When camping, the tent is often your first and sometimes last line of defense against the elements. It can protect you from rain, wind, sun, ice and snow. If it is not made of high-quality material or well constructed it can also leave you wet or without adequate shelter.
Size
The first thing you think about when buying a tent is usually size. The size tent you need to purchase depends on a few factors such as how many are people sleeping in your tent, how much gear you will store and how much time you may need to spend in it. If you want to stand up in your tent or be able to hang out and play a board game when it's raining, you will want a roomy tent. If you are hiking alone and have to carry your tent, you want one that is small and lightweight.
Ease of Setup
Whether you choose a large tent or a small one, you don't want to spend half your camping trip trying to set it up. The rule of thumb here is, the less poles, the simpler and faster to set up. Even with minimal poles, a large tent usually requires at least two people to set up while a single person can set up a small tent.
Material
The material your tent is constructed of is directly related to its longevity. There are many synthetic fabrics like nylon from which tents are constructed. The fabric is rated in denier. The higher the denier, the tougher the fabric. When shopping for your tent, compare denier numbers, especially if your tent will get frequent use.
Season
Tents are usually offered in three-season and four-season varieties. Winter time camping requires a tent that is more resistant to wind, ice and snow loads, and moisture than camping in the summer, spring or fall. If you plan on camping early in the spring, late into the fall, or at high altitudes you may want to choose a four-season tent. If you are primarily a warm weather camper, a three-season tent will suit you fine.
Member Comments