Poles

• The breathable fabric body of the camping tent cannot stand on its own. Most free-standing camping tents are held in place with a series of poles. Recreational camping tents feature fiberglass poles, while backpacking tents often have aluminum poles. A specialized design of the camping tent, known as the pop up tent, does not require you to assemble the poles. Remove the pop up tent from its carrying case and watch as it spring into shape.
  
  

Capacity

• Tents used for camping in the woods are categorized by their capacity. Solo tents allow one person to sleep comfortably while camping in the woods. Backpacking tents come in higher capacity models that can house up to four campers. According to the camping experts at REI, family and cabin-style camping tents are designed to comfortably sleep families of four or more. The sloping dome tent generally has a smaller capacity than family style models.
  
  

Features

• Top-of-the line camping tents are equipped with a few special features. Cabin-style tents used for camping in the woods generally have room dividers for better privacy. A convenient feature of the camping tent, known as the awning, extends over the entrance. Store your hiking boots under the awning to avoid dirtying the interior of the tent. According to ABC of Hiking, top-rated camping tents feature a polyurethane coating that helps to prevent water from seeping through the fabric.
  
  

Price

• If you don't camp in the woods on a regular basis, you may not want to extend your budget for a top-of-the-line tent. Many discount shops carry family tents at an affordable price. Outdoor specialty stores carry family-style camping tents that can cost upwards of $500. If you want a backpacking tent that is equipped with special features, you can expect to pay top dollar. As of 2011, backpacking tents generally range in price between $100 and $500.