How to choose the right tent?

Almost everyone loves traveling and hiking, however, not everyone knows how to choose a tent. Dimensions, weight, structure, fabric - all these factors affect the price of the product. This article will talk about the types of tents and the criteria for their selection.

If you are traveling by car, then most likely a large camping tent with parking will suit you.

• camping tent differs in large dimensions and height. There is a vestibule and windows. The main destination is autotourism, traveling with children. You can stay there for a few days. The main advantage is the size: such a tent allows you to stand up to your full height, it will accommodate the whole family. Of the negative sides - poor warming up and massiveness. For those who like to travel long and light, a trekking tent is suitable. For backpackers, light weight and dimensions are very important.

• Trekking tent - a small room used as an overnight stay during a hike. Pros: Lightweight, easy to carry. Negative points: it will not withstand heavy rain or wind. If you are a hiker in the mountains, then the weight of the tent becomes especially important. For traveling over rough terrain, assault tents are designed.

• Assault tent is the lightest of all.It will be especially useful if you have to climb a steep hill or hike a long distance. The advantages include weight, high quality material, ease of assembly and installation. She is not afraid of rain and wind. The disadvantage is the size. Usually these are single tents - it will be uncomfortable for a large person to be inside.

The number of inputs also depends on the size and model. Here you need to carefully read the following points.

• If the tent is designed for more than one person, then it should have two exits. Otherwise, both tourists will have to experience discomfort: one of the tenants will always watch how the other climbs through it, and the person lying farthest from the exit will wait until all the partners get dressed and leave the tent.
• The second exit will be especially useful if you are traveling in the summer, as it will allow you to create a draft, and the air in the tent will not stagnate.
• One exit is considered acceptable if it is installed not on the side of the sleeper, but near his feet. In this case, each traveler, if necessary, will be able to go outside without disturbing his partners.

On the modern market there are a huge number of tents made by a variety of manufacturers. But each of them is designed to perform the same function - providing overnight shelter and shelter during the rains. Below is an overview of the TOP-3 most common brands in the Russian market.

This is a waterproof, comfortable, lightweight tent designed for three people. Inside there is one room and two vestibules. The product is made of polyester.The material is double-layered, waterproof yet breathable, so wearers can be sure that the air will circulate well even on a hot summer day. The frame of this model consists of three arcs located on the street side. Installation is very simple: first, the clamps are fixed, and the material is stretched over them.

Characteristics:

• moisture resistance - 6000 mm;
• length - 3.8 m, width - 2.4 m, height - 1.45 m;
• production materials: polyester, fiberglass;
• weight - 4000 gr.

This product has many positives.

• Thoughtful design. There are two exits on both sides of the tent. There is a vestibule near each exit. This solution allows you to quickly climb, and the tent is ventilated much faster.
• The manufacturer has provided many additional items: here you can hang a flashlight, there is a window for ventilation, pockets for phones.
• The model is not flimsy lightweight, easy to carry.

This model is quite roomy. Made from durable double layer waterproof fabric. The seams here are treated with special glue, so you can be sure that neither moisture from the ground, nor rain, nor wind will get inside. The product has a hemispherical shape. There are windows, thanks to which a pleasant atmosphere will reign in the bedroom.The model accommodates six people, suitable for families or groups of friends.

The design feature is the presence of two bedrooms, which provides special comfort. Another advantage is the high "ceiling". The entrance has a height of 2 meters, so you do not have to constantly bend down to enter the tent.

The case is very light, but despite this, this model can serve properly for several years. Such a tent is ideal for people who like to gather in large companies. When folded, the tent is small. Characteristics:

• moisture resistance - 3000 mm;
• material: polyester (both outside and in the bedroom);
• polyethylene floor;
• body: fiberglass;
• dimensions: 5.15 x 3.4 x 0.2 m;
• weight - 15.5 kg.

Advantages:

• the tent will not get wet even in heavy rain;
• large capacity;
• inside you can walk in full growth;
• Organizers, pockets.

Flaws:

• due to the large size, a person cannot set up a tent alone.

This model will allow a company of four people to comfortably enjoy a hike. Here much attention is paid to convenience: inside there is a vestibule that can be used as a kitchen or utility room. There are even partitions, thanks to which you can divide the bedroom. Just like in apartments, the bedroom here is separated from the rest of the premises, so you will feel comfortable even when you are in the steppe.

If you have ever spent the night in nature, then you probably know that mosquitoes cause a lot of inconvenience at night.This model has a mosquito net that protects against intruders. So you can sleep with the door open without worrying that insects will get inside the tent.

Characteristics:

• moisture resistance of the canvas - 4000 mm;
• moisture resistance of the bottom - 6000 mm;
• entrance from three sides;
• 1 bedroom with partitions;
• windows for ventilation;
• there is a place for cooking;
• weight - 12.6 kg;
• dimensions in the open position - 4.5x2.5x17.5 m.

Advantages:

• dimensions, height of the canvas;
• good wind protection.

Flaws:

• the weight;
• assembly complexity.

Many people know that tents are divided by season. However, people who do not have experience in choosing tents believe that they are all divided into subgroups: for summer, autumn, winter and spring. However, it is not. All tents are classified in a slightly different way.

• Summer. Representatives of this category are designed for use in hot conditions, so manufacturers focus on the ventilation system. The material is raised along the edges. Please note that it will be useless during a downpour or wind.

• Three-season. By name, you can understand that they are operated in winter, spring and autumn - in cold times. It uses high-strength fabric, therefore, even long rains will not interfere with your rest.

• Winter. Such tents are usually used in extreme cold conditions. They will be very useful during a winter trip to the mountains. The difference is that these models can be used both in winter and in summer.

