| When you're camping, your tent is the most | | | | taken in poor weather. |
| important piece of equipment. Without a tent, you | | | | Hoop Tents: These are a cross betwen a ridge |
| are nothing! You need one that will keep you dry | | | | and dome tent. They are strong with room inside, |
| and warm (but not too warm). There are a huge | | | | they can be multiple hoop, also known as a tunnel |
| huge range ot there on the market and it can be | | | | tent, or single hoop which is lighter weight and |
| difficult deciding what to buy but here are a few | | | | easier to carry. Hoop tents are often favoured by |
| tips to help you on your way. | | | | mountain climbers because of their strngth in high |
| There are so many different tents oit there on | | | | winds and extreme conditions. |
| the market that it may be difficult to know | | | | Geodesic Tents: A geodesic tent is similar to a |
| where to start. from a simple one person tent | | | | Dome tent, but with a slightly different structure |
| which will fit easily into your rucksack, right up to | | | | which gives them greater strength in high winds. |
| an eight berth monster, with all mod cons including | | | | Often slightly more expensive than a standard |
| spa pool and massage table ok, perhaps that's a | | | | dome tent. |
| bit far but you get the idea!). As with everything | | | | Vis-a-vis: Tents with sleeping areas on either side |
| camping related, your tent needs to fit the | | | | of the main central area. These are genrally dome |
| purpose that you'll be using it for. If you will be | | | | style noeadays but you do ocassionally see a |
| carrying the tent in a rucksack, then the weight | | | | ridge style vis-a-vis tent. |
| and dimensions when packed are very important. | | | | Touring Tents: Touring tents can be extended |
| If you are camping with the family, you may | | | | ridge tents or extended dome tents. They |
| want something with seperate bedroom areas for | | | | normally have a porch area, which is very useful |
| privasy. All of these details can be found within | | | | for cooking, (although goking in tents should only |
| the information of the packaging or from the | | | | be done if it is safe to do so, and you should |
| shop when you buy your tent. | | | | consult the manufacturr if you aren't sure). |
| Tents will be labelled 'one person', 'two person' etc, | | | | Touring tents often have windows and are the |
| but you should always check the actual | | | | tent of choice for people who spend long periods |
| dimensions as classifications can differ between | | | | camping. |
| manufacturers. You should also pay attention to | | | | Most tents have 2 layers. The first a breathable |
| how much space there is in the living area and | | | | 'inner' providing warmth and keeping the insects |
| what the height of the tent is (ie, can you stand | | | | off, while the 'outer' fysheet or 'skin' is the |
| up). Below is a summary of the different types | | | | waterproof layer that goes on the outside. Having |
| of tents you might choose. | | | | a two layer structure also prevents moisture and |
| Frame Tents: These have the best headroom and | | | | condensation building up. These layers can be |
| are useful for families, and those who plan to | | | | made from a wide range of materials, the higher |
| cook inside the tent. The disadvantage of frame | | | | end of the price range tends to be the best |
| tents is that they are havy and difficult to carry, | | | | insulated, most breathable and best quality and |
| so only suitable if you are travelling by car (and | | | | would be advised for extreme weather conditions. |
| have a few people to hep you put it up). Frame | | | | The higher price ranges will also be home to tents |
| tents are becoming less popular in favour of the | | | | with the best quality seams and zips as these are |
| more fashioable and lightweight Dome Tents. | | | | often the first things to go. |
| Ridge Tent: This is a triangular shaped tent, the | | | | The strength of the poles is an important factor if |
| more tradiditonal one that you are used to seeing. | | | | you want your tent to last. Modern tents are |
| You rarely see this around nowadays, and again | | | | extremely lightweight but you can often tell the |
| have given way to the more modern dome tents. | | | | difference between poor quality and good quality |
| Dome Tents: A dome shaped tent, very simple | | | | poles. As a rule, you generally get what you pay |
| to erect and very lightweight. The flexible poles | | | | for. If you are using your tent to go to a festival |
| thread through the tent fabric criss corssing in the | | | | and don't tend to do much else with it, then you |
| middle. The poles are normally made of reinforced | | | | can pick up a 2 man tent from about £25. If |
| plastic or a metal alloy. Dome tents can range | | | | you are looking for something that you can use a |
| from a very compact one or two man right up | | | | few times of year in all conditinos, then prices can |
| to a family sized tent with room to stand. They | | | | go up to about £500 for the top quality |
| are relatively inexpensive and due to the compact | | | | tents. |
| size when packed they are very easy to | | | | Whatever your choice, remember to allow anough |
| transport. higher dome tents are more vulnerable | | | | space for your stuff. |
| in high winds than a frame tent so care should be | | | | |