The great outdoors: 10 best tents

Iain suggests choosing a tent with a sleeping capacity designed to accommodate one or two more people than is actually required. “Other things worth considering are standing room/head height, living room space, number and location of entrance doors and the quality of materials used.”

Once you have identified a tent that ticks all your boxes, shop around online for the best deal as some will be reduced by huge amounts. “Take advantage of the specialist camping shops on the high street where you can get expert advice and see the tents standing,” says Iain.

To help start you off, we’ve picked the best tents available this Spring, from the Force Ten Helium Carbon 200, which is a godsend for hikers, right through to the Gelert Atlantis 5, a great option for families.

Click on the gallery to see the IndyBest buys

Verdict:

For family camping, the Vango Lumen 600XL is as good as it gets, according to Iain. Meanwhile for weekend trips, your best bet is the Coleman Instant Dome 5. For those on a tighter budget, we’d recommend the Urban Escape Atago 5.

Buy now

1. Vango Lumen V 600 XL, £900

2. Coleman Instant Dome 5, £119

3. Outwell Newgate 5, £899

4. Vango Ark 300 +, £114.99

5. Force 10 Helium Carbon 200, £395

6. Urban Escape Atago 5, £180

7. Eurohike Tamar 2 Man Tent, £30

8. Gelert Atlantis 5, £147.22

9. Jack Wolfskin Time Tunnel III RT, £330

10. Elc UV Sun Tent, £25

See our round-up of 10 best festival tents here.