Outdoor Blog

Can You Rent a Tent for Camping?

Published

5 years ago

January 13, 2021

Of all the camping gear out there, a tent is one of the most essential. Although you can go camping without a tent, it’s much more comfortable and helps to keep the rest of your gear out of the elements if you have a good tent to sleep in.

Bringing your own tent isn’t always possible. Many avid campers don’t own a tent, or it might be a situation where camping is last-minute or too far away to pack the tent with you. Perhaps you want to test out a new tent before you buy it.

Camping tent rentals are a reality in most places and become more popular for campers who don’t want to make a huge investment in new camping gear. Read on for the full rundown!

You can still get the full camping experience with a rental tent.

Why tent a tent?

The initial investment for some tents is quite large. Group tents and models with special features are built with convenient design features and building materials that cost more to manufacture.

In some cases, the tent is rented out by the campground or a nearby business. In that scenario, renting a tent can save time and prevent you from having to cart a tent all the way back to another location. Camping tent rentals make camping more accessible to people without cars or people who live a long way from their camping destination.

First-time campers and those who only head into the backcountry infrequently may not need to have a camping tent on hand at all times. Hikers, for example, commonly rent camping gear for one night so they can complete a long out-and-back trail without spending too much.

Where can I rent a tent?

REI is one of the best-known places to rent tents. There are also some online companies such as Outdoors Geek, which will ship your rental gear to any FedEx location that accepts deliveries.

A plethora of smaller companies rent gear face-to-face or online. Campers might be able to find local options to rent tents depending on where the camping trip will be. Online rental companies are generally more convenient since they can ship your camping gear close to your destination.

Peer-to-peer tent rental companies also exist. The sharing economy, which is most famous for spawning companies like Airbnb and Uber, now allows owners of camping equipment to lease it out to others. This option may continue expanding, but it’s still in the beginning stages for many of the platforms that offer it, so you might not be able to find someone to rent a tent from locally.

Renting vs buying a tent

While there is a certain freedom to owning your own camping gear, renting is better for short-term use. Die-hard campers who spend lots of time in the backcountry typically prefer to have their own gear because they get used to it and build all the elements in their rucksack to work together.

For others, an inexpensive tent is enough. Perhaps you live in sunny SoCal where the tent won’t have to last through much rain or severe weather. If you know you’re only going to go camp when the weather is nice, then a tent for under $100 might be good enough for your needs.

However, renting a tent makes much more sense for campers who want to go on sporadic camping trips with fully loaded tents. Trying out new models or tents large enough to accommodate groups of campers is generally much cheaper if you rent.

People going to camp for special events like music festivals also benefit from renting tents. So much camping gear gets left behind at big music festivals that it’s become a big environmental concern, so renting a tent in that situation is a good idea for everyone.

How does a tent rental work?

It depends on where you rent your tent. REI locations allow you to go in person or call your local retail location by phone to reserve your gear. This is great for first-time and new campers who aren’t sure about their gear and want to see it. Plus, the sales associates can give helpful advice.

Online rental locations usually allow users to scroll through available tents and select the one they want. If you aren’t too picky about your gear and you can already tell what will be enough for your outdoor getaway, then the online catalog should work fine.

Most companies have a limit on the number of days you can have each rental. Some will let you take out tents for weeks at a time while others are more limited. Local shops with less gear probably limit their rental periods more if they have a high demand.

Once you have your rental period defined and tent selected, the store should tell you when and where you can pick it up. REI and other in-person shops will more than likely have you pick up your tent at that location, while online rental companies tend to ship the gear to you via FedEx or a similar company.

They include a return label with your rental so all you have to do is take it back to the shipping facility where you picked it up and send everything back. All told, this is one of the easiest ways to get your hand on a temporary tent without having to drag it around.

Renting larger tents is typically cheaper than buying them.

Features to look for in rental tents

The kind of camping trip you’re taking will determine which kind of tent you need to rent. If you’re backpacking by yourself, a one-person tent that’s ultralight and will fit in your rucksack will suit you best. You could also spring for a two-person tent to give yourself some extra room.

Glamping tents are an option for people who want to enjoy the great outdoors in style. Bear in mind that these are much larger and may require special handling to transport to your chosen campsite.

