Whether you’re looking for a storm-proof shelter for the night or want a cosy home away from home for your family holidays, it’s not worth letting a bad tent ruin your time away. A good tent will keep the warmth in, keep the weather out and let you enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep wherever you pitch up – and that’ll make everything from a family camping trip to a mud-strewn festival as enjoyable and stress-free as can be.
While there used to be very little choice aside from the traditional A-frame design, the variety and quality of tents available now means that even the camping-averse might be tempted to give it another go – after all, the new breed of pop-up and inflatable tents make it easier to pitch a tent than ever. Whatever adventure awaits you, we’ve chosen our favourite tents for every situation, from the best budget tent to buy for a weekend festival to the best family tent that you’ll use again and again.
If you just want to buy a tent and get pitching, then scroll down the page. If you’re not sure what features and specifications you need to look out for, however, then the quick buying guide below will run you through all the factors you’ll want to consider.
How to buy the best tent for you
What type of tent should I buy?
When looking for a tent, your decision will depend firstly on where and when you’re planning to pitch it. Do you need a lightweight tent which you can carry easily while backpacking; a mountain tent that can withstand severe weather; a pop-up or inflatable tent which you can put up in a couple of minutes; or a family-sized tent which can handle a barrage of kids and adults? Take some time to work out which suits you best – each type is designed to work best for its designated purpose.
What size tent do I need?
Check the manufacturer’s suggested berth or person capacity. Put simply, this is the number of people a tent can take - so far, so straightforward. But don’t get caught out: a tent’s berth is given based on the number of people the tent can sleep without taking any baggage into account. So, if you have two people plus bags, you’ll want to look for a 3–person tent rather than a 2–person one. Family tents will be much heavier than other types, too, so it’s worth checking the all-in weight if you have a lot of walking to do to get from the car to the campsite.
How can I choose a more weatherproof tent?
Look out for a specification called Hydrostatic Head: this is a figure in millimetres which indicates how waterproof a fabric is. To be considered waterproof, it must have a minimum Hydrostatic Head of 1000mm, up to a possible maximum of 5000mm – the higher the better. Some tents have just a single, waterproof layer, known as ‘single skin tents’, while others come with an inner and outer layer for water protection, and these are known as ‘doubel skin tents’. If you go for the latter, make sure the two layers are not touching as this could impact the water protection - you should be able to fit a small hand or fist between the two layers to be sure that any damp won’t leak through.
What other features should I look out for?
As with almost anything, the more you’re willing to spend on a tent, the more options you’ll have. Many higher priced models come with a range of extra features - such as space for storing dirty gear, internal pockets to keep everything neat and organised, or even bedside shelving - to make your stay as comfortable as can be. If you’re just looking for a basic, everyday tent for fair-weather camping then there are plenty of effective budget-friendly options, but if you want to stay warm and dry in severe weather – and let’s face it, predictability isn’t a strong point of the UK’s weather – then consider spending a little extra for super-durable, proven technology from the bigger manufacturers.
The best tents to buy in 2017
1. Skandika Montana 8: The best family tent
Price:£280
The Montana 8 is pretty hard to beat for families and groups who want a comfortable temporary home, rather than just a place to lay their heads. Skandika’s top-tier model sleeps up to eight individuals in two sleeping pods, with the option to divide them into four pods in total. The living space, which sits conveniently between the two sleeping sections, is large enough to fit a small outdoor table and chairs inside and has three entrances to choose between.
It’s a shame that the living area doesn’t have a sewn in groundsheet - it comes separately with the tent - but the Montana 8 still offers competition to some of the pricier tents tents on the market. It has everything you’d expect of a tent that’s designed to last for years, including multiple mosquito nets, organiser pockets, a sun canopy, sealed seams and even a repair kit - just in case anything does go wrong. Its fire-retardant material is sturdy enough to withstand anything the British weather throws its way but is still breathable, designed to regulate the climate inside the tent while keeping the wind and rain out.
