How to choose a camping tent

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Here is a manual for choosing a tourist tent. What should it be so as not to freeze in the mountains? Which tent should you buy for a family vacation? And what does the marking of the tent say? The answers to these and many other questions are in this article.

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Many people love hiking, but few know how to choose a good tent. Size, weight, construction, material - all this matters and affects the cost. Find out how to choose a tent that suits your travel preferences in this article.

Do you need a tent during the hike?

In short, yes. Of course, you can sleep in a sleeping bag under a canopy, but this:

• uncomfortable (at nights, even in summer, it is cold outside, it may rain or a strong wind may rise - weather forecasts do not always come true);
• unsafe (insects, snakes, small rodents - this is not a complete list of sources of "thrill" when spending the night in the open air).

Therefore, take it as an axiom: a tent is necessary on a hike.

Which tent is right for you?

The answer depends on the answer to another question: what kind of outdoor recreation do you prefer?

If you like equipped campsites with car parking, then you can safely take a large tent.

A camping tent is a large, tall tent, often with a vestibule and windows. Designed for auto tourism, family vacations and overnight stays in one place for 3-4 days. Pros: comfortable conditions (you can stand at full height), large capacity. Cons: heavy weight, poor heating ability.

If you are planning a long hiking or cycling trip, the weight and size of the shelter are important criteria. You will need a trekking tent.

A trekking tent is a small tent used for hiking in the plains, resting along the hiking trails. Pros: lightweight, easy to carry. Cons: not designed for strong wind and rain.

The dimensions and weight of the tent become even more important when hiking in the mountains or over rough terrain. An assault tent is needed here.

An assault (or alpine) tent is an ultralight tent designed for serious hikes (difficult route, long treks). Pros: very lightweight and reliable, not afraid of strong winds, quickly installed and assembled. Cons: as a rule, small (even one person may feel cramped).

What is the seasonality of the tent?

Beginners mistakenly believe that if tents are divided according to seasons, then there should be spring, summer, autumn and winter tents. In fact, there are:

• Summer tents. For warm or hot weather. An important point here is ventilation: the fabric is well ventilated, and the edge of the awning, as a rule, is raised above the ground. But such a tent will not save you from strong winds or rain.
• Three-season tents. The name speaks for itself - designed for the three main hiking seasons (spring, summer, autumn). They are made of a denser fabric, thanks to which they can withstand cold demi-season winds and torrential rains.
• Winter (or all-season) tents. Designed for use in difficult climatic conditions (snow, wind), but can also be used in calm weather in summer. They are distinguished by their structural stability, dense waterproof material.

How to determine the size?

The boa constrictor in the famous cartoon was measured by parrots, and tents are measured by men. Many have heard: single tent, double, triple, and so on. In the first case, this means that one adult man will comfortably accommodate (with all the belongings) in the tent; in the second - two; in the third, three, and so on.

“Men are different,” you say. Right. Therefore, in order to get a clearer idea of the dimensions of the tent, before buying, study its length and width on the Internet. Then "recreate" these dimensions on your floor, take a sleeping bag and try to fit into the resulting square. Succeeded? You can take it! No? It might be worth buying a two- or three-person tent.

How many layers should you choose?

Depending on the design, tents are divided into single-layer and double-layer.

In the first case, the tent is made of a waterproof awning and is a single canvas. It is easy to fold and install. But there is a significant drawback - condensation. In humid or hot weather, it will inevitably form on the inner walls. If ventilation is not provided, you will wake up in a wet sleeping bag. Fortunately, scientists are actively working on solving this problem - they come up with various "breathable" and at the same time windproof fabrics. Tents with membrane awnings are already on the market, but they are quite expensive.

The two-layer tent consists of a waterproof awning (outer layer) and a light "breathable" awning (inner layer). There is usually a 10-15 cm gap between them. Such a tent is somewhat heavier, but condensation does not accumulate in it, while it is reliably protected from rain.

Another advantage of double-layer tents is the presence of a vestibule.

Tambour - additional space under the outer awning of the tent. Serves for storing things and dirty shoes.

Does a tent need windows?

In general, no. As a rule, you are in a tent at night - there is nothing to look through. If we consider the window as an additional ventilation hole, then with two-layer structures this is not necessary, and in single-layer structures, a slightly open zipper at the inlet does an excellent job of supplying fresh air.

The only exception is camping tents. In this case, a tent with windows looks like a house and creates more comfort.

