The Complete Guide to Buy the Best Family Tent

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These days there’s no shortage of manufacturers that claim to offer the best

family tent, but which one should you get? Buying on the Internet can be as

simple as making a few clicks but before you can do that, you’ve got to make sure

you’re actually getting the right tent. Just like when buying any product, research

is essential to make sure you make the right decision.

The first thing that comes to mind when tents are mentioned is size, but there are

things you have to mull over carefully so you’ll get the best value for your money.

What Types of Family Tents Are There?

If you’re looking for the best family tent, there are general types to choose from:

dome, instant and cabin. Before you look at the various brands, knowing the

options is necessary. While tents may have the same general appearance and

purpose, their structure varies.

❶Instant Tent

Instant tents have a long, coiled spring within the fabric, and when the frame is

adjusted, the tent assumes a circular shape. By simply releasing the spring the

frame transforms the bag into a tent, one that’s practical and quite elegant. These

tents are sold in a wide array of styles and colors, but more than anything,

families find their convenience attractive.

Pros

Widely available.

Affordable.

Easy to set up.

Cons

Not as durable as other tents.

Some are just big enough for children.

Best For

Camping in good weather.

Best if you’re camping for a night or two.

❷Cabin Tent

Also known as walled tents, these are generally large units and resemble cabins in

shape. The walls are perpendicular and owing to their built, much more solid than

other tents. The design also allows for bunked cots to be added. These are the

largest of all tent types and usually come with a lot of features.

Owing to their size and construction, family cabin tents are suitable for extended

camping trips. These aren’t the easiest tents to set up, but once it’s ready you’ve

got a good sized home.

Pros

Comes with plenty of usable space.

More than enough for large individuals.

Built to last.

Made from steel or other heavy duty materials.

Cons

These tents are heavy and require at least two people to set up.

Can be difficult to manage if there is heavy wind or rain.

Best For

Best for established camping grounds as it’s too heavy for backpacking.

For large families that need plenty of room for camping gear.

❸Dome Tent

The basic dome tent has a flexible pole, and this is bent into a half circular shape

with either end fastened onto a webbing strap or tape. The tape or strap is set

across the tent’s base and is included in the groundsheet. If there are three poles,

it’s a hexagon, and if there are two it’s a square. Generally speaking the sides are

vertically set so there’s more headroom and a spacious floor.

Dome tents are known for the straightforward assembly, and this is the reason

why along with instant tents, they’re very popular with families. Testament to

how easy they are to set up is the fact that several dome tents take less than 30

seconds to configure.

Pros

Compact models are stable.

Easy to set up.

Affordable.

Well-designed dome tents can withstand strong winds.

Cons

The large dome tents can get unstable.

Most are not as spacious as cabin tents.

Best For

Dome tents are good for families who prefer a light tent.

Ideal for camping in good weather conditions.

Best Tent Brands on the Market

When it comes to discussions of the best family camping tents you’re apt to get

different opinions, but the following manufacturers have proven themselves time

and again to deliver.

❶Coleman

Coleman manufactures a lot of tents for family use, and Coleman camping tents

are available in a wide range of sizes, with rooms capable of holding 1 to 8 people

in most cases. The company is known for their quality products, and their tents

are no exception as they’re durable and built for serious family campers who just

love to go for camping.

Advantages

Tents are spacious.

Designed to keep you dry even if it suddenly rains.

Easy to set up.

Strong flooring.

Disadvantages

Their tents usually have fewer doors than others.

Some Coleman tents cannot handle extremely heavy downpour, but that’s

common with almost all tents.

❷Alps Mountaineering

Alps Mountaineering tents are also popular among campers owing to the design

and durability. The company has long established itself as a leader in the camping

industry with lightweight, backpacking and camping tents. Their camping gear

accessories are high quality too.

Advantages

Several types available.

Pitching is easy.

Well constructed.

Most tents are roomy, even those for a single person.

Disadvantages

Some of their camping tents are quite heavy.

Can’t withstand very heavy winds.

❸Wenzel

Wenzel tents are great for families that want a good night’s sleep while enjoying

the company of nature. Their tents are available in various sizes and styles, and

many are large enough to hold five people or more.

