Family tents can fall into one of the following categories:

• Cabin tents: Are usually made up of fiberglass or aluminium poles that fit together to create the frame, a main structure with solid or mesh panels, and a removable rainfly that adds wind and rain protection. Their main advantage is the huge living space and head clearance they provide – most cabin tents are over 2 metres tall, which is sufficient for most people to stand and move freely. However, their wind and rain resistance is only average. They also have removable panels that allow you to divide it into a living room and a bedroom area. Furthermore, most cabin tents also have a covered porch area.
• Dome tents: Are often made up of two flexible poles that cross on top of the tent. Most dome tents are instant or pop-up in style, taking under 5 minutes to set up. They also pack reasonably compact but provide a smaller living space than cabin tents. Their rain resistance is superior to the cabin tents, but they are less resistant to wind.
• Tunnel tents: Combine the design of dome and cabin, providing a generous living space as well as good wind and rain protection. Together with the geodesic tents, they are an excellent choice for family camping in adverse weather or at higher elevations. Besides the standard structure with poles, you can also choose from a range of inflatable tents. An inflatable tent uses air beams rather than aluminium or fibreglass poles, a feature that increases the tent’s resistance to wind. The Outwell Airville 6SA is a fine example of inflatable tent (also called air tent) for families.