Within the seek for a brand new tent, there are such a lot of differing types on the market, it’s sufficient to make your head spin.
If you become familiar with what every sort of tent has to supply, you’ll be capable to slim down your search, which can make discovering the proper tent quite a bit simpler.
And also you’ve come to simply the precise place to do this.
On this article, we’ll go over the entire several types of tents obtainable available on the market, and offer you a little bit little bit of details about every one. You’ll discover out the place every sort of tent shines, and what their weaknesses are.
Prepared? Let’s get began!
The A to Z Of Totally different Kinds of Tents
Every sort of tent is greatest suited to a selected function. A backpacker venturing out on a multi-day hike goes to wish a wholly totally different tent to a household of 5 staying at a campsite.
Let’s check out some several types of tents and their essential traits, so you’ll be able to resolve what’s going to give you the results you want.
Widespread Tent Sorts
Household Tents
Backpacking Tents
Glamping & Luxurious Tents
Winter Tents
Distinctive Tents
Fast-Pitch Tents
Day Use Tents
Widespread Tent Sorts
Dome Tents
Though it hasn’t at all times been the case, as we speak the most well-liked sort of tent must be the dome tent.
Dome tents sometimes have 2 poles that cross over (intersecting on the center) to create a dome-like construction.
What will we take into consideration dome tents right here at Wilderness Occasions?
Effectively, what’s nice about these tents is that they’re aerodynamic form makes them pretty sturdy and secure in windy climate situations.
This form additionally permits water to fall straight down the edges of the tent, so that you don’t have to fret about rainfall accumulating on the tent and weighing the roof down.
To prime all of it off, they’re usually simple to arrange, and might be very light-weight and transportable if fabricated from artificial supplies.
On the draw back, they don’t offer you a number of headroom to maneuver round inside like cabin tents do. Their peak peak is on the heart of the tent, and it will get decrease and decrease as you progress away from the middle.
Our Suggestion: Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent
Cabin Tents
If a spacious tent is on the prime of your record of priorities, you’d in all probability be greatest off going for a cabin model tent.
These tents are normally giant in dimension, designed with huge teams and households in thoughts.
However, what actually makes all of the distinction with regards to area is their straight (or close to straight) wall construction.
What this implies is that the height peak doesn’t drop as you progress away from the middle.
Slightly, it stays fixed all through the inside of the tent. This implies which you could stroll round inside freely, as you’ll in your individual dwelling, with out having to crouch over or crawl.
What’s the disadvantage?
I’m glad you requested.
Sadly, cabin tents don’t do very nicely with regards to wind resistance. Their tall construction and vertical partitions catch wind simply, and holding one pinned down in a windstorm may show fairly difficult.
It’s additionally value mentioning that due to their dimension, cabin tents are typically on the heavier aspect of issues. For that purpose, they’re tailor-made in the direction of automobile tenting journeys, quite than backpacking expeditions.
Our suggestion: Core Gear 9-Individual Immediate Cabin Tent
A-Body Tents
As soon as upon a time, A-frame tents had been the commonest type you can discover.
If I advised you to attract me a tent, there’s a great probability you’d give you a sketch of an A-frame tent.
As developments in know-how noticed the introduction of fiberglass and aluminum tent poles, dome and cabin tents rose in reputation, leaving the A-frame tent behind.
That stated, there are nonetheless some nice A-frame tents being made as we speak, they usually include their very personal set of perks.
These tents are tremendous easy to arrange, gentle sufficient for backpackers, and their construction offers nice wind and water resistance.
Because the title suggests, these tents are within the form of the letter A.
They’re held up by a pole at each ends within the center, and staked down on the corners.
As is the case with dome tents, these tents don’t present a number of headroom both.
Then once more, any tent that gives ample headroom goes to have a tough time standing as much as sturdy winds, so it’s principally a tradeoff between headroom and wind safety.
Our suggestion: Naturehike Cotton Retro A-Body Tent
Tunnel Tents
The poles on tunnel tents are arches, which stand parallel to 1 one other, forming a tent within the form of a tunnel.
A tunnel tent can have as little as 2 arches, however most have 3-4, whereas some bigger fashions can have as much as 5. Clearly, the extra arches there are, the longer the tent shall be.
