As the days get warmer and longer, the idea of escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life by heading to the country or seaside for a weekend break becomes increasingly appealing. Many people are finding that a great way to decompress completely is to go back to basics and get out the tents for camping. It gets you out into the great outdoors and closer to nature – you can wake to the sound of birdsong and watch the stars in the sky before you go to sleep.
These days, camping doesn’t necessarily mean roughing it. Camping gear, camping cooking utensils, and accessories have advanced enormously, and there is no reason not to be clean, warm, and comfortable (there are even camping showers available). You still have the option to ‘rough it’, but many campsites around the country will provide as many or as few facilities as you like, including toilets, showers, electrical power, and some that even offer Wi-Fi.
If this is your first foray into weekend camping, your first move should probably be to choose a tent. You might not be too familiar with the world of outdoor gear, but today, with the use of synthetic materials, most tents have become lighter and more compact to store without compromising on space when erected. They have also become much easier to pitch.
The best tents for weekend camping at a glance:
Best weekend camping tent: Slumit GOBI III – Buy now from Amazon UK
Editor’s choice: Vaude Campo Compact XT 2P – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for weather resistance: Jack Wolfskin Skyrocket III Dome – Buy now from Amazon UK
Material type is merely one aspect of the evolution of tent design. There are many different shapes, too, each with certain strengths. Because we’re focusing on camping rather than hiking here, we will mostly look at tents that prioritise space and comfort over severe weather resistance or at least balance them.
Below, you will find our favourite weekend camping tents. We have also included a buyer’s guide section detailing what to look for and how to care for a tent.
The best tents for weekend camping
Best weekend camping tent
While the waterproofing is very good, the GOBI III certainly doesn't have the wind resistance and stability of some of the other tents here. It's also not as compact when packed down, measuring 78x18cm and weighing 6kg.
Pros
- Fast pitching
- Relatively easy to work with
Cons
- Poor wind resistance
Editor's choice
Though low, the inner tent is long and wide enough to easily cater for two and has fantastic ventilation. Larger three, four and five-person models are available.
Packed down it measures 55 x 22cm, so the Campo is small enough to fit into the smallest of car boots, leaving room for your other camping gear. Vaude also goes to great lengths to make its gear as sustainable as possible. The Campo is PVC-free, and Vaude is certified climate-neutral and a Fear Wear Foundation member.
Pros
- Compact when packed
- PVC free
Cons
- Not suitable for winter weather
Best value
The bedroom is darkened for better sleeping and just big enough for a double air bed. There's a mosquito net which means you can keep the interior ventilated without inviting those pesky midges inside. There's a generous porch which is a major plus point for us. At about 1.5 metres, it's not tall enough to stand up in, but it offers 6.2 square metres of interior space and, when packed down, measures 65x27cm.
It has two doors, interior storage pockets, and lantern hanging points to help improve the Beta 450XL's liveability. The flysheet is made from recycled plastic, and the interior is flame-retardant.
Pros
- Great family space
- Darkened bedroom area
Cons
- Not the smallest for transporting
Best for families
Like the Vango Beta 450XL, this model is also made from recycled plastic but does not lose any of its waterproofing properties or durability. The Osiris 500 benefits from a darkened bedroom area, but it also has a much more liveable front room and other extras, like toggled privacy curtains, mesh door covers and an entry point for a camping power cable.
Pros
- Large internal area
- Made from recycled plastic
Cons
- Condensation can be an issue
Best space to weight ratio
Being a tunnel-shaped tent, the most is made of all the available space. It's also pretty adept at handling stroppy weather thanks to its low profile and durable fabrics. The single side door leads to a generous extended porch area for storage, and vents to the front and rear help airflow and minimise condensation.
This tent is ideal as a spacious two-person tent, great for weekend camping trips and longer hiking treks. If you're in the habit of doing both, it's a fantastic tent to have.
Pros
- Good at handling poor weather conditions
- Extended porch area
Cons
- No groundsheet for the porch area
Best weather resistance
The Skyrocket isn't quite as compact as some of the others here - it measures 57x20cm when packed, and it has thicker aluminium poles for pitching. The tent scores top marks for ventilation. The innovative zip vent door and the two openings in the roof area create a chimney effect to reduce condensation. The more stable dome shape gives more height (a bonus for taller people) and allows it to happily deal with all but the worst weather conditions. Inside, the Skyrocket is also quite spacious although it does work better as a two-person tent.
