Selecting
the perfect tent can be a daunting, overwhelming task if you're not quite
sure where to begin. If you don't know what you are looking at, the price
tag hanging on that amazing tent in the middle of your favorite outdoor
shop can make you cringe. But take heed, avid campers and backpackers, there
is a very logical way to wade through the huge selection and pick out the
perfect tent for your needs.
The first, easiest way to narrow
down your selection is to determine the size of tent you will need. Tents
are designed to accommodate a certain number of people. So, a solo backpacker,
and a family camper will be looking for two very different tents. Most
tents come labeled with their capacity in the description. Other tents
have a number next to the name, indicating the number of people the tent
is designed to hold. If you are not interested in having more than one
tent in your outdoor gear collection, it is best to determine the maximum
number of people you think will ever sleep in your tent at one time. If
you are doing a solo trip this summer, but usually hit the trail with
one other person, it is best to select a two-person tent.
The
next step is determining when and where you will be using your tent. Are
you spending a couple weeks on a volcano in Mexico, a month on the Pacific
Crest Trail, or an evening in Rocky Mountain National Park? Tents fit
into different "season" categories, which are usually labeled
"Three
Season," Four
Season," "Tarps/Shelters,"
and "Bivy Sacks."
For the most part, these are generic terms that may change from one manufacturer
to the next. The terms generally encompass similar features, regardless
of the manufacturer.
A Three Season tent is designed
to function during every season but winter. Not to say that you couldn't
use this tent during the winter, but for all intensive purposes, the tent
would not be ideal during a winter storm. A Four Season tent, on the other
hand is designed to function during the harshest winter conditions. If you
end up stuck on a high
peak, during a three-day blizzard, for
example, this tent will keep you dry, warm and comfortable. The downside
to this tent, however, becomes apparent in the summer months, when you are
carrying a heavy tent, lacking the ventilation of a Three Season tent. Convertible
tents, designed to bridge the gap, include the weather blocking features
of a Four Season tent, but come equipped with removable ventilation panels
for the warmer months. Lastly, the Lightweight tent category features tents
that often have the most technical fabrics and newest designs which allow
the tent to be functional and roomy, but most importantly, lightweight.
<After
you have decided when and where you will use your tent, you can further
narrow your selection, by considering weight. An important aspect to many
tent shoppers, tent weight will be listed in the primary description.
Weight is oftentimes, (but not always), closely related to size. Generally,
the larger the tent, the heavier the overall weight. An important detail
to note, while looking at tent weight, is the three weights that most
manufacturers list in the tent description. This detail is most important
for individuals who plan to carry their tent. "Maximum weight"
indicates the weight of the tent when you take it right off the shelf.
This includes the weight of the tent, fly, poles, bag that it comes in,
instruction manual, stakes, and anything else that comes with the tent.
"Packed weight" indicates the weight of the tent when it is
packed for a trip. This may vary from one manufacturer to the next, but
usually includes the tent, poles, fly, bag and stakes. The "minimum
weight" again varies from one manufacturer to the next, but usually
includes only the tent, poles and fly. For backpackers concerned with
weight, the minimum weight of a tent is an important comparison factor
while shopping.
Tent
materials are another important consideration while tent shopping. You
can easily become bogged down by the technical details, but there are
some basic components that will indicate the inherent value of the tent
you are considering. Unique, technical, and innovative fabrics and materials
are found in the poles, fly, floor, tent body, windows and zippers. Different
manufacturers pride themselves on the materials they choose for each aspect
of the tent. Some materials are better than others, but for the most part
these technical aspects will be more or less necessary depending on your
intended use and specific environment.
Looking for a tent that is easy to
set up and take down? Interested in a tent with multiple entrances? How
about an extra large vestibule? These are all important considerations
when you are narrowing down your tent selection. Design features furnish
a tent with its individual flare. While many add on accessories are available,
the unique, built in features make a tent more or less perfect for an
individual with specific needs. Some features to keep in mind while shopping
are the number of poles, number of doors, size and shape of vestibule,
size and shape of tent floor, and staking options, to name a few.
Finally, most of us usually shop
with a budget in mind. If shopping for all of your outdoor needs at one
time, it will important to determine where on your priority list your
tent ranks. A tent is worthy of a large portion of your budget, since
this item will last, if taken care of, for many seasons. All of the features
mentioned earlier will be reflected in the total price of the tent, so
the number one rule of thumb, is of course, "you get what you pay
for." A tent, high in quality materials, and features that fit your
individual needs, will surely keep you a dry, comfortable, happy camper.
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