How do you choose your camping tent?

Are you planning to sleep out deep in nature?The camping tent you choose will effect the quality of your trip.Learn about which one you should take!

Solo, as a group, for one night or more, choosing your camping tent is a vital decision.Are you not sure how to choose it, nor which criteria to consider?Weight, space, price, use... Follow our guide to find out which type of camping tent is best suited to your needs.

The various types of camping tents

The options are varied, and that’s a good thing:there may even be one suited to your needs.You’ll find classic tents, very large tents, inflatable tents, pole tents, rooftop tents, teepee-shaped tents, as well as those you can pitch in 2 seconds, to name but a few. At Decathlon, we offer 4 types of tents from different brands for camping:

• small camping tents
• spacious family tents
• bivouacking tents
• rooftop tents.
To find out which is the most suitable tent for your outdoor adventures, we’ll guide you in the next part of this article!

3 criteria for choosing your camping tent

1. Expected use:camping, bivouacking, hiking, road trips, etc.

You’re going to be leaving your tent pitched in the same place throughout your adventure (hiking, camping, etc.):you can opt for a small tent, which offers a good compromise between lightness, compactness and comfort. Generally quick and easy to pitch, these tents are made for people looking for convenience.For morecomfort and space, rather go for a large camping tent, which is heavier, but offers more space. These "family" tents often have a living space or a rest area. You can use them to cook, eat, store your camping gear and sleep, of course.

Are you going trekking for several days?Rather opt for a bivouacking tent that’s very lightweight and compact.You can easily slip them into your backpack or hang them on the straps. Ideal for setting off to bivouac for several days, convenient to pitch and store, bivouacking tents usually weigh less than 2 kilos (two-person version).Several options are available: lightweight, ultralight, to be used in hot or mild weathers, etc.
Are you going to be travelling in a vehicle, roadtrip-style?The rooftop tent is one option to consider.Somewhere mid-way between a camping experience and van life, it offers many benefits, including that of being able to camp as you go.But how do you choose the right one?Is your car compatible?Do you need a roof rack?We explain everything to you in our feature article!

How do I choose my tent? Camping or trekking tent?

2. The number of campers

Are you planning to camp alone, or with 1, 2 or 3 other people? Opt for a small tent with a single bedroom, without a living room or communal area and that’s easy to pitch. Practical for creating a base camp that can be set up and taken down easily, these are the least bulky models. They usually have a small separate area, called a porch, where you can store your belongings and keep them away from moisture.They’re a good compromise between simplicity and efficiency.

Are there between 4 and 8 of you, and you want some extra space and comfort?Rather opt for a large, family camping tent.They generally have a living area and one or more separate bedrooms. Carefully assess the width of the bedrooms in relation to your camping mattress and make sure that it doesn’t touch the tent walls.

3. Your main priority:speed, affordability, or comfort?

You’re looking for a model that’s quick andeasy to pitch:opt for the Quechua 2 Seconds range or an inflatable pole tent, depending on the desired space.They ensure quick, hassle-free pitching and dismantling.
You’re looking for affordability:focus on classic pole tents, the most budget-friendly option.You pitch them by inserting poles into the flysheet. Pole tents specially designed for bivouacking are also very compact and lightweight, making them easy to transport.
You’re looking for comfort:- glamping is the "luxury" version of spending nights in a tent, which is closest to nights spent in your own bedroom in terms of comfort.Opt for spacious tents that you’re comfortable in, both day and night.And to ensure that the temperature and brightness doesn’t bother you, we’ve developed Fresh & Black technology at Decathlon.Our products are equipped with it to give you the coolest possible nights with the latest possible morning wake-ups.

A new or a second-hand tent?

This doesn’t always come to mind, but new versus second-hand also applies to camping!Once you’ve found the ideal tent for your next outdoor adventures, you can consider buying new or second hand.What’s the best choice?It all depends on your consumption preferences and requirements.

If you go camping or bivouacking regularly, it can be worthwhile to invest in a new tent, which will last for many years and which you can potentially lend to friends and family. But if you rarely camp or want to try out a new model, the second-hand market can be a good option.And of course it’s more economical!

Practical advice for going camping

Are you preparing for your next camping or bivouacking trip?You may wonder which belongings to take with you, what’s the best place to pitch your tent in nature, tips to prevent condensation inside, and even advice on how to care for your gear after your trip.Whatever questions you may have, you should be able to find the answers among our camping and bivouacking tips, written by our camping expert teams.

FAQs

What’s the easiest tent to pitch?

It all depends on the product and brand.At Decathlon, the tents in the 2 Seconds Quechua range have been created to make pitching and storage easier.The idea is to save you time!In "classic" or "Easy" version? It’s up to you to decide, according to your needs, and your budget.Inflatable pole tents are also a good option:by inflating them with a tent pump, they can be pitched quick and easily.

Check out the 2 Seconds tents

How to choose the best tent for camping or trekking?

What are the best camping tents?

The best camping tent is, above all, the one that best meets your needs.Make sure that it’s waterproof, wind-proof and designed with good quality materials so you can enjoy it for as long as possible.At Decathlon, our tent range is wide enough to suit all adventures.And we also ensure that they meet several quality criteria:practicality, space, price, weight, comfort, resistance to wind and weather, etc. What’s more, when you buy a tent from the Decathlon brand, you automatically benefit from certain guarantees.

See the Decathlon guarantees

Where are you allowed to pitch a tent overnight?

The idea of pitching your tent wherever your exploring and hikes take you is tempting!But in real life, you risk setting up camp in a place where camping is not allowed, or not very suitable. So, to help you know where to pitch it, we give you all of our advice in our guide!

Take a look here!

Do beach tents exist?

Actually, yes, they do and in fact this is useful gear to have for summer!Designed to protect you from UV rays when you’re spending the day outdoors, you can take this type of product to the beach, park, or use it in the garden. Easy to pitch, waterproof and anti-UV, Decathlon beach shelters protect the entire family, in all conditions.They’re also useful for keeping your food and drinks in the shade.

Finding a beach shelter

Making a good choice of camping tent, is ensuring that it suits the use for which it is intended, the number of people, and your priorities.We also have some advice for eating well on your excursions.

Marion NICOLAZO

Specialist sports writer and outdoor adventure seeker.

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Summary