Choosing a Camping Tent
Tags: camping | camping trip | choosing tent | family camping | tent
Your first priority is figuring out what kind of camping you're going to use the tent for. Camping with your car or van at an established campsite requires different kinds of camping tents than walking in to a wilderness site.
Camping tents fall into three broad categories: "A" frame, dome, and cabin styles.
- "A" frames have two upright poles that support a ridge pole. Generally small, they have a maximum capacity of two to three people. Models range from low-cost pup tents to high-quality backpacking tents. As a general rule, "A" frames are designed strictly for sleeping, and for providing minimal shelter from the elements. For family camping they're often used as separate quarters for the kids, who insist on having their own bedroom.
-Dome tents resemble high-tech igloos and use three or more poles depending on configuration. Models can sleep from two to eight people. Some dome styles allow you to stand erect inside, while others have little headroom. As a general rule, dome tents are the easiest to erect, once you learn the basics. Plus they can often be moved, while pitched, if you discover the ground is more suitable a few feet away.
-Cabin style tents are just what the name implies, and are designed to accommodate larger groups of people. Main support is a horizontal ridge pole connected to uprights that extend to the ground front & back. Often they have side ridges and poles as well. The better models use external poles, thus providing more usable space inside. You should have more than enough headroom to stand comfortably in this kind of tent, not always the case with other styles.
All of this tends to over-simplify, because many camping tents are hybrids, combining features of all three styles. These often are identified as "modified domes"---which covers quite a bit of ground.
Over the years my family has used just about every style of tent. Our very first family camping trip, for instance, was made with a cabin tent. We had a pair of toddlers, a crib, a portable potty, mounds of clothing, and sundry other items. As the boys grew, so did our interests, from family camping to backpacking, which called for high-tech packing tents. By the time the kids were in their teens they were camping on their own, and we expanded our interest to whitewater rafting and four-wheeling. For these activities a modified dome fit the bill.
Choice of tent style is really a matter of personal preference and lifestyle needs - as is additional camping equipment. If you don't care for sleeping on the ground you're going to bring along a folding cot. In that case, make sure the tent is big enough to accommodate one.
If you don't object to crawling in and out of your tent on hands and knees, a backpacking tent is ideal. They are lightweight and, when folded, make a small package. This also makes them perfect for canoe and bicycle camping, where weight and bulk are considerations.
However, if you like to stand up and stretch in the morning, a dome or cabin tent will suit you better. There's plenty of headroom, and, depending on size, space to stow your gear as well. It's therefore not uncommon for two people to use a six-person tent, especially if they want their equipment inside with them.
No matter what tent style you choose, it's crucial that you give it a dry run before heading on a camping trip. Set the tent up in your yard or a nearby park, to learn what pitching and striking it is all about. There is nothing worse than trying to set up a tent for the first time at two in the morning, after a long drive. It can really put a damper on your camping trip.
Some tents also require that the seams be sealed, using compounds the manufacturer supplies. You can more efficiently do this during the test run then while actually living in the tent.
Finally, be aware of warranties. A reputable company will stand behind its gear, offering a multi-year or lifetime warranty. In addition, the customer service department usually has a policy of repair or replacement if there are any manufacturing problems. A company that's afraid to offer replacement parts or repair service on its tents is not confident about its equipment---which should tell you if you really want to buy that product.
Author: Brook Elliott
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