Tent Trends for 2016

• 29th Jan 2016

If you are planning on camping in 2016, whether you are one of the growing number of people who are being converted to the activity or are already a seasoned tent camper, now is a good time to consider which tent to buy for your camping trips this year. Here are a few of your options in the main camping categories:

Inflatable/ Easy Family Tents

The big manufacturers have all noted the growing number of families looking for tents that are easy to pitch and comfortable to use. Vango has continued to expand their Airbeam range of quick-pitch inflatable tents. Large porch living areas and attached tarps are another feature of their 2016 range. Coleman have unleashed a new range of Fastpitch tents and also jumped onto the inflatable bandwagon. Their hinged doors and blacked out bedrooms are other innovations designed to make things easier for family campers. Outwell have also recognised the growing popularity of inflatable tents and have some new models with increased stability and headroom. There are also great new, large, easy pitch tents from Easy Camp. Looking for something more high-end? Check out the expensive but impressive Airforce 1 from Zempire.

Hi-Tech Tenting

Big Agnes are not the only ones focussing on lit and powered, high-tech tents. Vango has a new range of tent lighting solutions and Sierra Designs have a new night glow attachment to illuminate the tent with nothing more than a head torch. There are plenty of new gadgets on the market to make is easier than ever to enjoy a tenting adventure without giving up all your technology and some home comforts.

Ultralight Camping

Ultralight camping is also another sector of the industry going from strength to strength. MSR's new Freelite Range is one that takes ultralight camping to new heights. Hilleberg Tentmaker's Niak 1.5 is an ultralight option for couples and their Tarp 5 takes minimalism to extremes. Then there is Zpacks Duplex Tent which is light yet reasonably roomy, expensive but great for backpackers. If you are trekking as a couple, Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo is one of the roomiest lightweight offerings on the market while for flexibility, experienced lightweight campers could choose the Tarptent Stratospire 2, one of a number of lightweight tents which uses hiking poles instead of tent poles. All of the above are something of an investment and while they are amongst the best available, they do come at a cost. Budget conscious lightweight campers could plump for something like the Mountainsmith Morrison 2 which, though not in the league of the above, does provide a reasonably good option none the less.

Whichever sort of tent you decide to go with, it is clear that 2016 is going to be another great year for tent campers.