Choosing the right tent
Tents come in many different shapes, sizes and styles, from one- person designs that fit in a rucksack, to eight berth frame tents that you can furnish like a second home. Between these two extremes you have numerous styles offering a variety of elbow room, materials and ideal locations.
It is important to choose the correct equipment for your intention. So first of all, you need to be sure of your purpose...
What's the plan?
- How will the tent be carried? By rucksack, by vehicle or by wheeled bag? The details printed with each tent will state its weight, so be sure to check this if you are planning to lug your equipment any distance on foot.
- How much standing room do you need? The tent details will also state the height in the living area and the sleeping area. It may be essential that you can stand in the living area but not in the sleeping area, or it may be necessary to stand wherever you are inside the tent. Smaller tents do not provide for standing room, but they still state the headroom when sitting. So it's important to always check the height specifications on your tent.
- How many people will be sleeping in the tent? Tents vary in size considerably. Consider how many people are using it and whether they require one large sleeping area or separate compartments. The tents are usually labelled 'two person' or 'three person', etc, and this is based on average-size adults. To be sure, check the actual measurements given to establish that you have adequate length and width to accommodate the people using the tent. Also, consider what equipment (tables, chairs, packs, etc) will be stored alongside the sleepers. You don't want anything (or anyone!) being left outside.
Tent styles
- Ridge tent - This is a triangular shaped tent. It has a horizontal pole supported by the two end vertical poles. These tents are very sturdy with plenty of headroom. Their weakness is the sides, which are unsupported. These tents are pitched end on to the wind, by the guy ropes. World of Camping does not stock this style of tent.
- Fame tents - Steel frame tents give great all-round headroom and living space. They offer separate sleeping compartments, a kitchen and a living area. Flysheets are cotton, though occasionally they are made of synthetic fabrics.
- Dome tents - These tents are, as the name suggests, dome shaped. They are very simple to erect, using lightweight flexible poles that thread through a sleeve in the fabric crossing at the top. The poles are glass-reinforced plastic or alloy. This type of tent, in the smaller size, is a great choice for the backpacker or motorbiker and they range in size up to family-size and beyond. The dome tent is our best selling family tent. They offer great value for money with their generous sizes, ease of erection and are ease of transport. But remember that the higher the dome the more vulnerable they are in windy conditions.
- Geodesic tents - These tents are very similar to the dome tents except they have a different pole configuration that gives more strength in windy conditions. The flexible poles cross at different levels and hold the fabric taut.
- TOURING TENTS - These include extended ridge and extended dome. These tents are usually a high ridge or dome with a good size porch area for shade, shelter or cooking. (Please be aware that cooking is not recommended in any nylon or polyester tent and great care should be taken when using any appliance in a cotton frame tent). The tent may have windows and will usually be nylon or polyester. The poles are of steel, alloy or glass- reinforced plastic.
- VIS-À-VIS - This term applies to tents with sleeping compartments on either side of a living area. The basic tent can be either ridge or dome style. Most are made in lightweight nylon or polyester. Remember that the higher the tent the more vulnerable it is in windy conditions.
What your tent is made of
Tents are made from a variety of different materials. Most have a breathable inner sleeping section and a separate waterproof flysheet. This two-walled construction provides insulation and prevents the build-up of condensation inside the tent.
Cotton is a natural fabric. It can be coated with PVC for the roof and the bottom strip, known as the skirt. The use of cotton allows the tent fabric to breathe and thus produces less condensation.
However, cotton is heavier and bulkier when packed, so is generally used for frame tents where weight is less important. Smaller, lightweight tents may use cotton for the inner sleeping compartment. The disadvantage of cotton in tent manufacture is that they require proper care, otherwise they will rot.
Nylon and polyester are used for the majority of dome, vis-à-vis and ridge tents. These fabrics are generally coated with one or more polyurethane coatings to provide waterproofing. This type of fabric has the advantage of drying quickly, being lightweight and packing down to a small size. It also needs minimum maintenance. Nylon and polyester can become brittle and deteriorate with prolonged exposure to bright sunlight.
An important innovation in the camping industry was the development of Sewn-In-Groundsheets (S.I.G.s). These are groundsheets sewn either to the inner tent or to the outer flysheet. They offer built-in comfort and warmth for your tent, as well as ensuring you don't share your night with the creepy crawlies. Without a sewn-in-groundsheet you may have slightly better ventilation, but this will come at the cost of comfort and insulation. We recommend you ensure that whatever tent you buy comes with a S.I.G. as standard.
A final word
Camping is fun and if you choose the right tent for your intentions and the right size to accommodate your party, it will make your holiday. Most tent manufacturers will publish details on the construction of their tents and this will guide you to the correct choice. Remember to take adequate pegs, a peg remover and a mallet, and together this will ensure a trouble- free pitching. All you have to do then is relax and enjoy yourself.
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