Portable tents and canopies provide temporary shelter for camping and outdoor events such as picnics and farmers markets. They range in price from quite expensive to extremely inexpensive, depending on their durability and the extra features they provide. To choose the right portable tent or canopy, evaluate your needs, such as how often you will be using your temporary shelter and under what conditions, as well as your budget.
Portable Tents
A portable tent is an important piece of camping gear. Tents for car camping can be heavy and spacious, while tents for backpacking should be lighter and easier to carry. Camping tents come in A-frame, or triangular shapes, as well as dome shapes. An A-frame tent is a simpler structure, but it can be uncomfortable for campers sleeping too close to the low sides. Most camping tents come with a shell made out of nylon, polyethylene or another durable waterproof fabric, as well as poles that provide structure, and a rain fly to help keep away moisture.
Instant Shelters
Instant shelters are temporary structures that provide protection from sun and rain. They are usually open on the sides and consist of a nylone or polyethylene covering on legs of adjustable height. Companies such as EZ Up, Canopy King and Caravan offer a variety of canopy models that you can set up in minutes. Some models come with hooks that you can use to hang signs if you are a vendor at a fair or a farmers market. Select models also include awnings to keep customers dry or shaded.
Portability
The portability of a tent or canopy is an important selection criterion. Backpacking tents are continually redesigned to be lighter and more compact by incorporating lightweight materials and new design features. An instant shelter can be lightweight or heavy, depending on how far you need to carry it. Heavier models tend to be more durable, but portability can be more important than durability if you will only be using your tent occasionally or only in relatively benign weather conditions.
Stability
Camping tents usually come with stakes that you use to secure them to the ground. This is especially important in windy conditions. To keep an instant canopy from blowing away in windy weather, attach 25-pound weights to each corner using bungees. Use cinder blocks, sand bags or jugs of water, and attach then directly to the legs as well as to the upper part of the canopy frame. Keeping the canopy on the lowest height option also lessens the risk of destabilization from the wind.
Rain Protection
Although portable tents and canopies protect you from the elements, they do sometimes let in some moisture in extremely rainy conditions. Applying a waterproofing product to the seams on the fabric can provide additional protection. You can purchase side walls for an instant canopy that minimize the amount of rain that enters from the sides.
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