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Wall Tent Shop
  • Tents
    • Wilderness Canvas Hunting Tents
    • Glamping Tents
    • Hot Tents
    • Montana Canvas Outfitter Tents
    • Spike Tents
    • Civil War Tents
    • Emergency Preparedness
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    • Gift Certificates
    • View All Canvas Tents
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    • View All Stoves
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    • View All Framekits
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How to Choose the Right Tent For Your Camping Style: The Ultimate Tent Buying Guide

August 30, 2025

tent on a beach

Key Takeaways

  • Define your camping style: glamping, hunting, winter camping, backcountry traveling, Civil War reenacting, or emergency preparedness.
  • Consider factors like size, season, durability, and setup.
  • Finish by selecting accessories to go with your tent.

Before embarking on your next adventure, make sure your home away from home checks all the boxes. It’s important to choose a tent that fits your purpose and plans, as well as your overall camping style and preferences.

With so many options available here at Wall Tent Shop, picking the perfect tent can be overwhelming. We get it!

That’s why we put together a tent buying guide. Customer satisfaction is our highest priority, and knowing how to choose a tent naturally leads to happy campers! Here’s everything you need to know.

1. Define Your Camping Style

glamping tent with lights strung around campsite

Think about what your ideal camping adventure looks like. 

Glamping & Comfort Seekers

Glamour + camping = glamping. If you’re planning a decadent getaway with all the amenities, a glamping tent will provide an elevated experience. These luxurious shelters include comfy features like taller side walls, plenty of headroom, ample interior space to move around, and room to set up rugs, mattresses, lighting, furniture, and even a TV if you want to go all out.

Hunters & Outfitters

Outdoors enthusiasts need to know how to choose a tent that’s rugged and able to withstand the elements, especially if you’re staying in the backcountry for a long time. You’ll need plenty of room to store essentials like weaponry, cots, clothing, and any other gear you bring along.

Our Wilderness canvas hunting tents are designed by Wall Tent Shop’s owner, Rich, who has spent over 50 years living in a wall tent for 6-7 weeks out of the year in the Idaho wilderness while hunting deer, elk, and bear. Rest assured, these rugged tents will meet the needs of hunters who need a dependable, portable shelter.

As you use this tent buying guide to learn how to choose a tent, consider Montana Canvas Outfitter tents. Montana Canvas is a top-tier brand, and the Outfitter tent is their most popular model. These tents have a minimum delivery time of 4-6 weeks, so keep that in mind if you’re planning on heading out soon. Our Wilderness tents usually ship within one business day.

Learn More Here: Montana Canvas Tent vs. Wilderness Tent

Cold-Weather or Winter Campers

Although all campers need to know how to choose a camping tent, this decision is especially critical for anyone who plans to spend time in cold climates. Camping in cold environments can be extremely dangerous, so you’ll need a hot tent to keep you warm and safe.

As you explore how to choose a tent for the winter, remember that having a heat source is mandatory. Hot tents are designed with built-in stove jacks so you can heat them with a camping stove. As an added bonus, you’ll enjoy hot meals and a dry shelter.

Backcountry Travelers & Lightweight Expeditions

If you’re going to be on the move, you’ll need a tent that’s lighter and more compact than a standard tent, but also still sturdy and reliable. Our spike tents fill that role. They’re specially designed to be easier to set up, break down, and pack.

After a day or two of lugging around a heavier tent, it’ll become clear why spike tents are crucial for on-foot adventures. Don’t make that common mistake when learning how to choose a tent!

Learn More Here: Spike Tent Set Up

History Enthusiasts & Reenactors

Most campers can skip this part of the tent buying guide. Civil War tents have no modern hardware because they’re designed to replicate tents that were used during the Civil War era. While some history buffs enjoy “heritage camping” for the old-timey experience, these tents are usually used by reenactors who do authentic reproductions of historical events.

Emergency & Disaster Preparedness

In a worst-case scenario, you’ll be glad you took the time to learn how to choose a camping tent that’s designed specifically for difficult situations. If you’re wondering how to choose a tent that aligns with your survival plan, go with an emergency preparedness tent. They provide a reliable, no-frills shelter that can be deployed quickly if you’re unable to stay at home.

2. Match Tent Features to Your Requirements

canvas wall tents set up on a dock

After determining your camping style, fine-tune your decision by getting into specific details.

Size & Capacity:

Choose the size of your tent based on the size of your group, the length of your trip, and your preferred level of comfort. We have tents of all sizes, from 8’ x 10’ to 16’ x 24’. If you’re not sure if a tent will be big enough, size up! Anyone who knows how to choose a tent also knows it’s better to have more space than you need than to be cramped.

Learn More Here: Sleeping Capacity vs. Tent Size

Seasonality:

We covered hot tents earlier in this tent buying guide, but their importance can’t be overstated when winter camping. But even if you’re not winter camping this time around, you may want to own a 4-season tent that can handle impromptu adventures. Other tents can handle 3-season camping, so consider how much weather and temperature protection you’re going to need, both now and in the future. That’s how to choose a tent that gives you freedom to camp anywhere.

Durability & Longevity:

If you’re wondering how to choose a camping tent that won’t fall apart, the answer is easy: buy your tent from Wall Tent Shop! We use heavy-duty Army Duck canvas, which is the highest quality canvas available. Our tents hold up to inclement weather like rain, snow, and wind. Sure, a cheap tent might last for the trip, but we recommend investing in the best the first time around.

Set Up Considerations:

Do you need to be able to pack up and move quickly with a spike tent? Or are you planning on setting up a platform tent as a permanent shelter? It’s important to know how to choose a tent that’s practical. That massive 16’ x 24’ may sound appealing, but will two of you be able to set it up and break it down? Think about what using the tent will be like in the real world.

3. Pick Accessories That Enhance Your Tent

tent-interior

In this last section of our tent buying guide, we’re going to highlight tent camping gear that significantly improves the experience.

Frame & Angle Kits:

Don’t forget about the backbone of your tent. A high-quality tent won’t do much good if you’re using a flimsy frame. Keep that in mind when deciding how to choose a tent. You can get a complete frame, or you can save money by building your own DIY frame using an angle kit.

Hot Tent and Stove Accessories:

It’s very important to use accessories like stove jacks, heat shields, mats, and other stove accessories that keep your tent warm and safe.

Fly Covers and Tarps:

Now that you know how to choose a camping tent that will withstand the elements, add extra weatherproofing with fly covers and tarps.

Organizational Items:

Storage racks, frame bags, and flooring keep your setup tidy. Even if the tent has plenty of room, clutter and dirt build up fast.

Order the Perfect Tent Today

Now that you know how to choose a tent, explore our canvas tents, and contact us if you have any questions about this tent buying guide. Shop now!

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