How many people can sleep in a wall tent?

 Typically,  each person needs approximately 20 to 30 square feet for sleeping. The amount you choose to sleep in the tent will depends on:

1. Whether you will be sleeping on the floor or sleeping on cots.


2. If most of the people are adults or children.


3. If the tent will be for sleeping only, or do you need space to congregate or to cook.


4. Whether you will be using a winter stove.


5. If the tent is going to be for your family or a group.

Cots are great for comfort, but take more space. The average cot is about 32 X 76 (inches) which is about 17 square feet.  So a 13 X 16.5 foot tent could hold 12 cots. However, you would not have room for a stove or be able to maneuver around.  Unless it is an emergency situation you don't want to stack your cots or people so tight, they can't get in out of the tent  comfortably. 

A Wood Stove Needs about 35-40 square feet

The great thing about a wall tent is the ability to have a wood stove and stay warm in the winter.  Obviously, if there is a stove, then there is less room for sleeping.  In addition to the stove taking up space you do not want to place cots or anything else that can burn within two or three feet of the stove.


Tent Sizes:

In general, bigger is better, but size does add weight, costs, and may require a larger stove. Wall tents are great for winter camping and most people find they spend time instead the tent outside of just sleeping.  Having a slightly larger wall tent gives you the ability to move around and space to place your gear.

I would not recommend a tent smaller then 13 x 13 if you plan on using a stove.  If you assume your wood stove needs 35 SF, that is basically a 6 x 6 area.  With a 10 x 10 wall tent, you would have 4 feet of space to use.  This is ok as long as you're only planning on having 2 cots in the wall tent.

13 x 13 Wall Tent
Sleeps 3-4  (with wood stove)
Sleeps 5-6 (with no wood stove)

13 x 16 Wall Tent 
Sleeps 5-6 (with wood stove)
Sleeps 7-8 (with no wood stove)

13 x 20 Wall Tent
Sleeps 7-8  (with wood stove)
Sleeps  9-10 (with no wood stove) 

If you are  on a boy scout or family trip, you will find you can fit more into the wall tent.  However, if you're guiding in hunters and each one of them has their own cot and needs some elbow room, I would go with my recommended sleeping capacity.