If you’re going to be spending any kind of time in the outdoors then you need to buy a tent, but before you can pick out a tent you need to decide on exactly what kind of tent you are going to need. If you plan on going camping in the winter, for instance, then you are going to need a four season tent that will be able to handle things like heavy snow and blowing winds. On the other hand, a four season tent would be needlessly heavy for just some recreational camping.
Buy a Tent
What to look for when you want to buy a tent.- Weight – One of the more important considerations to make when buying a tent is the weight of the tent. Any camping or backpacking gear that you are going to be carrying should be as lightweight as possible, so that you don’t tire yourself out too much. By the second or third day of a camping trip you are going to be wishing you had gotten the lightweight tent.
- Capacity – Of course one of the most basic decisions that you need to make before you buy a tent is how many people will be able to fit inside the tent. More specifically, it can be helpful to compare the actual square feet of floor space, because two 3 man tents will not necessarily have even close to the same amount of floor space.
Best Tent Reviews
Some of the best tents in a few different categories, that you might consider buying.- REI Camp Dome Tent - If you just want something cheap and easy for a bit of casual camping, then the Camp Dome tent from REI's in house brand is a perfect choice. It has a very attractive price, and is just a basic dome tent with an inner tent and a rain fly. There's room for 2 inside, and even 2 doors, though just awnings, no vestibules. It weighs 4 pounds 15 ounces, or 2.24 kilograms, so not the lightest tent ever, but as long as you wont be carrying it too much that's not much of a problem. So a good cheap tent. It also comes in a 4 man size for larger groups.
- NEMO Equipment Meta 2P Tent - Something a little different and a little innovative from NEMO Equipment. What's different about the Meta is that you can actually use trekking poles as the tent poles, so a good choice for backpackers looking to save a little weight. It's not a free standing tent, but there's room inside for two, and it also has a nice, big vestibule for packing in equipment that you want kept dry. It's also a single wall design, which helps to cut down on weight as much as possible. At 2 pounds 15 ounces, or 1.33 kilograms it's noticeably lighter than the Camp Dome tent above, which is the same size.
- Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 - The Fly Creek is one of the lightest free standing, 2 wall tents on the market, and a great choice if you want the best. The Fly Creek UL2 actually won the 2010 Backpacker Magazine Editor's Choice award, so you know it's a quality tent. Part of what makes it an award winner is the innovative design, which allows it to reach a low weight of just 2 pounds 2 ounces, or 963 grams, which is impressive for a 2 man tent. So a great tent to buy for backpacking or more serious outdoor adventures. It also comes in a 4 man, 3 man and solo version which might be more suitable for you.
