Article updated: 2016-02-03

Tourist tents - tents designed for hiking or outdoor recreation with a moderate degree of comfort. Due to their low weight and size, they can be transported in a backpack (bag, hands, etc.). Unlike camping ones, they have a lower ceiling height, which allows you to stay inside only while sitting or lying down.

There is always a great temptation to take a tent with bigger vestibules. Comfort, as you know, does not happen much. But it is still desirable to objectively evaluate what they will be used for. For example, for storing bicycles or a large amount of equipment in a region that is troubled in terms of “borrowing” other people's things. Then you understand that an additional 0.5 - 1 kg behind you is a necessary tribute to circumstances. In most cases, one or two medium-sized vestibules are enough. 70-100 cm. And sometimes you can do something more cunning - take a light three-person tent for two with almost no vestibules and comfortably place your belongings in an empty place. At the same time, if anything, there will always be a reserve for putting one more comrade with you.

materials

The materials from which tents are made is a separate huge topic, and one can talk about this for a very long time. So here we will deliberately touch on only a few of the most fundamental points. What is most important from the point of view of an ordinary user choosing a tent for himself.

Tent frames are made from fiberglass(fiberglass,) - much cheaper, or aluminum- more expensive, but also lighter, more reliable. Mid to high end tents will almost always have high tech aluminum poles. In cheap ones - mostly fiberglass. In principle, when used in ordinary calm hikes, there is no big sin in fiberglass arches. You just need to understand that such a tent will be noticeably heavier than its counterpart with aluminum arcs, and is focused only on mild operating conditions. The main place where fiberglass should not be taken is the mountains, where the material quickly degrades under the influence of hard ultraviolet radiation and begins to break, which causes a lot of trouble. In winter, in the cold, it is also more prone to breakage.

Fabrics. Tarpaulin, as a material for tourist tents, has irretrievably sunk into the past. The awning and bottom of modern tents are made of synthetic fabric (polyester or nylon), which is coated with polyurethane impregnation (PU). The more layers of impregnation, the stronger the fabric and the better it holds water. In this case, the name of the material will contain the letters PU and the value of water resistance in millimeters.

About water resistance values many copies were broken. At one time, among tourists, it was considered almost one of the main criteria for choosing a tent. After all, the higher it is, the more guaranteed you and your things will be dry. 10 000mm and nothing threatens you even under the torrents of a tropical downpour. But that's in theory. In practice, all manufacturers measure this value in their own way. Someone indicates a figure for a fabric that has just left the factory, someone has a more objective value - the test results after a year of operation of the tent. In addition, it is of great importance how all this is sewn, whether the pattern is successfully made, whether the seams are processed with high quality, and so on. So it’s quite difficult to compare products of different brands by this parameter or “expose” someone in reality. And the current tent, for any more or less sane manufacturer, is now something out of the ordinary. Like the current umbrella - frank marriage and hack work. This is now sin only very cheap low-quality things. Often, users mistake condensation on the inside of the tent for leaking tents, but this is a completely different physical phenomenon.

The only thing you can really check on a dubious tent is whether it has taped seams. If not, then it is better to refuse it. With prolonged rain, water will gradually seep through such a line. And the older the tent gets, the more the fabric stretches, the more it will flow.

In lightweight tents last years fabric is actively used not with traditional polyurethane (PU), but with silicone impregnation (Silicone or Si)- . This is a much lighter material. For example, a modification of the same double tent with a "silicone" awning can weigh not 3 kg, but 2.3 kg. In addition, the fabric impregnated with silicone, due to the fact that the threads are not glued together, but can move freely and distribute the load, has greater tensile strength. But at the same time, it is noticeably more expensive and requires more sophisticated sewing technology, so it is not used so often. Mainly in UltraLight and extreme series of tents.

In cheap tents, the bottom is often made, on the contrary, not from fabric, but from reinforced polyethylene("terpaulin", outwardly similar to the material of a shuttle seller's bag). It has a right to exist in simple hikes or outdoor recreation. But it must be borne in mind that such material is much heavier than the fabric and stiffer, due to which the folded tent turns out to be more voluminous. With frequent assembly and disassembly, especially in the cold, creases can gradually form on the folds, allowing water to pass through.

Types of tourist tents

First of all, this ordinary tourist tents (they are also sometimes called "trekking", from English trekking - hike,). Designed for hiking, cycling, water or simple mountain trips. They are best suited for ordinary outdoor recreation: picnics, fishing, trips to the river, etc. The most massive type is about 80% of the assortment of any store.

extreme(mountain,) tents. They are made based on the harsh conditions of the highlands and subpolar latitudes. First of all, these are lower temperatures and strong winds, which ordinary tents most often simply cannot withstand and break. Accordingly, these are thicker fabrics, a strong frame with an excessive number of arcs and testing models in difficult expeditions. Naturally, such tents, despite the most advanced technologies, are somewhat heavier than usual ones. See the section on extreme tents.

