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There are many different types of tents used by campers all over the world.  They come in different sizes and shapes depending on its basic function.   Some are as simple as a rectangular sheet of cloth or canvas held up by 2 poles.  Then there are some that include several rooms and living quarters.  Most of us want to use a tent that falls somewhere in the middle of that spectrum.  Below is a description of some of the most common types of camping tents available. 

Pyramid or Teepee Tents

A pyramid or teepee tent has a very basic design. The teepee tent is favored by backpackers because of its light weight and simple setup.  It is very easy to setup as it is made with a single layer of waterproof fabric. It doesn’t have a complicated pole system and is usually held up with a single pole in the center, with the sides staked out securely. The center pole even doubles as a hiking stick in some models.

The teepee tent is usually floorless and can sometimes be used it as a potty or shower tent. The teepee tent has a high entrance and sloping sides, which offers good head room in the center and an excellent place to store gear as the headroom disappears with the inclined sides. This type of tent isn’t very secure against mosquitoes and other insects, though. It also doesn’t stand up well in anything less than the best of weather conditions. The teepee tent can accommodate one to three people.

A-Frame Tents or Pup Tent

Just like its name, this tent is shaped like the letter “A”. The design was actually the classic tent design with each end forming a “A”, with a single ridgepole across the top to hold up the tent’s canopy.  The sloping sides do restrict the interior headroom, but A-frame tents have an efficient rectangular floor space. The angled sides sag in wet or windy weather, so other, more weather-worthy designs have mostly replaced the use of A-frame tents.

Another popular style for lightweight tents is the Modified A-Frame tent. The difference is that this tent has a curved center pole along the ridgeline that makes it a little like the hoop tent. This provides more headroom and extra stability while maintaining the rectangular floor space.  The modified A-Frame tent will usually accommodate one to three people.

Dome Tents

The Dome Tent is shaped like an upside down bowl and is the most popular, all around camping tent for all types of camping. It is a good choice for a summer or three-season tent.   Most dome tents are moderately priced and well built. They can be found in a wide variety of styles, shapes, and sizes. The shape may vary greatly. Some include: hexagonal, square, rectangular, irregular quadrangle, or even hexagon. They all use a geometrical design with the poles to hold the tent up.  Dome tents are easy to setup and take down. Some models actually have poles built in for extremely easy setup. They use space more efficiently as they fold up compactly for packing. They do weigh a bit more than most other tent styles so packing in with one of these tents is not always particle.  However, they are good at keeping you dry during rainy weather and are good at shedding both rain and snow.  

Modified Dome Tents have a square floor area and extra cross poles for support. Some modified dome tents may have one end tapered lower for less wind resistance. Nearly every four-season tent is a modified-dome tent. The most wind-worthy camping tent style of all modified dome tents is the geodesic dome tent. It has multiple pole intersections that will stand up well to high winds or snow.

Tunnel or Hoop Tents

The tunnel tent has a structure of simple side to side arched poles like a covered wagon. It forms a tunnel with a series of hoop shaped poles (usually two or three). Sometimes an extra center pole is used to keep the walls from sagging. It is one of the lightest and easiest to pitch shapes available. Because it is a light and compact tent option, this camping tent style is extremely popular for solo backpackers, hikers, and bike campers. It is easy to setup and is relatively lightweight with a good amount of floor space. It has good headroom and steep side walls. It has more headroom than an A-frame tent. A tunnel tent works best as a summer or three season camping tent style, and is fine as long as the wind doesn’t blow hard. It tends to rock and roll in crosswinds and won’t stand up to high winds or snow. Some hoop tents, though, may be more equipped for harsh conditions. They may have more poles and lines to help hold up against the wind. Other options are available, too, such as a rain fly, a vestibule, and mesh windows. Tunnel tents can accommodate one to four people, depending on the size.

This is just a basic comparison of the type of camping tents on the market today. I hope it at leaset gets you points in the right direction once you have decided to purchase your tent.  You can find more information and our current selection of camping tents at Jasper Mountain Outfitters.  For a 10% discount on anything in stock, just enter code GTROUTDORS at check out.

Tags: Camping, Dome Tent, JMOutfitters, Outdoor Supply, Supplies, Tents