Whether you’re travelling solo, hitting a festival with a friend or heading on a family trip, we’ve got you covered with the best tents for every occasion. A recent study by the International Journal of Environmental Health Research found that spending as little as 20 minutes in a green space or park was enough to significantly improve your well-being.
In Japan, the art of shinrin yoku or forest bathing as we understand it in the west, has long been eulogised for its mystical powers, but in simple terms, harnessing the therapeutic powers of nature results in reduced stress levels, while boosting your immune system, and possibly just as significantly, an appreciation of nature and the importance of maintaining our treasured green spaces and countryside environments.
In our increasingly hectic lives, unhealthy relationships with technology plus an obsession with social media and being connected, it’s no wonder the issue of mental health is becoming more and more prevalent in modern society.
It’s imperative, therefore that we switch off and take time out before life completely passes us by, and for that matter, appreciate our natural environments before they’re bulldozed to oblivion and replaced with something that bears little resemblance to the past.
And there’s no better way to tick all of these boxes than grabbing a tent and hitting the road for some precious time in the great outdoors. For many millennials, their only experience of camping comes from a yearly jaunt to a festival, which, while being an awesome way to spend a weekend, doesn’t exactly extol the virtues of this liberating pastime.
While we all fondly remember those gloriously coloured (often orange or blue) ridge tents of yesteryear or for the family trip those bulky not exactly easy to transport frame tents, things have moved on quite significantly in recent years. No time spent searching for missing poles and pegs, modern tents are easily packed away, take little time to assemble and survive even the most extreme weather conditions.
With all that in mind, we touched base with some good friends of ours, to get the lowdown on all things tent living and the best options out on the market. Whether you’re going it alone, travelling with a partner, or taking the kids, nan, grandad, uncle bob, the dog and the kitchen sink. Here’s our guide to the best tents for any type of camping trip.
AERO TL LITE by Zempire
This genius family-sized tent has a very fancy inflatable frame, that makes a mockery of all those times you’ve struggled and stressed as the impending storm clouds gather overhead. There’s room for 5 but it might prove a squeeze if you’re on a team bonding trip with your local rugby team. There’s a divider that turns your standard family tent in two separate compartments and sidewalls provide zip down access. Throw in some nifty air vents down the side of the sleeping area and it’ll be like a home from home.
Sleeps – 5 (4 comfortably)
Size – 2.25m Peak Height
Features – Internal Living Area, Removable Inner, Bedroom Dividing Curtain
Price – £890.00
JOURNEY SOLO by Snugpak
The single person bivvi tent from masters of wild living Snugpack is perfect for the solo traveller or wild camper. Easily assembled with a straightforward inner tent and flysheet design, the fully waterproof fly is easily detached and works as a full inner mosquito net, so covering all bases depending on what shenanigans you’re up to. The Journey Solo is extremely lightweight and manageable for those hitting the trails.
Sleeps – 1
Size – Assembled L – 265cm H x 75cm L (packed – 58cm x 13cm)
Features – 2 Internal Storage Pockets, Waterproof Taped Seams, Repair Kit Included
Price – £124.95
MACKENZIE 6 BLACKOUT by Coleman
This deceptively large 6 person tunnel tent from Coleman, has 3 bedrooms and a separate living area, something that’s pretty hard to come by in London! The USP as the name suggests is, of course, the blackout, the revolutionary sleep system that blocks out 99% of daylight from the bedroom areas. We’re big advocates of camping au naturel, but this game-changing piece of kit will be a godsend for larger families, and those travelling with young kids. This unique system also helps regulate the temperature making it a win-win, for those balmy summer vacations.
Also, when you buy a tent from the Mackenzie and Valdes ranges from selected retailers, Coleman is currently offering you the opportunity to get a free Camping and Caravanning Club membership worth £45. You can find the list of participating retailers and more information here: https://www.coleman.eu/uk/t-UK_Promo_Camping_and_Caravanning.aspx
Sleeps – 6
Size – 2.17m Peak Height
Features – Colour Coded Poles, Wind and Rain Resistant, Mesh Ventilation, UV Sun Protection
Price – £550
GAMMA 200 by Vango
The Gamma 200 from Vango is an incredibly affordable but equally spacious tunnel tent that’s perfect for a cosy camping expedition with the other half, or even the solo traveller who likes a bit of space. Thanks to its small pack size and lightweight composition, it’s little wonder this marvellous tent was a winner at the prestigious Owner Satisfaction Awards earlier this year.
Sleeps – 2
Size – 330cm H x 105cm L
Features – Gothic Arch Pole Structure, Storage Area, Inner Mesh Door
Price -£100.00
HOMESTEAD DOME 3 by The North Face
This dome tent from The North Face has 3 access doors creates a deceptively spacious living area for travelling friends, and thanks to the welcome addition of a mesh skylight, you lie and ponder as the starry night sky swirls in the distance. Completely waterproof and a straightforward set up allow for easy pitching. Stylish design but equally substantial in the practical department, this a great tent, and guess what there’s 30% off right now!
Sleeps – 3
Size – 4.6 m²
Features – Duffel Style Carrier Pack, Tent Stake Doubles as a Bottle Opener
Price – £175.00
KLONDIKE TIPI TENT by Robens
This brand new tipi style tent offers bags of comfort and is a great space for a larger group of friends. Easily assembled, think minutes, this is a great option for any number of occasions, maybe as an additional living area for those on a longer holiday and in need of social space. Mesh windows on the door and additional vents on the base make it an airy and comfortable shelter. There’s also the option of a four-person inner tent, that’s sold separately.
Sleeps – 6
Size – 2.7m Peak Height
Features – Zip-in Groundsheet, Stovepipe Port
Price – £599.99
STAIKA BLACK LABEL by Hilleberg
If your the adventurous type who’s up for a bit of extreme camping then it’d be well worth you checking Hilleberg and their ‘Black Label’ range before you confirm that booking for Alaska. Designed to be equally effective in the mildest or most demanding conditions. Roomy and durable, this tent is one for the long term and will be a worthy companion no matter the expedition in sand, snow or storm.
Sleeps – 2
Size – 105cm H X 230cm L
Features – Kerlon 1800 Outer Tent Fabric, Roof Vents
Price – £1070.00
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