🕒 4-5 minute learn
We’re right here to assist, and with 35 years of tenting expertise and over a decade of operating the Tenting with Fashion weblog, we’ve been requested a few of the similar questions on tents, time and time once more.
On this weblog, we reply 10 regularly requested questions on tents, together with selecting a tent and caring for you tent, so we hope you’ll discover the knowledge helpful! Don’t overlook, you possibly can attain out to us on our social channels if in case you have another questions too.
1. What measurement tent do I want for my tenting journey?
This can be a robust query to reply as the dimensions of tent you want for tenting relies on many various elements. That can assist you work out what measurement tent you want, begin by contemplating issues like how many individuals will probably be utilizing it regularly, the place you’ll retailer it and so forth.
In figuring out the dimensions of tent you’ll want, ask your self the next questions.
- How many individuals will probably be utilizing the tent?
- How will you be transporting the tent?
- The place will you retailer your tent when it’s not in use?
- How a lot camp furnishings or gear do you have got?
For a household of 4 driving to a campsite for a week-long tenting vacation, they’re most likely going to wish to go for a big tunnel tent with a number of completely different rooms. Add in 4 camp beds, camp chairs, a camp desk and maybe a kitchen or storage unit, and we’d suggest selecting a tunnel tent that sleeps at the least 6 folks to supply the area you’ll want.
Against this, for a single individual travelling by public transport, you’ll wish to hold bulk and weight to a minimal, wherein case a easy 2-person backpacking type tent can be a greater choice.
2. What are the principle completely different kinds of tents accessible?
There are a number of predominant kinds of tents accessible, every designed to cater to completely different wants and tenting preferences, however listed here are the most well-liked kinds of tent that you simply’ll encounter at campsites.
Dome Tents
Dome tents are characterised by their rounded form, which gives good stability and wind resistance. They’re usually simple to arrange and supply ample headroom on the centre. Dome tents are well-liked for tenting journeys with small teams or households and can be found throughout each value level and go well with a wide range of tenting wants.
Tunnel Tents
Tunnel tents are a household tenting favorite and have a protracted, tunnel-like form, with versatile poles or inflatable beams, making a sturdy body. They provide beneficiant residing area, a number of completely different ‘rooms’ or zones and they’re comparatively easy to pitch.
Backpacking Tents
Backpacking tents are designed for light-weight journey and compact storage, making them excellent for backpackers and wild campers. They’re usually small in measurement and have streamlined designs to attenuate weight.
Bell Tents
The basic bell tent loved a revival just a few years in the past, and as soon as once more have turn into well-liked with many various campers, primarily {couples} and people with younger kids.
Bell tents present the added bonus of usually being created from canvas which gives nice breathability and temperature regulation in addition to being massive and spacious with plenty of head-room.
Popup Tents
Most of us have encountered popup tents sooner or later as there are usually low cost to purchase and simple to pitch. Sometimes in a spherical, flat bag, these tents are taken out of the bag and can immediately come out into form.
All it’s essential do is peg down the bottom and man ropes and you’ll be pitched in a few minute. This sort of tent is commonly solely single-skin and restricted in measurement to sleeping 1 – 2 folks.
Instantaneous Tents
Instantaneous tents are a comparatively new idea based mostly on a jointed body, usually with the flysheet already connected. The body usually simply wants lifting up and the joints locking in place, resulting in a tent that’s usually bigger than a popup that additionally gives just a little extra stability.
3. How rapidly ought to I be capable of arrange a tent?
How rapidly you possibly can arrange a tent relies on many various issues, however primarily the sort and measurement of tent you have got, and the way many individuals you’ve acquired lending a hand, will all play an element.
The flexibility to arrange a tent rapidly is helpful for changeable climate. If you see the clouds rolling in, the specter of rain can imply added stress, however as of late even the most important of household tents can usually be pitched in 10-Quarter-hour.
Tents that put off conventional poles are far quicker to pitch, making an AirBeam tent a private favorite of ours, while bell tents with their single centre pole are additionally extraordinarily quick to place up.
For a small backpacking tent, it’s best to be capable of get this up by yourself in 5-10 minutes as a common rule, while for a big, poled household tent, you may want 2 adults and to permit 20 minutes and even longer to get pitched.
4. Are all tents appropriate for tenting in numerous climate situations, like rain and snow?
A tent that isn’t appropriate for rain is as useful as a chocolate teapot actually, so sure, all tents technically ought to be appropriate for various climate situations, nonetheless, that’s the place the supplies and HH (See level 7 under for extra data) come into play.
An affordable single-skin popup tent might need a 1000 or 2000HH. HH stands for Hydrostatic Head, a measurement used to point the waterproofness of a tent’s cloth and It represents the stress at which water will start to penetrate the material.
Most tents begin at a minimal of 2000mm which suggests they are going to keep dry in drizzle and lightweight rain. Something extra and also you’re more likely to want you’d invested in one thing higher!
