WHAT
ARE YOU GOING TO USE THE TENT FOR?
Obviously if you are going backpacking to
mountains on the other side of the world you’ll be looking for something light
and small that can withstand harsh weather – this will not be cheap. However, for camping in summer (in the UK and France for example) cheaper tents
are fine, providing they fulfil all your other needs.
HOW
MANY NIGHTS WILL YOU BE SPENDING IN IT?
Small tents are perfect for 1 or 2 nights
away as you can throw them into the boot of the car along with other bare
essentials (like sleeping bags) and just head off on a whim. This is great when you want to spend as
little time as possible putting up the tent and hardly any time in it, but
you’d probably go insane if you had to spend a week in such a confined
space. You need bigger for longer –
especially if it may rain.
DO
YOU HAVE LIMITED SPACE TO CARRY THE TENT?
Buy the lightest and most compact (when
packed) tent that meets your needs and budget.
We all end up taking too much anyway – everything but the kitchen sink –
which takes up so much space in the car, and invariably you won’t be using up
all the things you’ve packed for (who needs 50 pairs of shoes on holiday)! Make sure your new tent doesn’t contribute to
the problem.
WHAT
IS THE WEATHER GOING TO THROW AT YOU?
Small tents are fine when the weather is on
your side and you can spend most of your time (and even cook) outside, but are
not much good when it’s pouring with rain for days on end. Also, you can’t stand up in them or find
somewhere for young kids to amuse themselves if everyone’s on top of each
other! Unless you’re facing extreme
conditions ‘three-season’ tents are best for all round use.
HOW
QUICKLY DO YOU WANT THE TENT TO GO UP?
Get a tent that doesn’t require many pegs
to pitch. Pegs are heavy, easy to lose
and can be a drag to bang in the ground if it’s hard and dry. There are lots of ‘quick erect system’ tents
available, but you sometimes pay the price for the convenience.
Off you go then – have fun …
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