According to the Outdoor Industry Association, a whopping 40 million people head to the great outdoors each year to go camping!

Whether you love to camp and like to go as frequently as possible or are just now planning your very first camping adventure, this puts you in very good company.

But just like with any other new skill or hobby, you may find you have a steep learning curve when you are just starting out with camping. There is a lot to learn, including new terminology to help you pick the right Tent – your home away from home!

In this article, learn all about what a Tent Vestibule is, what it does, how it works and how to use it to have the best possible camping experience.

What is a Tent Vestibule?

If you’ve ever come back to your house after sloshing through rainwater or mud or snow, you probably immediately looked for a place to wipe off your feet and remove your shoes before stepping inside.

And if you live in a place where wet or muddy or snowy conditions are common, you may even have an entry way or “mud room” in your home designed for just this purpose.

In your tent, the tent Vestibule is essentially the equivalent of the home mud room. It is the place where you can come in out of the elements, wipe your feet, remove your shoes, dry off a bit and compose yourself before you enter your tent.

In other words, your tent vestibule ensures you can enjoy nature and the great outdoors without having to bring all of it into your tent with you later! While you may not think much about whether you have a tent vestibule in place or not on sunny, dry days, the first moment a storm crops up you will be so grateful you have one – or so regretful that you don’t.

A vestibule typically has a roof but not a floor. Some tents will have an optional front mat you can use under the vestibule.

Obviously, if your tent only has one entry/exit door, your vestibule will always be located there, regardless of whether it is on the front or side of your tent.

There are actually two different kinds of tent vestibule designs. Let’s review them now so you can pick the best design for your preferences and camping destination.

Front tent vestibule

A front tent vestibule may feel the most intuitive. After all, you enter and exit your tent from the front, so that is also where you will want to shake off the elements before entering your tent or prepare to face the elements before you exit your tent.

However, if you are camping in a single tent with a number of other people and you anticipate that everyone will need to store their wet shoes and gear in the vestibule, having a front entry vestibule can make entering and exiting the tent somewhat cluttered and awkward, not to mention perilous.

Some tents have a front vestibule built right into the tent design while others offer this as an optional feature you can put up or take down as needed.

Side tent vestibule

A side tent vestibule that is installed on a secondary entry/exit door is a great alternative to a front tent vestibule, especially if you will be camping in your tent with a number of people who may be entering and exiting at different times.

Often a side tent vestibule is more roomy as well for storing gear and shoes, since there is no concern about blocking off the single door. You can just store all your wet gear and hiking shoes on one side of the side vestibule and keep the main front door clear for people to enter and exit.

A side tent vestibule on a solo (single person) tent may also be roomier with an eye to leaving you some room to just hang out and enjoy the view in the evenings or on stormy days.

But What if My Tent Doesn’t Have a Vestibule?

No big deal really. It’s all personal preference. A vestibule is really more of a luxury than a necessity.

If you’re looking to add on a tent vestibule to a tent you already have. It is possible to buy an aftermarket tent vestibule, either by that same manufacturer or a third party – that will fit the size and style of tent you have purchased.

You may especially want to consider this option if you plan to use your new tent for camping during the rainy or cold season when inclement weather is more likely to occur.

Another alternative to a tent vestibule

If you have bought a tent that does not have a vestibule, you don’t necessarily have to buy an aftermarket vestibule to enjoy the shelter one provides. You can consider using a tent tarp instead.

You may be able to use your tent’s basic structure to support your tent tarp. In some cases, you may need to bring along extra stakes for supporting your tarp.

Why not use a tent vestibule?

If you are hiking into a remote campsite (versus car camping, where your car hauls your heavier gear for you), you will want to factor in the additional weight a tent vestibule can add to your backpack.

This is a matter of very personal preference – just be sure to do a trial run before you leave to test out the extra weight and be sure it is not too heavy.

Wrapping it up

A tent vestibule can be a great addition to your tent and camping gear!

Whether you are just planning ahead in case of an unexpected storm or you want a place outside your tent to store shoes and gear to free up space inside, a tent vestibule offers more flexibility and freedom to customize your camping experience to your preferences.

The post What is a Tent Vestibule? appeared first on Score Survival.