| Family camping tents come in many shapes and | | | | seam, which reinforces the seam and adds to the |
| sizes. The one that suits your needs may not be | | | | weather-proofing. All waterproof seams in on the |
| the right one for someone else. That's why there | | | | fly and floor (or tub), are usually factory |
| is such a large variety produced for the outdoor | | | | waterproofed with a seam sealer. Set up the tent |
| enthusiast market. | | | | in your yard before the first tent use to test out |
| | | | the pitching process. You can also use this |
| Shaping Up Your Tent Choices | | | | opportunity to go to your local sporting goods |
| Tents come in four basic shapes: A-frame, | | | | store to buy some seam sealer and |
| umbrella, geodesic or "dome", and wall. The | | | | waterproofing spray. It's always a good idea to |
| A-frame is the old-style, traditional "pup" tent | | | | do this to ensure a dry trip. Make sure you allow |
| shape, but can also be quite large. The umbrella is | | | | the tent to dry before packing it back up. |
| a commonly used family tent, with plenty of | | | | |
| standing room, including large windows and a rain | | | | Fabric |
| fly. The geodesic dome has many variations, with | | | | Almost all modern tents are now made of nylon. |
| varying combinations of connected triangles. The | | | | Coated nylon is used for waterproofing. Nylon |
| wall tent is like an A-frame tent, but is generally | | | | mesh is used for inner walls and gear pockets. |
| much larger and has vertical side walls, and is | | | | No-see-um mesh is used for the window screens. |
| most commonly used in army applications and | | | | Better tents use thicker fabric and rip-stop fabric. |
| Scout camps (These are usually set up on | | | | |
| permanent decks). | | | | Hey!!! Zip It Up!! |
| Tents with square floor shapes are more efficient | | | | Make sure when you go out to buy your tent... |
| when laying out sleeping and gear arrangements. | | | | test the zippers. They should open and close with |
| If you decide to purchase a tent with a round or | | | | ease and shouldn't catch on the tent fabric. The |
| oval floor, you should plan some extra floor space | | | | zippers should be rust-resistant. |
| to compensate for the less efficient layout. | | | | |
| | | | Hot and Cold Flashes and "Why is My Tent |
| Size DOES Matter | | | | Shaking?" |
| Tents are marketed as two man, four man, six | | | | Weather variations will place many demands on |
| man, etc. At best this describes the most people | | | | your tent. |
| you can cram into the tent for sleeping, with no | | | | Windy conditions will call for strong poles, stakes |
| storage for any of your personal items. This size | | | | and anchor ropes. Dome tents perform |
| determination is okay for backpackers who are | | | | extremely in wind. Their rounded design reduces |
| packing light, but makes no sense for the average | | | | the wind's effect, and their pole arrangement |
| camper. | | | | provides great strength. |
| Why be shoe-horned into your tent? Figure on | | | | Rain causes two issues to surface. Keeping |
| using the tent at half its rated capacity and you | | | | yourself and your gear dry is first and foremost. |
| should have enough room for two adults and | | | | Second, you need enough room for all tent |
| most of their gear. Each person should have a | | | | occupants to be comfortable if 'weathering the |
| minimum of 24 square feet of floor space; | | | | storm' becomes necessary. |
| enough room for your pad, sleeping bag and gear. | | | | The floor should be constructed of waterproof |
| If you are packing for a long trip, you may want | | | | coated nylon covering the floor, and turning up |
| to increase the square footage depending on the | | | | the sides for approximately six inches, creating |
| quantity of gear you are going to bring. | | | | the tub. There should be a minimal amount of |
| Don't forget to purchase a tent that will be wide | | | | seam (the more you have, the more potential for |
| long enough for you to stretch out when you | | | | leaks). It will keep out any water that runs down |
| sleep... a 6' tall sleeper will be very cramped in a 6' | | | | and under the tent. |
| wide tent; leave yourself at least 1 foot of | | | | Make sure your tent has a waterproof rain fly |
| foot-room. You will need a minimum of 30" of | | | | made of coated nylon. The fly should wrap |
| space across the tent for each sleeping bag just | | | | around the tent and reach down the sides, leaving |
| for sleeping. | | | | only a few inches of space between it and the |
| Adding 'dry' storage for your gear, and enough | | | | ground. This should shut out the rain, even in |
| space to get out of your tent without tramping | | | | windy conditions. The fly should extend far |
| on your tent companion, will result in a more | | | | enough over the door, so it keeps out the rain |
