Tents have been used for millennia as temporary housing. Among outdoor equipment, backpacks and knives are probably the only things that has been in use as long. Kings, warriors, merchants and whole tribes have lived in tents. The Native American teepee was probably the first family tent. Mongol chieftain Genghis Kahn lived in a platform-mounted dome tent called a yurt. A tent for camping was in the wagon of almost every pioneer on the Wilderness Road and the Oregon Trail. When you get out of the house and live under the cloth, even for a night or two, you are joining a tradition as old as humanity.
Modern tents come in a wide variety of sizes and styles. Some imitate classic camping tents used since prehistoric times, while others employ the most up-to-date technology for strength, comfort and durability. Knowing a few basics will help you purchase exactly the tent you need for your next expedition.
Dome tents are probably the most popular style. They can be set up and taken down easily, even by one person.
Backpacking tents are lightweight and compact, making them great for long distance hikers. They are also durable enough to do the job under a wide range of weather conditions.
Family tents are big and often made of heavy, treated canvas. You can fit the whole group into the spacious interior of this type of large camping tent, but if someone has to pack it in and out, they will need help with the rest of their gear. The large size means added cost, and these aren't always that easy to set up and take down.
Alpine, also called expedition, tents are the top of the line, designed to withstand extreme conditions. They can be high priced, so they are really suitable only for the most adventurous campers.
Tents keep you dry while your sleeping bag keeps you warm, and tents incorporate features to hold the water at bay.
A vestibule is an extension that covers a small area in front of the tent opening--a place to remove shoes or drop backpacks before going in. It also helps keep rain or snow away from the tent entrance and out of the tent itself. When camping on damp ground, your body weight can squeeze water up out of the soil. If your tent floor isn't waterproof or has wear spots, groundwater can seep in.
A 'fly' is an additional layer of fabric that covers the tent, adding wind and water protection. If the fly doesn't reach the ground, splash can get under it. Be sure to look under the fly near the top of the tent for ventilation holes. As wet gear and people dry out, the humidity inside the tent will rise and condense inside if there's no way for the water vapor to escape.
Every seam is a place where a tent can leak. Depending on size and shape, tents for camping can be as little as two or three pieces of fabric. Discount tents (jargon for cheap tents) could be many smaller pieces of fabric sewn together, with plenty of seams that can be compromised.
Always go for a tub-style, one piece floor. "Tub floor" means the flooring material extends up the wall of the tent a few inches to help keep groundwater and runoff out.
First, before even using your tent, seal it. Yes, the manufacturer says they already did that, but how much handling has the tent had since leaving the factory?
Second, practice setting up the tent. Mistakes at the campsite can damage the tent, poles, stakes, etc.
Third, never pack your tent wet. It will get wet sometimes, so when you get home, set up your tent and let it dry out, just like your sleeping bags, after each trip. If you find mildew, wash it gently with warm water.
Finally, keep a roll of duct tape close by--it's great for field repairs like patching the fly or tent wall or holding a broken zipper closed. It's just a quick fix, but it will get you through the weekend.
Is a good tent an expensive tent?
Absolutely not, especially at Overstock.com. Many good tents are reasonably priced, but be willing to spend what you need to spend to get the features you want. If you buy a good quality tent, it will last far longer than the memory of what you paid for it.
How do I select the right tent?
When buying a tent, the most basic questions are "When will we use it?"; "Where will we use it?" and "How many are we?" The first two will define the construction of the tent, the last defines the size.
Look at the number of campouts you typically take each year and where you will go. Using your camping tent every weekend in the rugged mountains is vastly different than a couple of trips per year to a well-developed national park or commercial campground. Winter camping involves a whole different set of conditions than summer camping. Frequent, heavy use demands a tent of heavy canvas or nylon. For occasional close-to-home use, a polyester tent might be sufficient.
Most places get a little chilly at night, even in summer, so a tent that can trap and hold heat makes for a more comfortable night's sleep. If winter camping is your challenge, get a tent specifically designed for cold weather.
For a couple of camping buddies, a classic 'pup' tent will get the job done. Remember that a 2-person tent is meant for two people. If you want to store backpacks and stuff inside as well, consider a tent designed for more people than your group will include. If you're taking the whole family or a troop of any kind, perhaps a larger family camping tent is what you need.
Be fully equipped
Take a good look at our camping & outdoors equipment then take the family on an adventure. Even inside a tent, sleeping bags are a must. If you're planning to get lost, our navigation aids can derail those plans very effectively. If you really want to see nature, you need to get out into the wild places and you'll probably need a good set of binoculars or a night scope. Bring a telescope and see the glory of the universe up close and personal. Want your dinner as fresh as it can get? Some hunting & fishing gear might be the way to go. Speaking of dinner, a good set of camp cookware can really make that tent feel like home.
That's just the tip of Overstock.com's outdoor iceberg: Our entertainment store features books and DVDs on hiking, camping, nature, etc. You hope you never need a cell phone or GPS navigator for emergencies, but check out our electronics store anyway; if you do get lost, you'll be glad of the investment. Of course, you can't get away from it all in a business suit, so trek the clothing store to get the right outfit and accessories for your expedition.
By the way, when going into the great outdoors, an all-terrain vehicle is a very useful tool--better than hauling your gear yourself. Don't hit the trail without some of our high-quality, highly discounted ATV & motorcycle accessories.
Your tax dollars at work
On the home page of the US National Park Service, you'll find a map of the USA. Click on your state, or any other, and a list of parks in that state will open up. The NPS will spend over $2 billion of your tax dollars next year, you ought to get something more for your money than a postcard!