So you’re considering a large camping tent. Great, sounds like fun! But there’s more to buying a tent these days than just picking one up at your local big box store.
Large Camping Tents – Many to Choose From
Most people are familiar with a dome camping family camping tents . These are the large camping tents that are shaped like a big “dot,” (do you remember those little rounded candies?) or “mound” shape.
Dome tents typically allow enough headroom to stand in the center, but floor space is limited. The dome design provides for a lightweight tent with good wind and weather-withstanding abilities, but most people who use this type of tent are planning to sleep in it only, and not spend a lot of time inside.
Dome tents are lighter because they use fewer poles – sometimes only one or two – and are quite simple to set up, often needing only one person.
There are special tents designed for severe weather, for example, the tunnel tent which looks like a a roll with hoops inside. This large camping tent design is perfect for camping where you expect strong – even violent – winds or snow conditions. Those who are planning to travel to Mt. Everest would be well-advised to consider this type of shelter.
If you’re thinking about a camping trip with your family and you’d like more headroom than a dome tent, you might want to look closely at a cabin tent.
These tents are heavier than a dome tent, but will allow more space for large parties. A cabin tent looks like a cabin, with walls that go nearly straight up. It will provide room for several cots or air mattresses, and many cabin tents also have an attached screened room to set up a picnic table or store gear.