How to choose a tent

Choice of tent

The tent is one of the most important pieces of equipment and it might be difficult to find a tent that fits for most occasions. Many different choices and models are available to choose from that are more or less suitable for your adventure in nature. The best tip is to choose a model that best suits the activity you intend to do most often.

Which size should I choose?

When choosing the size of the tent, there are a few things to consider. The name of the tent often tells you how many people will fit in the tent. Feel free to look at the dimensions of the tent, because the sleeping pads you intend to use must fit both in width and in length. When talking and choosing the right tunnel tent, many people choose to upgrade to a 3-person model, even if only 2 of you will be using the tent. The extra space is usually appreciated as you have room for a wider sleeping pad and you can also store some of the equipment if you want to have it close at hand inside the tent.

When and where will I mainly use the tent?

It is difficult to find a tent that will be perfect for every occasion. But when you choose your tent, think about the context in which you will most often use your tent and that is when the tent will work at its best.

Mountain hiking = Tunnel tent
Paddling = Dome tent
Basecamp/Camping = Tents and larger camping tents

Should I carry the tent with me or will it be used as a base camp?

Below you can read about the different advantages of different tent types.

Tunnel tent

If you are going to use your tent for most hiking, both on the mountain and in forest and land, we recommend that you choose a Tunnel tent. You then get a tent that withstands wind well and a lot of space in relation to weight, the extra large apse in a tunnel tent is worth its weight in gold to store your pack in. Most often, you travel both the inner tent and the outer fabric at the same time in a tunnel tent. This is especially good on days when the weather is a little worse.

Lower weight in relation to space
Inner and outer tents can be erected together
Wind resistant
Large apses

Dome tent

If you are aware that you will be using your tent where it can be difficult to get the ground pegs down properly in the ground, for example when paddling, it is better to choose a dome tent. The advantage of a dome tent is that it is self-supporting and you usually get 2 entrances and more height in the ceiling. Since the tent is self-supporting, you don’t need ground pegs for the tent to stand up by itself. Perfect if you are going to camp on rocks, sand or any other hard surface.

Needs less storage space
Usually 2 entrances
Higher ceiling height
Self-sustained = stands by itself

Camping and teepee

If you are looking for more comfort when you are camping and do not intend to carry the tent with you for longer distances, a larger camping tent is the obvious choice. Even if camping and teepees weigh more and have a larger packing volume, here you get a lot of space and you are able to stand inside the tent because of the high ceiling. Keep in mind that a camping tent or teepee needs a larger flat surface to be set up.

Standing height
Lots of space
Good ventilation possibilities

Take care of your tent

If you take care of your tent, it will last season after season.

Clean the tent. Brush all the dirt and make sure the tent is completely dry before putting it in for storage.
Use only warm water and a sponge to clean the tent. Do not use detergents or chemicals.
When cleaning the tent, take the opportunity to check for signs of wear. Fix it if necessary.
Clean dirt from tent arches and ground pegs with warm water.
Check the zippers so they are clean, otherwise the dirt can make the zippers difficult to use. Waxing the zipper keeps dirt out and makes it easier to close.
Always make sure your tent is ready for your next trip before storing the tent. Count ground pegs and make sure everything is in good condition.
Make sure the tent is completely dry before packing it down, air the tent outside but hang the tent indoors when you dry it, to protect the outer fabric from the sun’s harsh rays.
When storing, you should not pack the tent in the packing bag, instead fold the tent loosely and store it in a dry and cool place.

Quick tips!

Set up your tent at home before you go on an adventure. You can therefore visually see that all the parts are there and the tent is complete and clean. You also practice setting up your tent and it can be good if you want to get the tent up quickly in unfortunate weather.
Always set your tent up properly, use all the fixing points you can and don’t forget the storm lines. It’s nicer to stay inside the sleeping bag at night than to have to run out and anchor your tent.
If you need to take down your tent in rainy weather, disconnect your inner tent from the outer fabric if possible and pack it in its own bag before you start taking down your tent. Therefore you keep your inner tent dry.