Seasonality of tents

Quite often, manufacturers indicate the climatic conditions for which one or another of their products was designed. At the same time, in the description you can see the words: “summer”, “three-season” (spring-summer-autumn) or “four-season” (winter, extreme). This information can be very useful, but it needs to be properly understood and interpreted.

The main difference between tents of different seasonality is how well their inner space is protected from the wind blowing outside. In summer models, the inner tent is usually made of openwork mesh, which provides good ventilation in hot, stuffy weather. In three-season and winter models, a denser fabric is used instead of a mesh, somewhat reducing air circulation and blowing from outside. In addition, many four-season models are also equipped with storm skirts, which can be covered with snow or stones to almost completely eliminate wind blowing.

But it must be remembered that from the point of view of direct thermal insulation, a winter (four-season) tent is not much warmer than a summer one. And this is understandable, because structurally, these are the same two layers of fabric that separate us from the cold prevailing on the street. So, on frosty nights, all the necessary insulation should be provided with a good thick sleeping bag.

little things

The tent is quite often supplied with all sorts of auxiliary little things such as pockets on the walls or shelves under the ceiling. Not that it is strictly mandatory and necessary, but quite convenient in camping life.

But the repair kit should be included in the kit of any tent. It can lie unnoticed for years in a bag of pegs, but if something happens, it can be used to repair very serious damage, which otherwise can lead to a trip disruption.

Manufacturers

The choice of tourist tents in our stores is now simply huge. There are already more than a hundred manufacturers whose products are presented on the Russian market. New names are constantly appearing, someone, on the contrary, leaves the stage. Under these conditions, it is, of course, impossible to talk about everyone, and, moreover, to put them all on the shelves. For some reference, below is a list of brands that have been well-known in Russia for a long time. But you need to understand that it is far from complete, and in addition to those listed, there are many other manufacturers that also deserve attention.

First of all, a few indisputable leaders industry. Those who are now ahead, actively invent and implement something new. They produce the most high-tech, lightweight, durable, but, of course, quite expensive things:

About a dozen other manufacturers middle level, quite widespread in our country (the list, I repeat, is far from exhaustive):

Of relatively cheap tents in almost every store sells something of their own. Among the most popular are:

It should be noted that Russian tents on the general background look very competitive. In terms of workmanship, they are comparable to what Western manufacturers do for similar money. Including, in addition to the traditional trekking and extreme tents for our country, good samples of ultralight equipment are beginning to appear in our country.

How much does a tent cost

The price range for tents is quite wide. For example, a double can cost both 2,000 rubles and 20,000 rubles. And it's not that some manufacturer is very greedy, but someone almost pays us extra out of his own pocket. The price of a tent reflects well the quality of the materials and the technical level at which it is made.

The design of an expensive top tent has been developed over the years, experimenting, choosing the right materials, thinking through the nuances of assembly, ventilation, and using complex technological processes of sewing and sealing. The result is a very high quality, light and reliable thing. It is not scary to go on a long expedition with it, far from civilization, where you start to break something, and you can seriously get stuck.

At the same time, its Chinese counterpart from Auchan is, as a rule, a copy of some well-known model, but much simplified. Simple zippers, fittings made of cheap, not very reliable plastic, the fabric is not the one that the creator carefully selected when designing, but the one that fits into the tight budget limits, the cheapest possible frame. Such a tent may also have the right to exist, especially somewhere in a simple two-day trip to nature. But, of course, one must be prepared for "surprises", and do not expect miracles from her such as low weight and long years of service.

Ultimately, everyone chooses for themselves. Based on their goals and budget, which is morally ready to go broke. For reference, the price of an average (that is, not very expensive, but not the cheapest) tourist tent:

	average tent price
Relevance - Feb. 2016
2 local	7,000 - 12,000 rubles
4 local	10,000 - 16,000 rubles

A mandatory attribute of any hike or just outdoor recreation is a tent. The question of choosing a tent is quite complex and is determined by many different factors. It will not be difficult to buy a tent, because, today, a huge number of options are presented on the market - tourist, expeditionary, camping and others. Each tent has certain parameters and features: size, weight, number of places, entrances and vestibules, quality of fittings and seams, water resistance, impregnation quality and others. All this matters and affects the cost.

First you need to decide: for what purposes do you need a tent? The answers can be summarized in three main ones:

- Amateur tourism. You are planning mountain trekking for your pleasure, without conquering difficult peaks. Here, with a few reservations, we can include cycling and kayaking.

- Professional tourism. These are active travels, sometimes “on the verge of possibilities”, climbing above 3000 meters, mountaineering and records. Such trips require the most thorough preparation, any mistake in choosing equipment can stand in the way of climbing or even lead to serious consequences.

- Camping or auto-travel. You are not going to move from place to place, the tent is set up permanently, for example, for a week. Or you are an auto-traveller and will periodically remove the tent from the trunk of the car.

If you have clearly formulated the purpose of your travels, it will not be difficult to determine the basic requirements for a tent.

