Buy a tent and take your home anywhere! Tents have long been the go-to way of sleeping warm, dry and protected outdoors. Today’s tents are compact, lightweight, and capable of withstanding some nasty weather. Our range of quality camping and hiking tents include options from trusted brands including Nemo, MSR, Mont and Wilderness Equipment. We stock models suitable for one, two and three people. Our selection of tents are ideal for lightweight activities like hiking and mountaineering, but they’ll be great as car camping tents too.

FAQs

What does the season rating on a tent refer to?

It’s not uncommon for tents to be described as being suitable for certain seasons. Typically this will be three-season or four-season. This refers to the typical weather conditions that the tent has been designed to deal with. A three-season tent is generally going to be lighter, have more mesh ventilation and less snow-ready features. A four-season tent, by comparison, will be stronger, have less ventilation and be suitable for use in extreme and snowy conditions.

Does Paddy Pallin stock ultralight tents?

We’re all about the ethos of ‘less is more’ when it comes to the gear you’ll be carrying outdoors. Tents are one of the bigger items you’ll take hiking and a great place to shed some grams. We stock several ultralight tents, from Nemo, Wilderness Equipment, Marmot and MSR. However, we keep in mind that if you’re headed to particularly snowy or extreme environments that an ultralight tent might not be the best choice. 

Which single-person tents are available at Paddy Pallin?

For those who like to hike solo, or just prefer a palace for one, we stock several single-person hiking tents. With several models available from MSR, Nemo and Marmot

Do I need a special kind of tent for camping in the snow?

Not all tents are designed for use in snowy environments. A tent that’s suitable for snow camping will have a few special features. Firstly it will be designed tough, with the ability to handle strong winds and heavy snow loading. The poles are often thicker, and the shape of the tent streamlines for high winds. Winter or snow tents will also typically have a solid fabric inner, rather than a mesh inner like other hiking tents. This is to protect the users from the cold and wind. Look for tents that are described as being four-season or for winter use. If you’re not sure just have a chat with one of our friendly Paddy Pallin staff.  

How should I store my tent?

When you’re out on a hiking or camping trip, it’s totally fine to pack your tent away a bit damp. However, once you get home, always make sure to remove it from the bag and hang it up to air dry. This is also a good time to shake off any lingering dirt or grass. Once the tent is dry, we suggest storing it in a larger mesh or cotton stuff sack (a pillowcase works). As per most outdoor and camping gear: in a well-ventilated area and away from direct sunlight. Top tip: when travelling overseas with tents, especially between Australia and NZ, make sure your tent is spotless, and don’t forget to clean the tent pegs!

Can I buy MSR tents at Paddy Pallin?

MSR, short for Mountain Safety Research is a Seattle based company who are well known for making top quality tents. We stock their classic Hubba and Hubba Hubba NX models which have been in the lineup for multiple years and seen many refinements in that time. 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a dome tent compared to a tunnel tent?

In our tent range, there are two main design types of tents available. Those that are based around a dome structure and those that use a tunnel based design. Dome tents will usually pole in each corner that crosses over in the centre or join with a central hub. This style of tent is easy to erect, is typically free-standing, has decent head-room and provides plenty of interior space. Typically they are not ideal for really extreme conditions unless the tent is reinforced with additional poles and support. Tunnel tents use a tunnel-like shape, with a series of two or three poles, each bent for form arches along the length of the structure. Tunnel tents are also not free-standing and require pegs at each end of the tunnel. They are typically a little lower internally but do make excellent choices for snow and high winds. When orientated in-line with the prevailing winds, a good tunnel tent can handle some super nasty weather! 

For two people, should I get a two or three-person tent?

While a two-person tent may seem like the obvious choice for two people, don’t immediately discount a three-person option. If keeping the overall packed size and weight to a minimum is your priority then stick with a 2p tent. However if you’d like a little extra space and prefer to keep your gear inside with you, a three-person tent could be a better option. If you’re tall, it might just be more comfortable as well. For any prolonged stays you’ll likely appreciate the extra room!