Camping Tents: So Many Styles, So Many Features, So Many Brands
Buying a tent is a lot like buying a car- you need the basics just to get you around, or in a tents case to give you shelter, but you really want the state of the art model. There are so many upgrades and great features that there are times where you start to think they are necessities.
There are a few basic ways a tent is classified. They can be categorized by the industry, occupancy, climate features, structure style and use. The tent buying process is broken up into five categories below which address these classifications.
What Every Tent Needs to Have:- Tent Poles made of aluminum, carbon fiber or tubular fiberglass.
- Easy set up instructions with stakes and suggestion on stake positions and an easy way to get the stakes in the ground.
- The pole system should be letter or color coded.
- One piece attached floor made of polyurethane or other tarp like material.
- Any style tent, be it dome, cabin or backpacker styles, need to have steep walls to increase usable space and shed precipitation and help with ventilation.
- The materials of the tent should be made of waterproof nylon or polyester.
- The rain fly need to definitely be treated with a waterproofing coating.
- Mesh windows and doors for better ventilation. These doors should have zipper closures.
- Good quality sleeves, loops, rings or pins for adhering the poles to the tent.
The Cool to Have Features:- High strength aluminum poles which allows for snow, wind and rain pressure on the tent.
- Factory or hand seam-sealed seams are more durable and better for weatherproofing.
- Inside and outside storage pockets.
- Gear loops for flashlights, fans, radios, etc.
- Power cord ports or built in power pack for electric appliances.
- Large vestibule and screen rooms to keep dirt, mud and rain out of the sleeping area.
Fitting the climate:- A tent that will be used for strictly summer should be lightweight, have great ventilation, and a waterproof tent fly.
- Another feature would be protected vestibules and windows so the tent can be ventilated even in a rainstorm.
- Three season tents should have a removable rain fly that extends to the ground.
- A three season tent’s pole should be aluminum and needs to have a two door or an extra large door for easier access and all the features of a summer tent.
- All season and winter tents need to have sturdy guide points, three or four high strength aluminum poles, steep walls, vestibule with its own poles system and all the features of a three season tent.
How Big is Ridiculous?- Tents are sold by how many people they sleep. It states 1 to 12 person tent or it states sleeps- and the capacity.
- If people in your party are on the large side, adding a person to your capacity is a good idea.
- It is not suggested to sleep more that four in a tent with out room dividers.
- If you have a large family buying two tents may make the trip much more enjoyable.
- If you bring a lot of gear on your trips think of a screen room or large vestibule for storing your gear away from the sleeping area to maximize your comfort.
Consider the price:- Tents vary in price base on size and featured benefits.
- When buying a tent make sure thing that you can not live without are included. You will enjoy the trip much more if you are comfortable
- A basic two person tent is about $80 to $100 for every person you can add $50 to $75 dollars. This is a generalization as you will pay for better features and materials.
- Avoid cheap tents at all costs. Signs of cheaply constructed tents are metal zippers, hollow fiberglass poles, nylon or polyester tent floors, non waterproof treated rain flies or tents that are not freestanding.
Another suggestion for camping is always hang a tarp over your tent and lay a tarp or footprint below your tent. The years that this extends the life of your tent is immeasurable.
Now, using the above process, go shop for your tent. Consider all these point and buy that tent that best suits your needs, wants and price requirements. You will sure to have a great time in the outdoors and not having to worry about your shelter while on vacation will be a big help.
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