How to Shop for A Family Camping Tent
As spring rolls in and Summer is a short hop away, families are planning those vacations that take them away from the daily grit and hard work they have to go through all year long. A majority agree that the best way to vacation is to pack up the family, grab the gear and the tent, and head to one of the hundreds of awesome spots to see in the good, old U.S. of A.
Camping is a fantastic way to be together as a family and have a ball in Mother Nature. But the one item that you really should put a lot of thought into is the family tent. There are ‘catches’ when it comes to purchasing tents. Such as when a product says, ‘sleeps four’, that doesn’t exactly mean ‘comfortably sleeps four’. In fact, a lot of the time it means two people would love the tent because it’s got enough comfort for their smaller group.
So, what should you look for when laying down the cash for that tent?
The space, as stated above, is the most important factor. A four-person tent means you’re looking at a tight fit for your quad, with basically no room for bags, etc. This means that a quartet would be far better off purchasing the six-person tent. Not only will it be comfortable for the family of four, but it will allow for luggage, small items, clothes, etc. And if the weather turns drizzly and rainy, you’re looking at extra space that will make one and all very happy to have. Also consider peoples’ height when you buy, because the very tall need to be able to stretch out, so know your measurements before shopping.
What Type of Environment and Terrain Will You Be Camping In
Now, think about your environment. If you’re looking to camp in the Summer, make sure the tent is made of lightweight material, and has lots of ventilation. It will not be made for those harsh conditions, like a winter tent would be, but it will be cooler. If you happen to run across a three-season tent, that’s the one that will offer ventilation but will also be made of material that will stay standing during heavy rain or windy condition. Always remember, Mother Nature is quirky, so even if you are going on that sunny, calm weekend, weather can change at a moment’s notice…so shop wisely.
Check out all the materials involved with your choice. Examples are tents that are made from canvas are waterproof, but they can become extremely heavy once they absorb the water. Upside, however, is that they will not deteriorate as fast as nylon over time. An extra note to remember is that good tents will have rip-stop fabric.
Read the Reviews
Now, how easy is it to put this tent up? There are certain tents (such as, ten-person) that will take the US Army to put up (well…not quite), but make sure that it’s as easy as possible for you, or you and your family to put in place and make secure. There are a slew of videos on the Internet, so find some you like and watch the videos of how to set up the tent. You’ll be able to find out a lot of data that way and see how the tent works before purchasing. In addition, online reviews will also help narrow down your choice.
Make your decision, purchase, hit the road or trail to your adventure.
