It seems like such an easy scenario: Pick a tent. Find a location. And go.
Although, once you begin to look for a tent and dozens appear, you can become baffled by the choices of how to choose a tent. It seems near impossible to make a decision. From a high-level viewpoint, tents are designed with one goal in mind: Keep you dry and warm. However, once you think about how you’ll use it, it becomes a bit trickier to decide. You don’t want quick decisions to come back to haunt you.
When choosing a tent, the two most significant focal points to consider are:
- What will I use it for?
- How many seasons will I be using it?
- How many people will be sleeping inside?
If you can answer those questions, your buying experience should be a piece of cake.
What Will I Use it For?
Tent Camping
If you’re looking for a car camping tent, weight doesn’t matter. First, you aren’t hauling it more than 20 feet and it’ll be in a sturdy bag to make transportation easier. Secondly, these will be the most popular tents on the market. Because of this, they won’t be too expensive.
Additionally, I like to advise people to make their car camping tent bigger than you’d normally think. This is because you’ll want to fit a comfortable air mattress inside. If it’s you and a significant other, think about what would hold a queen-size bed. And if it’s only you, you’ll want a twin-sized blow-up air mattress. Remember, this isn’t’ backpacking. Aim to live as comfortably as you can.
I recommend these three:
Backpacking
This is where weight and size become a factor. If you can afford it, you want the lightest possible tent that won’t blow over. That said, not everyone can spend $500-$700 on a tent. So, what should you be looking for? If it’s only you, focus on a one or two-person tent. Having a little more room is nice to store your bag inside if the weather isn’t great. For two people, a 2-person or 3-person will be perfect.
The next area to focus on is weight. If you can find a two-person tent for less than 3.5 pounds, you’re golden. This should be your threshold. For single-person tents, look between 3-3.5 pounds. Anything more than 3.75 pounds for a backpacking tent is getting a bit heavy if you plan to do a serious trek. For shorter outings, you’ll be able to shoulder a heavier pack without feeling the difference.
I recommend these three tents:
- Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 3 Person Ultralight Tent
- MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 Person Ultralight Tent
- Nemo Aurora 2 Person Backpacking Tent & Footprint Surge
Thru-Hiking
Every ounce counts if you plan to hike the PCT, AT, CDT, or any multi-week/month trip. This is when you want ultralight gear. Thankfully, the ultralight mantra has been welcomed by gear makers, and there are plenty of options available.
The main difference with thru-hiking tents is they don’t always have traditional poles that keep the tent upright. Instead, many use hiking poles to decrease overall weight, but this makes it less stable. Many thru-hikers will take this tradeoff, though, to keep their pack as light as possible.
How Many Seasons Will I be Using it?
3-Season vs. 4-Season
Most people reading this will only need a 3-season tent. These tents work in nearly any condition that doesn’t involve heavy snowfall and single-digit temperatures. Plus, they’re lighter and more breathable — this means you’ll regulate heat better.
However, if you’re looking to do winter camping and have expectations it will snow, look for a 4-season tent. These are sturdier (i.e., heavier) to withstand snow build-up and have more durable netting. In addition, the more durable mesh will better insulate you, helping you not freeze overnight.
How Many People Will be Sleeping Inside?
The size of your tent is set by how many people – or pets – you plan to have inside. If it’s just a car camping tent, I think the smallest size you should do is a 4-person. This is so you have ample room for bags and don’t feel squished sleeping. For backpacking — on the other hand — couples should choose between a 2-person and a 3-person. Any bigger, and you’re risking a cumbersome backpack.
Article and Photos by Alec Sills-Trausch
Alec is a photographer, writer, and avid hiker who enjoys pushing the limits to find incredible destinations. He hopes through his work to inspire others to get outside and to respect planet earth so future generations can enjoy it just the same. He’s also a cancer survivor. And, he hopes to use his voice to show that you can have a wonderful life after the treatment.
