Article brought to you by Cheap Camping Gear and Backpack Equipment

First published on Qassia

One of the most important parts of your camping or backpack equipment is, of course, your tent. Choosing a tent is not as easy as you may imagine! It pays to do some research before you go to the store as tents are designed for use in various seasons and weathers and you need to carefully consider how and when you will be using the tent. If you are planning a trip to the mountains in winter you certainly won’t want to use an all season tent!

Things to Consider Before you Buy Your Tent

The Season

There are three tent classifications depending on the time of year the tent is suitable for.

Three Season - suitable for most times of year except the coldest weather conditions.
Four Season - Suitable for all conditions including extreme cold
All Season - Typically a car or family tent. cabin tents are usually all season tents. Suitable for camping in the summer.

Size and Weight

You obviously need a tent that is adequate for the number of persons who will be using it. You may be tempted to go for a larger size but you need to also consider the weight if you will be hiking. tents can vary in weight so check this out at the store before you buy one that you will have difficulty hauling around.

Keeping out the Rain

Tents nowadays have a water resistant coating that allows air to penetrate for ventilation. Most tents also have a waterproof fly that can be attached to the poles but still allow ventilation. Look for a tent with a sewn in floor.

Setting Up the Tent

You will want to purchase a tent that is as easy to set up as possible. Dome tents and A frame tents are usually easy to set up. They are also easy to pack up when you strike camp. Cabin tents tend to be harder.

Ventilation

Good ventilation is essential and you should look for a tent that has openings on all the sides. Mesh screens on every side are also a good idea and are present in most tents. Air flow will be good through the tent but the mesh will keep out bugs and other debris flying about in the wind.

Conclusion

Buying camping gear and backpack equipment is not hard as long as you do some research first to make sure you purchase equipment suitable for the season and the type of camping you will be doing.

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