Help a camping n00bie (no not that kind!) pick out a tent
August 30, 2006 1:13 PM Subscribe
I'm spending a night camping next to a lake this weekend, I'll be by myself and I need a tent.
I don't mind purchasing nice equipment as long as it serves some purpose and this seems like a good excuse to finally get myself a tent. However, I've done very little camping in my life so I don't really have any knowledge nor do I think a lot of stores are going to like the idea of me examining their tent selections in store. Also, I talked to all of my friends and the only ones with tents have very large sized tents to sleep like 6-10 people and require a fair amount of setup. So all you campers out there tell me what tents are good for someone getting interested in the idea of sleeping outdoors. Oh, and I'm located outside of Philadelphia and I imagine I'll be doing most of my camping in and around the North East corridor.
I don't mind purchasing nice equipment as long as it serves some purpose and this seems like a good excuse to finally get myself a tent. However, I've done very little camping in my life so I don't really have any knowledge nor do I think a lot of stores are going to like the idea of me examining their tent selections in store. Also, I talked to all of my friends and the only ones with tents have very large sized tents to sleep like 6-10 people and require a fair amount of setup. So all you campers out there tell me what tents are good for someone getting interested in the idea of sleeping outdoors. Oh, and I'm located outside of Philadelphia and I imagine I'll be doing most of my camping in and around the North East corridor.
It's been a while since I've looked, but the REI brand tents (which can be had at REI, natch) are superb, and quite reasonable. I got the Half Dome 2(?) a couple of years ago - which is a 2 person tent that was highly rated by Backpacker magazine - for about $150. It's super lightweight (not a concern if you're car camping, but nice if you later decide to backpack) and easy to assemble. Fits 2 people snugly, one very comfortably.
posted by rossination at 1:15 PM on August 30, 2006
posted by rossination at 1:15 PM on August 30, 2006
I've been eyeing the two second tent for pure convenience.
posted by kimdog at 1:18 PM on August 30, 2006
posted by kimdog at 1:18 PM on August 30, 2006
Best answer: They type of tent you want to get very much depends on what type of camping you'll be doing.
If you plan on getting into backpacking, you'll want a very small, lightweight tent. These typically have just enough for one or two people in their sleeping bags.
If you'll only be doing car camping, then a little bit larger dome tent will probably be right up your alley. As a general rule for this type of tents, subtract one from the number of people it sleeps. A 4-person tent usually comfortably sleeps 3, if you like to have room to roll around, keep some clothes in there, etc.
Also be aware that places like REI will sell you very good quality tents, but they'll often be overkill if you're an infrequent camper that only goes once or twice a year. A decent Coleman tent from target will get you quite a bit of mileage in casual camping situations.
posted by chrisamiller at 1:21 PM on August 30, 2006
If you plan on getting into backpacking, you'll want a very small, lightweight tent. These typically have just enough for one or two people in their sleeping bags.
If you'll only be doing car camping, then a little bit larger dome tent will probably be right up your alley. As a general rule for this type of tents, subtract one from the number of people it sleeps. A 4-person tent usually comfortably sleeps 3, if you like to have room to roll around, keep some clothes in there, etc.
Also be aware that places like REI will sell you very good quality tents, but they'll often be overkill if you're an infrequent camper that only goes once or twice a year. A decent Coleman tent from target will get you quite a bit of mileage in casual camping situations.
posted by chrisamiller at 1:21 PM on August 30, 2006
Response by poster: Rossination
The Half Dome 2 looks pretty damn spiffy, is there anything close to that for under 100 bucks or am I just dreaming?
posted by SteveFlamingo at 1:21 PM on August 30, 2006
The Half Dome 2 looks pretty damn spiffy, is there anything close to that for under 100 bucks or am I just dreaming?
posted by SteveFlamingo at 1:21 PM on August 30, 2006
I have a cheap-o tent from Coleman, and it does the job. It cost less than $25, and holds two adults and two little kids. If all you're doing is car camping, you don't need to spend much at all.
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:34 PM on August 30, 2006
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:34 PM on August 30, 2006
Tarp Tent One or two blue plastic tarps, a big hank of rope, some stakes, a lot of Deet. Learn how to tie a taughtline hitch, and you're gold.
posted by plinth at 1:35 PM on August 30, 2006
posted by plinth at 1:35 PM on August 30, 2006
Does REI still make the Camp Dome 2? When I bought mine, it was right around your $100 price point. (The footprint was extra, but a tarp on the ground would work just as well.) If you think you're going to continue camping in the future, it's a good compromise between quality and value, especially if you live in a place where it tends to rain. Trust me when I say that nothing takes the fun out of camping like waking up in the middle of a small lake and belatedly realizing that your $25 Target special is only marginally watertight.
