Expect the worst
In general, it is wise to choose a tent that is designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you face. For example, if you’re a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose cleaners tent will do the trick – especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather in SWOP! If you are a backpacker, alpine climber Explorer or by bike, or if you car camp in all seasons, you want something designed for more adversity.

Size
Ask yourself how many people you want to fit in your tent and also in the future. For single traveller, check out one-person tents. If you have a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof, breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Even if you do not need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.

Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents suitable for all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of options is also available for three-and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, however, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it is, but it is easy to break the tent components among several people in your group. It is also useful to the size and floor-space measurements of models you are considering.

Three-or four-season purpose Tents
For summer, early autumn and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At least a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching and a quality rain-fly. About three-season tents offer more open-air netting agreements and are specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will be pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for better water resistance.

For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They are often expensive.

Tent Types : Domes and tunnels
Tents are broadly classified into two types, freestanding, which defend their own, and should continue in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models work a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. They are still free, but they require fewer poles than a dome, less substance, and usually have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one-and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be faster to set up than a dome.