Shelter is not a luxury; it’s a basic necessity of life. So it makes no sense to leave for an overnight camping trip without providing yourself with a dependable source of shelter.

The first step to getting back to nature is buying a tent you can depend on. A good quality tent must be comfortable, easy to use and provide security for you and your family.

tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are compact, easy-to-carry two-person tents that assemble in moments, and there are massive family-size models with separate bedrooms and even lighting. What matter most is that the tent you choose is durable enough to keep you safe in the outdoors and sheltered in all types of weather.

Choosing a tent is a task worthy of serious thought, and there are several factors that must be considered before making your final decision. The size and shape of the tent, the weight and the setup must all be taken into account. If you’re camping alone, assembly is a very important consideration. Shop at a reliable sporting goods or outdoors store, and ask the sales associate for help in choosing the best tent to meet your requirements.

It’s also important to make sure that the tent is easy to transport. Don’t forget, you’ll need to pack the tent in your car and leave room for all of your gear.

Size it Up

Are you camping alone, or with your family? Are you packing along a lot of gear? Do you have pets that will need protection? These are all points that will come into play when choosing the size of your tent. You (and those sharing your space) will need room to sleep comfortably, stretch and move around. You’ll need to sit up or stand. While it is possible for a family of four to sleep in a four-person tent, you’ll all be more comfortable in a roomer six-person model. Two people will be comfortable in a small tent, but may need to store their belongings in a separate shelter.

Weight

If you are hiking or portaging to your destination, you’ll have to give serious thought to the weight of your tent. Big canvas tents and ten-kilometer hikes just don’t mix. You’ll be carrying all of your gear and necessities, so you don’t want to be weighed down even more by a heavy tent. Choose a secure but lightweight model. On the other hand, if you’re driving to the campsite in a heavy-duty vehicle with lots of cargo room, then go crazy and bring a big tent.

Material Matters

Lightweight nylon and taffeta and popular materials used by today’s tent manufacturers. These fabrics are strong and durable, and able to withstand all types of weather. The most important thing to look for in your tent material is a waterproof certification. Paying a little extra is worth every penny when you’re caught in a downpour.

Assembly Required

Before you buy the tent, ask to see the assembly instructions. It’s also important to try assembling the tent in your backyard before you leave home. Your tent must be easy to assemble using just a few (or no) tools. You’re going camping to relax, and there’s no point in stressing out with a tent that’s hard to assemble.

Tents are not luxuries for the faint-hearted, or copouts for rookie campers. They are necessary tools that satisfy the basic human need for shelter. Even the most experienced outdoor enthusiasts will agree, there is no thrill in coming face to face with a forest critter at four a.m.

Tags: Camping, camping gear, camping supplies, hobbies, hobby, outdoor living, outdoor recreation, recreation, recreation and leisure, recreation and sport, recreation and sports, tent, tenting, tents, vacation

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 at 2:30 pm and is filed under Camping. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.