What is there to know about tents? Types, materials, resistance, waterproofing and much more.

For all of us who love camping, there is a fundamental element that is necessary to know above all others, the tent.

There are several different types of tents depending on the classification we make: structure, materials, water resistance, price, climate for which they are more suitable … and it is important to know these details and many others when assembling your camping equipment.

This is what we are going to talk about in this post. If you want to know a little more about it, we invite you to read on.

What types of tents can we differentiate according to their structure?

Depending on the shape and structure of the tent, we mainly find the following types:

Igloo tent

The igloo tent is so called because its shape is very reminiscent of the igloos of the Eskimos living at the poles. It is a tent in the shape of a half sphere, thanks to which this type of tent resists wind and rain.

It has important advantages depending on the type of traveler you are, such as its lightweight, the space in the cabin is one hundred percent usable and its assembly is very simple.

Tipi

The tipi is a very common type of tent, simple and attractive, which has its origin in the tents in which the Indians lived in the United States. They are very resistant, lightweight and simple tents.

Automatic Assembly

Automatic tents have become popular a few years ago because of their easy assembly. If a disadvantage of these tents had to be pointed out, it would be that they often take up a lot of space when disassembled. It is also important that their folding is complex and can damage their structure.

Tunnel tent

This type of tent is very wind resistant. It is usually made of resistant materials (which we will talk about later), and is composed of a minimum of two poles that run along the entire structure so that both the front and the inside can be used and is comfortable.

Canadians

These are quite tall and comfortable tents. It is the most complete tent in terms of easy assembly, strength, durability and space utilization. Some of them have a perfect space at the back to store backpacks called apse.

Components of a tent

Now that we have seen what types of tents we can find, it is important to know what components and parts they are made of.

The structure of the tent

We have talked about the types of tents we can find according to the structure, but we have not defined it.

The structure is the set of poles and elements that support the tent. There are different ways to attach these poles to the tent, for example, using cords, clips or rubber bands.

Flooring and insulation

In general, an average quality tent usually has built-in flooring, so that it insulates more and avoids damage from the main floor. In some tents it is attached to the outer layer while in others they are joined by different elements. However, in all cases they are fastened with pegs. They are usually made of canvas, as it is a very resistant material.

Outer layer

The outer layer is a layer that waterproofs the tent and insulates it from rain or snow. It is usually made of nylon, a material that resists the cold well and is waterproof.

Pegs or spikes

The pegs are the anchorages with which the floor of the tent is fastened. They are metal spikes with which the tent is nailed to the ground so that it does not blow away in case of wind or create water pockets in case of rain.

Other anchors

Depending on the type of tent and its features, pegs are not the only way to anchor the tent to the ground. You can also use rings, elastics or harnesses.

Winds

The guy ropes are very resistant ropes that are used to hold the tent to the ground by its upper and middle part thanks to some straps or eyelets that the tent comes with. This makes the outer layer of the tent firmer and more resistant to wind.

Ventilation

There are some tents that have an air vent, a gas outlet or a window. Generally, it is the high mountain tents that come equipped with it, but there are some other models that have this type of element, also important for long camping stays.

Mosquito net

It is also called a double door. It is nothing more than a mesh that allows the ventilation of the tent in case you want to leave it open and prevent the entry of insects in our cabin.

Classification according to the weight of the tent

According to the weight of the tent, we can distinguish three types. It is important to consider that the weight will depend in part on the material it is made of, but it is not indicative of its quality. Thus, we find the following:

– Light: Light tents weigh less than one kilo.

– Medium: The weight of medium tents ranges between one and two kilos.

– Heavy: these weigh more than 2.5 kilos.

What materials can a tent be made of?

We can find several materials from which a tent is made. One of them is canvas, a material used to make floors, which is very heavy for a tent. Another material used is nylon, which is lighter but not suitable for harsh climates.

The best (and most common) material is polyester, which is used for the outer layer of the tent, as it is very resistant and waterproof. 

At this point, it is important to say that the degree of impermeability of the materials depends largely on factors such as the interlacing of the yarns in their manufacture or the subsequent treatment of the fabric. 

Some manufacturers apply a polyurethane treatment to the fabric of the tent to make it more resistant, as well as use polyethylene on the floor and in the rooms of the tent.

Types of tents according to the Kampaoh classification

For us, there are two main types of tents and equipment for the greatest comfort, those that you buy, assemble, disassemble, repair and transport yourself every time you go camping, or the all-inclusive tents assembled upon arrival, without hassle, without wasting time or energy, all ready to start enjoying the trip from the first minute and without having to invest in equipment, among many other advantages.

 

 

 

 

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