How do you choose the best type of tent for camping?

If you are new to camping, you have likely been overwhelmed by the amount of choices. How do you even begin to narrow it down?

We attempt to simplify the process by exploring the different kinds of camping tents and from there narrow down the search to help you find the best one.

4 Different Types of Tents for Camping

According to the boyscouts, there are only 4 different kinds of tents. They are:

  • Dome tents
  • A-Frame tents
  • Wall tents
  • Breathable tents

Now, I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t seem like a very helpful way to figure out what the best camping tent is.

After all, why do you care about the shape of a tent? And can’t a tent fall into two of these categories? Can’t I have a breathable A-frame wall tent?

A Better Way to Choose a Tent

Doesn’t it make more sense to figure out how you will use the tent? After all, you could get the highest end A-frame tent, but never use it because it is too bulky to backpack with.

Or you could buy the nicest backpacking tent and not have room for your family.

So, let’s start by narrowing down the different types of tents by how you will use them.

The best way to choose a tent is to figure out what type of camping you will do. The basic types of camping are: 

  • Car camping
  • Family camping
  • Backpacking
  • Wild Camping
  • Glamping and Luxury Camping

So, let’s unpack these one at a time to figure out which is best for you. Let’s start by considering the type of camping you will most likely want to do.

Car Camping

Family Camping

Backpacking

Wild Camping

Glamping and Luxury Camping

What are the different Types of Tents?

What are the different kinds of tents?

20 types of tents

Dome Tent

Backpacking Tent

Ridge Tent

The Vis-Ã -Vis Tent

Car-Top Tents

Multi Room Tent

TeePee tent

Safari tent

Pop-Up Tent

Tunnel Tent

Geodesic or Semi-Geodesic Tents

Inflatable Tent

Hammock Tent

 

Pod-Style Tents

Cabin Tents

Pyramid Tent

Bivy Tents

 

Bell Tents

Frame Tents/Canopies

Beach Tents

What type of tent is the best?

We will answer that when we update this article later this summer.

Steve is an outdoor enthusiast intent on traveling the world. He is exploring the little things that make these trips just a little better. His favorite things are: a good cup of coffee, moments of solitude in beautiful surroundings, Nordic spas, and a good rope swing. He shares practical advice on traveling on a budget, without sacrificing the greatest experiences each destination has to offer.