(yeah, I had to learn that one the hard way, even though I live in Washington and should've known better.)
posted by Vervain at 1:37 PM on August 30, 2006
(yeah, I had to learn that one the hard way, even though I live in Washington and should've known better.)
posted by Vervain at 1:37 PM on August 30, 2006
Response by poster: Vervain: That's the exact horror story my father gave me when I told him where I was heading this weekend, hence why I'm looking to the hive mind for some advice. Now I just need to track down a place where I can look at one of these REI tents in the area.
posted by SteveFlamingo at 1:46 PM on August 30, 2006
posted by SteveFlamingo at 1:46 PM on August 30, 2006
I was car camping with a bunch or earthy grad students recently. It rained 5 inches that night. All the super nice backpacking, lightweight, expendisve tents were totally swamped. And this included a US Forest Service issued back country tent. My cheapo from Target? was dry as ever.
If you are just trying out camping and are going to be mostly car camping, then try and get a tent that has tarp like material on the bottom and up the sides a bit. It shouldn't be more than $60 and will be heavier but will serve you just fine.
I am not sure of the exact model I have but, it is a dome tent, supposedly sleeps 4 (but really on 3 like chirsamiller says) and has a detachable rain fly. I can post the model tomorrow if you are interested.
posted by sulaine at 1:55 PM on August 30, 2006
If you are just trying out camping and are going to be mostly car camping, then try and get a tent that has tarp like material on the bottom and up the sides a bit. It shouldn't be more than $60 and will be heavier but will serve you just fine.
I am not sure of the exact model I have but, it is a dome tent, supposedly sleeps 4 (but really on 3 like chirsamiller says) and has a detachable rain fly. I can post the model tomorrow if you are interested.
posted by sulaine at 1:55 PM on August 30, 2006
REI is also in the middle of their semi-annual sales - 50% off everything with a price ending in .83. Although the online pickings are slim now, (there were several tents up there when the sale started) you might have better luck in a brick and mortar store.
Good luck finding one!
posted by langeNU at 1:56 PM on August 30, 2006
Good luck finding one!
posted by langeNU at 1:56 PM on August 30, 2006
adding my vote to a cheap tent from target. in most of the tents that i have been in that leaked or had water problems, it was the tent setup that caused the problem, not the tent.
you don't know what kind of camping you want to do, do you? get a cheap tent and go. once you have a better idea of what you want in a tent, then go to rei and lay some serious cash down for a tent that you will use for years.
posted by lester at 2:02 PM on August 30, 2006
you don't know what kind of camping you want to do, do you? get a cheap tent and go. once you have a better idea of what you want in a tent, then go to rei and lay some serious cash down for a tent that you will use for years.
posted by lester at 2:02 PM on August 30, 2006
Response by poster: desuetude: Thanks for the heads up, I had no idea.
sulaine: I have a question about the earth grad students tents. Were they just setup poorly? or was it the actual tent that allowed it to be completely swamped?
Please do post the model when you get a chance, I'm going to the store tomorrow after work so that should work fine.
Thanks langeNU, I'll probably swing by the REI store tomorrow in my search.
posted by SteveFlamingo at 2:04 PM on August 30, 2006
sulaine: I have a question about the earth grad students tents. Were they just setup poorly? or was it the actual tent that allowed it to be completely swamped?
Please do post the model when you get a chance, I'm going to the store tomorrow after work so that should work fine.
Thanks langeNU, I'll probably swing by the REI store tomorrow in my search.
posted by SteveFlamingo at 2:04 PM on August 30, 2006
Just make sure that you get a tent where the poles and everything "snap" or "clip" together... it will usually say something about "easy set-up" or some such on the package... just make sure it's got the poles that snap in place. These tents are so much more easier and faster to set up and take down than the old-school style.
posted by RoseovSharon at 2:06 PM on August 30, 2006
posted by RoseovSharon at 2:06 PM on August 30, 2006
I also have (and like) the Half Dome. REI rents gear, and that's probably a good way for you to figure out if you're comfortable in a small tent or want a larger one. You may find that a small tent is fine for sleeping but you also want to be able to keep your stuff in there with you and/or stand up, etc.
http://www.rei.com/stores/rentals.html
posted by judith at 2:09 PM on August 30, 2006
http://www.rei.com/stores/rentals.html
posted by judith at 2:09 PM on August 30, 2006
Best answer: Pretty much all tents out right now set up reasonably easy. I agree with the recommendations for a cheap tent if you are car camping, but add four items to your shopping list: a ground cloth, a tarp larger than your tent, two aerosol cans of water repellent, and a coil of rope.
