How to choose a tent size for camping

Camping is a wonderful way to bring the whole family together for a fun and relaxing trip. When looking for a family camping tent, you want to make sure you get one that meets the needs of your family. Check out these tips and considerations for buying a family tent here!

As summer approaches, it brings much-needed freedom from being cooped up indoors for most parts of the country. For families who have been glued to their screens, with children practically connected to gaming consoles, camping provides a great opportunity to spend quality time together. With a little preparation and research, you can create unforgettable memories by giving your family a fantastic gift in the great outdoors.

Any great camping experience depends on the type of shelter you bring along. Is it spacious enough? Is it suitable for the weather conditions at the location? How easy is it to set up? In order to make your family camping trip perfect, we wanted to share some tips on choosing a suitable tent for a great family outing

Factors That Determine the Size of Tent You Need

Finding the best tent size for your next adventure can be summarized in two key factors:

Number of People: Tents are designed to accommodate a specific number of people, so it’s logical that the physical size of the tent increases as the number of occupants increases. Therefore, the more people the tent can accommodate, the larger its physical size.

Storage: As the amount of gear and equipment you have increases, so does the storage space you’ll need. If you and a friend are going camping, you might think that a tent for two people is sufficient. However, with your equipment, you may actually prefer a tent designed for 3 or 4 people to have enough storage space.

How to Choose a Camping Tent

Tent Sleeping Capacity

When choosing your tent, start by selecting a model based on the size of your group and whether you may need extra space for friends, equipment, or dogs. However, keep in mind that there is no standard rule that determines the tent dimensions per person.

When evaluating tent capacity ratings, our general advice is to assume they are just right. If you’re looking for more space, consider increasing the capacity of your tent by one person, especially if you or your usual camping companion:

Are a large group of people
Feel uncomfortable in tight spaces
Toss and turn during the night
Sleep better with more room for gear
Bring along a small child or a dog

Tents Seasonality

3-Season Tents

Three-season tents are the most popular choice for camping. They are lightweight shelters designed for relatively moderate conditions in spring, summer, and fall. They usually come equipped with ample mesh panels to enhance airflow. The mesh panels keep insects out (though they may still allow fine sand to enter). Properly pitched three-season tents can withstand heavy rain, but they are not the best choice for prolonged exposure to severe storms, high winds, or heavy snowfall.

The primary functions of three-season tents are:
Keeping you dry during rain or light snow.
Protecting you from insects.
Providing privacy.

3-4-Season Tents

Extended-season (3+) tents are designed for prolonged use across three seasons, suitable for summer camping and also for early spring and late fall trips encountering moderate snowfall. Their goal is to provide a balance of ventilation, strength, and warmth.

They typically feature more poles and fewer mesh panels compared to pure three-season models. This makes them more stable and insulated than their three-season counterparts. Extended-season tents are a good choice for those who embark on frequent trips to exposed and high-altitude destinations. While they are highly durable, they are not fully fortified for harsh winter weather like four-season tents.

4-Season Tents

Mountain climbing tents are designed to withstand high winds and heavy snow loads, making them suitable for use in any season. However, their primary function is to stand firm in the face of severe weather conditions, especially during winter or above the treeline.

They utilize more poles and heavy-duty fabrics compared to three-season tents. The rounded dome designs prevent flat roof areas where snow can accumulate. They feature fewer mesh panels and low-lying flysheets that restrict ventilation and can make occupants feel warm and stuffy in milder weather. However, when fierce winds start howling, a four-season tent provides a reassuring shelter to seek refuge.

What Size Do Tents Come In?

Tents come in various shapes and sizes, and there will always be a size that suits your needs.
Here are some common tent sizes available in the market:

One-Person Tent

A One-Person Tent is ideal for solo travelers, hikers, or backpackers. It’s best to store your gear in the vestibule area to maximize the interior space of the tent.

The floor area typically ranges from 15 to 20 square feet, with the width ranging between 35 and 40 inches at its widest point.

Often, this type of tent is low-profile and can be attached to a backpack (also known as a sturdy backpacking pack), giving you a quick and comfortable sleeping spot when needed.

Two-Person Tent

This size is quite spacious for a single person and their gear, but it may be tight for two adult campers.

The average floor area of a tent this size ranges from 30 to 35 square feet.

A two-person tent is the largest size you may want to attach to your backpack and comfortably walk to your campsite.

Three-Person Tent

This is a great option for two people as it provides ample interior space for gear and movement. It can also comfortably accommodate a small child or a family dog.

The average floor area of a three-person tent ranges from 40 to 45 square feet.

This can be used as a backpacking tent, but it would be best for one person to carry the tent while another person carries the poles and other accessories.

Four-Person Tent

This is typically considered a smaller size for “family tents.” Four-person tents are spacious enough to accommodate two to three people along with their gear. If you have three adults in the campsite along with a small child or a dog, it would be comfortably suitable, but still possible.

For this size, you’re looking at an average floor area ranging from 60 to 70 square feet.

Five-Person Tent

A five-person tent comfortably accommodates four people but may be too cramped for five individuals.

These tents have a spacious floor area ranging from 75 to 80 square feet.

Once you reach this size and larger, the headroom becomes sufficiently high for adults to stand comfortably inside the tent, typically around 6 to 7 feet.

Six-Person Tent

A five-person tent comfortably accommodates four people but may be too cramped for five individuals.

These tents have a spacious floor area ranging from 75 to 80 square feet.

Once you reach this size and larger, the headroom becomes sufficiently high for adults to stand comfortably inside the tent, typically around 6 to 7 feet

Eight-Person Tent

This tent size provides a king-sized living space for four people and a comfortable living area for six people if some of them are children or dogs.

These tents come with a floor area ranging from 120 to 130 square feet.

