Camping Tent Considerations

Purchasing a camping tent could mean running down to the local discount store and grabbing what's on sale. But what happens when you get out in the field with your tent and you end up wet, freezing, or just can't figure out how to set it up? Hind sight brings the realization that you should spend more time in purchasing your camping tent. Let's go over the basic considerations.

Seasons

Camping tents are rated by seasons, and some tents can keep you drier than others. If you are planning a trip to a snowy region, even Yosemite in June, I certainly wouldn't recommend packing your 3-season tent you used for summer at the lake.

There are generally three types of camping tent classifications and each depend on the time of year they will be used.

• All-season or convertible - These are used year round but despite the name do not perform well in harsh winter weather. Weight is generally not an issue. All-season camping tents are typically associated with family or car tents. Most cabin tents are all-season tents. These are great for relaxed summer camping.


• 3-season - This type of tent works well for all but the harshest cold weather condition. The 3-season camping tent is what I would consider the most versatile. Some of the smaller 2-person tents are great for hiking and some of the larger tents are great for family campouts. Dome tents are usually 3-season.


• 4-season - built for extreme, cold weather climates.

Staying Dry

Without protection over your tent, if there are no vents it may stay dry in the short run. But touch the fabric, and it will begin to leak. And what about the floor? You need a groundcloth for the moisture from the ground.

Thanks to modern technology, camping tents can be purchased that have a water-resistant coating which allows for ventilation. Most camping tents have a waterproof rain fly that attaches to the tent poles and still allows for ventilation, along with built-in vents. And lastly, many camping tents have floors sewn into the bottom called bathtub floors.

Easy Setup

Your camping tent should be reasonably easy to set up. At no time will this be more apparent than when it is raining or pitch black.

How do you know the ease of set up? A-frame and dome camping tents are generally easy to pitch, even without directions. Most are even color coded. A cabin tent will likely be more complicated, especially the first time. So practice setting it up before you head out. Be sure to notice how it comes folded and packed so you can imitate the packing each time you take it down. Neat packing can help preserve the tent and save the poles and other pieces from damage.

Ventilation

Adequate ventilation on a good camping tent will have openings on all sides.

Most camping tents will have mesh screens on each side as well. This is to continue to have air flow though the tent even when you are trying to keep out the bugs or even debris if it is windy.

You'll want to choose a tent that has a large mesh opening if the bugs are annoying where you'll be camping.