What types of tents are there?

Whether you're heading into the wilderness for a trek, camping with friends at a festival or just going away for a weekend with the family, a good tent is your home away from home. However, finding the right tent is not always easy. After all, the choice is huge. And you may have never spent the night in a tent before and not know at all what to look for. In a series of four blogs, we want to make things easier for you. Today, we dive into the range on offer. What can you choose from? And what should you pay attention to?

Table of contents

• Tent types: a wide variety of constructions and models
• Adventures with the tent
• Tent canvas material
• The tent poles
• Seasons
• The weight and pack size
• What else to look out for

Tent types: a wide variety of constructions and models

Not every tent is built the same way. There are different tent constructions and models, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Consider the inner space(s), stability, but also how the tent should be set up. We will go through them all below.

Car and bus tents

A car or bus tent is a tent you can attach to the back or side of a car or bus. Ideal for campers who like to use their vehicle as a base. In most cases, such a tent is only suitable for specific car or bus models. If this is the case, this is of course precisely indicated in the relevant car and bus tent.

Family tents

A family tent is spacious and comfortable, perfect for families or groups who want to camp together. These tents offer plenty of sleeping space - some models have several sleeping compartments - and regularly have a separate awning as well. Family tents usually have a good headroom. The word "family tent" basically says little about the construction of a tent. Most come with a tunnel construction, but family tents with a dome, ridge or tip-up construction can certainly be found as well.

Dome tents

A classic design that is quick to pitch and stable even in windy conditions. The crossed poles give it a dome shape, resulting in relatively steep walls. Due to its construction, this type of tent is very stable, requiring fewer pegs and guy ropes than, for example, the tunnel tent. Dome tents generally have no or only a very small awning.

Tunnel tents

A spacious tent with a tunnel-like construction that offers plenty of interior space and is often very light. In a tunnel tent, the tent poles are placed in arcs parallel to each other. Tunnel tents are often also equipped with a (small) awning.

Hybrid tents

A hybrid tent combines the features of the dome and the tunnel tent. Its construction is slightly more based on the dome tent. Adapting it often creates space for one or two small awnings. Many tents in the lightweight range are hybrid tents.

Inflatable tents

Revolutionary in their design, these tents are quick to pitch thanks to inflatable air tubes instead of using traditional tent poles.As with the family tent, the term "inflatable tent" does not refer to its construction.By the way, most inflatable tents are tunnel tents.

Ridge tents

A traditional design with a sturdy construction, perfect for long-term camping. In the ridge tent, the outer fabric is held up by one or more vertical poles, often connected by a horizontal ridge pole.

Pop-up tents

A pop-up tent represents the ultimate in convenience. It pops up in a flash when you take it out of the bag. When your trip is over, you can easily fold it up again and store it in the carrying bag. The ideal choice for those who don't want to spend a long time putting up the tent. The durability of these tents is usually not of the highest standard.

Tipi tents

A tipi tent is a cone-shaped tent with usually one long centre pole. In the middle of the tent, there is then plenty of room to stand.

Tent adventures

There are many different adventures for which you may need a tent. For each of those adventures, you expect something slightly different from your tent. Of course, different tent manufacturers take this into account. So what type of adventures are tents made for?

Camping: tents meant for camping, are made for camping or other easily accessible areas. From small dome tents to large inflatable family tents. Actually, any type of tent is suitable for camping, but some come into their own there better than others.

Glamping: luxury tents with extra amenities for an even more comfortable camping experience. You will almost forget that you are in a tent. Tents suitable for glamping are generally very spacious, have an extremely sturdy construction and offer a pleasant living environment.

Trekking: minimalist tents that are ideal for multi-day treks and overnight stays in the wilderness. The focus with these types of tents is really on low weight and small pack volume. After all, the tent has to go back into the backpack during the day. Along with your sleeping bag, sleeping mat and clothes. Also important with these trekking tents is that the tent is easy to put up and take down, and that it can withstand that.

Cycling holiday: tents that are easy to transport in panniers and can also provide a comfortable night's sleep during multi-day cycling trips. Tents suitable for cycling holidays have a lot of overlap with tents suitable for trekking. Even a long-distance cyclist only has a limited amount of luggage space available and will often have to set up and take down the tent on a daily basis.