Here are a few other considerations to make when deciding which tent you should rent:

High-Quality Material: Canvas tents are the best for their sturdy construction. But you also have to make sure the seams of the material are will-stitched to prevent rain or dew from leaking into the tent. A ripstop bottom that won’t take damage from the ground and keep groundwater out is also a good idea. Remember that you’re going to be on the hook for damage to the tent. Look for a ten built out of high-quality material to make sure you’re protected and won’t have to fork over a fee because weak tent material got damaged.

Additional Features: Maybe you don’t need to have a satellite dish on your rental tent, but some convenient additions like gear bags, instant assembly, and awnings can help make your camping trip even easier. If you’re worried about bad weather, look for a tent that has a rain fly included with the rental. Families and groups who are going to share a tent might want to find a model that has room dividers for additional privacy.

Tent Season: If you’re going out during spring or summer, you might be able to get away with a 3-season tent. These more lightweight models are built to keep out a moderate amount of precipitation and bugs. They also tend to have mesh to facilitate better airflow in the tent. Extended season tents have less mesh and more poles so that they’re more sturdy and warmer in cooler fall and spring weather. 4-Season tents are meant for really cold temperatures and heavy snowfall. Believe it or not, there are some campers who need mountaineering-grade tents.

Number of Doors: One-person backpacking tents usually have one door or even just a flap. Groups of two or more who are going to be camping together might want to rent tents with more doors so that they can get in and out of the tent without stepping all over each other or waking their fellow camper.

Shape: Cabin vs Dome: A cabin-style tent is more square and offers a roomier interior. The walls are straighter than dome-style tents and the roof is going to be higher across more of its area. Dome-style tents have rounded roofs that are generally lower than cabin tents except in the center. Although the curved top reduces the available livable space in the tent, it also helps the dome withstand high winds better.

Ventilation: Whether you’re the only one in the tent or sharing it with others, you’re going to want a tent that can let some fresh air in if you’re camping in warm weather. If you don’t find a tent with good ventilation, the sun might warm up the inside of your tent and wake you up much earlier than you want it to. Fresh air inside the tent also helps reduce the amount of moisture and condensation. It’s never pleasant to feel muggy. If you’re camping in cold weather, a clammy tent will make you feel trapped by the harsh weather conditions.

Can you rent other camping gear?

Depending on what company you use, you can find lots of other camping gear for rent, including sleeping bags, mattress pads, snowshoes, camping stoves, headlamps, and cookware. Most places will let you rent these things one by one or as an entire camping package as you prefer.

This is where renting instead of buying comes in handy. If you rent the whole camping package, you won’t only be saving money on a backpacking tent. You’ll have everything you need for an overnight camping trip and you won’t have to worry about where to store it when you get home.

It might seem unbelievable that they can ship all of this so easily, but most camping tents pack down to a surprisingly small size. You can even rent backpacking rucksacks with your gear. When you arrive at the facility to pick it up, you can pack everything and hit the road to begin your epic backcountry adventure.

What if I don’t know how to use my rental gear?

Rental companies want you to have a good time with their gear. That’s why so many of them have customer service departments to help you figure out how to set up tents, like camping stoves, and get the most out of the camping gear you rent from them.

That’s one advantage companies have over the P2P option. Some individuals who rent their camping gear out may be happy to provide advice while others may not want to rent out their equipment to amateurs at all in case they accidentally damage it.

The companies who rent out gear often make a point to help people learn. REI is famous for this, hosting classes and events. The internet is also filled with camping aficionados who have made exhaustive efforts to make videos and walkthroughs for curious people.

How much does renting tents cost?

Generally speaking, these rental companies base the cost of renting each item on the retail value of the item. For example, an online rental company may charge around 15% of the total cost of a tent. They usually increase the per-day amount the longer you rent the tent.

There are a few reasons why they do this. For one, the longer you have the tent out, the more likely it will be damaged. These companies don’t want to build a reputation for sending out damaged gear, so they have to spend money to repair items if they’re broken.

They also want as many people as possible to use these items. Getting as many people as possible out into nature is kind of the main idea behind renting out camping equipment.

What brands are available for rent?

