Adela
I am planing my first camping trip. I want to know how to choose a suitable camping tent. I will go camping with my family. There are four of us altogether.
Answer
I go camping a lot, often with a group, and see most people using tents that are far too large and difficult to setup for their needs. They get a huge cabin tent for eight or more people, tall enough to stand upright and walk around, and then only put 4 people inside.
When they get to camp it takes 2 people almost an hour to get the tent set-up and all their gear arranged inside. Once this is done they spend all their awake time on outdoors activities or sitting around the campfire, and just go inside to sleep. All that space, time and effort is wasted, because you're never inside a tent unless you're ready to sleep. Even if its raining or snowing, I'd rather be outside with my family or friends under a tarp or ez-up gazebo so I can see the outdoors than stare at the blank walls inside a tent.
I prefer to take the smallest size tent I can comfortably use. There's enough room for the appropriate number of sleeping bags with a little space leftover to stack our bags. Headspace isn't a concern, I don't need to pace circles inside my tent. As long as I can sit-up on the ground without hitting my head on the ceiling I'm good.
So priorities for me are a) Weather resistance, including wind and rain; b) ventilation, to avoid a build-up of humidity that leads to condensation and for cooling on hot nights; c) adequate floor space for sleeping bags and minimal gear, with the rest stowed in the vehicle; d) easy setup and pack-up. I prefer a tent with a full rain fly for weather protection and a vestibule to stow muddy boots outside but under shelter.
Determining adequate floor space can be a challenge. Most manufacturers allow 24x78" of floor space per person, which I feel is inadequate. I prefer to use 30"x80" per person, plus allow for one additional person's worth of space for minimal gear storage. By this measure a 10'x9' tent (120"x108") allows four people to sleep side-by-side with enough space at the head of each sleeping space for a bag containing clean clothing and toiletries. According to most manufacturer's specifications, this would indicate a 6-person tent would be the best selection.
On the lower-price end of the scale, the Coleman Sundome 6 fits the bill, though I'm not much impressed with the rain fly and lack of vestibules. But its hard to find fault with its $99 price tag, as long as you're not expecting bad weather.
The Coleman Instant-Tent 6 is a popular model because of it's quick and easy setup. This cabin tent also provides stand-up interior height. Unfortunately it has no rain fly whatsoever, so one would need to bring an extra tarp for rain protection if bad weather was forecast. And, of course, with no rain fly it also has no vestibule. The Instant-Tent 6 can also be a packing nightmare with its 48" long packed size, so make sure it will fit into your vehicle.
The Kelty Buttress 6 looks to me to be the perfect tent, with adequate floor space, a good fly and vestibule setup and reasonable price. If I was going to buy a tent today to sleep a family of 4, this would likely be my top choice.
If money is no object and you want the ultimate family tent that is still weather proof, easy to setup and reasonably compact to pack, look at the REI Kingdom 6 with the optional Connect Tech Vestibule or Garage. But be prepared to spend over $500 on the complete setup.
I go camping a lot, often with a group, and see most people using tents that are far too large and difficult to setup for their needs. They get a huge cabin tent for eight or more people, tall enough to stand upright and walk around, and then only put 4 people inside.
When they get to camp it takes 2 people almost an hour to get the tent set-up and all their gear arranged inside. Once this is done they spend all their awake time on outdoors activities or sitting around the campfire, and just go inside to sleep. All that space, time and effort is wasted, because you're never inside a tent unless you're ready to sleep. Even if its raining or snowing, I'd rather be outside with my family or friends under a tarp or ez-up gazebo so I can see the outdoors than stare at the blank walls inside a tent.
I prefer to take the smallest size tent I can comfortably use. There's enough room for the appropriate number of sleeping bags with a little space leftover to stack our bags. Headspace isn't a concern, I don't need to pace circles inside my tent. As long as I can sit-up on the ground without hitting my head on the ceiling I'm good.
So priorities for me are a) Weather resistance, including wind and rain; b) ventilation, to avoid a build-up of humidity that leads to condensation and for cooling on hot nights; c) adequate floor space for sleeping bags and minimal gear, with the rest stowed in the vehicle; d) easy setup and pack-up. I prefer a tent with a full rain fly for weather protection and a vestibule to stow muddy boots outside but under shelter.
Determining adequate floor space can be a challenge. Most manufacturers allow 24x78" of floor space per person, which I feel is inadequate. I prefer to use 30"x80" per person, plus allow for one additional person's worth of space for minimal gear storage. By this measure a 10'x9' tent (120"x108") allows four people to sleep side-by-side with enough space at the head of each sleeping space for a bag containing clean clothing and toiletries. According to most manufacturer's specifications, this would indicate a 6-person tent would be the best selection.
On the lower-price end of the scale, the Coleman Sundome 6 fits the bill, though I'm not much impressed with the rain fly and lack of vestibules. But its hard to find fault with its $99 price tag, as long as you're not expecting bad weather.
