Choosing the right 2 person tent for you

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Jae

Choosing a 2 person tent is very important when considering a backpacking trip. There are several things you should consider before plopping down several hundred dollars on a new tent. Having the proper tent can make the difference between a great camping trip and a miserable weekend stuck on the side of a mountain. You should always consider factors such as weight, size, seasonality, and configuration.  There is a wide variety of tents available to you. It is up to you to determine which tent will meet your needs.

First, let us discuss weight. Weight is a big factor if you plan on lugging your tent up and down the trail, and let’s be honest if you were not planning on taking your tent on the trail you would be looking for a larger tent than a 2 person tent.  Typically the normal 2 person tent weighs between 3 and 5 pounds. Anything over 6 pounds is too heavy. The lower tents will typically be for warmer climates and the heavier for more inclement weather climates. Where weight is concerned, as long as you can feel comfortable inside your tent less is more. The less weight the better.

Next up…size. Size is important and each manufacturer uses a different metric for determining how many people can fit inside their tents. Do not simply go by what the box says. Pay close attention to the actual dimensions of the tent before you buy it. You should know that if you plan on sharing a 2 person tent the conditions are going to be tight. Most manufacturers allow for 72” X 20” of space per person. If you are a big guy like me (6’3”) you will find that a little too snug for comfort. It’s a good idea to consider a slightly larger tent such as a 3 person or a roomier 2 person tent. So check out the dimensions. It’s also a good idea to try before you buy. Many outdoor stores have display models setup for you to climb in and lay down.  Pick the tent that is right for your size.

What is seasonality? Seasonality is a term used to describe what weather conditions your tent is designed for. Tents fall into two categories: 3-Season Tents and 4-Season Tents. So what kind of climate will you be camping in. 3-season tents are designed for spring, summer, and fall camping. 4 season tents are a little burlier and suitable for camping in winter or high altitude conditions. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  This means what is the worst weather you will be facing? Buy a tent for that and be pleasantly surprised when you don’t need it.

Tent configuration is also important. Each tent is configured differently and is suitable for different conditions. Once again, your choice of tent depends entirely on you.  Some tents feature higher peak height which makes for a roomier interior, but they can be more wind resistant. For areas where there are high winds, a lower profile tent would be more appropriate.  There are also different footprint designs: hexagonal, rectangular, modified, etc. Some provide more interior room but are a little more difficult to put up and weigh a little more.

There are always tradeoffs when it comes to purchasing a tent. More space will cost you more weight. More interior room and more space could lead to your tent being harder to put up and more likely to blow away in a windstorm. There is no perfect tent that can be everything to all people. The important thing is to know what you need and buy the perfect tent for you.

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Anatomy of the 4 Man Tent

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Jae

A 4 Man Tent is composed of three parts: the poles and frame, the tent, and the rainfly and vestibule.  Below we will examine each of these individually and hope to help you better understand the components that make up the typical 4 Man Dome Tent.

First the poles and frame…

For a larger tent like a 4 Man Tent you can save a lot of weight in this area. Modern 4 Man Dome Tents no longer rely on fiberglass, steel, or aluminum you have to slowly and painfully piece together. Most tent poles are now constructed of reinforced aluminum or carbon fiber sections that are shock corded together. By being shock corded, the poles are easy to put together. They literally can be shaken out and snapped together. I would advise against the shaking. You want to take care of your poles.

The general design of your typical dome tent involved either 3 or 4 poles of varying length that are crossed and joined at a central hub. Once bound together the owner simple bends and connects the poles to the key at the corners of the tent.  That’s it. You can easily, with a little practice, put up a tent in ten minutes.

Secondly, we have the tent…

Tents have come a long way since they were made of canvas. Now, tents are constructed of ultralight synthetic materials. These breathable well insulated materials prevent interior condensation, improve insulation, and prevent random rips that used to occur when packing and unpacking.