The ground cloth goes under your tent, to protect the floor from abrasion against the ground and to help against water. Usually I just buy a tarp about the size of my tent's floor. Important: Any corners of the tarp that stick out should be folded back under the tent so they do not direct water under the tent.
The first time you set up your tent and once a year thereafter, spray the fly, exposed walls, and especially the seams with a silicone water repellent.
If it looks like rain, pitch another tarp over your tent. Run a rope from tree to tree directly above the center of your tent (local conditions permitting!) and stake out the tarp from there.
posted by LarryC at 2:15 PM on August 30, 2006 [2 favorites]
The ground cloth goes under your tent, to protect the floor from abrasion against the ground and to help against water. Usually I just buy a tarp about the size of my tent's floor. Important: Any corners of the tarp that stick out should be folded back under the tent so they do not direct water under the tent.
The first time you set up your tent and once a year thereafter, spray the fly, exposed walls, and especially the seams with a silicone water repellent.
If it looks like rain, pitch another tarp over your tent. Run a rope from tree to tree directly above the center of your tent (local conditions permitting!) and stake out the tarp from there.
posted by LarryC at 2:15 PM on August 30, 2006 [2 favorites]
Get one of these - it would be awesome to see it in action.
posted by megatherium at 2:16 PM on August 30, 2006
posted by megatherium at 2:16 PM on August 30, 2006
second dead_'s suggestion. take this question any decent outdoors store. if they don't want you examining their tent selections in-store, go elsewhere. a good store will be full of friendly gear-heads who are excited to tell you all about their toys.
i've owned and used a lot of tents for everything from extended car-camping to long-distance backpacking to a night out in the woods. the best advice i can give you is: a) you gets what you pays for, and b) most tent horror stories are due to user error. (some tents are going to be cheap pieces of crap no matter what.)
if you want more concrete help: get a free-standing tent, not a hoop model. hoop tents are less flexible in terms of where you can pitch them, because they won't stand up until they're fully staked out. also, go for a full double-wall tent. (it'll have a separate fly that goes over the body of the tent.) single-walls are lighter but are prone to moisture and ventilation problems. lastly, if you buy a 3-person tent, or a 6, or a 10, be prepared to end up with 3 people (or 6 or 10) in it every time you go out. it's the law of mooching tentless friends, and it is immutable.
posted by sonofslim at 2:46 PM on August 30, 2006
i've owned and used a lot of tents for everything from extended car-camping to long-distance backpacking to a night out in the woods. the best advice i can give you is: a) you gets what you pays for, and b) most tent horror stories are due to user error. (some tents are going to be cheap pieces of crap no matter what.)
if you want more concrete help: get a free-standing tent, not a hoop model. hoop tents are less flexible in terms of where you can pitch them, because they won't stand up until they're fully staked out. also, go for a full double-wall tent. (it'll have a separate fly that goes over the body of the tent.) single-walls are lighter but are prone to moisture and ventilation problems. lastly, if you buy a 3-person tent, or a 6, or a 10, be prepared to end up with 3 people (or 6 or 10) in it every time you go out. it's the law of mooching tentless friends, and it is immutable.
posted by sonofslim at 2:46 PM on August 30, 2006
The grad students all knew how to set up their tents. And I assume most of them were properly set up and had been water sealed regularly. Most of these grad students did outdoor field work and a lot of backpacking. It just rained and extraordinary amount. We were at a wedding, and there were about 20 tents. Most everyone just left in the middle of the night because of the wet tents. I was shocked in the morning to see everyone gone, and to learn that my cheap tent actually was dry. And this was without a tarp underneath. I'll check the brand and model and post tomorrow am.
posted by sulaine at 3:05 PM on August 30, 2006
posted by sulaine at 3:05 PM on August 30, 2006
One piece of old-school advice that I will pass on w/o actually understanding: Don't touch the tent from the inside if it's raining. It causes drips or something.
posted by smackfu at 3:29 PM on August 30, 2006
posted by smackfu at 3:29 PM on August 30, 2006
Seam sealer. Unless you ignore smackfu's advice, any water coming in the tent will probably come through the seams. You can spend $3-$7 dollars for a small tube of seam sealer, or you can buy a small paintbrush and a pint of Minwax urethane varnish, which is, as near as I can tell, exactly the same thing as the seam sealer. The Minwax will last you for years. The tube will do one tent - if you're lucky. (Doesn't have to be Minwax - any urethane varnish will do.)
