Camping Tents – 5 Major factors to Consider When Buying Outdoor Tents

Camping tents are also called outdoor tents and are usually used outdoors although there are instances that some types are used for indoor purposes as when parents want the kid to use it for play. They are also used outdoors for purposes other than camping like weddings and parties.

However, not all outdoor tents are camping tents like a for example a Coleman garden gazebo tent which the manufacturer designed for gardens.

With camping as a common way of spending vacation, there came about the development of the industry that cater to this huge market.  

Any one then who is intending to buy a tent must consider some things so that the purpose for which you are buying the tent will be served and so avoid wasting your money.

5 Major factors to consider

This list may not be a comprehensive one but definitely it is simple and can easily be understood so that it will help you make that decision you will not regret.

1. For what purpose are you buying the tent?

If you are intending to have it for family camping, then definitely you will require a bigger tent, a family tent in fact which have enough room for the whole family.

Family tents are more comfortable considering the space available and also the headroom inside the tent. They also have compartments that serve as rooms for the members of the family.

In determining how many persons can occupy a certain tent, do not forget where you will place all the other gears that you will bring to the campsite and which you might have to place inside the tent. They certainly occupy space and can mean the discomfort of any member of the family.

It is different if you are going alone. If this is the case, it is recommended that instead of getting a tent for one person, you should have a unit for 2 persons because of the other gears that you will bring along to the campsite.

2. Construction:

Camping tents can either be single walled or double walled. Single-walled tents have only one layer of cover. This means that layer has to take care of all the wind and the rain that may hit the tent and at the same time the breathability needed to minimize condensation within the tent.

It is not possible to have the cover resist the rain and at the same time allows moisture from the inside to get out of the tent. This is because of the basic material used in the cover of the tent.

A double wall construction will be able to take care of both because it has a cover which serves as the fly and an inner tent. The fly protects the tent from the rain because it is made of water proof sheet and the material of the inner tent is such as to allow the transportation of moisture outside to the fly.

This necessarily provides the needed ventilation that makes staying in the outdoor tent a little bit comfortable. Add the protection against the direct rays of the sun provided by the cover, you can more or less feel cooler inside of the tent.

The sheet that makes up the floor of the tent has usually been made water proof. Most tents have bottoms like bathtubs as they wrap the sides from 4 to 6 inches from the edge. Note that the thicker the water proofing, the heavier the tent becomes. A heavier water proofing will assure you that water will not sip into your tent.

You should also consider the color because it can be dark and gloomy inside, especially when it is raining. The color outside, especially if it is orange or yellow, will make you stand out in the surroundings. In any eventuality when there is a need for rescue, your tent can easily be located.

3. Weather protection and wind stability

There are two types of camping tents as far as weather protection is concerned: the four season tents are for all seasons. They can be used in rainy and snowy conditions. They are heavier but sturdier. The three season tents can be used during spring, summer and autumn.

They come in different shapes but for best protection against the wind a dome tent will be advisable. For family tents, there are shapes other than this that will also be appropriated for your use.

4. Durability

As mentioned, a double walled tent has a rain fly that serves as a cover from rain. It must be a two-pass water proof coated fabric for rain protection and UV-resistant, light-colored fly cover. Also, If you expect some rough weather conditions in the campsite, you should look for a tent with fabrics utilizing what they call ripstop to prevent any possible tearing of the sheet.

In addition, another critical part of the tent is the pole. If the poles of the tent easily break your tent collapses. Poles should be made of strong fiberglass or aluminum alloy. Between the two, aluminum alloy is preferable.

5. Factors outside of the tent that influence the buying decision:

How often are you going to use your outdoor tent is a question only you can answer. But if you have also caught the camping fever, then you might as well buy the more durable one. You may not know what time of the year you will go on camping trips so you might as well have your tent ready for any weather condition.

Also, remember that the more durable the materials of your tent, the heavier it is. If you also consider your family going on camping as a whole, your tent will necessarily be bigger, and so heavier and bigger in volume. This will bear on its transportability to and from the campsite.

Cost will not be a factor if you can afford it. But it is also better to consider every thing mentioned here so that you can make a good decision.

It is all your choice

After considering the factors that you will look into when buying one of those camping tents, making compromises on factors that weigh less from your perspective, you can now have that outdoor tent your family can use to enjoy your vacation amid the beauty of nature.