For the sea and the mountains, waterproof, sturdy, and suitable for all seasons, here are the best camping tents and how to choose which to buy based on your needs and type of holiday.
The camping tent offers shelter and a comfortable area for our holidays. Choosing the right tent is essential depending on the destination and the occupants’ number. We find numerous structures and features among the various camping tents to satisfy campers’ different needs.
Everyone can find a camping tent right for them, from families with children looking for a quiet holiday to hikers who venture into long trekking routes. To buy a good camping tent, we understand our ideal holiday.
If we want to leave only for a weekend with friends and use the tent only to sleep on the beach while we spend the day fishing or swimming, a small igloo for 2 or 4 people will be enough to offer a minimum of indispensable shelter.
If we go to the mountains in winter, we will need a robust structure, waterproof fabrics, and good insulation from the ground. But, on the other hand, if we want to take children on holiday in the summer to the sea or the mountains, we prefer a big tent that can make us all stay together, perhaps with a veranda where to eat in the shade, with fabrics and mosquito nets that can protect us from the sun and insects.
Another element to consider is the assembly of the tent. Again, if we are inexperienced, it is better to choose a simple model with clear instructions and possibly pre-assembled structures that can facilitate the work at the time of assembly and when dismantling the structure if we were to leave in a hurry in case of severe weather.
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How to choose a camping tent: Types and features
To choose the best camping tent for our holidays, let’s see the main features to consider when purchasing.
Structure and Dimensions
The first element to consider is the tent’s size based on the number of people it can accommodate. We have camping tents for two places and camping tents for 12 places. Generally, a family will choose a single large tent that can accommodate everyone. Simultaneously, a group of friends could buy more separate tents for more autonomy and privacy.
The choice of tent size also depends on transport. The best trekking tents are the smaller and lighter ones to carry in the backpack, while during a vacation in the car towards equipped campsites, it might be more convenient to carry only one large tent. We see below the most common structures.
Tunnel blinds: Among the most common structures, we find tunnel tents dedicated to some occupants greater than 6. In this way, the bunks are distributed to the sides with a common central space or aligned at the bottom with a common space in front that acts as a veranda.
The common area is perfect for eating and storing all the equipment and luggage. Most of these tents have a height of up to 6.5 feet, which allows them to stand comfortably, and a length that can reach 19 – 26 feet. First, you must ensure you find enough space in a clearing or on a beach.
Tents in Igloo: Igloo or dome tents are dedicated to groups of 2 or 6 people and generally include trekking tents. They stand out for their ease of assembly and lightness. 2 or 4-seater tents do not always offer a common space, and their size only allows them to sit or lie inside.
The igloo structure with thin and flexible poles is particularly wind-resistant and has completely replaced the old Canadian tent with a sloping roof. The igloo tent suits the sea and the mountains in all seasons. The smaller curtains are perfect in the woods or the most difficult terrain because finding a flat space to mount them is easier.
Tents for the house: Camping tents are classic family tents. They are equipped with internal bunks, side space, and a veranda. Compared to the other types, they have a slightly more complex structure to mount and are generally more used in summer.
Distribution of the rooms or bunks
Regardless of size, it may be useful to consider the distribution of rooms or bunks. For example, in a tent with six seats, we can have a single berth for six people, a four-berth, and a two-berth one. In a tent with 12 seats, we can have 2 – 4 or 6 bunks with relative distribution of occupants.
Sometimes, the bunks can be removed or opened completely to form a single environment. Depending on the relationship between the occupants, you can choose the most suitable distribution for more comfort and privacy in a family, couples, or friends.
Material
Most of the drapes used in making camping tents are made of polyester. The cloth must withstand the wind and must be tear-proof. The curtains are generally equipped with two sheets, an external one more robust and a thinner inner sheet to form the bunks in the more capacious curtains or the only useful space in the smaller curtains.
In addition to the material’s strength, the seams that must be tear-proof and withstand the wind event’s tension, especially at the junctions and attachment points of the eyelets and the supporting structure, are critical. In particular, the cloth on the floor must be made of even more resistant material to isolate it from the ground, offering shelter from insects, water, and weather.
The joint seams with the rest of the tent must be robust to absorb tears and tension. The best camping tents are also equipped with fireproof and self-extinguishing fabric. It means that even if they are damaged by fire, it is immediately extinguished and does not spread the flames.
Water resistance
The best camping tents offer a high degree of waterproofing. This avoids unpleasant surprises in the rain and prevents the tent from getting ruined and wet at night. In particular, winter camping tents cannot do without this feature; let’s think about a thunderstorm or a sudden snowfall in the mountains.
The impermeability of a curtain occurs through the water column test. The 4 inches diameter cylinder filled with water is placed on the fabric, and the height of this cylinder determines the impermeability. The limit value for considering a waterproof fabric is a water column of 5 inches.
However, a camping tent exposed to rain could start to absorb water due to the wind, so a water column of at least 11 inches is recommended for winter camping tents. We consider that the best camping tents have a water column of 16 inches. On the other hand, summer camping tents can have fewer than 11 inches of waterproofing because too strong a fabric can suffocate at high temperatures.
