How to choose your tent for bivouac and camping?

While some people enjoy nights under the stars, the tent remains a must for hiking. To enjoy your excursions in the heart of nature, we help you choose a tent for bivouac and camping that will meet all your needs.

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Choose your tent according to your expedition

Going on a hike lasting several days and bivouacking each evening at a different place or settling on the edge of a lake for a week of camping requires different equipment.

For the bivouac, you will have to choose a light tent because you will have to transport it every day. Compact, easy to set up and take down, the bivouac tent puts functionality at the forefront and often only offers a sleeping area and, possibly, a storage area.

If you set up your camp in the same location for the duration of your stay, you can choose a tent for camping. Comfort and space will then be the crucial criteria to take into account to make a success out of your holiday in this substitute home.

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Bivouac tent: lightness is paramount

The weight of your mountain tent will be crucial in your choice. But remember that the lighter and more compact your trekking tent, the less comfortable and durable it will be. There are still top-of-the-range tents that combine lightness, functionality and robustness. When you opt for a tent for several people, do not hesitate to distribute the elements in the backpacks of every hiker. If you feel like it, choosing a 2 or 3 person bivouac tent while hiking solo can give you more space, especially to store your pack inside the tent.

There are many other elements to consider when choosing a light and practical tent:

• The shape: “igloo” model for an easy set-up but with low resistance to the wind can cause problems in the mountains. The tunnel tent to go bivouac, it is resistant but difficult to set up. Or a geodesic one, for optimal interior space and camps at altitude that will withstand all the gusts.
• Color: it's not about style here, it's about practicality. Choosing a light colour will allow you to benefit from a minimum of light inside your tent, even in cloudy weather conditions.
• The seasonality index: depending on your destination and the season you go, you will not choose the same hiking tent. This is why you will find a clue allowing you to find out more about the insulation qualities of your tent: 2 seasons for use in spring and summer, 3 seasons for sunny days but also in autumn, and 4 seasons for a trekking tent or a mountain tent that will withstand extreme conditions and strong temperature differences.
• Insulation: The materials of the chamber should combine breathability and resistance, while the footpring should be prepared for rough terrain. Always prefer a model with vents to renew the air and limit condensation, especially for a tent that you'll use in the mountains.
• The roof: Single roof models will be very light tents, but condensation can quickly form inside. In summer, you can compensate for this small defect by leaving the door of your hiking tent open. The flysheet provides additional insulation against the elements, and very often it continues and creates a vestibule at the entrance of the tent.

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Choosing your tent for camping: focus on comfort and well-being

During your stay, your camping tent will become your home. So you're going to need space and comfort, especially if you are looking for a family tent. Here's what to wonder in order to make the right choice:

• The number of people: camping tents can accommodate up to 8 people, but so that your family tent meets the needs of all family members, you also need to find the right distribution of rooms.
• The shape: the camping tent comes in as many shapes as the bivouac tent, regardless of the number of people who will benefit from the camp. However, tunnel and geodesic tents are the most suitable models if you are looking for a family tent that offers several bedrooms.
• The waterproofness: the longer your stay outdoors, the more likely you are to be exposed to inclement weather. To choose a camping tent resistant to the rain, look at it's "Schmerber" index. It expresses the number of drops a canvas can withstand before water seeps in. The higher it is, the more waterproof your tent will be.
• The Insulation: In summer, the heat can quickly become stifling. Polyester tents don't offer the best insulation, so be sure to bring in fresh air every morning. Polycotton tents offer better insulation against hot and cold. Cotton is very breathable, and will ensure a pleasant temperature in your tent regardless of the weather outside. This is really the material of choice for a family tent.
• UV resistance: When the sun is strong, it not only increases the heat inside your tent, it also deteriorates the canvas. Polyester is the least solid material against solar radiation. Polycotton holds up well, but cotton is unbeatable and can last for decades without losing it's insulating qualities.
• The relaxation area: the optimal size of the living space will depend on the number of people present, but also on your preferences. Real living room where everyone can meet, it can also be enlarged thanks to extensions. Sun visor or canopy, this will allow you to offer yourself a protected space at a lower cost.

To go and enjoy the great outdoors, it is important to choose a tent for the bivouac or for the campsite that will provide you with all the comfort you need for a successful stay. Light tent for hiking expeditions in the mountains or during a week of trekking, or a real outdoor house to set up for a camp of several weeks with family or friends, your tent will have to be a protective haven that caters to every one of your needs.