The camping experience etches itself into memory. Something about being encapsulated in the abyss of nature – nothing except the sounds of birds chirping early in the morning and the night sky littered with sparkles of far-off galaxies and radiant stars – always seems to create a sense of belonging in our hearts.
One key element to ensure that every camping trip is forever a joyful memory is the selection of the perfect tent. While most would assume that going to the store and buying the first tent insight is the easy route, choosing the right tent for the camping occasion is key. There are many different types of tents available in a variety of different shapes, sizes, forms, materials, and structures – each adapted for its style of camping and the needs of the said campers.
The Basic Tent
The default tent that every individual associate with camping is the classic ridge tent in its particular prism shape. This tent is called the ridge tent particularly because of the poles that support the tent and give it its classic shape.
This classic tent is stable and comes in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and colors. From small two people tents to larger marquees, the classic ridge tent is usually the preferred choice of many campers.
This type of tent is easy to pitch and can be situated in most campsites with suitable terrain. Ridge tents come in a variety of materials like canvas and nylon allowing campers to select their choice of material suitable for their camping location.
The basic tent, however, is outdated and has been surpassed by many new-age tents. Its main disadvantage is that it gains most of its support from poles which are unreliable in windy or rainy terrain – something not favored for family trips. Furthermore, this type of tent might be difficult for some to pitch.
The Instant Tent
Unlike the basic ridge tent, the instant tents are easy to pitch and usually are capable of pitching themselves with a simple lever or pulley motion. The tent material encapsulates a spring-like structure underneath which, once released from its cover or package, springs open and tightens the material into a tent shape around it.
The new age instant tents come in a variety of different material and structural forms to suit different types of weather or climate conditions. These tents are self-assembled and come in different sizes, suitable for short camping trips, preferably with a decent campground.
The main disadvantage of these tents is their heavyweight which makes them unsuitable to carry through large grounds. Furthermore, because these tents are instantly assembled, their prices also are usually higher than those of the basic tents. These tents are suited more towards short, small group camping trips rather than long, family trips.
The Pod Tent
The pod tent lives up to its name – the tent is made up of numerous small sleeping areas for individuals. These tents are very large with one main open area, leading out to individual pods – suitable for large families and long getaways where privacy is a concern.
The large size of the tent allows the accommodation of a large party with a congregational main area for fun and games. The individual pods are small enough just for one individual to rest or sleep. They come usually in polyester or nylon material due to the sheer size of the tent.
While these tents are highly accommodating, they come with their share of challenges. The campsite where these tents can be pitched needs to be on level ground with decent, grassy terrain. Campsites usually charge extra for such large tents that take up an immense amount of space. Furthermore, these tents are very heavy to carry and transport to the campsite – and also very difficult to pitch up.
The Tepee
This single pole-based tent rings many bells. It is a common type of tent in southern America, home to the previous native Indians of the region. The single-pole supports the entire tent which is usually made up of a polycotton material and houses a small number of people. These types of tents are most suited for small campsites and structured terrain with grass or mud and can only withstand good weather conditions.
These tents are suited for individual campers who are perhaps looking to go with a group of other campers. These tents are aesthetically pleasing and usually are the preferred choice for teenagers and young adults. They are easy to pitch and do not consist of heavy material to carry.
One disadvantage of this type of tent is that it is only suitable for good weather conditions. If its durability is to be increased, an additional inner tent layer must be pitched inside the teepee.
