Which tent to buy for outdoor recreation. My tents. Other upgrades that can make life easier

Until recently, a camping tent was a heavy canvas structure, the installation of which required certain skills. Today, any novice tourist can easily cope with this task. It's not just the fastening systems that have become more advanced. The fabrics of modern tents have high performance characteristics, have water-repellent and fire-resistant properties, and weigh very little. Some models, when folded, are small 3-5 kilogram packages that easily fit into a hiking backpack.

You need to choose the appropriate option based on the expected number of vacationers, as well as the conditions in which the tent will be used. The most popular are trekking and camping designs.

We have compiled a list of the best camping tents based on expert assessments and reviews from real customers. Our recommendations will help you make a choice that suits your needs and desires. There are many competitors in the global technology market, but we have selected the best manufacturers and recommend paying special attention to them:

1. NOVA TOUR
2. Trump
3. Maverick
4. Alexika
5. Greenell

Camping Trekking Double-layer Number of seats: up to 4 Winter For fishing

*Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.

Tents: Camping

*from user reviews

Minimum price:

Main advantages

• A four-person camping tent is designed for comfortable outdoor recreation in any weather.
• The skirt, stitched with a webbing, and the sealed material of the outer dome protect from rain and wind. The seams are additionally taped with heat shrink tape
• The main feature of the model is its design. The spacious vestibule is ideal not only for storing things, but also for eating. A camp table and chairs can easily fit here
• Oxford 150D bottom material withstands heavy mechanical loads and does not allow cold from the ground to pass through
• The sleeping compartment is equipped with a window, the opening of which is protected by a mosquito net and an external curtain. Thanks to a well-thought-out ventilation system, the tent is not stuffy, even with high humidity outside

Double-layer / Camping / Number of seats: up to 4

Main advantages

• A four-person tent for a comfortable stay at any time of the year. Wind-resistant, with thoughtful ventilation and reliable fastenings
• This tent has a spacious vestibule that can accommodate all your camping gear. There are three entrances to the vestibule, protected by mosquito nets.
• The seams are welded with a special heat-shrinkable fabric, which makes the tent 100% airtight and waterproof
• The attachment points are reinforced with additional inserts and seams. The fabric does not stretch or tear, so the tent will last for many years even with intensive use
• Fire-resistant impregnation ensures maximum safety while relaxing

Show all products in the category "Camping"

Tents: Trekking

Number of seats: up to 4/ Tracking / Double-layer

Main advantages

• Double-layer trekking model designed to comfortably seat four people
• 10 adjustable guy ropes ensure the tent remains stable in any wind. And Polyester 190T PU fabric with external Water Repellent impregnation protects from rain and snow. Heat shrink tape ensures the tightness of the seams
• Thanks to a well-thought-out ventilation system, it is always easy to breathe inside the tent, and a special valve protects against atmospheric precipitation.
• For storing things there are two spacious vestibules, the entrance to which is closed with a zipper. If it rains, you can additionally close the moisture-proof valve
• The storage bag is compressible, so you can place a wet tent in it and pull it down to a compact size

Double layer / Number of seats: up to 4/ Trekking

Main advantages

• The tent is designed for three adults. It is quite spacious, with a large vestibule in which you can leave your equipment
• The tent has two layers: a breathable bottom layer and a waterproof outer layer. In hot and dry weather, you don’t need to put on the top awning, so the tent will maintain a comfortable temperature and optimal air parameters
• The upper awning is made of polyurethane fabric and is 100% moisture resistant. All seams in the tent are sealed. Even in heavy and prolonged rain it will be dry
• The arches are made of fiberglass - a composite material that combines strength, lightness and durability. It is many times stronger than aluminum, while weighing much less
• The tent has a mount for a flashlight, internal pockets for various small items, and a mosquito net at the entrance. Such details ensure the most comfortable stay

