A long trip or just relaxing in nature will be more comfortable if you have a tent for tourism. For some, it is simply a way to hide from mosquitoes and midges, for others, it is an opportunity not to get wet during the rain. But no one will argue that it replaces a house on a trip: it gives a sense of security and coziness, preserves warmth, shelters from bad weather and wind.
Why do you need a tent?
A tent is a mandatory element of tourist equipment that solves many tasks in tourist life. And it is not necessary to go on a multi-day trekking to properly appreciate this invention of mankind. It makes any outdoor recreation, whether it's camping, rafting, or just going out into the woods next door to overnight, safer and more comfortable.
One of the main tasks of a tent is protection from bad weather. Strong materials from which its top is made protect against rain, wind and snow. In the cold season, a properly selected model retains heat. And on summer nights it saves from mosquitoes and midges. In the tent, you can wait out the downpour, hide your belongings and equipment from getting wet, and relax while the storm or strong wind rages outside.
Another task of the tent during overnight stays in nature is to provide a sense of security and safety. Few tourists and travelers dare to sleep in nature without shelter. "Vacation home" gives a sense of security, which is very important for a person, especially outside the comfort zone.
The tent, which has been thought out in detail, allows you to comfortably stay at the campsite. Various pockets and fasteners inside allow you to organize the interior space of your caravan. You know exactly what lies where. After all, there is a place for everything.
Tent: construction and materials
There are single- and double-layer tents. The latter are more practical and reliable. Their construction consists of a frame, an inner awning and an outer tent. Each of the elements performs its function.
Internal awning
An inner awning or an inner tent complete with a sewn-in floor creates a completely enclosed space. This prevents insects, midges and other forest animals from getting inside. The upper part of the inner tent is made:
- For models designed for the cold period, made of thin fabric. It perfectly retains heat. In such options, mesh ventilation windows in the upper part are mandatory. In winter models, they are additionally duplicated with dense fabric to prevent the migration of warm air to the outside.
- For summer options - from breathable mesh. Their main task is protection from insects.
- Also, some manufacturers offer combined options, where the lower part of the inner awning is made of fabric, and the upper part is made of mesh. The design prevents cold air from blowing in from below, and the upper mesh allows the tent to "breathe".
The floor in the tents is made of strong, friction-resistant materials. Such fabrics guarantee a high level of moisture resistance (not lower than 3000 mm). It is important that the material for the floor is strong, because it bears the greatest load.
External awning
Protects against wind, rain and snow. For its production, durable moisture-resistant fabrics with additional finishes are used.
Tents for trekking and mountain hikes are made of polyester. It is a strong material that can withstand harsh conditions of use. For additional protection, the inner side of the fabric can be treated with a layer of polyurethane (PU).
Lightweight models are made of nylon, they are durable, light in weight, and wear-resistant. To improve protection, they undergo a siliconization process.
The air layer, which is formed between the inner and outer awnings, performs the function of thermal insulation. In the cold season, it helps to keep warm.
Frame
It is the basis of the entire structure. Thanks to it, the tent keeps its shape, stability in the wind is ensured. To make the frame, use:
Fiberglass is the cheapest option, used for budget models. Pros: low price, availability, spare parts can be bought in most stores. Cons: short-lived, afraid of frost.
Aluminum is a popular practical material. Today's hunters (Penguin, Black Diamond, Sea To Summit) prefer it. Aluminum arcs are reliable and durable. For the manufacture of the frame, thin-walled tubes are used, so the base is strong and light. Arcs from the DAC manufacturer are in particular demand.
Carbon is the most expensive of all options, has the least weight. Strong carbon tubes are used in ultralight models.
Steel is a strong, reliable material that has a low cost. It is used for large camping models, as it is the heaviest.
Each arc of the frame consists of separate small (from 35 cm to 60 cm long) links. The frame is assembled from several arcs, which are installed at an angle to each other. Due to such intersections, wind resistance is ensured. The more arcs and points of their intersection, the more stable the derivative house.
Tents are distinguished by:
By design
Models with an external frame that passes through special upper loops awning When installing such a model, the outer awning with a frame is first installed, and then the inner one is attached. This is a good option when setting up a tent in bad weather. By installing the outer awning first, you are sure that the inside will be dry and the equipment will not get wet. The advantage of such models is that you can use the external awning independently.
Models with an internal frame benefit from ease of installation, they are easy to assemble yourself. The arcs pass through the fixing points on the inner tent. The structure can be used independently, without an upper awning. This is convenient in the hot summer, when the tent is needed to protect against mosquitoes, not rain.
By form
One of the criteria for how suitable a tent is for your holiday format is its shape. Manufacturers offer many options, but they can be conditionally combined into the following groups:
- Two sloped are visually similar to the roof of a house. They have two walls at an acute angle. These are modern light models belonging to the Fast&Light category. Installed using trekking poles and wind braces (Black Diamond Distance Tent W Univ Adapter 2P) or hub frame (Sea to Summit Alto TR2). They are used for hikes and bicycle trips. Advantages: light weight, compactness. Disadvantages: low wind resistance, require assembly and installation skills.
