An outdoor adventure can be a serious turn-off if you don’t have a roof or, rather, a tarp, over your head. Today, we’re going to show you what to look for if you ever decide to buy a tent.
Don’t let one deceive you; choosing the right camping tent is a lot harder than it sounds.
How to Buy a Tent: Why Would I Buy a Tent When I Can Rent One?
Because, when it comes to camping, there isn’t a one size fits all tent. Each tent has been designed to answer to the needs of the one who purchases it. For instance, it wouldn’t be a good idea to rent a camping tent meant for a multi-day stay, when you’re actually planning on staying a single day.
Moreover, imagine that the individual you’re renting the tent could be that kind of person who’s cold, regardless of the weather. It would be rather silly to erect a tent meant for the cold season during summer. Of course, we could go on, but we prefer to stop here.
Bottom line is that you have to buy your own camping tent. It might be a bit pricier compared to other camping equipment such as backpacks, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, but do keep in mind that a tent is a long-term investment.
For more information on camping tents such as pole materials or other accessories, you should definitely check out a best camping tent review. It’s important to browse multiple options before settling for a certain model.
Our advice? Make a list with the features you want in a camping tent and then browse the selection to see which item suites your needs best.
So, if you’ve made up your mind about purchasing your own tent, here are a couple of things you should know when going shopping.
Types of Tents
As we’ve said, camping tents come in all shapes and sizes, each with their own pros, cons, and uses. Here are the most common types of tents.
- Basic Ridge Tent – two poles to keep the tarp up and nine brailing pegs in the ground to secure it in place. That’s it. Great for one-day camping. It’s light and easy to pitch up. Ridge tent’s only caveat is its height – it’s designed for one person only, and a short one at that.
- Dome Tent – named like that because it resembles the shape of a church’s dome. Comes with flexible parts which run across the entire ‘dome.’ Great if you have a smaller version (two people, tops), but, the bigger it gets, the more unstable it becomes.
- Geodesic and semi-geodesic – means the flexible poles intersect along the surface to create triangles. They’re great for bad weather (e.g.,