Tons of popular outdoor brands are available for rent. Depending on the specific rental company, ALPS Mountaineering, Marmot, MSR, North Face, and Big Agnes are just some of the names you can usually find.

The newer and bigger brand-name tents are going to come at a premium. However, you can sometimes find older models of really nice tents from these leading brands for a great price. Even with the newest models, renting them for a short time is going to be much, much less than buying them.

Renting gear: the trial run

One of the most common reasons people have for renting specific gear is because they want to try it out and see if they like it. Newcomers to camping and other outdoor leisure activities want to see if they like spending a few nights in the backcountry and more seasoned enthusiasts rent tents to see if they like the particular model.

Here’s a pro-tip: some rental companies have rent-to-own policies. How they work varies from place to place, but before you rent, check and see if the rental company has one. If they do, that means you can offer to buy the gear you rent if you like it. Some will even apply the cost of your rental to the final purchase price. There’s no better way to test gear out than to take it into the backcountry and see how it performs in real conditions.

Buying gear from rental companies

You can also buy used gear from these rental companies. They have to make room for new rental stock as manufacturers continue to improve their products. Sometimes you can find great camping gear that’s still comparatively new and still in great working condition. Best of all, since the company needs to get rid of it and has already made some money renting it out, they let this equipment go for a fraction of the price.

If you’re on the fence about renting gear or you aren’t picky about which tent you have, consider buying your first tent from a rental company. You can probably arrange to rent it and test it out first. For peace of mind and confidence in a product, rental companies are the place to go.

Renting a tent is the perfect way to test it out under real conditions.

Final Verdict:

You can rent all kinds of tents and other camping gear from a few different sources. Online retailers will ship the rental gear to your location or an intermediary shipping location like FedEx, while brick and mortar stores and P2P services allow you to pick it up from the renter.

In some cases, you can even buy the equipment you rent if you like it enough. Renting a tent allows first-time campers to get out into nature to see how they fare. More experienced enthusiasts can test gear or get too far away locations without hauling their own equipment long distances.

For campers of all experience levels, renting a tent is the best no-hassle way to experience a few nights in the great outdoors.

Bonus tip: Use these camping hacks and tricks to make your next camping trip even easier!

Outdoor Blog

How to Take Your Own Internet to Outdoor Events

Published

1 week ago

October 18, 2025

Jonas Muthoni

You’ve got the permits, the lineup, the stage design, and the crowd — but when it comes to WiFi, outdoor events can turn from dream festivals to data dead zones in minutes. Reliable connectivity is now as essential as power or sound. Whether it’s a music festival streaming to TikTok, a food fair using mobile POS systems, or a corporate brand activation relying on live dashboards, the internet connection is what keeps the gears turning.

But the truth is this: counting on venue WiFi at a large outdoor event is a gamble. Hundreds of devices fighting for the same bandwidth can jam up the signal before the headliner gets on stage. Public networks only have one backhaul connection, so your production crew, security cameras, and vendors could all be fighting with concert-goers streaming YouTube in the crowd.

So, if your aspiration is to keep the event chugging along like clockwork, the genius move is to bring your own internet — designed specifically for the occasion, private, and controlled by your event staff.

Why Venue WiFi Fails When Crowds Arrive

Let’s start with the numbers. According to Cisco’s 2024 Annual Internet Report, the average person now connects four to six devices at live events — phones, wearables, tablets, scanners, and streaming gear. Multiply that by 5,000 or 50,000 people, and you’re looking at a digital traffic jam.

Outdoor locations have a very minimal amount of wired infrastructure. The majority utilize older systems or common fiber links, which were not designed for thousands of users at once. When the signal is over-stretched, latency increases, access points fail, and the network grinds to a halt.

For event organizers, this is not only inconvenient — it’s a safety and revenue gamble. POS terminals won’t work. QR ticket scanners crawl. Even backup communication programs freeze.

The Smarter Solution: Creating Your Own Network

Constructing a stand-alone network for an outside event may seem daunting, but technology has made it relatively achievable. Instead of relying on one provider or tower, professional crews now use several sources of the internet to deliver redundancy and stability.

Outdoor WiFi specialists use multi-carrier cellular bonding, satellite uplinks, and WAN smoothing to keep traffic consistent even when one source is down. It’s a lot like having several water pipes feed one tank — if one pipe gets stopped up, others keep the flow consistent.

