How To Choose And Buy The Best Tent For Camping

Getting back to nature is good for the soul, and camping is a cheap way to get away, recharge, and reconnect with loved ones. You'll need a tent, but what tent should you buy for camping?

Anaconda's Tent Buying Guide talks you through everything you need to consider to choose the best tent for your needs so you're a happy camper.

Quick Links

• What is the best tent for camping?

1. How Weatherproof Is The Tent?
2. Choosing the right tent size
3. How Easy Is It To Set Up The Tent?
4. Parts of a tent
5. Types Of Tents To Buy
6. Quality Of The Tent

• How Much Are Camping Tents?

What Is The Best Tent For Camping?

Everyone's different, and like many things in life, what's best for one person might not be best for the next. The best tent for you depends on your particular camping needs:

• Where you'll be using the tent (weather conditions on this and future camping trips)
• Who you'll camp with (now and in the future - any kids, bad sleepers, tall campers?)
• How easy do you want it to be to put the tent up and pack it down (alone or with help)
• How often you be camping and for how long (on weekends only or for a few weeks?)
• How long do you want it to last (for a few short trips or many years of camping?)

What Tent Should You Buy For Camping?

Working out which tent to buy is easier when you break it down into these six steps:

1. How Weatherproof Is The Tent?

How well your tent handles the weather can make or break a camping trip. Having the right tent for the weather you'll be facing - hot, cold, rain or snow - will ensure you're comfortable and sleep well. A tent that can't handle the conditions can lead to an uncomfortable night in the car or a midnight dash to the nearest motel.

What type of tent do you need for camping in different weather conditions?

Tents all have a rating that tells you how many seasons they're suitable for camping in:

What to Look For in the Best Waterproof Tents

When it comes to tents labelled waterproof, some are more waterproof than others:

• The water (or hydrostatic) head rating tells you how waterproof the tent/fly is.
• The higher the water/hydrostatic head rating, the more waterproof it will be.
• If you want one of the best waterproof tents, choose one with one of the highest water/hydrostatic head ratings for both the tent/fly fabric and floor fabric.

2. Choosing The Right Tent Size

Tents range in size from 1 to 12 person tents, and most family tents are for 3 to 10 people. However, choosing the right size tent isn't as simple as buying a two-person tent for two campers, or a four-person tent for four, as these numbers only allow for tightly packed bodies in sleeping bags, nothing else.

In addition to people, you may want to ensure there's enough space in your tent for:

• Bags - How many bags you'll have to fit inside the tent and what size they'll be.
• Beds - Your tent needs to be long and wide enough to fit any airbeds or stretchers.
• Height - The tent has to be long enough for anyone tall to sleep with straight legs.
• Boots - If you want them inside overnight, and away from creepy crawlies and rain.
• Gear - Anything else you want to keep safe inside the tent while you sleep at night.
• Moving - More floor and head space makes dressing and getting in and out easier.

Unless you're carrying your tent and need it to be as light as possible, consider choosing a tent that's designed to sleep 1 to 2 more people than you'll have camping so you have enough space for everything and don't feel too cramped.

Also factor in:

• If the tent bag will fit in your boot, roof racks or the back of the truck.
• How big your campsite will be - make sure your tent fits in the site measurements.
• If there are likely to be extras (kids, friends and family) sleeping in your tent in future.
• A tent with more than one entry/exit point so getting in and out is easy (you won't have to climb over each other in the middle of the night for the toilet).

3. How Easy Is It To Set Up The Tent?

How easy do you want setting up the tent to be, and packing it up when it's home time? It's important to think about:

• Whether you'll be doing it all alone or if you'll have other (adult) helpers.
  • Some big, family tents take a long time to set up and you need lots of help.
  • Other tents have Instant Up Technology and simply pop up in 1 to 3 minutes. This is a great option if you're thinking 'How do you set up a camping tent?'
  • A swag simply rolls out and is perfect if you just want to crawl in and sleep.
• Arriving at the campsite with enough time to set up your tent while it's still light.
• Doing trial runs at home so the setup and pack up isn't stressful on camping trips.

4. Parts Of A Tent

The quality of each part or function of a tent will determine if it's up to standard. Carefully consider each part of the tent before you buy it to verify if it's right for you and your adventure. Here is what to look out for:

Tent Fabric

The materials a tent is made from determine how sturdy, weatherproof and long-lasting the tent will be.