Double layer / Number of seats: up to 4/ Trekking

Main advantages

• An excellent automatic tent that even a beginner can install. Detailed instructions are sewn to the cover, you can always see how to set up the tent correctly
• The umbrella mechanism, which ensures ease of installation, is designed for 1000 folding and unfolding cycles
• The tent has a well-thought-out ventilation system. Special windows provide a constant flow of fresh air, but they can be closed if necessary
• The model is two-layer, the upper awning protects from rain and wind, and the lower one, made of breathable fabric, allows you to rest comfortably even in the heat
• The floor is made of dense material laminated on both sides. This ensures 100% moisture resistance in any weather

1. First of all, decide on type tents. Lightweight trekking models are perfect for hiking. Spacious camping tents provide a high level of comfort. Mountain climbers should take a closer look at the storm category.
2. When determining the optimal capacity It is important to consider the duration of living in nature. If the trip lasts for several days, then part of the space will be occupied by things and a table. Therefore, it is better to take a tent that can accommodate more than the expected number of campers.
3. An important selection criterion is seasonality. Summer models are made from the finest materials. Spring-autumn designs are made from denser fabrics. Winter tents have maximum strength and high thermal insulation qualities.
4. Pay attention to the following parameter: waterproof. It is expressed in millimeters of water (mmH2O). In summer, a tent with a water capacity of 1500 mm can cope with short-term rain. Art., and for holidays from spring to late autumn it is better to choose more waterproof tent models (3000-4000 mm). It is also worth finding out if the tent has a sealed bottom.
5. Modern tents are equipped with many useful options. It is convenient to use the internal pockets, a comfortable microclimate is provided by the ventilation system, and mosquito nets will help protect vacationers from annoying insects.

HOW TO CHOOSE A TENT

So, I’m buying myself a tent... Tell me, friends of “Tramontana”, do you remember how once you didn’t have your own tent? Well, that is, there was nothing at all: not a single tent of our own. And there were only clubs, friends or parents. In which you, in fact, spent the night on your first “outings” and “hikings”. And then the moment came when you said to yourself: that’s it, I’m setting up the tent. Your own, your own.
Do you remember? And now, from the heights of our experiences, let’s try to give recommendations to those who also decided to get a tent for the first time.

First bold recommendation- look at double so-called double tourist tent(more precisely, two-layer) designs. On a frame made of aluminum tubes.

REFERENCE:

As for terms, it is customary to refer to tourist (or backpacking) tents as their most universal type. They live in this type both in the forest and in the steppe, at the foot of cliffs and on glaciers. Be it in February, or be it in June, although each will have its own peculiarities.

In addition to tourist ones, it is customary to distinguish two more types of tents: for super extreme conditions, as well as for super comfortable conditions. Accordingly, extreme tents (for storm conditions) and camping tents. This is the most general classification, since many products have hybrid properties.

There are also tents for light vehicles, all sorts of bivouacs, bivi, tents, awnings and other shelters. But these things are for special consumers. To want one for yourself, you have to go through a lot and evolve to the corresponding non-traditional needs.

Double benefit

Why a two-person tent? Because a two-person tent is the most versatile size.

This one can be used comfortably alone, but if anything happens, it will take three people for the night. Or maybe more, it all depends on the nature of this “If That” itself.

In terms of weight and dimensions, when folded, a two-person tent does not significantly burden the owner.

A tent with a larger capacity is usually purchased for specific purposes. Let's say a large team is planning a trip to places where there are no problems with setting up a large tent. If you need to optimize the weight of your equipment, then the specific and volumetric weight of one “bed” will be less when using a multi-person tent, rather than a solo or double version. Large tents are also convenient for long-term permanent camping. Well, for regular outdoor trips for parents with small children, a large tent is better suited.

Now, regarding the mentioned double or two-layer construction. This tent has double walls. It’s like a nesting doll: there is an inner tent and an outer awning, all supported by one frame.

The outer awning is made of waterproof fabric. It stops the flow of rain and gusts of wind. The inner tent is made of breathable fabric that allows steam and air to pass through. There is a gap between the inner tent and the outer awning. This is an air gap for ventilation: all condensation from human breath leaves the inner tent, after which it partially erodes and partially settles on the inner surface of the tent. Fresh air flows in the opposite direction. It turns out that the tent is both dry and not stuffy.

