The dictionary defines a tent as 'a portable shelter usually of canvas or other cloth stretched over poles or supports and fastened to the ground with pegs and ropes'. That definition covers a wide variety of structures in many sizes, shapes and styles. Whether you're looking for family shelter on a camping trip, a pavilion for a wedding or a beach canopy, there's a tent to suit your needs.
When choosing a tent for camping, you'll need to consider how it will be used, how it will be carried, how many people will be sleeping in it, and how easy it will be to set up. The following descriptions of broad styles of tents should help you decide what kind of tent is best for your camping trip.
FRAME TENTS - Frame tents are generally regarded as an older style of tent. They use aluminum or steel poles to form a frame over which the tent cloth, usually canvas, is draped. The newer styles are often made of cotton or a synthetic fabric with fiberglass frames. Frame tents can be elaborately designed and offer a great deal of room and structure inside. The biggest disadvantage is that they are often difficult to erect.
DOME TENTS - Dome tents are among the most popular styles. Dome construction is used in tents as simple as children's bed tents. They generally consist of a fabric tent and flexible fiberglass or plastic tent 'poles' that slip through sleeves in the fabric. The poles are shaped by the fabric and give the tent its rigidity. They're easy to set up and collapse, lightweight, and often offer a great deal of head room and comfort. Their major disadvantage is that they may be unstable in high winds.
GEODESIC TENTS - Geodesic tents are a variation of dome tents, modified for improved stability. They are framed and set up the same way, but the framing poles cross and interconnect at various points for strength and stability. The advantages are the same as those offered by dome tents, though they may be a bit more difficult to set up.
EXPEDITION TENTS - Also known as touring tents, these tents generally combine a ridge and dome tent into one. They are ideal 'settling in' tents, and often include a large 'porch' area for shade and shelter. They will often have windows as well. Expedition tents are roomy and comfortable, and designed to allow easy standing inside.
FAMILY TENTS - family tents are composite tents that usually include sleeping compartments on either side of a central living area. The main tent area may be either ridge construction or dome construction. The side areas allow privacy for sleeping.
FESTIVAL TENTS - For special occasions like a wedding or large party, festival tents can provide shelter from the weather for guests. Generally, they are rented by the day for the event, and are often assembled by the rental company. They're available in a wide variety of colors and styles to fit any event and most budgets.
BEACH TENTS - Beach tents come in almost as many varieties as tents themselves. Most are lightweight, of ripstop nylon and fiberglass pole construction. The newest are 'pop-up' tents that store flat and open out in seconds to a full size shelter from the sun and weather.
Ian Wide has produced many articles on tents and camping accessories.
How to get discount lift tickets for popular ski resorts... Read More
Okay, it wasn't quite a sleeping bag. However, it was... Read More
Maybe your favorite backpacking food is a freeze-dried turkey dinner.... Read More
Santa Cruz Church, the church of the holy cross, was... Read More
Campgrounds are a perfect Pigeon Forge lodging option for visitors... Read More
Which is the best African safari company for my safari... Read More
One afternoon during a trip across the country in our... Read More
Some people have fought many years of their lives to... Read More
Camping mixed with outdoor activity is a great way to... Read More
Have you ever thought you might like to try a... Read More
Have you ever seen an authentic Japanese garden? Well, I... Read More
Up to now the preponderant view held by many historians... Read More
Ultralight backpackers want to give up weight, not comfort. Sleeping... Read More
I bet you're wondering where the heck this articles going.... Read More
Bird Watching is a great way to escape the rat... Read More
For most people, outdoor cooking is synonymous with barbeque, but... Read More
Don't all of us love to have the money to... Read More
A wonderful way to invest in your families' treasure trove... Read More
Last week in Australia, one man's day at beach could... Read More
The kind of things you pack when you go on... Read More
WHAT TO FISH AND WHERE: Alaska offers some of the... Read More
Recently I attended a Boy Scout Leader Roundtable meeting where... Read More
Are walking sticks longer than trekking poles? What about hiking... Read More
The Udzungwa Mountains National park was created primarily for the... Read More
Camping for fun is a great way to enjoy the... Read More
Generally speaking, Greek drivers are not the best in Europe,... Read More
A South Africa safari is the ideal wildlife trip to... Read More
Simply sitting and watching birds is a popular hobby around... Read More
Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer... Read More
It is the end of the season for the year... Read More
Truly a small wonder, the eTrex takes the best features... Read More
We love spending time outdoors and if you are expecting... Read More
I stood at the observation point on the balcony at... Read More
White-water rafting can be one of the most exhilarating experiences... Read More
Contrary to what many think, ultralight backpacking is not just... Read More
The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount... Read More
So unknown is this treasure of Lake Jipe not many... Read More
SAFE WALKING TREKKING OUTDOORSIf you are contemplating a long distance... Read More
Spain offers the visitor over 4,000 kms of coastline where... Read More
Maybe your favorite backpacking food is a freeze-dried turkey dinner.... Read More
The call of the wild can be seductive. The exquisite... Read More
1. Take the early morning drives on safari even though... Read More
Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More
If your aim is not good, or is not quite... Read More
Soon, the busy summer tourist season will be over in... Read More
The Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok, conducted on very rare... Read More
Western Australia Driving Adventure Great Australian Road Trip Large... Read More
A camping gear checklist is an important tool to help... Read More
The key to getting a good bargin, instead of a... Read More
Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in... Read More
Croatia has quickly become Europe's hottest destination, and for good... Read More
The Udzungwa Mountains National park was created primarily for the... Read More
HOW ARE MINERALS FORMED?MINERALS are naturally occuring, inorganic solids, with... Read More
Hiking shoes versus hiking boots? Hiking shoes win. Okay, next... Read More
An inflatable boat trailer is needed if the user has... Read More
Phillip Island is a small island and nature reserve off... Read More
If you are on a tight budget and can't afford... Read More
A wonderful way to invest in your families' treasure trove... Read More
Have you taken up hiking as a new form of... Read More
How to get the most out of your trekking poles... Read More
Some people have fought many years of their lives to... Read More
It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter... Read More
Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a... Read More
Nightlife in Big Sky, Montana is more exciting than you... Read More
Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com is pleased... Read More
Zambia is Africa's best kept secret as far as safaris... Read More
Outdoors |