How to Choose a Tent

The tent is the most important piece of gear on your camping trip. It is your shelter from the elements, your storage space, your living room and your sleeping quarters. Choosing the right family camping tent helps you have many enjoyable vacations for years to come.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Decide how many people your camping tent must sleep. If you are a young family that may be adding children, go for a larger size as a tent can last for many years.

2. Think about the length of your typical family camping trip and the amount of gear the tent must house. Longer trips and extra gear require a larger size tent.

3. Know your comfort requirements. Think about the amount of sleeping space each person needs in the camping tent and the amount of room you want to move around. You don't want your family to be claustrophobic on your trip to the great outdoors.

4. Determine how far you have to carry the tent from your vehicle to the campsite. For a long distance, choose a lighter tent or one with a wheeled carrying case.

5. Check the weatherproofing of the camping tent. Look for taped seams, protected seams, waterproof floors, protected zippers and weather-resistant fabric. Summertime is camping time, but it is also the season for thunderstorms so you want a quality tent to keep your family and your gear dry.

6. Try to put up the tent in the store before you buy it. Firsthand experience is the best way to see how much effort it takes to set up the camping tent.