This design is de facto the modern standard for tourist and camping tents. In the latter, several inner tents are often placed under one large awning - creating “multi-room” camping apartments.

Note that single-layer tents still exist in nature, and have not become extinct along with canvas or percale products. Single-layer tents are found in the segment of super-expensive tents for extreme conditions. They are sewn from ultra-modern membrane fabrics. Compact, lightweight, not universal and very expensive.

There are single-layer tents and cheap solutions: beach houses from the sun, play tents for children or shelters for fishermen and ice fishing enthusiasts. Sometimes the manufacturer (or seller) tries to position them as suitable for tourism. But these tents either get wet or don’t breathe at all. More often than not, both plus break at the first opportunity. They can sometimes be used, but only as a one-time solution for one warm night in a distant warm country, to be thrown away the next morning.

Shape: who needs a half barrel?

Having finished with the first global advice - choosing a two-person double tent - let's move on to the specifics. And then you decide for yourself what you need.

Based on their shape, most tents for tourism and mountaineering can be divided (very roughly) into two types: "hemispheres" And "half barrels".

In hemispherical tents, the frame arcs intersect with each other and form a self-supporting structure. And in half-barrel tents the arcs are parallel: a series of arches is created. Such a tent can only stand if it is properly stretched between two reliable points.

There are many variations within each of these types. There are also hybrid solutions, for example, a half-barrel vestibule is attached to a dome-shaped tent. Let us note that in recent years the production of half-barrels around the world has noticeably decreased.

Varieties of gable tents, wigwam tents, and house tents today are as exotic as “bivouac” shelters – purely for connoisseurs.

What are the main advantages of the half-barrel? In it more useful volume, since its walls are steeper. Its frame consists of a smaller number of elements (usually two or three arcs). That is, it is lighter and takes up less space when folded. However, as already emphasized, the half-barrel tent needs to be properly stretched. This means she needs a larger site and a more thoughtful installation process.

A half-barrel tent is good if you plan to place it on flat forest edges or in a field. That is, where there are no problems with flat and soft ground, into which it is easy to drive pegs for tying guy ropes. Plus, let the wind be weaker there. Otherwise, you will have to invent something new every time. Drag logs, stones, and tie guy ropes to them. Then cover these stones with smaller stones so that in the middle of the night a gust of wind does not overturn all your efforts on your head along with the tent. Setting up a half barrel in deep snow is almost always a pain.

Therefore, half-barrel tents are good for cyclists and, for example, watermen. In other conditions, tents that can conditionally be classified as hemispherical tents will be clearly preferable. Quite so under withor stand on your own, even without braces. But you still need to tie them down: in the mountains, where the tent can be blown away by the wind.

Here the supporting frame may already include two, three, or even more arcs. The more there are, and the more often they intersect, forming force triangles, the more significant the wind load the tent will be able to withstand.

Winged aluminum in arc

If we understand the form, let’s consider such a thing as the frame that creates this form.

First, about the frame materials. In industrial tents, aluminum tubes or fiberglass tubes (usually fiberglass, black or colored) are usually used for its manufacture. There are also steel tubes, but these are in huge collapsible camping huts (and titanium ones - in handicrafts). There are also frames made of composite materials based on carbon fiber - in expensive premium models.

As for fiberglass, it is cheap, has no residual deformation, but is heavy and short-lived. The fragility is associated with both an objective category - poor resistance of fiberglass to excessive bending, and a subjective one - insufficient quality control of materials and production, since fiberglass is the province of low-budget solutions (there are exceptions).

Fiberglass tubes are connected to the frame post using metal couplings. These couplings, on the one hand, add weight, and on the other hand, they are often of frankly poor quality (roofing iron rolled into a tube, which “creeps” along the seam under load). The fiberglass tube itself, having barely cracked, inexorably continues to crack further and further. And it “fluffs” when you try to insert it into the repair coupling. You can only repair a cracked stand at home using epoxy resin. It is believed that fiberglass does not hold the load well in the cold, but this is most likely a consequence of defects made during production.

