Before heading into the bush, beach or wherever we’re headed, each tent undergoes a full inspection and baseline setup to make sure what’s promised on paper matches reality.

• Unboxing and Component Check - We confirm all components are present and as advertised: fly, inner tent, poles, pegs, guy lines, stuff sacks, repair kits and footprint (if included). Any missing or substituted parts are documented.

• Material and Construction Assessment - We look for weak points such as loose threads, incomplete seam taping or plastic hardware likely to fail under tension. We also closely examine:

  • Fabric quality (fly and inner denier, coatings, mesh integrity)

  • Seam sealing and stitching consistency

  • Pole material and joint quality

  • Zippers, toggles, guy points and attachment systems

• Weight and Packed Size Check - Using scales and measuring tools, we record the specs. These are compared against manufacturer specifications to make sure our reviews are transparent for weight-conscious hikers. These specs inlude:

  • Total packed weight (including poles, pegs, stuff sacks)

  • Minimum trail weight (tent, fly, poles only)

  • Packed dimensions and compressibility in its sack

• First-Time Pitch Test - We also assemble the tent fresh out of the bag to test setup clarity, pole architecture, intuitive design and time required to pitch. We note if instructions are clear, colour-coded components work simply enough and whether one person can pitch it without help.

Each tent is field-tested over multiple nights in real hiking conditions, such as sheltered bush camps and exposed alpine ridges. We do this to test the tent’s performance and liveability. Some of what we test includes:

• Wind Resistance and Stability - During breezy or gusty conditions, we test how well the tent holds shape, resists deformation and maintains tension. We watch for flutter, pole flex and anchoring reliability when guy lines are fully deployed.

• Rain and Weatherproofing - We see how the tent fares when it’s raining (we’ve also tested some with controlled hose testing). We also check how easy it is to enter/exit without letting rain into the inner canopy. We monitor:

  • Fly fabric waterproofness and beading

  • Seam leakage or inner condensation

  • Ground seepage through floor material

• Ventilation and Condensation Control - Another element we test is sleeping in the tent during humid or cold conditions to check how the tent ventilates. We rate airflow efficiency, vent placement and how well the tent mitigates overnight condensation on the inner walls. This is very important for warm environments.

• Internal Space and Livability - Multiple of our testers test the tents to determine how liveable they feels on longer trips or in bad weather. Some of what they check include:

  • Floor space (sleeping mat fit, shoulder and head clearance)

  • Vestibule storage capacity (packs, boots, gear)

  • Ability to sit up, change clothes or cook in vestibule (if safe)

• Ease of Use in Real Conditions - We also try to test the tents in ways people would use them in varying situations, such as at night. For example, zipping doors in the dark, adjusting vents, re-tensioning guys in the wind, re-entering the tent with wet gear and how forgiving the design is when fatigued or wearing gloves.

Durability is so important for tents, as they’re gear that will be used for extended periods. Due to this, we subject each model to repeated setup cycles and exposure to typical backcountry wear.

• Pitching and Packing Repetition - The tent is pitched and packed multiple times to test:

  • Pole fatigue or splintering

  • Peg bending or deformation

  • Fabric wear around stress points and pole sleeves

• Abrasion and Ground Contact - We use the tent on various surfaces (grass, gravel, compacted dirt) and monitor for floor abrasion, scuffing and any coating wear. If a footprint is recommended, we test with and without to note differences.

• UV and Weather Exposure - Where possible, we leave the fly pitched in sunlight to monitor fading, hydrostatic head degradation or fabric delamination. We also keep the tents exposed to moisture for long periods to test for mould or odour retention.

• Hardware and Component Stress - Zippers are opened and closed repeatedly, guy points tensioned hard and toggles tested for breakage. We also take note of any failure of line locks, pole clips or Velcro attachments.

Beyond tent performance, a great hiking tent must be practical in real trail scenarios.

• Setup Speed and Solo Pitching - We time setup and pack-down, testing both in good conditions and when we’re tired. We rate whether the tent can be pitched by one person in wind or rain.

• Packability and Gear Integration - We see how easily the tent repacks into its bag, how much space it take up in a hiking pack and whether poles or fly can be packed separately for load sharing.

• Modularity and Versatility
  We also test alternate pitch options: fly-only fast pitch, inner-only bug setup (if supported) and ability to withstand shoulder-season conditions with snow or frost.

Each tent is scored across five core categories to fairly reflect real-world priorities. Rather than focusing on a single metric, we balance comfort, construction, features, size/weight and versatility to understand how well a tent performs for different types of people.

Comfort - We assess internal space, headroom, ventilation, and how livable the tent feels over multiple nights. Tents that balance space with warmth and airflow score highest.

Construction - This covers material quality, stitching, pole strength, seam sealing and overall durability. Tents built to withstand repeated pitching and harsh weather score higher..

Features - We test practical additions such as vestibules, storage pockets, gear lofts, ventilation panels and ease-of-use details like colour-coded poles or quick-release buckles.

Size/Weight - We factor in packed size, trail weight and how manageable the tent is to carry or store. Ultralight models are scored favourably for hiking, while heavier tents are judged within context.

Versatility - We consider how adaptable the tent is across different environments and uses. Tents that handle both warm and wet conditions, or transition between car camping and hiking, score higher.

Each tent is scored out of 10 across core performance categories. These scores are then weighted to produce our overall rating. This transparent system makes sure no tent excels by strength alone, only by overall performance and suitability for real-world camping.

Scores are normalised and adjusted for exceptional performance (ultralight tents with high protection or heavy tents with fantastic stability). We try to be as transparent as possible, so strengths and weaknesses are noted down.

Our goal is to provide hikers with honest, experience-based insights that go beyond specs, making sure their tent choice stands up to real-world adventure.