What To Look For
Polar explorer Dixie Dansercoer understands the importance of finding the best all weather tents. The tent is where he sleeps, eats and protects his belongings, and choosing the best tent can literally determine whether his trip is successful. Although few other people face the same weather extremes as Dixie, the principle is the same. Finding the best all weather tent can help you to have a great outdoor experience, while failing to do so could leave you cold, wet and sleepless. The worst-case scenario is that your belongings also become wet so that your clean, dry clothes are effectively wiped out.
Common Pitfalls
Many people simply look at the price when they are trying to find the best tents. And although there's nothing wrong with getting the best value for money, tents tend to increase in quality in line with pricing. Try to avoid buying a very heavy, bulky tent, as this will add to your workload. Also remember that space is a luxury in the world of tents; find a tent that is designed to hold at least one more person than you need if your budget allows it.
Where To Buy
The main things to avoid are cheap tents sold in non-specialist shops. Go to a place where you can ask a knowledgeable member of staff about the product. Ask to see the tent erected before you buy it so you can see how easy or difficult it is. The important thing to look out for is the hydrostatic head, which measures the waterproof qualities or rain resistance of the tent fabric. Millets, the outdoor equipment company, recommends that the hydrostatic head for all-weather tents should be no less than 1,000mm to avoid leaks.
Cost
For a basic all-weather tent you are looking at paying between $30 and $80, depending on the size, type and quality level. If you are planning a more ambitious trip, the best tents will set you back a little more. Lowland, the company from which Dixie sources his tents, charges around $240 for its high-tech tents.
Comparison Shopping
With so many value-for-money tents to choose from, it can be hard to make up your mind. REI was recently awarded the 2010 Gear of the Year award by Outside magazine for its Half Dome 2 Plus Tent. It offers more space and is easy to carry for backpackers. Meanwhile, Terra Nova claims to offer the lightest double-wall tents for one and two people. Its Laser Ultra 1 tent weighs just over 1lb, including the flysheet and the inner and main pole and it has a hydrostatic head of 3,000mm.
Accessories
Sleeping bags are a key product when it comes to camping. As the name suggests, CAMP is a brand that provides all kinds of outdoor gear. The CAMP ED 150 Pro is a light, compact sleeping bag with white goose down filling and will complement any all-weather tent you buy.
Insider Tips
Have a go at putting your all weather tent up in your own yard before you go away. If you want to test it thoroughly, you might even want to try sleeping in it.
References
- Dixie Dansercoer; Circles; Belgium.
- Making Sense of Tents