Tents with a fiberglass frame, of course, can and should be used. They are perfect for regular, simple trips into nature: in the same, predictable weather and landscape conditions. Another “fiberglass” tent would be a good, but “disposable” solution for one season. Let's say, for a permanent camp for one summer, when the tent will not be disassembled and reassembled many times and moved to a new place.

Now, in fact, there is little left to say about aluminum frames. Stronger, more durable, but more expensive.

Compared to fiberglass, the aluminum frame (aluminum grades similar to aircraft grades) is almost twice as light, and it withstands sharp bends and shock loads much better. That is, a tent with an aluminum frame is much better able to withstand gusts of storm wind.

Due to greater strength, the diameter of aluminum tubes is smaller, which means compactness.

It can be repaired on site using a pair of pads (or an aluminum tube-sleeve, which is often included in the repair kit) and electrical tape. At home, the broken segment can be replaced with a new tube or the fracture site can be “reworked” into another, new “elbow” on the arch.

Among the aluminum frames there are elite brands. It is the product of research laboratories that design and manufacture only the frames and then sell them to tent manufacturers. The common theme for their products is: quality, durability and low weight.

The most popular superframes from companies are DAC And Easton.

Korean company DAC(Dongah Aluminum Corporated, www.dacpole.com) is today a clear leader: in terms of prevalence and number of cooperations with well-known tent manufacturers.

DAC's arsenal includes particularly strong tubes with variable wall thickness, a wide selection of diameters, high-tech pressing and special technologies for joining elements. Hardening knurling, anodizing and so on, so on…

In the last few years, DAC has seriously begun to produce all kinds of aluminum and plastic adapters, tees, connectors, couplings and other accessories, which allow the craziest designers of tents and trekking furniture to play a lot. The results are fantastic! The development is called DAC Toys.

Americans from EASTON(http://tentpoletechnologies.com) are trying to keep up. In contrast to competitors, they intensified research in the field of lightweight composite materials. Super high quality and expensive. By the way, fiberglass frames from Eastorn are cool.

About rags...

So what next? Perhaps we can stop at fabrics.

Everything is relatively clear with tent fabrics. The lighter and stronger the better, but more expensive, since strength and lightness are antagonists. Rip Stop technology is welcome (reinforced threads are periodically woven into the fabric; a rupture, if it occurs, has a chance to stop faster - by “tripping” over one of these threads).

The waterproofness of awning materials is achieved both by the weaving of the fabric and by the quality of the waterproof layer applied to it. Plus treatment with water-repellent impregnations. Not only the finished fabric, but even the individual fibers from which it is made can be subjected to such processing.

Water resistance is measured in objective quantities - millimeters of water column. There are visual tests when the fabric being tested is pulled tightly onto the bottom of a tall glass tube: water is poured into the tube and monitored when drops begin to ooze through the fabric.

A sufficient indicator of water resistance for a tent awning is 3,000 mm (three meters of water column). Pay attention to this characteristic; it must be indicated in the product passport.

By the way, almost all reputable global and responsible Russian manufacturers have in practice always higher waterproof ratings for awnings. The point is the warranty for a new tent: by the end of the warranty period, the water resistance should be no lower than declared. A good manufacturer plays it safe and supplies fabric with initially higher performance.

In addition to the awning, the tent must also have a waterproof bottom: for it the indicator must be at least 10,000 mm (ten meters of water column). This is exactly the pressure that your elbow or knee will exert on the damp ground when you hit the floor.

By the way, the floor of the tent is sometimes made of so-called extruded polyethylene. Cheap and durable waterproof material, heavy and difficult to compress. (Supermarkets sell reusable shopping bags made from the same fabric.) This is a budget solution. Bottoms made of extruded polyethylene are found, as a rule, in the same tents that are equipped with a fiberglass frame. We wrote above about where and when it is advisable to use such tents. For other options, use will be associated, if not with risk, then at least with inconvenience.

