Choosing Camping and Outdoor Gear Online: Tents, Sleeping Bags and What the Specs Mean

Camping gear is easy to buy online and hard to judge from a photo. A "4-person" tent can be a squeeze for four, and a sleeping bag "rated" to a low temperature may not keep you comfortable near it. Knowing what the specs mean helps.

Tents: capacity, seasons and shape

Capacity

Tent capacity ("2-person", "4-person") usually means that many adults lying side by side, with little room for bags. A common approach is to size up by one person if you want space for gear, are tall, or camp with a dog. Check the floor dimensions and peak height rather than relying on the number.

Seasons

• 2-season: fair-weather camping in late spring and summer.
• 3-season: the most common type; designed for spring to autumn (fall), including some wind and rain.
• 4-season: built for snow load and strong wind, usually heavier and warmer inside, which can feel stuffy in summer.

Shape and layout

• Dome tents are simple to pitch and fairly stable.
• Tunnel tents give lots of space for their weight but need good pegging to stay stable in wind.
• Porches or vestibules give you somewhere to keep wet boots and bags out of the sleeping area.

Hydrostatic head, explained

Waterproofing on tents (and on many jackets) is often given as a hydrostatic head in millimetres. It describes how tall a column of water the fabric can hold back before water starts to come through in a lab test.

• Higher numbers mean more water resistance.
• The groundsheet often has a higher figure than the flysheet, because kneeling or lying on it pushes water through.
• Seams matter as much as fabric. Look for taped or sealed seams.
• The number isn't the whole story. Pitching, ventilation and condensation all affect whether you stay dry. Condensation inside a tent is normal in cool, damp weather and isn't a sign of a leak.

Sleeping bags: comfort vs limit ratings

Many sleeping bags carry temperature ratings based on a standard test. You'll usually see some of these:

When choosing, look at the comfort rating for the coldest nights you expect. If a bag lists only one figure with no explanation, treat it with caution.

Other things to check:

• Fill type. Down packs smaller and is light for its warmth but needs care to keep dry. Synthetic fill is bulkier but holds up better when damp and is usually easier to wash.
• Shape. Mummy bags are warmer for their weight; rectangular bags give more room to move.
• Your sleeping mat. Insulation underneath matters as much as the bag. Many mats list an R-value; higher means more insulation from the ground.

Weight vs durability

Lighter gear is easier to carry, but it often uses thinner fabrics and more delicate parts.

• Car camping: weight barely matters. Heavier, tougher fabrics and roomier tents make sense.
• Backpacking: every gram counts, but ultralight kit needs more careful handling.
• Fabric thickness is often listed in denier (D). Higher denier usually means tougher, heavier fabric.
• Poles: aluminium poles tend to bend before they break; fibreglass poles are cheaper and heavier and can splinter.

Pack a repair kit

Even good gear gets damaged. A small kit can save a trip:

• Fabric repair patches or tape
• A pole repair sleeve
• Spare pegs and guy line
• A puncture kit for an inflatable mat

Check whether the maker sells replacement parts.

Practise before the trip

Pitch a new tent at home before your first trip, to check all the parts are there while you can still return it.

Returns on used gear

Outdoor gear return policies vary a lot.

• Unused items are usually returnable within the stated window if they're in their original packaging.
• Used items often can't be returned unless they're faulty. Some stores are more flexible, so read the policy before ordering.
• Faulty items are covered by your consumer rights in both the US and UK, separately from any "change of mind" policy. Keep receipts and take photos of any defect.

If a seller won't help with a genuine fault, our guide to refunds and chargebacks explains the next steps. And because outdoor kit is often discounted, it's worth comparing prices across stores before you buy.