The beauty of these tents is that they’re a bit of cake to arrange, they usually’re tremendous spacious, offering a good quantity of headroom.
Additionally they do pretty nicely with regards to wind resistance. Simply be sure that to pitch it in order that it’s going through in the identical course the wind is blowing, and your tent should not have any hassle staying up.
The principle downside you’re more likely to have with a tunnel tent is water pooling on prime of the tent between the poles. This may trigger the tent to sag, and in excessive instances even collapse. For that purpose, I wouldn’t suggest some tunnel tents for tenting in the course of the wet season.
Our suggestion: REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent
Household Tents
Multi-Room Tents
As tent-size will get greater into the 8 individual, 10 individual, and even 12 individual dimension, then we begin to see what are referred to as multi-room tents.
These tents are sometimes cabin or tunnel tents, and have cloth dividers that can be utilized to separate and provides privateness.
Multi-room tents are good for giant households with youngsters, or for giant teams and a number of {couples}.
8 individual tents will sometimes have one room divider to provide “two rooms” and bigger 10-12 individual tents might include two dividers to make as much as “three rooms”
Our suggestion: CORE 12 Individual Immediate Cabin Tent
Prolonged Dome Tents
One other nice tent for households are extended-dome tents.
A few of these tents can also be multi-room tents, however what we like about prolonged dome tents is that they will stand as much as wind and rain higher than their cabin-tent counterparts.
Prolonged dome tents shall be giant sufficient to sleep your total household, plus have room within the tent for gear.
Because of this, prolonged domes are a few of our favourite automobile tenting and household tents round.
Our suggestion: Core 9 Individual Prolonged Dome
Backpacking Tents
Backpacking Tents
Backpackers want a tent that’s gentle sufficient to hold round on their backs for days on finish. That’s the place backpacking tents are available in.
They arrive in 1 and a pair of man variations, so you’ll be able to fly solo or crew up.
For those who’re teaming up with somebody, one among you’ll be able to carry the poles, whereas the opposite carries the tent physique, making it even simpler to hold your tent round.
Except for the truth that they’re tremendous light-weight, they’re additionally tremendous fast to arrange and take down, to be able to simply transfer your campsite from place to put with none hassles.
These tents present more room than bivy tents, whereas nonetheless offering wonderful climate safety. They normally characteristic a vestibule or two, to be able to retailer your issues exterior the tent, whereas nonetheless shielding them from the weather.
Our suggestion: REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent
Bivy Tents
For those who’re a solo camper that enjoys backpacking and desires a lightweight tent that they will carry round on their again simply, you would possibly wish to take a better take a look at bivy model tents.
These tents are made for 1 individual, they usually weigh subsequent to nothing.
On prime of that, they’re about pretty much as good because it will get with regards to climate safety. The truth that they’re so low implies that the wind simply flies proper over them.
Even in significantly harsh climate, you’ll be protected and cushty in a bivy tent.
In fact, it goes with out saying that there isn’t a number of area in one among these. More often than not, you’ll be able to’t even sit upright when you’re inside. These aren’t meant for hanging out in – their sole function is to provide you a heat, safe place to sleep wherever you might be.
Now, don’t go complicated a bivy tent with a bivy sack. Bivy sacks are nice for staying heat, and typically you’ll be able to sleep in a single with out a tent, but it surely nonetheless isn’t a tent.
A bivy tent offers you far more privateness than a bivy sack, and higher safety from the weather. For moist climate particularly, a tent is a significantly better thought.
Our suggestion: Snugpak Ionosphere Bivy Tent
Hammock Tents
Hammock tenting has actually taken off lately, and it’s no surprise. Sleeping in a hammock, as soon as you determine the place, is among the most comfy methods there’s to get a great evening’s relaxation.
To not point out the truth that you’ll be able to dangle them nearly wherever, no matter what the bottom is like beneath.
A hammock tent is a hammock that has cloth on prime, in addition to on the underside. Form of like a dangling cocoon.
More often than not, the highest is fabricated from mesh for breathability and bug safety. The tent will then sometimes include a rain fly which you could connect to remain dry in moist climate.
