How to Choose a Camping Tent (2025)
Your Complete Guide to Finding the Perfect Home Away From Home
Why Your First Tent Choice Can Make or Break Your Adventure
A tent isn’t just another piece of gear—it’s your shelter and sanctuary in the wild. The right tent creates unforgettable memories of starry nights and cozy mornings. The wrong one can turn a dream trip into a damp, frustrating ordeal. Your comfort, safety, and overall enjoyment all hinge on this crucial first choice.
A Great Night’s Sleep
Stay protected from wind, rain, and bugs, ensuring you wake up refreshed and ready for the day.
Your Private Basecamp
Create a personal space to relax, connect with friends and family, and unwind after a day of exploring.
A Haven from the Elements
A sudden downpour or intense sun is no problem when you have a reliable shelter to retreat to.
Find Your Perfect Tent in 5 Easy Steps!
1Who’s Coming? Choose Your Tent’s Capacity
Pro Tip: Always choose a tent rated for one person more than you plan to accommodate (“N+1” rule). This gives you crucial extra space for gear and comfort.
Solo (1 Person): For the lone adventurer. Lightweight, compact tents are your best friend. Backpacking favorites like the Big Agnes Copper Spur or MSR Hubba Hubba (used as a spacious solo) are legendary for their low weight and reliability.
Family (3-4 People): Room for the whole crew. Cabin-style tents or spacious dome tents offer standing room and separate areas. The REI Co-op Wonderland 4 is a fan favorite, and you can never go wrong with a classic like the Coleman Skydome series for reliability and value.
2When Are You Going? Pick a Season Rating
For beginners, Spring through Fall is the prime camping season. A versatile “3-Season” tent is the perfect starting point. Winter camping is an amazing experience for later on!
3-Season Tents: These cover the vast majority of camping scenarios in the US. They are designed with mesh panels for ventilation to handle summer heat, while the rainfly provides solid protection from rain and wind.
4-Season Tents: Built for the extreme. They feature stronger poles to handle snow loads, less mesh, and full-coverage rainflies that extend to the ground to block harsh winds. Brands like Hilleberg and MSR make expedition-grade 4-season tents.
3What’s Your Style? Select a Tent Shape
Shape affects more than just looks—it determines setup ease, interior space, and wind performance. Which one fits your camping style?
Dome Tent
The classic all-rounder. Easy setup, great wind resistance, and a fantastic choice for beginners.
Cabin Tent
Maximum living space with near-vertical walls. Perfect for families and groups who value comfort.
Teepee/Bell Tent
Stylish and simple with a single center pole. Offers a unique, open-concept feel for glamping.
4How Easy Should Setup Be?
If you want to spend less time setting up and more time relaxing, prioritize ease of use. “Instant” or “Pop-up” tents from brands like Coleman or Ozark Trail set up in minutes—sometimes seconds!
5Any Must-Have Features?
A typical umbrella is around 500mm. For camping in the US, a rating of 1500mm or higher will keep you dry in most rain showers.
Tent Fabric
Canvas (or Poly-Cotton) is incredibly durable, breathable (great for hot climates), and quiet in the wind. It’s perfect for long-term basecamps or glamping setups.
Your Tent Profile
Capacity: Not Selected
Season: 3-Season
Shape: Not Selected
Setup Ease: Standard
Waterproofing: 1500mm+
Material: Polyester/Nylon
Our Recommendation
Select your capacity and tent shape to see our top brand recommendations!
At a Glance: Tent Type Comparison
Your selected tent type from Step 3 will be highlighted. Compare the pros and cons to finalize your decision.
Top 6 Go-To Brands for Beginners
Solving Your Tent Questions: FAQ
Do I need to buy stakes and a mallet separately? +
Answer: Almost always, yes. The stakes included with most tents are flimsy and will bend in hard or rocky ground. Investing in a set of sturdy “shepherd’s hook” or “Y-beam” aluminum stakes and a proper rubber or plastic mallet is one of the best upgrades a new camper can make. It makes setup faster, easier, and much more secure.
What about a footprint or ground tarp? +
Yes, this is essential! A tent footprint (or a simple tarp cut to size) is a protective barrier that goes under your tent floor. It protects your tent from abrasions from rocks and sticks, keeps it clean from mud, and provides an extra layer of waterproofing from ground moisture. It will dramatically extend the life of your tent.
Where’s the best place to buy a tent? +
While seeing a tent set up in a store like REI or DICK’S Sporting Goods is helpful, online retailers like Amazon often have the best prices and widest selection. You can browse thousands of reviews, compare features side-by-side, and find great deals. Our advice: identify a few models you like, then price-check them online before you buy.