Bikepacking: compact and ultralight tents designed for more off-road cycling adventures. These tents are often easily attached to your bike handlebars. In general, bikepacking tents are (even) lighter than tents for cycling holidays, to be experienced (even) less as ballast on the often heavier cycling routes.

Expedition: robust lightweight tents that can withstand extreme and cold conditions and are suitable for long-term use.

Tent canvas materials

The tent fabric material has a huge influence on the properties of your tent. Think about durability, waterproofness and breathability. The most common materials are polyester, polyamide, cotton and so-called technical cotton.

Polyester

Polyester is a lightweight and robust material. It is easy-care and dries very quickly, making it a favourite among travellers who change location often. Polyester is highly resistant to mould. The downside of this material is that it does not absorb moisture and does not breathe as well. As a result, condensation quickly forms on the inside of the tent. This problem can (partially) be remedied by the presence of vents in the fabric. Polyester is also not very resistant to UV rays. Polyester tent fabrics are mainly found in the budget and midrange segment of both lightweight tents and family tents.

Polyamide (nylon)

Polyamide, also known as nylon, is a material widely used for lightweight tent fabrics. Using the common ripstop weaving technique, nylon fibres are woven together to make the cloth stronger. In addition, this type of tent cloth is also treated with a special coating to make it waterproof. The disadvantages of polyamide are that, like polyester, it condenses very quickly. It is also sensitive to UV radiation and stretches in wet weather, which can lead to leaks. This type of tent fabric is mainly found in the midrange to high-end segment of lightweight tents.

Cotton

Cotton is a favourite with many campers. It has the longest lifespan and its breathability ensures a pleasant climate inside the tent. Condensation is therefore not an issue. Cotton is also resistant to UV radiation. Cotton does absorb moisture, making it very susceptible to mould. Good maintenance and proper storage are therefore very important. Cotton is a lot heavier than the synthetic materials discussed earlier. Cotton tent fabrics are therefore almost exclusively used in tents for camping and glamping.

Technical cotton

Also known as polyester cotton, polycotton or TC for short. Technical cotton is a blend of cotton and polyester that tries to harness the positive properties of both cotton and polyester. Usually, technical cotton has a ratio of 65% polyester and 35% cotton. Some advantages of TC are that it is lighter, absorbs less moisture and dries faster than 100% cotton tent fabrics. The only disadvantage is that to make technical cotton tent fabric 100% waterproof, a waterproof polyurethane coating must be applied to the inside of the fabric. This greatly reduces the breathability of the canvas. Technical cotton tents are reasonably to well resistant to UV radiation, but less so than tent fabrics made entirely of cotton. Technical cotton tent fabrics are also commonly found in tents aimed at camping and glamping.

The tent poles

The tent poles of a tent can differ in several ways. Consider, for example, the length of the poles or how many parts a tent pole can be split into. However, the main difference between all kinds of tent poles is the material it is made of. Aluminium, fibreglass, carbon and steel are the most common tent pole materials. We will briefly discuss exactly what each of these materials do to the properties of a tent. We will also pay attention to the air tubes found in inflatable tents.

Aluminium tent poles

Aluminium tent poles are mainly found in lightweight trekking tents. Tipi tents also often use aluminium poles. The heavier the tent fabric to be carried, the thicker the aluminium is usually. Aluminium is sufficiently flexible and is light, yet strong and can therefore bear a considerable load. Aluminium tent poles also withstand frequent pitching and taking down. So it is ideal for trekking tents, cycling holidays and bikepacking.

Carbon tent poles

Tent poles made of carbon can also be found in the lightweight segment. Carbon is even lighter than aluminium, but at the same time also a lot pricier. For the gram hunter, though, it can be the best choice. A major downside of carbon is that it is less malleable than aluminium. As a result, a carbon tent pole can break under more extreme weather conditions.

Fiberglass tent poles

Fiberglass was previously the most commonly used material for smaller tents, but today its use has decreased considerably. Fiberglass is quite sturdy, on the light side and cheaper than aluminum (and, of course, carbon). However, fiberglass tent poles are less resistant to frequent setting up and taking down. Therefore, we find fiberglass poles mainly in tents in the budget segment.

Steel tent poles

Steel tent poles are very strong and have a long lifespan. Steel is also the heaviest tent pole material. We therefore find steel poles almost exclusively in larger tents with heavy tent cloth. When weight is not important, steel is the best choice.

