| If you’re like me, you would love to get out | | | | grade then the fly because it gets more abuse |
| and camp more then the last time you did, a few | | | | and may sit in water. |
| years ago. Many things stop us from making the | | | | Wondering why the tent body is made mostly of |
| time in our busy lives to enjoy the truly great | | | | meshing? Ventilation is king in 3 season tents. The |
| outdoors. We will always have an excuse as to | | | | fly doesn’t go all the way to the ground to |
| why we don’t, so lets address them, one | | | | allow airflow along all the edges, it’s also |
| article at a time. | | | | removable so you can be fully open if need be. |
| Lets look at the terms first, 3 season simply | | | | On clear warm nights you can take the fly off |
| means it’s made for hot to mild | | | | and look up at the stars, and be protected from |
| temperatures and mild to medium weather (wind | | | | all insects that love to interrupt those moments. |
| and rain). Spring summer and fall fit into those | | | | There are also vents in the fly near the top |
| categories nicely, hence 3 season. 4 season | | | | because heat does rise and won’t leave the |
| means it’s made for warm to cold, even | | | | tent under the fly until your sweating. |
| freezing, temperatures and heavy to severe | | | | This meshing also makes the tent much more |
| weather (snow and high winds). Add winter to the | | | | lighter then a solid wall tent, which is great for |
| list and you have a very rugged tent. Chances | | | | carrying from the car or backpacking on an |
| are if you’re not battling high winds every | | | | overnight hike. You will find many 3 season |
| other weekend in the mountains you won’t | | | | camping tents in the superlight and ultra light |
| need a 4 season tent. | | | | categories mostly because of the meshing. Pole |
| Here is the basic set up of a 3 season camping | | | | construction and fly materials also make a huge |
| tent. There are 2 “walls”; the fly is | | | | contribution to weight which is why the lighter the |
| considered the first or outermost layer or wall. | | | | tent the more expensive it can get, not always |
| The material itself or a chemical coating usually | | | | though. |
| waterproofs it. The fly is your first line of | | | | The last point to make here is easy set up. There |
| protection from the elements so remember to | | | | aren’t as many poles, and tie downs used |
| take care of it. The second layer is the tent | | | | when setting up a mid-sized 3 season camping |
| body, which uses meshing as the walls and roof | | | | tent compared to a 4 season. That being said |
| material in most cases. The floor of the body is | | | | there is a different ease of setup between |
| also a waterproof material, usually equal or higher | | | | manufacturers and even their own models. |