Make sure you allow enough room for everyone to feel comfortable in their home away from home. Certain cabin tents will allow some members of your family to fully stand up inside the tent, which makes changing your clothes or simply stretching out in the morning a little bit easier. Allow at least 30 square feet of floor space per person.



There are many different types of tent structures. A dome tent has three or more intersecting hoops at the top, which create a dome structure. They are strong but sometimes difficult to assemble. A wedge tent is a more popular option for hikers and bikers because of their ease of assembly. An old, pup style tent is a good example of an a-frame tent, but these have been phased out by the popularity of dome, cabin and wedge types.

Other types of tent structures include pyramid, avian and hoop. An avian tent provides quick shelter, but it is open to the ground below. A hoop tent forms a tunnel shape around the camper. A pyramid structure has one main pole and lots of different rooms.

When selecting the type of tent that's right for you, be sure to consider the difficulty of assembly. If you are a first time camper, or even if you have some camping experience, you don't want to spend hours and hours putting together a difficult tent instead of enjoying time with your family. So, look at buyer reviews online to find firsthand accounts of what setting up your prospective tent is really like before you buy.

Also consider the time of year you'll be using your tent. Certain tents are better in winter weather than in summer. Others are three season tents that hold up well in rainy and windy weather. Be sure your tent will match your needs, depending on the time of year and part of the country in which you plan to camp.

Once you've established the basics, it's time to look at the details of the tent you want to buy. Be sure the one you buy is made of quality materials. Fiberglass or sturdy aluminum poles are a necessity. Color coded poles make set up easier when it comes time to assemble the tent. Waterproof fabrics keep your family comfortable and dry if you face inclement weather on your camping trip. Rip-stop materials are found in high end tents and increase their durability.

Another important factor to consider is ventilation. A tent can get very warm when it is zipped up for the night, which means ventilation will be key for comfort in the morning and early afternoon. Skylights or windows that open with sturdy zippers allow stuffy air out and fresh air in, while still keeping bugs and debris out of your tent.

Of course, price is something to consider when shopping for your tent. Remember that you'll likely use a quality tent for many years, which offsets some of the expense over time. Many different tents are available in different price ranges, so pick the one with the best features for your family that fits in your budget.