The Basics: Family Tents
While you might think that the same tent that works for you in the backcountry will work as a family tent when your posse of four goes car-camping, you're probably sadly mistaken. Granted, in a pinch, your small, lightweight tent would work, but it won't be ideal. Typically, a family tent is larger, heavier and has more features than a backpacking tent. In general, the term "family tent" refers to a tent that is designed for car-camping, where weight doesn't matter and comfort and roominess does. If you are going to take your little ones on a backcountry hike where weight really is a factor, look for a larger capacity three or four-season tent, with a few less creature comforts.
Family tents are going to be more like a portable cabin. Some family tents can be quite elaborate, with mesh or fabric walls divided into rooms. If you camp with a teenager, they will appreciate some sense of privacy. Some family tents have a "porch" area, basically a very large vestibule that eliminates the sense of claustrophobia during a rain storm. Some family tents are large enough to allow a few families to sleep in comfort, and they're usually high enough for an adult to stand up comfortably. Comfort is the key with these tents. Family tents tend to have more features, such as extra pockets sewn into the walls for storage, gear lofts for hanging items out of the way and sturdier floors. To support their heavier weights, family tents also tend to use heavier tent poles. As fabric technology advances, large family tents are using lighter-weight materials that provide more ventilation, more water-resistance and stronger durability.
Family tents do not provide the extreme protection from the elements that a four-season tent might. Generally, parents won't be bringing the toddler on an expedition up to an Everest base camp; most family tents are designed for moderate weather. Some are merely a shelter with a fabric top and mesh side panels; these family tents just provide shade and protection against bugs. Other family tents have either roll-up solid side panels or a rainfly that can be opened up if the weather turns bad. These add weight, but also a good bit of protection against the elements.
Setting up a large family tent with old-fashioned stakes might be nostalgic; however, the ease of a free-standing family tent will be appreciated by anyone. They are both available, each with pros and cons. A free-standing tent will usually set up quickly, and can be picked up and moved short distances while still set up. The poles usually collapse into shorter lengths, but this all adds weight. Also, a free-standing family tent might not need a pole in the center for support. A staked family tent could be lighter, but more difficult to erect, and usually requires a pole in the center, which reduces the space on the inside. Also, these family tents are usually a bit lower to the ground, so getting up to check on the kids, get them dressed and in general moving about becomes more difficult.
How To Shop
When shopping for a family tent, comfort is key. Look for a family tent that is slightly larger than you think you'll need -- trust us, you'll use all the space you can have. If you're only carrying the tent from the car to the campsite, the added weight won't matter that much. While on a hiking trip, most of your time is spent, well, hiking. With a family tent, you're most likely spending more time living in the tent than out on the trail. A family tent is usually used as a living room and playroom, in addition to a dressing and sleeping room.
Most family tents are dome tents, which are self-supporting and easy to put up and take down. They are also usually taller, so they provide more headroom for everyone.
Look at pole design. Some family tents use pole sleeves or clips that make it very easy to guide the poles through the tent; some can even be set up by one person, leaving the other parent free to watch the kids. While you're in the store, try to set up the family tent you are considering purchasing. Some go up quite easily, while others seem to require a degree in advanced architecture! It is also easier to familiarize yourself with the setup procedure indoors in a well-lit room before attempting it in the potential rain and dark on your first trip with the family in tow.
Think about how many doors you'll want in your family tent. A single door might save weight, but it's not very convenient sometimes. Think about waking up to visit Mother Nature during the night. How many people will you have to climb over, and wake up, to get to that single door. Most manufacturers of large family tents know about this problem and put in at least two zippered doors.
Family tents can have the convenience features you'll find on other types of tents. A family tent with glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls might be comforting for kids who worry about being able to get out during the night. Reflective striping on the exterior will catch the light of a flashlight when returning from a nature call in the dark. A brightly colored tent can cheer up even the unhappiest little camper. Other convenience factors are things such as separate stuff sacks and compression sacks to store the tent. You'll want something that makes it easy to keep all the bits and pieces together. Nothing will ruin a trip quicker than realizing you left the tent poles at home.
Consider what type of weather you camp in. If you strictly camp in the summer, you won't need extremely heavy and windproof designs for your family tent. If you're always caught in summertime showers, look for a family tent with water-sealed seams, a bathtub floor and a solid rainfly that still has ventilation options, such as windows and vents. The technology used today has greatly improved the ventilation in family tents. Precise placement of the vents helps improve the movement of air and also greatly reduces problems with water condensation. There is nothing worse than waking up to a tent that is wet even though it hasn't rained one drop.
Tent material should be a factor as well. You'll want a waterproof rainfly with some form of UV-resistance, to add longevity to your family tent. The footprint is usually available separately. A footprint, or ground cloth, is basically a piece of material cut to fit exactly under your tent -- it's the exact shape, minus an inch all around to prevent water from pooling under the tent if it rains. While you might not think it is a necessity, the footprint will add longevity to your tent by adding an extra layer of protection between the tent floor and the ground. It also gives you a clean surface for erecting and folding up the tent to help keep the tent clean, and in some cases, dry.
All in all, when buying a family tent, you'll want one that makes camping fun for the whole family. Comfort is the key when shopping for a family tent.
