In this guide, we’ll try to clear up any questions you might have before purchasing your tent, explaining what certain features mean and more importantly recommending the right kind of tent to suit your style of camping.
What are the different types of tent?
Pop up Tents
Think you’ll struggle to pitch a tent? Pop up Tents take seconds to pitch, all you have to do is throw them out, and peg them down. Ideal for the back garden, or for festivals, they’re a great option for keeping the kids entertained without having to go through the hassle of pitching the tent.
Weekend Tents
Much like a festival tent, but probably only for a couple and perhaps an infant. If you’re looking to spend a little more than you might on a standard festival tent, this category is for you. You may be seeking a larger living space/porch so you can sit and chill out at the end of a day. Easy and quick to pitch and put away, ideal for those spur -of-the- moment weekends away.
Adventure / Festival Tents
If you’re looking for a festival tent, the chances are you are looking for a relatively cheap option. When choosing your tent, always allow for one extra person on the berth (e.g. 2 people camping, look for a 3 man tent), this means you will have plenty of space for your gear. Due to the unpredictable British summer, we also recommend looking for a built-in porch, so you can ditch those muddy wellies, while keeping your sleeping area clean.
Whether you are camping alone, or you and your friends are all chipping in for a larger tent, there are plenty of festival tents to suit your price range.
Family Tents
Family tents range in size, depending on your family. From 3 berth to 10 berth, with a variety of styles, spaces and more. A family tent will usually offer a large living space and multiple bedrooms.
Family tents are becoming more and more popular, with many people in the UK seeking to holiday here at home instead of paying to fly abroad – that being said, there’s something a bit more luxurious about a family tent – it’s a home away from home.
These tents can also come with optional accessories including porches, tent carpets and footprints, to add extra space and comfort.
Inflatable Tents
Inflatable tents or ‘air tents’ as they are also known, contain the newest technology on the scene. Don’t be fooled by the name, these tents aren’t bouncy castles. The inflatable aspect is to replace the usual steel or fibre glass poles. Simply attach your pump, and inflate the inflatable beams and your tent will take shape in mere minutes.
This type of tent is becoming more and more popular with families and weekend campers alike. The beams are sturdy like a standard tent pole, but without the danger of them snapping!
Backpacking Tents
Backpacking tents allow you to venture away from crowded summer campsites and out into the back of beyond. These tents will be smaller in size to reduce weight and pack size, making them ideal to carry with your rucksack. Designs are normally tunnel or geodesic shape, allowing the best in wind resistance, rigidity and stability in open areas such as fields.