So you have thought of going on a camping vacation this time! The first basic gear you will need is a camping tent. The choices out there are overwhelming and sometimes you are unaware of what all to look for when selecting one if you are a beginner. Don’t worry! Read this entire post and get the much-needed guidance on choosing tents for camping.
Of course, you will need to look out for several features before buying a tent, but even before that, you will need to consider the following essential things.
Price
From cheap tents, to budget-friendly tents, to premium tents, you can get several tents at a different price range. A beginner camper like you must go for a cheap or budget-friendly camping tent. You can also go with the best quality tent if you can afford it and you don’t want to end up buying a piece of junk.
But if you won’t be camping pretty often, you would not like to invest a huge sum of money in the best quality tent. So, it is recommended that you opt for a camping tent that you can afford.
Kind of camping you will do
The type of tent you will need for camping depends on the kind of camping that you are planning. You will not want to carry a large-sized family tent if you plan to backpack and go hiking to your campsite. You will certainly require a backpacking tent that you can easily carry to the campsite, which also is light in weight.
If you plan to take your car to the campsite and go on car camping then the weight and size of the tent shouldn’t be an issue.
Number of people sharing the tent
Another important factor to consider is the sleeping capacity or the size of the tent you will be needing. This can be determined by the number of people who will share your camping tent with you.
You can opt for a bigger size of camping tents if you are car camping with your family or a larger group of people. However, a big drawback of big camping tents is that they can pose a big challenge for you to set up and then pack up. Make sure to buy a camping tent with a sleeping capacity for 4 when you are camping with a friend. This will comfortably accommodate 2 people while providing additional space for your baggage.
Time or season of camping
For a beginner camper, spring, summer, and autumn are the recommended seasons for camping. And therefore a three-season tent would be the best for you. This tent type is made of good quality material that makes it quite durable. This type of tent can withstand strong wind and are waterproof to keep the rain out.
But if you live in cold weather conditions or are planning to camp in an area that gets snow, then a 4 season tent is often recommended. Such a tent can endure harsh winter conditions and snow.
Learn more about 3 season vs 4 season tents in this post.