Camping can be one of the most rewarding and unique experience one could have today. Modern society has fully integrated cyberspace into people’s daily lives, and as such, most have forgotten the sensation of just taking it slow and enjoying their surroundings. Nothing can ever top the feeling of being one with nature. The soaking in the serene environment and the beautiful natural vistas is a perfect way to de-stress.
It can also be a great way to strengthen bonds and relationship which is why going on a camping trip with the family is highly recommended. However, what if you are still a beginner in this field? How can you pick the right family camping tent that would accommodate everything needed by you and the whole family? Well, you’ve come to the right camping blog as we are here to discuss the key factors and features you need to look out for when buying a new family camping tent. Let’s begin!
A/ Picking the Right Size for the Family
Let’s get the most important factor out of the way first. As we will be looking for a family camping tent, size will be the primary factor to consider. First off, a rule of thumb when it comes to camping tent is to know that one person requires at least 2.2 sqm of space. Of course, this is the bare minimum measurement and choosing tents that have extra space will result in a more comfortable experience. Checking sites like Outdoorfunmag.com will help you more in choosing the right tent for your outdoor experience.
If you will be bringing children along then you should definitely go for the larger tent varieties. Children should have ample room to move around inside the tent. You should also consider vertical space if you want everyone to comfortably stand up within the tent. It is also important to consider how large the family tent is when folded for storage. Does it take up a considerable amount of space or can it be folded down to a highly compact size?
Now that you have an idea of how to choose the right size, we will next be taking a look at the three types of family tents available in the market today. You will also find a quick introduction for each to understand more about their distinguishing features.
* Dome-style Camping Tent
Dome-style camping tents are sturdy and stable. If you will be camping in locations with high wind speed or during the rainy season then this is a great choice to accompany you and your family outdoors. However, due to the relatively compact dome shape design, don’t expect to have too much headroom inside the tent.
* Screen-room Camping Tent
This type is more of an extension to your main camping tent. It is basically a tent that utilizes screens as its walls alongside a weatherproof roof. Ideally used during summer thanks to its extremely optimized ventilation and ability to keep pesky bugs out. However, it is not recommended during the rainy season.
* Cabin-style Camping Tent
This one is probably the most expensive type you will find but it does come with excellent convenience and comfort. Think of it as a portable home. Most cabin-types will also come with dividers for separate rooms. Getting in and out of this tent is also incredibly easy as it comes with ample headroom and usually has two access points. Cabin-type tents are ideal for both summer and rainy season camping. However, it is not advisable to use it during extreme weather conditions. It is also the most complicated to set up so keep that in mind if you are a beginner camper.
B/ Overall Weight of the Tent
If the camping spot you chose can be reached via vehicle then the weight of the tent is not an issue. However, if you will be hiking to the area then you should definitely consider the overall weight of your family camping tent. If you will that the weight of the tent will cause some issues during the hike then a good solution would be to divide the camping equipment between the whole family.
C/ Tent Material
You get several choices for tent material which we will be breaking down below to give you a quick summary of each.
- Nylon – This is a cheap, lightweight, and breathable material that is a perfect choice for backpackers. However, don’t expect its weatherproofing to last long. Great choice for summer camping, not so much when the rainy season rolls in.
- Polyester – A step above nylon. It basically has all of the nylon material’s advantage but with better quality weatherproofing. Expect it to be slightly more expensive.
- Canvas – Tents that use this material are exceptionally tough and can withstand both UV rays and torrential downpour. However, the weight will be an issue as this can get considerably heavy, especially when wet. Great for campers overall but backpackers should look elsewhere.
- GORE-Tex – If you plan on camping during the winter then tents that utilize GORE-Tex material is the best option available. It has impressive insulating properties while still maintaining a decent level of breathability. Be prepared to shell out some extra cash though as this type of tent does not come cheap.
D/ Interior of the Tent for Living and Storage Space
In conjunction with the size, you also need to consider certain aspects of camping when choosing a family tent. For example, do you want to eat inside the tent? If the weather does not cooperate, your children will also need extra room to play inside. If your camping spot is not reachable by your vehicle, you should also remember to consider where you will be storing your equipment.
You can use canopies to increase space which is usually offered as an accessory with most tents nowadays. Basically, you should always think about all factors that will require space and then add a couple more feet into your calculations to ensure everyone has ample leg space.
Conclusion
Camping can be a lot of fun but you need to do proper research and prep time. Hopefully, this camping blog article has helped beginner campers on how to pick out the best camping tent for the family. As long as you follow the basics discussed above, you will be able to land on the best possible family camping tent that will suit all of your needs.
If you already choose your the best tent, then please learn how to choose the tent stake, sleeping bag, or tent heater to make your vacation become more ideal!
Also, we would like to recommend Best backpacking tent under 100 dollars to you!