The floor of modern tents has also improved. They are well insulated and bathtub sealed. The generally extend several inches up the sides of the tent walls to prevent water from running into the tent in a rain storm. This used to be a big problem with larger tents.

Thirdly, the rain fly and vestibule…

The rainfly is the tent on top of the tent. During ideal weather conditions, it is normal to leave the rainfly off and sleep under the stars. The mosquito mesh of the tent walls prevents any bugs from entering your tent while allowing you to enjoy the cool night air. In inclement, it’s time to put on the rainfly. Normally it just clips to the already existing tent structure with little effort.  A rainfly also increases insulation in colder climates.

The vestibule is the “porch” area of the typical 4 Man Dome Tent.  This optional extension normally requires a separate smaller pole but goes relatively quickly. It makes an ideal sleeping area for pets, a place to dry wet clothes, and leave your muddy boots so you track dirt in your home.

Those are the three elements of your typical 4 Man Tent. There are other add-ons and features but most tents have these components straight out of the bag. As always, the more you spend the better quality the materials that make up your tent are going to be.

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Guide to Last Minute Camping Trips

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Jae

The beauty and appeal of camping is that it doesn’t require a lot of planning, reservations, luggage, etc. You can literally decide to go on a last minute camping trip as you leave work on Friday afternoon and be at your campsite, setup , and ready to go within hours. That is if you plan for a last minute camping trip. Preparation is everything.

You don’t typically need a reservation at a state park to grab a last minute camp site. Normally 20 bucks and smile will get you wherever you want to be, but digging things out of the basement and trying to make sure you have everything will quickly take all the spontaneity and fun out a camping trip.

This is an easily solved problem. Keep everything you might need in one single place. Below is a list of thing to keep ready so that your last minute camping trips don’t turn in to a logistical night mare.

Checklist:

Things to keep together ready to go:

Tent…keep it ready and dry.

Cooler…make sure you clean it out after every trip.

Tarp….this will go under your tent to prevent tears.

Sleeping Bag…a climate appropriate sleeping bag is a must

Air Mattress (and inflater)or Sleeping Pad…the ground is hard!

Camp Chairs….don’t want to sit on the ground if you don’t have to

Throw rug…wipe your feet before going in your tent

Mess Kit…these are you cooking pots and pans, knives, utensils, spices. You can put all this in your cooler. No need to waste space. Make sure they are clean and dry before you put them away. Also included in your mess kit could be aluminum foil, plates, cups, etc. Once you’ve gone on a planned camping trip just clean, dry what you took and put it in your cooler. Makes things easy to grab.

Camp Stove…if you feel like eating something besides hotdogs.

Rope or Paracord….you always need rope.

Extras…things like binoculars, whisk broom, detergent, kites, Frisbees, hacky sacks, etc. Place these kind of items in a beach bag and have it ready to go.

Camp First Aid Kit…this is self explanatory.

Things you can grab as you go:

Clothes…unless it’s a nudist camp

Toiletries…you;ll have to bathe and shower

Towels…air drying is for the birds

Sunglasses…

ETC

The key to last minute camping trips is keeping everything clean and ready to go. Whatever you took on the previous camping trip, keep it together and in one place. If it’s all in one place and you know it’s there, it’s the work of a moment to pack it in the back of the car and go wherever your heart desires. That could be the nearest park, the beach, or the backcountry.

Be prepared to have as much fun as quickly as possible.

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2 Man Tents are perfect for the Solo Backpacker and Hiker

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Jae

So you’ve decided to get serious. You’re actually going to go on a big hike, a week long excursion. You and a couple of buddies have decided to attack a piece of the Appalachian Trail. It’s going to be a blast, but your big and bulky 4 Man Tent just won’t do. There’s no way you want to lug a heavy too big bag up and down that trail.

2 Man Tents are the way to go for the semi-serious and serious backpacker/hiker. 2 Man Tents are misnamed. While they can certainly accommodate two men, the accommodations will be close. Can of sardines close.  However, they are perfect for the solo hiker.

