Camping Tents

When choosing the size of your tent there are a few things you need to consider. Start with how many people will be sleeping in your tent. If weight and size are not major factors, then we recommend upsizing by 1. For example, if it's you and one other then we would suggest a 3-person tent. If you are looking for the most compact solution, then stay true to the occupants within your tent.

Ideally as light as possible, however there are a few factors at play. As a general rule of thumb, the higher your budget the more compact your tent can be due to the use of higher-quality materials. Your weight will also depend on the size you choose. If you are travelling by foot or bike then our recommendation is to go as light and compact as you can afford.

Air tents have become increasingly popular over the last few years, mainly due to the increased quality of the product resulting in increased reliability. Remember that air tents are heavy, but the tradeoff is an easy-to-erect tent with no poles and a huge list of other benefits. For a full rundown on the benefits of air tents, read our complete guide to Air Tents.

All tents are rated with an 'MM' rating. This rating directly measures the water pressure the fabric can withstand. For example, a 2,000mm rating can endure 2,000mm (2 metres) of water bearing down on the tent before it begins to leak. Hiking tents are generally rated between 800mm and 10,000mm, so finding the right water rating is important when considering the conditions you intend to camp in.

Footprints are highly recommended for most tents, but most definitely for hiking tents. Footprints take up minimal extra room in your pack but add a vast array of benefits. Here are some of the key ones: a reduction in condensation, extra warmth, greater durability, additional waterproofing and easier set up by acting as a template.

The most popular tents in NZ tend to be 3-season or 'all-season' tents due to the variable conditions. 3-season tents are designed to deal with summer, autumn and spring conditions. 'All season' or 4-season tents ensure you are kept safe and dry during winter. If you intend to camp during the cooler months, it is our recommendation to look at an 'all-season' tent.

Let us take care of this for you. Our expert team have spent countless years either out camping or selecting tent ranges in partnership with the world's best camping brands. Our buying team carefully select the best gear from the likes of Coleman, Kiwi Camping, Feldon, The North Face, Marmot and more, to ensure only the best products are available for you to purchase. If it's not suitable for NZ conditions, we don't have it.

Without a doubt, an air tent is the fastest and most convenient family tent to erect. Our pick of the bunch is the Weathermaster air tent range by Coleman. These tents are available in 3 different sizes, providing options for all size families.

Our recommendation is to consider tents of 6-person or larger for family camping. As always, we suggest upsizing one above the brand guidelines to provide more space. Consider the list of features you require and establish whether you need an air tent or not. With modern technology, we lean towards air as a preference given the convenience.

As above, our recommendation is generally to step up one size if and when possible. If you do happen to get claustrophobic, then this would be highly recommended. It may also be worth leaning towards a more dome-style tent for added internal space.