for either situation, whereas a family tent will get real uncomfortable on your back real quick.
2. How often will I use my tent?
If I'm a camping enthusiast who'll be using my tent regularly, it makes sense to invest in quality gear so I'm not replacing it every year.
On the other hand, if I'm only camping one week each summer, buying secondhand or going with a budget model could save me some serious money.
3. In what weather conditions will I most often use my tent?
Some destinations really put tents through their paces. I'm thinking particularly of heavy rain and wind. If you're planning trips to places like Iceland or Scotland, you'll need to pay close attention to your tent's specs.
Some materials are more waterproof than others, so you'll want to look carefully at what fabrics are used in the tent body and fly.
As for wind resistance, the tent's shape, pole structure, and guy-out system will be key factors.
I'll dive into these points in more detail in the next section.