What material should you give preference to?

Poly Taffeta 210T 3000 PU is not a magic spell, but seeing such an inscription in the description of the tent, an inexperienced tourist can fall into a trance. What do all these numbers and letters mean?

In fact, everything is simple. When making tents, two types of fabrics are used:

• polyamide (Nylon);
• polyester (Polyester).

The first ones are quite durable and very affordable, but at the same time they are easily stretchable when wet and are sensitive to ultraviolet light. The second ones are even more durable and at the same time do not tear when wet, but they are more expensive. Thus, the first word in the tent marking (Poly) means that it is made of polyester material.

Taffeta is the most common yarn weaving method. In addition to it, there is Oxford (creates additional strength and, as a rule, is used for the bottom of the tent) and Rip Stop (increases strength due to reinforced thread, while not adding weight).

The next element (210T) is the weave density. It is measured in tex and affects the strength of the material. The higher the T, the denser, stronger and heavier the fabric. In addition, the marking of the tent may contain numbers and the letter D. This indicates the thickness of the threads from which the material is made. This figure also affects the strength and weight of the tent.

Finally, PU means that the fabric is impregnated with polyurethane, making it water resistant. There is also silicon impregnation (SI), which is of better quality and more durable, but also more expensive.

The material is coated on the inside with polyurethane. At the same time, two layers of PU-impregnation ensure a water resistance of 3,000 mm of water column; three layers - 5000 mm. The silicone coating is applied on the outside. Here, an acceptable level of water resistance is 2,000 mm.

So, which material should you give preference to? If you rarely go out into nature and at the same time keep to the well-trodden hiking trails, then a tent made of nylon with Taffeta or Rip Stop weaving and a density of 190T to 210T is quite suitable for you. A good addition to this would be a silicone water-repellent impregnation.

What should be the bottom of the tent?

Strong, durable and durable again! The bottom of the tent is most difficult: you put it on sharp stones, on snow, on sand.

As a rule, the bottom is made of the same material as the outer awning. Nylon fabrics with Oxford weave are suitable for this, with a weave density of at least 210T and a thread thickness of at least 210D. But the main indicator is water resistance. It is desirable that the bottom material withstands 5,000 mm of water column.

Sometimes the bottom is also made of reinforced polyethylene (it is designated PE, tarpaulin). This material is practically waterproof, quite affordable, but significantly heavier than polyester and nylon.

In addition, many tents have a so-called skirt that prevents wind and precipitation from getting between the inner and outer tent.

The skirt is an extra strip of fabric around the perimeter of the tent. Can be sewn on or removable.

It makes sense to buy a tent with a skirt if you are going on a winter hike: it will provide additional warmth. For trekking summer tents, a skirt is an unnecessary burden. Because of it, condensation will only accumulate.

Which design to choose?

There are three main forms of tourist tents:

1. Hemisphere

Consists of two or more arcs crossed with each other, thereby creating a dome. It is a versatile and highly popular form. Tents in the shape of a hemisphere can be used even on extreme hikes: they withstand strong winds, water easily rolls off them.

Hemisphere tent

2. Half roll

As a rule, a large and roomy tent (often with a vestibule). The arches of such a tent are parallel to each other and do not intersect with each other. It is not particularly resistant and will not withstand all bad weather. This design is often found in camping tents.

Half roll tent

3. House

House-shaped gable tents are considered classics. Rain and snow slide off them easily, but the wind resistance of the structure leaves much to be desired. In addition, this type of tent is considered the most troublesome in terms of installation.

House tent

In addition, single tourists quite often prefer single frameless tents. They are lightweight and compact, in fact it is just an awning attached to the trees with ropes or held on to several racks (usually sticks).

Buying and operating tips

Now you know enough about tents to make a purchase. But do not rush to the mall or open the website of the online store. There are a few tricks that can help you save money.

• Old models of well-known brands are no worse than their new models, but much cheaper.
• Do not be afraid to buy tents from little-known companies, the main thing is that the specifications correspond to reality.
• Study reviews, consult with friends, if possible, test this or that tent in business before buying (for example, borrow from a friend).

Having bought a tent, do not rush to immediately go to the forest. First, collect it at home to understand how it works, and on a trip to assemble and disassemble it quickly and easily. After that, go over the seams with a water-repellent spray to be sure to protect against moisture. And in order for the tent to serve you for a long time, do not forget to dry it thoroughly upon returning from the campaign.