Trekking tent: what is it and how to choose it?

No self-respecting hiker can do without a tent. The tent is also indispensable for any picnics in nature or in the case of spending the night in the fresh air.

Such a hiking attribute of a tourist can be divided into several types:

• extreme look;
• camping;
• tracking.

First you need to figure out what a trekking tent means. The name of this type of camping tent comes from the Dutch trekking and literally means "nomadic" or "moving".

The main advantage of trekking products can be called their weight.. Such models for tourists are very light, as they are intended mainly for hiking over short distances. The material for production is nylon or other ultra-light materials, so such products are very compact. In addition, this type of tent is very convenient to transport and use.

However, every medal has a downside. This type of models for tourists should be used only for outdoor recreation, trips to the shore of a river or sea. You should not take such a tent on long routes or hiking in the mountains, where the weather changes within a few hours. She is not able to protect from the weather. The frame structure of lightweight products does not provide protection from wind or heavy rain.

According to the forms of the tents are divided into several subspecies.

• Tent form. The design-stand of a cone-shaped form is located in the center. The model in the form of a tent is quite high. Cons: some inconvenience inside the tent due to the presence of a rack, poor wind resistance. This type of form is rarely used.

• Double form. The rib, from which two awnings diverge on both sides, is located at the base of the structure. Pros: good capacity and water resistance. Cons: inconvenient location of the frame supports inside the tent. Double models are rare.

• original form. At the heart of the frame design, several types of forms are combined at once. So, hemisphere and half-barrel models are used mainly for the production of camping and trekking models.

• Hemispherical shape. At the heart of the design are two arcs that intersect with each other. Pros: good wind resistance. Cons: Not enough space inside.

• Half-ribbon. Several arcs that make up the frame of the structure are parallel to each other. Pros: the presence of a large space inside. The disadvantage is low wind resistance.

Many people wonder how a trekking tent differs from a camping tent. To begin with, it is worth noting the difference in the convenience of placement. Models for camping have a high level of comfort. They have high and large spacious vestibules.

The word "camping" in translation means rest near the parking lot. Also, "camping" can be translated as autotourism, that is, this meaning involves a trip to a designated place by car. The weight of such tents is significant: from 5 kg to 15 kg. Therefore, in this case, you can not do without a car.

In turn, the tracking model weighs up to 5 kg. It is very compact and can be carried in a backpack. As a rule, the design does not provide for the presence of a vestibule in such a tent. If it is, it is very small.

The capacity of these types of tents also has its differences. Trekking is designed for 1-4 places. The campsite can accommodate from 4 to 12 people.

Trekking models are more designed for the summer season. These tents are well ventilated. The air circulates through the lightweight fabric, which provides fairly good ventilation. Types of camping models are designed for all four seasons. The main advantage of these products is their resistance to any bad weather. Some tents have windows made of frost-resistant material.

The presence of racks made of dense aluminum and a glued bottom make the product wind resistant. You can also relax in a trekking tent in winter. Inside, the heat is retained for a long time. Winter versions of such tents are made of waterproof material, and durable construction posts are made of dense, reliable aluminum. But unlike the summer version, winter trekking products weigh 2–3 kg more.

The number of accommodation places in any tourist tent affects its weight. Walking 20-30 km in a day with a four-person or six-person tent is not so easy. Many backpackers most often choose a double.3-seater is suitable for companies from 3 to 5 people. It is quite roomy, with a wide vestibule, in which you can also sit. But it should be borne in mind that such a design will weigh even more. It is better to travel with such a tent by car.

But if you have to hike alone, you should pay attention to the double model. The weight of single and double is not too different. The difference is only 1 kg. But for a comfortable overnight stay, there is much more space.

When choosing both a 2-seater and a 3-seater design, you should pay attention to the following points:

• bottom;
• skirt;
• arcs.

The bottom of the product and the awning are made from the same material. The bottom must be strong, because it is on it that the greatest load is calculated. When choosing, you should pay attention to the density of weaving threads and their thickness. They should be designated as follows: 210T and 210D. It is also worth choosing a product whose bottom material can withstand water pressure from 3000 mm of water column. The water resistance of the tent depends on this indicator.

A skirt is a strip of fabric near the bottom edge of the awning. This strip extends the awning to the ground and protects against moisture or strong winds. Tents with a skirt are more often chosen for winter tourism.

The choice of both a double and a triple tent depends on the quality of the materials from which the product is made. Great attention should be paid to the seams. They must be well glued or welded if the bottom of the tent is made of polyethylene. You should also consider the quality of lightning and peg. Zippers should not stick, and the pegs should be light and not bend.

The most famous companies for the production of tracking models:

• Alexika;
• Trump;
• Nova Tour;
• Greenell;
• Trek Planet.

The average cost of a camping product ranges in rubles from 2 to 5 thousand. Tents in this price category are considered mid-range products. But at the same time they have excellent functionality for a good rest and hike.

More expensive models - from 10 to 15 thousand - are considered premium products. They are wear-resistant, moisture-proof, characterized by increased wind resistance, and can have up to several vestibules. Companies Nova Tour and Quick Hicker 3 produce just such models.

Also, companies producing premium trekking hiking models include VauDe and Marmot. In production, manufacturers use the highest quality materials. The cost of such tents starts from 11 thousand rubles.

Anyway When choosing a camping tent, it is necessary to take into account the conditions of its operation. In addition, it is necessary to decide how many people the structure will be designed for and how long the route will be. For family outdoor recreation, for a picnic near the city and civilization, a tent of any weight is suitable. If you have a long walking route, then the weight of the product is of great importance. For such distances choose the lightest tent.

For information on what a trekking tent is, see the following video.