Wednesday, June 16, 2010

CHOOSING THE BEST TENT

Going to your first camping trip? This is the excitement you will feel in choosing your very first camping tent. After all, this will be your home away from home. Here are the essentials you might like to consider:

Type

Consider what type of camping you would like to do. A car camping tent offers much more floor space and headroom than a backpacking tent but are heavier and typically more difficult to setup than backpacking tents. A backpacking tent can double as a car camping tent but a car camping tent is too heavy and cumbersome to be used as a backpacking tent.

Weight

Lighter is usually better when it comes to a backpacking tent, but typically the lighter then tent the more expensive it is. In general you don’t want to be carrying a tent that weighs over 5 pounds and the lighter then tent the more comfortable your back will be.

Size

Tents are sized by their per-person capacity and are designed to fit snugly. That being said, a two-person tent will fit two people snugly so if you would like a roomier tent go up a person size.

Climate

All tents do not repel water and protect against the wind equally. Most campers choose a three-season tent, which means the tent is suitable for spring, summer, and fall conditions. If you will be camping in humid, rainy conditions choose a tent with plenty of ventilation and rain coverage and if you plan on being in windy conditions look for a tent with good stability and extra guylines.

Cost

Tents can range anywhere from $100 to well over $500. If you are just getting started camping or backpack infrequently choose a tent in the lower range. Higher priced tents usually just buy you extra features and a lighter weight.

Design

Tents come with a variety of design features. Tents vary in the number of doors, windows, storage elements, design of rainfall, presence of vestibules, and ventilation features.

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