Tents are Campers’ Best Friends: How to Chose a Top Notch One
If you are looking for a short term relaxation, you can always take an aromatic and soothing bath, go for a walk in the park, eat your favourite ice-cream or have a glass of wine while reading an interesting book with pleasant jazz music playing in the background. However, if you truly want to experience rejuvenation, camping is the way to go. Being in nature, with no technology around is what makes for a true refreshment of the spirit.
In order to be able to fully enjoy the perks of camping, one has to be well prepared. If you are anything like me, you too consider camping in a tent to be a better option than camping with an RV. It’s the old-fashioned way true adventurers prefer since the whole experience brings us much closer to nature. It should go without saying that the quality and features of the tent you choose have a lot to do with the level of comfort and safety. For that purpose, below I’ll ponder on the main characteristics to look for as to find the right tent for you.
The first thing to consider is the size regardless if you’re looking for pop-up or dome camping tents. The size is defined as the number of ‘berths’, or to put it simply, the number of people it can fit for sleeping. Four-berth tents are perfect for two adults and larger tents are great for two adults and two children.
The most common materials camping tents are made from are polyester, polycotton and cotton canvas for which manufactures sometimes use up to 100% cotton. Poles need to be stable and are made from high-quality metals such as steel, aluminium or some other composite materials.
A lot of people are not certain about the layers of the fabric. Should there be one or two? Should the space between them be big or small? The answer is very straightforward. For instance, lightweight, small tents are made with a single layer and reinforced with a high fabric that offers protection from the elements. For big, family ones, it is recommended to buy a camping tent that is equipped with an inner and outer layer. However, always check if there is at least around 10 cm of empty space in between the layers, otherwise, the chance of leaking is very plausible.
Last but not least is the groundsheet of the tent. It’s important to mention that bigger tents that have several levels and feature a separate groundsheet for each level. Many campers prefer integrated or sewn-in groundsheets because they leave the draught and insects out. The perfect middle-ground, in this case, is a zipped-in groundsheet as it can be easily zipped out and in at any moment.
Hopefully, now that you’ve read this article you know all the important facts you should consider before you buy a camping tent. There are many retailers to choose from, however, I prefer to shop online, because it is a lot faster and cheaper. Good luck camper, and may there be many nights of adventures into the wild.