Pros
- Ideal for all-weather use
- Dome shape for added height and stability
Cons
- Pitching instructions are over-complicated
The best tent: FAQs
What is the best make of tent?
The answer really depends on what you need, your personal preferences and your budget. Most of the popular makes offer a range of tents with different features, designs, and price points, so you can make a choice to suit your needs.
What tent is really waterproof?
Look for tents made with high-quality waterproof materials such as ripstop nylon or polyester with polyurethane (PU) or silicone coatings, which tend to offer better protection against rain and moisture. One of the biggest factors, regardless of brand or model, is proper tent setup and maintenance. These are crucial for ensuring waterproofing performance.
What is the best family tent to buy?
The best family tent will depend on several factors, including the size of your family, your camping style, the type of weather conditions you might expect, your budget, and any specific features or preferences you have. Before buying a family tent, consider factors such as the tent’s size and layout, ease of setup, ventilation, weather resistance, and any additional features you may require, such as room dividers or gear storage options.
How can you tell if a tent is of good quality?
Check the type of material used, any weatherproofing or waterproofing statistics that may be available, the quality of the seams, the sturdiness of the poles, the quality of the zippers, and if it has any additional special features. Reviews and reputation can also help identify a good-quality tent. For additional tips, see our buying guide below.
Weekend tent buying guide – what to look for
Shape: Tunnel tents offer the best space-to-weight ratio and the most usable space. Dome tents are a bit heavier and sacrifice some usability in favour of increased strength. There are other tent shapes, but tunnel and dome shapes are usually used for camping tents.
Weight and packed size: Because it’s going in the car boot rather than a hiking rucksack, you won’t need the absolute lightest and compact model. You probably don’t want a tent to take up your entire boot space, so balance is needed. Three and four-person tents tend to offer extra room without adding too much mass to the packed size and are very popular for this reason.
Material: Nylon and polyester tents are the norm these days because they are lightweight, affordable, weather-resistant, and durable.
Features: When looking at tents, consider things like the number of doors, porch space, storage pockets, and hooks for hanging a camping lantern. Higher ceilings and more porch space make living much more pleasant when the weather is foul, but they also add bulk, for example. You’ll want to match the tent to your camping style.
Weather resistance: Lower cars can cope better when cornering than taller ones. Similarly, lower tents can cope much better with strong wind than taller ones. Tents also have varying degrees of waterproofing, measured in hydrostatic head (HH). Camping tents will often have a fly with a waterproof rating of around 3000mm HH, which will cope perfectly well with all but the heaviest rains.
Also, consider the groundsheet. It should have a higher waterproof rating, but it’s wise to use a groundsheet (which can just be a tarpaulin). In addition to protecting against dampness, a groundsheet protects the tent floor against abrasion and also makes it easier to clean.
How to clean a tent
Caring for a tent is vital to maintaining its waterproofness and extending its longevity. Cleaning is a major part of this.
‘For cleaning tents you’ll want to use the right cleaning solution, either Grangers Tent + Gear Cleaner or Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarWash. These water-based, PFC-free cleaners don’t damage the fabric or its Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating. Regular detergents and soaps are not suitable because they’re harsh and can be damaging to the tent fabric.’
1. With the diluted Grangers solution or Nikwax spray, clean the tent in sections and rub the cleaner into the fabric with a clean, damp cloth or sponge.
2. Rinse off each section with clean water as you go. Give your tent an inspection after cleaning to see if there’s any part that needs a second go.
3. If the tent is clean, then leave it to completely dry before packing away. However, if water is no longer beading on the outer tent fabric, it may need reproofing. Luckily, this is as easy as cleaning:
Using Grangers Tent + Gear Repel or Nikwax Tent & Gear Solarproof, evenly spray the outer tent fabric when it is still damp from cleaning. Removing excess residue with a damp cloth, then let the fabric dry. These reproofing sprays add UV protection too.
How we choose the best tents for camping trips
All of these tents have been hand-selected by our team of experts who have spent hours investigating and researching tents to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we’d never recommend a product we don’t believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about.
Alex Boyd is a Commercial Content Writer for Parkers, specialising in power tools and pressure washers. In his spare time, he enjoys DIY, travel, gardening and music.
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