Types of tourist tents:

It's no secret that tents are made for a variety of purposes. In this article, we will look at the types of tourist tents. But tourists are also different. There are many different types of tents. Consider the most common of them, which is used by many manufacturers. Which tent is best for you depends on what type of vacation you prefer.

By appointment distinguish tourist tents:

for the highlands;

for the middle mountains;

for the plain.

In each of the above three categories there is a conditional division into "upper", "middle" and "low" tents. This gradation depends on the materials used for arcs and awnings, technologies, impregnations and construction.

Alpine tents are divided into expeditionary and assault. Highland tents are designed specifically for extreme conditions: strong storm winds, high altitude above sea level, frost, etc.

Expeditionary - these are tents for, so to speak, the "Himalayan" style of climbing, when several base camps are created during the ascent. An expedition tent is designed to stand in one place for a long time, so it must be wind and moisture resistant, and its construction must be rigid enough to withstand the pressure of wind and snow.

Assault - tents for the "alpine" style, when the base camps are not broken, and the tent is carried with you throughout the ascent (which is why it should also be as light as possible). A good assault tent will withstand any weather conditions. Assault tents are light, moderately roomy, and quickly assembled.

Mid-mountain tents combine the qualities of expedition and assault tents: they are more comfortable, therefore, heavier than assault tents, although lighter than expedition tents.

Plains are simple small tents for light hikes and overnight stays along hiking trails, in the forest and on the plains. Not very resistant to heavy rain and wind. Most often, the company's catalogs indicate the recommended purpose of the tent (for example, for mountain tourism, mountaineering, caravanning).

Tents for the middle mountains and plains are divided into:

camping tents

If you like equipped campsites or you go out into nature by car for quite a long time (or at least do not plan to move often from place to place), then you can safely buy a large camping tent.

camping- These are large, spacious, high tents (often equipped with vestibules and windows) for permanent installation. The main advantages are comfort (in such tents you can stand to your full height) and spaciousness. Of the shortcomings - a lot of weight, poor warming. Camping means that the tent does not need to be moved, assembled and disassembled daily. Often, it, like the rest of the equipment, can be taken to the place of rest by car, therefore, the weight of the tent (more than 7 kg) is of no fundamental importance. Also, an important role in camping is played by a large vestibule, which allows, for example, on a rainy day, to cook food in it on a gas burner and not get wet in the rain.

Universal tents

Such tents are quite comfortable, they are not subject to very strict requirements for wind resistance, however, other qualities common to all types (water resistance, the use of "breathable" fabrics, etc.) must be at the proper level.

Tents for hiking and mountain hiking

The specificity of these trips lies in the fact that you only have what you carry behind you. This is not easy, so neither the tent nor you need extra pounds. In addition, the trip can be accompanied by wind, rain or snow, therefore, the requirements for tents are quite strict: the weight per person should not exceed 1.2-1.3 kg for a 3-person tent and 1-1.1 kg for a 4-person tent. At the same time, the structure must be strong enough to withstand the weather. Well, if the tent has a "skirt" to protect against snow.

Tents for water trips

It is unlikely that anyone will go on such a trip in winter, which means that protection from snow in this case, most likely, will not come in handy. The weight of the tent will also not play a significant role, which means that it can be chosen more comfortably. Wind resistance will also not be a critical parameter, therefore, from the two classic forms - "hemisphere" and "half-barrel" - you can choose the latter due to the large usable volume and better habitability.

Special tents

This type of tent includes specialized tents with non-standard conditions or design requirements: fishing and military tents, tents for winter hiking, for children, and others.

When choosing a tent, it is advisable to study this qualification. So for simple hikes and trips with an overnight stay for fishing, most of the tents from the “tourist” category are suitable. In this case, you can reasonable money. However, it is important to remember that good tent it cannot be cheap (due to the use of high-quality materials), but it is not worth overpaying either (if you are not going to use its capabilities to the maximum).

By design features, tents can be divided into two main groups:

Single layer

Double layer

Single layer tents are made mainly from waterproof synthetic materials. Their main advantages are lightness and compactness, and the main problem is the condensate that accumulates on the walls of the tent. There is a ventilation issue as it is quite difficult to make a single layer waterproof and breathable at the same time. Therefore, when choosing a single-layer tent, one should be guided, first of all, by the type and quality of the fabric (cheap single-layer tents usually have poor ventilation, you can easily wake up in a damp sleeping bag in the morning.). If the material is waterproof, but "not breathable", then a well-thought-out ventilation system is needed: mesh holes on all sides of the tent. Currently, the most widespread are numerous types of two-layer tents, as the most functional.

double layer tent, in fact, consists of two tents: an outer one (an awning, which must be durable and waterproof, as it is a protective shell covering the inside) and an inner one, which is made of lightweight breathable material. The inner layer is necessary so that condensation does not accumulate in the tent and there is something to breathe. The porous fabric removes air with moisture, which settles on the awning and flows down, bypassing the inner tent. Often, there are ventilation windows in the tent.

Another advantage of two-layer tents is the presence of a vestibule.

