| Section: | Product Guides |
Category: | Camping |
Tents are commonly divided into the following classes.
Backpacking Tents
Car Camping Tents
Outfitter Tents
Family Camping Tents
Winter Camping
Backpacking Tents: Backpacking tents are designed to be light weight, small, and durable. A backpacking tent should compact into a very small stuff sack and should not exceed six pounds for a 2-person tent. Backpacking tents commonly have a vestibule that allows you to store items outside of the tent and still keep it dry. Vestibule are also used for cooking in wet weather. Quality backpacking tents use poles made out of aircraft quality aluminum. Aluminum poles are lighter and stronger than fiberglass and retain their shape better than fiberglass.
Car Camping Tents: Car camping tents should be easy to set up and take down, even in the dark. Weight is not a concern for a car camping tent so go with a larger size than you would use for Backpacking. Car camping tents that will be used in the summer should have lots of mesh to keep the tent cool as well as allowing it to be used as a shelter from the bugs. A car camping tent should have a separate rainfly that lies well off the tent once fully setup. It should also have a good size vestibule to store all your gear.
Outfitter Tents: Outfitter tents are big, heavy, difficult and time consuming to set up. These tents can be over fifteen feet in length and tall enough to allow individuals to stand fully upright inside them. Quality outfitter tents are designed for four season use. Most outfitter tents are designed to accommodate a stove which can be used for heating the tent as well as for cooking.
Family Camping Tents: Family camping tents, also called cabin tents, are very large. These tents can be over twenty feet in length are also very tall, allowing individuals to easily stand up fully in them. Family Camping Tents are often divided into multiple rooms. Look for a tent with the features you want and make sure it is easy to set up.
Winter Backpacking Tents: Most winter camping tents on the market are high quality and very durable. A quality winter tent is critical to survival in bad weather. Winter backpacking tents are larger than summer backpacking tents. The extra size is needed because winter camping gear is bulky and because you typically carry more gear for winter trips. Select a tent that is large enough to hold the people you want it to, their gear, plus a little extra room for comfort when inside the tent. Winter backpacking tents are constructed of heavier materials than summer tents and weigh in the 8-10 pound range.
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