...and seam taping

An indicator of tens of meters of waterproofness of fabric will be an empty and wet place if the manufacturer does not glue the seams when producing your tent. Each seam in the outer tent must be properly insulated, as well as all seams in the floor of the inner tent. Without this, moisture will ooze into them, and in huge quantities.

Typically, sizing is performed thermally using a special transparent tape. This procedure is not artisanal. Available only to owners of the corresponding expensive equipment.

High-altitude and extreme tents made from complex fabrics using silicone-filled fibers can be used without gluing seams. The hot-melt film does not stick to these, and therefore the problem of waterproofing the seams is solved here in other non-trivial ways.

Fabrics for the inner tent also need to be light and durable. Its panels may include mesh inserts for better ventilation, internal pockets, etc.

What is demis made of?seasonality of the tent

There is another parameter according to which tents are divided into two groups: seasonality. There are so-called tents three-season(not suitable for winter use) and all-season(suitable for all situations including snow camping). In foreign catalogues, it is accordingly indicated as Three Seasons And Four Seasons (sometimes All Seasons), respectively.

In “three-season” tents, the side and top panels of the inner tent are made of thin mesh fabric, which provides excellent ventilation, protection from insects and lighter weight. In general, such tents are universal and more suitable for long trips, since lighter and more compact. However, during a snowstorm, this same mesh can be pierced through by snow dust, which will certainly fly under the external awning.

All-season tents, that is, “four-season” tents, are usually are more expensive and have a more durable design: to withstand blizzards and winter winds. The outer awning may or may not have an additional protective skirt, but in any case it is designed to be longer so that the gap to the ground remains smaller than that of a “three-season” tent awning. The frame posts are usually thicker and stronger than those of “three-season” ones.

REFERENCE (observation from life):

However, this does not mean that you cannot survive in winter in a tent with a completely mesh liner. It happens that you climb inside and don’t know that the tent that your partner carries with him everywhere is a “three-season tent.” It’s surprising, of course, to discover in the middle of the night a natural draft that flows from the starboard side to the left, flows through your neighbor, through your sleeping bag and flows somewhere into a frosty, snowy night. Well, you’ll be surprised and roll up a roll of clothes in front of your nose so that it doesn’t freeze too much.

If you are going to use a tent always and everywhere, then one that is designed for “four seasons” would be preferable. It is convenient when part of the mesh panels of the inner tent are duplicated with flaps made of solid fabric (for example, fastened with a zipper). Typically, panels of “doors” are made in such composite layers. In cold weather, there will be more comfort in such a tent, although its weight will also be greater when compared with a similar three-season tent.

Emergency entrance, emergency exit and utility vestibule

Tent designs are varied. By the number of entrances and the presence of vestibules, including. The possibility of separate, say, storage of equipment and provisions greatly improves the functionality of a camp home. Here we dry our shoes, and there we pour our morning coffee. The presence of a spacious vestibule makes life much easier, but again increases the weight of the tent. And it requires additional space for its installation. So, take a closer look, try on and choose.

Philosophical: who is on top: frame or awning?

This is such a long-standing, specific and never-ending dispute. This concerns another feature of the design of a modern tent: where should the frame arcs be located - on top of the outer awning or under it? Both options are quite common among modern tents.

The main advantage of the external frame arrangement is that the inner tent can remain permanently attached to the outer awning. Therefore, by stretching the outer tent, you will automatically “set up” the entire tent, including the inner tent. And in this case, if you put up a tent in the rain, its insides will not get wet. You can disconnect the inner tent from the outer one when you want to clean it or dry it thoroughly.

With a tent whose frame is located inside, between the inner tent and the awning, this number will not work. First you need to put up the inner tent, and then pull the awning on top. If it rains or snows, then all this may end up inside the tent. Especially if you hesitate.

However, such calculations are rather theoretical. In practice, you can put up an inner tent, covering yourself with a tent that has not yet been stretched. Thus reducing subsequent drying to a minimum.

