Traveling with a backpack on your back is becoming increasingly popular. While some are basking in hotels, relaxing on an all-inclusive basis, others choose a more difficult path.
Hiking or horseback riding, along the plains or mountains, a bike or car route - everyone chooses according to his own strengths. But they are all united by special equipment requirements. How to choose a tent so that you can comfortably park in the parking lot? This is one of the main issues.
Your route
You can choose a universal model of the tent, but ideally it should correspond to the natural conditions of the terrain on which you are going to travel.
As a rule, professional tourists have well-formed requirements for their portable home, unlike those who plan to get to the shore of the nearest lake.
Since choosing a tent that is suitable for absolutely everyone does not work, you have to make reasonable compromises. Today there are tourist "shelters" for a variety of types of travel, climatic zones and seasons.
That is not all, they differ depending on whether you have a mobile or stationary rest. Having well thought out the route, taking an interest in the weather conditions of this area, you will easily understand how to choose a tent.
Camping tents
This category includes equipment for a variety of types of tourist vacations. For outdoor enthusiasts, it often becomes a second home. Such tents are used by lovers of rafting on fast rivers and a multi-day hike along the plains, fishermen, hunters and many others. Below we will separately consider tents for climbers.
Since it is not easy to choose a tourist tent, there are universal models for beginners. They are distinguished by a streamlined shape, curved upwards edges, special welded seams and a rubberized fabric. These characteristics provide good resistance to wind and moisture, prevent the accumulation of water and snow on the roof, and allow you to quickly leave the tent in an emergency. Special fastening pockets make it possible even in bad weather to quickly put and disassemble it.
They are called universal, since choosing a tent for family vacations, which provides comfortable accommodation for 4-5 people and at the same time has the characteristics of a professional, is the ultimate dream of many tourists. A large amount of usable space is the main distinguishing feature of these models. Professional tents are for the most part designed for one, maximum two people.
Long hiking or mountain hiking is a very special world, only for true connoisseurs. You only have what is in the backpack, and if the tent is torn off by the wind or flooded with rain, then you are left almost without a roof over your head. In this case, weight is extremely important, it should be no more than 1.2 kg (for a single tent). The design itself must be rigid to protect it from the wind. Next, we will consider how to choose a tourist tent, in terms of all the main characteristics.
Tents for extreme
The harsher the conditions in which your trip will take place, the more demands are made on equipment. First of all, you need to think about which tent to choose for those who are going to conquer the peaks. High altitude, strong winds, frosts and snowfalls - in such conditions, your life may depend on the correct choice.
All alpine tents are divided into 2 types.Expeditionary are used with a special, so-called "Himalayan" climbing style. On difficult and dangerous routes, tents are set up in the form of base and intermediate stationary camps throughout the climb. They are quite heavy, as they have a rigid frame, a strong external awning and the so-called "skirt", which will protect against blowing. Withstanding the onslaught of snow and strong winds, such structures can save the lives of people when it is impossible to return to base camp in bad weather.
The second option is more suitable for those who are going to conquer the mountains alone and think about how to choose the right tent. Its advantages are small size and light weight. The strength of the assault tent is achieved through the use of high-tech materials.
Tents for the midlands
This is a large category that they can find what they need, lovers of mountain tourism, mountaineering and caravanning. These tents combine solidity and comfort, as well as relative mobility. Having the qualities of both expeditionary and assault models, they allow you to survive any vicissitudes of the route. Experienced tourists know how often the weather changes in mountainous areas. In one day, it can rain or snow several times and warm the sun. In such conditions, it is important to keep the place to sleep dry. Before you buy a tent, you need to determine the maximum weight that you can afford. For walking, this figure does not exceed 2 kg.
Camping tents
Until now, we talked about relaxing with a backpack behind us, but now we are moving to a more convenient and comfortable option. Camping sites are specially prepared places, usually at large recreation centers where camping is allowed. Arriving at the place by private car or bus, you put a cozy house and enjoy nature.
We will give basic guidelines on how to choose a tent for camping. First of all, build on how many people will rest in it. Today on the market are models for family vacations and corporate parties. They are much more comfortable compared to tourist ones, since we are not talking about saving space in a backpack and surviving in difficult conditions.
The camping tent is a complex structure of several rooms and a vestibule, each of which is closed by mosquito nets and cloth dampers. The Family Camping option is a whole house that you can move around in full growth. Attached are additional awnings that protect against rain, wind and the scorching sun. For those who think how to choose a tent for a large family with children, there is no better option. Its weight can exceed 15 kg, so it is not suitable for hiking.
Cabin is the second version of the camping tent. It is smaller in size, there is a division into several rooms and additional tents. Finally, the Family Dome is the smallest tent in this class. A single space inside is designed for four people. Installing it is much easier and faster than previously described.
The form of a tourist house
When you have decided on the specifics of your future vacation and have chosen one of the presented classes, you can proceed to a more detailed examination of the models. The quality of your holiday will directly depend on their shape and size. A large tent height, as already mentioned, sharply reduces wind resistance, so for regions with increased storm danger you need to choose only the lowest models. But in the forest zone you can set the highest.
Speaking about how to choose a tent for camping, we must not forget that they are single-layer and two-layer. If you come to rest for the weekend, then all that is required is protection from the sun, rainfall and insects. Then you can take a lightweight single-layer model. Its drawback is the accumulation of condensate and poor ventilation.Two-layer models consist of a top tent and an inner tent made of breathable fabric. They are suitable for a longer and more comfortable stay.
For reference: the assault tent for hiking in the mountains also has mesh windows to better remove condensation, otherwise you risk waking up surrounded by icicles. Such a model, despite its lightness and strength, is not suitable for relaxing on the plain.
