Last updated on February 9th, 2023 at 05:34 pm
Despite its ruggedness, there are a lot of fancy terms in the camping world. You may have even noticed this in some tent descriptions. For instance, some tents are labeled “cabin” tents, while some are “dome” tents. This may have left you wondering, “What is a dome tent?” And, what are the differences between a ‘cabin tent vs dome tent?’
To clear up any confusion, we’re breaking down the difference between cabin tents and dome tents. We’ll also cover everything you need to know about other styles of tent.
What is a Dome Tent
A dome tent is how it sounds, a dome shape. In fact, dome tents are one of the most popular styles of tents for many good reasons. Let’s see if it’s the best one for you by looking at the pros and cons.
Advantages of a Dome Tent
Despite newer styles of tents emerging in recent years, the dome tent remains a favorite. This is because there are many advantages to its dome-like shape.
Pros of a done tent:
- They’re a strong and stable shape that easily deflects wind and water
- Freestanding without stakes
- Easy to assemble
- Affordable
- Tall height in the center of the dome
- Rectangular floor space for easy sleeping
- Compatible with add-ons like vestibules
Disadvantages of Dome Tents
Fortunately, there aren’t too many disadvantages to dome tents.
Depending on your camping style, a big disadvantage could be a lack of standing space, since the walls of the tent slant in.
In fact, we’ve found the best camping chair for sitting outside your tent in our Best Camping Chair post.
Who is a Dome Tent Best Suited For
Dome tents are best suited for:
- campers looking for affordability and durability.
- great for all seasons and weather conditions
If you’re going to be camping in varying weather conditions, a dome tent is a reliable bet.
What is a Cabin Tent
Conversely, a cabin tent is designed to resemble a cabin in its structure.
For instance, they have vertical walls like a cabin, which grants more height inside.
Cabin tents are great for many reasons which we’ll explore below.
Advantages of a Cabin Tent
Cabin tents have unique advantages you might not find in a dome tent, including:
- Very fast set up, especially if it is an instant cabin tent
- Higher height inside, which provides more headroom
- Family-friendly due to extra space
- Feels more “home-like” which is beneficial for multiple days of camping
Disadvantages of Cabin Tents
However, cabin tents aren’t perfect for all occasions.
Some of their disadvantages include:
- Not sturdy against wind and can be blown over if not staked to the ground
- Usually heavy and not very portable
- Difficult to replace built-in tent poles if they break
Who is a Cabin Tent Best Suited For
As a result, cabin tents are excellent for camping in nice weather conditions, with little rain or wind.
They are also great for family camping, since there is more headroom inside.
How to Choose Your Tent
Choosing a tent can be stressful, they’re sometimes a large investment and the stakes are high.
However, there are just a few things to really consider before buying. Or before choosing your favorite between cabin tent vs dome tent.
In What Season will you be Camping
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a tent is what season you plan to camp in. For example, many tents are built according to a season.
Additionally, if you’re looking to camp in all seasons, you’ll want to look into all-season tents.
But if you’ll only be camping during, say, winter, you should make sure your tent is designed to handle cold temperatures.
Furthermore, camping in peak season or the shoulder seasons can get away with a 3 season tent.
Where You’re Camping
Additionally, if you’re bringing the family to camp in the backyard or a meadow in good weather, a cabin tent is a great idea. They’ll offer more space and ease of movement.
However, because they can be bulky and not very portable, they are really only suitable for car camping. Where you can just pull it out at camp and set up.
Conversely, if you’re looking to backpack or camp in rainy or windy conditions, on the other hand, dome tents are the better option. They tend to be lighter and more portable, especially if you choose a backpacking dome tent.
Finally, when it comes to beach camping, cabin and dome tents can both work. Although, keep in mind that the beach tends to be windier, so you’ll need to stake or weigh down your cabin tent very well.
Additionally, if you’re taking your trip off road, check out our 5 Best Truck Bed Tents post.
Budget Considerations
In addition, if you’ve narrowed it down to these two options, there are some budget considerations to consider between a cabin tent vs dome tent.
Due to their larger size, cabin tents tend to run a higher in price than dome tents.
However, this also greatly depends on the type of materials used.
Standard dome tents can run from very affordable to quite expensive, again depending on fabric and materials. Canvas and steel materials will run much higher in price than polyester and nylon tents.
What Size Tent to Get
Furthermore, size is a big factor when it comes to choosing an ideal tent.
