Tent Selection Tips
Sponsored by Eureka!
There are many camping tents on the market today, and selecting just the right one to suit your needs can take some time.
To help streamline the process, here are six simple points to consider:
1. How will the tent be used most often? Consider if the tent will be used for family camping, backpacking, kayaking, canoeing, or mountaineering. Backpackers and paddlers will be more concerned about pack size and weight than family campers who will be traveling via car and tenting in a campground. If limiting pack size and weight are key concerns, consider the Spitfire UL, which weighs in at a mere 2 lbs 5 oz.
 2. What conditions much the tent handle? 2-season? 3-season? 4-season? Desert sun and heat? Heavy wind and rain? Snowloading? The tent you select should be able to withstand the worst possible conditions you will encounter. So, pay careful attention during your selection process to tent design and fabrics, which make the tent suited to your particular climate. For some backpackers, a lightweight two season tent or tarp are all that is required. Three season tents, with their breathable tent body fabrics and removable waterproof tent flys, allow for protection during inclement weather, as well as enhanced visibility (when the fly is removed) during optimal weather conditions. Four season tents feature enhanced fabric coatings and stronger frames to withstand heavy snowloads that a camper could expect to experience during winter camping. For winter camping, consider the popular Alpenlite XT.
3. How often will the tent be used? Frequently? Occasional weekends? In the backyard? Tent fabrics degrade when exposed to UV rays and acid rain, but some fabrics are more resistant than others. If you’re an occasional user, you will be well served with traditional taffeta nylon or polyester and fiberglass frames, but if you’re a frequent or extreme condition user, you’ll want to consider tents that utilize more technical fabrics and designs as well as aluminum framework. For casual use, consider the Apex 2XT, which incorporates a fiberglass frame and 2 full vestibules for exterior gear storage. For more frequent use, consider the Pinnacle Pass 2XTA which is similar to the Apex 2XT, but incorporates a lighter weight aluminum frame.
4. How many people should the tent sleep? Eureka! tents are rated for the number of people they will sleep based on thermal efficiency and the dimensions of a standard inflatable sleeping mat, but your family may want extra room for cots, gear, portable cribs, mattresses or roominess on a rainy day. If this is the case, consider the new N!ergy 1310, which will sleep up to 10 people comfortably and includes the built-in E! Power™ System to power 12 volt accessories for the ultimate in camping convenience! For added convenience, you can couple your N!ergy tent with RapidAir™ mats, which inflate and deflate in half the time of traditional air mats.
5. Is weight or stand up room a concern? Kayaking, biking, and solo hiking require the lightest tents and most compact sizes. Tent campers with a car, canoe, horse, or motorcycle will worry less about weight and opt for roomier tents. Backpackers will fall somewhere in-between. Center height is a factor you should consider, particularly if you are tall or prefer to dress standing up. And remember, a tent with vertical walls will feel larger than tents with slanted walls. For optimum interior space, consider the popular Copper Canyon 1610, which features a center height of 7 ft 3 in, as well as near vertical walls for extra useable space inside.
6. Buy the best quality you can afford! When all is said and done, the most important factor in choosing a tent is quality. Be sure to choose a quality tent that won’t disappoint, so you can enjoy your camping trip!
For more tips from Eureka!, visit our website.
Happy Camping from Your Friends at Eureka!
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