Every person who is interested in hiking, sooner or later comes to the purchase of a tent. Many underestimate the seriousness of this issue and pay insufficient attention to it, which is then greatly regretted. There are no unimportant things in the campaign, and the plans of nature do not always coincide with the plans of man. Therefore, going to nature with an overnight stay, you need to be one hundred percent confident in the comfort and reliability of your overnight stay. This is especially important in difficult trips, when every hour of sleep, every kilogram of backpack weight and every kilocalorie of energy is counted. Today we will take a closer look at the main criteria for choosing a tourist tent.
Appointment
The first thing you need to decide before you go to the store behind the tent is in what conditions it will be used. In this regard, tents are divided into high-mountain, mid-mountain and lowland.
Alpine models are designed for operation at high altitudes, where there is always frost and strong winds. They are further divided into expeditionary and assault. The first type is suitable for the "Himalayan" style of climbing mountains, when climbers stay in base camps for a long time as the height increases. Such a tent should be designed for long-term parking, be sufficiently rigid, and also resistant to snow and wind. The high-altitude assault type is intended for the "Alpine" style of conquering peaks when base camps are not organized. In this case, the tent is always carried with you, so it should be as light as possible.
Mid-mountain tents are a cross between expedition and assault tents: they are more comfortable, which means heavier than assault tents, but still lighter than expedition ones.
Plain tents are used in conditions of low altitudes, when such a natural factor as the wind fades into the background.
If the first type is used only by climbers, then the second two are suitable for ordinary tourists. Mid-mountain and flat tents are further divided into camping and camping.
Camping tent is used for long outdoor recreation. Its hallmark is an increased level of comfort and increased weight. Such tents in backpacks, if they carry them, then very briefly. They have everything you need for a comfortable long rest: high ceilings, large vestibules and many large ventilation openings with mosquito nets. In addition, such tents can have several rooms and a full corridor. Of course, you have to pay for comfort, and it is not so much about money, but about the weight and dimensions of the product. This is definitely worth considering when choosing a tent for camping. On average, such portable "apartments" weigh from 7 kilograms. Therefore, they are a great option for car travel.
Camping (trekking) tents are used when the place of an overnight stay changes every night, and during the day it is necessary to overcome long distances on foot. At the same time, do not forget about weather conditions that may vary. Thus, the camping tent should weigh little, but at the same time be a reliable shelter, that is, protect from rain, wind and solar radiation. In fact, tents of this type are universal, since by most parameters they are located approximately in the middle. They can be used almost anywhere, without particularly compromising comfort and, most importantly, safety. Therefore, most often when choosing a tent for a trip, tourists opt for tracking models.
Frame type
From the point of view of geometry, tents are divided into three main types: two-roll, half barrel and hemisphere (dome). We will briefly analyze each of them.
The gable structure is the progenitor of all modern types of frame. Such tents are today considered a relic of the past and are found only in the budget segment of the market. They have a number of significant drawbacks: high windage, the difficulty of self-installation and single layer.
A half-barrel, or, as it is also called, a “tunnel”, is more convenient in operation than a two-roll, however, it will also be difficult to install such a tent alone. In addition, pegs are required for a half barrel. This should be taken into account when choosing a place for a tent, since far from everywhere the soil allows you to drive something into it.
Hemisphere - the most convenient type of frame for the tent. This design is easy to assemble and can be installed without pegs. The hemisphere has become the basis for creating a large number of different in form tents, which are widely represented on the market. All models of this type are divided into those with two arcs and those with more than two arcs. A design feature of the first type is a small vestibule. In the second case, as a rule, vestibules are quite spacious.
Single or double layer
When choosing a tent for tourism, it is worth considering that all of them can have one or two layers of coverage. It is immediately worth noting here that single-layer models are gradually leaving the market due to their impracticality. The main disadvantage of such tents is the accumulation of condensate in the interior during sleep. In two-layer versions, moisture settles on a denser outer layer, which avoids wetting of the sleeping bag and dampness.
The weight
The next parameter that you should pay attention to when choosing a tent is weight. In most cases, it is inversely proportional to comfort. Other characteristics and advantages are perceived completely differently, at the thought that for the sake of them it will be necessary to carry additional kilograms. Of course, we are not talking about the choice of camping tents that are driven by cars.
