What To Look For
According to the Camping Tent Guide, consumers should look for tent fabrics in breathable "rip-stop" nylon, rather than polyester and cotton blends, which do not let enough air flow through. Look for a tent with a rain fly made of waterproof fabrics, such as nylon with polyurethane. The tent floor should also be made of a waterproof nylon or polyethylene. Additionally, most quality tents will be resistant to mildew and fire. Look for tent poles made of quality aluminum that is anodized or tempered. Cheap tents will not have a shock cord, which goes through the aluminum tent poles to keep them joined. Other low-quality tent poles are made of fiberglass, which is heavier and not as durable as aluminum.
Common Pitfalls
Even an award-winning tent may have a poor fly design. For example, consider the "Gear of the Year Award Winner" from Outside Magazine 2010, the REI Half Dome 2 Plus Tent, which customers have reviewed as being "No good in the rain."
Where To Buy
Manufacturers are a good place to buy tents and often have their own outlet stores. See the Resources section for manufacturer websites. Other places to buy tents include specialty retailers like Campmor, an online store, with a store located in New Jersey, or even big-box retailers like Walmart or Target. Returns, exchanges, and refunds are generally available through manufacturers and retailers alike. Purchasing a tent directly from the manufacturer or at a local store is safer for consumers than buying from online auction sites.
Cost
REI makes a two-person tent, the REI Half Dome 2 Plus Tent, which costs $199. They have other two-person tents, like the lightweight Quarter Dome T2 tent, designed for space, strength and ease of setup. It also features a "dry entry/exit vestibule" to prevent water from dripping into the tent "when doors are open during rainy weather." The Quarter Dome T2 tent costs $269 as of September 2010.
Marmot has a two-person tent called the Limelight 2 that costs only $189 as of September 2010. The full coverage rain fly and the waterproof floor make this tent good for the rain. For the money and Marmot quality, this tent is quite a value.
Among family-sized tents, the North Face Trailhead 8 is a good value as well. This large three-room, eight-person family tent with a 132 square foot interior and divided rooms and costs $499 as of September 2010. The North Face Trailhead 8 is available at the The North Face website.
Comparison Shopping
According to Camping Tent Reviews, "one of the best family tents for camping is the North Face Trailhead 8." This is an eight-person family-sized tent, which is easy to set up, lightweight and spacious with three rooms.
Among smaller tents, the Marmot Limelight 2P has reviews for being easy to set up and to carry, and for featuring a relatively large interior.
Accessories
Accessories for tents include additional storage spaces at the tent entrance. They are often mesh and can extend the life of the tent. The tent poles should be made of high quality aluminum and have tension cords which keep the poles together. Probably the most important accessory for tents is the rain fly, which covers the tent in case of rain.
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