Lights out inner tent -darker fabric reduces the amount of early morning light. Integrated eyelets allow optional king poles to prop open doors to create a canopy

Can it go on my car? Was the first question I asked when rooftop tents began appearing on the market a few years ago for the same price as a top of the range family model. After much research, ­‘no’ has definitely been the resounding answer - although, in all fairness, I do drive a three-door VW Fox.Tents have come a long way since founder of the Caravan and Camping Club Thomas Hiram Holding stitched his own silk A-frame number (so-called because of the shape it forms when pitched) in the late 1800s and literally wrote the book about the joys of camping. Look at a picture of this offering and you may be surprised to see it classed as a two-person model only – that’s because it looks huge. And it is. With a whopping 6.8 square metres of floor space, a huge portion of the Hoolie is actually its porch – in fact it’s so big you could easily sleep another two in here (albeit without a ground sheet). This tunnel tent is easily pitched using two poles which are colour-coded to match the sleeves they slide inside. When pegged out correctly (there’s reflective tabs on the peg points so you can do it in the dark if needs be), it is a decent size for two, a bearable size when you add two kids and – honestly – a bit of a squeeze for four grown-ups. Fully sewn-in groundsheet in sleeping area with attached flat groundsheet in porch for easy cleaning They recommend four people do this job, which is asking a bit much for a two-person tent. The two of us managed, with a bit of pre-planning and using my garden bench first as a practice run (highly recommended).

If it’s space you’re after, the Vango Venture 450 Tunnel tent has a lot of it. Rated a four-person tent, it has 143 square feet (13.2 square meters) of space. With a dedicated sleeping area, a sitting area and a covered patio, this is ideal for longer camping vacations. Although it was only a breezy day at our location (Love2Stay near Shrewsbury), the wind did catch the roof of this awning, causing it to billow a little. Which is the best tent? It’s a big question. In the same way that there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing, I truly believe that there’s never a bad time to camp, only unsuitable tents. And I should know; I’ve slept in most of them.Inflatable tents are designed with stronger materials so that they can last just as long as any other tent would. This is why they also tend to be more expensive than regular tents. They need to ensure that their inflatable beams are durable so that they won't puncture easily and cause the whole tent to collapse. For a balance between affordability and function, the Tangkula Inflatable Tent is a medium sized tent that takes just 3 minutes to inflate. It's a relatively small tent, so it's not ideal for bigger camping groups, but with its durable polyester and PU coating, it’s a great addition to your family’s outdoor gear. Boutique Camping was formed 12 years ago by two festival-loving friends. This online store has evolved from initially selling a single design to offering a multitude of options. This is their classic model but with a twist – whereas canvas needs to be ‘wetted’ before it is naturally waterproof (no hydrostatic head rating here), this one has been made with a synthetic and anti-mould polyester canvas-look waterproof treated fabric, which will see you through rainy nights straight out the bag. Waterproof PE Groundsheet - Robust and hard wearing fabric to stand up to the rigours of the most active campers Everyone likes a bargain, and boasting a 55-year legacy of making a host of great value offerings for Duke of Edinburgh participants across the country and beyond, it’s perhaps no surprise that Scottish brand Vango strikes a good balance between cost and features.

A combination of wider-than- average air beams, inflated with a supplied double-action pump, and steel poles didn’t make assembly more complicated, as the real support work is still in the air beams – you only add the steel poles at the end. Of the many brands jumping on this particular bandwagon, Coleman is the one that has achieved the best results eliminating, they claim, 99 per cent of daylight once inside. It is dark for sure, so dark in fact you will need a torch to find things or avoid tripping over your festival friends, but that does create a little problem when it’s warm – it has a tendency to overheat. Once fully inflated it’s very durable and extremely waterproof, with a 6,000mm hydrostatic head rating. It has some welcome well-thought-out features too, such as the small roof above the side door – great to stop you getting soaked while unzipping it. I like the darkened lining in the bedrooms to help stop kids waking up with at the first sign of sunrise, and the wheeled carry bag. In fact I fail to see how you could manoeuvre it otherwise. It’s been 10 years since a London architect decided to realise his dream of creating a portable treehouse that would allow mere mortals to experience the thrill of sleeping above the forest floor. Now a decade old, the award-winning tree tent maker Tentsile has refined its signature Stingray model to be even lighter while still able to take the weight of three adults or two adults and two children. For something a little more rugged and wet weather capable, consider the Vango Voyager 400 Tunnel Tent. It is constructed from superior waterproof materials and rated to 4000mm. Factory taped seams add to the overall waterproof rating of this tent.

Technical Specifications

Waterproof PE groundsheet - Robust and hardwearing fabric to stand up to the rigours of the most active campers Vango Protex 70 denier polyester flysheet, 3000 mm HH - highly waterproof, durable and reliable fabric

Some people may be immediately put off by the price of this one. I will admit I was too before I used it. But this model is offering you something all the others cannot – total freedom. The designers have made use of this hybrid nature to give the 400 its hexagonal shape, yet its depth is still only 300cm. Five of those six sides can include a removable panel, so on a hot day, it would be easy to turn your awning into a sun canopy. From the outside it certainly looks the part, with the classic shape and single mast pole design, and inside the head room is good and the floor space adequate – though four people and sleeping bags would feel squashed. There are low level vents to help with airflow, plus a mesh door which can also help stop condensation – the only issue is that it’s a single skin model – so no separate fly and inner.

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The two side panels include a mesh door that is split 60/40, in case you only want to open it a little to gain entry. The three front panels include doors with mesh and zip curtains, and there are skylights near the roof.