Choosing a Tent

WHAT DO YOU REALLY NEED?
A tent provides essential protection from wind, rain, sun, bugs, and in some cases, snow. Tents are also a source of comfort and security in the outdoors. Finally, a tent is an investment which should last almost a lifetime. There are a wide variety of types and shapes available and to choose the right one you need to think about your camping needs.

• How many people will be using it at one time?
• What kind of camping will you be using it for?
• What kind of weather will you be encountering?
• Is weight or leg and head room more important?

USAGE TYPES SHELTERS are simple tents, constructed of one-piece of fabric. Usually carried for emergency survival or for protection on a one-day outing, they can also be used as a tarp or a dining fly.

FAMILY CAMPING or Car camping tents are designed with lots of room for the comfort and convenience of four or more people. They are usually heavier and characterized by awnings, large windows and doors, and high peak heights.

BACKPACKING or Three-season tents emphasize light weight, compactibility and easy assembly. All design and construction efforts are concentrated on making them small and lightweight for easier transportation in a backpack or on a bike. In general, backpacking tents are two-layer and average three pounds per person, or 20 square feet per person.

FOUR-SEASON or Mountaineering/Snow camping tents are similar to backpacking tents but are specifically designed to withstand snow loads, high winds, and other climatic conditions associated with winter camping. Steep walls, oversized webbing, a strong frame, and a vestibule (to store gear and/or cook within shelter) are often featured in these tents.

DESIGN
All tents should provide adequate ventilation and protection from the elements. Though simple one-piece tents will provide this, two-wall tents are the most common, keeping you warmer and dryer. The breathable tent body allows perspiration and respiration to pass through to the rain fly where it condenses and runs off. The rain fly also provides protection from the elements.

SET UP AND USE
Select a tent site that is clear of any sharp objects, out of the wind, and in an area that will drain well should it rain. Pitch the tent with the zipper open. In extremely cold weather, the shock-cord will lose some of its elasticity. That can be corrected by simply pulling the poles back and forth, very quickly. This creates enough heat to loosen up the cord. Ground covers can protect your floor from sharp objects as well as from moisture. They should not extend beyond the edge of the tent, otherwise they will collect moisture which could enter your tent. Guy lines from the tent fly to stakes should be taut enough to keep the fly from touching the body of the tent (which allows moisture on the fly to soak into the canopy). If not already included with your tent, line tighteners are a small, inexpensive accessory that makes snugging these lines a snap. Avoid wearing shoes or boots in the tent to protect the floor. When away from camp, leave tent doors unzipped so curious animals can check out your habitat without using their teeth to get in, but don't leave food or toiletries inside. Never leave a tent set up in the sunlight longer than necessary. Ultraviolet rays weaken nylon after prolonged exposure, and a tent erected for a whole season will have a considerably shortened life expectancy. Use your rain fly even on clear days, as it will act as a sunscreen for your tent on sunny days. The coated rain fly is less susceptible to ultraviolet damage than the tent and much easier (and less expensive) to replace. When taking the tent down, fold the poles from the center out so as not to place undue strain on the shock-cord.

STORAGE
Be sure your tent is thoroughly dry before storing, or mold and mildew are likely to grow and the waterproof coating will be damaged. Be sure even double-stitched areas such as seams are dry and wipe off any dirt from the poles, stakes and bottom of your tent. Store in a cool, dry place. Never leave your tent in a hot car trunk as high temperatures damage the coating on the material. A tent's weight versus interior space is one of the most important things to balance, with one feature always outweighing the other depending on end use. For example, the casual weekend car camper only has to carry the tent from car to camp and is more concerned with space, headroom, and comfort. The weekend backpacker, however, has to carry every ounce of the tent on his back, so weight is the primary concern.

SHAPE
Tent shapes can be generalized into four separate categories. Within each of these there are a multitude of variations.

• A-FRAME, also known as a pup tent, is the classic tent shape. They are easy to set up, roomy and stable, though somewhat unruly in the wind. Best of all, A-frames are inexpensive. They are not generally self-supporting, and some have tent support poles in the middle of the door.
• CABIN tents are shaped like a house. They are strictly for family camping, as they are bulky and heavy, but they do have the largest inside space. Those that are freestanding are sometimes referred to as Umbrella tents.
• DOME tents evolved to solve the limitations of the A-frame. If it is a true geodesic dome, the poles cross and form a series of interlocking triangles. This structure makes it freestanding, stable and taut, even in strong wind. Head and elbow room are ample, as the dome offers maximum space for its weight. It is available in many sizes and configurations, the largest being the Family dome. These are freestanding and offer the most compact, lightweight design for family camping, which is ideal for today's smaller cars.
• TUNNELS (also called tube or hoop tents) were developed as tent designers began to concentrate on maximizing floor space area, in relation to the size of the tent. The covered-wagon, two-hoop design characterizes a range known as the tunnel tent. Tunnels are much lighter, and more compact than domes, and some even allow room to sit up at one end. Most are not freestanding and must be pitched in the right position to the wind to provide good stability. Ultralight or Bivy tents take the tunnel design to the next logical extreme of minimal size and weight. They suffer from the same extremes which they offer--minimal space and very specialized.