Tambour - additional space under the outer awning of the tent. Serves for storing things, dishes and dirty shoes.

The difference between tents by seasons of use

Summer tents. Used in summer in good climatic conditions. The design of the tent for summer operation is very simple, and does not provide for its use in stormy winds and thunderstorms. The main advantage is good ventilation, compactness, low weight and low price.

Three season tents. Provide reliable protection even in the rain and cold. Designed for spring, summer and autumn. The price is much more expensive than summer ones.

All season tents. Designed for any weather, including cold, storm, rain and heat. Can be used all year round. Main advantages: high water resistance, wind resistance, snow skirt. The price of such tents is correspondingly high.

Types of tents in shape

In general terms, the design of the tent is a frame with an awning stretched over it. But there are important nuances, for example, the shape of the tent. The form is important not only from a decorative, but also from a purely practical side. There are such types of tourist tents in shape:

hemisphere

This is the most popular and common form of tent, due to its versatility. Semi-spherical tents are well suited for both simple outings and difficult hikes, as they are easy to set up and stable. The basis of the frame is usually two intersecting arcs. This is a fairly wind-resistant, equal-strength construction. Plus it looks great.

Half-ribbon

The half-barrel has an elongated shape in the form of a half cylinder cut along. This type of tent belongs to the category of frame products, but the arcs in it are installed parallel to the width of the tent and in the direction of the wind. Tents in the shape of a half-barrel are considered one of the most comfortable, they can conveniently equip sleeping places, place the necessary things. If you set up such a tent correctly, it can become not only a place to spend the night for one night, but a whole house for quite a long period of time. The downside of the tent is reduced stability. It is better to set up such a tent together, since it is quite difficult to do it alone.

"Coffin"

A favorite form for single tourists. Good stability, compact and lightweight. Good stability, light and compact. This is quite a successful and cozy type of tents. A noticeable difference in the arrangement of the arcs: two of them are placed parallel to each other, then crossed at two points and fixed. It turns out an elongated tent, quite high and pretty.

marquee

A tent is a favorite form of expeditionists. This type of tent has been known since ancient times. Their great advantage is the lack of a frame and a large capacity. The supporting element is the only central post, from which the awning descends to the ground.

Gable tent ("house")

Nowadays, this type of tent is popular among lovers of forest hikes and water sportsmen. This is the classic style of Soviet tents. Main advantages: compactness, light weight and low cost. But at the same time, there are tangible disadvantages: high requirements for the installation site, low wind resistance, installation complexity.

Other

The most common forms are described above, but there are others. Non-standard designs, most often, are in demand in extreme conditions, where special requirements are needed for wind resistance, landscape compatibility, and so on.

It is also important to choose the right sleeping bag - a necessary attribute for any trip.

How to decide on the size of the tent?

Many, for sure, have heard: a single tent, double, triple and so on. In the first case, this means that one person (it is customary to think, an adult man) will comfortably accommodate (with things) in the tent; in the second - two; in the third - three and so on. But for a clearer understanding of the dimensions of the tent, before buying, you should study its length and width on the Internet. Then you can "recreate" these dimensions on your floor, take a sleeping bag and try to fit in the resulting square.

Tent capacity

When choosing a tent, one of the decisive factors is its capacity. As mentioned earlier, there are one-, two-, three- and four-person tents. There are also twelve local ones, but they are intended for special expeditions. It should be emphasized that the weight of the tent is directly proportional to its capacity. That is, a four-person tent will be heavier than two local ones made of the same material. Therefore, when choosing a tent for a hike, calculate the number of places in strict accordance with the number of people. No need to take a four-person tent for two, because every extra kilogram of equipment will be felt by your body.

! The number of places in the tent is calculated according to the width of the mats (tourist rugs). A 60-centimeter karemat is considered standard. But there are reduced 50-centimeter options. If two standard karemats are placed in a tent, then it is considered a double tent. If three reduced ones fit, then it will be marked as 2+1.

For light hikes, it is better to choose tents marked +1. On the rest of the place, you can comfortably fit a backpack on a rainy night, and in good weather you won’t have to crowd, but there will be a little more free space.

Do you need windows in your tent?

In general, we can safely say no. As a rule, you only sleep in a tent at night, therefore, you don’t have to look out the windows. If we consider the window as an additional ventilation hole, then with two-layer structures this is not necessary, and in single-layer structures, an ajar zipper at the entrance does an excellent job of supplying fresh air.

Camping tents are an exception. In this case, a tent with windows looks like a house and creates more comfort.

Materials. Awnings for tents

When choosing a tent, you will come across many different types of fabrics - nylon, nylon, polyester, lavsan and others. Initially, it may seem that it is difficult to understand all this, but in reality it is not so.

For the manufacture of awning materials, fabrics based on polyamide or polyester fibers are used, sometimes mixtures of the cotton + polyamide type.

Polyamide fabrics(nylon, capron).

pros: light, high strength, low hygroscopicity, abrasion resistance and low price.

