There are few pursuits that are more satisfying than leaving the hustle and bustle of daily life behind and setting out for the great outdoors. However, whether you are going to enjoy a few days at a campsite or heading into the wild, the right equipment is essential and a sturdy camping tent should be one of your top priorities.

There a few different factors which will dictate which is the right camping tent for your requirements. If you do not go camping regularly and conditions will not be too testing, then something cheap and cheerful should do the job. On the other hand, if your camping tent is going to see a lot of use in all kinds of weather then it really is worth investing in good quality and the right design. There are few things worse than having your camping tent falling to pieces around you in the dark of a stormy night.

One of the main things you need to consider is how many people your camping tent needs to hold. Camping tents can range in size from one-man, with just enough sleeping room for one person, to large family tents with a number of rooms.

The second thing to think about is convenience, both in terms of the weight of the tent and how easy it is to put together. If you are hiking you will want something lightweight, definitely weighing no more than 5kgs. One-man tents can weigh as little as 1.5kgs, though lighter models usually cost more.

How easy your camping tent is to put together should also influence your decision. If you plan on setting up camp somewhere for a few days, then this is not a serious concern. However, if you need put up your camping tent every day, perhaps sometimes in harsh conditions, you will require something that you can assemble quickly. Some camping tents literally pop up in moments, while other tents could take a good 15 minutes to assemble.

There are a number of different tent designs and some are better suited to certain conditions and requirements than others. If you are a casual camper this needn’t be a major concern. However, if your tent will regularly be exposed to extreme weather conditions, design can make a major difference.

Geodesic – This is regarded as the most durable of the camping tent designs. Intersecting tent poles give it excellent strength to withstand bad conditions. This is the tent for the hardcore outdoor expeditionist.

Dome – This is possibly the most popular tent design. It weighs very little, is not expensive, is easy to erect and offers excellent overall durability. A common choice among backpackers.

Tunnel – Another popular choice, though weighs a bit more than the dome tent. That said, it is a good deal more spacious.

Finally, it is important that your camping tent’s fabric is made from the right fabric. Lightweight nylon or polyester are the perfect fabric for the purpose, andit goes without saying they should be completely waterproof. Also, it is often a good idea to waterproof the seams of the camping tent yourself as an extra precaution.