A "portable house" should provide sufficient comfort during a hike, be convenient and practical. Therefore, when choosing a model, you should pay attention to both general issues and all sorts of little things — any flaw made during the purchase can spoil all the fun of the hike later.

The tents that exist today can be divided into several main types:

Camping. These are tents designed for spending a long time in one place, for example, in a summer camp. This is a good solution for long picnics in which several people take part. The peculiarity of such tents is their high spaciousness, they are able to provide a high level of comfort. As a result, such models are very heavy and quite difficult to assemble, which means they are not suitable for hiking. It is assumed that the camping tent is transported in the boot of the car.

Tracking (for amateur tourism). Small and lightweight models designed for long hiking or cycling trips. They are not able to provide the same high level of comfort as camping ones, but they differ in low weight (it should not exceed 5 kg, otherwise it will be very difficult to carry a tent) and ease of assembly / disassembly.

Expeditionary (for extreme tourism, they are sometimes also called assault). These are tents that are designed to be used in really harsh conditions. For example, when climbing mountains or for long expeditions. The peculiarity of such tents is their high degree of protection from adverse weather conditions, whether it is wind or snow. At the same time, such tents should be light in weight and easy to assemble.

There are also two auxiliary types — awnings and tents for the shower / toilet. The former are designed to provide only the most basic protection, for example, from sunlight or rain, in some cases also from insects. Awnings are suitable only for short trips to relax in the open air or for various events. As for the second type, its purpose is clear from the name.

 

Most modern tents have a two-layer construction, when both external and internal awnings are used, which do not touch each other. This design has a large mass, but provides better thermal insulation and prevents the formation of condensation on the inner walls. As for single—layer tents, they are lighter and cheaper, but you should not buy them at all - here you have both the lack of thermal insulation and the formation of condensation. It will only do for short trips to nature. Also, single-layer tents are sometimes purchased specifically for storing things.

Thus, the first thing you need to start choosing a tent is to decide what exactly you are going to use it for. Then the question follows, at what time of the year. The summer tent is created in such a way as to provide better ventilation, while the winter ones are created with the expectation of very low temperatures. There are also off-season models, spring/autumn. The latter are able to provide good ventilation, with a sufficiently high level of protection.

Not at all superfluous for a tent (especially if we are talking about a camping model) will be a vestibule, which is usually used for storing things or, if the dimensions allow, as a kitchen. As for the number of outputs, it is difficult to call this parameter fundamental.

Very important indicators are the water resistance of the awning and the bottom. These indicators are measured in millimetres of water column. It should be noted here that a drop of water falling from a great height exerts significant pressure on the fabric, while having small dimensions. So do not be misled by such figures as 3000 mm of water. art. — such a tent will withstand only a light mushroom rain. In order to be sure of the waterproofness of the tent, you need to purchase a model with an indicator of 4000-6000 mm of water. art. There are also more impressive solutions on the market. But they are designed to be used in really extreme conditions.

As for the water resistance of the floor, then we are talking more about the resistance of the bottom of the tent to abrasion. And so, even 4000 mm of water is enough to put a tent right in a puddle and be calm for the dryness inside it.

A very important role is played by the type of material from which the tent is made. Polyester tents are widely distributed. This material is reliable, tolerates various weather conditions well, but differs in greater mass. Nylon is not so reliable, but it is much lighter, it is usually used if necessary to create a tent of less weight. For the manufacture of the bottom of the tent, polyethylene is sometimes used, which is quite reliable, but has a large mass. Sometimes there are tents, in the manufacture of which other materials are used.

As for the size and spaciousness of the tent, then everything depends on your needs and the size of your body. However, it should be remembered that the number of seats is a rather conditional concept. After all, a lot also depends on the number of things. And there is no specific standard, and one model may be tighter than another. It is also worth noting that camping tents sometimes consist of several living quarters. With numerous people, it can be very convenient — for example, children sleep separately from their parents.

Some attention should also be paid to the height of the tent. On the one hand, a high tent provides greater comfort, in some you can stand upright to your full height. But it is also more susceptible to sharp gusts of wind and has a larger mass. Camping tents usually have a considerable height, while extreme models only allow you to lie down and usually have such a shape as to provide as little wind resistance as possible.

A few last tips. Before making a purchase, you need to carefully check some of its elements. So, all zippers should be easy to unbutton and fasten, without any jamming. The pegs must be in a complete set, made of high-quality material and have no damage. It is better if the arches of the tent are not made of plastic, but of aluminium — so it is more reliable and easier (although more expensive). Arcs can also be made of steel, which is characterized by the greatest strength, but also by a very large weight. Steel frames usually come from camping tents, which are still carried in cars. It is very desirable to view the seams of the tent before buying. And if they are glued, then you should make sure that they are glued well. Also, all sorts of useful and pleasant little things, such as additional pockets, loops for a lantern, mosquito nets, etc., will not be superfluous at all. With fire impregnation, the tent becomes safer. And fluorescent stretch marks are noticeable even in low light, which will allow you not to stumble over them every time you pass by the tent.

And finally. Before finally deciding on a choice, it is best to first consult with knowledgeable people, seasoned tourists. Also, it is absolutely not superfluous to read the reviews left about various models of tents, because even the most perfect tent at first glance may turn out to be far from so good. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to make such a conclusion in the store.