Types of Tents

There are many types of tents to choose from.  What you choose will depend on price, weight, how many people you need to shelter, climate, and how and where you plan to use them.  You can often get very good deals on used tents.  People may purchase them and then not use them or may upgrade to an RV or switch to a different tent.  Either way, you may get a bargain price if you shop around carefully.  Sometimes their family outgrows a tent or as kids leave home they may choose to downsize.  Check your local classified ads, garage sales, thrift stores, and web sites like ebay and craigslist.   Don't fall for bargain prices without checking out the merchandise.   Price alone doesn't ensure a good value.  Getting a great deal on a spectacular 1-man dome tent may be a total waste of money if what you need is a family tent.   Likewise, a low price on a big family tent may result in little use if you only need a 1 or 2 man dome for your needs.   The big tent will just be a burden to transport and set up and may be too big for you to keep  warm.  Prices that are too low may indicate there are serious problems with the tent.  It may be worth it if all it needs are some simple repairs and cleaning that you are willing and able to take care of.  Minor tears or damaged stake loops are pretty easy to fix.   Missing poles may be easy and not too expensive to replace, depending on the tent. Major damage, severe staining, foul odors, or lots of missing components should be avoided.  There will be plenty of other (and better) opportunities.  Those that are unsuitable for use may be a good source for parts IF they match what you already have AND have usable components you can use.

Single wall versus double wall tents.   Simple tents are usually single wall tents.  Double wall tents are those that have an external rain fly that covers the tent.  These are usually dome tents and the rain fly sits on top of the framework an inch or so above the inner tent wall.   Double wall tents may provide extra protection against rain, wind, and sunlight, and may help make it easier to control temperatures -- keeping you warmer in winter and cooler in summer.  The extra layer of fabric absorbs sunlight instead of  heating the air inside your tent in warm weather; the air gap between the tent and the rain fly acts much like the insulation in the walls of your home, helping retain whatever heat there is inside in cool weather.  It also keeps the wind from drawing the heat directly out of the tent.  Most rain flys end a few inches from the ground but some folks add skirts to extend them close to the ground to prevent drafts and block snow from blowing inside in winter weather.

One of the first things to consider when choosing a tent is the kind of climate in which it will be used.   A good 4-season tent can, as the name implies, be used year round.  They will usually be heavier -- and more expensive -- than summer tents.   If you plan to do any winter camping, choose a 4-season tent.   Look for one with a sturdy rain fly that comes down as close to the ground as possible.   Some people sew on a skirt to extend the rain fly almost to the ground.  This keeps snow from blowing up inside to the vents.   If you're only planning to be camping in fairly warm weather, a lighter, 3-season tent will be easier to transport, set up, and take down.  The added weight and cost of a 4-season tent will just be an unnecessary burden if you only use it in warmer weather.

Tent materials.  For many years, tents have been made of canvas.  Most heavy duty military tents are still made of canvas.  Some large family cabin tents and even personal pup tents are also often made of canvas.  It is waterproof and durable.  But it is also heavy.  The weight of canvas tents led to the introduction of tents made from lighter materials like rip-stop nylon.  These lighter tents aren't as sturdy or durable but are usually more than adequate for family camping.  In fact, nylon tents are even used by climbers of the highest peaks in the world in the most extreme conditions.  Light weight tents are favored by many campers because they are easy to carry, easy to set up, and take up less room during transport and storage.  Rip-stop fabrics are resistant to tears but are not rip proof.  A special weave pattern helps keep tears from spreading.   Light weight tent fabrics may be water proof or water resistant, depending on the chemical treatment they were given and the density of the weave. You may be able apply additional waterproofing from a spray can if your tent starts to leak.  The brand I'm most familiar with is Camp Dry.  It is a silicone waterproofing spray that can be used on tents, boots, jackets, backpacks etc.  It is clear and provides protection against stains as well as adding waterproofing.

How big a tent do you need?  The size you need will depend on how many people and how much gear it needs to house.  Unless you are back packing where weight is a major consideration, I would buy a tent a little larger than I think I need.  If you end up with more room than necessary, the only downside would be keeping it warm in cold weather.   But if your portable domicile is too small, you'll be constantly fighting for space.  A rule of thumb is to get a tent rated for about 1or 2 more persons than will be using it so you'll have room for equipment and maneuvering inside.  I had a 3-man dome tent that was perfect for me and one son.   A 6 person family tent is probably just about right for a family of 4.  Tent sizes are usually determined by how many people they are designed to sleep so using tents rated for an extra person or two gives you extra storage and living space that is usually well worth the extra weight and extra cost unless you have to carry it long distances or up steep slopes.

