What To Look For
Family tents are designed for groups of four or more campers. These tents typically have a high vestibule in the top and plenty of built-in storage for family gear. Some family tents even have tented porches for covered eating and other activities. Look for family tents designed with quality and lightweight materials such as nylon exteriors and aluminum tent poles. If you want a lot of room, purchase a tent designed to hold double the amount of people than you actually want to sleep. Look for tents that offer waterproof seams in case of rain.
Common Pitfalls
The problem with some family tents is that they only are designed for summer camping in dry conditions. Some manufactures seem to believe that family tents and quality are not a necessary combination. Avoid this problem by only purchasing brands designed for heavy outdoor use along with tents that have high user and expert ratings.
Where To Buy
Most sporting goods stores carry family tents. Budget and discount stores are not the best place to find quality tents as these stores stock tents based on price rather than quality. Look for stores that offer brands such as Kelty, Hilleberg, MSR, Paha Que, Eureka and North Face. REI, Cabela's and Sports Authority carry many of the top quality family tent brands. Amazon and other retailers also may sell quality family tents at reduced prices.
Cost
A quality family, three season waterproof tent will cost between $250 and $800. The Kelty Shiro tent costs about $550. The Hilleberg Kaitum 3 tent costs about $775. The MSR Board Room tent costs about $250. Purchasing a tent off-season will lower the price. Many people also sell gently used family tents online at reduced prices.
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