One of the great things about a camping trip is that it’s so easy to just get up and go whenever you have the time and inclination, and camping with your family is a great way to spend vacation time together. Camping with a larger group, however, can take a little more planning, especially if there are kids involved in the trip. You might find yourself making lists of gear and camping food ideas well in advance.
Choosing the perfect tent for a family group seems like it should be a simple matter. The categorization of tents by number of people seems to make it easy – a 2 man tent for a couple and a 5 man tent for a group of five. But even if you are just planning to carry the tent and sleep in at night, the size of a tent categorized as a two man tent, leaves no extra room. You need to think about where to stow your gear and keep it dry, and if you are planning an extended stay be sure to consider the room you will need for extras.
For a family of four or five, an 8 man tent might seem like too much but the size can vary from 18′ x 10′ to 14′ X 8′, so your choice will probably depend on what you are taking for gear. Headroom is another consideration and being able to stand up straight inside makes a tent seem a lot less cramped. Traditionally we think of tents as pop up style tents, but there are other choices such as an easy up or Gazebo style tent with vertical walls so that all the floor space is easily accessible.
There are other advantages to choosing an 8 man tent. If the weather is not as good as you hoped and a rainy afternoon drives you inside then having the space to set up a game, or to sprawl comfortably with a book, could make the difference between comfort and chaos. Some larger tents also include a ‘lights-out’ portion, where thicker walls mean that the first light of an early summer dawn doesn’t wake the sleepers.
If you’re shopping for a new family tent or have found yourself cursing the small space after another miserable wet weekend then take a look at larger tents- you might find that the extra investment is worth it for the extra comfort for all the family.