UV Protection
An essential feature of summer camping tents is UV protection. The best models offer 50 protection, indispensable when you cannot place the tent in the shade. Generally, this type of curtain is also breathable to ensure an effective air exchange.
Mosquito Net
The most important element of the camping tent is the mosquito net. All windows and entrances should have mosquito nets that can be closed and opened independently. The mosquito net allows us to keep the tent open day and night without annoying insect intrusion.
In addition to the mosquito nets on the windows, many tents are equipped with strategically placed air intakes to ensure ventilation even when the awning is completely closed. Usually placed high up near the roof, these openings are formed by a mosquito net and another covering of fabric that prevents water and wind entry.
Poles
Poles form the supporting structure of the camping tent. Depending on the tent’s size, we can have aluminum or steel posts to be fitted together; this is the case for many family tents with a rigid structure.
The latest generation camping tents increasingly use fiberglass or carbon-fiber poles, especially igloo or tunnel tents. Their strength and resistance are combined with flexibility, able to counteract the strong wind. In this case, the awning bends significantly but offers greater resistance and safety.
The structure formed by the poles can be internal, below the cloth, or external, outside the cloth. Outdoor poles are generally more suited to winter tents because they offer greater wind resistance. However, the external poles are always connected to the most robust outer cover.
On the other hand, the internal poles are more useful in summer tents because, being below the inner curtain, in some cases, we can decide to avoid the assembly of the outer cloth during too hot nights. Many tent models are pre-assembled.
It means that the posts are joined together in groups of two or three sections, explained, and join them to the cloth. Alternatively, we have pop-up camping tents, with poles and towels integrated into a single flexible structure that practically opens by itself.
Maintenance of the camping tent
Now all tents are equipped with a bag or carrying bag to keep the tent away from dust and moisture. The blind must always be folded carefully and only after being cleaned of dirt and completely dry. If it is impossible to do these operations at the campsite, they must be done at home before storing the tent for many months.
Although many fabrics are fireproof, using small burners inside the tent or smoke or using any flame is impossible. If it is also true that the risk of fire is minimal, we run the risk of piercing the tent’s fabrics. The best camping tents always have repair kits to replace eyelets, pull cords, and repair fabric tears.
Where to place the camping tent
To position the awning, you must choose a portion of flat ground free of stones or shrubs that could ruin the floor’s sheet and cause discomfort during the night. Placing the tent under the trees is very useful to gain shade in the summer, but it could be counterproductive in pine cones, chestnuts, and resin that could ruin the fabric.
It is better to look for a point far from the trunks in winter, as a small clearing, due to thunderstorms and possible lightning. To set up the tent on the beach, it is necessary to stay as far away from the shore as possible, especially in areas that are little known to us due to the tide that could significantly increase during the night.
The best camping tents to buy
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- WeatherTec system's welded corners and inverted seams keep water from getting in
- Easy setup in only 10 minutes. Good for backpacking
- Weathertec system with patented welded floors and inverted seams to keep you dry
- Instant Pop Up Technology: Pre-attached poles lock into place for setup in 2 minutes or...
- Sleeping Capacity: Measures 14x9 feet with a 78-inch center height; fits two queen-size...
- Weather Protection: H20 Block Technology with 1200mm fabric, fully taped rainfly, sealed...
- 🌄 ✔MATERIAL AND ACCESSORIES: Equipped with the polyester outer shell, 8.5mm glass...
- 🌄 ✔DURABLE & STABLE DESIGN: Aluminum poles, iron ground stakes, and windproof rope...
- 🌄 ✔GREAT VENTILATION: Double-layer dual-purpose design on the top, external...
- ROOMY INTERIOR: Straight wall design with 72in center height create more space to stand up...
- WEATHER PROTECTION: High-tech coating material with sealed seams and waterproof strip...
- EASY SETUP & COLOR COATED POLES: No particular skills needed, 2 people could set up the...
- Lightweight & Big Space: 7'L x 5' x 45"H. Spacious room for 2 adults.Standard size fits 1...
- Windproof & Rainproof: The camping tent is made of stronger tear-resistant polyester.It...
- Comfortable Design: Skylight net and larger mesh window designed enhances breathability...
- Spacious tent has enough room for 6 people with 2 queen size airbeds
- Sets up in 15 minutes with rainfly and carry bag included
- Snag-free continuous pole sleeves with insta-clip attachments to stand up to winds
- Instant Pop Up Technology: Pre-attached poles lock into place for setup in 60 seconds or...
- Sleeping Capacity: Measures 11 by 9 feet with a 72-inch center height; fits two queen-size...
- Weather Protection: H20 Block Technology with 1200mm fabric, fully taped rainfly, sealed...
- 【Lightweight & Compact】 The backpacking tent only weighs 2KG(4.4lb) and the package...
- 【Easy Setup & Fast Take Down】 Manually setting up this camping tent is easy and fun,...
- 【Waterproof & Windproof】 210D waterproof PED fabric PU 3000, oxford bottom fabric PU...
- ENCLOSED SCREENED PORCH: Adds 35% more space than comparable 4-person dome tents; enjoy...
- STAY DRY: Detachable rainfly as well as a tub-like floor with welded corners and inverted...
- ROOM TO STAND: Vertical walls and a high ceiling allow campers to stand upright and easily...
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