Choosing a tent for hiking and camping

Many of us choose a tent as our accommodation when hiking or camping. With so many options available, this guide explains the main choices.

Roomy or lightweight? A vestibule or none? A four-person tent or a solo model? Budget or premium? Before buying, think carefully about how you will use it. That determines the quality and construction you need, which features matter and how much space to choose.

Is an expensive tent always better?

Prices range from a few hundred Swedish kronor at a supermarket to tens of thousands for specialist tents at outdoor stores. Often, that difference is reflected in quality.

Our view is that a more expensive tent can offer a corresponding improvement in quality. If you only want a tent for a festival or a single weekend before throwing it away, durability may seem less important. However, deliberately buying a tent to discard afterward is a poor environmental choice. We all share responsibility for living more sustainably.

We also advise against taking a low-cost tent on a mountain trek. An unsuitable tent can spoil the entire experience. Even in summer, conditions can become very uncomfortable or dangerous if your shelter cannot withstand storms or rain.

How big should your tent be?

Start with the number of people who will use it. Do you usually travel alone, or take the whole family?

A four-person tent can be a useful starting point. It is often light enough for a range of trips and leaves plenty of room for equipment when fewer people share it. For a larger group, we favor several smaller tents: the load is easier to divide, and finding suitable pitches is simpler.

When several people share, consider a tent with more than one entrance. You will not have to climb over each other, and two openings can help air the tent on a warm day.

Construction and design

Alongside size, the tent’s construction is an important choice.

A non-freestanding tunnel tent is quick to pitch and works well where the wind direction is relatively consistent. It is also the lightest type discussed here.

A freestanding tent handles strong winds and sudden changes in direction well, particularly with an extra set of poles. You can pitch it first and then move it into position. It is also useful where pegs are difficult to drive into the ground.

Weight

Naturally, you want to carry as little as possible. Some tents for hiking and camping combine low weight with strength and stability. Price often determines that balance, along with the care the tent requires.

Polyamide tents are lighter, but their fabric is affected by moisture, dryness, heat and cold.

Polyester tents weigh a little more but require less attention to fabric tension, retaining the shape and tautness with which they were pitched.