Josh
need to buy a 2 person tent for some camping. Mainly car camping so not really backpacking. I am looking at one of these two:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043HM5M2/ref=s9_simh_gw_p200_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0W4AEST4BY4MPV5E260H&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016HMBN0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p200_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=09V0JNX5ZMT0F5ZZA7JT&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
which one would you prefer? Thanks in advance!
figured amazon link would be sufficient enough, but here they are:
Eureka Apex 2XT FG Backpacking Tent
Coleman Hooligan 2 Backpacking Tent
Thanks
Answer
There is a big weight difference between these two, almost 4lbs. Also a 2 pole dome design verses a single pole both are 3 season tents the Coleman is a full mesh so for hot starry nights the better tent both have equvilant guarantees and reputations for me as a backpacker weight is criticle I would choose the Apex.
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes, Tunnels and Sacks
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.
There is a big weight difference between these two, almost 4lbs. Also a 2 pole dome design verses a single pole both are 3 season tents the Coleman is a full mesh so for hot starry nights the better tent both have equvilant guarantees and reputations for me as a backpacker weight is criticle I would choose the Apex.
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes, Tunnels and Sacks
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.
Tips for tent camping?
ishop2much
I am going camping. When I go I want my tent to be super organized what can I do to make it organized? What else are any good tips for camping? I am sharing a tent with 3 other peopel!!!!
Answer
Go to the laundry hardware housewares section of a place like K-Mart (even big drugstore chains like Walgreens have some of this stuff.) They sell collapsible nylon mesh laundry baskets with pop-up wire frames for about $5 each that are super for camping and traveling. Get one of the horizontal ones for each person. They fold flat when you aren't using them and are great for storing and toting gear. Put one at the foot of each sleeping bag to store clothes and shoes at night. Get one of the taller vertical ones and some tall trash can liners to use in it as a camp garbage can (be sure to put rocks in the bottom under the plastic bag or tie the mesh bag to a tent guy line so it doesn't blow away. ) And dedicate one horizontal one for kitchen gear and dishes.
Also, get some of the smaller flat mesh zip bags that they sell for washing lingerie and delicate clothes in the washer. These are good for stashing and organizing small items like toiletries, packs of Kleenex and other stuff you might want to keep handy near your sleeping bag. If your tent is big enough another handy storage item around camp is a backpackers net hammock (you can get them at camping and hunting supply shops or even army surplus stores.) Hang the hammock along the sidewall of the tent and you can keep clothes, towels and cooking gear off the ground and out of the way. Some camp stores even sell mini gear hammocks -- I have found a ton of uses for mesh hammocks in camp. I like to turn my sleeping bag inside out every morning and wrap it in a hammock and hang it out in the sun to freshen the bag up. You can do the same thing with laundry if you run low on clothes and have to wash out underwear, tees and socks.
In fact, I think I have so much mesh in my kit that somebody might mistake my set-up for a gill-fishing camp!
Go to the laundry hardware housewares section of a place like K-Mart (even big drugstore chains like Walgreens have some of this stuff.) They sell collapsible nylon mesh laundry baskets with pop-up wire frames for about $5 each that are super for camping and traveling. Get one of the horizontal ones for each person. They fold flat when you aren't using them and are great for storing and toting gear. Put one at the foot of each sleeping bag to store clothes and shoes at night. Get one of the taller vertical ones and some tall trash can liners to use in it as a camp garbage can (be sure to put rocks in the bottom under the plastic bag or tie the mesh bag to a tent guy line so it doesn't blow away. ) And dedicate one horizontal one for kitchen gear and dishes.
Also, get some of the smaller flat mesh zip bags that they sell for washing lingerie and delicate clothes in the washer. These are good for stashing and organizing small items like toiletries, packs of Kleenex and other stuff you might want to keep handy near your sleeping bag. If your tent is big enough another handy storage item around camp is a backpackers net hammock (you can get them at camping and hunting supply shops or even army surplus stores.) Hang the hammock along the sidewall of the tent and you can keep clothes, towels and cooking gear off the ground and out of the way. Some camp stores even sell mini gear hammocks -- I have found a ton of uses for mesh hammocks in camp. I like to turn my sleeping bag inside out every morning and wrap it in a hammock and hang it out in the sun to freshen the bag up. You can do the same thing with laundry if you run low on clothes and have to wash out underwear, tees and socks.
In fact, I think I have so much mesh in my kit that somebody might mistake my set-up for a gill-fishing camp!
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