Tent Buying Guide
Purchasing the right tent is an important decision as you will be spending a lot of time in it. You don’t want to realize in the middle of a cold night that you made a mistake. When choosing a camping tent, you can feel overwhelmed with the variety of models, shapes, features, and sizes. Fortunately, there’s a perfect tent for every type of adventurer and with this buying guide you should be able to find the perfect match that will get you back outdoors as soon as possible.
The main thing to consider is what you’ll be doing, where you’ll be going, how you’ll be travelling and when you plan to sleep under the stars.
Size & Weight
If you’re planning to roam around on backcountry treks for a few days with all your necessities packed on your bag, the weight, and size of your tent matter. To minimize the load in your pack, go for a small, lightweight tent that is quick and easy to pitch. Trekking tents are usually made of Nylon which is a light, yet strong material. To further eliminate pack weight, it is also possible when conditions permit, to only use an outer tent, a tarp, or tent footprint and pitch it as a tarp.
Discover our lightweight tents here
On the other hand, if your tent will spend more time in your car trunk than your backpack, size and weight probably aren’t a major concern. In that case, you can allow yourself to choose a more spacious tent in which kids, camping chairs, fluffy sleeping bags and other accessories will have all the space they need. You also have various options regarding materials: for example, cotton tents could be a great choice since, despite their heavier weight, are highly breathable, therefore increasing your comfort and the indoor climate quality, especially on hot days.
Cheat Sheet
Consider your mean of transportation
HIKING / TREKKING
Choose the smallest and lightest
BIKEPACKING
Weight should not exceed 3kg
KAYAKING
Weight should not exceed 6kg
MOTORBIKING
Packed size length should not exceed 50cm
CAR
Weight and size probably don't matter, choose comfort
SPACIOUSNESS
Even if a bigger tent is usually heavier, it is important to consider how many people will be sleeping under the same roof and how much space they need to be comfortable. Some ultralight tents allow space for just one person sitting up in a sleeping bag, while larger models designed for more static campouts offer enough space to stand for a few people. To figure how much space you need, consider your activities, luggage or equipment and the weather. A more spacious tent is preferred when there is high chance of rain and you will be stuck inside or if you need to have space for your kids to play, to store your belongings or to cook. An extra door can also be practical when camping with more than two people.
Adjustable vestibules and modular inner tents can also give you more versatility in case you need extra space for stashing some gear or hanging wet clothing before crawling into your sleeping bag.
SEASONALITY
Now that you have an idea about the space and weight needed, it is time to assess your adventure style. Do you want to sleep on a thick layer of snow? Is there a risk of windstorm? Or are you more casual and need a comfy tent for some summer campouts? To ensure your tent stays your friend on your next adventure, consider the seasonality. Three-season tents are made to be used in spring, summer and fall and can withstand wind and rain, but aren’t designed to hold up in extreme environments. In that case, you might need to consider four-or five-season tents that will offer superior protections from the elements, even in extreme climates.
When assessing the weather resistance of your tent, pay attention to its construction (for example, tunnel tents tend to have a higher wind resistance), the quality of the stiches, the zippers, the poles, the fabric, and the waterproof rating. The fabric should be coated and have a high denier, which refers to the thickness of the tent's fabric. The higher the number the more heavy-duty protection from the elements. Then there’s the waterproof rating (measured in millimeters), which indicates the amount of hydrostatic pressure the tent’s material can tolerate before beginning to leak. A high number means that the tent will be highly waterproof but also less breathable which can decrease the indoor climate quality. It is therefore important to reflect on your future use and when and where you are planning to sleep outside. For a summer holiday for example, a tent with a low hydrostatic head would be enough whilst a trek in cold and wet environments might require a higher hydrostatic head combined with a waterproof tent footprint.
