Sizing Up a Great Tent To Buy
Getting back to nature can be a fun way to experience life. But finding out at 4 am that your tent can't stand up to the elements is a lesson learned the hard way.
The first step to getting back to nature is buying a tent you can depend on. A good quality tent must be comfortable, easy to use and provide security for you and your family.
Camping tents can be as simple as a two-person pop up model, or an elaborate three-room family affair. What's important is having a dependable tent that will save you from undue aggravation or danger.
There are lots of things to look for in finding the perfect tent to fit your needs. Consider the shape of the tent, along with the weight, types of poles and setup time. If camping alone, be sure to choose a model that's easy to assemble. If you're not sure, ask an associate at a sporting goods store or outdoor outfitters.
It's also important to make sure that the tent is easy to transport. Don't forget, you'll need to pack the tent in your car and leave room for all of your gear.
Size
Size most definitely matters when it comes to choosing a tent. Make sure that there's enough room for you, and your fellow campers. Everyone needs to have space to stretch out and to move around. You may be using air mattresses, so keep that in mind when judging the depth. The tent must be high enough to stand up, or at least sit up. Manufacturers tend to overestimate the number of people that can sleep comfortably in a tent. So, while it is possible to cram four fully-grown adults into a four-person tent, you'll all sleep better in a six-person model. Similarly, a two-person tent might be able to hold two people, but they're clothes and food will have to wait outside.
A Weighty Issue
If you are hiking or portaging to your destination, you'll have to give serious thought to the weight of your tent. Big canvas tents and ten-kilometer hikes just don't mix. You'll be carrying all of your gear and necessities, so you don't want to be weighed down even more by a heavy tent. Choose a secure but lightweight model. On the other hand, if you're driving to the campsite in a heavy-duty vehicle with lots of cargo room, then go crazy and bring a big tent.
Material
Lightweight nylon and taffeta and popular materials used by today's tent manufacturers. These fabrics are strong and durable, and able to withstand all types of weather. The most important thing to look for in your tent material is a waterproof certification. Paying a little extra is worth every penny when you're caught in a downpour.
Ease of Assembly
Before you buy the tent, ask to see the assembly instructions. It's also important to try assembling the tent in your backyard before you leave home. Your tent must be easy to assemble using just a few (or no) tools. You're going camping to relax, and there's no point in stressing out with a tent that's hard to assemble.
Tents are not luxuries for the faint-hearted, or copouts for rookie campers. They are necessary tools that satisfy the basic human need for shelter. Even the most experienced outdoor enthusiasts will agree, there is no thrill in coming face to face with a forest critter at four a.m. - 2368
The first step to getting back to nature is buying a tent you can depend on. A good quality tent must be comfortable, easy to use and provide security for you and your family.
Camping tents can be as simple as a two-person pop up model, or an elaborate three-room family affair. What's important is having a dependable tent that will save you from undue aggravation or danger.
There are lots of things to look for in finding the perfect tent to fit your needs. Consider the shape of the tent, along with the weight, types of poles and setup time. If camping alone, be sure to choose a model that's easy to assemble. If you're not sure, ask an associate at a sporting goods store or outdoor outfitters.
It's also important to make sure that the tent is easy to transport. Don't forget, you'll need to pack the tent in your car and leave room for all of your gear.
Size
Size most definitely matters when it comes to choosing a tent. Make sure that there's enough room for you, and your fellow campers. Everyone needs to have space to stretch out and to move around. You may be using air mattresses, so keep that in mind when judging the depth. The tent must be high enough to stand up, or at least sit up. Manufacturers tend to overestimate the number of people that can sleep comfortably in a tent. So, while it is possible to cram four fully-grown adults into a four-person tent, you'll all sleep better in a six-person model. Similarly, a two-person tent might be able to hold two people, but they're clothes and food will have to wait outside.
A Weighty Issue
If you are hiking or portaging to your destination, you'll have to give serious thought to the weight of your tent. Big canvas tents and ten-kilometer hikes just don't mix. You'll be carrying all of your gear and necessities, so you don't want to be weighed down even more by a heavy tent. Choose a secure but lightweight model. On the other hand, if you're driving to the campsite in a heavy-duty vehicle with lots of cargo room, then go crazy and bring a big tent.
Material
Lightweight nylon and taffeta and popular materials used by today's tent manufacturers. These fabrics are strong and durable, and able to withstand all types of weather. The most important thing to look for in your tent material is a waterproof certification. Paying a little extra is worth every penny when you're caught in a downpour.
Ease of Assembly
Before you buy the tent, ask to see the assembly instructions. It's also important to try assembling the tent in your backyard before you leave home. Your tent must be easy to assemble using just a few (or no) tools. You're going camping to relax, and there's no point in stressing out with a tent that's hard to assemble.
Tents are not luxuries for the faint-hearted, or copouts for rookie campers. They are necessary tools that satisfy the basic human need for shelter. Even the most experienced outdoor enthusiasts will agree, there is no thrill in coming face to face with a forest critter at four a.m. - 2368
About the Author:
Columnist Bud Sayce is an essayist for numerous popular Internet magazines, on sports collectible and sports gear issues.
posted by Frank Potter at 6:50 AM
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