Dome tents are very popular because they are light weight and usually pretty easy to set up. Some are even "pop-up" tents that are self-erecting.  You just take them out of their bag and toss them into the air and poof!   Instant tent!  Dome tents are typically made of fairly light weight nylon or polyester material, supported by flexible fiberglass poles.   Even large 4-6 man dome tents can often be erected by one person.  Light weight and small size when packed make them attractive choices because they're easy to transport.  About the only downside to dome tents is they are not quite as sturdy for use in adverse weather conditions and the fabric is more susceptible to wear and tear than heavier canvas tents.  Dome tents are, however, often used by mountaineering expeditions in extreme weather because of their light weight and portability.  Dome tents are available in a variety of sizes, from small 1-man pop-up tents to huge, multi-room family tents.

Cabin tents are a more traditional style, usually made of heavy canvas.   They are very durable and usually quite roomy.   The usually have vertical walls and pitched roofs (like a cabin, hence the name).  Because of the weight and the somewhat bulky size when folded for storage or transportation, they are not as convenient for car camping or weekend outings as dome tents.   I had a used 11x14 cabin tent I used as a Scoutmaster.  I originally picked it up cheap to use as a portable garage on dirt bike outings so I wasn't too concerned about cosmetics.  With a little TLC is was fully functional for personal use.  My scouts nicknamed it "The Hotel".  Compared to their pup and individual dome tents, it was huge.  It was certainly convenient to have full head room and plenty of storage room on extended outings, but I could have never used it on any hikes, without a pack horse or OHV to carry it.   Cabin tents often have center poles to support the high pitched roof.  Some have external pole systems to avoid any obstructions inside the tent.  Large cabin tents are good for families or large groups in extended camping in a fixed location.   They are a good option for car camping and base camps.  The size and weight makes them poor choices for hiking or frequent changes in location.  I would not choose a cabin tent to take on a cross country road trip.

Umbrella tents typically have a trapezoidal profile, with sloping walls.  The "umbrella" description comes from the way the roof is supported.  Some have a single center pole, others have poles at each corner.  Size and weight are usually greater than a dome tent but sometimes less than that of cabin tents.  The peaked umbrella roof usually gives pretty good stand up head room in the center but limited height nearer the sloped walls.

Truck and SUV tents are available to fit most pick up trucks and SUVs.  Truck tents fit in the truck bed.  SUV tents attach to the side or back of the SUV.   Truck tents have the advantage of getting you up off the ground.   SUV tents usually are designed to allow you to make use of the flat cargo space in the back of your SUV for a safe and comfortable sleeping area while providing stand up room adjacent to the vehicle for dressing and other activities.

SUV tents are designed to fit on the back or side of popular SUVs, giving you the option of sleeping in the back of your SUV, yet have stand up dressing room.  They usually attach to the roof rack.  Another benefit of SUV tents is that they usually are more stable than stand alone tents since they are anchored to the vehicle.

Truck tents fit in the bed of  pickup.  They get you up off the ground on a level sleeping surface (if you've parked on the level).  The bed of the truck provides some additional protection against wind and rain.  Truck tents are usually designed so that the rain fly fits over the side of the bed so rain runs off onto the ground instead of under the tent.  They use the same type of free-standing poles as dome tents and you might be able to adapt a dome tent of the right size to work in the back of a truck, but for better fit, get a truck tent that fits the size of your pickup bed.

Roof tents are a unique kind of vehicle tent that mount on the roof or more commonly, the roof rack, of a vehicle.  They have the advantage of getting you up off the ground are so are especially good choices if you are camping where there are lots of bugs or other critters that might wriggle into your tent.  Its kind of like having your own private penthouse when camping!