- Hemispheres are the most popular among tourists. The frame consists of two or more intersecting arcs. Easy to install, practical, have good wind resistance and enough space inside. In such structures, the sagging of the upper awning is minimized, thanks to which they reliably protect against moisture and rain. A clear example is Tornado 2 from the manufacturer Pinguin.
- A pipe or tunnel often belongs to models with an external frame. Their features are parallel arcs. To install such models, it is necessary to install all wind braces, they allow the structure to "stand". Before installing such a model, you need to choose a suitable place, the area should be enough for the entire tent and stretchers. Models are used for short hikes, camping, bicycle trips.
By appointment
Depending on whether you are going on a hike or on a vacation by the sea, you will need different types of tents for the purpose. Manufacturers offer trekking and hiking tents, camping tents, ultralight tents, cycling tents, mountaineering tents, and storm tents. Comfort and coziness depend on the one you choose.
For trekking and hiking
The most popular category. Models of this segment are used for trekking of various levels of difficulty, weekend hikes, and rafting.
The two main selection criteria are weight and reliability. It is important that the trekking tent is light, because you have to carry it yourself. The weight is calculated on average to 1 kg per person. That is, a two-seater model will weigh within +/-2 kg, respectively, a three-seater - about 3 kg. Today, manufacturers strive to reduce this indicator without compromising reliability. For example, the Pinguin Arris Extreme DAC 2 tent weighs 1.9 kg.
The second important criterion is reliability. The weather during the hikes is unpredictable, the sun may shine in the morning, and there may be a thunderstorm at night. In order for the tent to withstand all troubles, trekking models use a strong frame with good wind resistance and moisture-resistant fabrics.
Models for hiking come in different capacities – one-, two-, three-seater, and less often there are four. To determine the capacity, you can look at the name, usually the manufacturer indicates the number of seats. Another option for determining capacity is width. On a hike, a tent is needed for an overnight stay, so the width is calculated based on the width of the sleeping mat.
Camping tents
For camping tents, weight does not play an important role, because most often you come to the parking place by car and bring everything you need with it. But there are nuances here.
You spend more time camping in a tent than hiking. Therefore, more space inside is needed for comfort. The calculation of width and length is not based on the dimensions of the sleeping mat. Often, such models are divided inside into several separate rooms. Their height starts from 160 cm and above. Equipped with several entrances.
Camping tents protect against bad weather, but lose in resistance to wind. Due to its height, an improperly installed camping tent can act like a sail, and in the best case, the wind will simply drive it to the ground. Although there are situations when strong gusts of wind break the frame.
Ultralight
A relatively new category for today. Their main feature is low weight. After all, the lighter the equipment, the greater the distance you can go on a hike. Manufacturers understand this. And they try to make the equipment as light as possible in different ways. Someone does it by reducing the size, someone sacrifices the vestibule. And Black Diamond uses technological materials and lightweight frames. Tents of the Ultralight series from the American brand are made in the best traditions of the company without changing the characteristics of internal space and reliability.
Models for mountaineering and assault
To such modelsit has the most requirements: wind resistance, light weight, frame strength, moisture protection. For their tailoring, manufacturers use the best materials for the awning and frame. Tents for extreme use are the most reliable, but at the same time they have the highest price.
Additional "buns" for living in a tent
In order to make living in a tent as comfortable as possible and close in terms of conditions to a camping house, manufacturers offer a variety of functional solutions. The most popular among them are:
The footprint is an additional floor. It is most often used in lightweight models, where thin material is used to make the floor. The footprint protects the main floor from rubbing against stones or sand, from moisture. In terms of size, it is made slightly smaller than the base, so that it does not collect moisture that rolls down the walls of the tent.
Internal pockets placed on the walls allow you to optimally organize the internal space. In some manufacturers, the pockets can be removable and perform other functions (Sea to Summit).
A removable mesh shelf is attached under the ceiling and is used for storing small equipment and personal items. It takes up a minimum of space, is light in weight, and can be removed if necessary.
The flashlight loop is located at the top of the tent and can be used to attach a headlamp or a small camping light.
Lightbar - flashlight pocket - this solution from Sea to Summit allows you to create a soft diffused light with the help of a headlamp and bow cover.
Additional entrances and vestibules are needed not only for a comfortable exit. They provide natural ventilation and "breathing" of the tent. And vestibules create additional space for storing equipment.
Wind braces perform several tasks at once: fix the tent on the surface so that it is not blown away by the wind, tighten the outer awning so that it does not sag. They can also be made of ropes with reflective elements.
The snow skirt is used in the cold season, it prevents snow from blowing under the outer awning. It can be removable or sewn.
A mosquito net is a mandatory element of a tent of any price segment. It protects against insects and midges. It is used for ventilation holes, windows, duplicates entrances.
The additional functionality of the tent, as well as its main characteristics, depend on the manufacturer and model. We are the official distributor of tents from Black Diamond, Sea to Summit, Pinguin, which offer the best models for various purposes. Our warehouses always have the most complete assortment from the best manufacturers.