Originally Posted by
Kyle Boatright
Dome tents are the best shape for strength to weight. Low profile helps a lot in wind. A rainfly that goes all the way to the ground is critical if there is blowing rain.
But the most important thing in the whole equation (IMO) is buying a tent made of quality materials. The first indicator of that is the material used to make the poles. Aluminum poles are far superior to fiberglass poles and are indicative of the quality of the remainder of the tent.
FYI, I was at Sloshkosh and have been to a dozen other Oshkoshes and SnF's where there have been huge thunderstorms. My aluminum poled, low profile dome tents have never collapsed or leaked, unlike those of some of the poor folks I've seen the morning after a storm where they were using their airplane as a drying rack for everything they brought to the show after their tent failed.
I remember one year (2004?) I took my wife and we camped in Homebuilt camping. At about 6:00 that evening, we barely made it back inside the tent as a huge storm rolled in. The heavens opened, winds blew, lightning flashed for hours. We stayed completely dry, but when we got up in the morning it was obvious (unfortunately) that many of the people around us had experienced leaks or tent collapses overnight. No thank you...