by Laura Beth Caldwell

Created on: February 17, 2010

Choosing the right tent is perhaps the most important decision a camper can make. Long after the S’mores have been gobbled up and the campfire embers have waned, a tent serves as your refuge against the wilderness night. 

Tents come in a variety of sizes and prices to suit your needs and budget. When choosing a tent several factors should be considered, the most important of which being climate. Whether you are camping during the hot summer months, or trying your luck during the cooler seasons of spring and fall, there are tents specifically designed for varying temperatures. 

Lightweight tents offer the camper the most convenience as they tend to pack easily in your trunk or backpack. They typically make for easy setup and storage as well. However, they also afford the least amount of protection against inclement weather. If you know you will be camping in a warm climate with relatively dry weather, a lightweight tent would be a good choice. These tents are typically made of material such as nylon, and are assembled with lightweight tension poles which fold neatly into a pack. If you are backpack camping, or carrying all of your gear into a campsite versus driving in, a lightweight tent would be a reasonable choice. 

If you are camping in colder weather, or if you anticipate rain or snow, you will want to select a tent better suited for the climate. These tents, often categorized as all-weather tents, are typically made of heavier material such as canvas, and tend to be a bit more cumbersome than lightweight tents. 

In additional to lightweight and all-weather tents, there are tents made for more extreme weather such as expedition tents. These tents are used by professional mountaineers and climbers and are designed to endure brutal climates such as can found on Mount Everest. 

Another important factor to consider when selecting a tent is the size. How many people will be using the tent? Tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate single campers as well as families. Some tents are also designed with dividing “rooms” which are essentially panels that when hung divide the room into two or more spaces. These are great choices for families camping with children, or multiple couples. When selecting tent size it is important to remember that the tent manufacturer may state that their tent is an 8-person tent, when in actuality it would only be comfortable for four persons. Tent size is determined by how many

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