Alternative to tent poles: air tubes

Don't want the hassle of tent poles? Inflatable tents work with so-called air tubes. These air tubes are easily inflated with a pump. However, it is not the case that you fill the tubes and then the tent stands up like a pop-up tent. Especially with the larger family tents, it is important that you guide the tubes until they stand upright. A disadvantage of air tubes is that they can also leak. Fortunately, you can also repair and, in some cases, replace these.

Seasons

Tents are classified according to the number of seasons or climates they are suitable for, ranging from 2-season tents for in warm weather conditions to 4-season tents for more winter conditions.

2-seasons: this type of tent is ideal for spring and summer. 2-season tents offer good insect protection and at the same time plenty of ventilation. A light rain shower is often fine, but as this type of tent usually has no raised edge and a lower water column, you will not stay dry during a heavy downpour.

3-seasons: By this we mean tents suitable for use in summer, autumn and spring. They offer excellent protection against rain and wind, but they are generally not suitable for extreme weather (driving rain and strong winds). Also, using a 3-season tent in winter conditions is not recommended. Some brands also distinguish between 3-seasons and 3-seasons+. The difference is then that the latter is designed more for use in early spring and late autumn.

4-seasons: this type of tent is mainly designed for winter conditions. Ideal for winter or high-altitude camping. 4-season tents are more robust than 3-season tents. Strong winds, driving rain or snow pose no problem. 4-season tents are a lot less suitable for camping in warm conditions due to the lack of ventilation options.

The Weight and pack size

Depending on your destination and trip, weight and pack size may be the most important factors. The tent fabric material affects both pack size and weight. Synthetic materials such as polyester and polyamide always have a lower weight and pack size than (technical) cotton. In addition, weight and pack size are of course also determined by the number, length and total weight of the tent poles.

Some manufacturers specify a minimum and a maximum weight with their tents. The difference between these can be significant and is important for bikepackers or trekkers, for example. The minimum weight refers to the tent with only the important parts. By important parts, we mean the inner and outer tent and the tent poles. The maximum weight speaks for itself, but by this we mean the total weight of all components, so even the storage bag.

What else to look out for

There are a host of other "features" of a tent that may be important to you. It is going too far to discuss them all, but we will briefly go over the most important ones.

Water column

The water column is a measure of how waterproof the tent fabric is. It indicates how much pressure the material can withstand before water leaks through it. The higher the water column, the more pressure the material can withstand and the better the material's protection against water. Read more about this in our blog on the meaning of the Water column.

Taped seams

The seams of the tent fabric are often the first place the tent will leak. This is why the seams are often taped with a special type of adhesive tape. This is done on the inside of the tent. It keeps the tent waterproof. You see this mainly with polyester tents.

Ventilation options

Ventilation options are important to avoid creating an unpleasant climate inside the tent. This is especially important for tents with polyester and polyamide tent fabrics, which tend to breathe a lot less than tents with a cotton tent fabric. With the right ventilation options, you can prevent condensation while maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the tent.

Freestanding and semi-freestanding

A freestanding tent is one that can be erected without the use of pegs and guy ropes. A semi-freestanding tent is largely the same (it has a self-supporting construction, for example), but for an ideal "stand" you still need pegs and/or guy ropes. To set up a non-free-standing tent, you always need pegs and guy ropes.

Footprints

By a footprint we mean a groundsheet made specifically for one or a few tents, where the manufacturer of the footprint is the same as that of the tent(s) intended for the footprint. It is an extra tarpaulin placed under the tent to protect it from abrasion and moisture from underneath. Most tents come without a footprint. When placing the footprint, make sure it does not protrude under the tent. If it does, it will act as a kind of bathtub. Rain is then collected and falls between the tent and the footprint. We therefore always recommend choosing a footprint instead of a universal groundsheet. The former fits perfectly to the underside of the (inner) tent. In addition, it usually protects your tent better, allowing you to enjoy it longer.

Whatever the purpose of your trip, the right tent can make the difference between a great experience and an uncomfortable night. Hopefully, with this blog we have been able to give you a little clarity on the different types of tents, the various purposes you can use them for and all their features and characteristics. In our next blog, we will mainly focus on tents for camping. What specifically should you pay attention to when looking for the perfect tent for you/them? If you have any questions about today's blog or would otherwise like to benefit from our expertise, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team. Of course, you can always drop by our shop too.