Gable or tent tents are usually single-layer models designed for 3-4 people. They are ideal for a beach holiday. You may not particularly think about how to choose a tent for relaxing at sea - in the midst of the July heat, any model is suitable. They are mounted on stretch marks, may have an additional tent for protection against rain. The canopy rises, creating an additional canopy, under which you can safely sunbathe. Such tents are still used in simple trips or in the form of additional shelter at the base camp. By most characteristics, they lag behind everyone else.
Tunnel tents or “half-barrels” are spacious and fairly reliable structures. They consist of arcs that are installed parallel to each other. There may be 2, 3 or more. A transverse arc can be used in the design, which makes it heavier, but prevents the tent from sagging. It does not withstand the pressure of the wind.
All kinds of “hemispheres” are the most reliable tents that can withstand colossal loads. They easily pass tests in a wind tunnel. Small living space accommodates no more than two people. Since it is impossible to choose a tent for tourism without compromising comfort, the best option would be to stay in the “hemisphere”.
For summer holidays on simple routes there are options that are mounted on the same arc. More reliable consist of two crossed axles. Professional “winter” tents can be mounted on a frame of 6 or more arches. This makes it possible to install them on any surface without the use of stretch marks and at the same time ensure good wind resistance. You can transfer them without dismantling if the new camp is located nearby.
Base of the tent - frame
This is the basis, the backbone, on which the service life of the whole structure depends. The main characteristics are lightness and durability. Today there are a lot of materials from which arches are made. Often used plastic. It is good for beach tents and models used for infrequent family outdoor recreation. In high-altitude conditions, under the influence of ultraviolet light, plastic quickly decomposes, the tent will not last even two seasons.
Aluminum is much more reliable, but weighs more. Today there is already an alternative material - fiberglass, which exceeds the strength of the metal frame and allows you to save space in the backpack. Carbon fiber and Kevlar have good performance, but are still too expensive today.
Material
If the selected model is single-layer, then it must be waterproof, but at the same time let air through so that condensation does not form. In the old tents, a tarp was used, which performed both functions equally poorly. Today polyamide is used (nylon, kapron). Such a material is very light and durable, but is destroyed by ultraviolet radiation, and is also stretched and deformed when moisture enters. These tents are usually quite cheap.
Polyester fabrics (polyester, lavsan) are much more durable and resistant to sunlight, therefore designs with such an awning are more expensive. To measure the water resistance of the fabric, there is a special indicator, it can be from 600 to 10,000 mm.
If it reaches the mark of 1000 mm, then the fabric has a water-repellent property. The main thing in the tent is the dry floor, pay special attention to what fabric it is made of. A figure of 4000 mm indicates optimal water resistance.The higher these numbers, the heavier the tent, so it’s better to stick to the middle ground.
Special attention to seams
It is in these places that water begins to drip first. Today, two seam processing technologies are used: sizing or boiling. When choosing a tent, be sure to tell the consultant what the specifics of your camping trips are. Price is not always an objective indicator.
The super-expensive tent for high-mountain climbing can even go with non-glued seams, because it is used above the rain zone. But on the camping tent at the foot of the mountains, where it can rain several times a day, the joints should be as reliable as possible. To do this, they are performed with lavsan threads and boiled with a waterproof tape. Today, there are sprays and aerosols that additionally increase the moisture resistance and reliability of the fabric.
Installation options
The first option: the frame is installed outside the awning and is attached to it through special pockets. The inside of the tent is attached to the awning. The only negative - even in dry weather, you can not install the structure without an awning and save time on this. The second option: the inner tent is suspended from the frame on which the tent is mounted. If you need reliable protection against wind and frequent rains, then choose the first option.
Rest near the water
The last topic that remains to be revealed is how to choose a tent for fishing. It is so wonderful to do what you love, without denying yourself basic amenities! The first landmarks are the dimensions of the tent. The most popular are four-seater, they are well suited for the whole company, but if for you fishing is a purely individual matter, then choose a single, besides it can be installed even on board the boat.
The second thing that is required is good protection from rain and wind. If you get fishing by car, and do not go on foot, you can take a tent heavier and more solid with a water column height of at least 4000 mm and an aluminum frame. There is another significant drawback of gatherings at the reservoir - a huge number of blood-sucking insects. Check for a reliable mosquito net covering the tent canopy and windows.
Any consultant in the store will tell you how to choose a tourist tent, and only an experienced fisherman can tell the features of gatherings with a fishing rod. If we talk about winter fishing, the problem of protection against icy wind and snow comes first. The second point is the speed of mounting and dismounting. The simplest “hemisphere” can be assembled in a minute, and disassembled in 5 or simply transferred to a new hole.
This is true if you plan to fish, moving from place to place. By the way, it is for winter fishing that experienced anglers recommend buying 4-seater tents. Their six-beam designs are the most resistant to wind. Inside the tent, you can install a folding chair and even boil tea on dry fuel. Fishing becomes just a fabulous entertainment, an island of almost home comfort.
Many do not pay any attention to colors, considering it absolutely insignificant. Nevertheless, winter fishing is associated with a certain risk. If you stay on a breakaway ice floe, you will be more likely to be noticed if you have a tent of bright red or blue.
To summarize
As you can see, the question of how to choose a tent is very multifaceted. The answer depends on the characteristics of the region in which it will be used, the preferred time of the year, the specifics of the hikes, the number of participants, the length of stay in it, as well as the mode of transportation: backpack, bicycle, car. For every tourist today, you can choose the very tent that will be most suited to his needs, so that the trip is filled only with positive moments.