Camping tents from different brands can vary widely in their sizing guides. While some rate a tent as a 4 person option other brands may rate a tent with the same amount of interior space as a 2 person tent to account for additional luggage storage.

Kathmandu camping tents are rated by the space in the dedicated sleeping spaces only. All our larger tents provide you with additional space in the living area of the tent. For a family of four, we would recommend the Retreat 280 5 person module tent, which has two fully enclosed bedrooms and a spacious living area. Find out more about the Retreat 280 here.

The best tent shape can vary depending on your planned trip. The smallest hiking tents are lightweight and often only suitable for 1-2 people, while some large multi cabin tents can take a long time to set up and can weigh up to 25kgs, but offer a lot more space and sometimes better protection from the elements.

Dome tents are a classic beginner tent and are easily set up and packed down while offering a single high point in the centre.

An A-Frame tent was once a very popular design, recognised for its classic capital A shaped design. Originally, these were made from canvas, with metal or wooden poles (heavy!), but now they’re made from lightweight materials and have aluminium poles.

Geodesic and Semi-Geodesic tents are preferred for their durability during heavy rain and storms. They can be a pain to pitch, given their intersecting poles, but you’ll be thankful for its stability when it’s blowing a gale.

Tunnel tents are similar to dome tents, but are tunnel shaped — long and cylindrical. They use guy ropes to pitch and have two identical poles — so you don’t have to worry about mixing them up! They offer a surprising amount of space for how light they tend to be, but can be tricky to set up correctly.

Before buying a tent, consider the conditions of the areas you’ll be camping in the most and how many people will be sleeping in the tent. If you’re planning a solo hiking trip over a couple of nights, your perfect tent will look very different to a tent you would choose for a two-week long adventure with the whole family.

You’ll also want to consider what seasons you plan to camp. Most tents are 3-season tents, which are perfect for most conditions in spring, summer, and autumn. Most can withstand rain, but are not well suited for heavy snow, serious windstorms, or other extreme weather. If you’re a fan of waking up to fresh snowfall or sleeping in ultra-windy, icy conditions, look for a 4-season tent. Hot tip from us — if you plan on camping with your dog in your tent, be sure to accommodate the space for his floofiness. Bigger dogs will need more than a tiny spot for a backpack, so don’t forget about Fido.

Finally, consider what you want the tent’s primary use to be. Are you needing a bare minimum shelter in the mountains after hiking all day? Or are you looking for a roomy tent with plenty of space to stash all the luggage you brought, and you definitely want to stand up in it?

Our tents are waterproof, through seam sealing and their waterproof fly-sheets. However, just like rain jackets and boots, waterproofness wears over time. If you’re noticing leaks, it’s time to refresh the durable water repellent (DWR) coating that allows your fly sheet to shed water. You can replace with Grangers Tent & Gear Repel with UV Protection.

We recommend placing a tarp, or footprint, under your tent to keep your tent clean and to protect the outer bottom tent. Before pitching your tent, make sure to clear the area from debris and sharp rocks to minimise risks of damaging your tent.

Condensation dripping on your face while you sleep is almost as bad as popping a sleeping mat. Avoid the issue from the beginning by finding a dry spot to pitch your tent, under trees if you are so lucky. Next, try to control the moisture created inside the tent. Not breathing is not an option (obviously) so be sure to remove any wet clothing or gear from your tent and never cook inside your tent (for safety reasons, too!). Finally, ventilate as much as possible by opening fly-sheet vents, inner tent windows, and the door if possible. Avoiding condensation entirely is probably a fool’s mission, but you can certainly mitigate it.

Sadly, no. Delicate tent materials are no match for the awesome power of an agitator (or most household cleaners). Instead, follow the cleaning instructions on the care label or online.

To extend the longevity of your tent, you should always perform a basic sweep and spot clean after each use. You may need to handwash your tent more often depending where you camp. If you love beach camping, rinse your tent after use to remove residual salt spray. Also, if you’ve camped in wet conditions, be sure to pitch your tent at home in a dry spot to let it air out completely.

After you’ve ensured your tent is bone-dry, otherwise you’ll be enjoying a nice mildew smell on your next adventure. If your tent got a bit dirty, use cold water and a mild, non-detergent soap to spot clean dirty spots. Remove grit from zippers with an old toothbrush. Next, and this may surprise you, but store your tent is a big mesh bag, not the stuff sack it comes in — this allows the fabrics to breathe. Find a nice, cool place to store your tent until your next outdoor adventure!