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Camping is a pastime that many Australians hold dear. For years it has been the quintessential family holiday, with many no doubt having fond childhood memories spent connecting with family and friends by going fishing, playing board games, riding bikes, getting into mischief and simply having a good time. For those new to the game, others trying to reminisce the good old days or maybe some trying to show their loved ones what good times really are, the BCF’ing experts have put together a buyer’s guide to help you in selecting a tent that best fits your needs. We will also answer some commonly asked questions to point you in the right direction when starting out.
What to think about when buying a tent
There is no one size fits all when it comes to selecting a tent. Each individual or family may require their own select set of requirements in a tent, whether it be size, shape, material or ease of assembly. These characteristics may have different values to each camper, so in order to identify what tent will best fit your needs, you should ask yourself a few simple questions.
How often will the tent be used?
Some choose to spend all their free time planning trips away and thinking of the best places to go to connect with nature, while others may only need a temporary fix for a weekend away or music festival accommodation. Being aware of how often the tent will be used is also important for identifying how much care and maintenance your tent will require. Take a look at our How to clean your tent and sleeping bags article, for handy tips and tricks to keep your tent in the best possible condition.
How many people will be camping with you?
Taking into consideration the number of people that will be staying with you is vitally important. It ensures you allow for enough space to accommodate everyone’s needs for the duration of the camping trip. Sleeping comfortably without feeling cramped and overcrowded is a must. The common rule of thumb is to halve the tents recommended sleeping capacity e.g. a six person tent will sleep three, a 12 person tent will comfortably sleep six and so on.
Where will you be camping?
This is mainly to do with weather conditions and having a tent that is up to the task. Wind and rain can put a dampener on any camping trip. High quality canvas and polyester tents are built to handle the elements. Many tents come equipped with a secondary material layer called a fly, the purpose of which is to assist with durability and improve the waterproof rating of the tent. There are many other tent accessories that can be purchased to aid in keeping your tent waterproof. Tarps are great for providing extra shaded space to your tent area, they can also be used for the same purpose as a fly to help with keeping your tent waterproof.
How easy do you need the tent to assemble?
With today’s clever range of pop-up and touring tent designs, it has never been easier to set up your home away from home. Whether you are camping solo or have friends to lend a hand, it makes the process of pitching a tent quick and easy. The more common dome and family style tents are a cost effective yet quality option that are extremely compact for storage, but may take a little longer to set up and pack away. The Oztent range of quality canvas tents is seen as a market leader with its 30 second assembly making it one of the simplest designs available. They are constructed with a premium quality aluminium frame and rip-stop poly-cotton canvas material.
How much do you want to spend on a tent?
This comes down to the individual and should be the last question to ask yourself. The factors above should determine what price bracket will fit your needs. If you are somebody who camps every weekend with two family members, rain, hail or shine, a three person dome tent would not be practical. Similarly, somebody who goes camping solo once a year may not feel the benefits from an extravagant six person canvas tent. The extensive range of tents at your local BCF store can cater for any needs and any budget. Starting with the BCF essentials dome tents, they price from $49.99 and come in various capacities, including two person, four person and eight person. It is constructed from 185T polyester with durable fibreglass poles that makes setting up a breeze. On the other end of the scale, the XTM rooftop tent starts from $1,499.00 and is the ultimate for any outdoor enthusiasts. Made for easy single person setup with rip-stop poly-cotton canvas, capable of withstanding anything mother-nature can throw at you, they will require the installation of a roof rack and fitting kit.
What are some different types of tents for camping? There are several styles and shapes of tent most commonly used in Australia. Each style comes with its own characteristics, with a list of advantages and disadvantages, as they have been designed to suit different situations. Some may require a heavy duty tent, with a sturdy and spacious frame, capable of sleeping up to six people. While others might only need a single sleeping capacity, a tent which assembles quickly and can pack down small for convenient storage.Pop-up tents
Pop-up tents are the perfect option for single night stays and festival goers. They are very quick to set up, with built-in pre-assembled poles that automatically take shape when the coiled frame is released. The innovative design helps to make your camping trip more enjoyable, by simplifying the process of erecting your tent. This means you will have more free time to relax and enjoy your surroundings. Note the process of dismantling pop up tents is an art-form, but with a little practice becomes an easy task.
Dome tents
Dome tents are a versatile option for the whole family, lightweight, compact and extremely cost effective. Available in a range of sleeping capacities from cosy two-person shelters to the more extravagant 12-person tent, for accommodating the whole family or larger social groups. Cleverly constructed with a simple cross pole design with polyester walls, which provided stability and protection against the elements. Dome tents are also quick to erect and come standard with a durable polyester fly that adds extra waterproofing and protects the internal structure of your tent.