Advantages

Most tents have fiberglass poles that make set up easy.

Provides protection from rain and wind.

Floor area is generous.

Frame is durable and gives the tent extra strength.

Disadvantages

The rain fly in some tents is not large enough to provide cover for hard rain.

Some of the doors are quite narrow when compared to other tents.

❹Kelty

Kelty is a name that long times campers will recognize, and like the other brands

on this list have established a solid reputation when it comes to tents. The

company offers different types of tents, and many are designed for families, and

one of the most notable qualities of their tents is the ratio of the weight to price,

which is one of the best.

Advantages

Big floor space.

Materials are durable.

Easy to set up and zipper works smoothly.

Disadvantages

Vestibule could be bigger.

Some don’t have a storage loft.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Tent

To get the best family camping tents, your choice needs to go beyond just the

price, as other factors have to be accounted for. Here are the important points.

Capacity

Your choice needs to be based not just on the number of people going with you

but how much gear you’re bringing along. There is no industry standard when it

comes to tent sizes, so to be on the safe side go one person bigger, so if you’re a

family of four, get a five person tent. The extra space will come in handy if some

family members are physically large, toss and turn at night and just need more

room than the average person.

Tents for Different Seasons

The best family tent choices are the 3 season variants. These are light and

designed for use in the summer, fall and spring. Most are equipped with mesh

panels to improve air circulation and keeping pesky insects away. The best models

also have a tight rainfly and if pitched right, can handle downpours, but not the

type of rain you encounter during winter.

If your family plans to go camping during spring, summer or fall, 3-season tents

will suffice. During these seasons what you’ll need is a tent that will keep you dry

if it rains or there’s a bit of snow and these tents will do just that. Now if you’re

planning on camping during late fall or in mild snow, look for a 4 season tent: they

don’t have as many mesh panels as a 3 season, but are more durable.

Height

Big camping tents allow you to stand up while inside and this will come in handy if

you’re going to change clothes. If this is something you need, look at the tent’s

product specs and check the height: there needs to be an allowance of at least a

few inches so you’ll be able to stand up comfortably.

Cabin tents usually offer the most space height wise thanks to their vertical walls,

but there are also dome style tents that offer good ceiling and interior strength.

Dome tents have a high ceiling in the center, but the sloping walls means the

usable space is smaller compared to a cabin tent. If you’re over 6 ft. get a tent

that is at least 90 inches long.

Doors

For family camping, a tent with multiple doors is recommended so you don’t have

to wait in line to get out if you have to go to the bathroom. Cabin type tents are

known for having several doors, but other tents are catching up too. Look also at

how the zippers work: they shouldn’t get caught and mustn’t be noisy so you

don’t wake those sleeping.

Rainfly

This is the waterproof cover that goes over a tent’s roof, and you’ll want to use

this when there’s rain or you want to keep the tent a little bit warm. Roof only

rainflies let more light in while providing decent protection from rain. Full rainfly

coverage meanwhile, offers full protection from the rain and wind but doesn’t

offer as much light or view.

Materials

There are different types of tent materials and fabrics, but most tents for family

are made of polyester or nylon. Nylon is typically used for lighter tents, but both

are popular because they’re affordable and dry quickly. In addition, these

materials dry quick and resistant to rips and mildew, thereby requiring less

maintenance. Other materials are available such as poly-cotton, canvas and

synthetic ones, so check the product description for details.

Things to Know After Buying a Tent

Now that you’ve got your family size tents ready, it’s time to focus on the setup,

usage and maintenance.

Set Up

Find a smooth, even surface; open the tent and other parts included. Stake the

tent and ensure the structure is anchored on the surface. Join the poles as

indicated in the user guide: they’re either color coded or have numbers. Follow

any additional instructions on the owner’s manual.

Usage

Once you’ve set up the tent it’s just a matter of putting your stuff in there and

going camping. However there are certain things you need to do to make sure the

tent runs smoothly. For starters, don’t use the tent in situations and

circumstances it is not meant to. So if you bought a 3 season tent, don’t use

during the winter season or it’s going to get damaged.

