Tents come in many different shapes, sizes and styles, from one
person designs made to fit a rucksack, to eight berth frame tents
ready to fully furnished with everything including the kitchen sink.
In between there are there are numerous styles offering excellent
head and elbowroom, of lightweight materials and suitable for a
variety of locations. It is important to choose the correct equipment
for the purpose that you intend to use it. The advantages of camping
are many. The initial outlay is relatively low and the ease that
a tent can be transported gives freedom. There are various types
of tents available each designed with a particular purpose in mind.
Firstly, you need to establish how the tent is to be carried, e.g.
in a rucksack or by car. The details printed with each tent will
state its weight, a very important consideration if you have to
walk any distance. These 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 be able to stand where-ever you are within the
tent. The smaller lighter weight tents do not provide for standing
height but the headroom when sitting is very variable so care must
be taken to choose the right height for your comfort.
Tents vary in size considerably. Consider how many people are to
sleep in the tent. Do you require one large sleeping area or do
you prefer separated sleeping compartments? The tents are usually
labelled two person or three person etc. This is based on average
size adults. Do check the actual measurements given to establish
that you have adequate length and width to accommodate the people
who are to use the tent. The living areas are shown with sizes marked.
Consider what equipment i.e. tables and chairs, that you will wish
to have within the tent and check that the sizes marked will in
fact be adequate. Below are the different styles of tents available.
- FRAME TENTS -
Frame tents give the best all round headroom and living space.
They offer separate sleeping compartments, kitchen and living
area. The frame is generally of steel. Flysheets are of cotton,
though occasionally they are made of synthetic fabrics
- 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.
- 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 tent fabric crossing at the top. The poles are
of glass reinforced plastic or alloy. This type of tent, in the
smaller size, is a great choice for the backpacker or motor biker
and they range in size up to large enough to accommodate a family
or large group. The dome of tent is our best selling family tent.
They offer great value for money with their generous sizes, ease
of erection and are easy to transport due to their relatively
small pack size. Do 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 that 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. The poles are of steel, alloy or glass
reinforced plastic. The usual fabric is nylon or polyester although
a few are made in cotton.
- 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 A point
worth remembering is that the higher the tent the more vulnerable
it is in windy conditions.
- HOOP TENTS - Hoop
tents combine the best features of the ridge and dome tents in
a single design. They are strong and offer plenty of room inside.
They comprise of a single or multiple hoop- these being known
as the tunnel tent. The single hoop is favoured by the backpacker
because of its lightweight, size and strength. The tunnel tent
has, usually, three hoops and an entrance at both ends. Mountaineers
for their high wind resistance and lightness favour them.
WHAT YOUR TENT IS MADE OF
Tents are made from a variety of different materials. The majority
has 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 strip around the bottom, known as the skirt. Condensation
can leave clothing and bedding feeling damp and wet. The use of
cotton allows the tent fabric to breathe and so produce less condensation.
However cotton is heavier and bulkier when packed and so is generally
used for frame tents where the weight is less important. Smaller,
lightweight tents may use cotton as the inner sleeping compartment
fabric. The disadvantage of cotton in tent manufacture is that it
will rot if not maintained properly. However if proper care is taken
they will last years. 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 in that it dries quickly,
is light in weight and will pack down to a small size. It also needs
minimum maintenance. Nylon and polyester can become brittle and
deteriorate over long time exposure to bright sunlight.
A FINAL WORD
Camping is fun and if you choose the right tent, for the type of
use you require and the right size to accommodate you and all you
wish to take with you, you will enjoy many happy holidays in it.
Most tent manufacturers will publish details on the construction
of their tents and this guide will help you to decide which design
is best suited to your needs. Remember to make sure you also have
adequate pegs, a peg remover and a mallet! This will ensure a trouble
free pitching of your chosen tent and all you have to do then is,
relax and enjoy yourself.
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