Minuses: noticeable stretch when wet, low resistance to ultraviolet radiation (under the influence of ultraviolet lose up to 40% of strength per year).

polyester fabrics(polyester, lavsan).

pros: practically do not stretch when wet, are characterized by increased resistance to ultraviolet radiation, as well as higher strength than polyamide fibers.

Minuses: high price.

In the description of the tent, you can see an incomprehensible set of symbols, for example, Poly Taffeta 210T 3000 PU. How to understand what this means?

Word ( Poly) means it is made of polyester material.

Taffeta- This is the most common way of weaving a thread. It is a uniform densely woven fabric. Differs in the increased water resistance. Is there some more Oxford- a type of weaving in several threads. (increases the strength of the fabric with a slight decrease in water resistance and is often used for the bottom of the tent) and Rip Stop- a thicker and stronger thread is woven into the fabric at certain intervals. (increases strength due to the reinforced thread, while not adding weight; makes the fabric more resistant to tearing, but the reduced density of the fabric near thick threads can lead to leakage).

Next comes 210T is the weave density. It is measured in tex and affects the strength of the material. The more T, the denser, stronger and heavier the fabric. In addition, the marking of the tent may contain numbers and letter D. This is the thickness of the threads from which, in fact, the material is made. This indicator also affects the strength and weight of the tent.

And finally PU means that the fabric is impregnated with polyurethane and therefore water resistant. There is also silicone impregnation ( SI), it is better and more durable, but also more expensive.

Materials are covered with polyurethane from the inside. At the same time, two layers of PU impregnation ensure water resistance of 3,000 mm of water column; three layers - 5,000 mm. The silicone coating is applied on the outside. Here, an acceptable level of water resistance is 2,000 mm.

Summarize. If you rarely go out into the countryside and at the same time stick to well-worn hiking trails, then a nylon tent with Taffeta or Rip Stop weave and a density of 190T to 210T is quite suitable for you. A worthwhile addition to this would be silicone water-repellent impregnation.

Water resistance

When buying a tent, be sure to pay attention to its water resistance. For different conditions, it should be different. The higher the water resistance, the stronger and, as a result, the heavier the material and the tent itself.

In the characteristics of the tent, you will see an indicator of the maximum height of the water column (600-10000 mm), in other words - water resistance. Usually it is indicated immediately after the name of the fabric of the tent. According to the standard DIN, fabrics with a water resistance of more than 2000 mm are considered waterproof. If the water resistance is more than 1000 mm, then the fabric has water-repellent properties. Optimum water resistance of the awning fabric is 2000-4000 mm. If it is less, there is a chance that the fabric will get wet in heavy rain, and if it is more, the tent will be too heavy. The bottom of the tent is usually characterized by a higher water resistance - at least 4000 mm.

Also, pay attention to the quality of the seams. They must be made with lavsan or nylon threads, be sure to be glued or double.

What should be the bottom of the tent?

The bottom of the tent, mainly, should be strong, as long as it is the bottom of the tent that is the hardest: you put it on sharp stones, on snow, on sand.

As a rule, the bottom is made of the same material as the outer tent. Nylon fabrics with Oxford weave are suitable for this, with a weave density of at least 210T and a thread thickness of at least 210D. But the main indicator is water resistance. It is desirable that the bottom material can withstand from 5,000 mm of water column.

Sometimes the bottom is also made of reinforced polyethylene (it is designated PE, tarpauling). This material practically does not get wet, is quite democratic in cost, but much heavier than polyester and nylon.

In addition, many tents have a so-called skirt, which prevents the wind from blowing and rainfall between the inner and outer awning.

Skirt - this is an additional strip of fabric around the perimeter of the tent. It is sewn on or removable.

It makes sense to buy a tent with a skirt if you are going on a winter hike: it will provide additional warmth. For trekking summer tents, a skirt is an unnecessary burden. Because of it, only condensation will accumulate.

What is the difference between expensive tents and cheap ones?

Expensive tents are made of lightweight durable materials. Usually they are lightweight and better protect against moisture.

Of course, you can buy a tent in a hypermarket without bothering, but here it is important to understand that the low price of goods is important for the market. And such tents, respectively, are less practical, hardy and comfortable than those of reputable manufacturers. So tents of proven companies will be equipped with reliable fittings, many pockets, convenient design of ventilation holes and zippers.

There are a few tricks that will help you save money when buying a tent.

Do not be afraid to buy tents from little-known companies, the main thing is that the specification is true.

Old models of well-known brands are no worse than their new models, but their cost is much lower.

Before buying a tent, study user reviews about the selected model, consult with friends, if possible, test this or that tent in action before buying (for example, borrow from a friend).

After purchasing a tent, do not rush to immediately go camping. To get started, assemble it at home to understand how it works, so that you can quickly and easily assemble and disassemble it on a hike. After that, treat the seams with a water-repellent spray to be sure to protect against moisture. And in order for the tent to serve you for a long time, upon returning from a hike, do not forget to dry it in good faith.

