The great outdoors call for a reliable tent so that you can fully enjoy the experience. Camping tents come in different designs, styles, sizes, shapes, and colors. The design of your camping tent must be best suited to your needs. Going over the different designs and styles will help you make the right choice.

There are at least six designs you can choose from: dome or umbrella, modified dome, A-frame or wedge, modified A-frame, tunnel or hoop, and pyramid, cone, or teepee tents. Each design provide a unique set of benefits which may be good enough for some backpackers but not to campers.

1. Dome or umbrella tent - Its basic design is hexagonal which uses three or more poles depending on the pattern. There are many models to choose from and can sleep two to eight people. A dome or umbrella tent is a good choice for all types of camping for most of the year. They are also easy to set up and take down therefore ideal for backpackers and adventure seekers. They are great space savers for packing and are lightweight as well.

2. Modified dome tent - This is almost a dome tent except that it has a square floor area as well as some poles for extra support. Almost all four-season tents are of the modified dome design. One good example of this is the geodesic dome tent which is especially designed for snow or high winds because of its multiple pole intersections.

3. A-frame tent - This is a small and simply-designed tent good enough for two or three people. It has two erect poles which supports a single ridge pole. The A-frame tent is basically a tent for sleeping because it offers little space for other activities. The design is also not for wet or windy weather conditions.

4. Modified A-frame tent - What differentiates modified A-frame from the classic A-frame is the curved pole in the center along the ridgeline which makes the tent look like a hoop tent. This extra pole provides extra headroom and more stability than the classic A-frame. Just like the A-frame tent, it can typically accommodate two to three people in its rectangular floor space.

5. Tunnel or hoop tent - Unlike the other tents, this one is the choice of most backpackers because it becomes very compact when packed. It is lightweight, easy to set up and dismantle, and depending on the size and design, a tunnel tent has enough room to make four people comfortable. This type of tent is ideal for the summer, even in early winter when there is still little snow and strong winds.

6. Pyramid, cone, or teepee tents - These types of tents have a very basic design. There is a single pole at the center and the sides are posted securely. Because it has no floor, a teepee is usually set up for storage of gears, equipment, and additional things. Other campers use it as a shower or potty tent. A teepee is not designed to withstand bad weather conditions.

There are other tents out there which do not belong to any of the above because their design is a combination of the best features of any of the above given tents. When buying a tent, make sure you are looking for the design which best suits your needs. If you’re the family guy then a dome or modified dome tent is the best one for you. If you’re a backpacker, the modified A-frame or tunnel tent may be the perfect design for your lifestyle. Whatever your needs may be, also keep in mind the quality of the tent you will buy; it is an investment for you to enjoy the life outdoors.