An alternative choice is forgoing the rain fly and simply hanging a tarp above your hammock. It is a good solution to keep protected, whereas nonetheless getting loads of recent air circulating.
For those who do go hammock tenting, ensure you adhere to Go away No Hint ideas and keep away from harming the timber and your environment.
Our suggestion: Eno DoubleNest Hammock
Tarp Tents
Tarp tents are so versatile, that it looks like there are infinite combos of tarp shelter configurations.
Our favourite might be the lean-to, which is a straightforward and easy shelter to pitch in a bind.
The nice half about tarp shelters, are that you just don’t must essentially even plan on tenting.
Deliver your tarp with you on a day hike, and this manner you might be protected if the climate unexpectedly shifts on you.
You can too put a tarp over a tent, to supply added safety from the weather as nicely. One factor you will have to contemplate although when investing in a top quality tarp, is you’ll additionally must learn to tie tenting knots.
Our suggestion: ENO Eagles Nest Outfitters ProFly Rain Tarp
Winter Tents
Geodesic Tents
If a dome tent had been a Pokémon, it will evolve right into a geodesic tent.
These tents have a construction that resembles a dome, nevertheless, they’ve many extra poles than a dome tent does.
These poles cross over at numerous factors throughout the tent, creating supreme stability and climate resistance.
They are typically light-weight, too, so carting one round with you wherever you go isn’t any downside in any respect.
For backpackers and anyone tenting in tough and unpredictable climate, a geodesic tent is a superb possibility.
Beware, although, that they are often fairly tough to arrange. The advanced construction and multitude of poles is sufficient to make your head spin, so ensure you research the directions rigorously.
To reduce frustration in your tenting journey, I strongly advise familiarizing your self with the setup course of by pitching the tent and taking it down a few instances in your yard or front room. That means, by the point you attain your campsite, you’ll know precisely what to do.
Our suggestion: ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 3-Individual Tent
Sizzling Tents
For those who’re on the lookout for the final word winter tent, a tent you’ll be able to stay in year-round, and albeit, a badass tent, then sizzling tents are for you.
Sizzling tents let you home a tent range inside your tent. Tent stoves are good for holding you heat on chilly nights and making your winter tenting expertise extra fulfilling.
Better of all, there are a lot of sizzling tents available on the market as we speak.
They arrive in numerous sizes and styles, however the necessary key issue is all of them include a pre-cut range jack coated with a fire-proof materials that permits the tent range piping to vent up and outdoors of your tent like a chimney.
Our Suggestion: the OneTigris Rock Fortress Sizzling Tent with Range Jack
Teepee Tents
Talking of teepee tents…
In fact, teepees had been initially the normal dwellings of Native American tribes. As we speak, you could find tenting tents impressed by teepees, made of recent supplies.
You would possibly suppose they’re considerably of a novelty, however teepee tents provide some distinctive advantages.
Their cone form and tall heart level present an exceptionally spacious really feel inside, and the roof vents permit sizzling air to rise and escape via the highest of the tent.
The teepee tents utilized by indiginous tribes had been constructed utilizing animal skins. As we speak, they’re normally fabricated from canvas, though there are additionally some artificial choices obtainable for individuals who need a lighter, extra inexpensive possibility.
Teepee tents normally characteristic a range jack, so you’ll be able to warmth your tent with a wooden burning range to remain heat in chilly climate.
Our suggestion: the Information Gear Deluxe 18’ x 18’ Teepee Tent.
Glamping & Luxurious Tents
Bell Tents
Though there are some exceptions, more often than not bell tents are fabricated from canvas.
Canvas tents provide an unlimited vary of advantages, comparable to breathability, sturdiness, supreme climate safety and improbable insulation.
That stated, they’re additionally a lot, a lot heavier and dearer than their artificial counterparts.
Because of this, bell tents are sometimes used for glamping.
Their construction is considerably just like that of a teepee tent. They’ve a pyramid form and a middle pole that holds the tent up.
Nonetheless, as an alternative of going straight down from the highest of the middle pole to the bottom, the partitions on a bell tent go straight up from the bottom to a sure level. Then, from that time, they go up in the direction of the highest of the middle pole.