How to take care of your tent

to prolong its service life

The tent is not very whimsical in operation. However, there are some simple rules for caring for her:

1. In order for the tent to last longer, it is advisable to treat it with impregnating substances at least once a year.

2. If the floor in the tent is made of polyethylene, try to set it up a little differently each time, avoiding rubbing along the fold lines.

3. After you brought the tent back from your trip, be sure to dry it well, even if it has not been set up.
4. Do not leave fiberglass or plastic poles in direct sunlight.

5. Do not store your tent in a compression bag or in direct sunlight. The compression bag is only for ease of transport.
6. When choosing a tent, pay attention not only to its cost. Not only the amount of money spent, but your health and even life may depend on this choice.

7. You can not ignore the rules of fire safety (this applies to fires, cigarettes). The tent burns down in 3-4 seconds, leaving behind only arcs and a floor.

Necessary little things

Stretch marks . Practically on any tent there are stretch marks, when installed, the awning stretches well and does not come into contact with the inside of the tent. This protects against condensation, and in windy weather additionally strengthens the structure of the tent. As a rule, guy wires are installed with the help of pegs, but if there is not enough space, the guy line can be fixed to a tree or a bush. The standard number of stretches is 4-6, but in tents for serious climbing it can reach 20.

Coating. An additional benefit is the fabric's water-repellent coating (designated WR). It should be said that the coating can be purchased separately and handle the tent yourself.

Impregnation . It is made of polyurethane (PU) or silicone (SI) and increases the water resistance of the fabric. Some brands offer for those who like to play it safe and refractory impregnation, which prevents the tent from catching fire, although it does not insure against the appearance of small burns in places of direct exposure to fire.

Ventilation . Paying close attention to protection from the rain, do not forget that the inside of the tent should "breathe" and the ventilation windows should open. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting wet from condensation. Ventilation windows or flaps should be comfortable, easy to open and close, without interfering with the compact packaging of the tent.

Now the matter remains small: decide on the purpose of the trip, set a financial limit and choose a tent that will be comfortable and cozy!

If you are going camping, then you will definitely need a tent.
You can rent a tent for the first trip, but even for this you need to know what types of tents exist and how they differ.

How to choose a tent

Before answering the question: “Which tent do I need?”, you need to understand what hike (or hikes) you are going to go with it.

As with the backpack or sleeping bag issue, the season when you prefer to get out into nature and types of hikes is also important.

Let's start with the types of outdoor recreation.

They can be conditionally divided into four categories:

Camping- stop at the equipped space, which is usually reached by car. Tourists usually do not go anywhere from the camp, maximum - to close and uncomplicated radials.

Trekking, cycling, PVD- hiking, where the weight of the backpack becomes the main indicator (after all, you have to carry it on yourself!). Such hikes usually go along pre-laid and "walked" routes, the camp is set up on convenient clearings, beaches and other gentle and protected places.

Extreme tourism, climbing, hikes of an increased level of complexity These are hikes that require special training, endurance and skills. The camp may have to be set up on sections of the route that are not the most suitable for this. Climatic conditions are often very difficult, sometimes even extreme.

Water tourism- everything is clear here, these are rafting, hiking along or crossing various water bodies and staying on the seashore. Few people managed to go on water trips in the winter, so the parking lots involve a camp of large, comfortable tents, because it is much more convenient and easier to transport cargo on water than on your own back.

You can also find a division into flat hikes, in the middle mountains, in the highlands, climbing tents. Everything here is clear from the name and indicates the complexity of the hike rather than its difference from the rest.

Based on the types of tourism, tents are divided into:

camping(large, beautiful tent-houses, with windows, a large entrance and interior space; they are heavy and bulky and require transportation in the trunk of a car);

trekking(compact and lightweight tents that fit comfortably in a backpack, but are not designed for extreme temperatures and prolonged rains);

assault(these are the Supermen among the tents, of course they are not from outer space, but they are made from the most modern, durable and lightweight materials; such tents weigh less than all the others, they are easily and quickly assembled and disassembled, but rather cramped, as they are usually designed for one person ).

In addition to types of tourism, tents are divided into seasonal hiking:

three season tents ideal for all relatively warm months of the year. Such tents are the most popular, as most tourists go hiking just from spring to autumn. They are warm enough, yet well ventilated and durable.

winter tents designed for low temperatures, high humidity and are aimed at maintaining heat indoors. These are the most durable and resistant to any climatic "surprises" shelters.

summer tents designed exclusively for parking on warm and even hot days and nights. They are well ventilated and offer little protection from rain or strong winds.

By design, tents are in the form of a "hemisphere", "half-sided", gable or tent

"Hemispheres" in design they resemble a dome (as they are also called), which is formed due to two arcs of the frame, installed crosswise. Such tents resist the wind very well, thanks to the design features, they are easy to set up even by one person. However, out of habit with the installation of such a design, it can be difficult to figure it out, but in the future, it will be possible to assemble the shelter in just five minutes. An important advantage is also the ability to simply raise the tent and move it to another place, without the need to disassemble and assemble it, in addition, the “hemisphere” can be placed on almost any surface. Perhaps the only significant disadvantage is the weight of the tent, which increases due to the constituent elements of the arcs and it has less internal space, again, due to the design features.