Once you reach this size, make sure to choose a location that can accommodate the tent and the necessary distance for the campfire.

Ten-Person Tent

This is one of the largest tent sizes available for camping. It can comfortably accommodate four adults and their gear with plenty of room to move around. Six adults and their gear can also be quite comfortable, although you may start to feel a bit cramped.

The floor area for this massive size ranges from 150 to 180 square feet.

If you’re heading to a campground, make sure they offer camping sites that can accommodate this tent size.

How Tent Height Affects Tent Size

The height of a tent is another factor that determines its size.

The taller the tent, the larger its overall size.

Let’s take a look at different tent heights and what you can do inside the tent.

Sitting – 3 (36″): You will only be able to sit, lie down, or crawl inside the tent. Tents accommodating one to three people typically have this height. You can sit in a 3-foot tall tent.
Kneeling – 4 (48″): Adults will be able to kneel, sit, lie down, or crawl inside the tent. This is common in tents that accommodate three to four people. Adults can kneel, sit, lie down, or crawl in a 4-foot tall tent.
Bending – 5 (60″): Campers can stand on their feet to dress, move around inside the tent, retrieve items, but they won’t be able to stand fully upright. The sloping height is evident in tents designed for four to five people. Adults can bend in a 5-foot tall tent.
Standing – 6 (72″): Most adult campers will be able to stand on their feet when in the center of the tent, but they may need to stoop down when away from the center. You will be able to stand in a tent that accommodates six people. The tent should be at least 6 feet tall for an adult to stand.
Walking – 7 (84″): Everyone will be able to stand and freely walk around most of the tent’s structure without touching their heads to any part of the tent’s ceiling. Any tent larger than 6 people will allow you to walk around.

Key Tent Features

Peak Height:

If you enjoy being able to stand up while changing clothes or to savor the spaciousness of a high ceiling, look for a tent with a tall peak height (indicated in specifications diagrams).

Cabin-style tents are characterized by semi-vertical walls that increase the overall peak height and livable space. Some models come with features that cater to families, such as room dividers and awnings, or a vestibule door that can be positioned accordingly.

Dome-shaped tents offer exceptional strength and wind-shedding capabilities, both of which you’ll appreciate on a stormy night. They stand tall in the center, but their walls have a steeper incline, which slightly reduces the livable space.

Tent Floor Length:

If you are tall (over 6 feet) or desire extra space, consider a tent with a floor length of 90 inches (instead of 84-88 inches).

Tent Doors:

When selecting your tent, consider the number of doors you need, as well as their shape and orientation. If you’re camping with your family, multiple doors will help you avoid climbing over each other for midnight bathroom breaks. Cabin-style tents tend to excel in this area. Also, pay attention to how easily the doors open and close. YKK zippers on the doors provide better resistance to tearing and breaking than others.

Tent Poles:

The tent pole structure helps determine the ease or difficulty of pitching a tent. Almost all modern family tents are freestanding, meaning they don’t require stakes to set up. The great advantage of this is that you can choose the tent and move it to a different location before staking it down. It also allows for easy cleaning before packing up.

Fewer poles allow for quicker setups. It’s also easier to attach poles with clips rather than threading them through long sleeves. Many tents use both clips and short sleeves to achieve a balance between strength, ventilation, and ease of setup. Color-coded corners and pole clips also make setup faster. Aluminum poles are stronger and more durable than fiberglass.

Rainfly:

The rainfly is a separate waterproof cover designed to fit over the roof of your tent. Use it when you expect rain or dew or whenever you want to retain some extra warmth. There are two common types of rainfly. Roof-only rainflies allow for more light and views while providing adequate rain protection. Full-coverage rainflies offer maximum protection from wind and rain.

Tent Materials:

When shopping, be aware that higher-denier fabrics and full-coverage rainflies are more rugged than lower-denier fabrics. Additionally, taped seams and high-denier floor fabrics reduce the chances of leaks.

Vestibules/Garage:

You can attach shelters or vestibules to your tent for storage purposes or to protect muddy or wet footwear, keeping your belongings away from the rain. They can be integral additional components sold separately.

Ventilation:

Mesh panels are often used in the tent’s ceilings, doors, and windows. This allows for visibility and promotes cross ventilation to help manage condensation. For hot and humid climates, look for larger mesh panels.

Interior Loops and Pockets:

The lantern loop is often placed at the top center of the tent’s ceiling for hanging a lantern. The loops on the interior walls of the tent can be used to attach a gear loft (sold separately), keeping small items off the tent floor. Similarly, interior pockets help keep your tent organized.

Guyout Loops:

High-quality tents will include loops on the exterior of the tent body for attaching guy lines. Guy lines allow you to tension the tent fabric during strong winds, without relying solely on the fabric’s strength.

Optional Tent Accessories

Footprint:

This is a specially designed ground fabric (usually sold separately) that is placed underneath the floor of your tent. Tent floors can be rough, and rocks, branches, and dirt can have a negative impact over time. A groundsheet is much cheaper than a tent and can be particularly useful for family tents that experience a lot of foot traffic. Additionally, footprint sizes are adjusted to fit the exact shape of your tent, so they won’t catch water like a generic groundsheet protruding beyond the tent’s edges. Water captured this way flows beneath your tent and can seep through the floor fabric.

Gear Loft:

Most tents come with one or two integrated pockets to allow you to keep small items off the tent floor. A gear loft is an optional internal mesh shelf that can take larger amounts of gear out of the way.

Other Nice Accessories:

Stakes and guy lines for different site conditions
Broom and dustpan
Indoor/outdoor mat
Tent repair kit
Seam sealer
Utility cord
Battery-powered ventilation fan

How to choose a tent size for camping

Factors That Determine the Size of Tent You Need