Most tent names include a number which is supposed to be the tent’s capacity.
I recommend not looking at this number, and keeping in mind the following factors when picking your tent:
- Camper’s measurements – shorter people will not need a tent as large as taller people do
- Size of backpacks – those carrying huge backpacks will also need more room (inside the tent or the vestibule) to store it
- Additional gear (such as bikes, cooking gear) – if you are planning on bike trips or on cooking inside your tent’s vestibule, you will require extra room
As a general rule of thumb, getting a tent that has room for one more person than you are planning to accomodate, will cover your basic storage and space needs with most tents.