"Half-barrel" it really visually resembles a barrel or a hangar sawn along, arcs are located parallel to each other, which increases the internal space, but weakens the structure as a whole, making it not so resistant to gusts of wind. Often, a rather large vestibule is provided in the “semi-barrels”, where it is convenient to store equipment, things and shoes. It is quite easy to assemble such a tent, but it will take more time than when installing a "hemisphere". Due to their relatively weak wind resistance, tents of this type are not taken for hiking in the mountains, but they serve well for simple hikes in the plains and while camping.

Gable tents familiar to everyone from illustrations in children's books and cartoons. They are easy to install and have a simple design, but, unlike the "hemisphere" and "half-shells", they are weakly resistant to the wind, therefore they are usually used on the territory of base camps or on hikes under favorable conditions.

Tent tents also most often found in base camps. Their design is extremely simple and familiar to many. Large tent tents can be found in the base camps of large groups during winter hikes, when a stove is installed in the center to heat the entire space of the tent.

"Coffin" Yes, yes, yes, it happens. Coffins are called a single tent of the appropriate form, where the arcs are parallel to each other. This is a tent for extreme climbing, designed exclusively for one person, who is located inside exclusively for the night. You cannot sit or stand in such a tent. It is small, light, wind resistant and strong enough.

Tents can be double layer or single layer.

Single layer tents made from waterproof materials. Such tents are lighter than double-layer ones, but if the ventilation system is not thought out, then condensation accumulates and there is a chance to wake up in a wet sleeping bag.

At double layer tents There are two elements: inner and outer tents. The inner tent often has mesh walls, the outer one protects from moisture, wind and cold. Such tents "breathe" better and protect from bad weather.

Almost all modern tents are two-layer.

What is the tent made of?

A tent usually consists not only of a “bed”, because it should act as the most comfortable home for its owner. Let's look at the most useful structural elements of a modern tent.

Awning
The top layer of a tent that protects the inside (and occupants) from rain, wind and other troubles.

inner tent- directly the "home" for the tourist. A place for sleeping and relaxing.

Tambour
Perhaps the most sought after element of the tent. It is convenient to store your belongings and shoes in the vestibule so that they do not take up space in the "living" space, but at the same time they are protected from rain and dirt. In addition, the vestibule helps to prepare for going out, which is especially important in the cold season, and sometimes it also serves as a kitchen if the weather is raging outside.

You can find tents with two vestibules equipped at each of the exits (there are also two of them, respectively). This design allows not only to correctly distribute things for storage, but also increases the “passing” ability of the dwelling, when you can leave the shelter without disturbing the sleeping neighbors, without stepping on anyone’s feet or other parts of the body.

Tambours are formed either by a specially designed canopy, or with the help of an additional support or arc. If an arc is used for the canopy of the vestibule, then it is better that it passes along the axis of the tent and intersects with the main structure, without violating stability, but increasing it.

You can find a tent with a vestibule equipped on the side. This option is not the most preferable, since it makes it impossible to use the vestibule as a shelter before going outside, on the other hand, the side storage space does not imply the presence of an additional frame element, and does not affect the total weight of the tent.

Skirt
The skirt is a special plumb line around the perimeter of the tent, which can protect against wind, draft, moisture. In mountain hikes, due to the skirt, they additionally strengthen the tent on the ground by placing heavy stones or snow weights on it.

Grids
As additional equipment, manufacturers offer to stock up on nets from mosquitoes and other flying animals. In some models, nets are included in the "basic package", in others they are purchased additionally and hung over the entrance to the tent. This upgrade is extremely light in weight and is extremely relevant in the conditions of campaigns in Russia (and not only).

Ventilation
One of the most important indicators of a popularly loved tent will be its ability to ventilate. It is rather unpleasant to wake up on a winter morning and, touching the roof with an awkward movement, sprinkle frost on a sleeping neighbor. This happens when the tent does not breathe well and is poorly ventilated. An excellent indicator would be if the vents can be opened or closed without leaving the shelter. Ventilation must be designed so that precipitation does not enter through it.

Entrance
Here the rule “the more the better” works like nowhere else: in large tents it is very inconvenient to use one entrance. In single or double tents, you can get by with one entrance. In tents for alpine tourism or in winter tents, the entrances should not be equipped with iron zippers, this is fraught with the formation of frost and subsequent freezing of the lightning.

Tent size
All tents are marked according to how many adult males can fit in the "living" space. However, if we are not talking about tents for extreme conditions, when choosing a tent, you should still pay attention to your own dimensions: the volume of the tent should allow you to stretch out to your full height, sit down without resting on the ceiling, etc.

For camping tents, it is important to have separate sleeping quarters, where, like in rooms in an apartment, campers can sleep separately (this option is especially pleasant when camping with children - they put them to bed, closed the partition and you can continue to go about your business without leaving the tent).

