When you shop, you’ll need to know what words mean. Let’s clear up some common tent terms so you understand product descriptions!

Footprint – A tent footprint is a piece of fabric, often durable and waterproof, that’s placed under your tent to protect its floor.

Rainfly – A waterproof covering that protects your tent from precipitation and cuts down drafts during windy weather. 

3-Season – An unregulated term for tents with more ventilation that are lighter duty than what’s advertised as 4-season tents. 

4-Season – Another unregulated term that indicates a tent is suited for heavier snow loads and stronger winds that might break lighter-duty poles. They usually have less ventilation as well.

Storm Flaps – That little strip of fabric that covers the zippers on a tent’s doors and windows.

Guy Ropes or Guy Lines – Cords that are used to keep a rainfly taught by staking down away from the tent.

Loft – Lofts are a tent accessory that hangs from the tent ceiling. Often made of mesh, they’re used to dry clothing or suspend a light. 

A-Frame Tent – Just like an a-frame house… but it’s a tent. 

Dome Tent – Tents that are shaped like domes and use interlocking tent poles. 

Double Wall Tent – These tents have a mostly mesh body (inner tent) and solid cover (outer tent) that is staked out to create a gap between the two walls. This design allows for maximum ventilation and condensation control.

Single Wall Tent – These tents have two layers, solid fabric over mesh, combined in a single wall. They mimic the advantages of a double wall tent while minimizing the need for a rainfly.

Dual Apex Tent – These tents have a ceiling that features two high points, ultimately resulting in greater volume inside.

Trekking Pole Tent – Packing tent poles is unnecessary with these tents because they use your trekking poles as support. 

Tunnel Tent – Literally a tent shaped like a tunnel. 

Fast Pitch Mode – Certain double wall tents are able to utilize Fast Pitch, solving the issue of the inner tent getting wet when setting up camp in the rain. With Fast Pitch Mode, hikers can pitch the outer tent first and then hang the inner tent underneath. 

Freestanding Tent – A freestanding tent doesn’t have to be staked down in order to keep walls taunt. They’re helpful in situations where staking is difficult, like on rocky ground or if you have to camp on a wooden platform. 

Line Locks – Pieces of plastic that are used to adjust tension on cords without the need to tie knots. 

Minimum Trail Weight – A term used to describe what a tent weighs without stakes, a stuff sack, or a manual. This number can’t be used to determine your final pack weight but can be useful when comparing tents to make a purchase decision since many backpackers don’t use the stakes that come with a tent. 

Pole Hubs – Connecting points that enable tent designers to offer greater strength and increased interior volume. 

Pole Sleeves – Fabric sleeves that hold tent poles in place rather than pole clips.

Pole Clips – Plastic clips on the exterior of tent walls that snap onto tent poles.

PU (Polyurethane) – An application that is applied to tents to make them waterproof and more durable. 

Vestibules and Garages – These two terms are used to describe an extension of the tent that’s used to protect gear from precipitation. Garages are larger and often used for bikes, while vestibules vary in size but are intended to cover backpacks and small equipment. Both are unscreened and have no floor. Remember that this is NOT where you should store your food! Before you head out, learn about safe food storage practices. 

Ultralight Tent – This term isn’t exactly defined but generally refers to a tent that weighs less than 3 pounds.