Best camping tents to enhance stay experience at campsites and resorts

Camping is an outdoor activity, which involves staying away from home with or without a shelter, such as a tent or a recreational vehicle. The participants of this activity typically leave developed areas to spend time outdoors in more natural ones in pursuit of activities that offer them enjoyment.

Camping Tents have a diverse usage which is as follows:

- Protects from the various weather conditions

- Protects from the wildlife in case of camping

- Provides cover from the wind and rain

- Can be used as a shelter for temporary accommodation

- Frame tents can be utilized as an additional room or extension to the home.

- Tents can provide a beautiful ambience and shelter for the guests at functions such as weddings and celebrations

- Flexibility and versatility that this tent provides when camping or climbing mountains or cycling is outstanding

- The military uses tents for its easy setup and movability

- Tents are economical and are portable

- Tents are used when there are earthquakes, fires and floods as a temporary emergency shelter

- Tents can protect from mosquitoes, gnats and other biting insects while sleeping

- Children may use tents to camp in the garden for enjoyment

Why Camp?

Different people have different reasons for camping. For some, it is to detach from technology and reconnect with nature. Whereas for others it is to go camping to revitalize their relationships, away from all the distractions at home. Various youth organizations focus on teaching young people how to build a fire, pitch a tent, or read a compass for evolving them in life lessons.

Common tent shapes

Take a look at the different tent shapes available. Many of the shapes cross over into multiple tent types.

- Ridge/A-frame tents:  The ridge/A-frame tents comprise a thick canvas stretched over a horizontal pole supported by a vertical pole at each end. The tents stability has largely relied upon the guylines and tie-outs, and how well they were placed.

- Dome: Together with tunnel tents, dome tents are one of the most common types of tents around. The dome tents comprise two flexible poles that cross at the top of the dome and bend to be anchored to the floor on each of the four dome corners.

- Tunnel tents: These are great for larger groups and families as they provide lots of headroom and plenty of liveable space. They are made up of a series of flexible poles that loop from one side of the tent to the other to form a tunnel shape for the rainfly to attach to.

- Geodesic tents: Various designers have been constantly working towards enhancing the basic structure of a dome tent to make it stronger and more able to stand up to the elements. The result of the same is a geodesic tent that is essentially a dome tent but with more poles.

- Cabin tents: Cabin tents are usually made up of aluminium poles that fit together to create the frame of what looks like a cabin. There is a waterproof polyester, nylon or sometimes canvas rainfly that encases the frame to form the walls and roof of your cabin which provides loads of liveable space that you can usually stand up in.

- Pyramid tent: These are the most simple tent shape that usually comprises a single central pole with a rainfly draped over the top and staked down at the corners/edges of the fly. Guylines and stakes play a very important part in providing stability to pyramid tents, and as with ridge tents, the bigger they are the less stable they become.

Comparing some camping tents

1. Coleman Sundome 2 Person Tent: This sundome tent can accommodate 2 people at a given time. It is water-resistant, that is the water is restricted to getting inside because of Welded corners and inverted seams. Also, there is an additional rainfly that provides extra water protection. This type of camping tent is tested for wind and rain. Its strong frame withstands 35+ mph winds. The large size windows and ground vent enhances airflow and offers great ventilation. In case you want to stay connected with the world while camping, there are E-Ports to bring electrical power inside easily. The sundome tent can be set up easily within 10 minutes. The tent offers a roomy interior that is 7 x 5 ft. with 4 ft. centre height. It can easily fit 1 queen-size air bed.

2. Coleman Skydome Darkroom 4-8 Person Tent: The mesh storage pockets and a gear loft keep small items organized in this skydome tent.

The strong frame has been tested to withstand up to 35 mph winds. The tent offers roomy interiors with 8 x 7 ft. dimensions with 4 ft. 8 in. centre height. Also, there is a carry bag included for easy storage.

3. Coleman Cortes Octagon 8 Tent: The inner fabric is made of polyester no-see-um mesh. It comes with an outer flysheet Polyester, PU coated and the groundsheet is made off with PE, welded, fully integrated.

The floor size (Front x Depth) is 13 ft x 13 ft. with a centre height of 7 ft. It comprises a water column of 2000 mm rainfall. The poles are made of fibreglass and steel for that extra strength. The pack size (LxWxH) is 85 cms x 30 cms x 30 cms and the tent weighs 20.7 kg.

4. Coleman Darwin 2 Person Tent: A quick-pitch dome tent with ring and pin pole attachment for simple set-up. The front porch provides space for muddy boots and gear while the curved door allows for easy entry and exit. Quick-pitch dome structure with ring and pin pole attachment. Strong, durable PE groundsheet.

5. Coleman Darwin 3 Plus Tent: Ideal when you need extra space for your kit, the spacious porch area with groundsheet is perfect for storing gear and is large enough to sit and relax if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Quick-pitch extended dome structure with ring and pin pole attachment. Strong, durable PE groundsheet Large front porch with riser groundsheet.