It’s nearly just like the love little one of the cabin tent and the teepee.
This construction offers you all the advantages of a teepee tent, with much more room to maneuver round.
Our suggestion: White Duck 13′ Regatta Bell Tent
Canvas Tents
Canvas tents are an anomaly within the tenting world.
Regardless of having a laundry record of benefits over commonplace polyester tents, canvas tents are nowhere close to as common.
Though they may price extra (in money and time), canvas tents have a lifespan that’s years (if not many years) longer than polyester tents.
For those who purchase a canvas tent now, it’s attainable to final so lengthy that you just hand it to your grandkids!
Canvas tents have develop into the luxurious go-to for glamping, as a result of they will face up to the weather and make for a nicer, total tenting expertise.
Our Suggestion: White Duck 10’X14′ Prota Deluxe Canvas Tent
Distinctive Tents
Suspended Tents
All I would like for Christmas is… a suspended tent. Critically. Somebody please get me one. Anybody?
These items are insane. You tie them to timber, equally to how you’ll tie a hammock – aside from you want 3 timber as an alternative of two. Additionally, you tie it a lot tighter than a hammock.
What you find yourself with is a brilliant comfortable little sleeping space, floating up within the air.
This implies you’ll be able to arrange camp in locations the place the terrain on the bottom isn’t appropriate for a tent. Simply think about all of the superior locations you can sleep in one among these.
For those who’re a fan of sleeping off the bottom, however not into hammocks, you’ll go nuts for these tents.
I’m not gonna lie – it’ll in all probability take a number of tries earlier than you determine set one among these up correctly. It takes a little bit of trial and error, however as soon as you determine the precise angle, and the way tight the straps should be, you’ll be all good from there on in.
Truck Mattress Tents
For those who drive a pickup truck, you’d be loopy to not think about the prospect of getting a truck tent. These items are significantly cool!
They mount proper on prime of your truck mattress, reworking it right into a sleeping space. Meaning you’ll be able to sleep in consolation and magnificence wherever your truck is parked.
Whether or not it’s at a campsite, in the course of the desert, or in a Walmart car parking zone, all you want is a parking area and also you’re good to go.
A few of them have a ground, whereas others don’t – this relies by yourself private desire. If, for example, you might have a instrument field in your truck mattress, you gained’t be capable to mount a tent with a ground over it.
Our suggestion: Napier SportZ Truck Tent.
Rooftop Tents
In relation to SUV tents, you’ve obtained 2 differing types to select from:
- Rooftop tents
- Hatchback tents
Rooftop tents are arrange on prime of your SUV (duh) they usually have a ladder that goes from the bottom to the tent so you’ll be able to rise up and down.
The beauty of these is that you just get to sleep excessive up off the bottom, which means you’re at a protected distance from snakes, bugs and every other critters that may come sniffing round in the course of the evening.
You additionally don’t have to fret about rising water ranges flooding your tent if it’s raining.
One factor that may deter you from rooftop tents, nevertheless, is their weight. Most of them weigh over 150 lbs., which isn’t a small quantity of weight to be carrying round on the roof of your automobile.
It additionally makes them fairly tough to get on and off the car, and as soon as it’s on there it’ll take fairly a bit longer to arrange than your common tent (until you splurge for a Yakima SkyRise Rooftop Tent).
Our suggestion: The Yakima SkyRise Tent
SUV Tents
Hatchback tents arrange on the bottom, and fix to your SUV’s open trunk.
By becoming a member of the area in your trunk with the area contained in the tent, you find yourself with a big, comfy space with sufficient area for a number of individuals to sleep and retailer their gear.
You may select to sleep within the trunk space, to be increased up off the bottom. And, you should utilize the world on the bottom for gear storage, or further sleeping area if there’s greater than 2 of you.
Our suggestion: Napier Outside – Sportz SUV Tent
Fast Pitch Tents
Immediate Tents
Right here’s one thing for people who need a tent that may be arrange in just some minutes.
Immediate tents are tents with pre connected poles, which implies that the poles are already connected to the tent, so that you don’t must do it whereas organising. All you must do is unfold the tent, lengthen the poles and click on them into place.
