Best does not always equate itself to a high price tag. The same is true when looking for the best tents. Buying a tent is not as easy as picking up a catalogue then buying the first tent that catches your eye. You’ll probably regret doing this when you find out that the one you bought is not fit for freezing conditions and you’re stuck in it freezing like a popsicle. Choosing the best tents for your needs takes a lot of considerations. There are different varieties of tents that can be used in different seasons. Don’t use the same tent you used for summer camping during winter. You’ll regret it. To choose the best tents, consider the following points.

Some of the best tents that we found are online at Amazon.com and are very affordable.

Eureka Copper Canyon 1512 Cabin Tent - Click for more info at Amazon.com

Coleman 4-Person Instant Tent - Click for more info at Amazon.com

Coleman WeatherMaster 10 Tent - Click for more info at Amazon.com

The time of the year you’re going camping. Tents are classified into 3 types depending on what season they’re going to be used. All-season tents can be used year round, although they can’t stand up to very harsh winter conditions, not an option for a little winter campout. 3-season tents can be used year round as well and can withstand anything but the coldest of winters. 4-season tents are designed to be used in extremely cold climates.

Best Tents Considerations

Will the tent keep you dry? Make sure that the tent is made of waterproof material, not like those things that you can get at the army surplus store. Check the seams and the fly if they’re weatherproof. Rain water can easily find its way through shoddy stitching. Some tents also come with a rain fly for added rain proofing. The floor is very important as well. Water should not seep from under you. You can also spread a tarp on the floor for added protection. You don’t want to sleep on a wet bed right?

The ease of setting up. Choose a tent that can be pitched as easy and as quickly as possible. This will prove helpful just in case it rains all of a sudden. Another thing is you don’t want to spend 2 or 3 hours setting up an overly complicated contraption. After which you end up with something not even remotely resembling a tent. You have better things to do than that, like enjoying the outdoors, cooking your meals, swimming in the lake or just plain laying back.

Ventilation. Sleeping inside a tent on a hot summer night can be suffocating. Imagine sharing a balmy hot tent with 2 or 3 other people. That would not be a good experience. Make sure that your tents have opening on all sides, usually covered by mesh screens to keep the bugs out. You might also want to think about buying a tent fan, especially when camping at the height of summer.

Buying the best tents shouldn’t be that hard. Again, it doesn’t mean that just because you bought the most expensive one, you have the best. Just remember to consider the things mentioned above and you will have a fun, relaxing, and hassle free time while camping.

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When looking for outdoor camping gear, quality doesn’t necessarily equate to a high price tag.   When it comes to tents, for instance, there are a lot of high end brands that are aces when it comes to quality.  However, there are quite a few deals out there that can give you high-quality but cheap tents.

Coleman Instant Tent 14′ x 10′ - Click for more info at Amazon.com

Eureka Sunrise 9 Tent - Click for more info at Amazon.com

Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent - Click for more info at Amazon.com

Buying cheap tents doesn’t mean that you are sacrificing on quality.  One of the important things that you need to consider before buying anything would be your budget.   Another important thing to remember is that before buying your tent, you must know how you intend to use it.  There may not be a need to buy expensive tents if all you’re going to use it for is camping for a weekend in a location that has perfectly good weather.  In these non-extreme conditions, cheap tents will work as well as any other expensive one. With the way the economy is going, it pays to think first before buying anything. Before spending a whole wad of cash on that expensive tent, consider these things first.

Cheap Tents Considerations

Consider your purpose.  Why are you buying a tent in the first place? What are you going to use it for?  If it’s just a weekend getaway and not an expedition to Mt. Everest there is no need for you to buy the top of the line. Cheap tents that suit your need would work just fine. Another good question to ask yourself is how many people are going to use the tent? If the answer is just you, why bother buying a 4-person dome tent when you can just settle for a 2-person bivy?  What is the weather like at that place where you are going to camp? Check it out online. A 3-season tent would work fine in fair weather; it can even withstand light snow.  No need for that more expensive 4-season tent.

Compare features and specifications.  The best way to do this would be to find a high end tent that you like then check the specifications.  Then find a cheaper version that has roughly the same specs.  They will not be exactly the same and you will have to make a few sacrifices but it doesn’t really matter.  As long as you know the less expensive tent will suit your needs.

Consider your budget.  It’s wise to set a budget for yourself before going out on these camping trips.  A tent is important but there are still other things that you need, food and water for example.  Consider your budget and your other expenses first before blowing your budget on that four-season tent that caught your eye.

With the economy as it is today, camping and backpacking are now becoming a good and inexpensive alternative to vacations.  Don’t make it too expensive by buying things that you know you don’t really need. Finding a great deal on cheap tents is very easy.  Just try searching online and you will be pleasantly surprised on the number of great deals out there.

