In June 2018, I went out camping with my oldest son. It was our first camping trip where we camped in a tent. We headed down the nearby state park and claimed our spot.
We set up our tent, and he looked out at the other tents nearby and exclaimed, “Look, Dad! They’re just like ours!”
Sure enough, at least a dozen dome tents were scattered around the campsites. This type of tent is the most common for many reasons, but what is a dome tent?
A dome tent is a dome-shaped tent with a rectangular floor and two poles going diagonally through the top. The shape of the tent provides shelter from weather and stability in high wind. They are known for being an easy set-up and light to carry.
Table of Contents
BENEFITS OF A DOME TENT
Dome tents are the most common type of tent for many reasons. They are versatile and help different types of people. Some benefits include:
- Strong and stable shape
- Easy to set up
- Freestanding without tent stakes
- The rectangular floor makes it easy for sleeping
- Peak height is tall and spacious
- Easily combined with other tents for larger groups
- Compatible with add-ons such as vestibules and garages
- Usually quite affordable
DISADVANTAGES OF DOME TENTS
There aren’t many drawbacks of dome tents. But they may not be the best for you if you’re a hardcore camper or camp in harsh weather situations.
- Slanted walls cut down on overall standing space
- The higher the dome height the more unstable it becomes
- High winds catch the dome shape
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I tell if a dome tent is strong enough? – It really depends on what you need. If wind is a big concern, look for a low-profile dome tent. It may be less comfortable to move around in, but the shorter height avoids wind pressure.
Otherwise, look for two things: 1) a tent by a reputable company like Coleman or 2) look for a tent with three poles.
What do I need with my dome tent? – If you’re camping by yourself or you really like simple camping, you don’t really need anything. But if families and keeping the area clean and protected are a concern, you can opt for a vestibule and garage.
The vestibule is a little covered entryway to store things in a protected area. It’s also great for taking off shoes, boots, and/or jackets, so you keep the dirt and other things outside your sleeping space.
A garage add-on is a covered place to keep your outdoor things like bikes. This isn’t necessary, but it is helpful if like to bring a lot of things with you on your camping trips.
What’s a good dome tent? – There are a lot of great ones out there. I do recommend this Coleman tent to anyone looking for a tent that balances price and quality.
CONCLUSION
I recommend dome tents because of their versatility, portability, and affordability. They’re great for families, casual campers, and frequent outdoorsmen alike. The only reason you may not want to use one is if you camp long-term where bad weather is a common risk.
They’re so easy to use and set up it’s hard to imagine why you wouldn’t be interested in owning one. And they’re so affordable you can get one just to try it out.
We hope you enjoyed this article on what is a dome tent. This may be the tent choice for you. Whatever you decide, pick one and go camping.
Now get out there and enjoy the fresh air!
If you liked this article, you may also like how to pitch a tent in the rain.