In the description of the tent, as a rule, there are two indicators of weight: minimum and full. In the first case, the severity of the tent itself is implied, that is, pegs, covers, repair kits and so on are not taken into account. Accordingly, the total weight indicator takes into account all the additional elements, which, incidentally, are very important. Sometimes manufacturers, obviously out of modesty, indicate this indicator in brackets.
In a tourist environment, the weight of the tent is usually calculated per person (total weight divided by capacity). There is one important point here - as capacity increases, the weight does not grow linearly. So, a four-person tent, when converted to one person, will always be easier than a double, made using the same technology. Therefore, if you focus on such an indicator as weight per inhabitant, then this is meaningful. The table below will help you.
Capacity, people | Total weight kg | Weight per person, kg |
2 | 3-3.8 | 1.7 |
3 | 3.7-4.5 | 1.4 |
four | 4.0-5.0 | 1,1 |
5 | 4,5-5,5 | 1,0 |
Those tents whose total weight is less than the specified are considered ultra-light (UltraLight). They require gentle operation and do not have such a large margin of safety as products of medium weight. But this does not mean that, having bought a very heavy tent, you will provide yourself with the most reliable and unpretentious shelters. For cheap tents, excess weight is due to the use of budget and heavy materials. Conscientious and expensive companies use materials that, with an average weight, have a sufficient level of strength.
Number of inputs
Not only the weight and dimensions of the tent, but also the comfort of its operation depends on the number of entrances. Of course, in single and double models this indicator is not as important as in larger ones. If the inhabitants of the tent lie down along it (with their feet to the exit), then the second exit is not needed. So everyone can easily enter / exit, and collect their things without interfering with their comrades. If the sleeping places are across, then those who are far from the exit to leave the tent will have to climb over the others, or wait until they get dressed, put on shoes and leave. In this case, the second entrance will be useful. This small feature significantly speeds up bedtime and morning fees. As the reviews show, for 1-2 people usually one entry is enough. And vice versa - when choosing a six-seater tent for camping, pay attention to models with 2-3 entrances.
Regarding the number of entrances, it is also worth considering what time of the year you are going on a trip. In the southern regions, where it is warm and even stuffy at night, an extra entrance will provide adequate ventilation. Since good tents are equipped with double doors, one of the covering material, and the second of the mosquito net, they can be ventilated without fear of annoying insects.
Tambour
Many novice tourists do not understand, the offset in the tent needs a vestibule, which affects the weight and dimensions of the folded product. In fact, this element significantly affects the comfort of an overnight stay.
Tambour is necessary in order to:
- Take off your shoes and leave your shoes in it. This, on the one hand, allows you to hide shoes from the rain, on the other hand, to keep the interior clean.
- Keep backpacks, products and all kinds of equipment in it. Of course, you can leave all this on the street, but then things will be subject to precipitation, and, more unpleasantly, they may become the object of interest of thieves.
- In case of bad weather, using the gas burner, you can even cook breakfast in the vestibule. The main thing is not to forget about the need for ventilation.
Tambours can vary greatly in size. If in the smallest of them only a pair of shoes is placed, then in the large ones you can arrange a whole dressing room. As with the residential part, the term “habitability” is applicable to the vestibule. If its ceiling is strongly slanted, then even with a large area of shelter, changing clothes in such a room will be inconvenient. For this, in some vestibules additional arcs of the frame are provided.
Since there is never much comfort, when choosing a tent there is always a great temptation to purchase a model with a large vestibule. It is important here to sensibly analyze the appropriateness of such an acquisition. For example, for those who travel with bicycles and fear for their safety, a large vestibule will definitely not hurt. And vice versa - when a person goes camping with a minimum of equipment, during the night he can put the backpack directly into the tent. According to reviews, some tourists buy a tent without a vestibule, but with an extra bed. So it will be more spacious to sleep, and for things calmer.
Materials
The topic of materials for making tents is very extensive and very important. We will touch only on the main points, which will be quite enough for the average tourist.
The supporting element of the tent is the frame. It can be made of two materials: fiberglass (fiberglass) or aluminum. Expensive and medium tents almost always have an aluminum frame, which is lightweight and reliable. In cheap models, fiberglass is used. This material is relatively heavy and does not tolerate harsh weather conditions.