| enjoyable outdoor experience. With this in mind, | | | | when you open the door to enter or leave. Some |
| an 8' x 8' tent would work well as a 2 man family | | | | tents even come with a vestibule that allows for |
| tent. This gives each camper 32 square feet to | | | | this. |
| spread out their gear and sleeping area. BUT, a 10' | | | | Sunlight and its accompanying heat create a |
| x 10' tent is much more suited for two adults | | | | major need for shade and airflow. The rain fly will |
| (seems like overkill, huh?). This size tent will have | | | | provide shade. Screen windows on opposite sides |
| enough space for air mattresses, cots or pads | | | | of the tent, or a screened window opposite a |
| AND still have enough space to stand up when | | | | screened door, will allow air to flow through the |
| changing clothes. | | | | tent. |
| Be careful about buying a tent larger than 10' x | | | | Long excursions in cold weather call for a special, |
| 10'. First, finding a suitable place to pitch such a | | | | heavy-duty 4 season tent. Unless you plan on |
| large item will be a challenge. You need a spot as | | | | doing winter camping, you can use a |
| level as possible. Second, big tents are extremely | | | | "three-season" tent that has the features |
| heavy and bulky to carry. Finally, it might be | | | | mentioned above. The most important features |
| better to have several smaller tents so everyone | | | | will be a rain fly that fully covers the top and |
| isn't sharing the same sleeping, changing & | | | | sides to keep snow and other precipitation at bay, |
| living area. | | | | and an interior layer made from an open mesh |
| The peak height is very important to your | | | | fabric to allow water vapor to breathe out of the |
| comfort. For most trips, try to have a tent that | | | | tent. In cooler weather, water vapor inside the |
| is tall enough to stand in. Plan for the taller | | | | tent from moist, outside air and exhaled breath |
| persons in your group. A six or seven foot peak | | | | from the occupants will condense on the interior |
| height is necessary for adults, and a four foot | | | | surface of the tent. This can be prevented by |
| peak is about right for kids. Remember, the tent | | | | allowing airflow through your tent or by passing |
| slopes downward at a sharp angle, so the actual | | | | through the mesh fabric. |
| spot where you can stand up will be small. Larger | | | | The tent size is also a consideration with cool |
| spaces will be provided in tents with taller peaks. | | | | weather camping. A smaller tent will stay much |
| Kids can fit comfortably in smaller tents. Once | | | | warmer than a larger tent with your body heat. |
| they are old enough, about seven or eight, they | | | | |
| will probably want to sleep in a separate tent | | | | You Get What You Pay For |
| anyway. Parents will appreciate the privacy | | | | Usually, the more expensive tents are made with |
| provided by this arrangement too. A five by | | | | stronger fabric, poles, and stitching. They're built |
| seven foot tent is adequate for young kind. | | | | to withstand stronger wind and more violent rain. |
| Teenagers should be considered as adults when | | | | A good tent, that is well cared for, can last for |
| fitting a tent. | | | | many years. |
| | | | Remember that not everyone will need this |
| Support Your Local Tent - Poles | | | | amount of durability. The milder the weather you |
| Poles included with most tents available today are | | | | camp in, and the closer to home you camp, the |
| made from aluminum or fiberglas. The better | | | | better solution will most likely be a less expensive |
| quality tents usually come with specially made | | | | tents. |
| aluminum poles, with a high degree of flexibility. | | | | If you're just beginning your camping journey, and |
| Fiberglas poles are included in most 'every day | | | | don't know if you'll enjoy it, you might want to |
| camping' tents. The poles are usually linked | | | | start with a less expensive setup. Your first trips |
| together with an elastic shock cord. This speeds | | | | will probably be when the weather is warmer, and |
| up the setting up process (important when doing | | | | you will probably not venture deep into the |
| it in the rain!). Poles, when mishandled can bend or | | | | wilderness until you gain some experience and |
| break, so many tent manufacturers provide repair | | | | decide if you like camping or not. Remember, you |
| kits for you to carry along on the trip. | | | | can always upgrade your equipment later. |
| | | | For more information you can visit us at Birdseye |
| Seams to Me It's Important | | | | Outdoor Supply where you can more tips to help |
| Seams should be reinforced with nylon tape and | | | | you with your camping needs. |
| double-stitched. The tape is stitched into each | | | | |