How do I choose an adventure tent? 


Whether you are moving from site to site in the car or walking 30km into the backcountry; the right shelter at night has a big effect on your trip and a good nights sleep. Sadly choosing the right tent does not always come easy. Don't worry though but that's where we are here to help! Adventure tents are designed to be compact and lightweight whilst still maintaining strength to battle the elements. One of the most important things to consider when deciding which adventure tent is for you, is the conditions you will be using your tent in. Most adventure tents are low profile so they can tuck away out of harsh conditions that might be seen on higher ground or backcountry conditions. 

To make this simple we’ve narrowed it down to a few key features.

  • Conditions
  • Weight
  • Livability
  • Capacity
  • Features
  • Alternatives

 
Conditions

How many seasons? What Seasons are you using it it?

The numbers are ratings and not the number of seasons a tent will be used for but more a guide on how they stand up to weather and backcountry conditions. 

  • 3 Season - Versatile tents. They can withstand harsh rainstorms and winds when properly pitched while remaining ventilated enough to be comfortable mild weather. Although they are not ideal for winter, some can be used for mild winter weather with appropriate protection from the cold and wet weather. You will also find a lot of the time the Fly will not extend all the way the ground to allow heat to escape to keep occupants cool and deter condensation building.
  • 4 Season - Winter tents - These tents are not necessarily meant for four seasons. The fabric will often be double layered, heavily weatherproofed and waterproofed, and sturdy enough to withstand a moderate snowstorm or extreme windstorms. Most 4 season tents have less mesh paneling and less ventilation points which often means they are too heavy and trap too much heat for spring, summer and autumn camping. You will also find a lot of the time the Fly will extend all the way the ground to allow heat to be trapped to keep occupants warm, 


Weight

How light is my tent? How light can I make it?

In most cases when travelling into the backcountry or putting in a lot of kilometers, weight is a deciding factor. It is a great opportunity to lighten your overall load so you can maximise space in your pack. Lightweight tents can be extremely durable but ultimately the test of a tents durability is the seasonality.

Tent Weight Specs:

  • Minimum trail weight: Weight of the tent body, rain fly and poles only. The essentials to get you sheltered whilst out adventuring. 
  • Packaged weight: Weight of all components included.  This means the poles, sacks, inner, fly and even the instructions. 
  • Packed weight : This is the amount of space the tent takes up in your pack, and how easy the tent is to carry. Shedding bags that parts are stored in and sharing among the hiking party also lightens your load. 

Livability

How roomy is my tent? Will I be able to sit up inside on an evening or a rainy day?

The livability of a tent comes down to how much room you have inside when you and everything is inside and how this makes you feel. Adventure tents have traditionally sloped walls, minimal floor space and headroom. Key things to look for when choosing between the range of tents is to look at:

  • Floor Area and Dimensions
  • Construction and Wall Shape
  • Peak height of the tent (Usually in the Centre)

Other things to consider for your easy and happiness are the features:

  • Color: A bright fly makes a tent feel roomier but might not be best for attracting pesky insects. Maybe don't purchase a dark tent for sand fly territory! A Green tent will help you blend into some backcountry backgrounds. 
  • Doors: The Door Shape, quantity and positioning can be very important to each tramper. Having multiple is better than climbing over each other in a small space but can add to the weight of the tent. 
  • Ventilation: Keeping moisture out can be key, and if you are a warm sleeper you want to make sure you don't overheat at night. Increasing the airflow in tents will mean you prevent buildup of condensation and damp gear.
  • Vestibules: Some trampers don't like the idea of sleeping with smelly boots and prefer to keep them outside and dry at night. The bigger the vestibule the better for storage but it can have a detrimental effect on the overall weight. 

Capacity

How many people are going? How much room for gear will be required? Is there a vestibule for additional gear storage? 

When choosing your tent a large factor that plays a part in your purchase is the capacity. Most adventure tents are designed to be compact and minimalist to always assume they are snug. If you know you will be storing gear inside with you and your party consider a slightly larger tent. Other things to consider are whether you will be bringing a fury companion along at any point, if you actively move a lot in your sleep, you or a companion are tall or if anyone has an aversion to smaller spaces.

Most Adventure Tents come in the following Capacities:

  • 1 Person
  • 2 Person
  • 3 Person
  • 4 Person (Rarer)

Alternatives to Tents

If a Tent doesn't sound quite like you, you can look into one of the following alternatives here:

  • Hammocks
  • Bivy
  • Tarp
  • Fly and Footprint

More information on Alternatives to Adventure tents can be seen here.