Tent types, types and shapes: Throwing tent, roof tent & Co. for campers

Finally the first camping trip is coming up – but the equipment is not yet complete. The destination is already fixed, but the right tent is still missing. To choose the right tent you have to know the different types of tents and their characteristics. Whether you are looking for a tent for one person or for the whole family, we have selected all types of tents for you and put them together.

Tent types – trekking tent, throwing tent, roof tent & geodesist

The probably most classical and easiest way of camping is camping. This is most suitable for a short trip not too far away. You don’t have to pay much attention and can choose a campsite where you can spend a nice time with your family or friends. This way you are flexible in where you want to spend your holiday and still be in the fresh air. You can just pitch your tent spontaneously at a place you like and move on the next day if you feel like it. This is also one of the cheapest ways of camping, because you don’t have to pay much when you do wild camping and on a campsite you usually only pay the entrance fee for yourself.

However, there are different types of tents you have to choose between. A simple person tent only offers space for a few people, but is sufficient if you are only with your partner or one or two friends. The tent does not take up much space in your luggage and is therefore ideal for a short trip in nature. If you want to avoid the complicated setup of the tent, you can opt for a throw tent.

The most popular types of tents are:

• Trekking tent – This tent is extremely compact but very durable.
• Throw Tent – A throw tent is compact and quick to pitch.
• Dome Tent – A dome tent requires little space and can be set up easily and quickly.
• Rooftop tent – This makes it easy to set up tents anywhere and these tents have very good insulation.
• Tunnel tent – A tunnel tent offers a lot of space and often even standing height.
• Family tent – This tent offers plenty of space for the whole family.
• Ridge tent – Ridge tents are bright and open and perfect for an Indian adventure.
• Geodätzelt – The Geodätzelt holds even on rocky ground, steep slopes or dense vegetation.
• Pyramid tent – These tents are extremely stable and can withstand strong winds.

So if you want to spend a few days in nature in a simple and uncomplicated way, you should get involved in this experience. Of course, a hotel bed would be more comfortable than the mattress with which your tent is probably equipped, but for this short time you can accept the lack of comfort if in return you are offered an unforgettable nature experience.

So you will find the right tent for you:

There are many different types of tents that are suitable for different trips. So if you are planning an expedition into the mountains, you will need a different tent than if you want to camp on the beach. And read on – at the end of the article we have an informative video about backpacking tents.

Trekking tent – compact and resistant

This tent is extremely compact but very durable. It requires only a small packing size and is very light, which can be very advantageous when travelling. The trekking tents are available in one- or two-person versions.

• small packing size
• little stress
• one or two persons tents

Litter tent – set up within a few minutes

A Wurfzelt is compact and quick to set up. It is a free-standing tent, so it does not need guy lines. It is extremely easy to set up, there is no need to push in the poles. Disadvantages are that the tent can only offer moderate stability in wind and is a large pack size.

• very quick to set up
• freestanding
• large pack size
• no tedious insertion of the linkage
• moderate wind stability

Dome tent – for difficult surfaces

A dome tent requires little space and can be erected easily and quickly. It is a free-standing tent, which is even lighter than a geodesic tent. Dome tents are good for difficult surfaces such as gravel and steep slopes and are very easy to set up. The dome tents offer good value for money.

• freestanding
• lighter than geodesic tents
• simpler structure
• good value for money
• good for difficult substrates

Roof-tent – flexible and comfortable travelling

With this you can easily put up tents everywhere and these tents have a very good insulation. They are waterproof and have a comfortable mattress inside the tent, which is not comparable to an insulation mattress. In addition, roof tents can be erected in a few minutes with the help of a crank mechanism or gas pressure springs. They are suitable for any car and offer the possibility to be as flexible as you want when travelling. If you don’t like a place, you can just keep on travelling. Plus you don’t even have to look for a campsite, a parking space is enough.

• good thermal insulation
• flexible travel
• comfortable mattress inside
• simple and fast assembly
• waterproof
• suitable for all cars

Tunnel tent – lots of space and good wind protection

A tunnel tent offers a lot of space and often even headroom. Tunnel tents offer the best weight/space ratio and also provide protection even in strong winds. However, if you are looking for an even more stable tent, you should choose a cross between a tunnel tent and a geodesic tent. A tunnel tent has parallel pole arches and a crossing with a Geodesic tent has crossed pole arches. This characteristic offers just a little more stability.

• best relation to weight and use of space
• good protection against strong winds
• Crossing with Geodät -> crossed rod arches -> more stability

Family tent – the holiday home to go

This tent offers plenty of space for the whole family. It is an oversized camping tent, which offers a good standing height and often even windows. The family tent is a good alternative to a holiday home. It offers a lot of comfort and space for the luggage.

• oversized camping tents
• good standing height
• plenty of room for luggage
• Large windows if necessary
• inexpensive alternative to the holiday home

Ridge tent – perfect for Indian adventure

Ridge tents are bright and open and perfect for an Indian adventure. A ridge tent, just like a family tent, offers a good standing height. The thermal insulation is not very good, but you can light a fire inside the tent, which will keep you warm. It also offers plenty of space for several people and luggage.

• good standing height
• lots of space for several people and luggage
• poor heat insulation
• Fire can be lit in the tent

Geodes – stable, weatherproof and suitable for extreme expeditions

The Geodätzelt also holds on rocky ground, on steep slopes or densely overgrown sections. Geodesic tents are very stable, weatherproof and do not necessarily need guy lines to withstand the weather. They are often used during trekking because they can be set up even when there is not much space and are stable and sturdy even on difficult ground.

• very stable
• weatherproof
• very stable even without guy ropes
• is often used for trekking
• even with little space
• even with different soil conditions

Pyramid tent – good for ultra-light hikers

These tents are extremely stable and can withstand strong winds. They are good for ultra-light hikers and offer good space. The tents consist of tarpaulins, poles and pegs. They have been around for many years, but the pyramid tents are never re-laid by tent manufacturers.

• good for ultra-light hikers
• consists of tarpaulin, pole and pegs
• is reissued again and again by tent manufacturers
• good seat

Backpacking tents: Which one is the right one for you?

When backpacking you should make sure that the tent is light, takes up little packing space, can be set up quickly and is stable. It should also be able to withstand different types of ground. Not to forget: The tent must fit into the backpack! What else you have to pay attention to is summarized in this informative video.