| It's amazing how much heavier 4 to 5 pounds can | | | | tent. However, most people will trek at least half |
| make your backpack or bicycle feel at the end of | | | | the time with others and having a 2 or 3 person |
| a long day on the move. However, a good tent | | | | tent will often be your most practical investment |
| specialized to your needs is indispensable in most | | | | for financial, space and weight considerations. |
| climes and is well worth carrying. There are places | | | | If you plan to use your camping tents in varied |
| you can cut back, but quality camping tents are | | | | types of terrain and weather conditions, a |
| an investment that pays for itself over and over | | | | versatile dome tent can be easily pitched in |
| again. Take it from someone who only learns the | | | | almost any environment from sand to woodlands |
| hard way! | | | | to tundra. Even when you may have soil |
| When browsing through the styles of backpacking | | | | conditions that won't allow the tent stakes to |
| tents, you will notice some have single wall | | | | maintain tension properly, the popular dome tent |
| construction, while others have a breathable layer | | | | will stand alone in moderately strong winds which |
| that is covered with a detachable waterproof rain | | | | may present a serious problem for some styles. |
| fly. Single wall water proof tents trap | | | | There are a few other things that can improve |
| condensation from your breath and perspiration | | | | the quality of your trip. Unless you are an avid |
| unless the walls are made from certain high tech | | | | ultralight backpacker or cyclist, I recommend |
| modern materials which allow vapor to pass but | | | | looking at camping tents with some head room. |
| keep out water. Modern camping tents have | | | | Having a tent that you can sit erect in is really |
| waterproof floors with double stitched seams but | | | | convenient if you ever have to hole up all day for |
| a waterproof ground cloth is always a good idea | | | | any reason. Since storms can come in |
| as long as it doesn't extend beyond the tent base. | | | | unexpectedly in some parts of the country, plan |
| The best tents have large close knit mesh | | | | on always setting up your tent as if anticipating a |
| windows for cross ventilation which are great for | | | | gusty rain storm or even several inches of snow. |
| stargazing while keeping out the smallest insects. | | | | Look for smooth firm ground above the path of |
| Your next consideration is the number of people | | | | water run off if at all possible. If you ever find |
| who will normally be sleeping inside the tent. If | | | | that camp site without a root or stone working |
| you go off by yourself frequently, you can | | | | its way under the middle of your back, let me |
| seriously cut down on weight and free up pack | | | | know because I never did. |
| space with a bivouac "bivy" shelter or a slim solo | | | | |