On the other hand, when the frame is external, you are faced with the unpleasant need to insert arch elements into special narrow and long pockets provided for by the design. When the turn of the second arc comes, it is very problematic to do it alone - you try to resort to the help of a partner.

In addition, the design of many such tents is such that with excessive force, the pole rests and tears the fabric of such a pocket. Attention, accuracy and sufficient illumination of the scene are required. In wind and rain, the task becomes even more challenging.

The author of these lines had the opportunity to see a “dream tent” with an external frame only in photographs by Reinhold Messner from Everest: there the tent was suspended from the frame using a thin strong cord and many hooks. Alas, such tents today are produced either individually or handicraft.

But where a tent with an external frame definitely loses is in absolute inability to fold back the awning and spend the day/night exclusively inside the inner tent. In the hot sun or stuffy weather, such a luxurious option is simply irreplaceable.

A tent with an external frame seems to be advantageous in the conditions of some multi-day hike in an area blown by hurricane winds. If a pole bursts, it (most likely) will not tear the tent apart with its debris. What would inevitably happen if the frame was located inside, under an external awning, and thereby gave rise to a lot of problems.

Little things - big and important

Having examined the tent as a whole, carefully study and appreciate the little things: fasteners, zippers, seams. The presence and number of eyelets and eyelets for guy lines. The quickdraws themselves, the packaging bag and the quality of the pegs.

All these seemingly little things are actually not nonsense, but extremely important things. If everything goes as usual, then a tent made of high-quality fabric and high-quality fittings can last five, ten, or fifteen years.

But the “lightning” that spreads under load is terrible. Just like a “zipper” that is not able to fasten under load. The threads are monstrous, sticking out in all directions and getting into the clasp slider. An unsuccessful protective cover on the “zipper” of the awning, unexpectedly getting stuck in the lock, takes away the last of your strength when you have already overcome all the challenges and tests of a good working day and are about to melt the snow for the evening soup. And then there’s such trouble!

Eyelets that come off, strips that fly off, to which guy ropes are tied. Hooks that break in the cold or heat for hanging the tent to the frame. Believe me, if they are destined to come off or break, they will come off and break at the most inopportune moment. When there is neither time nor energy to resist this mini-accident.

Choosing a tent unpack and install it and climb inside. Lie down at your full gigantic height. Is there enough space at the headboard for personal items? And in the legs - for equipment and ropes?

Inspect the cut of the tent. Is the inner tent hanging from the frame? Doesn't the awning wrinkle? If there is a hint of this, then in the rain, when the fabric is saturated with moisture and inevitably stretches, the sides of the inner tent and outer awning will stick together. And then overnight all your warm clothes will get wet. And in the wind, the flapping “sails” will tear: first the guys will fly off, and then the main fabric will burst.

If the tent is well designed, then weather changes are taken into account in advance. The tent remains beautiful and resilient in both rain and sun.

It would seem like a small thing - painting the frame arches in different colors. But when you shake out this multi-colored “bamboo” onto the mat and start building your house, you will appreciate how much faster things go with color markings. And on a frosty night, with the light of a flashlight, the color of each arc and the corresponding color markers on the fastening elements of the tent turn from a seemingly trifle into a real de luxe option.

Have a nice night!

Here is a guide for choosing a camping tent. What should it be like to avoid freezing in the mountains? Which tent should you buy for a family holiday? And what does the tent marking say? The answers to these and many other questions are in this article.

Want to get to know someone better? Go camping with him.

Many people love camping, but few know how to choose a good tent. Size, weight, design, material - all this matters and affects the cost. Find out how to choose a tent that suits your travel preferences from this article.

Do you need a tent on a camping trip?

In short - yes. Of course, you can spend the night in a sleeping bag under a canopy, but this:

• uncomfortable (at night, even in summer, it’s cold outside, it can rain or a strong wind can rise - weather forecasts do not always come true);
• unsafe (insects, snakes, small rodents - this is not a complete list of sources of “thrill” when spending the night in the open air).