Personal tents.  Personal tents may range from small backpacker tents that are little more than a sleeping bag cover to heavy canvas tents.  The U.S. Army typically issued a "shelter half" to each soldier.  The expectation was that two soldiers would combine their shelter halves to make one shared tent that would protect the two of them and their equipment.   Small, one-man "pup tents" are often used by boy scouts and other hikers who need individual shelter.   They typically are about 3' high and 3-4' wide.  They have a pole in the center at each end and are secured with stakes at each of the 4 corners and ropes from the top of each pole to the ground.   A pup tent is usually only adequate for a single person, but there are larger 2-man versions.  By the way, a 2-man pup tent does not come with 2 men or a pup.   In order to have enough space for gear, consider getting a tent that is rated for at least one more person than the number of people that will be using it.  I had a 3-man dome tent that worked very well for myself and one son and our gear for scout outings.  We found it a little too cozy when we squeezed 2 people into a 2-man tent.  Tube tents are an inexpensive variation of a pup tent.  They are often made of plastic.  They are typically supported by a rope along the top and secured with tent pegs at each corner.  Because they are cheap and light weight, they are frequently used by boy scouts and other novice campers.  The plastic is fully waterproof unless it gets torn, but it is even more susceptible to tears and campfire embers than a nylon or polyester tent.

What is the best tent?  The best tent will be the one that is right for you and your immediate needs. If you need an inexpensive tent for one person for a weekend, a cheap tube tent should be sufficient. If you need shelter for a family of 4-6 people, you're going to need a large family tent, probably one with multiple rooms.  If you're going to be hiking or moving around often, focus on tents that are light weight and compact when transporting and easy to set up and take down.  Cabin tents are good choices for base camps and extended stays in a single location.  If you you are getting a tent to serve as an emergency shelter for a disaster consider something that will be very durable and larger than you think you need.  You might find it more convenient and perhaps less expensive to purchase multiple smaller tents for a family instead of buying a big family tent.

Manufacturers keep improving their offerings.   I recently saw some beautiful tents that look almost like a Swiss chalet.   They're designed to sleep up to 10 people.  Another cool innovation are front porch tents, that essentially have a large screen room on the front of the tent.   Some tents have vestibules that serve as closets to store clothes and gear.   A tent with a vestibule around the entrance would be useful in cold weather to protect the entrance and avoid unnecessary heat loss when opening the inner door.  The overall trend is toward larger, lighter, stronger, more attractive tents.

Special considerations.   If you have back problems or any other disability that might make sleeping on the ground difficult or impossible, you'll need a tent with sufficient height to accommodate sleeping on cots.   If anyone in your group has allergies, take care to select a tent that doesn't aggravate them.  Because of unknown contaminations that might occur in used tents you might want to seek a new tent to minimze allergic reactions.   Alternatively, you might have a used tent professionally cleaned before using it.  As a precaution, any used items should be carefully vacuumed and wiped down with a mild disinfectant.  You might also want to refresh or supplement the waterproofing with a good spray waterproofing, available at most camping stores, especially after washing or cleaning the fabric.

Adverse weather conditions will make staying in just about any tent somewhat uncomfortable.   You can minimize the discomfort by choosing a tent that is designed for the type of weather you're going to be using it in.  Heavy canvas tents will offer more protection from wind, rain, and snow, than their lighter counterparts.  However, light weight dome tents are often used in extreme weather conditions, such as found in mountain climbing.   It is surprising how much protection even a thin nylon tent will provide.  Heavy canvas tents can often be fitted with stovepipe adapters to allow the use of wood, oil and gas stoves or other tent heaters.   For dome tents, propane or white gas powered catalytic heaters can be used to provide some warmth.   You will need to provide adequate ventilation whenever using any kind of stove or heater or gas powered lantern in a tent.   Some will give off toxic fumes. Even catalytic heaters that don't give off toxic fumes will consume oxygen so you need adequate ventilation so you don't suffocate.

Rain flys.  Many tents, especially dome tents, are equipped with rain flys.  Theses are an extra piece of fabric usually not sewn to the tent, that covers the tent.  It allows rain to run off without coming in contact with the internal tent itself, keeping it dryer inside -- and cooler in warm weather and warmer in cool weather. The sleeves for the poles on dome tents are often over the outside of the tent, extending a few inches above the tent fabric.   This keeps the fly from coming in direct contact with the tent itself so water doesn't wick through to the inside of the tent.  The air space between the tent and the rain fly may also provide some insulation to better maintain desired temperatures inside the tent. In winter it can help keep it warmer, in summer, it helps shade the tent from direct sunlight to reduce heat build up.   The extra layer can also mitigate unwanted light from disturbing your slumber. In extreme weather conditions you may want to rig you own rain fly using an ordinary tarp over a tent that doesn't come with one.  Try to avoid having the tarp in direct contact with the tent itself. Anywhere the tarp or rain fly contacts the tent may cause moisture to wick through to the interior. Any additional protection will extend the life of your tent and improve your control over the interior environment.  If you have a single wall tent you may be able to improvise a rain fly using a polytarp.  Try to rig it so it isn't in direct contact with the walls or ceiling of the tent itself.

