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Choosing a Tent

A few things to consider when buying a tent...

There is a large variety of tent designs to suit your needs. Whether you are cycling or mountaineering, going to the North Pole or the Sahara, or your local camp spot there is
a tent that will suit your needs.

Seasons and conditions.

Three-season: These tents are versatile and popular among backpackers, paddlers and cyclists. The design offers good ventilation in spring, summer and fall. With 2to3 poles,
2 doors and mesh inner bodies they allow for lightweight design and great ventilation. Three- season designs are airier, less expensive, compact, roomier and lighter than the four season tents. Family tents fall into this category.

Four- season: Built to protect you from nastier weather. The designs have more poles, low and curved shape which helps to withstand high wind and to reduce snow build up. Fabric is heavier with thicker waterproof coating. These tents are popular for ski touring, winter camping and mountaineering. These tents are heavier, more expensive; however, built to withstand the worst blizzards and rain storms.

Single wall tents: Suitable for variety of uses. Require a bit more know how at set up then the standard body and fly designs. “No fly “Design means that the fly and body of the tent are one and the same. The per person weight of a single wall is comparable to a bivy sac. Waterproof- breathable fabrics are used, which drives the price up. They perform best at altitude where it is cooler, drier and weight matters. They are not as good for humid and sea level locations.

Sizes and shapes: In any bad weather situation, where you may spend a few days in a tent, you may want a tent for more people than are you actually using.

Free standing vs. Tunnel: Free standing tents stand on their own once the poles are set up. Dome shape is common, the poles cross at least once. Free standing tents are easy to move around and clean. They also provide more usable space and overhead room than tunnel tents. Free standing tents although easy to set up should still be pegged out for proper ventilation.
Tunnel tents hang from hoop or arch- shape poles and need to be pegged. Without pegging they collapse onto themselves. The advantage is they are ultra light and compact.

Features and Weights: "minimum weight" on a tent includes the tent and the frame, a minimum set of pegs and guylines necessary to set up the tent "pack weight" is the weight of the entire tent and it includes the packaging. The further you carry your tent, the more careful you should consider its weight.
-Vestibules make the tent more livable, they add to covered area of the tent.
-Poles sleeves have more strength and create less stress on fabric than pole clips. Clips allow more air to circulate between canopies and fly. Try to always use a footprint or a tarp under your tent as it adds to its durability and waterproof ness.

What do you think?