It's too late for this weekend, but this place has camping gear at reasonable prices (but a limited selection). Their Guide Gear brand is actually quite good.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:31 PM on August 30, 2006
It's too late for this weekend, but this place has camping gear at reasonable prices (but a limited selection). Their Guide Gear brand is actually quite good.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:31 PM on August 30, 2006
There are a lot of tents. What you need depends on what you're going to be using it for and where you're going to be using it and also how much "margin of error" you need. sulaine's experience notwithstanding the cheapo tents with the partial rainfly (like a little cap for the tent) are only suitable for nice weather and low altitudes.
We do a LOT of camping and have three tents (single wall, regular backpacking and winter mountaineering). I like and use all our tents: which one would be best for you really depends. The thing to do is make a list of your needs and wants and go to REI and a few other stores and see what they have to offer. Some things to consider: bugs, rain, wind, terrain for staking and tying out, your height and width, your tolerance for discomfort, claustrophobia (windows are a good thing in my book), camping with dogs or kids, cost, weight and durability. Most likely you will end up with some kind of dome or freestanding tent with a rain fly and it'll be perfect for you.
NB: Personally, I hate the Sierra Designs tents I've tried to use. Very hard to set up the fly so it maintains a gap between it and the inner tent and therefore won't leak. If you find one you like check that feature out and make sure it's going to work.
posted by fshgrl at 6:43 PM on August 30, 2006
We do a LOT of camping and have three tents (single wall, regular backpacking and winter mountaineering). I like and use all our tents: which one would be best for you really depends. The thing to do is make a list of your needs and wants and go to REI and a few other stores and see what they have to offer. Some things to consider: bugs, rain, wind, terrain for staking and tying out, your height and width, your tolerance for discomfort, claustrophobia (windows are a good thing in my book), camping with dogs or kids, cost, weight and durability. Most likely you will end up with some kind of dome or freestanding tent with a rain fly and it'll be perfect for you.
NB: Personally, I hate the Sierra Designs tents I've tried to use. Very hard to set up the fly so it maintains a gap between it and the inner tent and therefore won't leak. If you find one you like check that feature out and make sure it's going to work.
posted by fshgrl at 6:43 PM on August 30, 2006
The advice about the groundcloth is good - in addition to keeping moisture out, it'll help lengthen the life of your tent by absorbing a lot of the abuse.
One note on groundcloths: Fold the ground cloth completely under the tent, as LarryC said. When doing that, make sure to fold the loose ends UNDER the rest of the ground cloth. If you fold them up, it creates an edge that can keep moisture in between the tent and ground cloth. (kind of the same principle as lining a truck bed with a tarp to make a swimming pool - if that helps any...).
Folding it under ensures that any water has a place to drain out.
posted by chrisamiller at 7:28 PM on August 30, 2006
One note on groundcloths: Fold the ground cloth completely under the tent, as LarryC said. When doing that, make sure to fold the loose ends UNDER the rest of the ground cloth. If you fold them up, it creates an edge that can keep moisture in between the tent and ground cloth. (kind of the same principle as lining a truck bed with a tarp to make a swimming pool - if that helps any...).
Folding it under ensures that any water has a place to drain out.
posted by chrisamiller at 7:28 PM on August 30, 2006
The best tent is no tent at all. Many people don't go camping if the forecast is for rain, so why bother with a tent. If mosquitoes are an issue, you can use a simple bug screen like this. If morning dew is an issue, use a light weight bivy bag cover like this.
If you're going to be outdoors, you may as well be out where you can see the stars all night. I rarely carry a tent anymore.
posted by JackFlash at 7:38 PM on August 30, 2006
If you're going to be outdoors, you may as well be out where you can see the stars all night. I rarely carry a tent anymore.
posted by JackFlash at 7:38 PM on August 30, 2006
I couldn't tell if you have to pack the tent in a ways. If you do, ignore the rest of this post. For car camping, and not that often, go for an inexpensive dome tent with rainfly. Go to a park beforehand and make sure you can set it up by yourself. Seal the seams before your trip.
