TENT EXPLORER
Practical tent camping advice for beginners, buyers and regular campers.
About Dave King
I’m Dave King, and I write Tent Explorer to give people practical, honest advice about tent camping, the kind that actually holds up when you’re out in the field.
The site exists because good camping information is harder to find than it should be. A lot of what’s out there is vague, overly cautious, or written by someone who clearly hasn’t slept under canvas in years. I wanted to fix that.
How It Started
Camping has been part of my life since I was a child. I grew up going on family trips, and that early exposure stuck. Over the decades it stopped being something I did occasionally and became something I do regularly, across different countries, different conditions, and different types of kit.
I have no formal outdoor training. What I have is a long run of hands-on experience: trips that went well, trips that didn’t, and a lot of accumulated understanding of what actually makes a difference.
Where I Camp
I’m based in Brighton, UK. Most of my UK camping is in the Peak District, though I camp at other locations across Britain throughout the year. I also camp regularly in the United States, across several National Parks, and in Europe.
Because the site covers both UK and US audiences, you’ll see a mix of £ and $ pricing across posts. The currency used in any given article indicates which market it’s aimed at. Most of the major gear covered is available in both countries, even if the specific retailers differ.
What Tent Explorer Covers
The site covers tent camping in the broadest sense, from buying your first tent to getting more out of trips you’ve been doing for years.
Topics I write about include:
- Choosing and buying tents, what to look for, how to compare options
- Pitching and setup, techniques, tips, and common mistakes
- Campsite layouts and outdoor living, making your setup work in practice
- Tent accessories, what’s genuinely useful versus what isn’t
- Camping safety, weather, campfires, and general preparedness
What the site doesn’t cover: glamping, luxury outdoor accommodation, or anything that requires a permanent structure. This is a tent camping site.
The target reader is anyone who tent camps or is thinking about starting, whether you’re completely new to it or you’ve been doing it for years. I write for both UK and US campers throughout.
How I Write
I write from experience, not theory. Where I have a view, I’ll give it directly. Where there’s a genuine trade-off, I’ll say so rather than paper over it.
I’m not a professional guide or outdoor instructor. I don’t claim to be. What I offer is a long run of real-world camping experience and a straightforward account of what I’ve found to work.
If something is outside my experience or depends heavily on individual circumstances, I’ll say that too. I’d rather be useful and honest than comprehensive and vague.
Get in Touch
If you have a question, a topic suggestion, or a correction, I’m reachable via the contact page.
Last updated: March 2026