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--Search all categories-- AdventureSkillsHealthMealsGear Home | Adventure | Skills | Health | Meals | Gear Tent: Which Tent to Buy? After learning about the basics of tents, figure out which one suits your needs the best. As many uses as there are for a tent, there is a tent for that use. With over 250 tents on the market; chances are, the one you are looking for is waiting for you, ready to go.A tent is not something on which you should save pennies. Although in most situations a tent provides a comfortable haven, many times it can be a life-supporting shelter during bad conditions. With your tent ready to blow away with you in it with the next wind blast, was it worth it to save $5 on your tent? First you need to determine what is the primary use of the tent. Are you hiking the Sierras, planning a trip to the Serengeti, thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, or climbing an 8000m peak? Ideally it would be nice to have just one tent for all activities; alas, there is no tent that performs well in every situation, but there are tents that are extremely versatile. After you have determined what type of activity you are engaging in, you need to figure out what size is best for you. Will you be mostly camping with one other person, with a dog, lots of gear? If you are winter camping, you will need more room for gear, that is a given. Now that you have determined what you are doing, where, and with whom, you will have narrowed the choices down considerably.In order to buy a tent, you have to realize that all tents are not created equal. Read on and see if you fit into one of the categories below. Starting Out You are interested in starting to backpack and explore the trails in the National Parks. You will mostly be camping during the summertime or late spring and early fall when the weather can be crisp. A 3 season double wall tent is the choice for you, look for one that is free-standing - the ease of set-up will make your life easier. Some manufacturers offer tents that have zip off tops or mesh panels that function as sky lights, perfect for star-gazing on a warm summer day.

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More Experienced Joe

You have backpacked extensively and are looking for a new challenge - snow camping. While the majority of your camping is still in the summer, you want to experience the nip of cold in the morning before you snow shoe over a high pass.

• A 3+ season double wall tent is perfect for you, it will withstand an occasional storm and moderate wind admirably, but no be so heavy as to encumber you during the summer. You will benefit from the added strength in the construction of your tent when that first storm comes and dumps an unexpected 8 inches on you during the night.

The Mountaineer

You consider yourself a climber and not a backpacker. You tackle mountains anytime, anywhere. Often your sites are remote and exposed and on varied terrain. You expect to encounter mountain weather and come prepared for it.

• A 4 season tent is the correct choice for you, even though you may not be using in the winter that much. The heavy-duty construction of a 4 season double or single wall tent will allow you to weather that sudden summer storm or a wind storm at 16000ft with ease. Attach extra guylines for increased wind and storm protection to the outside and make sure your fly is weatherproof. Your tent is not for comfort, it is a necessity for what you do.

The Trekker and Bike Tourer

You need to travel light and you're counting every ounce. Or you're hiking the whole AT unsupported. Covering lots of daily mileage, you want a good sleep at night.

• A one person tent, a bivy sac, or a tarp is the choice for you - it depends on how plush you want to get. A one man tent is spacious and roomy, but will weigh at least 3-4 lbs. A bivy sac is confining, but it is waterproof and weighs in at around a pound. Tarps offer you virtually weightless protection from the elements, but provide little in the way full-coverage protection.

Himalayan Hardman

After climbing every other peak, you're planning on tackling a Himalayan giant. You've got the sponsorship and money is not a problem. You need to go very light, but have a completely bomber shelter.

• A single wall tent is the choice for you. While sometimes a personal choice, for high altitude climbing, single wall tents offer the best qualities you will need - light weight and heavy-duty construction. Since you're sponsored forget about the price and pick up two.

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