If camping already feels a little overwhelming, figuring out your gear can make it even more intimidating.
Don’t worry—we’ve got you.
In this post, we’re breaking down the basics of tents. The parts. The purpose. The stuff that makes your night out there safer and more comfortable.
We’ll walk through a setup and highlight a few things that confused me when I first started. Because here’s the thing—knowing this stuff before you buy a tent really helps.
It means you can pick a tent that’s actually going to work for you. One that keeps you dry, safe, and sleeping soundly in the middle of nowhere.
1. Ground Cloth
Let’s talk about what goes under your tent.
When you’re shopping, you might see terms like “footprint,” “ground cloth,” or “ground sheet.” They all mean the same thing—a layer that sits between your tent and the ground.
Photo Credit: @onestaaaar (Instagram)
You don’t have to buy the one that comes with your tent. Branded versions are usually pricey. I use a piece of Tyvek I grabbed on Amazon. Super cheap. Works great.
If you’re new to camping, you’re probably trying to save money wherever you can. This is an easy win. Just lay it down before you set up your tent.
Its job? Stop sharp stuff from damaging the bottom. Keep moisture from seeping in. Make your tent floor last longer. One tip—make sure it’s a little smaller than the base of your tent.
If it sticks out and it rains, water will collect on the cloth and slide right under your tent. Not what you want. So keep it tucked in, and you’ll stay dry.
2. Bathtub Floor
Maybe you’ve heard the term “bathtub floor” when it comes to tents.
You’d think it’s self-explanatory, but if you’re new to camping it can be confusing. Like—what is a bathtub floor? Am I supposed to bring soap backpacking?
A bathtub floor is where the floor of the tent curves up the sides, like a tub or bucket.
The benefit is that water doesn’t come in through the bottom edges of the tent. The mesh doesn’t go all the way to the ground—only the solid floor material does.
Most tents nowadays come with a bathtub floor by default. You might still find some really cheap ones that don’t.
Most good manufacturers include them because they help keep water out. That’s exactly what a bathtub floor is.
3. Where to Camp
It tells you exactly where to set up your tent.
Finding a place to hike and camp is often one of the hardest parts of backpacking or camping. That’s where OnX Backcountry comes in.
Photo Credit: @rantingrituals (Instagram)
It’s a phone app that shows you waypoints, water sources, and campsites. The work is basically done for you.
It’s super easy to use—just pinch to zoom.
So if your biggest concern is getting lost or not being able to find a site, I highly recommend downloading OnX Backcountry.
4. Double Wall vs Single Wall
There are double-wall tents and single-wall tents.
Right away you’re thinking—tents have walls? Like drywall? I hope not. That would be way too heavy. Don’t buy a tent if it’s made of drywall.
A double-wall tent has two walls—an inner and an outer. A single-wall tent has just one layer, usually nylon.
The benefit of a single-wall tent is that it’s lightweight. It usually doesn’t need traditional tent poles. You can set it up with trekking poles, which saves weight when backpacking.
But double-wall tents help with condensation. When you’re inside a tent and it’s cold outside, moisture can build up. A double-wall setup lets that moisture collect on the outer wall, not the inside.
That keeps your gear dry. In a single-wall tent, that condensation builds up inside. It can drip on you and your stuff.
So that’s the biggest difference. Double-wall tents are better at keeping the inside dry.
5. Vestibule
Let’s talk about vestibules.
“Vestibule” is a French word—we just looked it up. It means “court entrance,” and dates back to the 17th century.
Not all tents have vestibules, but most do, especially modern ones.
A vestibule is basically an extension off the door of the tent. It’s created by the rainfly being pulled out to form a small awning-like space.
Why is it useful?
It gives you an extra sheltered area outside the tent. You can store your gear—like boots or your backpack—so you don’t bring that mess inside.
You can even cook or eat under a vestibule when it’s raining, which keeps food and smells outside of your sleeping area.
It’s a great little bonus space.
Bonus Tip: Guy Lines
Another thing you’ll come across when shopping for tents is the term “guy lines.”
A guy line is just a cord that helps keep the tent taut and stable.
These help keep the tent in place, especially in wind or bad weather. Most tents also come with extra loops and cords to tie off even more guy lines.
It’s a stability thing.
If you’re camping somewhere with strong wind—like on a ridge—these are really helpful.
One tip: Don’t pull guy lines too tight. If they’re too tight and the weather gets bad, the tent could actually rip.
So just keep them snug, not strained.
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