Family Tents
If you’re planning on taking the tribe on a camping trip, the addition of a family tent to your setup is a must. Built with durable materials including canvas or polyester walls and strong aluminium or fibreglass poles. The use of these materials ensures your tent will last you for many years and many cracking adventures. It’s important to realise that each member of the family needs their own space, having the whole family confined to a small area, is sure to end in disaster. Mostly designed with multiple spacious rooms, the clever cabin style accommodates this factor and ensures everyone is still talking on the trip home. Family tents have been known to be a bit trickier to set up, only due to their larger size and separate rooms.
Instant & fast pitching tents
The convenience and clever, quick assemble design of a fast pitching tent has seen them quickly become one of the most popular forms of tent on the Australian market. Whether taking a relaxing weekend away with your loved ones, or a spur of the moment overnight adventure, an instant and fast pitching tent has the capability to meet your needs and much more. Available in single and multi-room configurations that provides enough space for the whole family to get a good night sleep. Built to last, with a variety of quality materials including polyester and canvas walls, PVC and PE (polyethylene) flooring, plus poles from either aluminium or fibreglass. All of which are capable of standing up to anything that the harsh Australian wilderness may throw at it. Oztent, Wanderer and Coleman all have something available, if this is the style of tent for you.
Canvas tents
Canvas tents are the ultimate choice when it comes to strength and durability. Constructed with rip-stop poly-cotton canvas and heavy-duty aluminium, these tents are extremely robust. Enjoy the superior insulation, temperature control and breathability provided by the use of semi-natural materials, which ensures you will be comfortable no matter what the weather conditions. Canvas tents are also less prone to experiencing damage such as deterioration and fading which can occur in other forms of tent from extended exposure to harmful UV rays. The other advantage of a canvas tent is the waterproof capabilities of the material, which has been assisted by an added waterproofing treatment. Whether you are an experienced weekend warrior, on the lookout for a tent upgrade or taking your mates on the annual fishing trip and would prefer to spend more time wetting a line and sinking coldies and less time setting up tents. The innovative design of our canvas tents makes them ideal for any situation.
Swags
When you are in need of a bedding solution that is compact, durable and 100% waterproof a swag should be up there as your first pick. Keeping campers dry and insect free for decades, the swag has revolutionised the art of camping forever. Providing all the necessities for a good night sleep rolled into an extremely portable and compact design. Available in single for those sneaky solo fishing missions and double configurations for when your partner would like to tag along, or you just want some extra space to stretch your legs. Swags also come in different shapes, with the traditional option a favourite among campers who require a quicker setup time and a more compact design, which takes up little room when packed away. Dome swags have quickly taken over as the most popular shape. They provide superior head and foot space which allows for added circulation. Many dome models are now including a cross-bar for easy free standing use, this takes away the need for guy ropes and pegs to erect your swag.
What is the best tent for cold weather camping?
Each tent is specifically designed to handle select weather conditions, but it can be tricky to identify which tent will fit your needs. To make the process of choosing the correct tent easier a rating system has been developed. Using a tents seasonality rating allows you to identify how well it will handle cold weather and if it will successfully keep you warm and dry. It is important to remember tents with a higher rating will be better suited to handle nasty weather including wind, rain and in some circumstances snow with greater ease.
Two-season
These tents have been developed for use in the warmer months of spring and summer. They provide the least amount of protection against the elements, however create a much lighter and more portable tent that is perfect for use on balmy, star filled nights.
Three-season
Providing a great balance between light weight, portable and versatile. These tents are quite capable of withstanding a solid Australian down-pour, while also providing a comfortable temperature for a good night sleep. Designed to be used in spring, summer and autumn, with an added fly layer for extra water protection.
Four-season
Perfect for keeping you warm and dry all year round, no matter the conditions. A four-season tent is a versatile option built from quality and durable materials that will last you many years of hard use. Be warned you may find this type of tent too warm during summer months.
Five-Season
Commonly known as expedition tents, these are manufactured for use in cold climates and the harshest of conditions. Whether snow, rain or wind, a five season tent provides unrivalled protection. Priced accordingly, these are not cheap to purchase, but will not let you down when that snowstorm hits.
What else do you need to kit out your tent?
Having the correct tent is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to preparing for a camping adventure. Although the tent may be a vital piece of equipment the addition of other useful items can make or break your experience. BCF have an extensive range of camp furniture, including chairs, tables, and camp lounges that are equally important in providing a comfortable location to rest your feet and a central area to gather and eat meals. Other products that may come in handy on a trip in the great outdoors, camping stretchers provide an elevated sleeping location away from creepy crawlies, that paired with a sleeping bag provide the best night sleep. Gazebos are another form of shelter that can make for a simple awning solution. The easy to erect layout is perfect for single night stays, with a durable canopy top that provides shelter from the harsh Australian elements.