Waking up to the sounds and smells of nature is one of the best ways to start the day! This lifestyle isn’t for everyone but those who learn how to do it properly are able to experience the world in a different light.
This article is to help you learn exactly what you will need when looking for a long term camping tent, helping you save time and possibly money.
Getting yourself a tent that will last you years is crucial for long term camping.
Materials for Long Term Camping Tents
The material used for the tent is key to how it will endure the elements outside. A tent’s durability is affected by how it responds to different weather conditions.
Polyester tents are durable and are designed to have good airflow and protect from rain. They feature a rain fly making it water resistant but still allowing for air to pass through. These tents are also more aerodynamically-shaped which provides protection from heavy winds.
A canvas tent is great when it comes to colder weather, as it traps heat and can support heavier payloads. Also, it’s a sturdier material meaning it can withstand harsher weather conditions. In warmer weather, a canvas tent doesn’t breathe which can be a huge downfall if you don’t know how to deal with it.
Knowing where and when you will be camping is crucial to finding what tent you may need.
Size of Long Term Camping Tent
The size of your tent is very dependent on your wants and needs when it comes to your journey of long term camping.
Many view tent living as restrictive and limited compared to a regular house. Even though it can be huge downsize from regular living having a good base to having an efficient setup can make tent living a lot more comfortable.
When looking for size, canvas tents are the bigger option as some can sleep up to 14 people and have room separators.
Polyester tents are generally smaller meaning they rely more on an outdoor setup for a comfortable long-term experience. Even though you may spend less money on a camping tent you may be spending more money overall to have a weather resistant setup for other necessities for long term camping.
Top Long Term Living Tents
1) Best Overall: Outdoor Luxury Glamping Bell Tent
Pros
Cons
- Stove Jack
- Air flow/Breathability
- Size
- Durability
- Expensive
- Harder set up
- Heavy
This canvas tent is a top choice for many who are looking to take their daily life outdoors. As our largest option, this tent gives you ample space for living and creating a room to fit your daily needs.
The unique design of this tent allows the bottom portion to roll up which helps solve one of the biggest problems canvas tents has which is airflow. The large front door and rollup sides makes it easy to have consistent airflow and an enjoyable living temperature.
It also has a stove jack opening made from fire resistant material allowing you to have an open fire to stay warm and cook in the winter.
2) Best Solo: NTK Colorado GT 5
Pros
Cons
- Great weather protection
- Air flow/Breathability
- Durability
- Traditional setup
- Small
The NTK Colorado GT 5 is one of the most reliable tents on the market. With a great rainfly and air dynamic design this tent is great in almost any environment no matter the weather conditions.
With mesh lined windows you can open yourself up to the sky and surrounding nature in warm weather. In cold and rainy weather you can put up the double layered rain fly which has full coverage helping sinsolate and warm up the inside. The thick floor can also help insolute your tent by reflecting the cold air from the ground while help keeping your body and other natural heat inside.
It may not be as tall and spacious as some of our other options but it can hold up to 6 people making it still a reasonable living space.
3) Whiteduck Avalon Canvas Bell Tent
Pros
Cons
- Craftsmanship
- Durability
- Insolation
- Airflow
- Size
- Price
- Very heavy
The Whiteduck Avalon Canvas Bell Tent is perfect for almost anyone that is wanting to start long term camping as it has luxury size compared to what most people think of when it comes to camping. Unfortunately this size comes with a price tag but it can be very worth it if you know you will get the use out of it.
Great insolation and water proofing makes it a reliable option in cold weather. As well as having a stove jack so you can still cook when it gets to cold outside.
With some of the best craftsman ship around this tent will last you ages and wont wair away with daily use like many other basic tents not designed for long term camping.
4) Whiteduck Prota Canvas Cabin Tent
Pros
Cons
- Craftsmanship
- Simple setup
- Airflow/Breathability
- Tall
- Price
- Very heavy
The Whiteduck Prota Canvas Tent is a great middle ground between a large canvas tent and most traditional polyester tents.
The size of the tent and doors makes it a very practical option as it can hold up to 9 people and gives you the ability to stand in the tent instead of always having to be crouched as it is 7 feet tall. Unlike most canvas tents this size the set up is simple and can easily be done with one person while still having a sturdy frame to hold up in harsh weather conditions.
The massive door opening alongwith three large mesh windows makes this tent very breathable in the warm weather as air can easily circulate through the tent.
5) Budget Friendly: Mobihome 6 Person Tent
Pros
Cons
- Easy setup
- Fairly priced
- Ample size
- Durable
- Poor in heavy rain
- Minimal insolation
The Mobilehome 6 Person tent is an ideal polyester tent for long term camping. It has great space compared to most other polyester tents.
The set up is very easy as it is a pop up tent meaning the main components of the frame are already put together and just need to be expanded and spread out.
Without great insolation its not ideal for colder weather but thrives in warm weather as there are 7 large mesh windows allowing great air flow and giving you amazing views of your surrounding.
