Camping tents – What to consider when choosing one for you camping trip
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Camping Tents Introduction
Camping tents are one of the most crucial hiking-camping gear to bring along if you are camping without camping vehicles.
Even if you are using a camping caravan or other camping vehicles, it can still be fun to have a camping tent onboard.
It's much more fun to sleep in a tent than in a caravan because it's what camping is all about.
There are huge range of tents you can choose from for your camping trip. Choosing a camping tent could be confusing because there are many things to consider, like shape, size, weight, design, material, ease of use, and price.
Buying the cheapest tent available may not be a good idea and they may not last very long.
The safest bet would be to buy from brands like Coleman, Winchester, Paha Que, Kodiak, Black Pine Sports, Turbo Tents, North Face and Eureka but then again it still may not meet your specific needs.
Even if you are using a camping caravan or other camping vehicles, it can still be fun to have a camping tent onboard.
It's much more fun to sleep in a tent than in a caravan because it's what camping is all about.
There are huge range of tents you can choose from for your camping trip. Choosing a camping tent could be confusing because there are many things to consider, like shape, size, weight, design, material, ease of use, and price.
Buying the cheapest tent available may not be a good idea and they may not last very long.
The safest bet would be to buy from brands like Coleman, Winchester, Paha Que, Kodiak, Black Pine Sports, Turbo Tents, North Face and Eureka but then again it still may not meet your specific needs.
The Main Shapes of Camping Tents
The shape of a camping tent influences its stability and the amount of space inside the tent. Camping tents come in four basic shapes.
- Dome or Wedge or Umbrella shape
- Tunnel or Hoop shape
- Pyramid shape
- A-Frame Shape
The Pyramid Shaped Camping Tent
The pyramid shape is the most basic of camping tent shapes. It is easy to set up with just one pole supporting it in the centre. The pole can also double as a hiking stick.
Video of a Pyramid Shaped Camping tent being set up
powered by Youtube
The A-Frame Camping Tent
The A-frame tent, also called the pup tent looks like a prism (the triangular cube) and uses 2 poles instead of one like the pyramid shaped tent. To say it in other words this is the shape when you have 2 triangles connected at a length.
Video on an A-Frame Camping Tent being set up
powered by Youtube
The Dome shaped Camping Tent
The dome shaped tent is a favorite among families as a family camping tent. It has a large space and lots of standing room and usually comes with large windows and a rain fly over the top.
A Dome Camping Tent being set up
powered by Youtube
The Tunnel Camping Tent
The tunnel shaped tent is formed by a series of hoops connected together much like the shape of a covered wagon. It forms a "tunnel" and usually has more usable space than the dome shaped tent.
Tunnel Camping tents used in the harsh weather in Sweden
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Camping Tent Sizes
People may consider sizes when choosing camping tents for different reasons. Some people just want a large camping tent because they want space. Others need to accommodate a few people or a whole family.
It is important that there is a large campsite if you want to use large camping tents. A large camping tent can accommodate up to 10 people.
It is important that there is a large campsite if you want to use large camping tents. A large camping tent can accommodate up to 10 people.
Camping Tent Weight
If you are going to carry your camping tent around on you back then weight is the most important consideration.
Certain backpacks may not be able to accommodate the weight of the camping tent if it is too heavy as most backpacks are usually designed with a weight.
Even if your backpack can handle heavy load, unless you are strong and have a high stamina, a heavy camping tent could be more trouble than it's worth.
Tarp camping tents are light and inexpensive but they lack the features of high tech camping tents.
Certain backpacks may not be able to accommodate the weight of the camping tent if it is too heavy as most backpacks are usually designed with a weight.
Even if your backpack can handle heavy load, unless you are strong and have a high stamina, a heavy camping tent could be more trouble than it's worth.
Tarp camping tents are light and inexpensive but they lack the features of high tech camping tents.
Camping Tent Design
We've already covered one part of camping tent design i.e. its shape. Other aspects of design include color, the ability to withstand weather conditions and ventilation.
In some parts of the world it is illegal to use bright colored camping tents and in some places bright colored camping tents are a requirement.
Color also affects its ability to keep out or keep in heat. For winter camping a dark colored camping tents are recommended as they help absorb the heat from the sun, keeping the interior of the tent warm. Bright colored tents can help keep out the sun's heat during summer.
Three-season tents and four-season tents are an example of great designs that can withstand wind, heat, rain or heavy snow. The extra poles in four-season tents make them heavier than three-season tents. Camping tents with floors keep the inside of the tent dry.
In some parts of the world it is illegal to use bright colored camping tents and in some places bright colored camping tents are a requirement.
