How to Choose Your First Camping Tent

Last Updated on April 3, 2024 by ETC Team

As an up and coming camper, your first camping tent is one of the biggest purchases you can make. It is your main source of shelter. Your first camping tent will protect you from the elements, offer you warmth, and give you a cozy place to sleep. Needless to say, a tent can make or break a camping trip.

As you begin to research, you will find that tents come in all shapes, sizes, and budgets. But finding the proper tent is easier when you understand how you will be using it.

Are you planning a big family getaway in the mountains? Or perhaps you need shelter for your solo backpacking trip? No matter what kind of outdoor adventures you like, we’ve got you covered. This tent buying guide will assist you in how to pick the right tent for any camping journey.

Decide Your Budget

Some people would argue that buying a cheap camping tent is not a good idea. When choosing your first camping tent, you should ask yourself how much you want to spend and if your budget will allow you to get want versus what you need. Higher priced items will often have higher quality materials than lesser priced ones. The quality of your purchase could determine the lifespan of your new camping purchase. You will need to consider how often you want to go camping or involve yourself in camping-related activities. It is advisable to go for a moderately priced tent to start so you are not replacing this important item after just a few uses.

What Type Of Camping

Are you planning a quick weekend getaway with your partner? Is a week-long expedition with the whole family on the calendar this year? Maybe it’s fishing or hiking trip with some friends. Maybe you are camping on an overnight kayak trip. Are you using a campground that has parking near by or is a rustic site that requires hiking too? These are factors to consider when choosing the size and style of tent. A larger tent will offer more room but will also add weight to your equipment. Also take into account the number of campers that will be using the tent. It’s important to remember that your gear will sometimes need to share the tent as well.

Weather

Different tents will handle different types of weather. There are tents for two-season, three-season, or four-season. For a beginner, it is advisable to choose a three-season tent. This will make your purchase more versatile. You want a tent with the ability to withstand moderate rainfall, mild winds, and even a little snow. It also allows for good ventilation and protection. Storage options and compartments are usually more commonly found with a three-season style tent.

Tent Design

How you plan to use your first camping tent will typically determine which design to choose. With all the other factors like capacity, weather, weight, etc. to consider, selecting a style will be an important decision as well. We’ll go over a few of the basic designs here.

Dome Tents

Dome tents are one of the more popular tent styles, and you will find them in a wide range of styles and sizes. While they are most often recognized by their curved pole structure, they may also have features such as a rainfly and a “porch” section, which you can use as a storage space to make more room inside of the tent itself.

Usually, two long poles stretch crossways over the tent, intersecting at the top of the tent and locking into the ground. This creates a square base and a dome-shaped tent that can offer more space and headroom than a ridge tent. While dome tents can withstand moderate weather conditions, ridge tents are better-suited for harsh weather, and the stability of your dome tent will decrease with size.

Pop-Up-Tent

All other tent styles are going to require some set-up, but these tents simply pop-up and are ready for use. Dedicated shoppers might pitch this outside of their favorite store while awaiting a major sale or video game release. They are common at the beach or music festivals and also make great backyard tents for your kids.

Pop-up tents are arguably less suitable for intense and frequent camping, though recent improvements have certainly increased reliability. The frame of the tent is inside of the fabric, and it’s long, coiled, and ready to spring upon release.

Different pop-up tents will have different shapes, sizes, and springing directions. Some unfold, and some uncoil, and by reversing this process, you get a compact, easily storable tent. Because of this convenience, pop-up tents are often more expensive than traditional styles.

Tunnel Tent

If you have a large, outdoorsy family, a tunnel tent might be the great first camping tent for you. They offer tons of livable space and come in a variety of sizes, so there is likely a tent out there to accommodate even the largest families.

They are made up of a series of flexible pools that stretch from one side of the tent to the other. This form creates half circles down the length of the tent, which creates a tunnel shape. Given their length, you may want to pay attention to the direction in which these tents face.

Facing the entire length of the tent against the wind might force it to collapse or topple over. Tunnel tents offer a lot of space, but they also require a lot of space. As long as you have the means to transport the tent and the campsite space to set it up, they can make a great sleeping option.

Cabin Tents

Cabin tents are typically a single space tent, though some of them may have internal dividers that separate the space into rooms. They don’t require the footprint that pod-style tents do, but they are square, stable, and tall enough to the point that you can easily stand up in them. They are not as ideal for harsh weather conditions, but they make great first camping tents for casual camping and hanging out.

Cabin tents can be fairly heavy and complicated to set up, but once they are up, they make great camping arrangements for families and large groups. The tall door makes entering and exiting very easy. Cabin tents also tend to be less expensive to purchase compared to other tents.

Backpacking Tents

Designed for hikers and foot travelers, the backpacking tent is small, lightweight, and easy to pitch, making it the ideal tent to be traveling with. Hikers often have to pay attention to weight when it comes to the items that they pack, and backpacking tents place practicality over functionality. While they aren’t ideal for sitting up or hanging out, these low-lying tents are ideal for camping when hiking is the main focus. Hikers can quickly set this tent and rest after a long day of trekking.

Check Size and Dimensions

Get in the practice of checking the size and dimensions of the items you purchase. This goes for your tent as well. We’ve all been in that moment when you receive a newly purchased item and open it only to find that it’s not the size expected.

Tent Accessories

Some tents come with everything you need in one package. Others are customizable with add-ons available after purchase. Either way, check out all the ways you can make the tent you decide to choose function the way you need. Items such as a rainfly, footprints, vestibules, and tent poles are items that can make your camping trip more enjoyable. These accessories also extend the life of your new camping gear and first camping tent.

The Initial Set Up

Arriving at your campsite only to find that you cannot set up your tent will be not only frustrating but could delay or even cancel your well planned adventure. Take the time to set up your tent for the first time in a comfortable setting. The backyard, garage, or even the living room are places to become familiar with your tent. You might not arrive to the campsite under beautiful sunny skies and knowing how to attach poles and the rainfly beforehand can make the beginning of your camping trip much easier.

The Wrap

Choosing your first camping tent doesn’t have to be a difficult or intimidating experience. With the right knowledge, a little research, and preplanning, you will find that you have not only landed a tent that is suitable, durable, and affordable, but a tent that you can comfortably and confidently assemble and enjoy for the many adventures you plan to take.

Just remember that all the planning and preparation gets you closer to the fun part. The Exploration, The Journey, and The Memories.