The best configuration depends on three variables:

Location: Urban park, remote valley, rooftop, or open desert all have different signal profiles and line-of-sight challenges.
Bandwidth Demand: Are you providing power to a 50-person AV crew or streaming to a million online viewers?
Duration: A day-long music festival versus a week-long brand tour will change the way you plan power, cooling, and redundancy.

Professional crews will often pre-deploy with site surveys — gauging carrier strength, spectrum congestion, and potential sources of interference such as LED walls or nearby broadcast towers.

Lessons from the Field

Outdoor WiFi would be a niche specialty, but in today’s world it’s simply part and parcel of modern event production. In the last decade, TradeShowInternet’s teams have helped support hundreds of big outdoor festivals and corporate activations, and there have been a few hard-won lessons along the way.

There was the time crews climbed a half mile up the flank of a Santa Fe mountain with over 200 pounds of gear to put in a solar-powered relay antenna for Red Bull’s Guinness World Record truck jump. A second assignment involved digging cable trenches through snake country in Los Angeles for Christian Dior’s fashion show.

When Univision taped La Banda on the beach in Miami, technicians climbed a 20-foot truss into a lightning storm to raise antennas. These are probably war stories, but they represent reality: each outdoor location introduces its own wildcards. Wind, weather, terrain, and local RF noise all push the limits of planning.

The lesson? Experience is as important as gear. Knowing when to use additional directional antennas, when to flip to satellite failover, or how to protect a router from 100-degree heat isn’t something you can read in a manual.

The Technical Side: How Redundant Networks Keep Events Alive

This is how seasoned outdoor internet crews engineer reliability into temporary networks:

Multi-Carrier Bonding: Equipment stitches together data from multiple cellular carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) to maximize bandwidth and fill signal gaps.

WAN Smoothing: Packets are duplicated and relayed on secondary paths to prevent noticeable drops or hiccups in live streams.
Satellite Integration: Especially when out at remote sites or in mountain events where cell phone reception is spotty.
5G + LTE Hybrid Units: Combining newer high-bandwidth 5G networks with more predictable LTE offers well-rounded throughput.
Portable Mesh Access Points: Create overlapping areas of WiFi that eliminate dead spots across vast grounds or over tented locations.
Power & Weather Protection: Ranging from Pelican case enclosures to solar power solutions, all of which ensure uptime regardless of adverse weather conditions.

It’s a multi-layer strategy — not one device straining the load, but several working in tandem to handle bandwidth, robustness, and coverage.

Why Your Vendors, AV Staff, and Guests All Need Their Own Network Layer

External events normally have three distinct user communities that require the internet:

Production and AV Personnel – operation of live feeds, mixing panels, lighting, and communications programs.
Vendors and POS Devices – card transaction processing, QR menus, and inventory software.
Guests and Media – posting, uploading, or taking part in brand interaction activity.

Mixing them all on one open WiFi is risky. It provides security vulnerabilities and causes too much congestion. The preferred method is network segmentation, creating separate virtual networks that prioritize mission-critical traffic (production, POS, security cameras) and restrict non-mission-critical use like social browsing.

This is exactly how professional outdoor WiFi & Internet solution companies like TradeShowInternet build event systems. They design bespoke topologies that match the unique demands of every event, whether a food festival, marathon, or big corporate activation.

Budgeting and Planning: What Organizers Should Know

According to EventMB’s 2024 Event Technology Report, 73% of event planners say maintaining a reliable connection is important to attendee happiness, yet less than half have a standalone internet budget in place upfront while planning. That’s a recipe for last-minute scrambling.

For all to run smoothly, the network plan needs to be created alongside stage design and power planning — not an afterthought.

Some planning advice:

Start early: Conduct site surveys at least 30 days ahead of the event.
Prioritize wired backbones: Use fiber or Ethernet in production areas whenever possible.
Segregate guest WiFi: Utilize bandwidth caps or sponsored captive portals to control usage.
Redundancy: Cellular + satellite bonding is well worth the investment for mission-critical space.
Post-event review: Collect performance data to inform next year’s plan.

