Buying a Tent - The Basics
When buying a tent, you have to consider many factors. Before you begin, you must first decide what features you want to have and how much money you are willing to spend. Tents can range in price from $20 to nearly $900, so it is important to know about the various features that camping tents can have.
- Poles - the best camping tent poles are made of high-strength aluminum, carbon fiber, or fiberglass. You may also find color-coded tent poles to assist you when setting up your tent.
- Freestanding - even though it is recommended that you always stake a tent down, it is important to find a tent that will stand up easily on many surfaces (sand, rocks, snow, etc.)
- Inside Storage - some tents will have pockets for storage. Other tents will have gear loops to hang flashlights from the inside.
- Carrying Case - nearly all tents come with some sort or carrying case. If you're going to be transporting the tent very often, make sure to get a heavy-duty tent carrying case.
- Fabric - this is important for durability as well as weight. Most tents are made of nylon or polyester. Make sure that you get a tent with fireproof material.
- Floors - sometimes, floors are made of multiple pieces. However, one-piece floors are better for "waterproofness."
- Wall Steepness - the steeper the walls, the more room will be available on the inside of the tent. Steep walls also shed precipitation better than less-steep walls.
- Rainfly - these usually fit on top of the tent and act as extra protection against rain
- Windows and Doors - if you camp in warm areas, you should look for tents with many windows and doors. You should also look for tents with a screen layer so you can ventilate the tent without letting in bugs.
- Color - brighter colors will allow more light into the tent.
- Webbing - Strongly stitched nylon webbing is a must
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