• Nylon
  • Waterproof (if the seams are sealed)
  • Thin and light so good for backpacking
  • May have a coating for UV protection and durability
  • Deteriorates with sun exposure over time
• Polyester
  • Waterproof (if the seams are sealed)
  • Thicker and longer lasting than nylon
  • Handles sun exposure better than nylon
  • May have a breathable coating that reduces condensation and damp
• Canvas/cotton
  • Waterproof (after it's been wet or seasoned once)
  • Long-lasting for years of camping
  • Breathable so cool in summer and warm in winter
  • Heavy (especially when wet)
• Polycotton
  • Lighter than cotton and strong
  • Usually has a waterproof coating

Considering the Features and Benefits of Different Tent Materials:

• Light-blocking tents that block sunlight for a good nights sleep.
• All Coleman tents have Dark Room™ technology that:
  • Blocks 95% of sunlight so you can get the kids to sleep before it's dark and they won't wake you up at the crack of dawn.
  • Reduces the heat by up to 5 degrees in summer and keeps you warmer when it's cold outside.
• UV protection - The tent's fabric protects you from the sun's harsh UV rays.
• Thread count
  • Like sheets, the higher the thread count, the more breathable the fabric is.
  • It's not relevant to how waterproof a tent is, only how heavy and breathable.
• Weight
  • The fabric's thickness is given in denier (D).
  • A higher D tent is more waterproof and able to handle stronger winds.
  • A low-denier fabric is lighter and less durable than a higher-denier tent fabric.
• Durability - RipStop fabric helps prevent rips so your tent lasts longer.

Tent Fabric Comparison Table:

Zippers

Good quality, non-rusting zips are essential if you want to:

• Keep the creepy crawlies out.
• Have a tent that will last.

Ventilation

Some tents have mesh door and window ventilation flaps that:

• Give you a cool breeze flowing through the tent on hot nights to help you sleep.
• Help prevent moist air from being trapped in the tent, which can cause condensation, making your tent and everything in it feel damp when you wake up.
• Meaning they're not as watertight as tents without ventilation, so it's worth weighing up this trade-off based on how hot and rainy your camping weather will be.

Fly

The fly covers your tent (and preferably all the windows and doors too):

• It has a waterproof silicon or polyurethane coating to protect the tent from rain.
• The seams on the fly need to be sealed with tape to prevent water from seeping into your tent.
• Needs to be pegged away from the tent floor so:
  • Rain doesn't run down the fly and into your tent.
  • There's enough airflow to prevent condensation.

Tent Poles

Better quality tent poles last longer and won't snap when it gets windy:

• Carbon fibre - Is extremely light and strong, but not as long-lasting as aluminium.
• Aluminium - Stronger and lighter than fibreglass - lasts longer than carbon fibre.
• Fibreglass - Heavier and doesn't last as long as aluminium and carbon fibre poles.

Poles can be attached to the fabric and fly using:

• Clips - The clips are already attached to the fabric and just clip onto the poles.
• Sleeves - You feed the poles through the fabric, creating a sturdier tent than clips.

Tent Ropes

Also known as guy ropes or guy lines, the tent ropes attach the fly to the ground pegs:

• The fabric tension drains rainwater away from your tent.
• The stability keeps your tent securely fastened when it's windy, raining or snowing.

Anyone who's been camping has probably tripped over tent ropes, so some tents glow in the dark or have reflective ropes to help keep all your campers safe.

Vestibule

A covered porch or living space that's attached to the front or side of the tent:

• Gives you more space to store gear that you want to protect from the elements.
• Even small tents have small vestibules so you can keep wet, muddy gear outside to dry overnight, which keeps the inside of your tent clean and dry.
• Having a two-door tent with two vestibules (one over each door), gives you more space for storing wet gear overnight.

Pockets/Hooks

Some tents have:

• Pockets on the inside to help you keep little things organised and within easy reach, like phones, torches and toilet paper.
• A hook on the tent ceiling that's handy for hanging lights or a washing line.

Tent Floor

If the tent floor has a hole in it, it's no longer waterproof and you'll need a whole new tent. You can add a tent flooring tarp for extra protection and choose a tent floor with the following considerations:

• A good, durable flooring material keeps water out and means your tent will last.
• A bucket or bathtub floor extends up the sides of the tent, giving you extra waterproof protection because it stops water from seeping in during heavy rain.
• Putting a 'footprint' (usually sold separately) or a tarp under your tent gives it an extra layer of protection from rain, as well as foot traffic and rocks that can put holes in your tent floor over time, so the floor and tent last longer.

Tent Bag

Packing the tent back into the bag can be tricky, so a slightly bigger tent bag:

• Makes it easier to fit everything back in the bag.
• Helps with airing the tent as well.

5. Types Of Tents To Buy

In addition to their size (e.g. a two-man tent), tents are described by their shape or use. Discover the different types of tent shapes and uses below.

Dome Tents: Spacious and Easy to Use

Dome tents give you more head height and be spacious for family camping and group camping. Features of dome tents:

• The most popular type of tent
• Able to withstand bad weather
• Easy to set up and pack down
• Much lighter than cabin tents
• Made in small and large sizes (some have separate rooms)
• Usually have a polyester fabric
• Shaped like a dome thanks to flexible poles that bend
• Sometimes high enough in the middle to stand up in
• Available in three structural styles:
  • Crossover (the poles crossover)
  • Pure (just two hoops)
  • Geodesic (crossover poles plus two hoops

Geodesic Tents: Sturdy and Tough For Rugged Adventures

Geodesic tents are sturdy domes for extreme conditions. If you are heading out on a rugged adventure, these tents are the right choice. Check out the Mountain Designs Geo 2-Person Tent and Mountain Designs Geo 3-Person Tent for your adventure! Features of geodesic tents include:

