Guide to buying a tent Purpose Firstly you need to decide the purpose of buying a tent.
If you want a tent for family camping then you need to choose a tent which is comfortable and spacious.
If you want a tent for backpacking camping then the weight, size and durability are key considerations.
Capacity You need to decide how many people you need to fit into the tent.
The stated capacity is the number which can be crammed in with no spare place for any gear.
A good idea is to buy a tent with a stated capacity of at least one more person than you need.
For each person you should allow room space of approximately 30 square feet.
Shape You need to decide what shape you want your tent.
A domed shape is the most common tent shape.
Domed tents are easy to erect and are best for a small number of occupants.
Geodesic tents are a variant of domed tents but have a more complicated pole structure than gives increased rigidity.
They are more difficult to erect than a conventional domed tent.
Frame tents generally use straight poles and have a feel of a house with more space and large windows.
They can be quite heavy.
Other shapes include a native American tipi and a yurt.
Yurts are most common in eastern Asian countries such as Mongolia and have a wooden lattice which is surrounded by canvas.
Cost Bearing in mind the type of tent you need, you must decide how much you are willing to pay.