More than fifty million people in America enjoy camping on occasion according to the latest reports from the outdoor recreation sector. Almost fifteen million families go camping three or more times per year. Millions more are interested in getting in tune with nature but have yet to try their hand at braving the nation’s forests and campgrounds.
Beyond that, quite a few people feel that camping may become an essential way of life more so than a favored pastime in the near future. After all, the threat of local and even global disasters is on the rise. If push comes to shove, people may be forced to resort to living in tents and getting acquainted with a pioneer lifestyle.
Choosing the Best Tent to Suit Your Needs
Whether you’re camping for pleasure or planning ahead for the collapse of life as we know it, a tent is an important piece of the puzzle. Several versions are on the market, and some of the best are available from Prepared Bee. Each one has its own list of features. With so many to choose from, finding the right one may not be easy. When looking over your options, be sure to consider the following points.
What Type of Camping Will You Be Doing?
First of all, think about the type of camping you’ll be doing. Different types of tents are geared toward different purposes. Choosing one that’s designed for your specific plans will help you get the most use out of it. If you’ll be backpacking, you’ll most likely be moving from one campsite to another. That’s also the case if you’re planning for disaster and expecting to be on the move. In either of those situations, you’ll need a smaller, more lightweight tent.
On the other hand, if you’re planning for camping vacations or other scenarios in which you’ll be staying in one place for extended periods, a larger, heavier tent may be in order. For people who’ll be loading their tents into their vehicles while traveling, size and weight won’t be such an issue. Additionally, a growing number of people are using their vehicles as an integral part of their camping experiences. If that’s the case for you, a rooftop tent may be a better option. These tents are designed for setup on truck beds or to be stretched over the backs of SUVs. Consider the type of camping you’ll be doing to get started with the tent selection process.
How Many People Will Be Camping With You?
Another point to consider is how many people will be camping with you. An array of sizes is available. Some are designed for a single person whereas others can accommodate four or five people comfortably. Versions are also available to house anywhere from ten to twenty people. As you might imagine, those larger tents are much heavier and bulkier, so they’re not the ideal options for backpacking or people who’d like to travel light. They’re more suited to being hauled in a vehicle.
Also keep in mind that the more people a tent will hold, the more space it’ll require when it’s set up. If you’re setting up on a designated campsite at one of the nation’s campgrounds, you’ll have plenty of space for a large, high-capacity tent. On the other hand, if you’re camping in the woods, you may not have quite as much wiggle room. In the case of the latter, you’d be better off with a smaller tent. Alternatively, if you’ll be camping with several people and space is limited, you could equip yourself with multiple smaller tents. That way, everyone could split up and spread out.
Do You Need Extra Space?
Aside from the number of people you’ll be camping with, take into account any extra space you may need. Will you be keeping your gear inside the tent to protect it from the elements and other people? Do you need extra space for a heater or air conditioner? Some people also like to keep their coolers inside their tents. If you want to keep your equipment in the tent, factor in extra room for it. Even if you’ll be camping alone or with only one or two other people, choosing a five-person tent may be a good idea.
Remember, though, that keeping your food in the tent with you isn’t a good idea. If wild animals smell your food and it’s inside your tent, they may come in with you to get it. Though it’s fine to store your gear in the tent, consider leaving food outside in sealed containers or hanging in trees if possible.
When Will You Be Camping?
Think about the time of year you’ll be camping too. Most people camp in late spring, summer, and early fall when the weather is more suitable. Maybe you prefer camping in cooler weather, though. If you’re planning for disaster, you may not be able to choose which season you’ll be camping in.
Tents are rated for different seasons. Some are three-season rated while others are four-season. Three-season tents are perfect for warmer weather. Four-season tents offer added reinforcement for winter camping. Three-season versions may not offer enough protection against the elements for camping in colder weather. It may be best to choose one that’s rated for all seasons just to err on the side of caution. If you end up camping in snow, ice, and howling wind, you’ll be grateful for the extra protection.
Be sure to consider whether the tent is waterproof as well. Some people may feel that this goes without saying, but far too many have ended up with wet clothes and gear because their tents didn’t offer adequate protection from the rain. Though most tents are advertised as weatherproof, not all of them live up to those claims. Read the fine print and customer reviews to make sure the tent you choose isn’t likely to leak. For summer camping, coverable mesh panels for controlled ventilation are a nice feature to have as well.
How Difficult Is the Tent to Set Up and Take Down?
User-friendliness is also an important point to keep in mind. In many cases, the larger and more intricate a tent is, the more difficult it will be to set up. Spending half your camping trip trying to get the tent set up and the other half trying to take it down will detract from the entire experience.
From another perspective, if you need to set up and break down your campsite in a hurry, an overly complicated tent won’t be conducive to your needs. You wouldn’t want to have to leave behind your tent simply because it takes too long to dismantle and pack away. Exploring reviews from other users can give you an idea of how difficult a tent is to set up and break down.
Keep Durability in Mind
Durability is an essential quality for a tent. That applies to the material the tent is made of as well as its poles, zippers, stakes, and other components. If you plan to camp frequently or you’ll be repeatedly setting up and taking down your tent, strength and quality are particularly important. That’s also the case if you’ll be choosing impromptu sites to camp. Look for a tent that can withstand constant use, diverse weather, and all the hazards the outdoors will throw at it. Sturdy, high-quality tents generally cost more, but the extra investment is well worth it in the long run.
Consider Extra Features
Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to move on to extra features. Tents are available with a long list of added features and amenities. Some of them are extremely helpful while others may be a bit over the top. That being said, your unique needs and expectations will determine which is which.
Some tents have built-in access ports for wires and drop cords. They’ll allow you to tap into power sources outside the tent for heaters, air conditioners, phone chargers, and other equipment. They’ll give you easy access to a generator or other power supplies for the devices you need inside the tent without having to let in rain, snow, cold, or heat from outside. That’ll make camping more comfortable and safer in extreme temperatures.
Rainflies are also useful. They go beyond the built-in features of a tent to keep out rain and wind. Though many tents come with them, not all of the ones included with tents are adequate. Having an extra rainfly will add to the time and effort needed to set up and take down a tent, but it’ll also give you extra protection against the elements.
Certain tents come with built-in interior pockets for storage. Those could help you keep your phone, charger, and other devices organized and off the floor. In some instances, you may need to sleep during the day and be on the move at night. For situations like that, a tent with blackout panels will be useful. Some tents also have integral air conditioner ports. They give you the option of installing an air conditioner to combat heat and humidity inside the tent. Those are only a few of the options available to you.
Choosing the Perfect Tent for Your Camping Needs
Numerous tents are on the market. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can offer an array of extra features. When you’re perusing your options, consider size, weight, and user-friendliness. Think about when and where you’ll be camping as well. Besides those factors, take durability and water resistance into account. All these details can help you choose the perfect tent to suit your needs whether you’re going on a family outing or planning for disasters to come.
