Festival season is well and truly upon us, and it’s also turned into the summer of the heatwave. If you haven’t got a tent sorted yet, or if you were planning on digging out that old, slightly musty bag of fabric that’s been festering in your loft, might I suggest that now is a good time to invest in a blackout tent?
Over the years, I’ve camped in all kinds of conditions and in all kinds of tents — both for fun and in a previous role as an Outdoors editor — and the one thing I prioritize above all others is blackout fabric in the sleeping area. It makes such a difference, not just to the amount of light that gets in, but to the temperature inside too.
A few years ago some friends and I volunteered at Glastonbury, and part of the deal was that we’d work a night shift. Afterwards, those of us in blackout tents slept happily (okay, semi-happily) past midday; the one friend who came in a non-blackout teepee did not sleep at all. His tent was bright as the sun, and just as hot, from about 8am. Even if you’re not required to stay up all night, good sleep is hard to come by at a festival, so don’t make things even more difficult for yourself.
I’ve scouted around for the best blackout tents you can find right now, and you’ll find my top picks below. I’ve focused on easy-to-pitch and not-too-pricey options, from brands I’ve personally tested and would happily buy from. Happy camping!