They arrive in a wide range of totally different shapes together with dome, cabin, A-frame, and even teepee.
For those who’re not a fan of the setup course of, hate fumbling round with poles and loops, and have at all times wished there was a faster and simpler means, an on the spot tent is a improbable resolution.
The catch is that they’re heavy and normally fairly cumbersome when packed. That implies that they’re off the desk for backpackers, in order that they’re actually solely an possibility if you happen to’re staying at a campsite, or some place else near your automobile.
Our suggestion: Caddis Speedy 6 Tent
Pop-Up Tents
If even a couple of minutes is a couple of minutes too lengthy, and also you need a tent that may be arrange in a matter of seconds, the pop-up tent is simply what you want.
With pop-up tents, it’s only a matter of taking it out of the bag and throwing it into a large, open area. By the point your tent hits the bottom, it’ll be up and able to go.
Whereas there are a number of cheaply made, ineffective pop-up tents on the market, there are additionally some which might be made very nicely, and carry out outstandingly.
These tents are good for campers who like to vary their tenting spot often, as a result of they let you arrange and take down your total campsite far faster than every other sort of tent.
I have to point out although – determining fold these infants again up can take some follow. I personally wished to drag my hair out on numerous events the primary couple of instances I attempted packing up a pop-up tent.
Ultimately, although, when you get the knack of it, it may be completed rapidly and simply. Promise.
Watching movies on YouTube that present somebody folding up your pop-up tent can actually assist pace the training course of up, too (and you’ll skip the hair-pulling).
Our suggestion: Quechua Waterproof Pop Up Tenting Tent.
Inflatable Tents
In relation to tents the place fast and straightforward setup is the promoting level, inflatable tents are the brand new youngsters on the block.
As a substitute of getting poles which might be made out of aluminum, or metal, or fiberglass, or plastic like each different sort of tent, these tents have inflatable air beams that act because the tent poles and maintain the construction standing.
I haven’t had any private expertise with one among these but, so I can solely inform you what I’ve examine them.
Right here’s the inside track:
First off, they arrive in a number of totally different shapes, together with geodesic, cabin and tunnel.
They’re additionally pretty dear, which is to be anticipated contemplating the truth that they’ve simply appeared on the scene.
Now, right here’s the fascinating half. You’d suppose that not having poles would offer you a lighter tent. Nonetheless, that isn’t the case. Apparently, these tents are typically heavier than different varieties of tents, so one other miss for backpackers. Sorry guys.
Our suggestion: Moose Outside 4-Individual Tent
Day Use Tents
Seaside Tents
The sandy terrain of a seashore is completely totally different to the bottom you’d sometimes arrange camp on, so that you’ll want a particular sort of tent if you happen to’ve obtained your coronary heart set of seashore tenting.
Seaside tents present improbable air flow to maintain you cool, and UV safety to maintain your pores and skin protected from the solar’s rays.
They’ve additionally obtained sand baggage alongside the underside edges, so you’ll be able to fill them up with sand to make sure they don’t fly away in a gust of wind.
It’s value noting that sure varieties of tent stakes – specifically the additional lengthy ones – maintain higher in sand than others. In case your seashore tent doesn’t already include further lengthy tent stakes, it’s positively value investing in a set to ensure your tent is further safe.
Our suggestion: Easthills Outside Immediate Shader.
Cover Tents
Whereas the remainder of the tents we’ve gone over are designed to be slept in, the one exception on our record is the cover tent.
Though it isn’t meant for sleeping, we will’t deny that the cover too is certainly a sort of tent.
They include 4 legs and a cover prime. That’s it – plain and easy. Though they don’t normally have partitions, some fashions do include detachable partitions as nicely.
These tents are primarily used for festivals, carnivals, sporting occasions and different locations as a supply of shade for people who find themselves out within the solar all day.
Our suggestion: the ABCCANOPY Pop up Cover Tent
I’ve Chosen The Model I Like… What Now?
When you’ve discovered the kind of tent you need, you would possibly suppose it’s only a matter of discovering one that you just just like the look of.
Not so quick.
