Determine how many people and how much gear you'll be traveling with and what kind of use you need the tent for. Tents are advertised as two man, four man, six man and so on. This is the maximum number of persons that can sleep in closely with no room for personal gear.
Plan for a minimum of 25 square feet of floor space per person. Make this even higher for longer camping trips, unless reduced weight is important. Consider actual length and width. If you are six feet tall, you will need a space of at least seven feet in order to stretch out and not be crammed against the tent sides. You will need at least two and one half feet in width just for sleeping. Teenagers should be considered as adults when fitting a tent and don't forget to add space for storage
Consider peak inside height. For car camping and most trips where carrying the tent is not a consideration, try to have a tent that is tall enough for you to stand up in. Plan for the taller person in your group. A six or seven foot peak height is helpful for adults, and a four foot peak is about right for kids. Remember, the tent walls slope downward at a sharp angle, so the actual spot where you can stand up will be small. Larger spaces will be provided in tents with taller peaks.
For most backpacking tents, a height of 40 inches or more is provided so the occupants can sit up instead of standing up. Some very small one-man tents are only slightly bigger than a sleeping bag and sitting up is not an option. Pick the size which best fits your needs and intended purpose. Generally pick the smallest, lightest tent you can live with if you're backpacking or biking. If you're uncomfortable in small spaces, opt for the larger size.
Finally I would advise when making your choice that you go to a camping outlet as opposed to buying online, It is important you can see your tent in the flesh so to speak, to get a feel for the size and remember shop around for the best prices
Plan for a minimum of 25 square feet of floor space per person. Make this even higher for longer camping trips, unless reduced weight is important. Consider actual length and width. If you are six feet tall, you will need a space of at least seven feet in order to stretch out and not be crammed against the tent sides. You will need at least two and one half feet in width just for sleeping. Teenagers should be considered as adults when fitting a tent and don't forget to add space for storage
Consider peak inside height. For car camping and most trips where carrying the tent is not a consideration, try to have a tent that is tall enough for you to stand up in. Plan for the taller person in your group. A six or seven foot peak height is helpful for adults, and a four foot peak is about right for kids. Remember, the tent walls slope downward at a sharp angle, so the actual spot where you can stand up will be small. Larger spaces will be provided in tents with taller peaks.
For most backpacking tents, a height of 40 inches or more is provided so the occupants can sit up instead of standing up. Some very small one-man tents are only slightly bigger than a sleeping bag and sitting up is not an option. Pick the size which best fits your needs and intended purpose. Generally pick the smallest, lightest tent you can live with if you're backpacking or biking. If you're uncomfortable in small spaces, opt for the larger size.
Finally I would advise when making your choice that you go to a camping outlet as opposed to buying online, It is important you can see your tent in the flesh so to speak, to get a feel for the size and remember shop around for the best prices
