Travel and living

Tents for the Family: Summer and All-Year Round

Summer is on and there’s nothing that recreation can’t top. Despite the heat, camping is still one of the most popular activities to do in summer amongst sports. From 2008 to 2016, people went camping in the US rose to 3.8%, making the statistics for campers around 45.6 million people who go camping in different parts of the US in spring 2016. There are state parks and camp sites and resorts that offer a fair amount of family-friendly services. The recent trend catching on is glamping for families—some happen in safaris—and while no one would ever think about turning down a bit of luxury, sometimes it’s just about buying a great tent. Basic needs are all you need: a good camp, a good tent and you are all set.

tent

Browsing the web, tents have gone on to diverse kinds. The recommended family camping tent would depend on functionality and what you are looking for: are you a big family or just two or three? How many will sleep in the tent? How tall are the people sleeping in the tents? Are they claustrophobic? What are their sleeping habits? Weather can also be a deciding factor when it comes to wind or heat conditions. Including natural conditions, these criteria is collectively called Tents Seasonality.

Tents Seasonality divides tents into three: 3-Season Tents, Extended Season Tents, and Mountaineering/Expeditions/4-Seasons Tents.

3-Season Tents are from lightweight materials that are designed for relatively normal weather spring, summer, and fall weather. They keep you warm and dry (when it’s raining), protect you from insects and gives the owner a sense of privacy when lots of people are around. These may be referred to as family tents.

3-4/Extended Season Tents. The objective of this tent is to withstand weather that goes beyond the 3-Season elements—it can cover moderate snow and can be used in cooler weather. They are ventilated and warmth retentive and recommended for good inclination and exposure to elements.

The 4-Seasons Tent is a type of tent for extreme weather whether in mountainous terrain or snow. Used throughout the four seasons, this tent use poles and heavy material to make people feel warm despite hostile weather. These tents house one to two depending on people’s weight. An optional kind of tent that could help a savvy traveler (even with family) is the ultralight tent—which judging from its name is made from lightweight fabrics. It, however, needs special care from the user because the tent itself can be delicate. This provides a chic and comfortable space in the center of nature.

Tents can also be categorized depending on its material. The UK Camp and Caravan Club has listed its tent based on fabrics. These are the top three:

(a) Cotton Canvas Tents – made from 100% traditional cotton fabric, it gives a cool, light feeling inside a tent that serves as ventilation from wind breezes and warm summers. However, cotton does not do well in condensed weather and may not serve its purpose well. If used by a family, it may not withstand camp activities if harsh weather arises.

(b) PVC Coated Canvas Tents – speaking of glamping, these large-sized tents made from cotton and Polyvinyl Chloride coating can provide big families with effective ventilation and can compromise strength and comfort. Buying ventilators is a must have.

(c) Polyester Tents – a breathable material, polyester tents are used in most types of tents; it is durable and lets the air in.

Types of tents are mainly suited for your over-all needs. Along with its material and functions, each tent has advantages and disadvantages. Here are the most common:

(a) Dome tents – mostly made from polyester, the dome tent divides into two categories: single dome and multi-dome. Single dome tents are the friendliest to set up and transport with two main bungee poles. These tends come in small to large that could possibly accommodate a family of four to six. These are ideal family tents. It is suggested that when in a big family, two can be brought for extra space. Multi-dome tents (also referred to as a Family Vis-a-Vis tent) have screen room attached to the main frame so space is compartmentalized. Prices range about $80-100 while for single domes, being one of the cheaper (or cheapest) options, range from $40-100. It can stand normal to moderate weather.

(b) Tunnel tents – this is a type tent which is perfect for campsites’ (Trespass). They may be heavy around to carry but it offers optimal protection in windy conditions. This type of tent is geared towards larger groups and considered to have a high average capacity of the people that it can shelter.

(c) Ridge Tent – the most conventional style of tent due to its teepee shape, it has two poles on either side following a triangular design. Its level of capacity fits individuals, duos, and groups. They are practical and sturdy that remains in good condition despite harsh weather or long years. It is easy to assemble but the design is less straightforward than dome tents. Because of its framework, its purpose primarily is to shelter and less for space.

Citations:

The Camping and Caravanning Club. Tent Fabrics. http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpandadvice/gettingstarted/newtotents/tentfabrics/

Number of Campers in the USA: 2008-2016. https://www.statista.com/statistics/227417/number-of-campers-usa/

Tents and Seasonality. https://www.hoac-bsa.org/Data/Sites/1/media/districts/pioneer-trails/documents/PT%20Tents%20and%20Seasonality.pdf

Trails. Types of Family Tents. https://www.hoac-bsa.org/Data/Sites/1/media/districts/pioneer-trails/documents/PT%20Tents%20and%20Seasonality.pdf

Trespass. (22 February 2017). Types of Tents. https://www.trespass.com/advice/tent-types/

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