How To Choose A Camping Backpacking Tent Right For You

Before buying a tent, you need to ask the following questions:

If you're backpacking to a camping location, you'll need a lightweight backpacking tent.

If you're planning on car camping with your family, you need an easy-to-set-up family camping tent.

If you are considering more challenging alpine camping, you need a four-season tent with stronger comprehensive performance.

If you just go to a nearby park with your family to bask in the sun on weekends, and you don’t need to be windproof and rainproof, and you don’t need to carry it, a simple second-open tent is enough.

But pop-up tents are not ideal for hiking, or for overnight stays. First, the performance may not be satisfactory, and second, it is a bit bulky.

Most people, especially beginners, camp in the spring, summer and fall. A 3-season tent is the best tent for most campers.

Most 3-season tents are double-walled, and the inner tent is generally composed of mesh, which provides ventilation and helps prevent condensation inside the tent.

The outer tent can be made of polyester fiber, silicon-coated nylon, canvas (Oxford cloth), vinyl or other fabrics. Different fabrics have different wind, rain, sun, sun, and tear resistance properties. Most of the external tents on the market are made of polyester fibers, which are affordable, good-looking, and slightly less breathable than nylon. Those who pursue high-end tents can choose double-sided nylon and single-sided nylon fabrics.

Look at the rainproof, look at the rainproof level, generally PU3000-PU4000 can be used in moderate to heavy rain. High-end tents are usually glued, that is, a layer of glue is pressed on the seams to prevent rainwater from entering through the pinholes. High-end tents also usually use rain strips so that rain doesn't come in through the zippers.

If you plan to camp in the winter and will be camping in a very cold and snowy area, you will want to consider purchasing a 4-season tent. Although they are called 4-season tents, they are mainly used for winter camping or mountaineering. They are not the best tents for summer use. They usually don't offer much ventilation or airflow, and for greater wind protection and warmth, 4-season tents are usually not as breathable as 3-season tents.

There is an obvious feature that distinguishes 4-season tents. 4-season tents usually include snow skirts so that wind and snow cannot penetrate through the bottom gap. In order to better protect the tent, on special terrain, such as the ground with small stones and branches, add an extra layer of wear-resistant floor mats, and then install the tent with a sleeping bag with a relatively strong thermal coefficient inside, so you don’t have to worry about the outside It's snowing.

The number of people you will camp with and share your tent with will be a major factor in determining what size tent you need. Tents will be advertised as 1-person, 2-person, 3-person, 4-person, etc. sized tents. This size indicates how many people can fit in a tent lying side by side.

If you plan to use a sleeping bed or air mattress, keep in mind that they take up more space than a sleeping bag. Don't just look at square footage when checking tent dimensions. It's best to find the actual tent size, especially if a tall camper will be using the tent. You will need a tent that is long enough to accommodate the person's height when lying down, or they will be sleeping curled up or at an angle.

Tent peak height is an important consideration for some. Maybe someone doesn't mind bending over to climb into a sleeping bag, but some would like to be able to stand up straight. The peak height of the tent will affect your experience. If it is too low, it will feel oppressive. If it is higher, it will be better to sit upright.

Larger tents can be more difficult to set up and pack, so be sure not to buy a larger tent than you need. But if your companions are strong/ claustrophobic/ toss and turn at night/ have above average elbow room/ have small children or dogs. It is recommended that you estimate the capacity of one more person. For example, 2 people can buy a tent for 3 people, and 3 people can buy a tent for 4 people. But usually if you don’t bring children or pets, you can buy the corresponding model according to the actual number of people.

Some people want a tent big enough to put chairs in and hang out. But I recommend tents for resting. Now many tents have doors in front of them. It’s good to sit under the door and enjoy the scenery while playing the guitar. If you want to get a cooler experience, you can buy an extra large canopy, which has more space for activities and sun protection.

The price of tents ranges from one or two hundred to tens of thousands. Many people have a headache and don't know how to choose. Some say to buy the most expensive tent you can afford. I do not think so. I suggest that beginners start from the low-end price, but choose a tent with higher cost performance. After all, for most people, money does not come from strong winds. It is especially difficult to earn money during the epidemic. Every penny of ours must be spent wisely. Therefore, Papa Tent will take you to choose tents wisely and save you a lot of money.

The basic tent designs are domes, cabins, A-frames, tunnel tents, and backpacking tents. Instant tents and pop-up tents are not suitable for professional camping (it is more suitable for the elderly and children to play in nearby parks). Young people suggest choosing more practical and personalized tents.

Yurt tents are a traditional and popular design. Yurts are a common design for 2 -4 person tents. Yurt tents are great for beginner campers. They're lightweight, easy to set up, and more cost-effective.

Pyramid tent is a kind of tent that is very popular among young people. Usually 1-4 people are available, and the construction is very simple, just use a pole to support it from the middle, and it can be used. The simple pyramid does not contain floor mats, and the higher-end double-layered ones include floor mats and personalized doors. There are also different construction methods, and it is very romantic with string lights.

Cabin tents are larger tents for families or those who want a higher peak. The walls are more vertical, which makes the center peak taller, allowing you to stand up straight. The cabin tent can accommodate 4 -12 people. These tents may be very large and difficult to set up. Unless there are a large number of people traveling, and those who are traveling with experienced tent builders, it is generally not recommended for novices to buy (it is almost impossible to set up alone).

The A-frame tent is a classic design introduced many years ago. They evoke a nostalgic feeling. Some backpacking tents use this design to create an ultralight option that can use the backpacker's trekking poles instead of tent poles to prop up the tent. The A-frame tent is not difficult to build. Because it does not contain poles, it is very light. It is the favorite of backpackers. It can be propped up with hiking sticks or branches.

The tunnel tent adopts a unified arch design. They offer good interior space and uniform headroom. Usually can accommodate 4-10 people, but the wind resistance is slightly weaker, and it needs to be fixed with a ground anchor by pulling the wind rope.

Backpacking tents are smaller and lighter so they can fit in or on a backpack, reducing the drudgery of carrying them for miles. Weight, size, and packable size are all factors to consider when choosing a backpacking tent. With a backpacking tent, the lighter the tent, the more expensive it is. If you will be camping alone, a backpacking tent is a great choice.

The coolest thing about a pop-up tent is the moment when it pops up, but it only lasts for 3 seconds. When you take it back, you want to cry. Folding and twisting the tent into a round and flat shape really requires a lot of strength and experience. It takes a long time, and the big round cakes folded back are only suitable for the rear compartment.

While yurts and teepees are designed with good intentions, most yurts are large and used as a family or permanent camping site. Smaller yurts are available for camping, but the options are few and expensive. The most important thing is that many yurt tents are made of cotton cloth, which is easy to mold and fade, so it is not recommended to choose. It can be rented, and it is also good to decorate as a luxury tent.

Some tents have a vestibule at the entrance of the tent and a protective covering on the outside of the tent. They provide convenient storage for gear and wet or muddy shoes.

Tent poles are usually made of aluminum or fiberglass. Aluminum poles are generally better than fiberglass, and tents are better quality and more expensive. Budget-friendly tents often come with fiberglass poles. High-end tents will also be equipped with repair poles, which can be used to support a repair pole in the event of a break.

General tents will be equipped with ground, and some backpackers who want to reduce the weight of their backpacks will buy lighter aluminum ground.

A tent mat is a protective piece of cloth under a tent. It will protect your tent floor and can extend the life of your tent. High-end tents will be equipped, if not, you can buy a wear-resistant tarpaulin instead.

It's hard to say which is the best tent brand. It really depends on what type of camping you're going to do, what kind of tent you need, and what features you're looking for.

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