• The sturdiest type of tent for extreme expeditions
• Able to withstand heavy snow and mountain winds
• Set up with crossover poles and side hoops
• Heavier and harder to set up than other dome tents
• Usually made from nylon or polyester

Cabin Tents: Roomy and Long-Lasting Option

Cabin tents are high enough to stand up in and can accommodate large groups and furniture inside. Cabin tents are:

• A popular tent shape for families
• Large inside thanks to their vertical walls
• Assembled from a hard-pole frame
• Designed to create cabin-style spaces
• High enough for people to stand up in
• Usually big enough to fit a table and chairs
• Homely and some have different rooms
• Reliable and long-lasting
• Usually made from canvas fabric

Teepees: Classic For Festivals and Glamping

Teepees are popular for festivals and glamping. They offer a great look and are usually made from a canvas material. Teepees are:

• Simple to set up
• Popular at festivals
• High enough to stand up in
• Usually made from canvas fabric

Pop-up Tent/Instant-up Tents: Fast Set-up and Convenience

Pop-up tents just pop up in a minute or two so they're super easy to set up. They are a great choice for couples and small groups as well as beginners. Instant-up tents are:

• The easiest to set up - it only takes 1 to 3 minutes
• Designed with poles inside the fabric
• Just popped out then pegged into the ground
• Popular with inexperienced campers
• Sturdier than they used to be
• Sometimes able to withstand three seasons
• Usually made from nylon or polyester

Shop Pop Up Tents

Family Tents: Roomy Tents For the Whole Family

Family tents are designed for family camping trips and can house 10+ people. They are designed to be spacious and include several different zones. Family tents are:

• Designed to fit the whole family
• Either cabin tents or dome tents
• Sometimes divided with curtains or walls for privacy
• Sometimes tricky to set up due to their larger size or when it's windy

Shop Family Tents

Hiking Tents: Compact and Light Tents for Overnight Hikes

Find lightweight tents for hiking and trekking, designed to be carried on your back and be super compact.

Hiking tents are:

• Extremely light and compact
• Easy to carry while you walk
• Designed for 1 to 3 people
• Usually made from nylon or polyester fabric

Shop Hiking Tents

Swags: Convenient and Compact

Swags are a compact tent alternative that sleeps 1 to 2 and simplifies camping.

Swags are:

• Popular for camping and 4WDing
• Only 1m high so they're a simple sleep space
• Designed for one or two people
• Comfortable because most have a built-in mattress
• Made from long-lasting, waterproof, insect-proof canvas
• Easy to set up - just roll it out
• Sturdy enough to handle rain and wind
• Warm in winter and cool in summer

Shop Swags

Roof Top Tents

If you're looking to really elevate your camping and 4WD experience, then a roof top tent is an amazing option! Roof top tents get you off the ground and sleeping in comfort. Features of roof top tents include:

• Durable and weatherproof
• Easy to set up
• No more ground camping
• Get amazing views of your campsite
• Spacious for 1 or 2 travellers

Shop Roof Top Tents

6. Quality Of The Tent

When you're weighing up which tent to buy, think about quality versus cost:

• Nylon tents are the cheapest but they won't last as long as other fabrics
• Dome tents are usually cheaper than cabin tents
• Geodesic tents are the most expensive but essential in extreme weather

When it comes to how much you should spend on a tent:

• If you just want a tent the kids can play with in the backyard, a cheap tent should do the trick.
• Cheaper tents tend to be less waterproof than tents that cost more, so you get what you pay for.
• If you want comfortable camping trips for years to come, it's worth spending a bit more on a good-quality tent.
• Think of it this way, whatever you spend on a tent, you're saving on future holiday accommodation because you can camp instead.

How Much Are Camping Tents?

Anaconda tents range from $30 to $2050, and the majority of Anaconda's camping tents are $50 to $400.

When you go to the tent section on the Anaconda website, you'll see tick box filters down the left-hand side of the page. Using these filters makes working out which tent to buy easier and faster because you can choose to filter the tents you see by their:

• Price - So you only see tents that are within your budget on the page
• Deal - So you only see all the tents that are on sale or at clearance prices
• Categories - So only tents specially designed for hiking or families are shown
• Sleeping capacity - So you only look at tents that suit your camping numbers
• Size - So you can see which tents will suit the size of the bed you want to use
• Brand - You can find specific brands at different price points and for different activities.

Play More & Pay Less Amazing Value Tents Plus More Camping and Hiking Essentials at Anaconda

Check out Anaconda's range of Camping & Hiking products available online or visit your local store. Anaconda proudly stocks a vast range of tents for all adventures and budgets, featuring quality brands such as Dune 4WD, Coleman, Mountain Designs, Oztrail and more! Discover the massive range online or visit your nearest Anaconda store today. Play More and Pay Less with the amazing range at Anaconda!

For more expert advice and tips, check out the Adventure Centre and find the right tents and camping gear for you. Some articles you might like include:

• What is a Darkroom Tent?
• How to Insulate a Tent
• Swag Vs Tent