What to look for when purchasing a Camping Tent

What To Look For When Buying A New Camping Tent

When you are shopping for a camping tent there are few things to think about.  How big do you need?-How many doors and windows?-What type of construction you prefer?-What type of weather you are going to be in?  These are some of the questions you should answer before you go to buy your tent.  Certainly do not buy the most expensive thinking it is the best or buy the cheapest thinking it is of good quality.

How Big Should Your Camping Tent?

If you are not planning going on a backpacking or canoe trip then the size of your tent should not matter so much.  The size of a tent is measured in sq. ft., and how many standard sleeping bags fit inside of it.  A four person camping tent will hold four people and there sleeping bags, but there will be very little room to store other items and will be tight for sleeping.  I have always added two people to the size of the camping tent that I needed and always have had enough room in the past.  Multi-room camping tents are a good option if you would like a little privacy.  There are a few kinds of multi-room tents to choose from.  There is the kind with a wall in the middle and a zipper door, or the kind where you tie up room dividers to make a one room into a multi-room.  Finally there is the kind that is like the first but with a screen room attached (3 room) or the screen room replaces one of the rooms (2 room).  These are nice for changing out of dirty or wet clothes before getting into the sleeping area.  They also work great for a table and chairs when it is raining, or storing gear.

What Are  Some Things To Look For?

The type of construction-

• Dome tents have a lot of space but not a lot of head room and are almost always built with fiberglass poles that break down to make them easier to transport and pack.  You bend these to make the dome, and they are either put into loops, pockets, or there are rings with a metal post that go into the open end  of the fiber glass poles.  These can be tricky sometimes with one person, here is a hint - stake it down first, that will keep it place while you bend the poles to attach to the bottom.
  
  
• Metal frame tents are nice because they provide a sturdy tent with head room through out the whole camping tent.  These come in more than just camping tents though, they are also screen tents and canopies.  These tend to be kind of bulky when trying to travel light though, these poles are much thicker than the fiberglass poles.  When they bend, they are pretty much done and should be replaced.
  
  
• Expanding frame tents are the easiest to put up, but they take up they most room and are not practical for carrying for any distance.  They expand out and you put the top on and attach it by Velcro or ties.  Then just extend the legs and it is up.  They come with stakes or weights for the feet to keep it from blowing away, and some have sides you can attach to keep out the wind.

Weather proofing-

• You should make sure that the seams are folded and double stitched.  Make sure you use seam sealer on all the seams for extra water prevention.  You can get this at any store that sells tents or camping supplies.  
  
  
• Make sure it has a proper rain fly, it is the raincoat for your camping tent.  It should come down the sides of the tent to protect the walls of the tent.  Rainflies are water proof and tent walls are water repellant.  
  
  
• It should have a one piece tub floor.  The floor would ultimately be made out of a water proof material that will wrap up the sides of the tent a few inches before being attached to the walls.  There should be no seam in the floor, if there is you will have water leaking in your camping tent.

Other features to look for-

• It should have heavy duty zippers, you are going to be in and out a lot.  You are going to want something that is holds up to frequent use.
  
  
• A roof vent is nice to get air moving through the tent and help keep the condensation out of the tent.
  
  
• No-see-um mesh is the best for keeping out all the pests
  
  Stake loops should either be metal grommet rings or material loops

Here Are Some Additional Tips For Prolonging The Life Of Your Tent

You should always use a tarp or mat to protect the bottom of the tent from rocks and sticks, this also prevents moister from penetrating the bottom.  Make sure your tarp is under the camping tent and not sticking out.  If it is sticking out it will collect rain and dew and most likely it will collect under the tent.  This is just a general camping tip, never store food in your tent.  This will keep out ants and other bugs, also this will keep out animals.  You should store food in a screen tent away from your sleeping area.  When done you should sweep out your area to also help prevent pests.  When you get home you should take your camping tent out of its stuff sack and let it air out to prevent that musty mildew smell.  You can store in the sack but never on concrete, it can absorb moisture and mold the tent and destroy the seams.