For modern tents, the awning and bottom are made of polyester or nylon. To increase moisture resistance, the fabric is additionally coated with polyurethane impregnation. The larger the layers of impregnation, the better the product will resist getting wet.
As for the water resistance of the fabric, this is a rather mixed indicator. Novice tourists think that the higher the number on the package, the more reliable the tent will be in conditions of atmospheric precipitation, but in reality it's not so simple. The fact is that each manufacturer measures the waterproofness of the tent in his own way: someone at the exit of the fabric from the factory, and someone after several years of operation. In addition, seams are of great importance. If they are not properly processed, no matter how high-quality fabric is, sooner or later the tent will begin to leak. The positive fact is that among the assumptions of modern manufacturers, current tents are almost never found.
In lightweight models in recent years, they began to use silicone impregnation instead of traditional polyurethane. This solution allows you to greatly facilitate the product. In addition, due to the fact that silicone does not adhere the fabric fibers to each other, such a fabric has greater strength. The only drawback of silicone impregnation is the high price.
In budget tents, the bottom can be made of reinforced tarpaulin polyethylene. In simple campaigns, he has a right to exist. The disadvantage of a tent with such a bottom is the increased weight and volume. In addition, during active use, especially in the cold season, cracks form on the bends of polyethylene, which eventually begin to leak moisture.
Seasonality
Quite often, manufacturers indicate on their products the season for which they are designed to operate. So, in the description of the tent you can find the words: “summer”, “three-season” (spring, summer and autumn) or “four-season” (can be used all year round). The main difference between models of different seasonality is their ability to withstand the wind. In summer versions, the inner awning is made of thin mesh fabric, which provides additional ventilation in hot weather. In three-season and winter tents, a denser fabric is used, which, from the point of view of resistance to wind, is practically not inferior to the outdoor tent. In addition, such models can be additionally equipped with an assault skirt, which is sprinkled with snow or stones and almost completely eliminates the possibility of wind blowing inward.
It is important to understand that, from the point of view of thermal insulation directly, a summer tent is practically not inferior to an all-weather one, since the fabric, whatever it is, practically does not interfere with the cold. Therefore, on frosty nights, even in the winter tent itself, you can not do without a warm sleeping bag or heating devices.
Useful little things
Tents are often equipped with all sorts of additional trifles such as shelves, pockets and other things. Their presence is not a necessity, but significantly affects the comfort of camping life. To determine the appropriateness of these accessories is faced with the choice of a tent, since the cost of the product may depend on them. That's what must be included in the kit, so it is a repair kit. Most likely, it will never come in handy, but the opportunity to always fix the damage to the tent should always be. The success of the whole campaign sometimes depends on her.
Choosing a tent for winter fishing
A tent in the usual sense of the word is used for a comfortable camping trip, but this is not always the case. Winterfishermen use special models that protect them from the weather right during their favorite pastime. Talking about choosing a tent for fishing from ice can be a long time. We will focus on the main points.
Choosing such a product, it is worth considering:
- Time required for installation. Since during the fishing process it may be necessary to change the place, the tent should quickly fold and unfold.
- Simplicity of installation and dismantle. In winter conditions there is no time and opportunity to tinker with a complex frame.
- Susceptibility to low temperatures and high winds. Otherwise, how can you call a winter tent?
- Cost. If fishing trips are frequent, then it makes sense to buy a more expensive and high-quality model. Leaving on the ice several times a season, you can get by with a cheap option.
In terms of design, tents for winter fishing are:
- Wireframe. Many anglers consider this type to be the most reliable and stable. Its specificity lies in the fact that it is mounted for a long time, so the frequent change of fishing places will bring discomfort. Frame tent is a great option for "settled" anglers.
- Tents like "cube". Recently, this type is increasingly being preferred when choosing a tent for winter fishing. The “cube” is very spacious, since its walls are perpendicular to the ice plane. Inside it you can easily get up and stretch. When choosing a heat exchanger in a "cube" tent, you can give preference to larger models. This is quite important, especially when the street is severely cold. When choosing a winter cube tent, it is worth considering that it also has significant disadvantages. The main one is high windage. In addition, often such models are heavy.
- "Automata". Fans of ice fishing are very interested in “automatic tents”.Their main advantage is quick installation. According to reviews, this design often allows you to change the place of fishing, without spending a lot of time on the construction of a shelter.