A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing a Tent

A good tent will be your home away from home, and will shelter you from the rain, the wind and any hungry bugs.

That is, if you choose the right one for you. Picking the right tent requires the right knowledge, and that’s what we’re all about!

So let’s take a look at the basics you must know before choosing the best tent for your adventures!

How many people are coming with you and how many will you share your tent with? 

Knowing this will allow you to narrow down your choice and help you to decide the size of the tent, and whether you need a 1 person model, or perhaps a 2 person or even 3!

Remember that the more you go up in size, the more heavy and bulky the tent will become. If you’re carrying the tent on your back, I would recommend you stop at a 2P, or separate the parts of the tent in between your group so you can lighten the load. 

No tent is 100% waterproof, no matter how much manufacturers and advertisers try to convince you. The fabric can only take so much water before letting it through, and how much depends on how it has been waterproofed. 

The water resistance of the fabric of a tent is determined by two measurements in millimetres, called the hydrostatic head. These numbers are respectively for the groundsheet of the tent, the part in contact with the ground, and for the flysheet, the part that covers the rest of the tent and your head.

The higher the number, the higher the water resistance.

This might be slightly confusing, so let’s see and example:

We have a Nordisk Svalbard Sl, with a hydrostatic head of 10.000 for the groundsheet and 3.000 mm for the flysheet. The fabric of this tent will be able to support 10 meters of water beneath the groundsheet and 3 meters of water on the flysheet, which makes this tent extremely water resistant. 

There is something else to consider though, and that is all the points where the water can seep in, such as stitchings and zippers! Make sure that the tent you choose has sealed seams and zipper covers, so that no water can leak in. 

Tent poles need to support the entire structure, and must be strong and flexible enough to resist the wind without breaking.

They are usually made of either fibreglass or aluminium:

• Fibreglass is cheap, heavy and not very flexible, which makes it a bad choice for harsh weather conditions.

• Aluminium, on the other hand, is light, flexible and durable, making it the best option for all situations.

Without making this too complicated, silicone and PU (polyurethane) are the two primary substances used to waterproof the fabric of a tent, and they both have pro’s and con’s. 

• Silicone

Silicone provides a better water resistance and even strengthens the fabric, making it harder to pierce or rip. It is more sensitive to being damaged by UV rays though (causing it to loose its water resistance), so silicone covered tents are better suited for overnight sleeping rather than for setting up a long term camp.

• PU Coating

PU has a lower water resistance than silicone and also make the fabric of the tent weaker and heavier. Over time it will also go through a process called hydrolysis, causing it to peel off and smell awful. There is not much to do about this, so PU tents have a limited lifespan, even if we are talking about many years. This coating is cheaper though, and will not be as affected by UV rays as silicone, making it the better choice for a long term camp.

Ultralight tents are awesome if you want to reduce the weight of your backpack as much as possible. But, before you get tempted though, there are a few disadvantages: 

• First of all, ultralight tents are always less durable because of the reduced thickness of the fabric.

• They’re also much more expensive, usually twice or three times the price of what you would spend on a heavier tent of the same quality and size.

If you’re set on buying one, I recommend you get yourself an extra tarp to place underneath the tent. It will add a little bit of weight, sure, but at least you won’t be ripping holes in your expensive new investment.

“Ripstop” is a technology in which a mesh is sewn into the fabric, preventing any hole or tear from becoming bigger and giving you more time for repairs.

It is something found more commonly on higher end models but is well worth the money. 

• Always remember to make sure the area where you’re setting up camp is free of any sharp branches and rocks!

Tents come in a variety of shapes, that will mainly affect the available space, the size and weight and the weather resistance.

These are the most common shapes:

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Domes are one of the most common types of tent and are shaped, well, like a dome.

• This makes them easy to set up, gives them plenty of space on the inside and good headroom. 

• On the other hand though, all that interior space usually comes with added bulk and weight. The large surface of the tent also makes it less aerodynamic and creates more drag against the wind. 

This is my favourite shape, and the one that I find most suited for solo camping.

• Tunnel tents are more elongated, narrow and low to the ground.

• The small surface makes for an easy set up and low weight and bulk.

• The low profile also means that it will be very efficient against the wind, as well as harder to spot if you’re camping somewhere you’re not supposed to. 

The main con of this shape is that you’ll have less space on the inside and little headroom. If you’re large or want to share it with more than two people then you might have to look elsewhere. 

Hybrid tents are a mix between a dome and a tunnel, are cheap and offer decent space and headroom. They are a good option for beginners or for festivals and campgrounds. 

• Because of the shape though, they are not very easy to set up and have low wind resistance.

• Also, because of the cheap price, don’t expect great water resistance.

Geodesic tents are meant for the most extreme weather conditions, such as high altitude trekking and climbing.

• They are extremely stable against the wind and water resistant. 

• However, because they have additional poles, they can take some time to set up.

• They are also bulkier and heavier, as well as very expensive!

Cabin and family tents are meant for large groups.

• They offer the most space and headroom out of all shapes, and are ideal for vacations with family and friends!

• All that nice extra space does come with a huge bulk and weight, meaning that most models will be impossible to carry in a backpack and will have to be brought by car. The huge size also means a lot of wind drag, and the usually cheap construction meant for gardens and campgrounds also won’t provide anything special in terms of water resistance.

And that’s pretty much it!

You now know how to choose the best tent for your outdoor adventures! 

Few activities are as fun and relaxing as spending a few days camping in nature, especially with a good and reliable tent to call home. Be sure to also check out our guide on sleeping bags and sleeping pads to really make your nights in the outdoors as comfortable and safe as possible!

𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙡𝙚 ?

𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘴 !

I’ll see you on the trail and until next time this is Luca, signing off.   

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