From durable tents tailored from heavy canvas to dome tents made from lightweight nylon, a variety of camping shelters exist to meet the needs and desires of any camping enthusiast. When choosing a tent, consider the desired size, longevity and types of campsites where you will use the tent.
Types
Camping tents come in various types, from those made to be lightweight and compact to large tents erected with heavy poles and canvas for long-term encampments.
Classic A-frame tents inspire the triangular-shaped icons that delineate campsites on maps and road signs. They garner their name from the A-shape they form with sidewalls that angle at about 45 degree from the roof, or ridge line. Varieties of this style include the heavy canvas voyager tents often used by Boy Scout troops.
Dome tents, another classic style, use a series of flexible plastic poles formed into arches as the skeleton for the rounded structure. The tent material typically is a weather-resistant, treated nylon.
Cabin or wall tents come in varieties that incorporate the structural designs of both A-frame and dome tents. Some use a series of arching poles to form rooms and walls while others closely mimic small houses or cabins, with modular shapes and angled rooftops.
Pros and Cons
A-frame tents tend to be among the sturdiest because of the triangular shape and heavy upright poles typically used in setup. Manufacturers often make these out of heavy canvas that holds up to years of heavy use. But the weight of the material---and the metal or wooden poles---make A-frames more bulky to store and heavy to carry, ruling them out as effective hiking or backpacking shelters.
Often made from lightweight nylon and collapsible shock-cord poles, dome tents are easier to store and lighter to carry. The rounded shape means an aerodynamic shelter not significantly effected by high winds or rain. When pitched properly, dome tents can be free standing, meaning they don't require stakes to anchor them down. But the lightness of the material also creates a structure more likely to puncture or rip than heavier canvas, and the elastic in the shock cord poles also can weaken or break over time.
Cabin or wall tents are much heavier than standard dome or A-frame tents, but they also offer the maximum amount of space inside, often containing multiple rooms and storage areas.
Best Uses
Standard A-frame tents make ideal camping shelters for those who frequently camp at sites easily approached via vehicle. Boy Scout troops and the military have used this variety for years because of the durability. Most A-frame tents accommodate between two and six campers and come in sizes that fit even small campsites.
Dome tents also make reliable, lasting camping structures if cared for properly. The size and rounded shape often help maximize available campsite space.
Because of the time involved during setup and the heavy material involved, wall or cabin tents are best suited for long-term encampments, such as summer camp sites.
Campsite Considerations
Regardless of the type of tent used, camping shelters require a space reasonably free of sticks, rocks or other debris and level ground upwind from fires and latrines. For tents with nylon or canvas floors, rake away all rocks and sticks from the site to avoid punctures, and pitch the tents a safe distance from any overhanging tree limbs that could fall and injure campers. Also pitch each tent at least 10 feet from other camping structures to allow space for guidelines and avoid tripping hazards.
Proper Care
Canvas and some nylon materials require fresh coats of weather-proofing sprays over time to keep water out. All tent material grows mildew when put away wet, so always allow the structure to dry from roof to floor before storage.
References
- Go Camping: Tent Types
- "Boy Scout Fieldbook"; Third Edition; 1984
- "Boy Scout Handbook"; 10th edition; 1990
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