Methods for attaching the inner tent

The inner tent is either attached to the frame, and the awning is pulled from above, or vice versa, the awning is first installed, and the tent is already attached to it.

Both installation methods are found with the same frequency by all manufacturers and have both their pros and cons. For example, if the awning is installed in the first place, then the probability of wetting the inner tent is reduced to zero, but on the other hand, on a hot summer day, the awning near the tent is often removed as unnecessary. So, here again, the principle of choosing a tent based on the conditions of the campaign applies.

An awning or inner tent can be attached to the frame with hooks, pockets, ties or Velcro. All these fasteners are quite reliable (maybe only the Velcro is not too strong, but it speeds up the installation process) and are not a fundamental point when choosing a tent, it's more a matter of habit. Note, however, that in our opinion pockets - the most reliable and durable, but slow down the installation process a bit.

Other upgrades that can make life easier

Stretch marks covered with reflective paints- simple, like everything ingenious, but it simplifies the process of comfortable moving around the camp: no one clings to them, the pegs do not fly out and are not lost, the tent stands quietly and steadily.

Internal arrangement: pockets, windows, shelves or nets under the ceiling, hooks for a flashlight or burner, etc. These little things are really not important, but they can help you stay in the tent with the greatest comfort.

Finished seams- an important detail. In heavy rainfall, the seams may let water through, but if they are treated with glue or other solutions, they will not cause such inconvenience.

The weight of the tent largely depends on the materials used in the production.

frame

Arcs in tents are made of aluminum alloys, fiberglass or steel.

Aluminum

Russian manufacturers use duralumin marked D16T or B95. D16T is the cheapest, B95 is more expensive and slightly better.

The tents of foreign manufacturers mainly stand on frames made of anodized Easton alloy. Such an alloy is lighter and stronger than Russian counterparts, but it also costs an order of magnitude more expensive.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass frames of various types are cheaper, but rather fragile, and are generally not suitable for high-mountain ascents, since under the influence of extreme temperatures the plastic structure becomes brittle and deformed, in addition, fiberglass is heavier than aluminum.

Steel

The most durable material for construction, but also the heaviest of the presented.

Total: the strongest and lightest are aluminum alloys, the cheapest are plastics of all kinds, the lightest but most expensive are steel frames.

Awning

In single-layer tents, it is important that a balance is struck between moisture resistance and breathability, which, it would seem, contradict each other. The manufacturers of membrane fabric tents have achieved the greatest success in this task, but the cost of such shelters is very high.

In two-layer tents, awnings should only protect against weather surprises, and ventilation is carried out through special holes and the tent itself. Before buying a tent, you should pay attention to the fact that the inner tent and the outer tent do not touch, as this adversely affects moisture and breathability.

The main materials for awnings are polyamide and polyester materials, which are usually additionally impregnated with polyurethane or silicone to increase water-repellent properties.

On the tent, you can find markings indicating the density and method of weaving the threads that were used in the manufacture of the material. The most common weaving methods are Oxford, Taffeta and Rip Stop. Taffeta and Rip Stop are most often used in the production of awnings, Oxford - for the manufacture of the bottom.

The weaving density of the thread is indicated by numbers with the letter T (tex), the higher this indicator, the denser the threads are woven, but the fabric is also heavier.

An important indicator is also the mark about the column of water that the fabric can withstand. Very good awnings guarantee water resistance up to 10,000 mm.

Seams must be taped or welded. Taped seams are more common and tents with taped seams are cheaper than those with welded seams. However, you can find a tent for extreme hiking with unglued seams: there is nothing surprising here, it’s just that at such heights there is no rain in principle. Most tourists always have a tool for self-treatment of seams in their backpack. This preventative procedure will help the tent last longer and better resist moisture.

The inner tent is made from the same materials - polyamides and polyesters - as the awnings, however, they are not treated with moisture-proof components and remain breathable and very light. The main task of the inner tent is to let in fresh air and release the steam generated during the stay of a person inside. Condensate accumulates on the inner surface of the tent and is discharged along its walls to the ground.

Bottom

Perhaps it is impossible to underestimate the importance of the quality of the bottom in a tent. This is the most “tactile” part of the design, because the tent is installed on a variety of surfaces, which are not always suitable for this. In addition, the bottom must be absolutely waterproof, so that both the sleeping bag and things remain dry, regardless of the external weather conditions.

Polyester and Nylon are used here with the highest rates of weaving and thread density. Reinforced polyethylene can be used in camping tents, but this material is significantly inferior to the above in terms of strength and water protection indicators.

Water resistance is measured here by the same water pressure as the rest of the fabrics in the tent. A good bottom is one that can withstand up to 3,000 mm of moisture.

We would like to note that additional requirements may apply to tents used for the most difficult ascents.

We tried to tell as much as possible about the tents used in a variety of camping conditions. Of course, modern technology and the imagination of designers never stand still and hammock tents, hanging tents, transparent plastic tents, multi-room camping tents, etc. are known.

We wish you the most comfortable tents and wonderful dreams under the stars!