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You can't beat a tent for the ultimate outdoor adventure. Tents let you get further into the outdoors, but you want to be sure they don’t let the outdoors get to you. While keeping dry and free of bugs are basic considerations, it’s the places and times of year where you camp that determine the tent that’s best for you.

Tent Designs

A tent is a temporary shelter that uses fabric, typically nylon, stretched over a mounting frame to repel insects, rain, wind and snow. The two basic styles of tent are the A-frame tent, in which two poles on either end support a central pole, and the dome tent, where two poles cross to form a convex x shape.

The simplest A-frame tents stretch fabric, staked to the ground with grommets, over the frame. These tents are the lightest but can take a little experience to set up. At the opposite end are deluxe cabin tents and domes that provide a sealed and ventilated bubble for sleeping.

You’ll need to consider the weight of the tent, depending on how you camp. If you’re carrying the tent to a campground in your car, you only need to make sure it fits in the trunk or back seat. If you’re canoeing or kayaking, you’ll need a more compact tent that can store easily in the boat.

For hikers, weight is the primary consideration. A tent should weigh about three pounds for each person it can sleep. A floorless tent might seem like a good choice, as most of these tents weigh around two pounds, but don’t forget that you’ll need to pack a tarp or mat in wet conditions.

Sizing a Tent

A tent can be a cozy, romantic retreat or a shoebox that puts everyone too close for comfort. The general rule of thumb is to choose a tent that will sleep two more people than needed, so a tent that sleeps four is a good size for two people and offers plenty of legroom and some storage space for camping gear.