The Coleman Instant-Tent 6 is a popular model because of it's quick and easy setup. This cabin tent also provides stand-up interior height. Unfortunately it has no rain fly whatsoever, so one would need to bring an extra tarp for rain protection if bad weather was forecast. And, of course, with no rain fly it also has no vestibule. The Instant-Tent 6 can also be a packing nightmare with its 48" long packed size, so make sure it will fit into your vehicle.
The Kelty Buttress 6 looks to me to be the perfect tent, with adequate floor space, a good fly and vestibule setup and reasonable price. If I was going to buy a tent today to sleep a family of 4, this would likely be my top choice.
If money is no object and you want the ultimate family tent that is still weather proof, easy to setup and reasonably compact to pack, look at the REI Kingdom 6 with the optional Connect Tech Vestibule or Garage. But be prepared to spend over $500 on the complete setup.
HELP HELP HELP! camping in a tent for 4 night (im a 14 year old girl)?
Megan
im a 14 year old girl and im camping with my cousin for 4 nights. The weather has given wet and windy and we don't have a clue what to take or what essentials we will need. and also what can we take so we don't get bored. thanks a lot:)
Answer
Well, hopefully you've tested your tent and know it will keep you dry. If not you might want to bring a tarp and some extra rope or strong cordage (such as Paracord) and extra tent stakes in case you need an extra layer over your tent to prevent leaks. If you do need to use the tarp, try to hang it at least a few inches above your tent and allow space for air to circulate.
You will want a groundsheet underneath the tent. This can be a tarp, a homemade groundsheet or a custom-fitted footprint specifically for your tent. Whatever you use it should be a few inches short on each side so nothing sticks out past the sides of the tent to catch any rainwater dripping down (it would collect under your tent and seep through the floor, or at least be cold and damp).
If your tent doesn't provide good ventilation you might want some extra towels to wipe up any condensation that collects on the walls or floor. A floor mat outside the tent door will let you wipe-off your shoes before tracking mud into the tent.
In addition to your sleeping bag or bedroll, you'll want something to insulate and cushion you from the hard, cold ground at night. A foam pad, surplus carpet padding, an inflatable mattress or a cot is recommended. If there's a chance that your tent might leak, higher is better.
You might want to have a separate tarp, easy-up, gazebo or other shelter separate from your tent for eating and just hanging out. You should never bring food, snacks or flavored beverages into or near your tent to avoid attracting animals and insects. Even water should be kept in sealed containers so you don't get your sleeping bag or clothes wet from an accidental spill. I usually make my tarp into a windshed or lean-to design with the closed-off end facing into the wind, and my campfire just outside the open end for comfort. Just make sure to keep your campfire under control so you don't melt or set your tarp on fire.
Rain gear and boots would be needed if you spend any time outside. Probably with a warm jacket underneath, a hat and gloves. Your footwear should also be waterproof.
If you'll be spending most of your time in the tent and there's enough room, you might want folding chairs and a table. Make sure the feet on the chairs and table won't poke through the floor -- use furniture coasters if necessary. A battery-operated lantern might also be useful.
Bring some activities to keep you busy inside. Playing cards, small board games, crafts, whatever you'd like to do on a rainy day without electric.
Well, hopefully you've tested your tent and know it will keep you dry. If not you might want to bring a tarp and some extra rope or strong cordage (such as Paracord) and extra tent stakes in case you need an extra layer over your tent to prevent leaks. If you do need to use the tarp, try to hang it at least a few inches above your tent and allow space for air to circulate.
You will want a groundsheet underneath the tent. This can be a tarp, a homemade groundsheet or a custom-fitted footprint specifically for your tent. Whatever you use it should be a few inches short on each side so nothing sticks out past the sides of the tent to catch any rainwater dripping down (it would collect under your tent and seep through the floor, or at least be cold and damp).
If your tent doesn't provide good ventilation you might want some extra towels to wipe up any condensation that collects on the walls or floor. A floor mat outside the tent door will let you wipe-off your shoes before tracking mud into the tent.
In addition to your sleeping bag or bedroll, you'll want something to insulate and cushion you from the hard, cold ground at night. A foam pad, surplus carpet padding, an inflatable mattress or a cot is recommended. If there's a chance that your tent might leak, higher is better.
You might want to have a separate tarp, easy-up, gazebo or other shelter separate from your tent for eating and just hanging out. You should never bring food, snacks or flavored beverages into or near your tent to avoid attracting animals and insects. Even water should be kept in sealed containers so you don't get your sleeping bag or clothes wet from an accidental spill. I usually make my tarp into a windshed or lean-to design with the closed-off end facing into the wind, and my campfire just outside the open end for comfort. Just make sure to keep your campfire under control so you don't melt or set your tarp on fire.
Rain gear and boots would be needed if you spend any time outside. Probably with a warm jacket underneath, a hat and gloves. Your footwear should also be waterproof.
If you'll be spending most of your time in the tent and there's enough room, you might want folding chairs and a table. Make sure the feet on the chairs and table won't poke through the floor -- use furniture coasters if necessary. A battery-operated lantern might also be useful.
Bring some activities to keep you busy inside. Playing cards, small board games, crafts, whatever you'd like to do on a rainy day without electric.
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