What To Look For
There are four main factors to consider when purchasing a waterproof tent: Capacity -- how many people will occupy it. Size -- how much room, height and width. Weight -- how much you'll be able to carry. And bang for the buck -- when you look at the price, make sure the tent has all the aspects you are looking for or are willing to sacrifice to fit your budget.
Common Pitfalls
Manufacturers are unable to give a 100-percent guarantee that their tents are waterproof. The seams are stitched, and stitching can leak. Most tents come with instructions or guidelines when purchased to help aid in preventing the withering of stitching. But it's your responsibility to secure your tent for weather conditions.
Where To Buy
L.L. Bean is one of the best places to purchase a tent. The website is easy to navigate and allows you to find products quickly. Vector, Woodlands, Big Agnes, Eureka and others are among the offerings. L.L. Bean's five-star system rates products based on feedback and productivity. It also offers side-by-side comparisons of up to four tents, and you can match price, capacity, weight and height, product weight and other elements that are important when purchasing a tent
Cost
Tents can run hundreds of dollars, but the best weatherproof tents come in wide variety. The Vector XL 4 Dome four-person tent runs about $250. It comes with a five-star rating, weighs roughly 13 lbs. and has an attached screen porch area. The six-person Big Agnes Big House Tent is valued at just over $350, weighs 12 lbs., peaks at 6 feet tall and has two doors. That price doesn't include an optional vestibule.
Comparison Shopping
It's important to understand what you need in a tent before purchasing. Woodlands' six-person tent is $100 more than one of its competitors, Eureka, and has all the same attributes. But its peak is 7 feet instead of Eureka's 6 feet and it has 10 more square feet. Unless you really need the extra room, Eureka's six-person tent is the better deal.
Accessories
There are two popular items campers purchase after buying a tent, a vestibule and a footprint. Some tents, like the Vector XL 4 Dome, come with a vestibule. Others such as the Big Agnes Big House have it as an option. When purchased separately, vestibules average about $50. A footprint is a protective pad that is laid down on the bottom of the tent. It is sold separately for most tents and cost about $20.
Insider Tips
Buying a tent is a simple purchase. Simply outline what you are looking for you, and you won't go wrong.
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