Warm days are approaching – it’s time to go on a trip! You can have a civilized rest in a beautiful hotel, occasionally going down to the bar, or you can go on vacation away from the stone jungle – in nature.
When camping, you need somewhere to sleep, shelter from bad weather, stranger’s glances, snakes, spiders, moose and other critters that may drop by your campsite. A tent is all about comfort and protection. Whether you’re heading to the mountains or the woods, if you have a tent, it means you’ve got shelter.
What kind of tents for different purposes?
So, you have already planned your vacation, the only thing left is to buy a tent. Where do you start? Start by answering the question “Where, in fact, are we going?” Source trackingo.ru
- A camping tent is a large, spacious shelter that is convenient to take with you when traveling by car. Suitable for a summer family outing somewhere in the woods for a few days. Some models can stand full-size and accommodate up to 6 people. But hence the disadvantages: it weighs a lot, and in the cooler seasons it is more difficult to heat because of the volume.
- A trekking tent is a compact temporary dwelling that is convenient to carry with you on short hikes. It weighs little and is easy to transport. Allows you to spend the night with relative comfort, but will not save you from strong winds or heavy rain with hail.
- Hiking tents offer better protection from heavy rain and wind. They are also convenient to carry on long hikes, but mostly on the plains.
- If you are going to the mountains, where you can meet almost all kinds of bad weather, it is better to choose the assault tent (they are also called extreme). Super strong, reliable, made of durable materials, but at the same time very lightweight. Not afraid of a strong wind. For the sake of quality, you have to sacrifice something, and that is living space. In assault tents sometimes it is difficult to fit even one person, less often you can find two-man models.
Should I pay attention to the seasonality of the tent?
This parameter in the list of tent specifications can be confusing to the newcomer. Indeed, at first glance, tents are simply categorized into 4 seasons, so you should just buy one for each, right? No. The classification is different:
- Summer tents. Their main advantage is improved ventilation, which will keep you warm on hot summer days. In addition to the main ventilation windows (covered with mosquito nets, of course), the edges of these tents are slightly elevated above the ground, so that the draft blows underneath as well. Because of its lightness, the tent is not very strong, to protect from strong winds or rain can not.
- Three-season tents are considered a good camping option for spring, summer and fall. They are dense, can cope with bad weather, are well ventilated and generally fine except for one little fact: it is better not to use them in winter.
- Four-season tents (or just winter tents) are considered the most stable and durable. Heavier than the others because of the increased density of material, which is necessary to keep the heat inside the tent in winter and cool in summer. They cope well with wind and rain, but are more expensive.
Tent size, seating capacity and privacy
Tents come in single, double, etc. Keep in mind, one seat is calculated for an adult man of average build, who should fit into the tent with his backpack. The standard width of a single-seat tent is 90 centimeters.
In the case of double and more spacious shelters, if possible, it is better to choose a tent with a margin of width.
If you’re a fragile girl – do not try to choose a tent solely for his stature. If your tent wants to lie in some good man taller or wider, it is unlikely he will be comfortable.
It’s better to choose a small tent if you’re going on a long, hard hike or to the mountains, where every extra gram makes climbing difficult. In other situations, choosing between tents with a width of 130 and 150 cm, stop at the second option.
Tent shapes
The shape of a tent determines not only its comfort and ability to rest comfortably, but also gives it certain properties. For example, if you get its aerodynamic characteristics wrong, you can become a visual demonstration of the title of the novel by Margaret Mitchell .
Let’s consider the forms in more detail:
- The hemisphere is the ideal shape for traveling in places where windy conditions are expected. It is guaranteed to be streamlined and can be mounted on almost any surface. The shape is provided by two intersecting rigid arcs.
- Half-top is a shape designed for capacity. Provided by two or more parallel arcs. Such a tent can be put up for a long time.
- Tent – tall, spacious, allows you to walk at full height, accommodates several people at once. The walls are almost vertical, which reduces its resistance to the wind.
Choosing the number of layers
Tents, like cakes, can be layered. More layers – better protection, more comfort.
