If you don’t camp a lot and only plan on using a tent a couple of times a year this is one category that can save you some money with.   Even if you do not save any money you need to know about these type of tents if you are camping in winter conditions.  That factor is when and where you are camping and what the climate and weather will be like.  Aside by being categorized by how many people a tent sleeps (ie: 1 man tent, 3 man tent) tents are also defined by how many seasons they are suitable for like: 3 season and 4 season. However, most will be either 3 season tents or 4 season tents.  Basically what this means is that a 3 season tent will be acceptable in pretty much all weather conditions with the exception of snow or heavy winds and almost all camping tents you find are going to to do just fine for fall, spring and summer.  Just  make sure when you do get your 3 season camping tent it includes a rain fly or some type of protection against a storm.  You don’t want to get caught in a rainstorm unprepared and find yourself, your things and your tent soaking wet.  If it doesn’t include one see if you can buy one you can put on yourself.  Sometimes manufacturers will sell these seperately but if the tent model you buy does not come with one make sure you at least have a tarp to put over your tent.  Most people will not willingly go camping when they know there is going to be a ton of rain or other bad weather but sometimes the weather is unpredictable especially when you are camping in the mountains.

 Whatever the case when looking for cheap tents make sure there is going to be protection that a rain fly can offer.  It will not only make sure you and your things stay dry but it will also help keep the tent nicer and last longer.
4 season tents are going to help protect you against all weather conditions including wind and snow.  Often times these will include some taping and double seams on your tent to help prevent leaks.  4 season tents are also going to be built with A frame designs, or a slope, so that the snow will slide off of the tent instead of collecting on the roof of it.  These prices will start a little higher than the 3 season tents.  A 4 season tent is going to be much more expensive than a 3 season one because it is going to be made a lot more durable so if you can save some money by getting a 3 season tent if that is all you need.  Personally if I was going to be camping in some extreme weather conditions I would want to make sure I got a high quality tent that I knew was built to withstand the weather and help protect me and my belongings from the weather, even if it meant spending a little more money to get that protection.

So if you think you won’t need your tent for snow, high winds or heavy rains (which sometimes isn’t that predictable depending on where you are camping) you might be able to save yourself a little money by going for a 3 season tent rather than a 4 season tent.  Just remember that within all the different tent categories you’re going to find tents in a lot of different price ranges.  You don’t want to buy tents cheap if they aren’t going to protect you from any weather that might occur while tent camping.

Take a look at our pages on Coleman Tents and Eureka Tents.  Most of the tents you will find there are 3 season but if you need a 4 season you might want to check out canvas tents.