I love my ultralight tent for backpacking, but for car camping the el-cheapo Coleman special (not unlike this one, but with more of a rainfly) is what I take. Yes, a four-man tent just for me. All that extra room is great -- being able to get in standing up means you can change clothes without doing contortions, which is nice for privacy at crowded campgrounds. The biggest downer of a big tent is packing it up at the end of the trip -- wrestling all that tent back into the bag can be a pain and I usually just end up throwing the whole thing in the back of the car unstuffed.
Also, make sure you have the right kind of stakes for your site. When in doubt, the normal heavy wire ones they pack with most tents can be pretty good as if you're in a very rocky area they'll bend around the bigger rocks. If your site is sandy, though, go for longer/broader snow/sand stakes. I still haven't figured out what the big plastic ones are for.
posted by Opposite George at 8:49 PM on August 30, 2006
I love my ultralight tent for backpacking, but for car camping the el-cheapo Coleman special (not unlike this one, but with more of a rainfly) is what I take. Yes, a four-man tent just for me. All that extra room is great -- being able to get in standing up means you can change clothes without doing contortions, which is nice for privacy at crowded campgrounds. The biggest downer of a big tent is packing it up at the end of the trip -- wrestling all that tent back into the bag can be a pain and I usually just end up throwing the whole thing in the back of the car unstuffed.
Also, make sure you have the right kind of stakes for your site. When in doubt, the normal heavy wire ones they pack with most tents can be pretty good as if you're in a very rocky area they'll bend around the bigger rocks. If your site is sandy, though, go for longer/broader snow/sand stakes. I still haven't figured out what the big plastic ones are for.
posted by Opposite George at 8:49 PM on August 30, 2006
I promised a tent brand/model. It is a Coleman. I couldn't tell the exact model, but it is a dome, and perhaps a 7x7. although that one says it sleeps 3 and I am sure I got one that was a "four person" tent. Perhaps it is a slightly larger version of that 7x7 dome? It looks like the online pictures.
posted by sulaine at 7:47 AM on August 31, 2006
posted by sulaine at 7:47 AM on August 31, 2006
You people may poopoo my suggestion but I put a ground cloth inside the tent. It was a piece of advice given me and the logic makes sense. I have been out on rainy nights where my tent had to be put on a slight incline and, during the night, the tent slipped down the hill a small amount exposing the outside corner of my ground cloth. 5am, I turned over, causing an ice-cold river to come shooting down my back. I have a plastic sheet that is larger than the footprint of my tent so it goes up the sides a little. Even if the bottom of my tent becomes waterlogged and the waterproof bucket bottom fails, I will still be dry. Eventually, the waterproofness will fail but the replaceable plastic tarp inside my tent will keep me from any unpleasant wakeup calls.
posted by Foam Pants at 11:31 AM on August 31, 2006
posted by Foam Pants at 11:31 AM on August 31, 2006
There was a "I need a tent for Burning Man" thread a few weeks back.
I have some ghetto tent from "Greatland Outdoors." I got it at Sears. It cost me about $30, iirc. I can set it up in 5 minutes by myself, and the cheapo tent has lasted through many many camping trips in various climates.
posted by drstein at 4:27 PM on August 31, 2006
I have some ghetto tent from "Greatland Outdoors." I got it at Sears. It cost me about $30, iirc. I can set it up in 5 minutes by myself, and the cheapo tent has lasted through many many camping trips in various climates.
posted by drstein at 4:27 PM on August 31, 2006
My husband had the following conversation today with the tent salesman in REI:
Husband: Excuse me...
Salesman: No.
Husband: I was wondering if...
Salesman: No.
Husband: Do I...
Salesman: No.
Husband: Do I need seam sealer?
Salesman: No!
Husband: Get that question a lot, huh?
Salesman: Yes.
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:06 PM on August 31, 2006
Husband: Excuse me...
Salesman: No.
Husband: I was wondering if...
Salesman: No.
Husband: Do I...
Salesman: No.
Husband: Do I need seam sealer?
Salesman: No!
Husband: Get that question a lot, huh?
Salesman: Yes.
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:06 PM on August 31, 2006
Response by poster: Thanks to everyone for some good pointers. My trip ended up being bumped back a week so I'll let you know which tent I ended up with and how it all went after this coming weekend.
posted by SteveFlamingo at 8:26 PM on September 4, 2006
posted by SteveFlamingo at 8:26 PM on September 4, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by dead_ at 1:14 PM on August 30, 2006