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Lightweight tents are a must have for people who love outdoor activities such as biking and backpacking.  Why use lightweight tents?  Backpacking involves a lot of walking and even climbing.  The more weight you save, the better.  Another benefit of using lightweight tents is that you have more room for the essentials like food and water.  This will in turn allow you to go on longer trips and explore a lot more area. Lastly, the less weight you carry, the better it is for your back.

Here is a list of popular lightweight tents at Amazon that you’ll definitely want to consider.

ALPS Mountaineering Mystique Lightweight Backpacking Tent - Click for more info at Amazon.com

ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2 Backpacking Tent - Click for more info at Amazon.com

Eureka Solitaire Tent - Click for more info at Amazon.com

Lightweight tents come in various shapes and sizes.

With the myriad of styles to choose from, it’s easy to get confused on which one you should buy.  The best thing to do is to consider what you are intending to do with the tent.  Certain types of tents are best fit for certain types of uses.

Tarp tents or Tarp shelters

These score high when it comes to being lightweight, and it’s also one of the most affordable ones out there.  It’s very simple as well, just one sheet of waterproof material with grommets on the edges where you can secure ropes to.  It takes a while for one to learn how to set it up but it gets easier once you get the hang of it.  The downside is it doesn’t offer insect protection.  So don’t use this tent if you are camping in an area full of bugs and critters.

The Bivouac Sack is what it says it is, a sack.

It’s a waterproof sleeping bag.  Very lightweight, it is favored by backpackers who really pack light.  On the other hand, the sack just has room for you and nothing else.  All your gear will be exposed to the elements.  Condensation inside the sack can be a problem as well.

Dome tents or Geodesic tents are by far the most popular tents available.

They’re fairly lightweight and easy to pack, carry, and set up.  Many of these types of tents have detachable parts making them compact when folded.  Although made of lightweight and waterproof materials, these tents are pretty sturdy and can protect you from the elements very well.  It also has ample room for you, a couple of you pals, and your gear as well.  This is the heaviest and bulkiest of the types mentioned so minimalist backpackers tend to shy away from this type. The poles and stakes add a lot to weight and use up quite a bit of space.  For people who value comfort in the outdoors, this will be the best option for you.

Conclusion

These are but a few types of lightweight tents that you can choose from. All have their good points and bad points as well.  Again, when it comes to choosing the right tent for you, think about where you are going, how long will you go camping, and what will you do when you get there.  This should help you narrow down your choices and pick the perfect tent for your perfect camping trip.

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Camping is generally a very fun activity, although some parts of it can be a downright drag.  Pitching and stowing your tent, for instance, is one of those less loved camping necessities.  Just imagine yourself wrestling with fabric and poles, trying to figure out which pole goes to which hole, and the pain of driving the stakes into the ground.  The Coleman Instant Tent was designed to get rid of all these hassles.  The Coleman Instant Tent has its poles built in which means no more figuring out how to insert those usually flimsy poles.  According to the manufacturers, the tent can be pitched or taken down in about one minute, making the Coleman Instant Tent ideal if you need to set up or break camp in a hurry.  It’s fairly large as well, allowing the average adult to stand erect inside the tent.  The Coleman Instant Tent comes in various sizes than can fit from four, six, to 8 persons.  You can find a lot of these with affordable prices on Amazon.com.

Coleman Instant Tent 14' x 10' - Click for more info at Amazon.com

Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent - Click for more info at Amazon.com

Coleman 4-Person Instant Tent - Click for more info at Amazon.com

A tent that can be pitched very easily and in no time at all is a godsend to all who love camping.  To those who have already tried it out, the Coleman Instant Tent did indeed live up to their expectations, hence garnering some good reviews.  There are videos on the manufacturer’s website, and on other sites as well, showing how easily the tent can be set up.  The video shows a couple of average guys setting up the tent and it only took them about a minute or so.  Honestly, after watching the video, pitching the tent looks really easy.   Other written reviews also praise the ease in which the tent can be set up.

Coleman Instant Tent User Reviews

A few reviews, however, point out a few negative points about the instant tent.  One review mentioned that these tents don’t last that long.  After using it a few times one camping season, the tent broke and was deemed unusable.  Another person also commented that the retractable poles the tent uses have the tendency to get stuck after you set it up, making it impossible to take the tent down. One very good point stated that if a thing has too many moving parts, there are more things that can go wrong.

When it comes to keeping the elements out, the instant tent seems to be doing really well.  According to testimonials, it does pretty well with keeping the rain out in a light downpour.  There were a few leaks but nothing to really worry about.  Condensation inside the tent isn’t that bad as well. In hot weather, however, the tent becomes too hot.  The vents on top of the tent are not enough to cool it down even with the window flaps up.  It’s highly advisable to purchase a tent fan to avoid overheating.

Overall, the Coleman Instant Tent can be a good buy if you intend to use it for just a weekend camping trip in fairly good weather.  It does what it says it can do, sets up and folds down quickly and easily, giving you more time to enjoy other camping activities. Just don’t use it when the weather is too hot, or if it’s raining too hard.

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