If you dream of spending your holidays in nature – in the forest, in the mountains or on the beach near the seaside, the tent must be the first thing you should think of. Because it is your shelter in which you can hide from the strong wind or rain or simply take a nap after a busy day in the open air.
To buy a tent is not a problem in the age of markets and stores full of various goods of all sizes and tastes. But choosing a tent for yourself or your family, you should consider: 1) the expected weather in the area, 2) the number of people in your group.
In this article, we will give you an overview of the most popular types of tents, among which you will choose the most suitable one for your lifestyle.
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1. Dome Tents
This type of tent became the trendiest due to the easiness and quickness of setting up and, at the same time, resistance to bad weather conditions. The tent’s resistance to bad weather conditions is provided by its simple structure – the tent consists of two crossing each other poles. Also, a dome tent’s steadiness is improved by staking the poles’ ends to the ground or the tent’s bottom. The dome shape of the tent allows the falling of water or snow instead of creating pools on the roof or walls. Another advantage of dome tents is that they come in all sizes, and there even are dome tents for 6 persons.
2. Pop-Up Tents
Another name for this type of tent is “instant,” and this is because this full of springs tent is quick and easy to set up. Still, such tents are not the best tents for cold and windy weather as they’re not meant to be fixed to the ground. It is great for festivals or spending time in nature when the weather is nice.
3. Bivy Backpacks
These light and minimalist tents easily set up shelters for one person. This tent suits for sleeping only, but it has a serious drawback even for this purpose: it’s difficult to breathe when zipped up because of the condensation. Still, these compact-sized tents are perfect for bike touring.
4. Teepee/Pyramid Tents
This is the simplest type of tent which is based on one pole and tent fabric fixed to the ground at the corners. Among its pluses is its lightweight, thanks to the single pole in the structure. Also, these tents can be steady. However, pyramid tents aren’t popular due to the poor interior with a pole in the center.
5. A-Frame Tents
These tents resemble pyramid tents in shape but have more poles. A-frame tents are also more spacious but also more complex in setting up. Their shortcomings include often sagging walls with pools of rain or snow. These tents are also not preferable for high winds.
6. Geodesic Tents
And this type of tent is for those who love extreme conditions in snowy mountains and whose holidays are expeditions rather than regular holidays. This tent has a very steady construction as its poles overlap. Geodesic tents are of a round shape in most cases, and this allows snow, rain, and wind to not hit the tent. The only shortcoming of geodesic tents is the complexity of setting up.
7. Extended Dome Tents
In other words, this tent is modified to have a vestibule or to accommodate more people. The construction of these tents is about overlapping poles as well, but they also contain curved poles which extend the size. Such a design is about more space and more seats available, while it is as easy to set up as a regular dome tent.
8. Tunnel Tents
A tunnel tent is a good choice for those who have many bags and for groups of not more than 6 people. Its construction is made with two or more curved poles which are connected with the tent fabric, and this forms a substantially high tunnel with enough space above heads. There are tunnel tents that have sufficient storage space in the middle and rooms on both sides.
To feel comfortable in such a tent the number of people in a group shouldn’t be more than 6. In this case, there would be a patio in the center of the tent for storage and 3 seats on each side of the tent. The only shortcoming of this tent is that it is not freestanding and needs to be staked out. Thus, it is not a good choice for sandy soil or rocky ground.
9. Multi-Room Tent
A multi-room tent is a really good choice for large groups or families as it resembles a regular house more than other tents. Inside this tent, there are room dividers that create private spaces where people can feel comfortable. The principal drawback of this large tent is its size and weight and the complexity of setting up. Another issue for these large tents is their weak resistance to strong winds.
10. Cabin Tent
If you don’t want to hunch over and imagine sleeping on a cot bed inside your tent, this might be a good option for you. Cabin tents have vertical walls, and it’s possible to stand straight in them and have enough headroom. These tents can be of various sizes and can even have multiple rooms inside.
The shortcomings of cabin tents are in their enormous sizes and bulkiness and difficult pitching. Such tents also can’t be recommended for bad weather with strong winds.
Summary
There are lots of various tents nowadays for every size and taste. Still, each of them has both advantages and limitations. But instead of criticizing different tents and trying to search for the perfect one for any conditions, it is more reasonable to consider how they fit your conditions and lifestyle.
If you prefer calm and relaxing camping in nice weather conditions, you can allow yourself to buy even a pop-up tent. If you love to go for expeditions, better opt for a geodesic tent. And if you’re simply a nature lover who loves spending time in the open air and does not always follow the weathercasts, buy a dome tent, and you’ll never regret it.