Key specs: Weight - 25.8kg; Packed dimensions - 97 x 38 x 24cm; Pitched dimensions - 700 x 310cm; Water column - 5000mm.
2. Coleman Coastline Compact Tent: Best for hiking and backpacking
Price:£55 (2-person)
Coleman’s coastline compact tent is small enough to fold up and throw into your backpack without too much trouble, and light enough to carry on multi-day hikes, thanks to the two pole construction. This also makes it an easy tent to pitch, even for those travelling solo.
While the Coleman isn’t the biggest tent you can get for the price - and you might want to consider the larger 3-person model if space is a concern - it packs in all of the features you need from a basic camping tent. It’s sturdy enough to withstand strong winds, has a durable groundsheet and is fully waterproof everywhere except the porch. It also packs in a couple of features you might not expect from such a portable model, including window nets and large side pockets to help you stay organised.
Key specs: Weight - 3.6kg; Packed dimensions - 15 x 15 x 52cm; Pitched dimensions - 400 x 130cm.
3. Vango Soul 200: The best for first-time campers
Price:£44
You know you can rely on a tent from Vango, and, despite its compact size and simplicity, the Soul 200 is no different. Yes, it’s basic, but it’s a fully functional tent perfect for first time campers, festivals and children who want to camp out in the back garden. The Soul 200 is a 2-person tent with just about enough room for a comfortable sleep, so you might want to consider stepping up to a 3-person tent [LINK TO SOUL 300] if you plan to spend any length of time inside as there’s not enough room to do much else.
With a tunnel design that uses just two poles and inner first pitching, the Soul 200 is simple to set-up in just a matter of minutes, so you won’t waste half your time away trying to prepare your shelter for the night. The lights out inner tent is also a handy feature if you’re not straying too far from the bright lights of civilisation or don’t want to be woken by the morning sun.
Key specs: Weight - 2.17kg; Packed dimensions - 52 x 15cm; Pitched dimensions - 95 x 135 x 270cm.
4. Mountain Warehouse Festival Dome 2 Man Tent: The best festival tent
Price:£25
While it won’t win any awards for spaciousness or extra frills, Mountain Warehouse’s Festival Dome tent does everything you want it to. Namely, it will keep you dry whatever the weather and is fully waterproof up to 2000mm, despite weighing little more than 2kg. It also won’t take away hours of your time in exchange for the luxury, with colour-coded fibreglass poles for quick and easy pitching - so you can pitch up and get on with what you’re there to do.
The Mountain Warehouse tent is designed to sleep two people, with storage space in the porch. The porch may be a little on the small side for anything more than the bare essentials, but the tent is more than apt as a place for two people to crash after a day spent dancing or exploring. And at such a cheap price, you can always donate it to charity at the end of the festival rather than drag it home.
Key specs: Weight - 2.2kg; Packed dimensions - 159 x 13cm; Pitched dimensions - 130 x 270 x 100cm; Water column - 2000mm.
5. Snugpak Ionosphere 1 Person Tent: Best for solo campers
Price:£126
Snugpak’s Ionosphere bivvy tent is an essential for adventurers, whether you’re setting out alone or as a group that doesn’t want to share a tent - or have to carry a large tent around. It’s small, lightweight and will leave space in your backpack for all the accessories you need on your trip.
Despite its small size and ease of set-up, the Ionosphere is surprisingly roomy compared to other bivvy tents on the market. That means it’s a little heavier, too, but it’s worth carrying an extra half a kilo to guarantee a comfortable night’s sleep. The Ionosphere is well-ventilated, big enough for even the tallest campers and spacious enough to squeeze two people in if need be. It also comes with the highest Hydrostatic Head rating (5000mm) so you never have to worry about leaks, whatever the weather.
Key specs: Weight - 980g; Packed dimensions - 48 x 12 x 12cm; Pitched dimensions - 225 x 75 x 35cm.