There are a number of different issues it’s best to positively think about when choosing out a tent, together with:
- What materials it’s made out of
- What sort of climate it’s suited to
- How a lot air flows via the tent
- How many individuals it will probably accommodate
- Further equipment that it comes with
Right here’s what to look out for…
Tent Supplies
There are fairly a number of totally different supplies used to make tents. However, many of the tents you’ll come throughout shall be made out of one of many following materials:
- Nylon
- Polyester
- Canvas
- Polycotton
- Cuben Fiber
Nylon is the commonest. It’s light-weight, stretchy and pretty breathable. However, it’s additionally much less sturdy than polyester and never as immune to UV rays.
Polyester is more durable and offers higher UV safety, but it surely’s additionally heavier and fewer breathable.
Canvas reigns supreme with regards to breathability, insulation and climate safety. That being stated, it’s WAY heavier than it’s artificial counterparts, and it’s obtained a heftier price ticket.
Polycotton is an fascinating possibility, as a result of it offers you the perfect of each worlds.
Form of.
See, it’s lighter than canvas, and much more sturdy. However, it’s nonetheless heavier than nylon or polyester.
Cuben Fiber is the least frequent materials, and it’s a reasonably new participant within the sport. It’s extremely gentle, 100% waterproof, and it offers wonderful UV safety.
Nonetheless, it’s additionally actually costly and never very sturdy, so it gained’t final you very lengthy. For that purpose, at this stage Cuben Fiber isn’t a viable possibility for most individuals.
Season Rankings
Subsequent, it is advisable to think about the season score of a tent. The season score signifies what sort of climate the tent is supposed for use in.
Can’t you simply get a 4 season tent and use all of it yr spherical?
Effectively, no.
You see, 4 season tents aren’t really meant for use throughout all 4 seasons. Regardless of what the title suggests, they’re really chilly climate tents, meant for use in late fall, winter and early spring.
3 season tents, however, are meant for hotter climate. These tents are good for tenting journeys in the summertime, in addition to late spring and early fall.
For extra excessive climate situations, you’ve obtained 1, 2 and 5 season tents.
Air flow
I can’t stress sufficient how necessary it’s that you just discover a tent that’s nicely ventilated.
It doesn’t matter what type of climate you’re tenting in, air flow is tremendous necessary. In case your tent doesn’t have sufficient air flowing via it, you’re going to get condensation forming on the partitions, which can drip down onto you when you sleep. Not a lot enjoyable.
To ensure your tent is nicely ventilated, search for giant mesh home windows, in addition to roof vents and floor vents.
Adjustable vents are a bonus, as a result of they allow you to management the quantity of airflow you need relying on the climate exterior.
Dimension
It goes with out saying that you just want a tent that everybody you’re taking tenting can slot in. Nonetheless, to ensure you all match comfortably and have sufficient room to breathe, you at all times wish to go no less than a dimension up.
When tent producers calculate how many individuals can slot in a tent, they don’t go away a lot wiggle room. So, until you wish to be packed in like sardines with nowhere to place your gear, ensure you get a tent that’s sized for extra individuals than there’ll really be in there.
The one sort of tent this rule doesn’t apply to is the bivy tent. Even if you happen to’re going hammock tenting, you’re higher off going for a double hammock than a single.
Equipment
Lastly, take note of the small particulars, like further equipment that may turn out to be useful with regards to staying organized.
These embody:
These options aren’t needed, however a few of them might be very nice to have, relying on the situations you’ll be tenting in.
As an illustration, if you happen to’re tenting in an space the place there are many mosquitoes, a display room offers you a pleasant out of doors space to calm down in the place the bloodsuckers can’t get to you.
To Wrap Issues Up
Mainly, there’s a sort of tent on the market for everybody.
It doesn’t matter what type of tenting journey you take note of, one among these kind of tents is certain to be your good match.
Hopefully, you’ve now obtained a greater thought of which sort of tent goes to work greatest for you.
Now it’s only a matter of discovering one that matches your standards.
Bear in mind to at all times learn product critiques like those on our web site earlier than shopping for a brand new tent. That means, you’ll know you’re getting a product that customers have been glad with.
Good luck in your seek for the proper tent!
