There are many shapes and size of tent to choose from and your decision will depend on the number of people that will sleep in your tent. Most tents are based on five basic designs – dome, tunnel, traverse hoop, ridge and geodesic.  How do you decide which is best to take to your music festivals?

If this is your first time to a festival, it is a good idea to hire a tent before buying one, then you can get a feel for what will suit you.  Alternatively visit a camping exhibition and don’t be afraid to try the tents for size. We will have a vendor selling camping equipment and accessories on-site

Avoid flat groundsheets, and make sure that it is tough, tear-proof and waterproof.  We’ve all seen the photos of music festival go-ers wading around in their wellies in the mud!  Another good tip is to wrap your stuff plastic bags and bin liners – light to carry and waterproof.

Check how easy it is to pitch a tent and take it down before you commit to buying it. Most outdoor retailers are happy to allow you to pitch a tent inside the store in order to view the tent itself. It’s no use buying a tent that requires four people to pitch it if you are planning on going to music festivals on your own!

Ensure the inner and outer fabric is durable and that the outer is waterproof. Waterproof ratings are listed as ‘hydrostatic head’; the higher the hydrostatic head, the more waterproof the material is. Equally, think about the sunshine; hopefully you will enjoy it at some of the music festivals! Polyester and canvas tents are generally tough and resistant to ultra-violet light but nylon is lighter and can be protected from UV by a silicon coating.

Always check that the seams on your flysheet and groundsheet have been sealed in the factory. Many tents are not seam sealed by the manufacturer as reduced manufacturing costs mean that such tents are more affordable. If a tent is not seam sealed, you can to do at home but make sure you leave a few days for the sealant to dry before setting off for your music festivals! Factory seam-sealed seams save you time and are more durable.

Invest a few extra pounds in some essential spares. Get some spare guy lines in case of breakages and a few extra tent pegs, which can be easily, lost, bent or broken. Duck-tape is ideal for quick repairs. Finally, take some spare cord with you to music festivals to repair broken tent peg loops.

At music festivals there'll be a bewildering number of identical looking tents and it's really easy to lose yourself, even in daylight. So it's a good idea to try and make your tent stand out as much as possible. A flag or banner above the tent can help you to spot it from a distance. Be creative!

The LodeStar Festival looks forward to welcoming you in 2007.  For more information contact info@lodestarfestival.com