What a 5-man tent really fits
The number on a tent's label is the number of sleeping mats that fit side by side on the floor, with nothing else inside. A 5-man tent sleeps five close together, which in practice suits a family of four with room for bags, or five for a short trip. Many 5-man tents split that space into a bedroom and a living area, and then the "five" is counted in the bedroom alone. Read the floor plan on each product.
Inflatable, tipi, pop-up or two-room: which 5-man tent
- Inflatable tents are a big part of this range. Air beams in place of poles go up with a pump, with no poles to break. See inflatable air tents.
- Two and three room tents give separate bedrooms, so adults and children can sleep apart. See two and three room tents.
- Tipi and pyramid tents are tall in the middle, and several take a stove. The 500PRO tipi here, for example, is 240cm tall at the pole. See tipi tents.
- Pop-up and instant tents open in a minute or two. See pop-up tents.
Room to stand and room to sit
At this size, headroom and a living area matter more than weight, because the tent goes in the car. A tent you can stand up in makes dressing and packing far easier, and a living area gives everyone somewhere to sit when it rains. See one bedroom and living room tents and tents with a porch.
What the waterproof rating means on a 5-man tent
The rating in millimetres, the hydrostatic head, is the height of a column of water the fabric holds back before it leaks, tested to BS EN ISO 811. About 1,000mm is the lowest rating usually called waterproof, most lightweight flysheets are 1,500mm to 3,000mm, and more is worth having for long wet trips or a family tent left up for days. The groundsheet is often rated higher, because you kneel and lie on it. Taped seams matter as much as the number. Shop by rating: to 2,000mm, to 3,000mm and 5,000mm and over.
Questions people ask about 5-man tents
Is a 5-man tent big enough for a family of four?
Yes, and it is the size many families of four choose: four beds with room for bags. For a week away, or with older children, a 6-man tent with a separate living area is worth a look.
Which 5-man tents are for winter?
A 4-season tent: stronger poles, and a snow skirt round the bottom of the flysheet to stop wind and snow blowing underneath. See 4-season tents, and hot tents with a stove jack for tents that take a stove. Never take a barbecue or a stove without a flue into a tent: carbon monoxide kills. With a hot tent, use its own kind of stove and a carbon monoxide alarm.
How long does a 5-man tent take to pitch?
Pop-up, instant and inflatable tents go up fastest. Pole tents take longer the first time, so pitch a new tent in the garden before your trip.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when that tent usually arrives, so check it before ordering for a set date.
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