Dome
Free Standing & Strong
- Either free standing or requiring just a few pegs (quick setup)
- Easy to pitch on hard surfaces
- Withstands strong winds when pitched accordingly
- Uniform shape handles wind equality well from all directions
- Either 1 or 2 vestibules
Our Dome Tents
- Guam 2 / 3 / 4
Tipi
Great Space-to-Weight Ratio
- Excellent space-to-weight ratio (one-pole design)
- Loads of headroom
- Versatility: excellent ventilation keeps off heat in summer and provide adequate protection in winter
- Design relies on pegs at every corner
- Uniform shape handles wind equally well from all directions
- Shape makes only a small surface of the tent is exposed to stronger winds
- Withstands very strong winds when pitched accordingly
Our Tipi Tents
- WickiUp 3 / 4 / 5
Tunnel
Spacios & Strong
- Easiest of all shapes to setup in strong winds
- Better space to weight ratio than dome tents
- Tent requires a few pegs in order to be pitched
- Withstands strong winds when pitched accordingly
Our Tunnel Tents
- PioPio Solo
- Laughing Owl
- Oriole 3
- Apteryx 2 / 3 / 4
- Spix 3
Gorlyn-Fabrics
- Excellent UV resistance
- Compact molecular structure and excellent abrasion resistance
- Melts instead of burning (high melting point at 256 °C)
- Superior color fastness
- Pure silicone coating
- High tear strength
| Tear Resistance | Denier | Longitudinal KG | Transverse Direction KG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorlyn 20 | 20 | 10.2 | 8.5 |
| Gorlyn 30 | 30 | 16 | 13 |
| Gorlyn 40 | 40 | 18 | 15 |
TENT FOOTPRINTS
Tent footprints can be purchased separately to protect the floor of the tent from dirt, rocks, sharp twigs, pine needles and the ground humidity. We have a tailored footprint for each of our BACH tents which ensure that it is designed to fit your model perfectly. It is made of resistant and waterproof Nylon that sheds mud and water easily which is extremely practical if you often camp where the ground is wet, dirty, or rugged and you want to extend the lifespan of your tent to the maximum. You can also use the footprint in the morning to roll-up your tent on a clean floor before packing it. All our footprint can also be used as tarp for the warm and clear nights when you want to count some stars before falling asleep.
TARPS
Tarps can be a tent alternative for trekkers who aim to carry as little weight as possible and do not mind sleeping under an open shelter and receiving a visit from a few bugs during the night. Depending on your pitching choice, the same tarp can be used as a protective roof tightly pitched around your sleeping bag or as a more open bivouac or shelter to protect your trekking group from the elements. For longer stays, when you plan to hang by your camp site also during the day, tarps can be an excellent way to shield yourself or your tent from the rain or the sun.
AND AFTER ALL...
… purchasing a tent is a personal matter. Even if it can be crucial to consider all the rational elements, there is often more than one tent that will suit your needs. To make your final, it can be helpful to go to your local outdoor shop, to feel the fabric and the zippers and get a better idea of the size. Try to imagine yourself using the tent, consider the equipment you already own and pay attention to the small details. Take your time and avoid any rushed decision.
AFTER THE PURCHASE
We strongly advise you to pitch your new tent in your backyard before heading on any adventure to check that no piece is missing or damaged and ensure that you know how to set it up properly by yourself. You’ll be grateful to know the process if you must pitch your tent after a long day of hiking, in the dark or under the rain. It can also be useful to always bring a repair kit and tape with you in case any minor damages occur during your adventure.
CARE WHEN USING
Before you pitch your tent, choose your spot wisely: make sure the floor is flat and even (this will increase your comfort during the night as well), remove sharp rocks or sticks, and, if possible, look for a dry, shaded, and low-grass area. Try to always pitch your tent when the fabric is dry, and stretch is as much as possible for optimal elements repellency, secure it by using additional pegs and guy ropes and pitch it by considering the wind direction. Nature can be unpredictable: a storm can appear out of nowhere, so be prepared for the worst to enjoy the most!
Additional good common practice is to avoid exposure to direct sunlight, staying away from any source of fire and using a footprint.
In the morning, try to clean and remove all natural elements that got stuck to the tent such as mud, dirt, pine needles or small rocks and let it dry off before packing it. Check that you left no part behind and that your pack sack is securely closed before heading off for the day.
AFTER USE
Before storing your tent, take the time to thoroughly clean it with a sponge, cloth or hose with low pressure and let it completely dry off by hanging it. Check that all parts are in good conditions for your next trip and replace or repair any damages. Store the tent in a dry and sun-protected area.
SEE YOU OUTSIDE
We hope that you enjoyed this small guide and that you will create some epic memories under the stars!
