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Knowing how to shop for a tent can be daunting, especially if you’renew to camping.
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It can be a welcome break from daily life and a chance to unplug and reconnect with nature.
Having the right tent can help bring more of thegood stuffand avoid some of the bad.
You want it to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable.
Above all, thats what were looking for in a tent: a home away from home.
You want to be sure youre investing in the right tent for your needs.
The key things to look out for here are comfort, space, and ease of setup.
Backpacking/thru-hiking:Since youll be hiking with all your stuff, weight is key when it comes to backpacking.
But it can be a fine line to toe between weight, size, and performance.
A little extra weight may be worth it for more durability or space.
Rosenbrien also recommends a standing-height shelter for more comfort.
Here’s how to shop for a tent.
This measurement is most important for backpackers.
So look for tent materials with ripstop nylon additives to help prevent tears.
The average persons head is about three feet above the ground when sitting down, Rosenbrien notes.
A good tent should last you at least four or five years with moderate use.
Youll want a fully waterproof layer, taped or treated seams, and sturdy materials.
Rosenbrien also recommends looking for aluminum poles and nylon or polyester fabrics.
Unfortunately, this wont perfectly measure long-term durability, but itll give a good idea for overall durability.
Even if you have no intention of camping in wet conditions, lets be honest: shit happens.
Well also do a hose test."
Most of this part of the test will come from testing in the field.
If we reach for a nonexistent headlamp pocket in the middle of the night, well make a note.
If were in love with an easy-open stargazing roof, well make a note.
All of our experts emphasized that when it comes to price, your tent isnt the place to skimp.
I always recommend going to a store and setting up tents before buying, Reed says.
But thats not always possible, especially in pandemic times.
Practice setting it up beforehand, then time how long it takes when you know what youre doing.
Take notes on ease, speed, and how many people you needed to set it up.
Time takedown and packing up.
Same rules as for setting up.
Ideally, spend at least one night sleeping in the tent in the rain.
If so, how much?
Weigh the whole tent and measure the width, length, and height of the tent.
Ask yourself how this tent compares to other tents youve used.
How comfortable is it?
What extra features does it have?
How easy is it to use?
Is there anything you wish you had?