Therefore, take it as an axiom: a tent is necessary when camping.

Which tent is right for you?

The answer depends on the answer to another question: what type of outdoor recreation do you prefer?

If you like equipped campsites with car parking, then you can safely take a large tent.

A camping tent is a large, tall tent, often with a vestibule and windows. Designed for car tourism, family holidays and overnight stays in one place for 3–4 days. Pros: comfortable conditions (you can stand upright), large capacity. Cons: heavy weight, poor warm-up.

If you are planning a long hike or bike trip, the weight and size of the shelter are important considerations. You will need a trekking tent.

A trekking tent is a small tent used for lowland hiking and recreation along hiking trails. Pros: lightweight, easy to transport. Cons: not designed for strong winds and rain.

The dimensions and weight of the tent become even more important when hiking in the mountains or over rough terrain. Here we need an assault tent.

An assault (or high-mountain) tent is an ultra-light tent designed for serious hiking (difficult routes, long treks). Pros: very light and reliable, not afraid of strong winds, quickly installed and assembled. Cons: usually small (it can be cramped even for one person).

Konstantin Shishkin/Shutterstock.com

What is the seasonality of a tent?

Beginners mistakenly believe that if tents are divided into seasons, then there should be spring, summer, autumn and winter. In fact, they distinguish:

• Summer tents. For warm or hot weather. An important point here is ventilation: the fabric is well ventilated, and the edge of the awning is usually raised above the ground. But such a tent will not protect you from strong wind or rain.
• Three-season tents. The name speaks for itself - designed for three main hiking seasons (spring, summer, autumn). They are made of denser fabric, so they can withstand cold demi-season winds and heavy rains.
• Winter (or all-season) tents. Designed for use in difficult climatic conditions (snow, wind), but can also be used in summer in calm weather. They are distinguished by their stable construction and dense waterproof material.

How to decide on the size?

Boas in the famous cartoon were measured by parrots, and tents are measured by men. Many have heard: single tent, double, triple, and so on. In the first case, this means that one adult man can comfortably fit in the tent (with all his belongings); in the second - two; in the third - three and so on.

“Men are different,” you say. Right. Therefore, to get a clearer idea of ​​the dimensions of the tent, research its length and width online before purchasing. Then “recreate” these dimensions on your floor, take a sleeping bag and try to fit into the resulting square. Managed? You can take it! No? It might be worth buying a two or three person tent.

How many layers should I choose?

Depending on the design, tents are divided into single-layer and double-layer.

In the first case, the tent is made of a waterproof awning and is a single fabric. It is easy to fold and install. But there is a significant drawback - condensation. In humid or hot weather, it inevitably forms on the inner walls. If you don't provide ventilation, you'll wake up in a wet sleeping bag. Fortunately, scientists are actively working to solve this problem - they are coming up with various “breathable” and at the same time windproof fabrics. Tents with membrane awnings are already on the market, but they are quite expensive.

A two-layer tent consists of a waterproof canvas (outer layer) and a lightweight, breathable canvas (inner layer). Between them, as a rule, there is a 10–15 cm gap. This tent is somewhat heavier, but condensation does not accumulate in it, and it is reliably protected from rain.

Another advantage of two-layer tents is the presence of a vestibule.

Tambour - additional space under the outer awning of the tent. Used to store things and dirty shoes.

Do you need windows in a tent?

In general, no. As a rule, you are in a tent at night - there is nothing to look through them. If we consider the window as an additional ventilation hole, then with two-layer structures there is no need for this, but in single-layer ones, the slightly open zipper at the entrance perfectly copes with the task of supplying fresh air.

The only exception is camping tents. In this case, a tent with windows looks like a house and creates more comfort.

Which material should you prefer?

Poly Taffeta 210T 3000 PU is not a magic spell, but upon seeing such an inscription in the tent description, an inexperienced tourist may fall into a trance. What do all these numbers and letters mean?

It's actually simple. When making tents, two types of fabrics are used:

• polyamide (Nylon);
• polyester (Polyester).

