For adult sleeping bags used outdoors, you need to consider weight and packing convenience. Meanwhile, mummy-style sleeping bags are warmer than rectangular (envelope-style) ones. Faced with the wide variety of tents on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—many people really don’t know how to choose the right fabric, color, or style.

1.Tent Size/Specifications

Manufacturers usually classify tents by capacity (number of people they can accommodate), including 1-person, 2-person, 4-person, 5-person, 6-person, and 8-person tents. There are also tents designed for more people. You can choose a tent of appropriate size based on your personal needs.

2. Weight

Tents for family camping are generally heavier than those for mountaineering. If you plan to go mountaineering, the weight of the tent is crucial—after all, if you can’t carry it, where will you sleep at night? Tents suitable for mountaineering are usually made of high-tech materials: they are lightweight, ideal for highly mobile outdoor activities, but come with a higher price tag.

Camping tents, on the other hand, are often made of ordinary materials. They are heavier, not suitable for carrying on your back, and are usually transported in a car; you only set them up upon reaching your destination. Their advantage is a relatively lower price. Therefore, when choosing a tent, you should consider your intended use.

3. Color

Most people choose tent colors based on personal preference. However, if you want to minimize impact on the natural environment, low-brightness green or brown are excellent choices. High-brightness tents not only look eye-catching but also have the advantage of being easy to spot (e.g., in emergencies).

Additionally, tent color affects the internal light and temperature:

High-brightness tents have better light transmission, but they also conduct more heat into the tent.

Low-brightness tents have poorer light transmission and block some of the sun’s natural heat. This difference becomes more noticeable during bad weather, as it may affect your activities inside the tent.

4. Tent Poles

Currently, tent poles are mainly made of three materials: fiberglass, aluminum alloy, and carbon fiber.

Fiberglass poles: These are the most commonly used tent poles. They are foldable and assembled using elastic cords. Aluminum caps are added to the ends of each pole section to enhance strength. Fiberglass poles have slight flexibility, but they are prone to cracking in low-temperature environments. Once a fiberglass pole cracks, it can no longer support the tent.

Aluminum alloy poles: These are also popular on the market. They use the same assembly method as fiberglass poles and have a similar weight, but offer better strength and durability. They maintain good support even in low temperatures. However, if an aluminum alloy pole breaks or is damaged, it is difficult to repair—so you must carry spare poles just in case.

Carbon fiber poles: These are the lightest and most durable among existing tent pole materials. They perform exceptionally well in low-temperature environments, but they are also the most expensive.

5. Awning/Vestibule

Generally, we do not recommend cooking inside a tent—tent fabrics are flammable and will catch fire quickly if they come into contact with flames. But what if it rains outside? You can’t cook in the rain! For this reason, some camping tents are designed with an awning (or vestibule) that doubles as a cooking area. The size of this space varies, mostly due to weight considerations.

Some tents also have a rainproof awning at the entrance/exit. This space can be used for cooking on one hand, and for storing personal gear (such as backpacks and shoes) on the other, preventing them from getting wet in the rain. With efficient use, it may even provide extra space equivalent to accommodating one more person.

6. Fabric

The rainfly (outer tent) of a tent is made of waterproof nylon to prevent rain from seeping in. High-quality waterproof tents have waterproof tape applied to the seams to enhance water resistance.

The fabric of the inner tent (main tent) is less waterproof than the outer tent, but it has better breathability (to reduce condensation inside).

Like the outer tent, the groundsheet (tent floor) must prevent moisture from seeping up from the ground—so its waterproofness is essential. Be sure to check this feature when making your choice.