Camping Tents
Arguably the most important piece of equipment is your tent. Most people equate camping out with sleeping in a tent. Now, while it is vital that you are protected at night in order to get a good night’s rest, there are many good options when it comes to purchasing a tent and one size does not fit all. So while there is a rather large selection and many options, there is no one best tent. Finding the right tent really depends on how you plan to utilize it.
The majority of tents will perform the basics. The standard function of a tent is to protect you from the elements including wind, rain, snow, sun, insects and most small animals. And the truth is that most decently built tents can perform these basic functions. But when you are searching for a tent, you will want to find one that is tailor designed to meet your specific needs. Let’s take a look at some of the types of tents that you will want to consider when making a purchase.
Dome Tents
Dome tents are generally the most popular type of camping tent for use by less than four people and this is with good reason. Dome tents are solidly built and can stand up to very strong winds. They are relatively easy to set up and are favored by couples and small families. As per the name, these tents have a dome shaped roof and thus perform very well in the snow and the rain. Look for a dome tent with good ventilation and enough room to stand up comfortably.
Cabin and Wall Tents
These tents are generally more substantial than the dome tents. They often offer more than one room and provide more space overall. The walls are straighter as is the roof as opposed to the dome tent which is more rounded although some of the tents in this category do have domed roofs. Look for a tent with enough headroom to be comfortable walking around on rainy days. Also, look for options that allow for separate sleeping and eating areas. This gives a much more spacious feel to an otherwise standard tent.
Backpacking Tents
These are the lightweight options for backpackers who are looking for the basics in a tent that come in a smaller package. Traditionally, these are A-frame tents with the slanted walls and a door on one side. However, some models now offer two doors. This allows for either multi-purpose functions or just simply allowing for one person to go out one end and the other to go out the other end without disturbing one another’s sleep. Look for a lightweight design with more rounded poles which don’t detract as much from the inside space to the same extent that the classic poles do. Also keep in mind ventilation as the smaller tents can sometimes get stuffy.
Regardless of which type of tent you go with, make sure to try setting it up at home before you pack it in your bag and head out because you don’t want to be scrambling to set up a tent in inclement weather only to find something is amiss.