Before camping or backpacking be sure and check out our mountain boots, hiking boots, and trail shoes. And of course, be sure to allow enough time before a long hike to break in your boots with smaller, shorter hikes to avoid blisters and pain. Walking around town, the neighborhood and home should do the trick. Good trail or boot socks are a must. This Summer, try a pair of the new multi-sport sandals for a whole new trailside or dockside experience. You will love them for kayaking, camping and day hikes. A cross between a trail boot and sandal, they go from water to trail with ease. Great for boating, fishing, exploring lakes, streams and rivers. For Winter camping and hiking, winter boots are essential. Not limited to just camping gear, we have a huge assortment of boots for work, snow sports, fashion boots, and stylish rain shoes. We can supply just the right clothing for your camping and hiking adventures. You will find exactly what you need from our extensive selection of name brand outdoor clothing. Names like Marmot, Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear and Columbia Sportwear to just name a few. Make sure you have the right jackets, hats, gloves and fleece before you head out. We carry lots of innovative new products to enhance your camping and hiking experience. There are new baselayer products that keep you warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer. Moisture wicking, breathable, comfortable, they will change how you feel about thermal underwear. Capilene, made by Patagonia, is one of the best. Available in a variety of weights, you will find the one perfect for your trip. There are some wonderful trends in clothing for camping, backpacking, climbing, and hiking. Fleece jackets, pants and pullovers can help tame the temprature changes. Look for DWR, Deluge, Gortex and more for protection against sudden mountain rain showers or early morning dew. Incredibly light and comfortable, they can pack down to nothing so are handy when you need them, but not a hassle if you don't. A whole new gereration of trail shoes, multi-sport shoes, and cross training shoes have arrived. Whether you love paddling, hiking, or most every outdoor adventure sport under the sun, we have the clothing and gear for you. We have an excellent selection of high quality, reasonably priced equipment just right for your trip. The new generation of tents are amazing, the Eureka N!ergy even have heaters, fans, lights and more. Great for introducing skeptics to the world of camping, or for hassle free camping with the kids, they also are very handy as an "extra" room for guests visiting your home. Sleeping bags, packs, backpacks, and trekking poles have also come a long ways the past few years. The newer sleeping bags and pads offer a broader comfort range and new materials making sleep comfortable like it should be. Lighter and more efficient, hauling the gear you need for a warm and comfortable nights sleep has never been easier. Therm-A-Rest has sleeping pads to please everyone. Extra thick, the Dreamtime pad is perfect for overnight guests, a replacement mattress in your RV or even providing a comfortable, rock-free nights sleep when camping. Truly versitile. For the minimalists out there, we carry the Therm-A-Rest Z Lite. Weighing in at less than a pound, it packs small and provides good protection from the cold ground. The technology surrounding these products has only been getting better. Around camp the new camping stoves, camp lanterns, water purifiers and camp cookware are light, easy to use, and work really, really well. No need to haul all your water for camp or use those awful tasting tablets to keep your water safe to drink, small, efficient filters keep your camp running smoothly with a minimum of equiptment to pack in. There are even filters built into water bottles for day hikes and kayaking - filter your water, don't haul around a whole days worth. Stoves like the MSR SimmerLite weigh about a half a pound keeping your pack light, your camp kitchen functional and your campers well fed and happy. MSR also makes larger stoves for car camping and base camp use. Try the MSR DragonFly stove with its innovative dual-valve design, offering an unrivaled range of continuous and immediate flame control. Simmer a delicate sauce over a candle flame or melt snow quickly over a blowtorch with a twist of the flame adjuster. All that and it still comes in at less than a pound. Camp heaters have also come a long way recently. The Century Tool Infra Red Heater weighs just about two pounds and provides up to 14,000 BTU's of heat. Great for no-campfire sites or to keep off the chill while the campfire gets going. Designed to provide an efficient fuel flow in cold weather for safe, convenient, dependable heat, even at high altitudes, this heater will prove to be most handy. This year maybe try kayak camping. Some of the most beautiful spots are only accessable by kayak or canoe. It is a whole new experience. Whether you are camping with your family, a few friends, or solo, backpacking deep in the back country or car camping, we can outfit you with all the essentials, including seasoned advice, tips and suggestions. From ultra-light camping, to campground camping, and yes, paddle-camping, we have what you need. For more urban exploration, take a look at the great picnic backpacks and such from Picnic at Ascot. A picnic backpack makes a truly thoughtful gift as well.. To simplify your online shopping experience please utilize our advanced search options and shop the items currently available in your size. There is always something new to find here, so come back often.