In life, some activities are way simpler than others, but if the activities seem complicated, there is always help to be found. One thing that some people have often wondered and thought about is “How big of a tent do I need?”
Whether you would go camping or host sleepovers, that is a thought that you would find coming at the top of your mind as you will have to make necessary housing arrangements to accommodate everyone comfortably. It will be somewhat embarrassing if you go out of your way to get a tent for your guests and it’s too small. Hence, it’s better to have an oversized tent than a too small tent.
Deciding on the size of a tent should not be too hard a task once you can decide how much people you want in your tent. Once that number is conceptualized, the fun part of mathematics and mathematical calculations can begin. Don’t worry though, if you choose to avail the services of a rental agency, they will provide a lot of assistance and act as guides to help you choose the right tent size.
However, if you are buying and setting up your own tent, then you will need to answer some of the intricate questions that are provided below so that you can have a tent that has the right size.
How Big of a Tent Do I Need: The Considerations
To arrive at a good answer for the question “How big of a tent do I need?” you need to answer multiple questions. This way, you will have a better estimate of the size of the tent that you need to purchase.
Generally, tents are advertised as having a capacity of two, six, and nine people. These prescribed capacities may be inaccurate and can result in the occupants of your tent having a cramped experience. Some experts advise that you should divide the manufacturer’s advertised capacity by two to get the tent’s true capacity.
How will the Tent be Used?
The application of the tent is very important in determining the size that you get. While most camping tents are designed for sleeping outdoors, the tents can also be used for an indoor sleepover, or even as a shelter.
The time of day when the tent will be used will also affect the size of the tent that you should get. At night, you may want to get a larger tent, especially since you will need a lighting source that is most likely to generate heat, and the occupants of the tent will need enough room to be comfortable.
Also, if the tent is intended for sleepovers, the occupants would have personal items that you need to consider. This means that they should have enough space inside the tent for their bodies and things. The height of the occupants should also match the tent’s height because some people may want to stand when in the tent.
How Many People will Use the Tent?
The number of people you anticipate will also determine the size of the tent you should get. As mentioned, some renters are able to tell you off the top of their heads how many people their tents can comfortably accommodate in a sitting or standing position.
If you are thinking about buying a camping tent, the product description usually tells you the capacity of the tent. However, reading the product’s reviews will help to give you a better idea of the capacity of the tent. This is because the manufacturer may anticipate that several people can fit comfortably in their tent, but when tested, the reality may be that several children, not adults, could fit comfortably in their tent.
On What Surface will the Tent be Placed On?
You may be wondering what does the surface type have to do with the size of the tent you get? In all honesty, the last thing you want is for the occupants of the tent to be uncomfortable. Surfaces may include grass, wood, concrete or even asphalt. Some of these surfaces may be either flat or sloping.
You may not want to extend your tent to a sloping terrain because it may pose a safety risk to your guests. Having an uneven surface, especially one that is grassy may require you to get a smaller tent, but if you are on the sturdier surface, it may not affect your guests.
How Much Space is Available?
There is a saying that goes, “Dream big or go home.” Well in the case of choosing a tent size, you have to be super realistic because dreaming too big may mean that you have a tent that is too large for the space you want to put it in.
It doesn’t matter how many people you plan to house under your tent. If there is not enough space to pitch the tent, then you ought to reconsider your guest list and restrict invitees to people that are absolutely necessary. If rescinding the invitation is not an option, then you ought to consider switching the camping or sleepover venue.
Conclusion
Luckily, if you can’t factor all these things in when making your decision, there are some online tent size calculators that you can use. These calculators take into consideration the type of layout you want to use, the number of people you want to accommodate in it, the activities that you are planning and the personal items of your team.
Basically, to estimate the tent size, the most important figure you need is the number of individuals who will use it. Additionally, though estimating the tent size may require that you use a bit of geometry and mathematical formulas, the calculation does not require the use of Pythagoras’ Theorem.
You also have to take into consideration the tent design features such as whether or not there are poles in the interior that can possibly take up more space than needed. Choosing your tent does not have to be rocket science, you just need to have the right plan.
Our website author Tom is a devoted outdoor enthusiast and active blogger who has a profound love for the great outdoors, especially camping and kayaking.
This passion for the outdoors combined with studying an MSc. in Product Design, and working as a Product Engineer gives him the perfect combination of experience and expertise to help guide you on the best camping and kayaking gear.
Tom aims to inspire other travellers to appreciate nature’s beauty by sharing their experiences, wisdom, and intriguing stories in engrossing blog articles. He believes in working to promote respect for and preservation of our priceless landscapes out of a dedication to environmental stewardship.
Join Tom on their quest to find undiscovered treasures, exchange helpful advice, and arouse awe for the vast outdoors.
