Best Tent Features

• Size of tent
  How many people will need to sleep or use the tent? Also, determine how you will transport your tent (camper, vehicle, backpack, etc.) and make a decision based on the space available.
• Weight of tent
  Tents vary in weight, from a few pounds to hundreds of pounds. Make sure you can carry or transport the tent. If the tent will be carried on a backpack, will it make the backpack to heavy or cumbersome for the person carrying it?
• Capacity for number of people
  Tent size is rated by the number of people it will accommodate for sleeping. Sometimes this means there is room for two people and no gear. If you plan on keeping gear in the tent with you, consider a tent that can hold one more person.
• Waterproof or water repellent
  Some tents come with a rain-fly that helps keep a tent dry inside. This is a very important feature if the tent will be used in the rain.

  The rain fly may be integrated into the tent or be provided as an outer shell. An integrated rain fly is nice in that it makes the tent easier to assemble, but does mean it the whole tent will get wet in the rain which is not ideal when packing up the tent. If the tent has an outer shell, it can extend the relative dry area around your tent. Some tents come with extended front door coverage and you can have a dry entrance and covered outdoor sitting area.
• Pack-ability
  Some large tents can pack down to a small size with poles that telescope or disassemble into numerous sections.

  For backpackers, look to see if the poles can be separated from the tent and carried on the outside of a pack?
• Ventilation and breathable fabric
  A tent that is breathable is a good tent feature to have in most climates. Look for a tent with vents at the top and bottom for better air-flow. More ventilation is almost always better. Poor ventilation will cause condensation build up in the night, excessive heat during the day, and difficulty drying out the tent before packing.

  In cold temperatures, ice from frozen condensation will cause the poles to get stuck. On warm days, limited ventilation will cause the tent to retain heat and be uncomfortable. A tent made of breathable fabric will dry out more quickly if it gets wet.
• Durability
  Make sure the tent features rip-stop material, the places where you attach pegs and poles are solid, the seams is double-stitched, and the tent comes with a repair kit or repair instructions. It may be necessary to pay a little more to ensure durability. That is not to say an expensive tent will always be durable. Some tents, despite their cost, do not last because they were not designed for a certain climate. But if a durable tent costs more, the investment will be appreciated.
• Smell
  This is a minor issue for some people, but others may want to make sure the smell of the tent is acceptable. Hot canvas has a unique smell. It is difficult to know what a tent smells like when it's on display in a showroom or pictured on the Internet. Make sure you understand the return policy when purchasing a tent in case you are unhappy with the smell or other tent features.
• Tent pegs or stakes
  Tents usually come with lesser quality tent pegs. Plastic pegs are acceptable in many cases but not when the ground is hard or in cases of extreme wind. Steel or lightweight titanium pegs work well in rocky or tough soil, but not so well in light sand (depending on their shape.) Having one or two steel pegs and a number of plastic pegs allows more versatility. Occasionally, a rock, tree-trunk, root, or other make-shift item will work as a peg or stake, but having a good supply of tent pegs or stakes and a rubber mallet is advisable.
• Ground Cloth
  Some tents have a built-in ground cloth. Others require a separate one. A ground cloth, tarp, or large washable rug that extends under the tent and several feet in front of the tent will help keep the floor of the tent dry and free of excess dirt.