TENTS

WHICH TENT IS BEST FOR YOU?

Here a few questions worth asking yourself:

Q: What times of year will you use your tent?

Winter campers need a four-season tent, period. If you have an Arctic expedition in mind, consult with people who have already made such trips and get their advice.

If you're a three-season hiker who heads out in March or tries to squeeze in late trips in October and November, give yourself an extra buffer of security—get a four-season tent or at least a convertible.

If you're a recreational traveler and do the bulk of your camping between May and September, choose a three-season model.

Q: How many people usually travel with you?

Do you consistently travel with a partner? You need at least a two-person tent. Are the two of you large people? You might need to bump up to a 2-to-3-person model or even a three-person tent.

Does your group size vary? You'll probably need more than one tent to fulfill your needs. If your budget is tight, buy the size that fits most of your trips; when your group size changes, rent a tent.

If you're sharing a tent at the end of the day, share the load as you hike. Someone can carry the poles, another person the rainfly, and so on.

Do you travel solo? If you demand lots of space, look for a compact two-person model. If you count every ounce, select either a bivy or a very light one-person tent.

Q: Won't a cheap tent from a discount store work just as well as a brand-name model?

Department-store tents are typically mass-produced items that supply less attention to details. Example: Examine the stitches of a quality tent. You'll find a greater number of stitches per inch in that tent than you'll find in the discount tent, and you'll often find seam sealing. This means a stronger tent is at work for you when the weather turns nasty. Quality tents use high-grade aluminum poles. Bargain tents often rely on fiberglass poles, which are less shatter-resistant. Top-brand tents often give you more ventilation options as well.

Inexpensive tents use large panels of coated nylon on their canopy (side walls). That material is not breathable, so if it's a balmy night, you might swelter inside.

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