Travel Tents

What a travel tent is

A travel tent is one you take with you on a wider journey rather than to one campsite: in the boot on a road trip, in a suitcase on holiday, or on a bike or a train. What matters most is how small it packs and how easily it goes up somewhere new. This range is small and choosy. It holds two light double-layer tents that pack to a tube, an instant family tent with two rooms, and a sand-proof blanket for the beach on the way.

Light tents, an instant family tent and a blanket

• The Mongar UL is a light double-layer tent for one or two, three-season, made for hiking, backpacking and travel camping. See backpacking and trekking tents.
• The Cloud Up 3 is a double-layer tent with aluminium alloy poles and waterproof nylon, for up to three or four. See 3-man tents.
• An instant pop-up family tent has two rooms, one for sleeping and one for living, and goes up without poles or tools. See two and three room tents.
• A waterproof, sand-proof blanket folds small, in 150 by 200cm or 100 by 150cm. See picnic shelters and mats.

Packed size against your bag

For travel, the packed size matters as much as the weight. The Mongar UL packs to a roll about 14cm across and 40cm long for one person, or 15 by 41cm for two, and weighs about 1.34kg or 1.67kg packed. That fits across the bottom of a large suitcase or the side of a rucksack. Measure the bag before you buy, and remember the pegs and poles are the parts that poke through.

Pitching somewhere new

A travel tent goes up on ground you have not seen. Practise at home so you are quick, and carry a few spare pegs: the ones in the bag may not suit sand, stony ground or hard campsite grass. See tent pegs.

Single or double layer

A double-layer tent has a breathable inner tent under a waterproof flysheet. The gap lets the moisture you breathe out escape, so less condensation drips on your sleeping bag, and the flysheet makes the porch. A single-layer tent is one waterproof skin: lighter and quicker to pitch, but damp inside on a cold, still night. All three tents here are double layer. See double layer and single layer tents.

Questions people ask about travel tents

Which travel tent suits a family?

The instant pop-up tent with two rooms. It is bigger and heavier than the others, so it suits the car boot better than a suitcase.

Can I take a tent on a plane?

Ask your airline before you fly, as each sets its own rules for pegs and poles. Many people pack those in the hold bag.

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.

More to look at

• Backpacking and trekking tents
• Hiking tents
• Bike and bikepacking tents
• Instant and automatic tents
• 2-man tents
• Tent bags
• Guide: Backpacking and trekking tents