Camping Gear: How To Pick The Best Tent
The quality of your tent has a significant influence on your camping experience, and there is a great variety of tents to choose from.
When choosing, first narrow down the selection by deciding on the dimensions you need. Consider how many people you need to accommodate, because most tents are labelled according to how many people they sleep.
Unless you want to have a number of different tents to suit whatever number of people might be going on a trip with you, you should buy one according to the largest number of people you might want to house in it.
Here are some things to consider when shopping for a tent:
Think about how much you want to spend before you actually shop for a tent, so that you do not overspend.
You should also decide the size (how many people will be housed in the tent), and if you are backpacking then you also need to check the weight. The lighter the tent is, the better, especially if you are going to have to carry it on your back.
Tents have a variety of features which you should also consider, for example mesh panels to keep out flies and mosquitoes but allow air in, hock-corded poles which are quick to set up, flame resistance and water proofing, and more.
Consider all your basic requirements and select a tent which suits these.
Although they are more expensive, it is a good idea to choose a tent made of a durable fabric. It will be worth the extra cost in the long run.
Color is also important, because some colors are better than others at allowing light inside. Some colors will make the inside seem dark and dreary, others brighter.
If you are camping in summer, lighter colors will reflect more light and hence be cooler, whereas darker colors are good for cooler weather because they absorb the warmth of the sun.
The coating of the tent is also important: the inside surface of the rain fly and floor should have a shiny coating which you can see or feel. This coating helps these surfaces to stand up to heavy usage.
Make sure the tent's weather rating fits the season you are using it for, so you know that it is made specifically for the conditions you will be meeting. Tents made for snow camping are very different from ones which are made for summer weather.
Check the make, because some are unique in design, some are renowned for their quality, and so one. It is a good idea to choose a tent manufacturer which has been around and trusted for some years. Popular makes are Greatland, Eddie Bauer, Wenger and Coleman tents.
If you want to really enjoy your camping experience, you need to have the right equipment. You are going to be living in that tent for a few days, and you want to be comfortable, especially if the weather becomes unpleasant. So it is important to plan, and to choose wisely.