jjaje
02-13-2011, 10:45
As a new thread from Ramirez's thread about camping gear. Some thoughts on tents.
First is how many people to sleep, how much room do you want and how, how much weight are you willing to transport, what conditions will you be in and how much do you want to spend?
Most tents, if they say they sleep four, plan on three. Many tent companies are too optimistic about space. Except backpacking, you have to be close and tight, best way to save weight.
For me, I don't mind camping in hard rain, but I don't want a miserable night's sleep. I want to wake up dry, no matter how hard it rains outside. Plus, if kids are getting rained on in the middle of the night, they will be less enthused to go camping again later.
What I look for in a tent:
Full Rain Fly: Many tents have walls that are partially mesh and partially nylon or polyester. Many of them have rain fly's that only cover the mesh. I look for a tent with a rain fly that covers the whole tent. This is because many wall fabrics have a capillary action and when something leans against the wall (like a book or sleeping bag) that allows water to seep in.
Vestibules: One other benefit to a full rain fly they can create a vestibule. A portion of area outside the tent yet still protected by the rain fly. If large enough it's a great way to keep your pack dry, at a minimum you should use it to keep your boots dry (without having to actually put them in the tent)
Aluminum Poles: They cost more but aluminum poles are lighter, stronger in high winds and work better in very cold conditions than fiberglass.
Multiple doors: If a smallish tent, having a door on each side can keep someone from climbing over you for a midnight run to the outhouse.
Stable in Wind: Many of the rounded dome designs allow the wind to go around them, versus buffeting them.
Ventilation: Condensation can be a problem in a lot of tents. You need a good way of providing enough ventilation to minimize this.
Ground Sheet: Many people don't use a ground sheet, I always do, it is a small investment to protect the floor of our tent.
The REI Half Dome (http://www.rei.com/product/794294) and tents like it are very popular among backpackers. They have large vestibules, dual doors, and are rock solid performers in a storm.
the REI Base Camp (http://www.rei.com/product/777755) is one I have for car camping and the family. I might have gotten the Kingdom6 (http://www.rei.com/product/777768) tent if it were available at the time.
They are good 3 season tents, and can be used in winter, just not in the heaviest or worst of winter.
I use different stakes depending on the circumstances, usually never plastic ones. Sometimes pin types sometimes one with a "V" cross section.
First is how many people to sleep, how much room do you want and how, how much weight are you willing to transport, what conditions will you be in and how much do you want to spend?
Most tents, if they say they sleep four, plan on three. Many tent companies are too optimistic about space. Except backpacking, you have to be close and tight, best way to save weight.
For me, I don't mind camping in hard rain, but I don't want a miserable night's sleep. I want to wake up dry, no matter how hard it rains outside. Plus, if kids are getting rained on in the middle of the night, they will be less enthused to go camping again later.
What I look for in a tent:
Full Rain Fly: Many tents have walls that are partially mesh and partially nylon or polyester. Many of them have rain fly's that only cover the mesh. I look for a tent with a rain fly that covers the whole tent. This is because many wall fabrics have a capillary action and when something leans against the wall (like a book or sleeping bag) that allows water to seep in.
Vestibules: One other benefit to a full rain fly they can create a vestibule. A portion of area outside the tent yet still protected by the rain fly. If large enough it's a great way to keep your pack dry, at a minimum you should use it to keep your boots dry (without having to actually put them in the tent)
Aluminum Poles: They cost more but aluminum poles are lighter, stronger in high winds and work better in very cold conditions than fiberglass.
Multiple doors: If a smallish tent, having a door on each side can keep someone from climbing over you for a midnight run to the outhouse.
Stable in Wind: Many of the rounded dome designs allow the wind to go around them, versus buffeting them.
Ventilation: Condensation can be a problem in a lot of tents. You need a good way of providing enough ventilation to minimize this.
Ground Sheet: Many people don't use a ground sheet, I always do, it is a small investment to protect the floor of our tent.
The REI Half Dome (http://www.rei.com/product/794294) and tents like it are very popular among backpackers. They have large vestibules, dual doors, and are rock solid performers in a storm.
the REI Base Camp (http://www.rei.com/product/777755) is one I have for car camping and the family. I might have gotten the Kingdom6 (http://www.rei.com/product/777768) tent if it were available at the time.
They are good 3 season tents, and can be used in winter, just not in the heaviest or worst of winter.
I use different stakes depending on the circumstances, usually never plastic ones. Sometimes pin types sometimes one with a "V" cross section.