The first ones are quite durable and very affordable, but at the same time they are easily stretchable when wet and are sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. The second ones are even more durable and do not tear when wet, but they are more expensive. Thus, the first word in the tent's marking (Poly) means that it is made of polyester material.

Taffeta is the most common way of weaving thread. In addition to it, there is also Oxford (creates additional strength and, as a rule, is used for the bottom of the tent) and Rip Stop (increases strength due to reinforced thread, without adding weight).

The next element (210T) is the weaving density. It is measured in tex and affects the strength of the material. The larger the T, the denser, stronger and heavier the fabric. In addition, the tent marking may contain numbers and the letter D. This indicates the thickness of the threads from which the material is made. This indicator also affects the strength and weight of the tent.

Finally, PU means that the fabric is impregnated with polyurethane, making it water-resistant. There is also silicone impregnation (SI), it is of higher quality and more durable, but also more expensive.

The material is coated with polyurethane on the inside. At the same time, two layers of PU impregnation provide water resistance of 3,000 mm water column; three layers - 5,000 mm. Silicone coating is applied externally. The acceptable level of water resistance here is 2,000 mm.

So, which material should you choose? If you go out into nature infrequently and at the same time stick to the well-trodden tourist paths, then a tent made of nylon with Taffeta or Rip Stop weave and a density from 190T to 210T is quite suitable for you. A good addition to this would be silicone water-repellent impregnation.

What should the bottom of the tent be like?

Durable, durable and durable again! The bottom of the tent has the hardest time: you place it on sharp stones, on snow, on sand.

As a rule, the bottom is made of the same material as the outer awning. Suitable for this purpose are nylon fabrics with Oxford weave, with a weave density of at least 210T and a thread thickness of at least 210D. But the main indicator is water resistance. It is desirable that the bottom material can withstand at least 5,000 mm of water column.

Sometimes the bottom is also made of reinforced polyethylene (designated PE, tarpauling). This material is practically waterproof, quite affordable, but much heavier than polyester and nylon.

In addition, many tents have a so-called skirt, which prevents wind from blowing and precipitation from getting between the inner and outer awning.

The skirt is an additional strip of fabric around the perimeter of the tent. Can be sewn or removable.

It makes sense to buy a tent with a skirt if you are going on a winter hike: it will provide additional warmth. For trekking summer tents, a skirt is an unnecessary burden. This will only cause condensation to accumulate.

Which design should you choose?

There are three main forms of tourist tents:

1. Hemisphere

Consists of two or more arcs crossed with each other, thereby creating a dome. This is a universal and very popular form. Tents in the shape of a hemisphere can be used even on extreme hikes: they can withstand strong winds and water easily rolls off them.

2. Half barrel

As a rule, a large and roomy tent (often with a vestibule). The arcs of such a tent are parallel to each other and do not intersect each other. It is not particularly resistant and will not withstand all types of weather. This design is often found in camping tents.

3. House

Gable tents in the form of a house are considered a classic. Rain and snow roll off easily, but the wind resistance of the structure leaves much to be desired. In addition, this type of tent is considered the most troublesome in terms of installation.

In addition, single tourists quite often prefer single-person frameless tents. They are light and compact, in fact it is just an awning attached to trees with ropes or supported by several posts (usually sticks).

Now you know enough about tents to make a purchase. But don’t rush to run to the mall or open an online store website. There are a few tricks that can help you save money.

• Old models from famous brands are no worse than their new models, but much cheaper.
• Don’t be afraid to buy tents from little-known companies, as long as the specifications match reality.
• Study reviews, consult with friends, if possible, try out this or that tent before purchasing (for example, borrow from a friend).

Having bought a tent, do not rush to immediately go into the forest. First, assemble it at home to understand how it works, and to assemble and disassemble it quickly and easily on a hike. After this, go over the seams with a water-repellent spray to ensure protection from moisture. And in order for the tent to serve you for a long time, do not forget to dry it thoroughly upon returning from a hike.