Typically, tent sizes are measured by the number of tightly-packed sleeping persons that can fit in the tent. so, a ‘3 person (3P)’ tent will be a tight squeeze for 3, but ample room for 2.
As we mentioned earlier, dome tents have less headspace for standing, since the side walls slope down from the center height. However, if it’s just you or you and another person in a dome tent, this may not matter much.
Moreover, if you’re camping with more people and you’re staying out for several nights, having more space to stand can be refreshing.
Cabin tents have taller ceilings all around so you and others can stand comfortably.
What Tent Performs Better in Heavy Rain?
Finally, due to the aerodynamic shape of dome tents, they perform better in heavy rain and wind.
For instance, domes direct rainwater off the tent and away from its base. As a result, water doesn’t pool in any crevices and leak inside.
Cabin tents, on the other hand, don’t perform the best in heavy rain or wind.
In fact, with their boxy shape, water can pool on the tent roof, leading to leaks, and wind can smash against the vertical walls.
However, to help[ you choose the best for inclement weather, we found all the best options in our Best Dome Tent for Heavy Rain post.
Is a Tent with a Screen Room Worth It?
In addition, a screen room is an attached, screened-in vestibule that comes with many dome tents.
Campers love that they allow you to enjoy fresh air in your tent without insects joining you.
So, a screen room is worth it if you’re camping in a mosquito-heavy area or in the shade.
And, if you need extra room for, say a dog, a couple more sleepers, or lots of gear, a screen room is the perfect answer.
What are Other Different Types of Tents?
A Frames
A-frame tents are tents that are tents with triangular-shaped peaks.
They provide a decent amount of space and are easy to assemble.
However, depending on how tall they are, they can be less durable in inclement weather.
Backpacking Tents
Long backpacking journeys require ultra lightweight materials to keep packs manageable.
So, they are lightweight, foldable, and easy to set up.
Because of this, they may be less spacious than larger options like an a-frame or cabin tent. Also, check out our Best Backpacking Tent for a Tall Person post for tents that fit tall campers.
Geodesic Tents
Have you ever seen an Igloo or dome house? Geodesic tents are the same shape.
Additionally, they are designed to be free-standing. As a result, they’re excellent for camping on rocks.
Plus, they are loved by mountaineers due to their high resistance to rain, wind, and snow.
And, geodesic tents also offer a lot of living space due to their circular design.
Inflatable Tents
Inflatable tents, also called “air tents,” are similar to other tents.
However, they don’t contain any metal or fiberglass poles. Instead, everything, including their “beams” are inflated with air.
The main benefit of inflatable tents is that they are very easy to set up and pack up.
They also fare decently in rain and wind, provided you are able to stake them.
However, the lack of support structure might not be the best for extreme weather conditions.
Multi-Room Tent
Another great choice for car camping and parties, multi-room tents are tents that contain multiple rooms.
These are excellent choices for families, since everyone can be in the same tent, but still have privacy.
They are also great if you need extra storage during a longer camp.
Popup Tents
Popup tents are known for their quick, pop-up assembly.
Because they are easy to use, they are a great tent for beginners or kids. They are also lightweight and portable, which can be a good option for backpacking.
However, popup tents are not the most durable in harsh weather conditions.
Teepee Tents
Teepee tents are canvas or breathable cotton and polyester, and have a conical shape.
These tents may be on the pricier side, but they are durable, weatherproof, and help with temperature control.
Furthermore, some teepees even state that you can have a fire inside them. For instance, their very high and severe roofline allows great air flow and vents smoke from the top.
Obviously, we recommend being very careful with this.
Tunnel Tents
Finally, tunnel tents feature several curved poles to create a longer, tunnel-like shaped(Quonset-style) tent.
This design offers a pretty decent amount of space, making it a great option for several people.
Tunnel tents may take more time to set up, and may not have as much ventilation as other tent varieties.
They are also best for car camping due to their size and weight.
Let the Party Begin
As you can see, there are many types of tents available for all kinds of camping situations and styles. Because they are all so unique, the hardest decision may be choosing just one!
In fact, the technical lingo of the camping industry trips up many people, making for a stressful shopping experience. Which brings many to wonder what sets different styles of tents apart. Especially between a cabin tent vs dome tent.
However, we hope that with the tips above, you’re able to make an informed choice of the best tent for you. Regardless of your style of camping, there’s a perfect tent for you. And, once you find the right one, you’ll be packing up and camping in confidence very soon.
About the Author
Sarah Sampsell
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