With this in thoughts then, no, not all tents are appropriate for all climate situations. For those who’re tenting in a rustic the place rain is a frequent customer, we’d suggest selecting a double-skinned tent (i.e. has a fly sheet and an internal), with an connected, sewn-in groundsheet that provides a HH of at least 3000HH.
5. How a lot ought to a tent weigh for backpacking functions?
The perfect weight of a backpacking tent relies on numerous elements, just like the length of your journey, the variety of folks in your group, the terrain you’ll be masking, and your private preferences for consolation and comfort.
Nevertheless, as a common guideline, backpacking tents usually weigh between 2 to 4 kilos (0.9 to 1.8 kilograms) per individual.
6. Do I really want to have the ability to get up inside a tent?
No, you don’t want to have the ability to get up inside a tent, however for these with mobility points, older folks and notably for households utilizing a tent to vacation in, with the ability to get up inside a tent is a consolation sport changer!
For those who’re backpacking, after all a standing-height tent will probably be a luxurious that simply isn’t sensible to have, however for {couples} on weekend tenting journeys and all household campers, then we predict having a tent you possibly can get up in is a should, however hey, that’s simply us.
7. What does the HH quantity imply and does it matter?
Hydrostatic Head is measured in millimetres (mm) and is often indicated in tent specs and can all the time be current for many well-known and regarded tenting manufacturers like Vango, Outwell, Kelty, Coleman and so on.
For instance, a tent with a HH of 2000mm implies that the material can face up to a water column of 2000mm (or 2 meters) earlier than water begins to seep by way of.
Usually, the upper the HH score, the extra waterproof the tent cloth is. Nevertheless, the suitable HH score relies on elements such because the local weather situations you’ll be tenting in and the extent of waterproofing you require.
Right here’s a tough information to understanding HH rankings
- 1000mm – 2000mm Appropriate for mild showers and occasional rain.
- 2000mm – 3000mm Good for reasonable rainfall and prolonged use.
- 3000mm – 4000mm Excellent for heavy rain and tougher climate.
- 4000mm + Wonderful waterproofing for excessive climate situations, like extended heavy rain or snowfall.
8. How a lot ought to I pay for a tent?
How a lot it’s best to pay for a tent is, sadly, an inconceivable query to reply. Seems like a cop out proper? The price of a tent nonetheless relies on so many elements it will be inconceivable to present you a determine.
As a substitute, when contemplating the value of a tent, it’s possible you’ll wish to take into consideration the next;
- Model of the tent you’re contemplating
- Time of yr you might be shopping for
- Dimension of the tent that you really want
- High quality of the actual mannequin of tent you’re
- Your finances and the way a lot you’re prepared to speculate
9. When is one of the best time of yr to purchase a tent?
We’ve all the time maintained that purchasing final years’ mannequin of tent out of season gives one of the best possibilities of bagging a tent discount. Nevertheless, in addition to shopping for tenting gear throughout the winter months when demand is usually low and retailers wish to shift their inventory to make approach for the brand new season, even shopping for within the top of tenting season means you will discover bargains.
Summer time gross sales are likely to occur in the direction of the tip of August, while after all, Black Friday in November means you’re more likely to get extra offers too. There may even be flash gross sales to look out for, and signal as much as tent retailer mailing lists to make sure you’re within the know every time any offers pop up.
10. How ought to I retailer my tent when it’s not getting used?
Correct storage of your tent is important for sustaining its situation and longevity. Observe these steps to make sure your tent stays in prime form when not getting used.
Clear and dry your tent
Earlier than storing your tent, be sure it’s clear and utterly dry. Set it up in a well-ventilated space or dangle it exterior to air out. Take away any grime, particles or stains. Permit the tent to air dry utterly, each in and out, to forestall mould, mildew, and odours.
Pack with care
As soon as your tent is clear and dry, fold or roll it fastidiously and pack it away making certain nothing is by accident left contained in the tent, like a head torch tucked away in an inside pocket and forgotten, or by accident rolled up with the tent, like an errant tent peg. Guarantee it’s stored inside one thing breathable to assist stop any moisture build-up.
Retailer in a cool, dry place
Select a cool, dry storage location on your tent to forestall harm from moisture, warmth, or daylight. Keep away from storing your tent in direct daylight or exposing it to excessive temperatures in case you can. A spare room, utility room, attic or storage with constant temperature and humidity ranges is good for tent storage.
Maintain it elevated
Retailer your tent off the bottom to forestall harm from pests, moisture, and grime. Use a shelf, rack, or hooks to maintain the tent elevated and away from potential hazards.
Test Periodically
Periodically verify in your saved tent to make sure it stays dry and in good situation. Air it out and examine for any indicators of harm, mould, or mildew and handle any points promptly to forestall additional harm and lengthen the lifetime of your tent.
The place to subsequent?
From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures right here on the weblog and in numerous publications she’s written for, Shell has a selected curiosity in selling wellbeing and the numerous advantages of nature remedy.
