A tent is probably going to be your most expensive outdoor purchase, so it is worth getting the right one for you. On the market at the moment are tents from £20 to over £1000, with specifications and suitability's as wide ranging as their costs. So how do you find the right one? First start by looking at your needs, exactly what do you want the tent for? This is the main thing to take into account and will point you in the right direction, narrowing the choice down to a manageable level. If you only plan to camp on sites during the summer months there is little point in spending a fortune on a Himalayan base camp capable superdome, and the reverse would be even more impractical! Another important factor is how many people there are to be accommodated, which will narrow the choice even further.

Time of Use

All kinds of tents can be broken down into four groups depending on the harshness of weather they can withstand.

Summer Tents
These are for use in warm, relatively calm conditions. Usually the emphasis is on lightweight materials and ventilation to cut down condensation. A short shower is well within the capabilities of these tents, but an extended period of rain or high winds would challenge them.

3 Season
By far the most popular type of tents for use in Britain. They can withstand the majority of weather conditions expected from spring through autumn. Usually a 3 pole design for strength, incorporating a full-length flysheet and large vestibules for stowing wet gear. There are more varieties of this type of tent than any other.

Convertible Tents
3 season tents that can be "beefed up" to withstand winter weather, usually by the addition of a fourth pole to strengthen the structure. Another feature to look for are zip over panels for mesh panels and windows to help maintain temperatures inside the tent in cold weather. These are the true jack of all trades of the tent world, although they may be a bit heavy for summer backpacking.

4 Season
Built to withstand the worst weather conditions. Featuring at least four poles, plenty of guy attachment points and bombproof construction you can go anywhere in any weather and these tents should take it all in its stride. Look for snow valances, two entrances and vestibules for flexibility and storing the huge amount of kit a winter camping expedition requires.

Decide when you want to use the tent and plan for the worst weather you expect to encounter. It is always better to overestimate and be comfortable than to underestimate and have a sleepless night plus a tattered, useless wreck of a tent in the morning. Trying to sleep in a tent that is totally overwhelmed by the conditions is a stressful and sometimes frightening experience, not to be recommended!

Use

The activity you are taking part in when the tent is in use will guide your choice too.

Backpacking
Weight and pack size are the main considerations here as you may be carrying the tent for weeks at a time, but it does not pay to heed this at the expense of everything else. It is worth sacrificing a pound or two for the extra space and comfort it can buy.

Site car camping
Comfort and space are your goal here, weight is not so important as you only have to stagger 15 feet or so from the car to the pitching site carrying the tent. This allows for massive tents with multiple rooms and a host of home comforts, luxury!

Mountaineering
Bombproof, lightweight, brightly coloured, narrow and slightly smaller than general tents for pitching on ledges and small snow platforms where space is at a premium. Specialist tents for this activity are more expensive due to the high standards of materials and construction, but a good quality and reliable tent can mean the difference between a successful summit attempt and a terrible ordeal.

Cycling
Compact packed size and lightweight with an enormous vestibule for storing bikes out of the weather. Generally for use in sheltered camping sites rather than windy and wild exposed areas.

Mountain Marathon
Weight is king here, comfort comes a poor second. As long as you can fit inside the tent that's all you need to know.

Vital Features

Now you know what class of tent you want and how many people you need to shelter, it is time to look at the things you need it to have and the features you want. There are some things you need a tent to fulfil. For example, I am 6' 5" tall and so (allowing for sleeping bag and comfort space) I need an interior length of at least 230cm, preferably 250cm or so. Without this space a tent is worse than useless to me and I would not consider buying it regardless of specifications or price.

Maybe you need to stow a large amount of gear, in which case extra large vestibules are valuable, especially if you are bicycle touring where it pays to get your bike out of the elements whenever possible. If you are expecting to spend a large amount of time inside the tent the ability to sit straight up is nice, as is adequate ventilation to prevent condensation building up and soaking everything.

In bad weather having two entrances and vestibules is a boon as this allows you to enter/exit through the one facing away from the wind, which can shift from minute to minute. Another thing to consider is that you may be forced by bad weather to cook under the flysheet in the vestibule, so you need space and sufficient clearance from the flysheet to be able to do this safely.

SAFETY NOTE
A fire in a tent is a terrifying and life threatening situation, so take very possible precaution and only cook under the flysheet as a last resort.

One feature that is essential in a tent for use in Scotland during the summer months is a midge-netting door. This allows you to sleep with the main door open for ventilation and this fine mesh screen will keep the little bloodsuckers out. Try doing without one and you will know the true meaning of purgatory, as an insect's main course! These are some of the possible "must haves" for your tent, you may not need all of them and there may be others applicable to you, the main thing is to suit yourself!

Preferences

Other things are less vital and more a matter of taste, but you want them nonetheless. Small comforts and conveniences can make all the difference to your camping experience.

Tent shape is such a choice. There are four main general shapes available.

'A' Frame
The traditional tent shape. Good headroom in the middle, excellent shape for shedding bad weather, especially snow due to its steep sides and lack of flat surfaces. One drawback is that they tend to have rigid aluminium poles which add a large amount of weight.

Tunnel
Lots of space for their overall size and weight. Best pitched end on into the wind for stability. Usually only have one entrance and vestibule however.

Dome
This is the strongest structure of the range due to the many crossover points of the poles, which contributes to the all round weather shedding ability, especially wind resistance. They generally have a good amount of space inside for overall size and weight. Often free standing designs, which need minimal pegging except in windy weather.

Single pole
Incredibly lightweight and compact when packed up these are a favourite with mountain marathon runners and lightweight backpackers. Due to the design there is less room inside and poorer wind shedding properties with large amounts of deformation possible in high winds hitting the tent side on.


Colour can, believe it or not, be not only an aesthetic choice. For use in areas where search and rescue may need to locate you (ie mountaineering) a brightly coloured tent is an advantage, but for anywhere else it is a possible eyesore. The colour of the tent will affect the quality of the light inside, with green, blue or grey filtering the sunlight to produce a soft light effect on the inside which is very restful on the eye. However , in dull conditions the effect can be slightly gloomy. For use in poor weather conditions a bright yellow or orange material will produce a bright, cheery environment inside.

A window is invaluable for long periods inside the tent when some natural light is a real morale boost, and you can check the weather conditions without leaving your snug sanctuary, or even your sleeping bag!

The ability to hang a gear loft inside which allows easy access to smaller, more frequently used items is a real boon and helps prevent the scrambling search for the torch in preparation for that nocturnal sojourn to answer the call of nature(why does that always happen when it is pouring with rain?).

Another worthwhile addition is a footprint to protect the floor of the tent from sharp rocks and extend its lifetime. If you cannot buy a custom made footprint then cut a piece of polythene to the shape of your groundsheet, but trim it to 2" inside the outline to prevent water pooling between the footprint and the groundsheet after running off of the flysheet.

Cheap, easy and protects your investment.

Extend your tents life.

• Seal the seams regularly to ensure complete waterproofing, and reproof the flysheet every other year.
• Clean and dry the tent as thoroughly and as soon as possible after use, preferably on a daily basis when in use.
• Try to take off boots before getting into the tent to reduce wear and tear.
• Never shake shock-corded poles to snap them together, this causes rough points to form that can tear the fabric.
• Always fold shock corded poles from the centre, not one end, as this minimises the tension on the cord.
• Erect and inspect the tent before use, this allows you to discover any damage or wear before you are in the middle of nowhere and it becomes a real problem.