Color also affects its ability to keep out or keep in heat. For winter camping a dark colored camping tents are recommended as they help absorb the heat from the sun, keeping the interior of the tent warm. Bright colored tents can help keep out the sun's heat during summer.
Three-season tents and four-season tents are an example of great designs that can withstand wind, heat, rain or heavy snow. The extra poles in four-season tents make them heavier than three-season tents. Camping tents with floors keep the inside of the tent dry.
Camping Tent Material
There are generally types of material used to make camping tents; rip-stop nylon and polyester/cotton blends. Rip-stop nylons are seen in high quality camping tents and it performs better for ventilation and keeping out the rain.
Some nylons are coated with polyurethane and silicone to keep out the rain even better. The material of the camping tent also affects its weight.
Some nylons are coated with polyurethane and silicone to keep out the rain even better. The material of the camping tent also affects its weight.
Ease of Use
Camping tent ease of use is referred to the ease and speed of set up. Pyramid tents are easy to set up because of its simplicity but lack the space and don't usually come with floor which can be a problem when you are encountered with rain.
Some camping tents are more sophisticated and yet fast and easy to set up. An example is the Turbo tent which sets up real quick as the poles stay connected and there is no need to figure out where the tent parts go.
Some camping tents are more sophisticated and yet fast and easy to set up. An example is the Turbo tent which sets up real quick as the poles stay connected and there is no need to figure out where the tent parts go.
Price
Generally for camping tents you get what you pay for. Large camping tents are more expensive than small tents.
Innovation and better technology as well as material also leads to higher prices. Price ranges from $18 to more than $600.
Innovation and better technology as well as material also leads to higher prices. Price ranges from $18 to more than $600.
Camping Tents/Camping Accessories on Amazon
Coleman Tent Kit
Amazon Price: $10.40 (as of 12/03/2009) 
Three-Person Camping Dome Tent 7 Feet X 7 Feet One Touch Set Up Video Demo FREE SHIPPING
Amazon Price: $119.99 (as of 12/03/2009)
Coleman Tent Light
Amazon Price: $12.58 (as of 12/03/2009)
Coleman Free-Standing Tent Fan
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/03/2009)
Wenzel Pinon Sport 7-by 7-Foot Three-Person Dome Tent
Amazon Price: $34.00 (as of 12/03/2009)
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- elad elad Jul 27, 2009 @ 11:26 am
- Great lens,
those videos on how to set up a tent, make it look easy.
It makes you want to put on your backpack and get out there!!
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- Nov 24, 2008 @ 9:09 pm
- You really got some great tips. I love camping out. We had trouble installing our tent because I don't have a clue how to set it up. I am glad that a helpful hand came and helped us. Thanks for your tips, now I will learn to install it myself...
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- annajtx annajtx Nov 24, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
- Nice, lots of info on just camping tents alone, I love the pyramid camping tent!
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- JulesH JulesH Nov 22, 2008 @ 11:09 am
- Ok the pyramid tent is cool. But gonna have to go with the more commercial tent because my with thinks camping is supposed to be in a Hyatt. Will have to stick to a big one like the picture at the top. Like the options. Good lens ...
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- squidoojenny squidoojenny Nov 21, 2008 @ 7:19 am
- I hadn't been camping since my teens but recently went with my brother and his family and it was a blast, made a real change from hotels and stuff.
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- bob_g bob_g Nov 21, 2008 @ 1:04 am
- boy i have'nt been camping in a long while, stumbled across your lens and makes want to drag that old canvass thing i have in the attic. Then again I think i'll visit one of the tents you have linked on your page, think they will definately keep me drier lol.
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- MrAutomate MrAutomate Nov 19, 2008 @ 11:45 pm
- I have a wenzal beartooth and it rocks! I'm thinking it might be a great gift for my bro for christmas. And I love those UFO camping lights. I can see making some UFO youtube vids on my next camping trip ;)
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- MORO MORO Nov 19, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
- I've been an outdoor guide for a long time and have literally spent years of my life sleeping in tents. Lots of good info here. The videos on setting up a tent are great and I wholeheartedly agree with the statement that "you get what you pay for" when buying a tent.
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- greg34 greg34 Nov 19, 2008 @ 11:32 am
- wow loved your lense! Loved the videos. Have been camping with friends in the past and loved it, now just need to buy my self a tent!
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- riff999 riff999 Nov 19, 2008 @ 2:55 am
- I have done a lot of camping, and after looking at his site I realize it is time we got a new tent. These tent are great.
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by Jonsky
Hi I'm Jonsky and I love the outdoors particularly hiking, camping and backpacking. (more)
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