Real-World Use Cases

Outdoor connectivity is not just for music festivals. It’s a necessity for:

Marathons and triathlons – for timing chips, live maps, and emergency co-ordination.
Outdoor conferences or summits – where executives require office-grade internet to make presentations.
Food truck festivals and markets – all vendors need POS access.
Film and TV productions – production villages rely on low-latency connections for uploads.
Races and motorsport events – telemetry, live scoring, and media streaming.

Each of these environments needs a different trade-off among coverage area, upload speed, and mobility.

Why Experience Matters for Outdoor Internet Installations

Each outdoor location is unique. Trees, humidity, metal buildings, even bodies of water can affect wireless performance. Having individuals who’ve done hundreds of installations means fewer surprises and faster repairs when something unexpected happens.

That’s where TradeShowInternet, a leading outdoor WiFi & Internet solution company, comes in. The company has built up networks on deserts, beaches, helipads, mountain ridges, and pop-up brand villages — keeping organizers, vendors, and AV teams connected wherever the event is hosted.

Outdoor Blog

Outdoor Event WiFi: The New Backbone of Open-Air Experiences

Published

1 week ago

October 17, 2025

Jonas Muthoni

A concert in the canyon. A film night under desert stars. A bustling waterfront food festival with 10,000 guests. Across the country, outdoor events are turning parks, coastlines, forests, and fields into memorable destinations. But there’s one service now as essential as power, permits, and porta-potties: outdoor event WiFi.

Whether for ticket scanning, mobile POS systems, sponsor activations, or live-streaming performances, WiFi for outdoor events has become the invisible support that keeps everything running. Without it, payments stall, communication falters, and digital engagement stops.

Why Outdoor Event WiFi Is Mission-Critical

The outdoor events sector, from farmers’ markets to endurance races, is growing quickly. Allied Market Research predicts global festival revenues will exceed $50B by 2030. These venues offer unique charm, but they also pose a challenge: a lack of built-in internet infrastructure.

“Outside doesn’t mean offline,” says Emma Castillo, a production manager for festivals, film nights, and open-air corporate launches. “We rely on temporary internet for outdoor events to manage our security communications, allow vendors to keep selling, and ensure our livestreams don’t drop.”

Cellular service can struggle with the demands of thousands of devices. Some remote locations may not have any service at all. That’s where outdoor event WiFi solutions come in—portable, scalable, and designed for unpredictable weather.

How Outdoor Internet Keeps Events Moving

Today’s outdoor events rely on connectivity in ways that go far beyond letting guests post on social media:

Mobile POS & Cashless Payments – No signal means lost revenue for vendors.
RFID & Access Control – Real-time validation at gates and VIP areas.
Streaming & Social Content – From TikTok reels to sponsor livestreams.
Sponsor Engagement – QR contests, AR activations, and digital signage updates.
Safety & Logistics – Staff communication, emergency alerts, GPS tracking.

A recent Event Manager Blog study found 63% of sponsors now require guaranteed internet access before committing. Attendees want it too; more than half say connectivity is a key factor in their event satisfaction.

Outdoor Event WiFi Solutions in Action: “Lights on the Lake”

In June, the lakeside town of Lakeshore hosted a three-day open-air film festival. The views were stunning, but no wired internet was available, and mobile service barely worked.

The technical crew set up:

Multi-carrier 5G bonding for vendor and guest networks
Long-range weatherproof access points covering the pier and food court
A private secure network for organizers and emergency staff
A satellite uplink for backup

The festival processed thousands of transactions, streamed Q&A sessions with international filmmakers, and even operated a live voting app without a single connectivity failure.

Industry Perspective: Connectivity as a Core Utility

According to WiFit founder Matt Cicek, changes in event technology priorities have been significant:

“Five years ago, internet at an outdoor event was seen as a nice-to-have. Now, it’s as essential as running water and electricity. From safety coordination to sponsor returns, there’s too much at stake to leave it to chance.”

The Future of Temporary Internet for Outdoor Events

As events become more complex, WiFi for outdoor events from service providers like WiFit will play an even larger role. Expect advancements like:

Solar-powered network kits for sustainable operations
AI-managed bandwidth that adjusts to real-time crowd size
Edge computing for instant AR and interactive attractions

For event planners, the message is clear: the quality of your internet connection is as important as your stage, lighting, or sound system. The next time you’re booking a venue, remember—the crowd may be watching the performers, but they’re also looking at their screens. They expect both to work perfectly.

