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2torial #0500:
Learn2 Choose the Right Tent
(Continued)
 Go
shopping (for a family camping tent)
How about those once-a-year (or sometimes two
years) camping trips with young children? You want
lots of room, and a tent that sets up pretty
easily. You also want good ventilation and to keep
everyone dry.
But cost can be a big factor with a family, and
a lot of big, poorly made tents get sold to folks
who don't want to spend a lot of money. If you
choose to buy an umbrella or cabin style-tent,
you'll do all right--as long as the weather stays
nice. There will be room for cots, coolers and the
family dog. Some have zippered interior walls and
large screened areas. If these things are important
to you, there's nothing wrong with buying a tent
like this. Just be aware that if the weather turns
bad, you'll be in a hot, humid, leaky enclosure
that's liable to collapse in a strong wind.
An alternative might be to buy one or more
high-quality dome tents. You'll give up the
zippered walls, and you probably won't be able to
stand fully erect, but you'll have a dry,
comfortable stable tent that will last for years.
You can also pack these into the backcountry by
splitting up the components between the group, so
take a look at this list of desirable features:
- A dome or modified dome
design.
- Rip-stop and mesh upper
section.
- Large mesh entrances/exits.
- Floor coating that extends about four to six
inches up the sides, (often referred to as a
"bathtub" design), which prevents the seepage of
ground moisture.
- 6000 or 7000 series aluminum shock-corded
poles that don't obstruct entry/exit points.
- Interior storage areas.
- Adequate room to sit upright, read or talk.
- A fly that extends to within a few inches of
the ground, and possibly forms a vestibule (an
enclosed area useful for storing gear).
A clip-type fastening system for easy set-up and
take-down.
 Step
9
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