An optional awning or canopy can provide protection from the sun and rain, creating a shaded area from which to enjoy the outdoors without having to stay inside your tent. 10) Extra features A vestibule is an enclosed area typically located outside the main sleeping area. It provides extra space for storing gear, muddy boots, or cooking in poor weather, keeping the main tent clean and organised. It’s sometimes called a porch. A tent with more than one door can help with airflow, assisting with ventilation and also gives you more flexibility to enter and leave the tent through the most convenient doorway. 8) Number and size of windows A well-ventilated tent will make for a more comfortable, condensation-free camping experience, and well-positioned vent panels and doors with fly screens allow for the free flow of air while keeping bugs out of your sleeping space. 4) Indoor space and flexible sleeping compartments

We were soon pitched and ready for a coffee, we had plenty of water with us but I didn’t need an excuse to gather some of the surrounding snow to make a hot drink. Note to self, a pan full of snow doesn’t make much coffee. Gathering snow and heating it up on the Optimus Crux stove, anyone would think we were big kids – we are. It's very common for manufacturers to be generous about the number of people they say can fit inside their tents. The number they give will be technically true, but it probably won't account for the space needed for campers' belongings, or the space people need for a comfortable night's sleep. Are very popular in all sections of the tent world, from the lightest of hiking tents to big family camping tents. This is because the shape is very adaptable and space-friendly, whether using traditional poles or an inflatable design, tunnel tents are easy to split into multiple rooms if need be. You can distinguish tunnel tents by their half-cylinder shape.Related guide: Learn all about sleeping bags with our comprehensive guide. Tent shapes explained Tunnel tents

The tent comes in a spacious bag, yet it is still lightweight and is no hassle to carry. There are extra pegs for securing an additional ground mat, and it is easy to manoeuvre if you want to move the tent to a different location. I would recommend getting a ground mat as the tent's base may need extra protection, especially when camping in unpredictable weather. Putting a tarpaulin down will offer you more protection for the ground and save you from potentially waking up damp. The HH rating is typically measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the height of a column of water that the fabric can support before it leaks. For example, a tent with a HH rating of 2,000mm means that the material can withstand a 2,000mm (or 2-metre) column of water without leaking. It’s important to note that the HH rating is not the only factor determining a tent’s waterproofing capability. Other factors, such as material treatments, seam sealing, quality of zippers, and design features, also contribute to the overall water resistance of a tent. Are kind of like upgraded dome tents. They have extra crisscrossing support poles, which makes them much more adept at dealing with high winds. Because they are designed to cope with harsher weather, geodesic tents sacrifice space and are a little more complex to pitch than other styles. They are wonderful for those camping in more extreme environments but less suitable for casual campers and families.Many tents come with repair kits, and minor issues like small tears or broken poles can often be fixed. Learning basic repair techniques or consulting professionals for major repairs is a good idea. How should I care for my tent? Features like a bathtub-style floor, taped seams, and a rainfly extending over the tent can enhance waterproofing. A good rule of thumb is to go for a tent that's claimed to sleep one more person than you need. If you're a family of four, for example, we'd recommend going for a five-person tent.