top of page

The absolute beginner's guide to buying a tent

*TheEverglade*

Updated: Nov 18, 2024

If you're new to camping and in the market for your very first tent, you're not alone in thinking that the process can seem pretty overwhelming.


With so many different types of tents, features, and price points to consider, it can be hard to know where to begin. That's exactly why we put together this guide – to help you navigate the process of buying a tent as an absolute beginner.


First, let's talk about the different types of tents available. Different websites will tell you that there are anything from five to about 20 main types, but we've whittled the list down to four: dome, A-frame, cabin and backpacking.


Dome tents


Dome tents are the most basic tent, very common – and are generally a good option for beginners. They are usually pretty easy to set up and take down, and are often the most affordable option. They're called dome tents because – you guessed it – they are dome-like in shape.


A-frame

This is your basic, classic, as-seen-in-a-thousand-1950s-postcards tent. Think two A-shaped sets of poles either end (more like inverted Vs) and, connecting these, a single pole along the roof of the tent. They tend to be affordable and easy to set up, but aren't generally what you'd call 'roomy'.


Cabin tents


Cabin tents are sometimes bit more advanced, and are designed for larger groups of people or families. They typically have more room and features, such as separate rooms or built-in closets. A good one will have the feel of a proper cabin – somewhere to come back to and chill out after a day's adventures.


Backpacking tents


These, as you'd guess, are designed for backpackers and are lightweight and smaller than most other tents. They are best for solo campers or small groups.


What to pay for a tent


When it comes to price, you can expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $500 or more on a tent, depending on the type and features. Keep in mind that the more you spend, the better quality and features you can expect – but remember that a tent is a tent.


Even the huge ones won't really give you any soundproofing or a whole lot in the way of creature comforts. But, as they say, that's camping!


However, you don't have to break the bank to get a great tent. With a budget of around $150-200, you can find a solid tent that should serve you well on your camping trips.


Choosing a tent for your needs


Another key thing to consider when looking for the best tent is the season when you're likely to be camping. Some tents are better suited for warmer weather, while others are designed to handle colder temperatures and wet conditions. Three-season tents are the most versatile and are suitable for spring, summer, and fall camping trips.


Four-season tents? You guessed it – these are also designed for winter camping and are typically more expensive. If you plan on camping in a variety of conditions, it's probably worth investing in a four-season tent.


A short guide to tent terms


When looking at tents, you'll find yourself prodding and poking different parts that make up the tent, quite possibly wondering what they're for. The tent body is the main part of the tent that provides the living space. The fly is an outer layer that covers the tent body and provides added protection from rain.


The poles are what hold the tent up, obviously, and the stakes (sometimes called pegs) are used to anchor the tent to the ground.


How big is your tent?


An important thing to keep in mind when buying a tent is the capacity. Tents are typically described by the number of people they can sleep. So, a two-person tent is designed for two people, a three-person tent for three people, and so on.


Keep in mind that this is just a general guide, so if you're someone who likes more space or wants to bring extra gear, consider getting a tent that is one or even two sizes larger.


Before you buy, it's always a good idea to read reviews online to see what other people with similar circumstances to you have settled on. Happy camping!


Enjoy this post? Please tick like (that's the little heart), check out our other blogs and come back soon for more :)






Recent Posts

See All

Contact

ABOUT THE BEST TENT BLOG AND CAMPING WEBSITE

DISCLAIMER

The authors of Best Tent Blog assume no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. The information contained in this site is provided on an "as is" basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. Every camping decision you make is your own and we accept no liability whatsoever.

Best Tent Blog was created over a beer one night when three friends were talking about what, exactly, they so loved about the great outdoors.

 

Mitch, our founder, put down his drink to explain that his own particular fascination with camping tents stemmed from a trip he'd had when he was just 10 years old on a rough strip of grass not far from his best friend's house. In the middle of town.

 

It was the least glamorous introduction to camping that anyone could imagine – five pre-pubescent guys wedged into a three-person tent with just enough floor space to accommodate them and their (limited) camping gear.

Camping tents were fairly unwieldy back then, and Mitch remembers the hellish struggle of trying to haul the fart-infested sack of canvas back to his friend's house.

Other tents of the lightweight variety were for more serious campers, he quickly realised, upon buying a camping magazine from the local news guy a few days later.

"That magazine introduced me to a world of backpacking tents, car camping tents, tent poles, four season tents and a whole lot more," Mitch says. "The ads at the back were full of exciting-looking products that made me want them for no other reason than they looked cool. I was hooked."


 

Fast forward a few years, and Mitch was camping on a small island with his girlfriend when he noticed that she'd inadvertently hitched a pair of boxer shorts out of his backpack and was swinging them around the tent on a pole like an all-conquering flag-waver.

Then there was the time at a sold-out summer rock festival where he attempted to leap over a friend's two person camping tent and fell face-first over a guy rope, hurtling headlong into the tent body.

 

The fact is, we all have stories like this (OK, not exactly like this). Whether you're a serious backpacker who has hiked the Appalachian trail or an occasional weekend camper – tents will have somehow wormed their way into your affection. And your drinking stories.

 

You'll maybe have discussed the intricacies of interior space with a guy in a camping store; exchanged your views on fair weather camping and multi-room family camping tents; you'll have wondered if you could convert the family Nissan for a weekend of car camping.

 

This is the tent-lover's life. And once you're in – you're in.

 

 

As well as wanting to give people an idea about the best tents for their needs – based on reviews from experts and the most-respected websites, such as outsideonline – we wanted to encapsulate that love of camping that affects so many of us.

 

In our blogs, you'll find information about the:

  • Best camping tents

  • Best backpacking tents

  • Budget camping tents

  • Gear storage

  • Waterproof tents

  • Camping trip ideas

  • Tent material

  • Sleeping pads

  • Outdoor gear

 

And more. Whether you're looking for the best tent blog, the best camping blog, the best outdoors blog or – more likely – a two minute distraction from your day job, we've hopefully got you covered.

We have information about what is the best camping tent in different scenarios, the best budget tent, the best overall camping tent and you'll find blogs about fishing, hiking trails, weather resistance and sleeping bags too.

Whether you have one tent and are looking to acquire more, or you already have a six person tent, a backpacking tent and a brace of dome tents for visitors, we hope you'll find something here that keeps you entertained, informed – and fuels your love of the great outdoors.

Here's to you, here's to us – here's to another night under the stars.

Best camping tents for... lofting your underwear

Why we started this campsite and camping blog

The whole kit and kaboodle

  • Twitter
bottom of page