Designed to be both lightweight and low profile, 2 man tents blend right in with the surroundings. Their relatively small footprint allows them to be put up almost anywhere.  This is a must when you have been hiking all day and are dead tired. Who wants to spend an hour clearing an 80 square foot area just to bed down for the night.

Most of the newer 2 man tents you will be looking into buying will be of the dome variety. The A-Frame, Modified A-Frame, and Tunnel and Hoop designs are just not practical. They are too heavy and too high profile to be suitable for a multi day hike in diverse terrain and weather conditions.

The Dome frame allows for a quicker setup and the geometric design of its footprint makes it more aerodynamic. More sides equals more places for the wind to go around. Weight is also a factor you should take into consideration when deciding which tent to purchase.

New ultralight technology has further reduced the weight of your average 2 man backpacking tent as well as improving its performance in adverse weather conditions. Some tents can way as little as 3 lbs and stand up to a heavier storm than tents of the previous generation. The difference between 4 and 3 lbs might not sound like much, but after lugging your tent around for an 8 hour hike, you will definitely notice the difference.

New technology and materials also affects the poles that make your tent a tent. Carbon fiber poles are significantly lighter yet stronger and durable than the old fiberglass or aluminum poles. If you can afford it carbon fiber is the way to go. They will insure that you will give up on a hike well before your tent forces you to pack it in.

If you’re considering a serious backpacking trip, you should buy as much tent as you can afford. The bush is no place to be caught with a cheap tent. Though you can get a 2 man tent for as little as 50 dollars, I wouldn’t suggest it.  Buy the Cadillac, not the Pinto.

Some notable manufacturers of quality tents are: MSR, Eureka, Sierra, Kelty and Chinook.

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What are 4 Man Tents?

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Jae

You want to go camping. You want a weekend like the commercials. You want the dog running through the water, the pretty girl or boy at your side, and your buddies sharing stories around the campfire. You better have the right tent. A 2 man tent is too small, and even though you think you’re close to your friends. You’re not that close. You might love your significant other, but two days spent in extremely close quarters can wear on any relationship.  Halitosis is no joke, especially in the woods. To be comfortable and happy, 4 man tents are the way to go.

Tent manufacturers are notorious about over estimating a tents capacity. 4 man tents are perfect for two average sized people. 4 man tents generally have four to five feet of headroom and at least an 80 square foot footprint. That’s plenty of room for two people and all their gear.

Bigger means harder to put together, right? Not necessarily. Tent technology has come a long way since your Grandfather’s day. Gone are the cumbersome A-frames with their aluminum frames that came with an easily lost and complicated set of instructions. Instead, most 4 man tents are the  modern dome style tent. The dome style has many advantages over the older A-Frame tents. Its unique and innovative geometric footprint prevents excess noise from howling winds in the middle of the night, a problem with A-Frames and Tunnel and Hoop tents.  A good night’s sleep makes for a happy tent partner.

Improvements in frame technology have made even larger tents a breeze to put together. No more searching for slot a and tab b. Now, carbon fiber poles are shock corded together for ease of installation. You literally snap them together and stick them through the easy to find hoops. Bend them, connect them to the keys, and your tent magically rises. Taking it down is just as easy.

4 man tents are ideal for the weekend camper. They might be a little on the heavy side for the serious hiker and backpacker, but for your average weekender, they more than meet their needs.  Your typical 4 man tent can run anywhere from $50 on the lower end to $600 for the top of the line carbon fiber ultralight model. With tents you get what you pay for and you should determine exactly what you are going to be doing with your tent as well as how much you want to invest in your outdoor adventures. For the occasional lakeside camper, a good $150 model would be just fine. If you plan on an extended stay in the woods several times a year in varying terrain and climate, buy the best you can afford.

Notable manufacturers are: Coleman,  ALPS, Sierra, Kelty, Osprey, MSR, Chinook, and Eureka.

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