Camping Gear: Tents

Choosing Camping Tents

Good camping tents are essential
for an enjoyable and successful camping trip.


A tent protects you from the sun, wind, and rain. It protects you from insects, flies, mosquitoes, and other no-see-ums.

A tent provides a place to store your camping gear inside away from the weather. And it also gives you a place to go for a little privacy. You do need a good tent when you go camping.

When you are camping, a tent is your very best friend,
your shelter from the weather.

Choosing a Camping Tent – WHICH ONE?

There are so many different kinds of camping tents out there! Even an experienced camper is easily confused by the bewildering variety of tents available.

Photo by Jim DeLillo

Every camper has different needs, thus the right one for others may not really be the best one for you. So invariably you ask: “Which tent should I select?”

Decide What Your Needs Are
When you venture forth searching for a new tent, the first thing to do is determine your specific camping requirements. Ask yourself a few questions to help you get a better idea of what you’ll need.

Set a Shopping Budget
Then before you go looking, consider the cost and decide how much you really intend to spend. That way, you can keep it reasonable and you won’t overspend your budget.

Discuss Tent Size and Weight
Think about how big your tent ought to be. Take into consideration how many people will be sharing the  space. Then, think about its weight. If you are car camping, it’s not a big deal, but if you’re planning on carrying it very far, you’ll probably opt for a light-weight tent.

Choosing your tent’s color is another important step toward making the final decision. You might not think that the color is important, but there are a few color facts that you need to know about.

Are Certain Features Important to You?
There are some tent features every quality tent will have. Make sure the shelter you choose will fulfill your basic requirements.

What Type of Tent Is Appropriate?
What type of camping are you planning for? That is an important factor in determining the perfect tent. Will you be car camping or backpacking? If you are just camping in the summer time, your needs are much different than that of a hiker who is out in tougher weather conditions such as rain or snow.

There are several different types of camping tents. Each type is designed for different weather conditions.

What Style? What Shape?
Along with the different types, tents come in many, many styles and shapes. All of them are designed for different outdoor activities. Knowing the different functions of the styles and shapes is crucial in your decision. A tent’s shape and style is a very important aspect to consider for your outdoor adventure.

Who Makes It?
There are many different tent manufacturers. All have their own unique name and design. Some are known to be cheap and inexpensive. Others are known to be high quality and pricey. All tent brands are quite different. Some names you may recognize are: Wenger, Coleman, Greatland, and Eddie Bauer.

 

More Tent Tips

Take Care of Your Tent
It’s a good thing to know how to care for your camping tents. When cleaned and cared for properly, it will last a lifetime. Take good care of your tent, and then you’ll enjoy every camping trip without the added stress of an inefficient and useless tent. There are some things you can do to extend the life of your tent.

Pitch it Correctly
Proper pitching is an important part of making your camping shelter efficient and comfortable. It's good to know the right places and methods for setting up camp.

 

 

 

Kids Like To Go Camping, too!
When you take kids tent camping, they love to have their own gear. Any adventurous kid wants their very own kid tent on the camping trip. Kid tents are perfect to share with a friend or to enjoy a backyard campout.

Tent Camping in the Summer Heat
Camping is a wonderful experience, but the heat is almost unbearable in the summer time. Tents seem to attract the heat during the daytime. Use a portable tent air conditioner to make your camping trip more enjoyable. It will keep you from scorching!

Other Camping Shelter Options

You don’t always have to depend on tents for shelter from the weather. Some hikers and bikers like to use light-weight bivys for shelter. Others use special hammocks.

On the other end of the scale, some campers like to be more civilized on their camping trip, and take along RVs, tent trailers, etc.

Campers need shelter.
Camping tents are your protection from the weather.