Any tourist knows how important the role of equipment in the campaign! There are no trifles in this business, every detail is significant. Camping tent is probably the most important part of equipment, on which depends not only the comfort of the group, but also the safety of people's life and health.
A lot has already been written and said about how to choose a tent . But everyone solves this issue independently, focusing on their own priorities and preferences. Someone feels confident only having acquired the latest model developed by one of the best manufacturers in the world. After all, what could be more beautiful than light weight and compactness, convenience and thoughtfulness of details! And someone likes a canvas tent for a hike, bought during the Union ... Let it be heavy and unfashionable, but certainly seen and involved in many adventures. Such things sometimes become true faithful companions.
Nevertheless, general selection criteria that should be guided by exist. What should be a tent for camping, what to look for, how not to get confused when choosing? We’ll talk about this.
Number of seats
Any tourist knows that in many tents, "odnushki" easily accommodate two, or even three tourists. Of course, if we are talking about fishing with an overnight stay on a hot summer night, this option can also be dispensed with. Not everyone will want to sleep at all, and in the fresh air near a fire in the summer it can be quite comfortable.
But when it comes to a long journey, especially on foot, capacity should not be neglected! And if there are children in the group, a full place needs to be allocated for each of them. Are you going to buy a tent for a family vacation? So choose one that is designed for the number of members of your family. Moreover, camping tents are usually used not only for overnight stays, but also for luggage storage.
Seasonality
The most common tents that can easily be found in any store for tourism, hunting and fishing are summer. They are quite compact, and they weigh relatively little. High-quality summer camping tents have an important advantage - a ventilation system reliably covered with mosquito nets. The value of this option does not need explanation. Anyone who has ever caught a mosquito pack for dinner on a camping trip will not doubt for a second the need to have a good mosquito. Lightweight camping tents can be used in autumn and spring. It all depends on the climate and weather conditions. Many of them are not even afraid of torrential rains. The only problem in this category is the strong wind.
That is why for the most extreme tourists who prefer to conquer the snowy peaks or travel in the cold season, there is a special category of tents. A high-quality winter tent for hiking is sewn from dense fabric, often has an additional outer dome, especially strong axles and massive stakes.
Terrain
Many tourism enthusiasts choose ordinary flat-bottom tents. And for those who like to travel in the mountains, manufacturers have developed special equipment. Tents for hiking in the mountains have an asymmetrical bottom, designed for installation on an incline.
When choosing a tent, this is definitely worth considering. Of course, a mountain tent can also be used on the plains, but it is not very convenient.
Comfort
Today, tents equipped with an additional vestibule are very popular. It is possible to store food, backpacks, equipment, fishing rods in it, without fear that something will disappear during the rest.
An excellent option is the windows. The best manufacturers supply them with curtains, double-sided fasteners, additional nets.
But for comfort, of course, you have to pay. And it's not just about money. The most comfortable camping tents for camping in the forest, as a rule, weigh at least 7-8 kg. In addition, when folded, they have a volume comparable to a full equipped backpack. This option is designed, rather, for delivery to a place in transport. But tents for hiking should not weigh more than 1.5-2 kilograms, but they are devoid of all sorts of frills.
The form
A couple of dozen years ago, the most common form was the classic tent-like, with a gable roof. Such a tent for camping is considered universal even today - ceteris paribus it is resistant to wind (a triangle is generally the most stable figure), easy to operate. The main problem of such tents is that in almost all models the top extensions must be tied to the branches of trees located on top. In the absence of such an opportunity, it becomes necessary to install additional stakes. In the steppe and desert zones, both of these options can be a problem.
A half-pipe is a great option for such a climate. These tents can be installed on stony soil, sand and snow. All such models are equipped with a collapsible frame, providing a simple and quick installation.
The dome (hemisphere) is the most common form of a tourist tent today . It is suitable for forests, steppes, plains. Its main advantage is that with proper assembly, such a tent does not even need pegs and stretch marks, just angular clips are enough.
Color
Many tourists may be surprised that this item is no less important. Many years ago, almost all the tents were monophonic protective color. They were produced for military and civilian needs according to exactly the same standards. However, if a soldier’s tent should, by definition, have camouflage properties, a civilian one is completely useless. This is especially true for those who are going on a hike with an increased degree of risk. And the thing is that in the event of an unforeseen situation, a brightly colored tent is much easier to detect both from the air and from the ground.
Speaking of color, it is worth mentioning all the well-known properties of black and white. Both of these colors are not suitable for sewing tents. The black color that accumulates heat will turn the dwelling of tourists into a greenhouse. The same can be said of white, reflecting heat - not only from the outside, but also from the inside. This color will simply not allow the tent to cool. Yes, and so easily soiled, this is also worth considering.
Design
When choosing a tent, one cannot but pay attention to the appearance. The aesthetic side of the issue is no less important. The main requirement - a campsite should please the owner's eye. Who wants to look at photos from a wonderful trip, on which a patchwork monster looms? And living in the beauty of nature is much nicer in a neat stylish home. After all, for the duration of the trip, the camping tent becomes our main refuge, replacing the native walls.