There are those who hate camping, and those who pretend to enjoy it for some reason; Chris Rowlands has the best stowable homes to make them all (relatively) happy

SOLO SLEEPERS

The trekking tarp

Alpkit Tarpstar 1

Every gram matters when you’re trudging towards your Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Want featherweight protection? Ditch the inner compartment and this waterproof pyramid adds just 500g to your load. All you need is one hiking pole to hold up the roof. £160 / alpkit.com

The backpack bivouac

Rab Ridge Raider Bivi

Seasoned adventurers can make a shelter using three sticks and some fern leaves. If the results of your bushcraft are more bare chills than Bear Grylls, add this single-skin bivvy to your pack. Lightweight at 890g, its overhead hoop design makes it roomier than a simple survival sack. £357 / trekitt.co.uk

The handlebar hideaway

MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 1-Person

Between inner tubes and multi-tools, pannier space is at a premium when you’re bikepacking. With room for a single cyclist, this 900g number packs down small and straps to your handlebars. Optional spacers make room for your bell, while the short poles fit between the grips. £450 / elitemountainsupplies.co.uk

REGULAR REFUGES

The pop-up pitcher

Vango Classic Instant 300

Most pop-up tents have the structural rigidity of a breadstick. Not this one: with room for three, it’s rapid to erect yet stable once up. The umbrella-like internal hub structure stops the walls from closing in, and makes it easy to fold away when it’s time to go home to your loving TV. £160 / vango.co.uk

The walk-in wardrobe

Nemo Aurora

A cocoon will keep you cosy, but limited headroom won’t help when it’s time to change out of those disgusting shorts for dinner. Thus this flat-sided shelter for two: backpack-friendly yet roomier than most, its high vertical walls give you plenty of space to manoeuvre. £240 / basecampgear.co.uk

£160 / vango.co.uk

COMMUNAL CANOPIES

The team tepee

Robens Klondike PRS

Traditional tepees are hewn from buffalo hides. This modern version swaps pelts for polyester, but keeps the friendly vibe: with space for six sleepers around the central pole, it features a lantern hanger for late-night storytelling and even a printed star chart for gazing with your comrades. £589 / attwoolls.co.uk

The dimmable den

Berghaus Air 600 Nightfall

The family that camps together argues together. Lots. But a well-designed tent can help keep things harmonious: inflatable beams mean this one has no poles to quarrel over, plus both bedrooms are darkened for longer lie-ins. You can even divide the living area in two. £720 / tiso.com

The canvas cabin

Nordisk Utgard Sky

Few things evoke scouting nostalgia like six people kipping in a classic off-white tent. But unless you like stale farts, you’ll need to earn your ventilation badge. So this one’s made of breathable cotton – and you can unzip one half from the floor and prop up its corners to create a covered porch. £1100 / nordisk.co.uk

HOW TO DECIDE

1 Crowded house Capacity estimates are often on the ‘sardine can’ side of optimistic. If you’re travelling with gear or prefer a bit more personal space, it’s usually better to go one size up from your person count.

2 Weather report Any tent’s your friend when the weather’s set fair, but only some can handle tough conditions. Three-season tents are waterproof and light; four-season jobs can withstand winter wind.

3 Air supply Waterproof fabric might keep you dry, but a completely sealed skin will soon make things stuffy. Some tents use breathable materials, while others have mesh panels for ventilation.

4 The cramps Taller walls mean more headroom, but lower profiles sit tight in the wind. Floor dimensions matter too: some taper to save fabric; others let lankier campers stretch their legs.

The blow-up basecamp

Heimplanet The Cave XL

Whether it’s Everest or Exmoor, hostile environments require sci-fi solutions. Styled like something from Dune, the Cave XL can shield squads of three in the harshest surroundings. One-off assembly complete, pitching is simply a matter of inflating the exoskeleton: from flat to full in less than a minute, its geodesic structure stands firm in all four seasons. Seal the circular portal and, while it won’t deflect blaster fire, it will keep you dry. £799 / heimplanet.com