3 Things to Consider Before Buying Your Next Family Tent
Pick the proper shelter for your next outing with the kids and make your overnight in the outdoors the best ever
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Camping is one of the great American traditions. Not only is it a good excuse to break away from the modern world and live a simpler, quieter life (if even for just a few days), it’s a great way to make memories with friends and family that will last forever.
That said, one of the keys to a successful and enjoyable camping trip, is comfort, and comfort begins with a quality tent. Not only should it help you feel safe and protected from the elements, it should be lightweight, easy to set up, and have a layout and design that suits your family’s wants and needs.
Welded corners and inverted seams keep water from getting in. Coleman
Before you buy your next family tent, consider the overall footprint—how many adults and kids do you plan to house? If it’s several, you’ll want a shelter with a substantial amount of square footage, and likely a high ceiling for better headspace.
This one comes with a room divider, electrical port, rain fly, stakes and a carry bag. CORE
Next, think about the layout—how many storage pockets do you need, is there a mesh storage area on the ceiling or a fabric loop to hang a light? Most importantly, do you need some sort of divider? Many large, family-sized tents today come with one or more removable partitions that can turn a one-room tent into one with two or more individual rooms.
A hinged door allows easy entry and exit, and this one sets up in less than 15 minutes. Coleman
Finally, take a close look at the construction of the tent. The best ones are built with water-resistant fabrics, rigid poles, have large, screened windows for ventilation, and include a rain fly that blankets the majority of the tent all the way to the ground.