Tents are divided into single, double, triple, etc. Single models are designed for one large man (with a backpack and clothes).

• Usually the width of the bedroom in single tents is 80 cm. This size will be enough so that you can comfortably lie on your back and on your side.
• Double tourist tents provide 60 cm for 1 person in width. Men of large build will be uncomfortable.
• If the tent is designed for 3 or more people, then one will have less than 60 cm. This is not very convenient, because you will also need to place your things inside. For a thin person, half a meter wide will be enough.
• If there are about 45 cm per person in a multi-person tent, then you will not be able to sleep comfortably on your back. Be prepared to turn around at the same time with the whole company.

Another important parameter is the length. This item should be taken into account if your height is more than 180 cm, because you need to leave room for a pillow and a backpack inside. If you are a medium-sized man or your partner is a girl, then it is not necessary to overpay for a double tent, a “one and a half” will be more than enough here. However, for two men of large or athletic build, a double tent will not be enough. In this case, it is recommended to resort to the "-1" rule. For a company of two people, take a triple tent, for three - a four-person tent.

The requests of all buyers are very different, and for some, the length and width of the bed do not matter much.The most important criteria are weight and comfort. Consider a single tent MSR Hubba HP. It is set up quite simply. There is no vestibule, therefore, there is no place to cook food. All you can do is lay down the mattress and go to bed. Ferrino Blow Lite - the exact opposite of the above tent. Under the awning of the vestibule, you can safely prepare a salad, you can swarm inside, the tent is quite spacious, but it is designed for only one person.

When choosing a tent, many people come across incomprehensible inscriptions, for example, Poly Taffeta 210T 3000 PU. For an ignorant person, these data mean nothing. Below will be described how to correctly decipher this marking.

• All companies during the production of tents resort to the use of two materials: polyamide (nylon) and polyester (polyester). The first option is very dense and does not differ in high cost, but the fabric stretches strongly when water enters and fades in the sun. The second type of fabric is even stronger than the first, it is almost impossible to tear, it is resistant to moisture, but you will have to overpay for such indicators. Based on this, we can say that the inscription Poly means that the tent is made of their polyester fabric.
• Taffeta - a popular method of weaving from silk threads, cotton and synthetic polymers. In addition to this method, there is Oxford and Rip Stop. Oxford fabrics are characterized by increased strength and moisture resistance, therefore they are usually used for the bottom of the tent. Rip Stop - combined weave materials based on a reinforced thread. But such weaving does not affect the weight of the tent.
• Next comes 210T. These numbers indicate the density of weaving. It completely depends on them how strong the tent will be.The lower the T value, the more elastic the fabric will be. In addition to the letter T, D may also be present in the description of the characteristics of the tent. It indicates the thickness of the fibers from which the awning is made. Both of these parameters are reflected in the mass of the goods.
• PU means that the material is treated with a special substance - polyurethane. This is necessary so that the roof does not get wet even in the rainiest weather. Some manufacturers prefer silicone treatment: it is much more reliable, and the tent can last longer. However, you will have to pay for the quality.

All tents in their form are divided into 4 varieties: hemisphere, semi-barrel, hammock and house. Let's talk in more detail about each of them.

• Models in the form of a hemisphere provide for the presence of two or more crossed arcs that form a kind of dome. Tents in this design are in great demand due to the fact that they can be used in a variety of conditions: they are not afraid of winds and have the function of repelling water.
• Products in the form of a half-barrel differ in large dimensions. Many models have a vestibule. The arcs are set parallel to each other and do not intersect. Many camping tents have this structure. They cannot boast of reliability and are unstable to strong winds.
• hammock tent great for people who travel alone. They do not have a frame and are not designed for large companies. But such models are the lightest among all competitors, and the whole installation comes down to the fact that you need to tie the ropes to a tree.
• marquee, made in the form of a house, is considered classic. Thanks to the two slopes on the roof, neither snow nor water will linger, however, such tents are unstable to winds due to their structure.Plus, such models require more time to assemble.

General recommendations

• Experienced travelers do not recommend using a windproof skirt. Instead, you can lower the edge of the awning to the ground. The fact is that the skirt makes the tent very massive and impairs air circulation.
• A mosquito net must be hung at the entrance. This criterion is very important if you are relaxing in the forest in the summer. It not only protects against mosquitoes, but also allows fresh air to pass through. During tourism in the mountains in winter, this item loses its relevance.
• Before buying, check if there are ventilation windows. There should be at least two of them, on different sides of the tent. This item is especially relevant if you want to purchase a multi-seat model. Tents designed for one person have only one window.
• Don't pay extra for a higher level of waterproofing. In the modern world, this indicator is used for marketing purposes. Even the cheapest models with a water resistance rating of 3000 mm can withstand even the heaviest downpour.
• The height of the tent should be such that it is comfortable for you to be inside in a sitting position, without hitting the ceiling.
• Thanks to additional loops, it will be more convenient for you to control the level of tension of the awning. They will also help to secure the tent more securely during strong winds.
• Slings must be without damage, even minimal.
• Special attention should be paid to lightning. They should open well with one hand, without biting the material. The advantage will be the presence of two zip locks - from the top and bottom. This way you don't have to unzip the zipper completely to check the weather. And it will also be possible to make a "window" for air circulation.
• Before purchasing a product, inspect the seams well: they must be stitched with high quality and treated with special glue.
• Additional pockets will be an advantage: you can put mosquito spray, phone, etc. in them. Some models may have hanging shelves, on which a flashlight is usually located.

How to choose the right tent, see the following video.