Follow the instructions with regards to the unfolding and folding up of the tent.

Also, make sure the tent is set up in a smooth, clean area, with no sharp rocks

that could tear the fabric. As much as possible don’t sit or sleep near uneven

areas on the tent as it could cause damage.

There are products available that provide protection for the tent, as some

materials might deteriorate when exposed to ultraviolet rays for a long time. You

should also keep an eye on the poles and make sure they are handled properly. In

particular, shock corded poles have to carefully before it is dismantled.

When you transport family size tents, take care so it isn’t damaged or accidently

dropped while stored in the back of your vehicle. To prevent accidents, lock and

chain the plank being used as a carrier for the tent. While you’re camping, keep

wet items off the tent floor so the surface doesn’t get damp.

Maintenance

Use a footprint, which is basically just a ground cloth that has been custom cut to

match your tent’s floor plan. With a footprint your tent will be protected from

abrasion, and you also keep the tent’s surface clean. In addition, a footprint keeps

rainwater from gathering under your tent’s floor.

Debris and dirt can gather inside a tent quickly so do your part to prevent this by

keeping your boots or other footwear outside the tent. Doing so will keep the dirt

inside the tent to a minimum.

Some tents come with UV protection but others don’t. If your tent doesn’t have

this feature, get the rainfly or another anti-UV product to serve as protection. If

you don’t want to spend for another purchase, look for a tent with urethane

coating but this is usually provided by the rainfly already.

If you’re using a freestanding tent, shake the dirt out before you pack it up. Make

sure there’s no thrash left in the tent before you fold it.

If you’re disassembling the unit, the shock corded pole in the center should be

separated first instead of commencing at the pole’s end. This will eliminate the

tension in the cord and make the tent easier to fold.

Last but not the least; try to fold the tent in different places every now and then,

because the creases on the tent might become permanent.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q)

1. How to clean my tent properly?

Answer: Use mild soap and water to clean the tent. If the dirt won’t come off, use

a sponge to get rid of the dirt. Open the doors and windows and remove any dirt,

bird droppings or stains that might be in the hinges. When the tent is clean, let it

dry.

2. What do I need to prepare the area before I set up my tent?

Answer: Clear the area of sharp objects, branches, twigs and other objects that

might damage the floor. If there’s chance of a thunderstorm, do not set the tent

near trees because lightning might strike the tree and cause an accident. Make

sure there’s also enough space around the area so you can set up the tent easily.

3. What safety measures do I need to consider keeping my tent good?

Answer: Open the doors and windows before collapsing the tent so air gets out.

Also, don’t store the tent until it is completely dry so mildew doesn’t build up. In

addition, the stakes and poles have to be stored in a separate bag. Finally, fold the

tents with the same length of the pole prior to rolling.

4. What have to do with my tent if it rains?

Answer: If there is any chance of rain, install the rain fly and close the windows

and doors if it turns into a downpour. If the tent is waterproof you don’t have to

worry about getting wet. However, it does help to apply a waterproofing solution

if the tent is always subjected to heavy rain.

5. How can I be sure we can safely install stakes?

Answer: Practice pitching and setting up the tent in your backyard before you go

camping. Second, read the instruction manual for specific instructions on how to

stake the tent, as it can vary per product. Third, do not stake in areas where water

could accumulate, and don’t pitch under a tree.

6. What other items do I need to buy when purchasing a camping tent?

Answer: You don’t need to buy anything else, as all the components will be

included in the package. You just need to unbundle the tent and set it up.

However, you do need to buy other camping gear like insect repellent, first aid kit,

tent repair kit, flashlight, and other items you deem necessary.

Final Words

If you’ve never gone camping before and want to give it a try, now is a good a

time as any as there are so many choices available. If you have never bought one

before, it might seem daunting, but with the information in this guide it’s not

going to be a problem anymore to buy a best family tent.

These days the term best family tent is tossed around too much, but not all tents

that say they’re the best are any good. By keeping the tips here in mind, you’ll be

able to buy the tent that really suits the needs of your family. In short, the time

you spend researching will make a big difference later.