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Shelter is not a luxury; it is, indeed, a basic necessity of life. So it makes no sense to leave for an overnight camping trip without giving yourself a dependable source of shelter.
Camping in the wilderness necessitates the use of a good tent. There is nothing worse than deciding to “rough it”, only to find you are exposed to wind and rain. Camping tents can be as basic as a two-person pop up model, or an elaborate three-room family affair. What’s important is having a dependable tent that will save you from undue danger or aggravation.
There are lots of things to look for in finding the perfect tent to fit your requirements. Consider the shape of the tent, along with types of poles, the weight, and setup time. If camping alone, make sure to choose a model that is easy to assemble. If you’re unsure, ask an associate at a sporting goods store or outdoor outfitters.
Lastly, be sure that the tent will fit in your car, while leaving room for all of your other gear.
Size
Size absolutely matters when it comes to choosing a tent. Make sure that there’s sufficient room for you, and your fellow campers. Of course, everyone needs to have space to stretch out and to move around. You may be using air mattresses, so remember that when judging the depth. The tent must be high enough, at least, to sit up or to stand up. Manufacturers seem to overestimate the number of people that can sleep comfortably in a tent. So, while it is likely to cram four fully-grown adults into a four-person tent, you’ll all sleep better in a six-person model. Similarly, a two-person tent might be able to hold two people, but their food and clothes will have to wait outside.
Weight
If you are portaging or hiking to your destination, you’ll have to give serious thought to the weight of your tent. Big canvas tents and ten-kilometre hikes naturally don’t mix. You’ll be bringing all of your gear and necessities, so you don’t want to be weighed down even more by a heavy tent. Pick a secure but lightweight model. On the other hand, if you’re driving to the campsite in a heavy-duty vehicle with lots of room for cargoes, then go crazy and bring a big tent.
Material
Most of today’s modern tents are manufactured with lightweight taffeta or nylon. These are durable, strong materials that can stand up to all types of weather. Be sure that the tent you select is certified waterproof. You may pay a little extra, however, it will be worth every penny when the storm clouds start brewing.
Assembly
Ask to see the assembly instructions before you actually buy the tent. Then, practice assembling the tent at home before you leave on your camping trip. The tent you choose should be easy to assemble with few or new tools needed. You’ll have plenty to do when you reach camp, and you don’t want to spend a lot of time fighting with a difficult tent. Camping is about relaxing and becoming one with nature, not struggling and stressing with a tent.
Tents are, of course, not luxuries for the faint-hearted, or copouts for rookie campers. They are necessary items that satisfy the basic human need for shelter. Even the most experienced outdoor enthusiasts will concur, there is no thrill in coming face to face with a forest critter at four a.m.
Tagged with: mountain hiking • tent care
Filed under: Hiking Gear