Types of Tent availableThere are many different types of tent available, designed for different environments, weather conditions, types of camping or simply cost of production. Each of these will have relative advantages and disadvantages to different people depending on their needs. The list below provides a description of each of the major types of tent and some advice on which tent to buy.
Quick Erect Tents: these tents usually have the tent poles already built into the tent fabric structure and so can be erected quickly. Some have sprung loaded pole systems allowing them to be erected in just a few minutes. However, they are not generally as stable as the more conventional tents.
Ridge Tents: traditional style tents formed by a horizontal pole supported by two vertical poles. The walls are pulled outwards at the base forming a triangular shaped tent. The tents are usually quick to erect and sturdy, however, they offer little headroom and the side walls tend to “flap” in the wind as they are unsupported. 
Frame tents: these tents are generally very stable, constructed from steel poles, and offer good living and headroom space. They usually have 2-3 bedrooms and a communal hall area and many features such as windows and good ventilation. These tents are good for family camping of several days duration due to the time taken to erect the tent. However, they can be expensive due to the steel used in the construction of the poles and quite heavy.
Geodesic Tent: these tents are similar to Dome tents but instead of the poles crossing in the centre of the tent top they cross lower down.
Hoop and tunnel tents: these tents are constructed around a hoop (or series of hoops) format creating a tunnel structure with a door at either end. They are generally robust with spacious living areas but need to be pitched correctly, ie nose or tail to the wind.
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Backpacking Tents: most suitable for campers needing to carry their tents with them. The tents tend to be lighter, smaller and can be packed to a small size convenient for carrying. The disadvantages are that they can be quite expensive due to the lightweight materials used in construction and also these tents will not provide as much space as more conventional tents.
