Tents I - what size?

So, you're looking for a new camping shelter - what size should you get?

Well, first of all, we should start looking at what type of camping you are doing and what other options are available. Alternate options include a backcountry shelter (or cabin), a hammock, or no tent at all. The latter option is OK with the right weather conditions - and certainty about those conditions holding. I wouldn't recommend this one for much more than an overnighter, but it certainly is a beautiful and refreshing way to stay out under the stars. As for a hammock, they are becoming more and more popular. These are more of a one-size-fits-one option, although you could certainly make up your own customized rig with a light nylon hammock, a lightweight tarp, and maybe some mosquito netting. The most standard names in camping hammocks would be Hennessy and Clark. When it comes to staying in an Adirondack-style shelter, you should first consider availability; some of these can be reserved along some trails.

Let's just say a tent is what you want. What will you be using it for? Backpacking? Car camping? A mix of the two? How many people?

If you're like me and others of us at the Wildernest and you've been camping regularly for years, then you may have a tent for each situation. That's not always feasible for everyone, but if you have a family of more than two kids and you are backpacking and car camping, then you will most likely find yourself eventually in the market for multiple tents.

When picking a backpacking tent, I have a personal rule of thumb for customers looking for a certain size of tent - 15 square feet per person is an around average room for a tent. Many times newer backpackers look at the size of the tent on the floor and think it looks small for two people, but when they see the size rolled up and the weight on their back they realize that space is still a function of packed size and weight. Someone whose primary goal is weight savings must be willing to consider looking at a tent that has less than 15 square feet per person, while someone who wants something larger must be willing to add weight. However, the square footage should only be an initial guideline; there are several other features that affect roominess and weight. For example, tents with a significant amount of mesh will be lighter. Tents with multiple doors will be heavier. Freestanding tents will be heavier. Single wall tents will be lighter. Maybe more on this later...

When looking at the size of a tent, one important feature to consider beyond the square footage is the volume and livability. Look for a tent with more vertical walls, especially at the entry. Not only will this provide more space to move, it will also help with moisture management when exiting and entering the tent in foul weather. Walls with extremely angled sides leave you with little corners, nooks, and crannies that you rarely find a good use for. Tent companies have not been releasing a cubic footage, but I don't see why that couldn't be an unreasonable endeavor for companies to do so in the coming years.We may end up being surprised at how some tents compare.

Outside of the realm of backpacking, the 15 square feet per person seems to be a reasonable number to use as a guideline for car camping and family camping. These camping adventures usually do not have the weight restrictions, so you can splurge a bit on size here. However, when car camping often one takes much more with them so that extra space ends up easily being filled.

Bottom line, regardless of the person capacity a tent lists, you will want to check the square footage, check the height, and if possible, see the tent set up so you can see how livable it will be and how vertical the walls are. If you are ever stuck hunkered down in the rain you'll be glad you did!