Outdoor Blog

Gear You Should Snag for the Great Outdoors This Season

Published

1 year ago

September 25, 2024

Caleb Cole

Outdoor enthusiasts know that having the right gear can make all the difference. Whether you’re hiking, camping, hunting, or engaging in any other outdoor activity, quality equipment ensures not only safety but also a better overall experience. As we head into a new season, it’s time to refresh your gear collection with essential items that will enhance your adventures. In this article, we’ll explore five pieces of must-have outdoor gear, focusing on both practicality and comfort.

Shooting Glasses Are Essential for Outdoor Adventures

If you’re heading out for a shooting range session or a hunting trip, investing in a quality pair of shooting glasses is non-negotiable. Eye protection is critical when engaging in any activity involving firearms, and shooting glasses are designed to keep your eyes safe from potential hazards like debris, shell casings, and even harmful UV rays.

Shooting glasses are a key safety measure that helps shield your eyes from impact and glare. The lenses are typically made from high-impact resistant materials that can endure tough conditions, making them a must-have for hunters, target shooters, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Beyond safety, these glasses often come with polarized lenses to improve visibility in various lighting conditions. By incorporating shooting glasses into your outdoor gear, you’re ensuring not only better safety but also improved performance during your time in the wilderness.

What Should You Look For During Black Friday Hunting Gear Deals?

One of the best times to stock up on essential outdoor gear is during Black Friday. Black Friday hunting gear deals provide an opportunity for hunters to snag high-quality items at significantly reduced prices. Whether you’re after apparel, backpacks, or specialized equipment, Black Friday sales often feature steep discounts on top brands that every outdoor enthusiast should take advantage of.

This sale season is ideal for upgrading your hunting wardrobe and stocking up on essential gear that may normally be out of your price range. From weather-resistant jackets to durable boots and base layers, hunting gear can be pricey, and Black Friday is the perfect time to invest in the best equipment. By keeping an eye out for deals during this shopping period, you can save money while ensuring you’re well-prepared for your next big adventure.

Multi-Tools Are a Must-Have

Want to know the most versatile pieces of gear you can carry? It is a multi-tool. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or hunting, having a tool that can serve multiple functions is a game-changer. Multi-tools come equipped with a variety of features such as knives, screwdrivers, pliers, and scissors, all compactly housed in a single device that easily fits in your pocket or pack.

The practicality of a multi-tool is hard to beat. It allows you to tackle unexpected tasks, from cutting rope to repairing gear, all without needing to carry a full toolbox. When you’re out in the wild, you want to be prepared for anything, and a multi-tool ensures you’re ready to handle small emergencies or make quick fixes with ease.

Insulated Water Bottles Can Improve Your Outdoor Experience

Staying hydrated is one of the most important aspects of any outdoor activity. Whether you’re embarking on a long hike or spending hours in a hunting blind, having an insulated water bottle can make a difference. Insulated bottles have features that help to keep your drinks at the desired temperature for a long time, which is especially useful during extreme weather conditions.

These bottles maintain the temperature of your beverage—whether cold or hot—so you can enjoy refreshing water in the summer or a warm drink during chilly morning hunts. Insulated water bottles are also typically made from durable materials, meaning they can withstand the rigors of outdoor use without breaking or leaking. Investing in a high-quality insulated bottle ensures that you stay hydrated and comfortable throughout your outdoor excursions.

Durable Backpacks Can Enhance Your Outdoor Experience

A good backpack is the cornerstone of any successful outdoor trip. When you’re out in nature, you need a reliable, durable pack to carry all of your gear comfortably. Look for backpacks that are built to withstand harsh conditions, provide ample storage, and have ergonomic designs that distribute weight evenly to prevent strain on your back and shoulders.

Modern outdoor backpacks come equipped with multiple compartments to help you stay organized, as well as specialized features like hydration bladder compatibility, rain covers, and reinforced straps. By investing in a durable, well-designed backpack, you’ll have the capacity to carry everything you need—whether it’s extra clothing, food, or hunting gear—while maintaining comfort during long treks.