A tent offers protection against rain, snow and wind, as well as insects, pests and potentially dangerous animals, according to hiking website Backpacking-Guide. Moreover, a sealed tent might help contain body heat, making it a highly effective shelter if you're hiking in cold conditions. Whatever the purpose, though, there are some factors worth considering to get the most out of your tent.
Pitching Your Tent
When locating a place to pitch your tent, choose unobstructed, level ground to maximize comfort while sleeping. Avoid low-lying areas that might collect water in the event of a rainstorm and if possible opt for a site that offers natural protection against the elements, such as boulders or dense brush and trees. Always pitch the entryway of your tent away from oncoming wind to prevent dirt and debris from blowing into it when the door is open. For extra stability in strong winds, secure the tent's guy-lines -- lengths of cord attached to the tent exterior -- to ground stakes or natural features like tree branches.
Insulation
Even if you are utilizing a sleeping bag with a high temperature rating, its heat-trapping loft compresses under the weight of your body. As a result, its insulation properties diminish and allow the cold from the ground to enter. Therefore, according to outdoor gear specialist REI, you need a sleeping pad to serve as a buffer between you and the cold ground underneath your tent floor. In addition to keeping you warm, it will provide cushioning for added comfort.
Ventilation
Although it is important to keep warm in cold conditions, if the temperature outside the tent is considerably low the heat produced by your body, combined with the moisture emitted during exhalation, might cause condensation to collect on the walls and ceiling of your tent. If enough condensation forms, it can drip onto you during the night. Therefore, it is critical that you allow some heat to escape by utilizing your tent's ventilation channels and mesh panels, or simply by leaving a door or window slightly ajar.
Organizing Your Tent
If your tent includes a vestibule -- an external extension of the tent that provides shelter -- use it to store your nonessential items, wet clothes and shoes. This will free up space in your sleeping area. If the interior wall of your tent incorporates mesh pockets, use them to store items that you might require in the night, such as toilet paper, a flashlight and medication.
Considerations
Tents offer ideal shelter when hiking, but they do take up space and add extra weight to your pack. Unless you feel that it's absolutely necessary to sleep in a tent, consider sleeping in a bivy, an extremely lightweight shelter. Or if you're comfortable being out in the open and weather conditions are favorable, forgo a shelter and simply sleep in your sleeping bag atop a sleeping pad, says Rick Curtis in "The Backpacker's Field Manual."
References
- Backpacking-Guide: A Guide To Backpacking Tents: How To Choose The Best Tent For You
- "The Backpacker's Field Manual, Revised and Updated: A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Backcountry Skills"; Rick Curtis; 2005
- REI: How to Choose a Sleeping Pad
- REI: How to Choose a Backpacking Tent
