When you're ready to take the great outdoors more seriously, it's time to trade in that borrowed gear and claim your own piece of camping comfort.
The first and most crucial item on your to-buy list should be your tent. Most first-time buyers fall into one of two traps: grab the cheapest item on the shelf or splurge on the most expensive. But while price tag is a big consideration, you'll need to look into other factors like easy setup, space, and durability for a comfortable experience.
Explore the features that matter so you can find the tent that's built for your kind of adventure.
Know Your Camping Style: Car Camping vs. Backpacking Tents
Your whole search starts with one question: How are you getting to the campsite?
- Car Camping (Camping Tent or Family Tent) - Your vehicle does the heavy lifting. Weight doesn't matter. Focus on comfort, headroom, floor space, and ample space for gear. This is the go-to for family camping trips.
- Hiking/Trekking (Backpacking Tent or Hiking Tents) - You’re carrying it on your back. Focus on a lightweight tent with compact size and durability. You'll sacrifice a bit of space for ease of carrying.
Most beginner campers start with car camping, where you drive right up to your destination. This means you can consider larger, more comfortable options, such as cabin tents or larger dome tents.
What size tent should I buy for my camping group?
Tent manufacturers rate tents by the maximum number of people they can sleep in: e.g., a "4-person tent." Our tip? Always size up by one or two people.
- 2 Adults (3 or 4 Person Tent) - You need space for sleeping bags, bags, and to change clothes comfortably.
- 4 People (6 or 8 Person Tent) - This gives you room for the kids to spread out, a place for gear, and a bit of storage space.
It's better to have a little too much floor space than not enough. This is especially beneficial for family camping, where you'll want extra headroom and a dry area for the kids' toys.
Understanding Camping Tent for Beginners: Dome vs. Cabin Style
The shape of your tent affects how easy it is to set up and how comfortable it is to live in.
Dome Tents
These are the classic igloo shape and are a great entry-level choice. These camping tents use flexible tent poles that cross in the middle.
- Pros: They are strong in the wind, generally free-standing, and easy to set up.
- Cons: Tapered walls mean less usable headroom at the sides.
OZtrail Pick: For family camping tents, the Tasman 10P Dome Tent's spacious 3-room layout is perfect for separating sleeping areas from gear storage.
Cabin Tents (or Cabin Style Tents)
These have near-vertical walls, like a small house.
- Pros: Maximum headroom throughout the tent. They feel more like a small apartment, ideal for big family tents or longer stays.
- Cons: Can be a bit more complicated to set up and are less aerodynamic in high winds.
OZtrail Pick: The Fast Frame Cabin tents combine the best features of a traditional cabin tent (maximum usable internal space) with their fast frame system.
See just how fast it sets up in the video below.
Key Features That Make the Best Camping Tents
When you're comparing different high-quality tent models, these features are the little extras that really elevate your camping trip:
- Storage Pockets: Look for plenty of mesh storage pockets sewn into the walls. They are a lifesaver for stashing torches, phones, keys, and water bottles off the floor.
- Divided Rooms: Great for a large family tent. They offer privacy and help separate the kids' sleeping area from the parents.
- Awning: An integrated front or side awning creates a protected base camp area for sitting, cooking, or leaving muddy boots.
- E-Port: A small, zippered opening to run an extension cord through for power without leaving the door open.
- Easy Setup: Look for tents that are described as "instant" or "Fast Frame." While Pop Up Tents are fast, they're often less durable than a solid touring tent or free-standing model.
These provide the convenient functionality that every camper, especially the beginner, can consider for a smoother trip.
Your Guide to the Best Backpacking Tents
If your focus is hiking and getting deep into the bush, your priorities shift entirely. Forget the spacious cabin tents, you need a lightweight tent that can withstand the elements and won't break your back.
Look for:
- Low Weight: Ideally under 2kg–3kg, especially for a one-person tent. Every gram matters when you’re carrying your home.
- Compact Pack Size: Needs to fit easily into your hiking pack with your other camping gear. Look for short tent pole sections.
- Durability and Weatherproofing: Focus on the tent's durability, a sturdy fly, and sealed seams. The weight sacrifice must be on features, not survival.
OZTrail Pick: The Nomad Hiking Tent 1P is specifically designed for the solo trekker. It features a lightweight, robust design with a No-See-Um Mesh inner tent for insect protection.
Focus on the Durability of Your New Base Camp
Your first tent should be tough. After all, you’re exposing it to the great outdoors!
- Quality Zips: Chunky, reliable zips that don't snag easily are non-negotiable. A broken zip can ruin a trip faster than anything else.
- Strong Fabrics: Look for Ripstop materials. They use a special reinforcing technique that makes them resistant to tears and prevents small holes from expanding into large rips.
- Sealed Seams: The seams are where water most often gets in. Make sure the tent features taped or sealed seams for superior weather protection. A high Waterhead rating on the fabric is useless if the seams are leaking.
Invest in these durable components, and you’ll have a reliable base camp that lasts longer than a single season.
Pack, Pitch, and Enjoy
There’s nothing quite like the excitement of buying your first camping gear. When you start the search for your tent, knowing your camping style and purpose ahead of time is the key to narrowing down your choices. Once your base camp is sorted, you can confidently head out from the store and tick off the rest of your adventure checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the waterhead rating mean on a tent?
The waterhead rating (usually measured in millimeters, e.g., 1500mm) is a measure of how waterproof the fabric is. It indicates the height of a column of water that the material can withstand before water penetrates it. For most general camping, a rating of 1500mm to 3000mm is considered reliable.
Is "No-See-Um Mesh" worth the extra cost?
Absolutely. No-See-Um Mesh is a very fine mesh fabric designed to keep out tiny biting insects (like sandflies and midges) that can pass through standard mosquito mesh. It’s essential for comfortable camping, particularly in coastal or humid areas.
How fast can I really set up a tent with the Fast Frame system?
The Fast Frame system uses pre-attached, integrated poles, which significantly reduces setup time. While the largest family tents might take two people 10–15 minutes, smaller Fast Frame models can often be pitched and ready to peg down in under five minutes, which is a huge benefit after a long drive.
Can I use a family tent for light backpacking?
Using a family tent for backpacking is not recommended. Family and car camping tents prioritize comfort and size, making them too heavy and bulky for trekking. If you plan to carry your shelter more than a few hundred meters from your car, you need a dedicated lightweight model like the Nomad Hiking Tent.
How do I make my tent last longer?
Always ensure your tent is completely dry before packing it away into its carry bag to prevent mold and mildew. Also, pitch it on a ground tarp or groundsheet to protect the floor from tears and abrasion.
