Anyone looking to buy his or her first camping tent may be confused to learn that there are different types of tents to consider. Camping tents come in different shapes and forms and though some people may only be interested in the price, buying the wrong type of tent is something that one may regret at a later stage. Below are some of the most popular types of tents that one can find on the marketplace.
Pop-Up Tents
One of the most popular types of tents is the pop-up tent. Most pop-up tents are relatively inexpensive and can be easily found in many camping sites and festival areas. Apart from the cost, the main reason for the popularity of the pop-up tent is that it is usually very easy to set up. As the name suggests, setting up a pop-up tent is usually a question of placing it on the ground and opening the carry bag. Getting the camp out of the carry bag will cause it to pop-up on its own in a matter of seconds. At this point one would only still need to peg the tent for optimum stability.
Pop-up tents usually use fiberglass poles however they are still relatively stable due to their shape. Having said this, they are not usually meant to be used in very windy conditions. Obviously not all pop-up tents are built the same way and this depends mainly on the type of materials used. As can be expected the higher the price, the better the materials that are used.
However pop-up tents do have their drawbacks and the major disadvantages of the pop-up tent is that it is normally pretty large in its packed form. A packed pop-up takes a circular form, however a one person pop-up tent is usually no smaller than 60cm in diameter. In view of this a pop-up tent would usually need to be carried on its own as unlike many other tent types, as it is almost impossible to carry a pop-up tent in a luggage. Thus a pop-up tent is not really recommended if one is travelling by plane or by train. Obviously, if one is travelling by car to the camp site then it is a completely different story.
Dome Tents
Dome tents can be widely found in camping sites as they are not complicated to set up and are usually not too heavy. The most basic form of dome tent consists of a single flexible pole upon which a canvas sheath is then placed on the top. Single pole tents are not usually very stable and proper pegging is essential for ensuring that the tent remains in place in windy conditions.
When using such a tent in bad weather it is usually essential to set it up so that it is looking into the direction of the wind. If the tent is set up in an incorrect orientation it will act as a sail. Even if the tent holds in place it will tent to flap which will make it difficult to sleep in due to the flapping sound.
Most dome tents consist of two or three flexible fiberglass poles crossing each other in the centre. In general, the more the poles, the more stable the tent, especially in the case of smaller tents. Having said this, the larger the tent gets the less stable it usually gets.
Tunnel Tents
Another popular type of tent is the tunnel tent. Tunnel tents usually consist of two or more flexible fiberglass poles placed in a semicircular shape. The canvas is placed over the poles forming a tunnel. One of the main advantages of tunnel tents is that they are relatively light while allowing the maximum possible usage of available space.
One can find many models of tunnel tents on the market that are relatively inexpensive. Some types of tunnel tents contain a porch area apart from the sleeping, where one can keep any backpacks, shoes and so on. As a matter of fact, tunnel tents can make excellent family tents.
On the downside is the fact that tunnel tents can be a bit unstable and as a matter of fact, they are not properly suited for bad weather conditions. Proper pegging is essential, especially in the case of larger tunnel tents.
Semi-Geodesic and Geodesic Tents
Geodesic tents consist of several flexible poles that cross each other at various positions, forming triangles in the process. Geodesic tents are usually very stable and are built to be used in very windy conditions. In view of this most geodesic tents do not use fiberglass poles in favour of stronger quality poles. Steel and aluminum alloys are two such materials that are widely used in geodesic tent designs.
The materials used for geodesic tents are usually also stronger in order to be able to withstand bad weather. As can be expected, geodesic tents tend to be heavier than some other types of tents. Having said this, some manufacturers make use of strong lightweight materials in order to keep the weight relatively down.
Semi-geodesic tents are similar to geodesic tents; the main difference being that fewer poles are utilized in the process. This makes the tents usually less expensive and lighter to carry around. As can be expected, semi-geodesic tents are not usually meant to be used in conditions of extreme weather. Having said this, most semi-geodesic tents are still perfectly suited for moderate mountaineering expeditions.
Ridge Tents
A couple of decades ago, the only tent form one could find was the ridge tent. A typical ridge tent consists of one vertical pole at each end. A canvas is then placed over the poles and everything is held in place by several pegs. Some forms of ridge tent also contain a horizontal pole that is placed on top of the vertical poles. Other variations also do exist and one can find ridge tents with several vertical poles.
Ridge tents are usually pretty stable and provided they are properly pegged some ridge tent models can also be used in bad weather conditions. Small ridge tents tend to be fairly low in height and the limited head height is one of the reasons why many people prefer to go for other types of tents. Having said this, ridge tents are usually available in various sizes, from small one person tents to large tents that can be used by several people at the same time and have ample head space.
Pyramid Tents
Pyramid tents are similar to ridge tents with the difference that they only contain one vertical pole. While one can find a several different models on the market, pyramid models are not usually very popular.
The main problem with pyramid tents is the lack of available inside space. While pyramid tents may have enough head space in the centre (at least for sitting up), the low angled walls on the sides is usually a cause of concern. The lack of space maximization can be an issue if one has a large rucksack. The angle of the walls also means that one would need to sleep with his or her face almost touching the inside of the tent. While one might not mind this in warm weather, this may become an issue as the weather becomes cooler.
Inflatable Tents
Inflatable tents have only been around for a few years and as a matter of fact, they are still relatively unknown to many people. Inflatable tents do not contain rigid poles as do conventional tents. Instead of pole they contain tubes which when filled with air become rigid causing the tent to stand up on its own.
The advantage of inflatable tents is that they can be set up in a few minutes, mainly depending on the power of the air pump. Inflatable tents are also perfectly suitable for anyone who finds it difficult to pitch up a tent or for people with physical difficulties. High quality inflatable tents have also be designed to withstand stormy weather conditions. On the downside is the fact that inflatable tents are usually more expensive than other types of tents.
