Small vestibules on the other hand, can make entry into your tent on a wet day difficult.
If you have dogs this may be an ideal space for them to sleep, and you’ll prefer a larger vestibule. But they can also be useful for tucking under and shedding your wet or muddy layers before entering into your dry cozy tent. Giant vestibules can also make getting into and out of the tent more of a process. I find a giant vestibule to be a waste of fly fabric (which is bulky and heavy). Many campers have strong opinions about vestibule size (I am no exception). They can range from incredibly spacious and full height, to barely enough for your shoes. Tent vestibules are great places to store your shoes and your packs (and for some families a great place for dogs to sleep). If you’re just starting out camping, a solid car camping tent is a great investment. But the way those backpacking tents cut down weight is by using ultra lightweight materials (adding cost), and cutting out some “extras” (like pockets, vestibule size, etc.). Our go-to car camping tent is twice the weight and size of our backpacking tent.
The differences between packed sizes of 4 person tents can be significant.
If you’re backpacking with kids, chances are you’re also carrying a lot of their gear and weight and bulk will be very important. What type of camping do you plan to do? Will you be “car camping” or backpacking? If car camping, weight and bulk are less of a concern and you can focus on space and comfort at camp.
SPACIOUS TENTS HOW TO
How to choose the best tent for your family Car Camping Tent or Backpacking Tent?