Best Tent to Choose
Choosing a tent doesn't need to be overwhelming. If you are like me the last thing you want is to pay money for something you will never use again. After reading this you will be able to choose a tent that should last a lifetime.
More...
From sleeping in the snow, the desert, rocky lake-shores to grassy meadow we've come to some tent necessities. Thankfully over all the years of camping we have never gotten wet inside the tent.
Story at-a-glance
- Why choosing a tent with a full rainfly is essential.
- A tent footprint is a good investment.
- The tent vestibule aka "mudroom" is the family tent essential.
Choose Your Tent Based on the Rainfly
More important than size, shape and price is whether the tent has an adequate rainfly. A rainfly is basically the roof of a tent and totally separate than the rest of the tent. From my experience I have not seen a tent that is waterproof except for the rainfly.
Tent walls are water resistant and not water proof. Anything water resistant will resist water for a time but eventually allow water to enter. Whereas, anything water proof will resist water indefinitely. The only thing on a tent that is water proof generally is the rainfly and floor. If you want a waterproof tent then your rainfly must cover the roof and the walls fully.
Quiz Question: Which Tent Should You Choose?
Option A
Option B
If you chose Option A because it was on "sale" or because someone let you borrow theirs then please camp only in the backyard.
Notice the rainfly difference between Option A and Option B. Can you see the tent walls in Option B? It is actually difficult to even see the rainfly in Option A because there is barely one.
The picture below says it all. Do you think the person trying to sleep next to the wall is dry? Is that person having a good camping trip? Is that person thankful you bought the cheapest tent or borrowed the tent? If your still convinced that saving money is the best or only option to camp then see this article to make whatever rainfly you have work.
Tent Footprint
The tent footprint is the name given to the item that separates your tent from the ground. Some tents come with them and some don't. Why a footprint? A footprint creates more of a barrier between your tent and the ground. It can protect your tent floor from sharp objects poking through your tent floor. The footprint is also nice as it gets dirty or wet but not the rest of your tent. This is nice because when you get home that is all you have to clean or to change sites the footprint is kept separate and nothing else gets dirty or wet.
If you find a tent that has a great rainfly but no footprint, no big deal. Some tents you can purchase a footprint for that tent separately. Otherwise, make your own footprint out of 3 mil clear plastic or a waterproof tarp. If you make one just be sure to cut it to the exact shape of the tent otherwise if it extends from the walls of the tent it will collect rain water and then draw it to your tent.
Tent Vestibule: Optional for some But Necessity for Our Family
Think of a tent vestibule as a mudroom to your tent. It is a place to take shoes on or off, cooking, storage, toilet, putting on or taking off rain gear, separation from front door for more privacy. If it is raining or snowing when camping where does your wet things go? Exactly, without a vestibule the wet things go directly in your tent and therefore on your once dry bedding.
Time to Purchase Your Tent
- Please write a comment and let us know what tent you chose and why?
- We didn't even discuss tent shape. What shape of tent do you like for family camping and why?
