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Tent Types

Whatever type of tent you choose to take camping there are some factors that you should always consider:

  • Size - Make sure the tent is big enough and there is plenty of space to sleep comfortably and stow your gear.
  • Material - Polyester withstands extended exposure to the sun; Nylon is lighter weight; Canvas is durable but very heavy
  • Weather - Ensure the tent is suited to the weather conditions you may be faced with, that it is fully waterproof and the rain fly provides complete coverage. A porch is a good idea to keep wet items out of the main tent.
  • Strength - Sturdy tent poles and pegs, double sewn seams, well secured fastenings and heavy duty zippers help to ensure the durability of your tent.
  • Setup - Can you set the tent up easily or does it have adequate instructions?
  • Features - Ventilation to lesson condensation, window and door mesh to keep out bugs.

A-Frame Tents

These tents are a traditional tent shape, they are light but can be very claustrophobic. They typically require the use of a tarp for extra weather protection which then of course adds to the weight you have to carry. There is little headroom due to the steep slope of the walls however they benefit from of a simple design.

The tent consists of two poles and in most cases wires to stabilize the tent. This tent is the least sturdy tent in windy situations though can have good weather-beating characteristics when pitched correctly. The design is based on a pole frame forming two apex's connected between a central ridgepole.

Modified A-Frame Tents

These tents use curved poles for added stability more room. They can be freestanding and often come with full-coverage rain flies. Modified A-frames incorporate a curved ridgepole giving more interior space.

Cabin Tents

These tents are usually heavier than other designs and more difficult to set up but do provide a lot of space. It is important to stake cabin tents properly so the fabric does not sag and lead to water infiltration.

Due to their size and weight, these tents are best used for car camping, providing space and facilities for large groups and families.

Tunnel Tents

Tunnel tents have two or more poles running along the width of the tent, providing a shape with good internal space. These tents can be extremely stable if pitched end on into the wind but some designs do not offer much protection from side winds

The strength and durability of these tents can differ considerably depending on the size, type of poles and quality of materials. There are a large number of tents which come under the heading tunnel tents

Hoop Tents

These tents have curved poles at each end and to retain their shape and stability need have the guy ropes tied and the pegs staked carefully. They generally incorporate three arched frame stays, allowing roomy doors and interior.

The shape allows snow and water to flow down off the walls yet the unsupported fabric flaps in the wind if not properly staked out.

The tent poles do not intersect so these tents do not provide the stability that dome tents do. Therefore they are not as rugged in extreme weather conditions as A-frame or dome tents. They are however the smallest and lightest packing tent and their shape offers good floor space.

Single-Hoop

An extremely lightweight design using one curved alloy pole, single hoop tents are usually only large enough to sleep one or two people.

They can be quite stable if the spine of the tent is running with the prevailing wind, however high winds hitting the side of the tent could be a problem.

These tents are ideal for backpacking, cycling etc because of their great space to weight ratio.

Dome tents

The dome tent is stable and simple to assemble, using two or three poles which pass through the centre of the roof. The ground area consists of either a large square or hexagonal area. Depending on the size and shape, dome tents can provide adequate headroom and even separate rooms and a porch area to store equipment.

Most square domes use two poles so setting up is easy. The square floor plan allows you to utilize the space efficiently, but the two-pole system tents which are high or have a large volume can be unstable in high winds.

Hexagonal tents use a three pole system which adds to the stability but they may offer less interior space. Poles crisscross over the top, producing a hexagonal, octagonal or similar shape. This shape provides maximum headroom but the floor plan isn't as spacious for sleeping.

The Dome design provides good stability and will handle the snow better than the other designs. Once the poles are fitted, dome tents are usually free standing, enabling the erected tent to be moved around. The dome is undoubtedly the most popular design for general camping.