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11 Hints to Pick Your Next Camping Tent.
A good camping tent should keep you dry, comfortable, and provide protection.
Which camping tent... Dome, family, 4-season, backpacking or cabin is right for you? They don't repel rain, cold, snow, or biting bugs equally.
Camping tents are an important outdoor gear investment. This article will give you the information you need to make an informed decision about what kind is best for you.
First determine what type of camping you'll be doing? Do you only go out in the summer or are you into 4-season camping? Make sure to prepare yourself for the worst possible type of weather you'll encounter. Waking up to a foot of snow inside your summer camping tent because of a late fall blizzard isn't much fun. ;-)
After determining what seasons you'll need your tent for, estimate how many people you will usually camp with...
Sizing It Up
Camping tents are rated by the number of people they can accommodate. But these ratings are like getting twenty circus clowns into a Volkswagon Beetle...goofy. :-) When they say it's a 4-person tent, they mean 4 people and nothing else, no hiking gear, no room for boots, just 4 people that hopefully know each other pretty well. Seriously, if you're looking for backpacking tents or hiking tents and weight is a big concern, then get cozy and use the rating system, but otherwise I'd think bigger.
Consider going 1-2 sizes bigger than what you need for a smaller camping tent. Better yet divide the "person rating" by 2 so you'll have a decent amount of room if you have to stay inside due to nasty weather. If you thought cabin fever was bad wait until you're stuck in a downpour with 5 other people in a small tent for a few days.
My 4 man tent with 2 vestibules is perfect for 2 people and plenty of gear. Dry equipment is a good thing. This is still true with kids because the smaller they are the more room they take up with "kid stuff". Something else to keep in mind is that more room makes extended trips easier.
Consider the length and width of the camping tents you're looking at. If you're 6 feet tall you'll want at least 7 feet to stretch out length-wise and 2-3 feet of width depending on how much you move in your sleep.
Another thing to consider is to make sure you have enough space for an inflatable air mattress. While it's not mandatory I'll have to say it makes camping much more comfortable than lying on a cold pad. When I wake up I feel 300% better than when I slept on a pad on the floor getting stiff and cold. No it's not a king-size pillow-top, but hey this is camping. ;-)
Since we're on the subject of size, make sure that you'll have enough height to kneel, partially-stand, or...
If you would like to learn more about evaluating camp tents please visit www.hiking-gear-and-equipment-used-for-camping.com/camping-tents.html
Marc learned about quality gear just after his pup tent flooded forcing him to sleep in his tiny 2-seat Honda CRX. His hiking equipment & camping gear guides & reviews save you time & money. Subscribe to his camping & hiking newsletter at www.hiking-gear-and-equipment-used-for-camping.com/hiking-journal.html & get the most usable info. FREE! Marc Wiltse. Reprint permission if author, copyright, hyperlinks & this notice are intact.
Copyright Marc Wiltse - http://www.hiking-gear-and-equipment-used-for-camping.com/
11 Hints to Pick Your Next Camping Tent. Related Resources
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Its Family Camping Time
Despite all your preparations, you can't depend on Mother Nature to provide you with perfect weather for your outdoor activities. "In my mind, RVing covers all three." Brad and Amy now have two young children and say they have a greater understanding of the significance and importance of family time. Camping is a wonderful activity enjoyed by millions of families each year. During this time, Brad authored "States of Mind," a book which chronicles their travels and experiences in small towns across America.
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Great Family Camping Trips Make Excellent Traditions
There are excellent baby back carriers available allowing you to hike all sorts of terrain with baby in tow while keeping your back feeling comfortable, as well there are a numerous variety of baby strollers to select from which are great for using on trails. Bring along heavy sweaters or extra jackets for added warmth, it can never hurt to bring along a couple of extra blankets for comfort beside the fire (or for use at a day picnic). Research in advance the area you will be visiting to know what activities will be available, you may be able to rent a kayak and take a lesson at the same time.
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Camping - the ultimate budget vacation
And camping provides plenty for all members of the family to do.Dad may enjoy fishing in his favorite spot, or boating aroundthe lake, while mom and the kids may enjoy a beautiful hike andbird watching trip. We know that camping is one of the least expensive of allvacations, but lets take a quick look at the expenses associatedwith this type of budget travel. Unlike a traditional vacation, in which the money youspend on that great hotel is gone for good, with camping you buyyour hotel room (also known as your tent) outright, and you ownit forever.
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RV Camping
It's cheaper than paying property taxes or rent fora lot to park on. Some ofthese temporary towns like "Slab City" in California, havebookstores, grocery vendors, and other businesses run by RVers.Once summer returns, these boondock communities disappear, andreappear again the following winter. RV camping can make for a great trip almost anywhere, but Ithink it is best in the west. An annual permitcosts $30, but you're limited to two weeks per month (permitsare sold at the BLM office in Safford).
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The best parts of Camping gear
Others become RVers, invest in a differentkind of camping gear and try out a pop-up tent trailer, then acamping trailer or a motor home as well as the required campinggear for these vehicles. Tent camping is popular, and this is how most people start out.Some people love tent camping so much they never do any othertype of camping. Even so, most of them still keep atent, some sleeping bags, and some kind of different campinggear, handy for their younger guests. All sleeping bags need an isolating pad underneath for properwarmth and comfort, so you shouldn't exclude this from yourcamping gear.
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A Gift Idea Or Two For the Camper
While camping, everyone loves to sit by the campfire at thepicnic table and play games in the evening. Batteryoperated florescent or incandescent lanterns quite popular withthe camping crowd because of the quality of the light produced.The light from these lanterns is easily sufficient to read abook at the picnic table or inside the tent and there is nodanger of fire. This makes transportingeating equipment much easier for the camper than packingeverything into a box or bag. A well-accessorized picnic basket is another choice of gift yourcamping fan will love.
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How To Choose A Good Camping Bed
Sleeping mats are generally easy to carry and are a good option for use when not near a permanent camp site. Being uncomfortable will hamper sleep and make everyone irritable and tired. Inflatable beds come in single sizes all the way up to king size to fit more than one person. However, they may be awkward to carry long distances. Inflatable beds are beds that are cushioned with air.
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