Choosing a tent – that shouldn't be too hard, a tent's a tent, right? Wrong! Choosing the wrong tent can turn your camping trip from the best fun you've ever had into a miserable endurance exercise which will leave you vowing never to camp again.

Depending on your own needs and priorities, what constitutes a perfect tent will differ from person to person but there are certain considerations that every individual choosing a tent will need to factor into the equation.

Size matters

Tents come in all shapes and sizes from the tiny one-man cocoon to the multi-bedroomed family variety.

A two man tent means just that in most cases, allowing for two average sized people to lie down and nothing more. This is fine if you are on intimate terms with your camping companion and you don't mind sharing your bed with a wet rucksack or muddy boots. However, within the classifications of 'two man', 'three man' tent etc, dimensions vary considerably so check the floor space measurements of your potential purchase and wherever possible consider something slightly larger than your immediate needs to allow for comfort and storage space.

If you are taking your kids camping with you then you may want to consider the possibility of a tent which has separate bedrooms to allow for a little privacy and for the discrepancies in bedtimes.

It is worth bearing in mind though that some of the largest tents now on the market are not allowed in some camp-sites which have size restrictions.

The other consideration you may wish to take into account is that of how you will be transporting your tent. If you intend to be carrying it on your back then weight and dimensions will play a much larger part than if you will just be packing it all in the back of your car.

When and where will you be using your tent

That low cost tent you bought at the discount store may have seemed like a wonderful bargain at the time but will appear less so when you are sitting huddled in it during a downpour, dodging the leaks and wondering if at any moment you and the tent will become one soggy collapsed mess.

If you are purchasing your tent for a weekend festival or a basic trip in the height of summer then you may get by with bargain basement quality, otherwise you will need to be sure that your tent is suitable for where you are taking it and the time of year you intend to camp.

If you are intending to camp somewhere exposed or prone to windy conditions, you will need to be confident that the seams and construction of your tent can withstand the battering or you will end up with a torn and far from waterproof shelter. If on the other hand you are intending to camp in the height of summer, purchasing a tent without adequate ventilation will become torture as the interior becomes oven like and impossible to sleep in.

Summer camping in many ways offers the best conditions for comfortable camping if you have the right gear but you may want to consider purchasing a tent with UV protection. Sunlight weakens both fabric and seams on unprotected tents, compromising their waterproof qualities and considerably shortening their lifespan.

British campers know that, no matter what the season, rain is a possibility. Most modern tents have some degree of water resistance but not all are created equal and a little homework needs to be done on this subject which is a science within itself. All is not lost if the tent you decide on doesn't have the highest level of waterproofing possible as there are many wonderful products on the market which will increase your tent's ability to withstand rain. But beware – badly constructed seams and zips are the most common cause of water ingress in tents and this can't always be improved with a secondary product.

Whatever time of year, it is sensible to ensure the tent you buy is made of breathable fabric otherwise condensation becomes a problem, especially overnight and you, your bedding and other gear will be prone to a creeping dampness or drips.

Those little extras make all the difference

Every year tent manufacturers come up with new innovations leaving campers wondering how they ever coped before. One such advent has been the sewn in ground sheet which forms an integral and gap free tent base, eliminating creepy crawlies and allowing better insulation and all-round protection from ground dampness.

Windows and ventilation flaps vary considerably from tent to tent and need careful consideration. Lack of adequate ventilation in a tent in any season can become a problem as previously discussed. Furthermore, you may wish to choose a tent which has netting covering the flaps and windows to avoid insect invasion.

One extremely handy addition to many modern tents is that of porches or vestibules at the entrance. This can be really useful for storing boots or wet gear and also acts as an area for cooking if the weather is bad. Well constructed porches considerably add to a tent's overall size but again beware; manufacturers often claim that a model of tent includes a porch but on closer inspection it is just an overhead extension flap with no sides and of little use if it's raining. Make sure you see either a well detailed picture of your tent's porch or a real life tent demonstrating the feature.

Side pockets, roof nets and the like all add to a tent's storage capacity and may be something you want to consider as an extra.

How Much to Pay for a Tent?

Where tents are concerned the saying 'you get what you pay for' is particularly apt. A higher price tag often means better quality so wherever possible buy the best tent that you can afford. Bargains are still to be found with end of lines, last year's models and sale times. It can be tempting to go for the cheaper options but you risk a miserable camping experience along with the possibility that after one or two uses the tent will be useless and your initial saving completely negated.

Choosing the right tent, keeping in mind size, the amount of equipment you will need to store, how you will be transporting it and where and when you will be using it, will ensure the most comfortable and enjoyable camping experience for many years to come.