– Single-layer tents manufacturers try to make a denser tent, to at least somehow protect the people inside. In fact, such a tent is a solid canvas, which can be quickly and easily unfolded at the place of camping.
Disadvantages: in hot or rainy weather, condensation often forms on the inner walls of a single-ply tent, in which you can press your face in sleep. And things stored inside will quickly get damp. To avoid this happening, the tent should not save. In more expensive models used “breathing” materials, which do not let moisture inside, but at the same time does not allow the accumulation of condensation.
– Two-layer tents are arranged somewhat differently. The outer layer is the same solid waterproof tent, and inside there is another “breathing” layer. Between these layers after the installation of the tent there is a distance of 10-15 centimeters. In such a shelter you will be protected from condensation, but it is a little heavier than a single layer. Often in two-layer tents there is a kind of vestibule, in which you can remove dirty shoes, leave wet things, etc.
What is the water resistance of the tent and bottom?
For every tent you can find such a characteristic as water resistance. This refers to how much pressure the surface of the tent can withstand before liquids start to seep in. For the floor and walls of the tent, these numbers are different. Logically, the floor carries most of the load and pressure of the human body and his belongings, which means that the figure should be higher. For summer walks and short hikes, a tent with a water resistance of walls of 1000 mm and about 6000 at the bottom will be enough. For camping for a few days you will have to choose something better. For the walls choose a water-resistance of 2000 mm and for the bottom 10,000 mm. For tents that will be used as a dwelling in harsh weather conditions, it is better to choose water resistance of 3000 mm for the walls.
For each tent you can find such a characteristic as water resistance. This indicates how much pressure the water column can withstand the surface of the tent before the liquid starts to seep inside.
Tent material and seams
In short, almost any modern tent fulfills its intended function, no matter what material it is made of. Tents are made of polyester and polyamide fabrics. Let’s look at them in more detail:
Polyamide fabrics include nylon and kapron.
These materials are very strong, they are difficult to tear, they are not threatened by abrasion, but there is one thing: ultraviolet light. Unfortunately, it gradually destroys the structure of fibers, after which they can get wet in the rain and stretch a little. Because of these properties, polyamide fabrics are mainly used to make the floor and interior walls of the tent.
Polyester fabrics are lavsan and polyester. They have exactly the same advantages as polyamide fibers, but are not afraid of sunlight. For long hikes and travels it is best to choose this option.
Seams
A lot depends on the seams that connect the elements of the tent. The seams can be divided into:
- Stitched seams. Used in cheap tents, designed for short-term recreation and small stops. If such a shelter is standing for a long time in the pouring rain, the water can seep through the seam inside.
- Glued and welded. Securely seal the tent and keep water out.
Additional Protective Elements
For quality camping preparations, you need to take care to have the right elements of protection in your tent, which will literally make your life easier in the wilderness.
- Skirt. This is a special cape that covers the entrance to the tent. A very handy thing during winter hikes. It eliminates drafts and provides extra insulation.
- Storm straps are useful for extreme trips. These are special cables, which additionally fasten the tent to the ground or rocks. Going to the mountains? Can’t do without it.
- Resistance to UV rays is an important characteristic that will determine the ability of the tent to resist UV rays. Critical for mountainous terrain.
- Fireproof – the chance not to burn at night after the sentence “And let’s put it closer to the fire, it will be warmer.
- Reinforced corners – an additional strengthening of the tent. As a rule, over time, the tent tears in the places of tension, so if you’re buying a shelter for many years, this detail will be helpful.
Other amenities
Don’t forget about comfort during tent life.
- The pockets inside the tent will allow you to comfortably place your belongings so you don’t have to reach into your backpack for them every time;
- Lantern mounts help turn the tent into a full-fledged room with lighting;
- Mosquito net, oddly enough, will protect you from insects and other critters that are sure to try to hack you in the woods.
Conclusions
It is better not to rush when choosing a tent. Carefully consider the purpose for which you are going to buy a hiking lodge. The thickness of your wallet and the parameters of the tent will directly depend on this.
Little-known firms make tents of almost the same quality as the global brands. Such shelters will cost significantly less.