5 Things To Check When Comparing Tents (Solved)

When looking for a new tent, choosing between the many options can be challenging if you’re not aware of what to look for when comparing tents.

Yet, choosing a tent doesn’t have to be a challenging experience if you learn what you need to look for when next you purchase one.

That’s why we have written this handy yet straightforward guide on the things you need to check when comparing tents:

Here’s The Answer To What The Most Popular Tent Types Are:

There are many different tent options in the camping world, but some are more popular than others. A few of the most popular tents for campers include dome tents, A-frame tents, pop-up tents, backpacking tents, inflatable tents, and tunnel tents. 

1. These Are The Things You Need To Check When Choosing A Tent

You need to check a few incredibly important things before committing when choosing a tent.

Below we have briefly spoken about the main things you need to look for when comparing tents and deciding which one is perfect for your next adventure.

How Many People The Tent Can Sleep

When choosing a tent, you need to consider how many people it can sleep.

You don’t want to buy one that doesn’t have the sleeping capacity you need as this can present numerous problems when camping. Fortunately, a large variety of tents come in different shapes and sizes.

You can choose between tents that can sleep one person, two-people, three-people, four-people, five people, and six people. Some tents sleep up to ten people or even more.

Yet keep in mind that even though a tent might be able to sleep many people, it could be uncomfortable and cramped, which could dampen the mood of your camping experience.

How Easy It Is To Use

Another factor you need to keep in mind when choosing a tent is how easy it is to use.

Many tents are complicated to set up and takedown, which can take away precious time from your camping experience. Whenever possible, try to set up a tent you’re interested in at the shop to see how long it could take.

We know this isn’t always possible, so your second best option to get an accurate estimate of how long it will take would be to watch a youtube tutorial showing how long it has taken someone else to set up.

Luckily, tent manufacturers realize that people don’t want to spend hours putting up and taking down a tent, so many are designing tents that are quicker than ever to set up and take apart.

Additionally, a few types of tents are easier to set up and take down than others. For example, two of the easiest tent types to assemble are pop-up tents and inflatable air tents.

The Material It Is Made Of

No one wants a tent made with inferior materials because your tent won’t last very long, and then it will be a waste of money.

Certain tents are made with nylon, and this type of material is not as durable, so the tent is more likely to tear, puncture, and rip. They are also more likely to degrade when exposed to sunlight continuously.

In contrast, some tents are made with canvas (cotton), and these tents are more durable and often waterproof. They are less likely to rip and become seriously damaged even when camping during extreme conditions.

Additionally, when looking at tents to buy, you also need to examine their zippers as certain tents will have cheap zippers that are easy to break.

If It Is Four Season Capable

Arguably, when choosing a new tent, one of the most important things you should consider is if it is four-season capable. With a four-season tent, you can camp throughout the year without worrying about being too cold or hot.

This is because most true four-season camping tents are manufactured with materials that enable them to regulate the temperature inside the tent based on the environment.

When comparing tents, look to see which ones are climate controlled as those are usually the ones you can use during three or four seasons.

2. What Are The Main Differences Between Cheap And High-End Tents?

When you’re looking between the many tent options, you are likely finding it a little challenging to choose between a cheap and high-end tent.

To decide if you should buy a cheap or high-end tent, you need to consider what type of camper you are. If you’re a casual camper who enjoys comfort and convenience, then a high-end tent is worth it.

If these factors don’t particularly matter to you, it’s best to consider sticking with a cheap tent since you will only be using it a few times a year. More serious campers should consider an expensive high-end tent because it is often an investment if utilized often throughout the year.

High-end tents are also better because they are lighter, more durably constructed, and have better weather resistance.

Have a look below to uncover the main differences between a high-end and cheap tent:

• They have a higher waterproof rating.
• Better materials that are usually environmentally sustainable and resistant to damage.
• They have larger floor space.
• Usually have more headroom.
• More variety.
• Most have three or four-season capabilities.

3. What Are The Best Brands To Look For?

With the many tent brands on the market, we know it can be challenging to differentiate between good and bad.

We have rounded up a few of the best tent brands on the market. Hopefully, you will find one of the options on the below list suitable for your next tent purchase.

• Vango
• MSR
• Nemo
• Big Agnes
• Black Diamond
• Sea to Summit.

4. What Does Hydrostatic Head Mean On A Tent?

When you choose a tent and compare it with other options, you need to look at the hydrostatic head measurement.

A hydrostatic head measurement tells you how water resistant a tent’s material is. This measurement measures how tall a column of water the fabric of a tent can withstand before water starts to seep through the weave.

For example, if a tent states it has a hydrostatic measurement of 1500mm, it can withstand a column of water that is 1000mm tall.

The higher a hydrostatic head measurement, the more waterproof a tent is and the more water pressure it can withstand before it begins to leak. How high a hydrostatic head measurement you will need on a tent will depend on how often you camp during rainy conditions or in areas where it rains often.

In most instances, it is an excellent idea to choose a high hydrostatic tent measurement of between 2000mm to 3000mm for normal rain weather conditions.

Yet the hydrostatic head measurement isn’t all you need to be concerned with when checking how waterproof a tent is. You also need to check the tent’s design, specifically how the tent’s fabric has been stitched together.

For a tent to have a genuinely high waterproof rating, it needs a high hydrostatic head measurement, and it needs to present double stitching that is taped over and sealed.

This will ensure no water enters your tent through the stitching holes.

5. What Does Footprint Mean In A Tent?

One of the phrases you’re likely to encounter when looking for a tent is ‘footprint.’

This strange terminology is a fancy way of describing a tent’s groundsheet.

A tent’s footprint is usually lightweight and almost the same size and shape as a tent’s floor outline, and it sits underneath a tent and acts as a protective barrier between a tent’s floor and the ground. Usually, a footprint is sold as an optional extra.

Now, many manufacturers are including a groundsheet in the price of their tents.

Most footprints are made of the same material as a tent, but they have a thicker thread that is more resistant to tearing and damage. Additionally, a footprint also protects you against feeling the dew and dampness that has settled on the ground when you’re camping.

Citations:

Are Expensive Tents Worth It? What You Need To Consider

Are Tent Footprints Worth It?