Roof top tents are another variation of vehicle tents.   As the name implies, a roof top tent fits on the roof of a vehicle, usually an SUV with a larger flat roof.  Sometimes they have extensions with hard floors that reach out over the front, rear or side of the vehicle.   Panels can be added to enclose the space under the extension for additional closed living space.  Roof top tents can include insulation that makes them warmer than regular tents and thus they become truly four season tents.   One review I saw showed several SUVs with roof top tents parked in the snow.  Being up off the ground is appealing to a lot of people.  It keeps you off cold ground and away from insects, snakes, and varmints.  When stored they only add a few inches to the height of the vehicle.  When erected they provide a comfortable living space that doesn't require its own footprint on the ground.  You usually need a ladder to get in and out of them.  They are not cheap. Plan on spending $200 - $3500.  But they do have their advantages.  You don't have a trailer to tow but you do have comfortable, weather proof sleeping quarters.   They are usually self-erecting, using cranks and/or gas struts so set up is pretty fast and easy. See AutoHome Roof Top Tents for some examples.

Car tents are not new.  They have been around since the early days of the automobile.   Some early models were designed to travel on the running boards and made use of running boards as part of the support system for off-the-ground beds.  Here is an example: Shilling's Auto Camp.   Like modern SUV tents they attached to the roof of the car.   Often people would attach tents to both sides of the car, creating a two-bedroom car/tent arrangement.   Something called a Tentobed offered in-car sleeping.

Large military tents may be suitable for big groups camping in a fixed location for an extended period of time.  The size, weight, cost, and difficulty of transporting and erecting these huge tents severely limits their potential for individual or family use.  They are usually designed to be transported in big trucks and set up by a platoon.  Some smaller military tents may be adaptable for family base camps, but they're still usually heavier and bulkier than their commercial counterparts

Tipis have an appeal to anyone with a feeling for the Old West and/or Native American culture. There are a few commercial versions available, but I've found them pretty costly.  You might make your own.  There are plenty of plans or instructions on the Internet for doing so.  You'll need a lot of long poles and a covering cut and sewn to the right shape.  In their original use, tipis were more or less permanent homes for the nomadic tribes in the western United States.   The high central peak could be opened to allow smoke from a campfire inside to escape.  Tipis are about the only tent that accommodates a fire inside.  American Indians transported their tee pees by dragging the poles behind their horses (or slaves).   In some cases, they only transported the covering and simply cut new poles when they arrived at their destination.  You'll need to consider whether the poles will fit in or on your truck or trailer.   The very high peak, steep walls, and opening at the top make having a fire inside more practical than it would be in a shallow tent.

Emergency makeshift tents can be made from tarps or even ponchos or plastic garbage bags.   You'll need some way to support and anchor the tent.   Support may come from poles or from a rope, cable. or stick between two trees or other uprights over which the tarp can be hung.  Lower edges will need to be staked down or secured to stakes or other anchors using ropes or bungee cords or heavy objects.  You will get the best level of protection if the sides go all the way to the ground, but sometimes a canopy to keep off rain or snow may be all that is needed.

Setting up your tent is at least as important as choosing the right tent to start with.  Choose a spot that is fairly level, preferable a little higher than surrounding ground so rain water and runoff won't puddle beneath the tent.  Take advantage of any available natural or man-made wind breaks if you can.   Use a good ground cloth.   I like to use one under and inside the tent to protect the floor from ground debris and moisture and from wear and tear from walking inside.  Be sure to erect the tent according to them manufacturer's instruction, with proper poles and stakes.   Don't over-tighten ropes or extendable poles.  You need the tent to be taut but not stressed.  Sometimes it is a good idea to dig a trench around the base of the tent to capture runoff and carry it away so it doesn't run under the tent but it isn't practical in all circumstances.  You won't want to dig a trench if you're set up on lawn or if the ground is rocky, really hard, or frozen.  To make your first outing in a new tent easier, try setting up at home a time or two before you take it out.  Some tents come from the factory with color-coded poles.  If yours didn't you might find it helpful to number or otherwise mark the connecting parts of the poles or framework to make setup in camp easier.  Colored plastic tape, permanent markers, or a touch of paint to identify matching ends of poles can save a lot of time. 

Pitch in!