The best tents for camping

One or more campsites and with young children?

Are you going to stay at one campsite? Or do you like to visit several campsites? And are your children still at an age where you need to keep a close eye on them? Then you might not want a tent with a high set-up time. Inflatable tents are ideal for you. But even non-inflatable versions can be relatively easy to set up. In most cases, tents with a polyester tent cloth are easier to set up than those with a (technical) cotton tent cloth. Note that some tents - especially the tent poles - are less resistant to frequent setting up and taking down. Are the tent poles made of steel or aluminium? No problem, but tent poles made of fibreglass are a lot less able to cope.

A seasoned camper or beginner?

Have you been camping every summer for years? Have you worn out several tents and now it is time for a new one? Then it might be a good idea to go for a tent with a very long lifespan. Often you will have to pay a bit more, but the longer lifespan will pay off later. Have you never been camping before and want to see if it is for you at all? Possibly then the tent's lifespan will be slightly less relevant to you.

What should you look at if you want to know more about the lifespan of a tent? When it comes to typical tents for camping at the campsite, you can keep the following generalities in mind. Cotton tent fabrics have the highest longevity. Polyester usually the least (10-20 camping weeks). Technical cotton is in between (15-55 camping weeks). Tent poles also differ in terms of durability. Steel poles then score best, followed by aluminium. Fibreglass tent poles have the lowest lifespan on average.

A prerequisite for a long life in cotton and technical cotton tent cloth is that it is well maintained. This is a bigger job than with synthetic tent cloths. But for the seasoned camper, this is of course no problem at all.

The desired space(s)

Do you want a tent with or without an awning? Should you also be able to easily stand upright in it or do you prefer a cosier lower tent? Do you also want the tent to have several secluded sleeping areas? There are lots of options when it comes to the interior space of a tent. There are several options for every individual camper or family. So it is important to think carefully beforehand about how you or your family would like to arrange the space.

If your tent has several compartments and a (spacious) awning, don't forget that there are also all kinds of accessories to make your camping experience even more enjoyable. With storage compartments and camping furniture, you can bring the desired organisation to your tent. A groundsheet combined with tent carpets plus some hanging lamps complete the home feeling. An alternative to a tent with several sleeping areas is one larger tent supplemented by a smaller side tent. Ideal as a sleeping place for possible guests or the children.

The weight and pack size

Most campers go on holiday by car, caravan or motorhome. If this is the case for you the weight and pack size of the tent is less important in your choice of tent. However, do you have limited available space for all your luggage? Or do you need to carry all your camping gear in your backpack? Then a low weight and small pack size is desirable. Polyester tent fabrics are then the preferred choice. They are much lighter than (technical) cotton ones. Extendable tent poles made of aluminium or fibreglass are also a much better choice than those made of steel, for example.

The budget

Last but certainly not least: the budget. If you are going camping for the first time, you might be disappointed by how expensive everything is. Camping is supposed to be cheap, right? Compared to other ways of accommodation, it certainly is, but this is not true for the first year. Besides a tent, you will probably need to buy all sorts of other camping gear. A table(s), some chairs, cooking utensils, sleeping bags, air mattresses or sleeping mats, and then we forget a few things. The first year of camping can be a bit of a pain in the wallet, but this will pay off in the following years.

In case you do not want to or cannot spend a lot of money on a tent right away, tents with a polyester tent cloth are the most obvious choice. These are generally a lot cheaper than tents with a canvas of (technical) cotton. The lifespan of this group of tents is less, but still enough to enjoy several holidays.

So, as a (future) camper, you can go a long way in terms of tents. It largely depends on your personal preferences and situation. Hopefully, we were able to point you in the right direction. Should you still have questions or need more information, you can always contact our customer service. Our specialists are ready to answer all your questions.